MELBOURNE, Australia - October 31, 2022 - (Newswire.com)
In today's market, the road to homeownership for first-time buyers can be a long one — but Liberty says there are always opportunities to buy.
Faced with a higher cost of living and a series of recent rate changes, many first-time buyers are feeling less optimistic about their chances of stepping foot on the property ladder in the coming months. The recent First Home Buyer Survey from financial comparison site Canstar revealed 90% of potential first-time buyers have concerns about saving a sufficient deposit for a home loan. But with property prices falling and a renewed First Home Guarantee Scheme, non-bank lender Liberty says there is plenty for first homebuyers to feel positive about.
According to Head of Communications Heidi Armstrong, recent shifts in the housing market have brought about new opportunities for first homebuyers. "With fewer investors in the market, there's less competition than this time last year. And hybrid working is giving buyers more choice when it comes to location," she said.
A leader in the Australian mortgage space, Liberty works closely with customers looking to buy property and understands the challenges that many face. "We support homebuyers at all stages of their property journey — including first-time buyers who may not qualify for a home loan through traditional assessment methods."
While some buyers focus solely on saving for a deposit, there is much more that goes into a credit assessment. As well as your income, expenses, assets and liabilities, lenders will also consider recent loan enquiries, credit card limits and other debt.
By taking the time to look at the bigger picture, Liberty can offer free-thinking home loans tailored to each customer's individual situation. "There are many routes to buying your first home regardless of your financial journey. At Liberty, we work to ensure each borrower receives a solution to fit their needs."
With a range of solutions, and online indicative pre-approval, Liberty can help first-time buyers assess their options and find the home loan that's right for their situation.
Approved applicants only. Lending criteria apply. Fees and charges are payable. Liberty Financial Pty Ltd ACN 077 248 983 and Secure Funding Pty Ltd ABN 25 081 982 872 Australian Credit Licence 388133, together trading as Liberty Financial.
Contact Information:
Heidi Armstrong
Head of Communications, Liberty Financial [email protected]
+61 3 8635 8888
Today, an original song arrives from Ed Gumbrecht, announcing a new season of resonant and expressive music. Make Us Wise became available on all streaming services starting at midnight, 10/29/22. In a year where the standard fare of catchy and campy music feels out of sync with the times, Gumbrecht delivers a refined alternative.
The song is a meditation on loss and the comforts of relationships. It suits a middle sensibility, neither too bright nor too somber. With a bassy melody and spare acoustic production, it has an intimate friendly quality. Its message is poignantly ripe for the season.
Make Us Wise as a single release is a prelude to Gumbrecht's upcoming album, Enter the Muses (out in November) -- a textured panoramic rendering of modern life's cares and surprises. His February 2022 release, Colorshow, revealed the artist as a poetic storyteller. His new album presents a deeper and more evocative collection of songs.
Gumbrecht's growing oeuvre contains a harvest of music that will leave you feeling encouraged and alive in any season. Fans of the songwriter, folk rock, rock and country genres especially should listen, and add Make Us Wise and Enter the Muses to your Fall playlists.
Contact Information:
Ed Gumbrecht
Composer [email protected]
860-510-3888
Grand Opening Party & Pink Ribbon Ceremony scheduled for Nov. 5, 2022, from 3pm to 7pm.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - October 28, 2022 - (Newswire.com)
Blo Blow Dry Bar, North America's original blow dry bar franchise, announced its October opening of one of its newest bars, Blo St Johns Town Center. Blo St Johns Town Center is located in the heart of the St Johns Town Center at 4668 Town Crossing Drive, Suite 113, Jacksonville, Florida, across from PF Changs. The new bar will offer guests a range of services, including blow outs, updos, braids, hair extensions, full makeup services, bridal, a glam travel team, and private event space.
