#make sure you have a source of income outside of your spouse

[magnetothemagnificent]

Just saw a video cross my Instagram feed of some woman who made an "in case I go missing" binder, and aside from it being absolutely unhealthy paranoid behaviour, it's also not gonna help you. She got a snip from the bottom of her hair like...... that's not gonna give you any DNA. You need hair with the follicle still attached, the rest of the strand might yield some mitochondrial DNA but only with a complicated expensive procedure that probably wouldn't be done for some nobody. Plus DNA degrades over time, if you get kidnapped or something twenty years from now, that binder won't help you even if your hair did have DNA 🙄

#also most of these women making these binders are white women like #you live in suburbia you're more likely to be killed by your spouse than by a random stranger #you want to be safe? #make a separate bank account #make sure you have a source of income outside of your spouse #track your finances #sighhhh #biological anthropology #genomics #white woman feminism

[ebizfilingindia-blog]

8 Sources of Finance for Small-Scale Industries

Introduction

Finding financing for your business is one of the most important things you can do to ensure its success. There are a wide variety of ways in which you can find financing for your small-scale industry, and this is just one aspect of the overall financial management of your business. Small-scale industries need both long-term and short-term credit. The source of finance is essential for the survival, development, and overall growth of the industry. There are a wide variety of sources of finance, including personal investment, love money, venture capital, angel funding, crowdfunding, business incubators, etc. These sources are useful under various circumstances. They are classified based on time period, ownership and control, and their source of generation. Sources of finance are the most researched area, especially for startup entrepreneurs. In this article, we will explore the top 8 sources of finance for small-scale industries in India.

What is a Small-Scale Industry?

Small-scale industries are those industries wherein manufacturing, production, and servicing processes are carried out on a micro-scale. The majority of the investments in these industries are made in plants and machinery. Small-scale industries help to improve the quality of life of people living in rural areas and ensure an equitable distribution of wealth, income, and standard of living.

Investment in the service small-scale industry:

For service industries,

Micro Enterprises: Up to Rs. 10,00,000

Small Enterprises: More than Rs. 10,00,000 up to Rs. 2,00,00,000

Medium Enterprises: More than Rs. 2,00,00,000 up to Rs. 5,00,00,000

Examples of Small-Scale Industries:

Bakeries

School stationeries

Paper Bags

Leather belt

Coconut oil making

Rice mill

Toys making

Detergent powder-making

Xerox and printing

Incense stick manufacturing industry

Paper plate manufacturing industry

Which are the Top 8 Sources of Finance for Small-scale Industry?

Personal Investment:

Personal investment is one of the most common and implemented sources used by small entrepreneurs to establish their small-scale industries. It involves investing one’s own money, either in cash or in assets, to prove a long-term commitment to the project. With the help of personal investment, various business needs, such as expansion, equipment purchases, and working capital, can be fulfilled.

Affordable business ideas for personal investments:

Dropshipping Business

Tutoring services

Real estate agent

Mobile food carts

Hauling business

Bakery shop

2. Love money:

The term ‘love money” is not often familiar but is widely used for raising funds in the corporate world. The money borrowed from a spouse, parents, other family members, or friends for business use is known as ‘love money’. A banker considers this as ‘patient capital’, which is cash that will be repaid to the respective ones as the business increases its profit.

When borrowing money, one should be aware that:

Family and friends usually do not have such a large amount for investment.

A business relationship with a family member or a friend is not something to be taken lightly.

It is usually advisable not to combine professional and personal life.

3. Venture capital:

The first thing to remember is that this type of funding is not for everyone. Right from the beginning, one should be aware that venture capitalists are looking for tech-driven businesses and high-growth companies in industries like IT, communications, and biotech. Venture capitalists provide capital to your business to help it execute a high-potential but high-risk project. This means that you give up some of your ownership or equity to an outside party. Venture capitalists expect a high return on investment, which is often achieved when your business begins to sell shares to the market. Make sure that you are working with investors who have relevant experience and expertise in your industry.

4. Angels:

Angels are usually high-net-worth individuals or retired corporate leaders who make direct investments in small companies owned and managed by other companies. They are often industry leaders who bring their expertise and network to the table, as well as their technical and managerial expertise. Angel investors typically invest between ₹20,84,825 ($25,000) and ₹83,39,300 ($100,000) in the early stages of a business, while institutional venture capitalists typically invest between ₹8,33,85,150($1 million) and ₹41,69,25,750($5 million).

