iQuanti: Debt can be daunting and overwhelming, but with the right strategies in place, it doesn't have to stay that way. Paying off your debt strategically can help you become debt-free faster and more efficiently. In this article, we'll provide tips on how to pay off your debt strategically so you can reach financial freedom sooner. 

Create a payment plan:

Creating a payment plan is the first step to strategically paying off your debt. When creating your plan, make sure to prioritize repaying debts with higher interest rates since those will cost you more money in the long run. You should also consider any fees associated with each loan and determine which ones are most expensive and need to be paid down sooner. Once you've identified the debts that need to be repaid first, create a timeline for yourself that outlines how much you can afford to pay each month on each debt until they are all paid off.

Pay more than the minimum balance: 

If possible, try to pay more than the minimum balance due on each of your accounts. Paying more than the minimum balance will help you pay off your debt faster and reduce the amount of interest that accrues over time. To calculate how much extra you can afford to pay, subtract your monthly expenses from your income and use that number as a guide for how much extra you can put towards paying off your debt each month. 

Explore debt consolidation: 

Debt consolidation is another option to consider when trying to strategically manage large amounts of debt. This involves taking out one loan to cover all other debts, allowing you to pay them off in one lump sum at a lower overall interest rate. However, it's important to make sure that the loan you take out won't have any hidden fees or terms that will make it more expensive in the long run.  

Create a budget: 

Creating and adhering to a budget is essential when trying to manage debt strategically. When making your budget, factor in all expenses, including rent, groceries, utilities, and loan payments. Set aside money for entertainment and other activities as well so you won't be tempted to use it on unnecessary items. It's important to remember that creating a budget isn't just about tracking expenses—it's about understanding where your money goes and making changes if necessary so you can stay within the limits of what you can afford each month. 

Track your progress: 

Finally, make sure to track your progress as you pay off your debt. This can help keep you motivated and accountable for reaching financial freedom. When tracking your progress, consider recording how much money you've saved by paying off each loan earlier than expected or how much interest has been avoided along the way. This will help you stay on top of your debt repayment goals and keep you motivated in the long run. 

Paying off your debt strategically can be a challenge, but it's an important step to achieving financial freedom. With the right strategies in place, such as creating a payment plan, paying more than the minimum balance, exploring debt consolidation options, and creating a budget, you'll be on your way to financial freedom in no time.

Diallo Gordon
Diallo Gordon, Passport Technology

Passport Technology Inc. (Passport), the fastest-growing provider of payment technology to the global gaming industry, has appointed Diallo Gordon as Chief Marketing and Product Officer. Gordon takes on his expanded role immediately and reports to Passport's CEO Cleve Tzung. 

Gordon brings Passport a proven track record of over 25 years of domestic and international product and technical leadership and has previously held CEO, CRO, EVP and GM positions in public and private organizations in defense, regulatory compliance, gaming and payments. Most recently, Gordon served as the founder and CEO of Phi Gaming, LLC (Phi), where his team built several innovative loyalty products for the B2B systems industry, leading to the acquisition of Phi by Passport.  

"Diallo is a highly talented technologist with a proven track record of driving growth through innovation with breadth and depth of industry knowledge across both payments and loyalty," said Cleve Tzung, Passport CEO. "Diallo has proven himself to be a tremendous leader, industry visionary and is an invaluable asset to the Passport team." 

Gordon's vision for a technology-forward, customer-centric loyalty and fintech combination came about as a result of his leadership roles at gaming industry giants where he noticed unfulfilled opportunities for casinos. Gordon founded Phi after spending five years with EVERI in various leadership roles as a Section 16 Officer and six years with Aristocrat Technologies Inc. as Director Oasis Regional Support. Gordon started his career in gaming as a Lab Engineer for the Mississippi Gaming Commission, where he was responsible for the evaluation, test, and approval for both gaming systems and slot products. Prior to gaming, Gordon worked for the United States Department of Defense as part of the advanced weapons research, test and evaluation team developing the F/A-22 Raptor and also worked for the Federal Aviation Administration in communications and flight safety.   