The community is invited to celebrate Blo St Johns Town Center's Grand Opening Party on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, from 3PM - 7PM. A "Pink Ribbon" ceremony is scheduled for 4pm. In attendance will be Jacksonville City Council Member for District 4 Kevin Carrico;Vanessa Yakobson, CEO of Blo Blow Dry Bar Corporate Franchise; Shauna Stalker, Vice President of Marketing Blo Blow Dry Bar Corporate Franchise, and Heather Stankard, local female-owned Multi-Use Franchise Owner.
There will be complimentary dry styles, braid bar, glam tinsel hair installations, a mini glam station for the littlest clients, tons of giveaways, entertainment, swag bags, food, music, a champagne/mimosa bar, and introducing its newest addition, the Glam Selfie Station. Local St Johns Town Center businesses will also be onsite offering giveaways and special pricing such as @Kendra Scott and @DiamondsDirect. Cameron Hicks, @CamTheShooter_ , Social Content Producer for the @Jaguars, will be onsite capturing our community coming together in celebration of Blo St Johns Town Center's Grand Opening.
Blo's corporate franchise (based in Toronto) announced last year that it signed the largest individual deal since the company's first location in 2007 by adding six new franchise locations to the North Florida area, all owned by Heather. Heather will own and operate the six Blo locations spread across Duval, St Johns and Clay counties, with plans to open a new location every year or two.
"As a soon-to-be empty nester, I knew it was the right time to take a leap of faith and make things happen. So when an opportunity came by for me to purchase my first Blo location, (Blo Jacksonville, 9210 San Jose Blvd) four years ago, I jumped at the opportunity. After turning the San Jose Blvd bar around to one of the top 10 producing bars in North America, as well as the top #1 bar for active Mane Squeeze Members, this expansion opportunity couldn't have come at a better time," said Stankard. "Even with a background in nursing, I felt supported every step of the way by the Blo Blow Dry Bar corporate team. I never would have signed on for five more locations if it wasn't for the support of this amazing tight-knit corporate team."
While strolling through the Town Center, clients can spend the day shopping and relaxing with lots of lounging areas available throughout the Town Center. They can stop at Blo St Johns Town Center and enjoy some luxurious self-care time while getting pampered with a Blowout and/or Makeup with a glass of champagne and leave feeling fabulous and refreshed. They may even want to finish their day at one of the many fine-dining restaurants that the Town Center has to offer, or perhaps they may just want to spend the day getting pampered. We are located in the perfect "self-care" zone of the Town Center, which includes several other self-care and wellness businesses such as Polish Nail Bar and Degree Wellness Spa.
Blo St Johns Town Center will be open Monday - Thursday 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Friday - Saturday 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. For more information on Blo St Johns Town Center, please visit https://blomedry.com/blo-st-johns/
About Blo Blow Dry Bar
Blo Blow Dry Bar is North America's original blow dry bar franchise. The company transformed beauty norms and reinvented the salon industry when it launched the "no cuts, no color" concept: only blow outs. Since opening its first location in Canada in 2007, Blo has grown to over 140 locations across the U.S. and Canada and continues to expand rapidly. With a mission to enhance the lives of those in the community through the power of flawless blow outs and beauty services, Blo Blow Dry Bar offers perfectly styled hair and exceptional customer experiences seven days a week. For more information visit www.blomedry.com.
Contact Information:
Shauna Stalker
Vice President of Marketing [email protected]
1647 660 0506
iQuanti: When disaster strikes, the last thing you want is to be unprepared, but it is becoming a reality for more and more Americans. With rising costs for materials and labor, you may be shocked to find you can't afford your next car repair bill.
In those situations, it's important to have backup options for funds so that the necessary expenses are covered. Next time you're in a pinch, consider these choices for upcoming or surprise car repair and maintenance.
Get a personal line of credit
In a pinch, a line of credit can be extremely helpful. Extremely similar to credit cards, a person is able to access up to a pre-determined amount of funds within a credit limit. You'll only want to take what you need as, just like a credit card, you'll owe interest on the amount you've borrowed. While there is flexibility to pay back the funds, it's important to be wary of how interest can accrue the longer the balance is outstanding.
