Northwestern Mutual: Retirement can be a time to slow down, relax, and enjoy life, but it can also come with its fair share of challenges. For anyone embarking on their retirement journey, here are eight financial and lifestyle considerations to keep in mind:

1. Their budget: Retirees will want to have a good idea of all their retirement finances, including both their yearly and monthly budgets. This can help them make informed decisions about their spending and figure out how much they can afford on things like travel, new hobbies, and other activities.

2. How to get the most out of their money: Many retirees worry about whether they are making the most of their retirement savings. Retirees may want to consult a financial advisor to help sort out this information and provide guidance on how to make the most of one's money. From tax-efficient withdrawal strategies and a plan to weather market volatility, financial advisors can help turn a lifetime of savings into guaranteed income retirees don't have to worry about.

3. Their downsizing options: For some retirees, downsizing is a great way to simplify their life (and save money). Understanding what the options are for relocating to a smaller home can help retirees make an informed decision about what is best for them. It can help to get in touch with a real estate agent and discuss what options are available.

4. Their travel plans: Many retirees see retirement as a time to travel and see new places. For retirees who want to prioritize travel, it can help to plan ahead and research different travel options. Advance planning can allow retirees to keep an eye out for the best deals and make the most of their time.

5. How they plan to spend their free time: Retirement can be a great time to pursue new hobbies and interests. Some retirees may want to volunteer, take up a new sport, or join social clubs. Having a rough plan for how they want to spend their time can help retirees make the most of their retirement.

6. Their social circle: For some people, retirement can be a time to reconnect with old friends and family. Others may find that their social circle changes as they meet new people. Understanding how they prefer to socialize can help retirees make conscious decisions and plan for their retirement years.

7. Whether they want a retirement hustle: Some retirees find that they want to stay active and busy in retirement by starting a small business or working part-time. A job or small business can also provide a source of supplemental income. Retirees who choose to have a retirement hustle will also want to consider how to set up their business and whether they prefer to live close to work.

8. Their estate plan: Retirement can be a good time to review one's estate plan and make sure that it is up-to-date. This can include things like wills, trusts, and power of attorney documents, and updating beneficiaries for any permanent life insurance policies, like universal life insurance and whole life insurance. Talking to an attorney about these matters can help retirees ensure that their wishes are carried out. 

iQuanti: Finding a new psychiatrist can be tough. You have to put yourself out there and tell a stranger very personal things, all the while knowing you might have to start the search again next week if the doctor isn't the right fit for you.

Whether you're going through your insurance, getting a referral from your primary care physician, or just trying to find someone in your area—for example, looking for a Fort Worth psychiatrist—there are ways to make the initial search easier. It may take a few sessions to really know if you work well together with a new psychiatrist, but the initial appointment is the perfect time to ask a few important questions to see if you'll be a good fit.

What will the sessions be like?

Now it's time for the practical follow-up questions. How long will the sessions last, and how often do they take place? Different psychiatrists may have different ideas about what psychiatric help looks like—some may be more medication-focused, while others favor a more holistic approach. Find out how often they schedule check-ins, as you might need to try different medications and dosages to find something that works. These questions can give you a sense of what your treatment plan might look like.

Whom do I contact with an urgent issue?

Your psychiatrist may suggest that you go to the ER or a crisis mental health clinic if there's an urgent issue, particularly after hours. But it's worth asking if the psychiatrist can make room for you on short notice if need be. 

What's the process for booking sessions?

In other words: How easy will it be to get in touch with them? Are you able to book sessions online? Are the sessions themselves online or in-person? Do they charge a penalty for cancellations? And, crucially, how quickly will you be able to get your prescriptions refilled?

How do you keep information confidential?

Trust is paramount in any therapist-patient relationship. As medical doctors, psychiatrists are required by law to adhere to the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Feel free to ask what measures are in place to protect your information; you'll need to feel comfortable sharing if you want your sessions to be productive.

How much will sessions cost?

The first thing you'll want to find out is whether your insurance will cover your sessions. Depending on your insurance, copays can cost quite a bit—so a frank discussion regarding fees is paramount when getting to know a new psychiatrist.

How will you check in on progress?

