NEW YORK, March 10, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Credello: If you're single, you might find a lot to enjoy about it. You can come and go just as you like, and you can create a lifestyle that suits you without having to consider anyone else. It's not for everyone, but some people like it very much.

It's not all sunshine and roses, though. Being single in 2023 can cost you a lot of money in rent. If you're putting off marriage to avoid debt, you might realize after reading this article that it's not the perfect strategy you thought it was. We'll discuss why living alone can backfire financially in the following article.

What Is the Singles Tax?

There's a concept you might hear about, particularly if you live in a pricey city like New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, or Chicago. The residents of these cities call it the "singles tax." 

This is not literally a tax that exists on single people. That would be a ludicrous concept. The single-person tax means that you're paying significantly more to rent an apartment on your own than you'd pay if you were married or living with a partner.

If you scoff at this concept, try living in a city like New York on your own. You can easily pay as much as an extra $15K or even $20K if you rent an apartment by yourself versus renting one with a spouse or partner.

Are There Cities Where This Tax Is Lower?

If you don't plan on getting married anytime soon or moving in with a partner, you might wonder whether there are places where this singles tax doesn't hit you as hard. There are certain cities where it's not as bad. Reports indicate that in Cleveland or Detroit, you'll pay less than an extra $5K, on average, if you live by yourself versus living with a spouse or partner.

The cost of living in these cities, as opposed to the ones we mentioned, is cheaper overall, but moving is only an option if you feel you can do it from a professional standpoint. If you have a job in a more expensive city that you'd be reluctant to leave behind, you may have no choice but to stay put.

Are There Other Ways to Avoid the Single Tax?

If you're not at the right point in your life for a relationship, it would be unreasonable to get into one just to avoid the singles tax. If you're not determined to live alone and keep paying the higher rent, then getting a roommate or multiple roommates probably makes the most sense.

If you do this, you don't have quite as much freedom as you'd have if you lived alone, but at least you have people who will share the rent cost with you. If you find some individuals who seem like they could be friends with you or who you can at least tolerate, this becomes a viable option.

The Singles Tax Matters

Though not a literal tax on being single, there's no denying that if you live by yourself, you'll pay a lot more in rent every year, especially if you live in a more expensive city. If you're in a committed relationship already, you might consider proposing marriage so you can move in together and split the rent. You might also think about cohabitating, even if you're not ready to marry. 

If you're not in a relationship and have no plans of getting into one, you might consider moving to a less expensive city to pay less of a single-person tax. You can also look into getting some roommates, especially if you can find some with whom you can be friends. Failing that, you should at least tolerate them.

These are the optimal ways to get around the singles tax. It's real and can impact your life every year until you decide to do something about it. 

Contact Information:
Keyonda Goosby
Public Relations Specialist
[email protected]
(201) 633-2125


Original Source: How Being Single in 2023 Can Cost You a Whole Lot in Rent

NEW YORK, March 10, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Aflac: The military typically takes care of many of veterans' needs, including providing inexpensive life insurance. But in some cases, it might be more favorable for you to consider other life insurance options. Some important factors that can help you decide on a life insurance policy include researching providers and comparing policy types. Here's what you need to know about how life insurance for veterans works and how you can find the best life insurance plan.  

How life insurance for veterans works

When you are no longer an active-duty military member, there are four options that you can consider for life insurance:

You can let your servicemembers' group life insurance expire and buy private life insurance. This option is best for veterans who have no severe health conditions, as they will qualify for a cheaper policy.

If you're happy with your current SGLI, you can convert it to veterans group life insurance. This needs to be done within 485 days of leaving active duty.

If you know you want private insurance but currently have health concerns, you can convert your SGLI to private life insurance within 120 days of leaving active duty without taking a medical exam¹.

Lastly, you can convert your SGLI to a VGLI and then convert the VGLI into private coverage. There are providers who allow veterans to convert a VGLI into a civilian policy at any time without a health screening. You're able to have more time to compare different quotes for private life insurance to make sure you're getting the best rates. Here are a few ideas that can help you with finding the best life insurance policy:

Research providers  

When you're researching a life insurance provider, look at customer reviews to see how good their service has been. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has a complaint index that evaluates whether a company received more or fewer complaints than expected. J.D. Power also has a customer satisfaction ranking where you can see how a company is ranked compared to others. Beyond reviews and ratings, look into whether a provider offers the specific policies and features you need. It's also a good idea to make sure the life insurance company is financially sound by looking them up on independent rating agencies, such as A.M. Best and Fitch.  