5. Crowdfunding:

Crowdfunding is a type of funding source wherein businesses solicit contributions from the general public, typically in exchange for shares in the company. This typically involves a Pvt ltd Company soliciting small contributions from a large number of people. This is different from angel or venture capital fundraising, where a small group of investors invest large amounts of money into your business.

There are various forms of crowdfunding, including:

6. Business Incubators:

Business incubators (also known as “accelerators”) typically target the high-tech industry by supporting startups in their early stages of growth. Local economic development incubators (also called “local economic development” or “EED”) focus on areas such as creating jobs, revitalizing neighborhoods, and providing hosting and sharing services.

Most incubators will partner with early-stage businesses and other start-ups to share space, management, and technology. An incubator may share its labs with a new business so that it can develop and validate its products at a lower cost before going into production. The incubation period can last anywhere from one to two years. After the product is fully developed, the company typically leaves the incubator and enters its industrial production phase, leaving the incubator behind.

7. Grants and subsidies:

A grant is a conditional financial contribution that your business is not required to pay back. However, you are legally obligated to use it in accordance with the terms and conditions of the grant; otherwise, you may be required to pay it back. Once you’ve received funding from a single government source, it’s not unusual to receive additional funding from that source if you qualify for a program.

Criteria for obtaining a grant:

As a general rule, you’ll need to:

Project description

Pros and cons of the project

Project report and budget for the project

Project team and sources

8. Loans:

Lending is the most popular method of financing for small and medium-sized businesses. Notably, different lenders offer different benefits, such as personalized service or a tailored repayment plan. Therefore, it’s wise to compare different lenders and find the one that best suits your needs.

For example: Bank loans, financial institutions, money lenders, loans from the government, etc.

“Discover how to get money for your small business! Learn about different ways to finance your growth, like loans and grants. Find out how MSME registration online can help you access these funds easily. Get ready for success in your small business journey!”

Conclusion

In conclusion, finding funding for small-scale industries is essential for their development and sustainability. Entrepreneurs have a variety of funding options available to them, such as personal investments, love funds, venture capital funds, angel funds, crowdfunding funds, business incubator funds, grants, and loans. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of each of these sources allows for strategic financial planning to ensure the success of small-scale industries in India’s vibrant business environment.

#msme registration

[potterlawoffice]

Domestic Violence: What to Do When Falsely Accused

Although false accusations of domestic violence are difficult to deal with at first, the accused must take action as soon as possible so that the allegations do not cause the accused undue stress and problems in their life. In order to fight these charges and seek true justice both inside and outside the courtroom, they will need a lawyer immediately.

False allegations of domestic violence may lead to actions such as the removal of children from the home. Otherwise, the other spouse or partner may seek a restraining order or order of peace. It is then likely that the individual will have to defend themselves in court against charges of domestic violence. It may be necessary for the individual facing such a situation to prove their innocence through the courtroom. The neighborhood, community and city may become involved in the uphill battle. If the individual is responsible for providing for dependents, they may need to make interim arrangements since the accusations may make it difficult to maintain the income or support of the dependents.

If you’ve found yourself in a scenario where you’ve been falsely accused of domestic violence, there are three things you should do as soon as possible:

Consult an Attorney

Make sure you hire an attorney who has experience dealing with false allegations of domestic violence. In addition to understanding your situation, they will be able to build a case for you. Contact your attorney immediately if you are approached by law enforcement about the accusations. Do not speak with anyone about the allegations without your attorney present. Despite the frustration and unfairness, you must do everything in your power to protect your reputation and right to a fair trial.

Avoid Any Alone Time With Your Accuser

Avoid interacting with your accuser as much as possible. In the event this isn’t possible (and it usually is!), bring a trusted third party or meet in a very public place. When you are interacting with your accuser, you should always have a witness with you. Don’t use your child or children as witnesses when transferring children from one location to another with an ex.

Stay Level-Headed

There is a chance that your accuser will do everything possible to make you lose your temper. An accuser who knows how to push your buttons and has falsely accused you of domestic violence will try to anger you when others are around. As a result, they can point to your actions and assert that you have an anger problem without having to witness any physical contact. Keep your composure — no matter what. It is detrimental to your case if you give the court any reason to believe that you are short-tempered.

Seek Guidance From an Ohio Criminal Defense Attorney Today

If you are facing accusations of domestic violence, Skip Potter can help. Mr. Potter has over 30 years of experience defending clients, and he understands how important it is to take accusations seriously. Call him today at 419-419-0697 or fill out the contact form on the website to schedule a consultation to discuss your case.