"The bridge between loyalty and fintech, cemented by service, is the absolute right formula for success in this vertical. Passport's solutions are industry-leading and the commitment to service, innovation and collaborative relationships won me over from day one," states Gordon. "Committed to servant leadership, I am here to serve Passport's employees, customers and shareholders in building useful and relevant products to the gaming industry and telling our story through each customer journey."  

Gordon is a proud veteran of the United States Air Force (USAF), where he served honorably as an Airborne Instrumentation and Telemetry Antenna PMEE on the EC-18 and EC-135 Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft (ARIA), amassing numerous flight hours and mission deployments as an aircrew member supporting weapons, communications and space research serving NASA, various U.S. government agencies, NATO and private industry. Gordon holds multiple undergraduate degrees in Electronics Engineering Technology, Business Management and Business Administration. He attended the University of Georgia and earned a Masters of Science in Management Information Systems from the University of Maryland.  

Tzung summarizes, "Diallo's industry experience, reputation, commitment to country and educational achievements are sure to raise the bar for everyone at Passport as we accelerate growth and drive long-term value for all stakeholders."  

U.S. Polo Assn.
U.S. Polo Assn.

Global Polo Entertainment (GPE), the entertainment and media subsidiary of USPA Global Licensing Inc. (USPAGL), has extended their historic relationship with ESPN for two additional years beginning Jan. 1, 2023. USPAGL manages U.S. Polo Assn., the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), the governing body for the sport of polo in the United States.

The original agreement, signed in 2022, was a landmark deal between the two entities that brought the sport of polo to a large global audience, extending to many parts of the world and the United States, with exposure to millions of households and multi-digital channels.

"The USPA views the ESPN relationship with great optimism for attracting an entirely new generation of young men and women to the greatest game on four legs," said Stewart Armstrong, Chairman of the USPA. "The talent of the human athletes will only serve to demonstrate the incredible partnership of two superior athletes, human and equine, competing in an all-out battle of the best, all on the U.S. Polo Assn. Field at the new USPA National Polo Center (NPC) - Wellington. It's going to be a phenomenal season."

After airing several of the top polo tournaments in the world in 2022, including the heart-stopping XII Federation of International Polo (FIP) World Polo Championship Opening Ceremony featuring the USA Team, it's anticipated that year two of the relationship will bring even more exposure to the "best kept secret" in sports. The multi-faceted agreement will again bring the finals of the top U.S. polo events to ESPN platforms. Games will be distributed on ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, and available on-demand on the ESPN App.

In 2023, games will include the most prestigious tournament in North America, the U.S. Open Polo Championship® as well as the U.S. Open Women's Polo Championship®, the Women's and Men's National Intercollegiate Championship (NIC) games, and the oldest rivalry in all of polo, the Westchester Cup between the United States and England.

In addition to the games, ESPN will again stream multiple 25-minute made-for-television shows produced by GPE. The shows, called "Global Polo presented by U.S. Polo Assn.," serve as a behind-the-scenes look into the lives and careers of polo players and horses from around the world. Included in extended media distribution, these shows will air on beIN Sports, Horse & Country, Clip My Horse and Times of India.

"We are honored to collaborate with ESPN, the world's most influential sports platform, on an historic relationship," said J. Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPAGL, which manages the global, multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand. "We have set our goal of bringing the sport of polo to millions of sports fans around the world."

"By delivering exciting sport and lifestyle content in new and innovative ways alongside ESPN, we look forward to jointly broadening access to the sport of polo in ways that will grow both our sport and the U.S. Polo Assn. brand fanbase today and for years to come," Prince added. "Now fans can watch polo on ESPN platforms, as well as in person at the amazing new NPC facility, in the heart of Wellington, considered the winter equestrian capital of the world."

For the most up-to-date information and breaking news, sign up for the Polo Insider newsletter at globalpolo.com.

About ESPN

ESPN, the world's leading sports entertainment brand, features eight U.S. television networks, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more. ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.