Compare policy types  

Two common types of life insurance policies are term life insurance and whole life insurance. While two companies may carry the same policy type, what each insurance company offers will vary. Compare each company by the specific type of insurance you're considering to see which one is the best fit for your needs.  

Compare life insurance quotes  

In most cases, an insurance company will offer you a free quote online. It's important to get quotes from several companies as rates will differ. You could contact an independent insurance agent who works with different insurance companies or use a website that can get you quotes from multiple companies. Comparing quotes between different insurance companies can guide you to the best coverage at an affordable price. Be sure to follow all these tips when you're looking for a life insurance plan that fits your needs as a veteran. 

[Footnote source] 

¹ U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. "Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI)." 

Content within this article is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health, or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees, and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. For complete details, including availability and costs of Aflac insurance, please contact your local Aflac agent.  

Aflac insurance coverage is underwritten by Aflac. In New York, coverage underwritten by Aflac New York.  

Contact Information:
Angie Blackmar
Senior PR & Corporate Communications
[email protected]
706-763-4813

Keyonda Goosby
Public Relations Specialist
[email protected]
(201) 633-2125


Original Source: Aflac: How to Find the Best Life Insurance for Veterans

NEW YORK, March 10, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Aflac: 2022 was a rough year for a lot of people financially, especially with inflation and rising interest rates. However, the new year is all about change, and by taking the right steps, you could change the trajectory of your net worth. To help get you started, here are five great ways to significantly improve your financial security in 2023. 

Boost your retirement contributions 

Retirement accounts like your 401(k) or IRA are great ways to build long-term sustainable wealth. These types of accounts enable you to invest for tax-deferred growth, which can cause your portfolio to multiply several times over. Plus, if you work for a company that makes employer-matching contributions, that can make your account balance even bigger. Every opportunity that you can, increase the amount that you're contributing to your retirement accounts. Higher contributions help you accumulate more savings over time.  

Diversify your investments 

Diversification is the key to financial security when it comes to investing. No one should ever leave the future of their nest egg in the hands of just a few companies. Instead, a better approach is to invest across multiple assets so that you'll have exposure to the broader market. 

A good way to do this is through what's called asset allocation. Asset allocation is an investment strategy where you assemble a portfolio made up of cash, bonds, stocks, and alternative assets (such as real estate or gold). This will help to hedge your portfolio from losses while also optimizing it for the best growth potential. 

Build other income streams 

Having a job is a great way to produce income, but it's certainly not the only way. Many people have improved their financial well-being by building more than one stream of income outside of their regular employment. A few common examples include: 

Dividend payments from stocks 

Rent income from investment properties 

Revenue from small business interests 

Adding other income streams can significantly increase your wealth while also providing you with protection, especially if you were ever faced with a financial emergency or potential job loss. 

Explore your life insurance options 

Having a good life insurance policy is an absolute must for the financial security of your family. If you pass away, life insurance could provide your family with multiple years' worth of income as if you were still living. Talk with a licensed insurance agent about what life insurance options they have to offer, and choose the one that strikes the right balance between fitting your needs and affordability. 

Raise your credit score 

You never know when you might need to utilize a line of credit or apply for a loan. That's why it's always a good idea to have the highest credit score possible. A great way to do this is by practicing good financial management. Use tips like: 

Putting your bills on auto-pay 

Never using more than 30 percent of your total available credit 

Keeping the number of credit inquiries to a minimum 

The more you maintain these good habits, the higher your score will climb. 

The bottom line 

Make 2023 the year to improve your financial security. Start by increasing your retirement contributions, diversifying your portfolio, and boosting your income with other streams of income. Also, protect yourself by exploring your life insurance options and maintaining a great credit score just in case you ever need financing. 

Content within this article is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health, or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees, and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. For complete details, including availability and costs of Aflac insurance, please contact your local Aflac agent.  

Aflac insurance coverage is underwritten by Aflac. In New York, coverage is underwritten by Aflac New York.  

Contact Information:
Angie Blackmar
Senior PR & Corporate Communications
[email protected]
706-763-4813


Original Source: Aflac: How to Improve Your Financial Security in 2023

The "God's Got This" Necklace Has Become a Symbol of Comfort and Peace During Difficult Times

BRADENTON, Fla., March 10, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Joy & Country is proud to offer its own unique version of the "God's Got This" necklace as a symbol of hope, peace, and comfort. Worn by the recipient or given as a gift, its simple yet powerful message penetrates the heart and reminds all who wear it that someone greater than themselves is watching over them and involved in their personal lives. 