  Sources :- 

https://potterlawoffice.com/

https://www.hg.org/legal-articles/what-to-do-when-falsely-accused-of-domestic-violence-47030

https://www.mdavidlindsey.com/blog/three-things-to-do-if-you-are-falsely-accused-of-domestic-violence/

Source Url :- https://sites.google.com/view/potterlawofficecom/home

[phantomtutor]

SOLUTION AT Academic Writers Bay   Choosing the job is about business. For this project, assume that you have a spouse and two dependents (they don’t have to be children) who rely on you for support.But whichever dependents you have, be sure to include their impact in your life financially. (For example, college costs for children, burial or long term care costs for parents, etc.) Create a dream job for yourself. The job does not need to make you rich, but it does need to support you and your family. Decide on your compensation. Make sure it is reasonable for the position you have created for yourself. Look online if you are not sure what is reasonable for your chosen job. Your total compensation package should contain at least the following: -Salary -at least 3 Taxable Fringe Benefits -at least 5 Non taxable Fringe Benefits Assume that any nontaxable fringe benefits are provided to you at the maximum amount. For Taxable Fringes, determine the value, using reasonable assumptions or outside research. Determine the amount of total compensation that results from your package, and the taxable income that results using the MFJ filing status, 2 dependents, and the standard deduction. In addition, as a responsible adult, you need to start planning for retirement. Choose a work sponsored retirement vehicle, making sure that it goes with the occupation you have chosen, and maximize contributions to that plan. Explain your employer’s plan and how it works. In addition, choose a non work related retirement vehicle to invest in. Plan to maximize your contributions, in every possible way (consider your spouse also). Consider the investment advantages and any tax consequences. What investments are you using: mutual funds, stocks, bonds? What is your rate of return on your investments? Again, research the subject and use reasonable rates to calculate your returns. Predict how your retirement plan will provide for you in retirement. At what age can you retire, and what will be your estimated annual income? For how many years? Will you need a second job? If so, what will it be? You all have the skills to do this, using the time value of money and present and future value of payments and/or annuities and lump sums. There are also retirement calculators online that you may utilize. If you do, be sure to cite the website. REQUIRED: -A clear list of all compensation on an annual basis (presented in a spreadsheet format). Be sure to total the compensation, and label each item as salary, taxable fringe, non taxable fringe. In your narrative, tell me why you chose those particular items to be included in your compensation. -A clearly stated plan for retirement investing, including amount per pay period invested, term in years, value in the end, and annual payments to you after retirement, and your age at retirement. Be sure to include retirement savings from work and non work sources. Use realistic assumptions in your interest rate and investment horizon. Include any other sums that you may receive to supplement your retirement, including social security. Document the formulas you used to arrive at your answer.Why did you choose the investments and methods you used? -Who are your dependents? What is your age and your spouse’s age? -If your dependents are children, are you planning for their college education costs, and how does that impact your retirement savings? How are you planning for their education? If your dependent is an aging parent, how are you coping with any medical bills? -a list of all information sources Be sure to answer all of the questions required for maximum points. Everyone can receive the maximum points for this assignment simply by being sure you answer each question and address each point.   “CUSTOM PAPER” CLICK HERE TO GET A PROFESSIONAL WRITER TO WORK ON THIS PAPER AND OTHER SIMILAR PAPERS CLICK THE BUTTON TO MAKE YOUR ORDER

[sheryllsblog]

5 Reasons Why Having Life Insurance Is Good for You

We get it: No one wants to think about death — for us or the ones we love. And a lot of people equate life insurance with death. And while it IS there if the worst were to happen, it can also do so many other things, and doesn’t have to break your budget while doing it. Check out these great reasons to consider life insurance:

1. It’s part of a sound financial plan.

Insufficient coverage has severe consequences for many families. Our 2019 Insurance Barometer found that four in 10 households without any life insurance would have immediate trouble paying living expenses if their primary wage earner died. Life insurance helps with planning for your loved ones’ long-term health and happiness, providing you with peace of mind that your loved ones are financially protected.

If someone would suffer financially when you die, you need life insurance just like you need a savings or checking account. The money from the policy’s death benefit can help your family meet many important financial needs like funeral costs, daily living expenses and college funding.

2. It’s not as expensive as you think.

Many consumers believe that life insurance is either too complicated or too expensive to consider, creating a barrier to ownership with only 57 percent of people owning life insurance in 2019. In actuality, life insurance is inexpensive and much more accessible that you think. For a healthy 30-year-old, for example, they can get a 20-year term life insurance policy with $250,000 of coverage for about $13 a month. When you break it down life that, it’s easier to budget for and less scary to think about.