You need a psychiatrist that takes you, your issues, and your thoughts seriously. Talk about how they might gauge progress and find out what questions they might ask you to see how you're adjusting to medication. Don't hesitate to look for a new psychiatrist if you feel your feelings and needs are being minimized. Remember, seeing a psychiatrist is for your benefit—you owe it to yourself to ask all the questions you need to be comfortable.

iQuanti: Your credit score provides lenders a way to measure how likely you're able to pay back a loan or credit card balance. They perform a hard credit check to check your score, also called a hard inquiry.

This slightly dings your credit score temporarily, but responsible use of credit quickly outweighs the damage. The trouble comes when you incur too many hard inquiries at once — this can do a lot more damage and cause credit application denials. This article will explain how hard inquiries work and dive into how to remove hard inquiries from your credit report.

How do hard inquiries work?

Lenders run a hard inquiry on you when you apply for new credit, such as new credit cards or loans. This lets them look over your credit score and history to make a lending decision. Many hard inquiries within a short time may be treated as one hard inquiry for certain types of loans, like auto and home loans. Credit bureaus understand the importance of rate shopping for these loans, so all hard inquiries within a couple of weeks may be lumped into one.

How hard inquiries impact your credit

Hard inquiries temporarily lower your credit score. When you don't have much of a credit history, they can have a larger impact. They also reduce your chances of getting approved for new credit if you apply too soon. For instance, if you apply for a loan one week after getting a new credit card, you may be denied despite having a good credit score.

Hard inquiry effects fade after one year. Each hard inquiry falls off your report completely after two years. So, applying for credit sparingly can minimize credit damage.

In general, having six or more hard inquiries is seen as too many. Having this many hard inquiries can significantly impact your score and make lenders more likely to deny you, even if your score is otherwise sufficient.

How can I remove hard inquiries from my credit report?

As mentioned, hard inquiries are automatically removed from your credit report two years following the date they were run. You can't remove legitimate hard inquiries earlier than that. For instance, if you apply for a credit card on Jan. 1, 2022, it will be removed from your report on Jan. 1, 2024.

That said, errors can happen. The credit bureaus may fail to remove hard inquiries from your report after two years, or you may get a hard inquiry through error or even fraud. Request your free annual copy of your credit report from all three bureaus and look for these errors. 

If you see any you don't recognize, do some research first — sometimes, the card issuer's name doesn't match the name of the company that actually manages the card. For instance, a retail store credit card account might be listed under the partner bank's name instead of the store name. 

If the hard inquiry is truly an error, file a dispute with each bureau immediately. Consider freezing your credit if you suspect fraud and stay in communication with the bureaus until the inquiry is removed.

Keep hard inquiries to a minimum

Hard inquiries may hurt your score temporarily, but the long-term positive credit history you can build is well worth it. Since six or more hard inquiries are seen by lenders as problematic, and hard inquiries fall off your report after two years, wait at least six months between new credit applications. 

Additionally, check your credit every year by requesting your free annual report from the three bureaus and dispute any hard inquiries that look incorrect. Keeping your hard inquiries down and cleaning up your report will allow you to enjoy the benefits of responsible credit usage to the fullest.

Santa Shreds for a Good Cause
In 2019, hundreds of Santas flocked to the slopes of Banff Sunshine to raise money for a good cause. This year, the resort is hoping to raise $10,000 for The Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation.

Get in the festive spirit by giving back. On Dec. 25 (Christmas Day), 2022, dress up as your favorite Christmas character and join us on the slopes of Banff Sunshine Village to carve up Canada's Best Snow for only $75.

This Christmas, when you dress up as Santa, Mrs. Claus, an Elf, a Reindeer, the Grinch or other beloved Christmas character, you'll ski or ride for just $75. All proceeds from the charity ski event will go to support The Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation.

"Christmas is a time to enjoy family and friends while reflecting on what you have to be grateful for (like fresh mountain air and good health); just as it's a time to give back to those in our community who could use a kind hand. With rising hospital demand for pediatric care, this Christmas, giving back to our community by raising funds for the Alberta Children's Hospital just makes sense," says Kendra Scurfield, Director of Brand and Communications for Banff Sunshine Village.

Located in the heart of Banff, Banff Sunshine Village is hoping to welcome over 100 festively dressed Christmas characters for a day of holiday cheer on the Canadian Rocky Mountain slopes.