Borrow from family and friends
One of the easiest and least complicated methods to obtain money in a pinch is to ask for help from loved ones. Sure, not everyone has the luxury of accessing money from family and friends or necessarily wants to, but if you can, it may provide a more flexible method of repayment.
Plus, you can skip the fees and only borrow and repay the amount that you've borrowed. But if money is a sensitive subject in your family or social circle, it may be smart to avoid this method unless absolutely necessary when no alternatives are available.
Get an installment loan
Installment loans come in handy when you need a manageable repayment schedule with stable interest. With these loans, you can receive a lump sum of money all at once. Then, you'll pay it back over time in fixed monthly payments, or installments. Repayment terms can last from a few months to several years. The benefit of these is that you'll have all the information you need to properly repay the loan from the beginning.
Use a credit card
Credit cards are a huge tool for unexpected expenses, so long as you have one in place prior to the expense. Something important to note with a credit card is that there is usually a credit limit that maxes out the amount you can spend.
For new credit borrowers, that amount could be minuscule, such as $1,000 or less, especially in the case of secured cards. On the other hand, seasoned borrowers or those with favorable borrowing characteristics may be able to access tens of thousands in credit. For high expenses like home repair or unexpected medical bills, this can help keep you afloat.
The bottom line
Car repairs, like any emergency expense, can provide unnecessary financial stress on top of the burden this life event causes. In order to be prepared, you'll want to make sure you have access to cash or have the means to get more funds, whether it be a loan or other option.
In an effort to provide creative entrepreneurs with the space they need to grow their businesses, My Creative Studios is launching their brand-new salon suites for rent. Beginning on Nov. 10, hair stylists, estheticians, tattoo artists, massage therapists, makeup artists, eyebrow/eyelash professionals, and more will be able to move into their studios, follow their own creative direction, and utilize the tools that accompany this rentable suite space.
"We understand how difficult it is to be a creative entrepreneur and find the perfect space to work," said Adriana Rodriguez, the founder, and owner of My Creative Studios. "So, we wanted to create an environment where beauty and wellness professionals would have everything they need to thrive in their creative niche."
My Creative Studios has started taking reservations for suites at various prices. In addition to the fully customizable suite spaces, creative professionals can enjoy the benefits of having marketing assistance, 24/7 loft access, an onsite washer and dryer, business building support, privacy for themselves and clients, and the free creators' app. With the free and secure creators app, entrepreneurs will have access to daily business management, branding, and marketing assistance all in one easy-to-use mobile application.
"When you're first getting started, a little help goes a long way. That's why we provide the tools these entrepreneurs need to settle in a suitable space for whatever industry they may specialize in," Rodriguez said. "The app is designed to make their lives a little easier, so they can focus on what really matters: serving their clients."
My Creative Studios' new workspace will allow beauty and wellness professionals the opportunity to expand their business and better serve their clients with an environment that is tailored to their needs.
To learn about suite pricing, booking a tour, and other general information about My Creative Studios, visit https://mycreativestudiosfl.com/.
BioDerm, Inc., a leading provider of disposable medical devices and wound care supplies, announced a new distribution deal with TillaCare Ltd, an Israeli designer and manufacturer of external urine collection devices.
BioDerm is excited to partner with TillaCare as a U.S. distributor of TillaCare's UriCap Female. UriCap Female is a revolutionary external urine collection system offering female patients with urinary incontinence a comfortable, easy-to-use solution without the skin irritation and discomfort associated with absorbent products. Following the successful launch of UriCap Female in hospital and institutional settings, BioDerm launched a direct-to-consumer campaign allowing patients to receive UriCap Female for in-home use.