3. It can build cash value over time.

Permanent life insurance has a cash value or cash-surrender value, which means it can build cash value over time in addition to providing a death benefit to your beneficiaries. Just like most retirement and tuition savings plans, cash values can accumulate on a tax-deferred basis and be used in the future for any purpose you wish — a down payment on a home, college tuition or even income for your retirement.

This can be a good option as the borrowing rates tend to be relatively low and it’s not dependent on credit checks or other restrictions. Keep in mind, though, you’re ultimately responsible for repaying any loan as set out, to make sure your beneficiary receives the death benefit you had envisioned for them.

4. Life insurance can be more than just life insurance.

Riders to a life insurance contract or a specific kind of policy, can enhance coverage. For example, you could have a life insurance policy, sometimes called a hybrid policy, that includes a long-term care benefit to pay for long-term care services. If this is something you need down the line, you can take advantage of it, otherwise there is a death benefit for your beneficiary. There are a number of different riders available that can help you customize and boost your coverage.

5. It can help maximize your retirement.

If the financial obligations you had when you first purchased a permanent life insurance policy have ended, your policy can take on a new life and benefit your retirement. Structured correctly, your policy can provide supplemental retirement income via policy loans and withdrawals or even options for long-term care benefits.

Life insurance can also maximize a pension by supplementing a surviving spouse’s income, or established into a life insurance trust to allow you to pass on to your heirs outside of your estate (often avoiding both estate and income taxes).

So, what are next-steps? Why not do a quick calculation to see how much life insurance you may need with our online Life Insurance Needs Calculator here. And then plan on talking to an insurance agents about your needs and budget — remember, they will help you free of charge with no obligation.

Credits to: Maggie Leyes

Date Posted: January 8, 2020

Source: https://lifehappens.org/blog/5-reasons-why-having-life-insurance-is-good-for-you/

#areteautomation #lifehealthadvisors #knowledge #foryou #mindpower

[writeblrfantasy]

i am thrilled to present to you another short from acogs: khyris mi'hail, or khyris the beloved in my conlang!

i'm especially happy with this one, but i say that about all of them, don't I? this one is inspired by the story behind the hanging gardens of babylon, how the king had them built for his homesick wife.

like most of my shorts, you don't need to know acogs to understand this <3 enjoy!! word count about 5k

~

“Everybody wake up, c’mon, everybody up!” The sound of pans banging together accompanies Major Malika’s shouts.

Khyris has been awake for an hour already, but he still groans at the thought of leaving his warm cot. The other corporals in the tent with him grumble and swear at the major with more colorful language than Khyris would dare risk.

Khyris sticks his head out of his blankets, bracing against the freezing winter air and squinting into the bright morning light of the tent. A few bastards who wake with the sun are sitting on the floor drinking coffee, the smell of which finally draws Khyris out of his warm cave.

“We were afraid you were dead,” says Eric, mumbling like he’s half dead himself. “You don’t move at all.”

“Nice to know you’re watching me sleep,” Khyris retorts, pulling on his three extra layers to fight back the biting chill. “Give me some of that.” Coffee in his system makes him feel a little more human, enough to make him realize there’s a group huddled around the morning campfire just outside.

Khyris joins them, coffee in hand, and finds them all staring at a map. “What’s going on?”

“Big news today,” Aeron says, grinning, full of energy no matter the time. “The queen’s visiting.”

Khyris almost spills his coffee. “What? Why? That man couldn’t lift a sword to save his life, what does he want with us?”

“Stow your hatred for a moment, my dear Khyris. He’s here to pick a spouse.”

Khyris stares, then laughs. “For a moment I thought you were serious.”

The other’s smiles slowly fade. Delia stares into her coffee like it holds the answers of the world—or more accurately, an escape from Khyris.

“You are serious. Sweet Cai.” Khyris buries his head in his hands. “Explain.”

“He’s here exactly because he can’t lift a sword to save his life. He wants someone who can. Solid strategy, I think.”

Khyris shakes his head. “He has hundreds of willing options back at court, the experienced soldiers paid too well to be out on the field. Why doesn’t he pick from them and leave us alone?”

“He doesn’t want a lazy court soldier. He wants a fieldman. Someone he knows he can trust with his life.”

“So he wants a bodyguard for a spouse, is what you’re saying. I thought he already had a team of those.” Khyris looks around. “Do you think Major Malika would notice if I disappeared for a week or two? Tell her I was indisposed. I was longing for home. Let me be a deserter, anything but having to see that bastard’s face.”