"As winter sets in, our hearts are warmed by the compassion and generosity of our community and all the amazing ways they raise funds for the kids and families, like Banff Sunshine's Santa Skis for Charity. From The Alberta Children's Hospital, thank you," says Liz Ballendine, Vice President, Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation.

Banff Sunshine's Santa Skis for Charity is an all-ages event. Anyone dressed in Christmas theme can ski for $75 in support of The Alberta Children's Hospital.

"Back in 2019, our Santa Skis for Charity event brought over 200 jolly-dressed skiers and riders out for a Christmas ski. This year, our ambitious goal is to raise $10,000 for The Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation," says Scurfield.

Not able to visit Banff Sunshine on Christmas Day, but still want to donate? Click here.

Alberta's Children's Hospital Foundation funds crucial programs, technology and expertise so that every child can benefit from world-class care. The Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation proudly serves Child Health & Wellness Research at the University of Calgary to help invest in innovative science for new therapies and cures for a healthier tomorrow. With the support of our generous community, we can help every baby, child and teenager live to their fullest potential.

Banff Sunshine Village is the premier ski and snowboard destination in the Canadian Rockies. The resort is known for its all-natural snow, its stunning alpine vistas, and its long season, spanning from early November to late May. With a seven-month-long ski season, Banff Sunshine Village is home to Canada's Best Snow.

For more information about Skiing for Charity, contact Kendra Scurfield at [email protected] or call 403-830-7946.

Bidtellect, a leading demand-side platform and advertising technology company, announces its successful sponsorship and speaker session at Adweek Nextech Conference, held from Dec. 6 to 7 in New York, New York. Bidtellect's senior leadership team was in attendance, and its VP of Product, Arthur Hainline, took the stage alongside the founder and president of Jounce Media, Chris Kane, to break down the future of sustainability in advertising and how companies can manage their own carbon footprint.

The team spoke on the lack of transparency in the programmatic supply path. Specifically, how the redundancy of supply chains causes supply and carbon inefficiencies. There are three ways in which buyers and sellers have redundant supply chains: auction duplication, multi-integrations, and reselling or rebroadcasting. On average, resold supply chains account for 40% of display auctions and 58% of video auctions, according to Jounce Media. 

These same three causes of redundant supply chains (auction duplication, multi-integrations, and reselling) are the major contributors to supply path emissions. They take up extra energy, extra compute time, and release excess carbon emissions. This includes the scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions data of each party involved per impression.

According to Sharethrough, Scope 3 emissions account for over 90% of an organization's CO₂ waste, and 60% of people were unaware that browsing the internet generates carbon emissions. The newest tools to the market will be able to track the carbon cost of a company's media, offering a new level of transparency into the impact of its dollars and advertising.

The pair spoke on new tools and methods for advertisers to begin to reduce their carbon waste. Bidtellect recently teamed up with Scope3 to track total carbon emissions directly in their DSP, so that users can take action to reduce waste immediately. Users can alter the pacing rate to participate in fewer auctions artificially, optimize towards supply tiers, block domains with high emissions, as well as target sellers.json. Together, advertisers can ultimately begin to reduce carbon waste and initiate a shift to a more efficient supply path for all.  

Kane founded Jounce Media in 2015 and was previously Chief of Staff to the CEO and CFO at AOL. Before AOL, he managed a portfolio of enterprise accounts at Turn, a pioneer in demand-side platforms (DSP), enabling wider reach and ad buying. He started his career as a management consultant at Oliver Wyman, focusing on the converging media and technology sectors.

Jounce Media is the industry leader in programmatic supply chain management and is trusted by the world's most prominent marketers, media companies and advertising technology platforms to enable high-efficiency programmatic trades. They specialize in supply path optimization education, research, and data. 

Arthur Hainline is the Vice President of Product at Bidtellect, overseeing Bidtellect's product team, product enhancements and technology. Hainline has been with Bidtellect since 2015 and is an integral part of the team's competitive technology advancements, bringing greater bidding efficiencies and performance wins for advertising clients.

To watch the session and gain access to more information, click here.

About Bidtellect

Bidtellect is a performance-driven DSP specializing in context-first optimization, cookieless solutions, and quality programmatic. With roots in native, we built our platform on context-driven technology and optimization down to the placement level, ensuring readiness for the cookieless future while achieving performance goals, now across ad formats and video.