TillaCare began distribution of UriCap Female in 2019 into U.S. hospitals and institutions. Healthcare staff welcomed a modern solution for female acute patients suffering from urinary incontinence, replacing external suction-based or invasive catheters commonly causing infections as a side effect. Made of soft medical-grade silicone, UriCap Female is highly comfortable for the patient and connects to a standard urine bag. It supplies a leak-free alternative to traditional external female incontinence devices which typically include sticky adhesives or uncomfortable suction wands. UriCap Female does not require suction, is reimbursed by Medicare, and is safe for use for up to 24 hours. It is easily applied by qualified healthcare staff or self-applied by patients in their homes.
About BioDerm
Headquartered in Largo, Florida, BioDerm is a leading provider of disposable medical devices and wound care supplies to patients with chronic conditions. BioDerm manufactures proprietary hydrocolloid products for urinary management, securement, infection control, and skin protection, challenging accepted inferior standards of care by creating products that reduce infection rates, add comfort and reliability, and vastly improve quality of life. BioDerm's flagship products for male urinary incontinence are Men's Liberty for the home setting and Men's Liberty Acute for in-patient settings. Other products include CathGrip for securement and BioPlus and FreeDerm for skin protection. Wound Care Resources ("WCR"), a subsidiary of BioDerm, provides infection control products and other wound management supplies to patients with ventricular assist devices (VADs) installed due to heart failure and other conditions.
For more information on BioDerm's line of products, visit www.bioderminc.com.
Contact Information:
Dr. Kristi Campoe
TillaCare, Ltd. - U.S. Director of Clinical and Client Services [email protected]
813-943-2725
iQuanti: The average salary within the nursing profession varies widely, impacted by many factors such as specialty, geographic location, and education level. Regardless of where your pay falls on the scale, it's always a good idea to plan for the next step in your professional journey. Whether you have student loans, other debt, or live in an area with a high cost of living, it can be especially beneficial to consider every opportunity to stretch your pay, earn more, and maximize your hard-earned salary.
Complete a Nursing Specialty Certification
As a nurse, you have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of your patients. You also have the opportunity to maximize your salary by completing a nursing specialty certification in your area of interest and expertise, such as a Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) or Pediatric Nursing certification (CPN). These certifications are conducted by major nursing organizations as a formal review and validation of your professional skills and knowledge.
There are many different nursing specialties to choose from, so you can find one that fits your interests and career goals and corresponds with your license. The requirements vary depending on the specialty, but usually involve a combination of qualifying hours of work, classes, and an exam. For example, to become a CEN, you would need an active RN license and to pass the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing exam (two or more years of RN experience is recommended but not required).
By specializing in a particular area of nursing, you can become an expert in that field and command a higher salary.
Get Your Advanced Nursing Degree
Earning a graduate degree could be one way of furthering your goal to make a higher nursing salary. With a graduate degree, you can pursue a career path as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) or a nurse manager. If you want to take it one step further, a doctoral degree can offer career choices as a nurse educator, nurse researcher, or even healthcare administrator.
The APRN category covers many nursing roles including nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives, all of whom earn average higher salaries that can be up to 50% higher than the average RN salary.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics can be a great resource, with lists of each nursing specialty by median hourly rate and educational requirements, such as Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
Nursing Student Loan Refinance
An important consideration in maximizing your salary is reducing or resolving student debt you may be carrying. If you have private student loans for your nursing education and are looking to pay less over the lifetime of your student loan, a nursing student loan refinance could be an option. Refinancing your nursing student loan could offer you better terms like a lower interest rate or a shorter loan term for a quicker payoff through a private lender.
When refinancing a student loan, your new lender pays off your old loan with a new one. The lender can be a bank, an online financial institution, or a credit union. The new loan could have new terms that can benefit your budget.
Note that refinancing may not be the right choice for all of your loans. The U.S. Department of Education recently announced a student loan debt relief plan which includes forgiveness of up to $10,000 for qualifying federal student loans and up to $20,000 for qualifying Pell Grant recipients. For more information, please read the announcement. Please note that if you refinance qualifying federal student loans, you may no longer be eligible for certain benefits or programs and waive your right to future benefits or programs offered on those loans. Please carefully consider your options when refinancing federal student loans and consult StudentAid.gov for the most current information.