“Why are you so against him?” Aeron asks.

“Because he doesn’t give a damn about any of us. He just throws money at us, gives us more orders to build more cities, and every year checks in to see how we’re doing. He’d rather entertain the fools and artists of his court than pay mind to us.”

“So you don’t want to see him, but you’re mad he hasn’t come yet? Make up your mind, man!”

Khyris sighs. “I just don’t think you all should be kissing his ass, is all. He should be appreciating what we do for him. We just finished building him al-Hasa, he should be grateful.”

“We’re not kissing—” Aeron breaks off into a devious grin Khyris has seen before, and it’s never ended anywhere good. “You like him, and you’re mad he doesn’t like you back?”

Whistles and laughter go around the fire. “What?” Khyris sputters. “This is the queen we’re talking about, not some barmaid. You lot are ridiculous.”

Apparently happy with being labeled ridiculous, what Khyris thought were friends begin singing, “Khyris the Angrily Smitten” in an off key parody of a song he can’t remember.

“You sound like you’re drunk and it’s only sunrise,” he says in disgust, burying himself in coffee, his only friend this morning.

Later that day, he’s in the middle of a group training session and managed to forget about the queen’s newest joke. The stress of the major’s shouts during exercises in the middle of winter doesn’t leave much room for Khyris to think about anything else, though Aeron finds a way around it as always. Aeron’s only here to support his family’s farm—cooperation doesn’t matter much to him as long as he still gets paid.

In the middle of another round of hot yet cold push-ups, Major Malika calls for a sudden stop. “His Majesty is here,” she snaps. “I want to see some salutes, hear some respect. Is that clear?”

“Yes, Major,” they chorus, lining up to watch His Majesty Amoun’s brown and gold carriage pull up to the campsite. Khyris’ left hand goes to the side of his head like all the others, trying to keep his eyes in line as the carriage stops in a cloud of dust. The door opens with a click, and out steps a shadow cloaked in black, unusual for Kadar. Khyris’ eyes drift despite himself.

Khyris forgot how young the queen is, and how attractive, despite his own dissenting opinions. A dark, neat sheaf of hair and mustache frame a smiling face. His long winter cloak shows hints of Kadar yellow in ribbons and pins, but otherwise everything from the fur to his shoes is black.

“Welcome, Your Majesty,” Malika says with a deep bow.

“Thank you, Major. I’m delighted to be here.” Queen Amoun approaches the line of soldiers with his coat sweeping out behind him, just short enough not to get dirty on the sand. The soldiers drop their salutes as Amoun slowly walks in front of them like he’s inspecting them. Khyris fights not to close his eyes and disappear into a safer, less ridiculous world. He has many choice words for the queen, but keeps them all wisely to himself.

Amount is just passing Aeron and Delia, about to pass a stiff Khyris, when he stops and looks him up and down. “What’s your name?” Amoun asks.

Khyris swallows, cursing Cai in every way. He can feel Aeron’s traitorous, poorly smothered grin on his profile. “Khyris, Your Majesty.”

“Khyris,” Amoun repeats, slowly, like the sly tongue of a snake. He grins. “What a beautiful name.”

What to say to that?

Amoun solves the problem for him. “I look forward to seeing your face during my trials, Khyris.”

Khyris’ mind races, thinking of the Cairic Trials of Taru. They are Kadars, dammit, not Cairic. But, if the queen wanted to find a spouse who could defend him, there is not a much better way than that. “Trials, Your Majesty?”

Amoun laughs, a gentle, warm sound. “Wipe that fear off your face. I am not referring to the Trials of Taru, as thrilling and testing as they are. The trials I have created are much simpler, and will be much more to your taste, if that quiver on your back means anything.” He takes a step back so more soldiers can hear him.

“I wish we had a forest to do this, but alas, we are not in the north or in Tel Cairis. As you can see, there are three targets there.” Amoun gestures grandly to the three red targets being set up several hundred paces away, in the middle of the desert. “Whoever can perfectly hit the three targets”—he pauses for effect— “will get a private dinner with me.”

Khyris struggles not to laugh.

“The trials begin immediately, for all of you,” Amoun says. “You are soldiers, I’m sure you’re used to quick thinking and quicker requests. Come on, now.”

Khyris shuffles into a single file line with the others, Aeron at his back. “Not a word,” he hisses.

“Not a word,” Aeron echoes, but Khyris can hear his grin. Worst of all, he begins humming that awful song, Khyris the Angrily Smitten. He actively wishes for death even as he’s pulling his bow off his back and nocking an arrow into it.