This beautiful necklace is handcrafted with high-quality surgical steel in a choice of stainless steel or 18k gold finish. The necklace's face is available in a silver or black background or a military dog tag-style, and it comes with a complimentary gift box and optional engraving. 

Joy & Country Founder Jenna Scaglione says this necklace is one of their most-loved items, in addition to all other merchandise that includes the saying, "God's Got This."

Jenna states, "The message 'God's got this' is comforting and powerful, especially during uncertain times, as it helps people relinquish their worry to a loving God whose presence brings solace and strength.

"Our customers love the necklace for its high-quality finish and materials, and often tell us they consider it a work of art. When they get it home, they are even more pleased as they say its superb quality and beauty outshines the images!" 

While customers love buying the necklace to inspire and remind them of God's love and peace, they also gift it to their loved ones to help them through difficult times.

During a recent challenging time with her daughter's hospitalization, the co-anchor of the NBC News morning show Today Hoda Kotb was grateful to receive a "God's Got This" necklace from her friend who loved it so much it was already worn out when she gave it to her. The necklace reminded Hoda to be grateful, and offered her comfort and support. 

About Joy & Country

Joy & Country exists to inspire, bring hope and faith, and make the world a better place, one tee and necklace at a time. The faith-based, family-run company offers apparel, jewelry, and gifts focused on faith, family, and freedom, and hopes to spread a little joy with every hope-inspired creation.

Contact Information:
Jenna Scaglione
Owner, Joy & Country
[email protected]


Original Source: Joy & Country Releases Unique Version of Simple, Yet Powerful Necklace

The Real Estate, recreational & aquatics markets from artificial beaches, urban lagoons, surf parks, and wave pools are to be disrupted by industry titans working together to manage the demand.

AUSTIN, Texas, March 10, 2023 (Newswire.com) - GAST Clearwater, a US-based next-generation water treatment company, artificial beach, and property developer, announced today in conjunction with Surf Park Management a team of experts from resort, marketing, hospitality, and wave park industries as a service provider to developers and investment groups that they have signed a MOU to work together on a non-exclusive basis.

As the wave pool or surf park market is poised to reach a multibillion-dollar growth over the next few years, various key players in the market are collaborating to manage the sheer demand and explosive growth globally, with numerous new projects being brought online, especially here in the USA. As mixed-use developments or residential developments anchored by an artificial beach, urban lagoon, or surf parks see a much higher growth rate than conventional developments.

"It is honestly a breath of fresh air to partner with people like Skip Taylor & Cate Thero of Surf Park Management. They are top-class specialists in the field and have decades of experience. As a customer-centric organization, we live and die for our customer needs and by combining forces with Surf Park Management, we can provide our and their customers the latest technologies, management, analytics, and development guidance at a fraction of the cost," said Mr. Kevin Gast, Co-Founder & CEO of GAST Clearwater.

Numerous projects in the US and across the globe are currently in various stages of development, negotiations, and design phases, using a wide variety of wave-generating technologies,  including GAST Clearwater's ALTEP water treatment system and the industries only 10-year backed guarantee waterproofing system from GAST Clearwater, more so Surf Park Management is actively involved providing extensive consulting, asset management, operational management, business planning & investment strategies to these developers.

"We are excited to work with the technology forward GAST Clearwater team to help deliver alternative water treatment options to minimize water and chemical usage and to provide a more sustainable solution to the emerging surf park industry," said Skip Taylor, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Surf Park Management.

About GAST Clearwater:

GAST Clearwater is a US-based, next-generation water treatment company with a mission to provide Water for Mankind one drop at a time. Operating in various industries and markets from Real Estate, Wastewater Treatment, Municipal Potable Water, and various others in particular focusing on the recovering and recycling of different waters in a centralized or decentralized way. The company also does artificial beaches, urban lagoons, wave pools, surf parks, aquatics to sewerage treatment, wastewater, and drinking water.

About Surf Park Management: 

Surf Park Management, Inc., based in San Diego, CA, is a proven and professional management team focused on delivering successful business results in the emerging surf park arena. SPM provides consulting and management services to developers and investors to surf parks and their related recreational and hospitality operations. SPM is technology-agnostic and works with the surf technology that works best for the specific venues and its operating parameters. Our team is also a group of surf and sports enthusiasts with deep expertise in complex resort operations and event management. SPM is currently managing the surf, waterfront, food & beverage, retail, and administrative operations of The LineUp at Wai Kai in Hawaii which opens in March 2023.

Contact Information:
GAST Clearwater Media Office
Global Media Room
[email protected]


Original Source: GAST Clearwater & Surf Park Management Team Up