About U.S. Polo Assn. and USPA Global Licensing Inc. (USPAGL)

U.S. Polo Assn. is the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), the nonprofit governing body for the sport of polo in the United States and one of the oldest sports governing bodies, having been founded in 1890. With a multi-billion-dollar global footprint and worldwide distribution through some 1,100 U.S. Polo Assn. retail stores and thousands of department stores as well as sporting goods channels, independent retailers and e-commerce, U.S. Polo Assn. offers apparel for men, women, and children, as well as accessories and footwear in more than 190 countries worldwide. Today, U.S. Polo Assn. is ranked the 28^th largest licensor in the world and within the top five sports licensors in 2022, according to License Global. Visit uspoloassnglobal.com and follow @uspoloassn.

USPA Global Licensing Inc. (USPAGL) is the for-profit subsidiary of the USPA and its exclusive worldwide licensor. USPAGL manages the global, multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand and is the steward of the USPA's intellectual properties, providing the sport with a long-term source of revenue. Through its subsidiary, Global Polo Entertainment (GPE), USPAGL also manages Global Polo TV, which provides polo sport, and lifestyle content. In addition, USPAGL collaborates with ESPN and beIN Sports globally to share the sport of polo on television and on-demand to millions of viewers around the world. For more sport content, visit globalpolo.com.

About the United States Polo Association® (USPA)

The United States Polo Association was organized and exists for the purposes of promoting the game of polo, coordinating the activities of its Member Clubs and Registered Players, arranging and supervising polo tournaments, competitions and games, and providing rules, handicaps, and conditions for those tournaments, competitions, and games including the safety and welfare of participants and mounts. Founded in 1890, the USPA is the national governing body for the sport of polo. The USPA is currently comprised of almost 200 member clubs with thousands of individual members and oversees 40 national tournaments. For more information, please visit uspolo.org.

iQuanti: With the economic downturns of recent years, it has become increasingly difficult for people to borrow money when they need it most. Emergency loans offer a solution to this problem by providing quick and easy access to funds in times of financial hardship. This article will explore what emergency loans are and how to get them. It will also cover the key considerations to make before taking out an emergency loan and provide helpful tips on getting the best loan deal possible. By understanding what options are available and following some simple steps, you can make sure that you obtain a loan that is both suitable for your needs and favorable in terms of repayment terms. 

What is an emergency loan?

An emergency loan is a type of financial assistance provided to individuals in times of urgent need, such as during a medical emergency or home repair. It can provide quick access to funds that would otherwise not be available on short notice. Emergency loans are typically unsecured short-term loans designed to cover immediate needs and are usually offered by banks, credit unions, online lenders, and other finance companies. These types of loans often require no collateral and can be approved quickly without the need for lengthy paperwork or credit checks. 

How do you qualify for an emergency loan? 

The requirements for obtaining an emergency loan vary from lender to lender. Generally speaking, most lenders will require basic information such as your name, address, income level, and employment status. In some cases, lenders may require you to provide collateral such as a vehicle or real estate. Additionally, they may consider factors like your credit history or other financial commitments when assessing your eligibility for the loan. 

What are the key considerations before taking out an emergency loan? 

When considering any type of loan, it is important to look at all aspects of the agreement and make sure that it meets your needs and budget. Some key considerations include: interest rates, repayment terms, fees and charges, and payment duration. It is also important to read through the loan documents carefully and understand any additional conditions that may be included in the agreement. Finally, always make sure that you can afford to pay back the loan on time and in full. 

What are some tips to get the best loan deal?

When looking for a loan, it is important to shop around and compare offers from different lenders. Try to find a lender that offers competitive interest rates and flexible repayment options. Additionally, you may be able to negotiate better terms or lower fees if you have good credit or can provide collateral. Finally, make sure to read all documents carefully before signing any loan agreement and contact customer service if there are any discrepancies or questions that arise during the process. 

Emergency loans offer quick access to funds during times of financial hardship but should always be treated with caution. Before taking out an emergency loan, it is important to understand all the relevant factors, such as interest rates, repayment terms, fees and charges, and payment duration. Additionally, try to shop around for the best loan deal by comparing offers from different lenders, negotiating better terms if possible, and reading all documents carefully before signing any loan agreement. By taking these steps you can make sure that you secure the right loan for your needs and budget.