Fail Amoun’s stupid target challenge. The easiest task in the world. He’ll be officially taken out of consideration, free to go back to the idiots at the campfire in the morning.

His focus drifts in and out while waiting for the other soldiers to shoot, even if they’ve never touched a bow before. Evidently Amoun believes miracles are possible. He seems like the type.

Amoun stands to the side of the line drawn in the sand where the archers must stay and shoot, his presence undoubtedly helping no one. Ever since he was a child, Khyris couldn’t stand people watching him practice or hunt. He savored the quiet of the northern forests where he grew up, savored the peace and focus in his heart while he hunted his family’s dinner. To have anyone else watching him, waiting, judging if he shot wrong, would ruin that sacred peace.

He sighs and shifts his weight impatiently.

“Relax, would you? You’re the best archer here, I have more reason for nerves than you do,” Delia says from somewhere behind him.

“That’s exactly the problem,” Khyris says. “I’m afraid I’ll do well.”

Someone scoffs ahead of him. He doesn’t keep his dislike of the queen private, but the way Amoun looks back toward the sound makes Khyris flush. Please don’t notice me, don’t notice me, look away.

“Then miss and make a fool of yourself,” Delia says. “You’ll be known as the army’s best worst archer, but not the queen’s spouse, a title I wouldn’t mind having. It’ll be a steady source of income for my family, at least.”

Khyris smiles. He and Delia became friends because of their similar situation. Aeron barged his way into their lives with no possibility of leaving. “I’ll be in the front row at your wedding.”

“I’d prefer your blessing on my bow.”

Khyris watches sorry swordsman after swordsman point their bows at the targets only for their arrows to land somewhere far off in another direction. Major Malika barks at them that they’ve failed, which is not an unusual thing for her to say, but they’ve never had to perform in front of the queen before.

People who have never touched a bow in their life still stutter and apologize for wildly missing. That’s the effect the queen’s presence has—not that it affects Khyris, of course. He glances sympathetically at the losers and thinks, I’ll be joining you in a minute.

At last, it’s his turn. Major Malika orders him forward with her usual grit, but Amoun is smiling with his big brown eyes and it’s every bit as unnerving as Khyris predicted.

“Let’s see what you got,” he says quietly, where only Khyris can hear. Khyris grits his teeth, mentally ordering him to shut up and let him focus.

Why is he trying?

Because it’d kill him to miss, he decides. He hasn’t missed since he was eleven, and he won’t start now. He has too much pride in his finest skill to be a laughingstock. Major Malika would know he wasn’t trying and would make him try again. He’s too good an archer for his own good.

He closes his eyes, trying to ignore Amoun’s presence, and lets the bow do the work.

The first arrow hits. He doesn’t stop to check. His focus is on the second target, and a minute shift of his position readies him for the next shot. Khyris disregards all other sound but the grip of his fingers adjusting on the bow, the whoosh as the arrow flies free. He can’t quite block out the gasp Amoun makes, but shaking it off is easy.

The wind begins picking up just slightly, hardly noticeable to anyone else, but Khyris knows the song of the bow like his own skin, and it’s not what he needs.

You’ve done well, says the voice in his head. No one will believe you purposefully failed if you miss. You will be free, and your dignity will be intact.

The other archers shot in quick succession, too eager or humiliated to wait. Khyris knows he’s already taken longer than anyone else, but he waits another few seconds before nocking another arrow and letting it fly.

Khyris opens his eyes to find his arrows in the center of all three red targets. He sighs in relief.

Relief for what?

All is deadly quiet, and then some idiot begins cheering. Khyris shuts his eyes again.

Aeron. Of course it’s Aeron.

Soon, everyone is cheering or clapping, Amoun loudest of all. Khyris flushes hot, looking around for him, who’s grinning like someone just handed him all the wealth of Kadar.

Khyris goes over to him and wraps him a hug, drawing laughter and ‘aw’s from the onlookers. It’s just an excuse to whisper, “I hate you to the skin of your bones,” in Aeron’s ear, who just laughs louder.

#

Khyris stands in front of a little pond where some fool spilled water outside Amoun’s tent, turning left and right to inspect his outfit. It’s the only fine thing he has, provided by the army, meant for rare banquets at the palace.

It’s a velvet jacket in Kadar yellow decorated with the few gold medals he has to his name, one for exceptional scouting, another for bringing down the largest hog anyone had ever seen, large enough to feed the whole camp for an evening.