Check if You Qualify for Professional Student Loan Forgiveness
If you have federal student loans, you may also be eligible for student loan forgiveness programs. There are several programs with varying qualifications that are worth considering. Learn more at studentaid.gov and look into whether you are eligible for any programs. Two that are often applicable for nurses include the following:
1. The Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program
A program designed to aid nurses who work in high-demand areas is the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program run by the Health Research and Services Administration. This program offers 60% nursing student loan forgiveness over two years to registered nurses who work at nonprofit critical shortage facilities or Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA). In addition, for a third year of service, you may be eligible to have another 25% of your loan forgiven.
2. Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
A borrower that works for a not-for-profit or government organization may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the PSLF program. PSLF erases the remaining loan balance once the borrower has made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer.
Getting the Most from Your Paycheck
Taking steps to pursue specialties and graduate degrees could maximize your opportunities to advance your career and increase your salary in the long term. Meanwhile, strategies that reduce student loan debt could help to stretch every month's budget, achieve your financial goals, and get the most out of your current salary.
iQuanti: If you're like many people, you may have dreamed of retirement as a time when you can finally relax and enjoy your golden years. But the reality is that retirement can be a stressful time, especially if you're short on cash. Don't despair! There are plenty of things you can do to make ends meet, even if you're on a tight budget. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
1. Cut back on unnecessary expenses
One of the easiest ways to save money in retirement is to take a close look at your spending and cut back on unnecessary expenses. Do you really need that fancy coffee every day? Could you travel or eat out less often? Even small changes can make a big difference in your retirement budget.
2. Sell some of your stuff
Chances are, you may have a lot of stuff that you don't really need. Why not sell some of it to free up some extra cash? You can have a garage sale, sell items online, or even donate them to a thrift store.
3. Get a part-time job
Retirement doesn't mean you have to stop working altogether. If you need some extra money, consider getting a part-time job in retirement. There are plenty of jobs that are perfect for retirees, such as teaching, consulting, or working in a retail setting.
4. Make some home improvements
Making some simple home improvements can also help you save money in retirement. For example, you could weatherize your home to make it more energy-efficient. Or, you could install solar panels to reduce your electricity bills.
5. Get an unsecured line of credit
An unsecured line of credit can be a great way for retirees to get extra cash when they need it. You can use the money for anything you need, and you don't have to put up any collateral. Better yet, you can pay this loan back all at once or over time, and you'll only pay interest on the amount you borrow.
6. Downsize your home
If you're finding that your current home is too expensive to maintain, downsizing to a smaller home can be a great way to save money in retirement. Not only will you have lower monthly expenses, but you'll also have less stuff to take care of.
7. Live in a retirement community
Moving into a retirement community can be a great way to cut down on your living expenses. Retirement communities typically include amenities like meals, transportation, and activities, which can help you save money.
The bottom line
No matter what your retirement budget is, there are plenty of ways to make ends meet. By cutting back on unnecessary expenses, selling some of your stuff, and getting a part-time job, you can free up some extra cash. An unsecured line of credit can give you flexible access to funds so you can cover the expenses you need. And if you're really struggling, downsizing your home or moving into a retirement community can be a great way to save money in the long run.
iQuanti: Halloween is a time to be celebrating with light-hearted fun, not panicking over affordability. Luckily, there are plenty of options available for how to host a Halloween party on a budget, and we've rounded up a few for you. Plus, if you're looking for access to funds in order to make your party work, find some tips on where to find funds below.
Low-budget Halloween ideas
Throwing an epic Halloween bash doesn't need to break the bank. In fact, it can be as manageable and inexpensive as you want it to be. If you can rope in a few friends or family to help you creatively piece together your Halloween bash, you'll find it can be a lot cheaper than you imagined. Here are a few Halloween ideas to get you started!