The yellow tent flap opens and Khyris quickly snaps to a stiff position, relaxing when Amoun gestures for him to. “Khyris,” he says with a warm smile. “Thank you for joining me.”

You didn’t leave me much of a choice, Khyris thinks, though even he’s not bold enough to say that to the queen’s face. He’s wearing a thin golden circlet with soft brown gems embedded, the crown of Kadar. Khyris has never been close enough to see it; it sparkles in the evening sunlight.

He’s never been close enough to see the queen’s face like this—the kindness deep within earthy eyes, his short, well-trimmed beard and mustache, the single lock of black hair hanging down on his forehead. His black cloak doesn’t have a smattering of dust, and the long fur hairs poking out of the collar make Khyris ache for the crude fur coat he made himself the last time he was home—these velvet jackets don’t do much in the way of warmth.

Amoun even smells like the forests of the north, Khyris’ home, with a hint of soft incense.

“Please, come in.” Amoun steps aside to let Khyris slip past him. He takes a quick look around. Amoun’s tent is nicer than any camp tent he’s ever been in, a colorful carpet covering the sand, a table of golden wood with two chairs set up in the middle, a white curtain hiding what’s presumably a bed in the corner. Even the lanterns, burning with blessed warmth, are polished and new compared to the grimy ones in the tent Khyris shares with five others.

“Sit,” Amoun says softly, latching the tent flap closed to keep out the abhorrent wind. Khyris sits, happy to be out of the cold with a plate of hot food in front of him, if nothing else. The faster he can fail this and get it over with, the better.

Amoun sits opposite him and unclasps his cloak, revealing a finely woven black waistcoat over a long sleeved yellow shirt.

“Ah, so His Majesty is capable of wearing color,” Khyris says before he can think about it. He refuses to go back on it, even as Amoun looks at him in surprise. Khyris won’t be the timid little soldier afraid to even look at his queen. He respects himself more than that.

“I admit my dress is rather unconventional for Kadar,” Amoun says, slipping into a relieving smile. He picks up a white teapot and pours them both steaming cups. From the smell, it’s coffee—in the evening? Another oddity. “It’s one of many reasons for people to distrust me—or worse, dislike me.” He smiles again over the rim of his cup.

Khyris is holding his for warmth until he remembers that he’s not in the tent waking up to Aeron jabbering in his ear, he has manners. He quickly puts it back on the table. All the manners he learned from his father and his one visit to court suddenly leave him. Hopefully his country boy ignorance doesn’t show too much.

No, he wants it to show, doesn’t he? He wants Amoun to be disgusted with his choice and let him go.

Khyris grips the handle of the coffee cup again but after a few seconds of indecision, leaves it on the table.

“I do hope you’ll enjoy this meal,” Amoun says, oblivious to Khyris’ inner turmoil and the fact that this is the best meal Khyris will ever have in the field in the middle of winter. “Have you ever been to a palace banquet? Forgive me for not remembering your face—you all look the same in those jackets.” He shovels a forkful of something into his mouth—wait, what are they eating?

Khyris gathers himself and picks up his knife, reminding himself to breathe. “Yes, Your Majesty,” he says after what’s probably too long of a pause. “I have been to a palace banquet once, shortly after I joined your army.” He focuses on cutting what he now discerns to be lamb, a delicacy they don’t get out here at the building sites, laying on a bed but of golden rice. It’s hot and warms him to the bone, but it’s not as spicy as the kind his father used to make.

Amoun laughs, speaking with a full mouth. “Let’s not pretend it’s my army. Cai knows I don’t pay enough attention to it. Oh, forgive me”—he smiles sheepishly— “when I’m alone with someone, especially here instead of the palace, I forget my manners. My upbringing is coming back to haunt me. Perhaps that’s another reason people detest me.”

Khyris pauses. Suddenly the food is vastly less interesting than Amoun. “You grew up humble, Majesty?”

“Please, call me Amoun. I am here to court you.”

The reminder makes Khyris bring his eyes back to his plate. Make him throw you out.

“Yes,” Amoun continues, “I came from the forests of the north. My parents were well off, and I have no siblings, but it was not a glamorous childhood by any means. Not compared to what I’m used to now.”

Khyris chews slowly, hyperaware of everything. “I also came from the forests of the north, M—Amoun.”

“Really?” Amoun’s silver clatters against his plate. “I knew I chose well. Where exactly were you raised?”

Khyris tells him about the cabin his mother built, four young siblings and a father too crippled to hunt, a mother too overworked to cook, the privilege Khyris considered hunting.