Focus on the vibe
While over-the-top décor can be fun, it's also not necessary, especially if your party is adult-centered. Small things like lighting and good music can have way more of an impact than any signs or setups you can manage. To save on both cost and time, stick to the things you know your partygoers will appreciate most rather than getting caught up in throwaway décor.
Set a theme
If you're looking to make the atmosphere fun without putting in all of the effort alone, tell your invites that they need to dress according to the theme. You'll be able to create a sense of cohesiveness without having to worry about much more than yourself. Sure, you can just have a general theme, but why not tell everyone to come as their favorite singer or favorite color? This places some of the focus on attendees to set the mood rather than just you!
BYO/Potluck
A bring-you-own get-together will save you major headaches and cost when it comes time to plan. To help make sure you don't end up with twelve bags of chips and no drinks, consider having them mention what they'll bring when they RSVP. Even easier? Create an online spreadsheet that is updated in real-time when someone claims the beverage or food they're bringing.
What to do if you're low on cash
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, it can be difficult to afford even a low-budget get-together. In these cases, you may consider getting a quick loan from a direct lender. With these loans, you can access money to cover your party needs and repay the funds when you're able to, or according to the agreed-upon repayment schedule.
If you're struggling with credit, the process of accruing a loan may be more difficult, but it is by no means impossible. Although it may be tough to find no credit check loans from direct lenders, many lenders offer less strict credit score requirements if you have poor or fair credit.
The bottom line
When Oct. 31 rolls around, don't let party planning ruin the fun - or your wallet. With a little planning, creativity, and offloading some of the responsibility to family and friends, the day can remain stress-free and keep your wallet happy. And in the case that you want to go above and beyond but need a little extra cash, there are options available that may be perfect for your needs.
"Coats for Kids" runs from October 29 to November 12, 2022 and strives to bring in 1,500 coats to benefit underserved children and families of the Angel Harvey Family Health Center.
"Coats for Kids" is a charitable coat-donation program benefiting underserved children and families of the Angel Harvey Family Health Center in Chicago. The program runs from Saturday, Oct. 29 to Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022.
How it works: CD One Price Cleaners, Chicagoland's leading dry cleaning and laundry franchise, will collect donated, gently used coats at all 36 locations in Illinois and Indiana, including Chicago city and suburbs. Donated coats will be cleaned at the CD One locations and picked up by the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago.
"CD One is passionate about providing underserved youths in our community with proper clothing to navigate Chicago's frigid winters," said CD One Price Cleaners' Vice President of Marketing Jonathon Reckles. "We're excited to once again partner with the Infant Welfare Society to get these coats to those who need them the most."
Customers are encouraged to donate both child-sized and adult-sized coats and jackets.
Before the pandemic, CD One and IWS teamed up to collect 1,439 coats in 2020. This year, CD One and IWS aim to gather more than 1,500.
"We are pleased to again be working with CD One Price Cleaners — and marking the 12th anniversary of our partnership — in this year's fall coat drive," Auxiliary Co-Presidents Liz Berglund and Maria Enright said in a joint statement. "Providing these coats to children and families in need will make a big difference in their lives, especially in this financially challenging environment."
"Coats for Kids" donations never go unneeded, as over 200 new patients enroll monthly at The Infant Welfare Society.
About The Infant Welfare Society of Chicago
The Infant Welfare Society of Chicago provides quality, community-based healthcare to uninsured, underserved children and their families who would otherwise lack access to essential medical services.
About CD One Price Cleaners
CD One Price Cleaners is based in suburban Chicago. Founded in 2001, the company operates over 38 franchise locations in the Midwest. Follow CD One Price Cleaners on Facebook and Twitter or visit http://www.cdonepricecleaners.com.
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CONTACT
Jonathon Reckles Vice President of Marketing Phone: (708) 836-4614 Email: [email protected]