He loses track of time as Amoun talks about those same forests, hiding from great imaginary beasts that were only the howls of the wind in the trees as a child, the warmth of the curry Amoun’s mother made—the same one Khyris’ mother made for his birthday.

Khyris has never met someone who grew up in the north forests before, and he soon finds he can’t keep the smile off his face.

Before Khyris knows it, they’ve both finished their meals and wine has replaced the coffee. No attendants come in to bring them dessert, Amoun only gets up and accepts plates from them through the tent flap.

Khyris doesn’t have to leave his chair the whole time—he feels like the queen here, dipping a spoon into the bowl of warmth honey cake soaked through with cream. Amoun asks him about his friends, his family, laughs at every story of his siblings, goes somber when Khyris tells him why he joined the army.

Amoun makes him feel like everything he has to say is worth something to him, that his nods aren’t the polite, diplomatic ones he’s no doubt used to putting on. Khyris is only too happy to return the favor and admire the reflection of the lamplight in Amoun’s eyes.

And then it’s ending. The wine has faded from Khyris’ system, and the warmth of Amoun’s hand as he helps Khyris to his feet is bittersweet. He doesn’t know when he stopped trying to make Amoun dislike him, if he was ever trying at all, but now he’s foolishly praying that Amoun will ask him back.

“Thank you for such a wonderful evening, Khyris,” Amoun says, smiling like the witches of legend are said to do—so strong, so beautiful, they make it impossible to look away. Khyris’ limbs seem to draw closer of their own accord before he realizes and quickly puts distance between them.

“Thank you,” Khyris says, a shadow clouding over his heart as he turns toward the tent flap that Amoun holds open.

“Would you like to go out with me again?” Amoun asks as Khyris is about to leave. He stares in hopeful disbelief. “It’s perfectly alright if you don’t. I would never force you into anything you would not want—I have heard the stories your companions tell. Khyris the Angrily Smitten.” Amoun’s lips curve into a smile with an unescapable hint of pain. “I think the angry part is more prevalent. You are one of the ones who would detest me at court.”

Khyris is again mad at Aeron, for an entirely different reason. Has this whole magical evening gone to shit?

“Majesty—Amoun”—he takes a deep breath— “I—I was wrong about you. I would like to go out with you again. It is possible for minds to change.” He laces his own fingers behind his back, arms held taught in the stiff jacket.

Amoun’s answering grin is brighter than the sun.

#

Amoun has to go back to Ramia, of course, and Khyris back to the city building corporal’s lifestyle, but they spend every chance they could get together, alone, in a welcome relief from life for both of them. Aeron and Delia have been nothing but evil about it, but it’s no less than Khyris would expect.

His and Amoun’s second outing comes mere weeks after their first, when Khyris thought he might go mad from anticipation. Would their next meeting be just as perfect as their first? He frets, despite Aeron’s relentless teasing about the fact that so recently, he’d despise himself for fretting about this.

He made the mistake of addressing the queen as Amoun in Delia and Aeron’s presence. At the risk of his own sanity, he’s been careful to censor himself since, though Aeron probably sees right through it.

Their second date is every bit as good as the first and more. Amoun invites Khyris to the camp where he’s staying, visiting another battalion of soldiers in the north. Khyris was happy to go just to escape Aeron’s teasing, but the smile Amoun gives him upon arrival did things to him he didn’t know were possible. After a few days together and the blistering kiss Amoun gives him when they part, Khyris knows his mind is made up.

It should not come as a surprise when Amoun proposes only a few months later. The whole purpose of Amoun’s visit, after all, was to find a spouse to court.

He’s not just falling for the queen of Kadar for all the perks of being his lover. when Amoun first announced this challenge, Khyris thought the steady income for his family would be the only reason he’d ever agree if miraculously chosen.

As soppy and awful as it sounds, as much as he’s becoming the very lovestruck fool he loved to hate, he enjoys Amoun for him, not for his money or his power or his safety. His company. His smile. His mix of ease and nerves, how he both seems to know exactly what he’s doing and has no clue at all.

Now, he’s in Ramia again for the first time in four years in the part of it he never thought he’d get to visit in his lifetime: the queen’s private palace apartments. Amoun is looking at him the warmth of the sun in those eyes and asking if Khyris will be his forever. What can Khyris say but yes?

Khyris might hang around court more often than he ever thought he would, but he still can’t bear to leave the army. He sees past the humor in Aeron’s voice when he asks, “Don’t forget about your fellow corporals when you’re the queen’s husband, alright?” Khyris spends half of the days leading up to wedding with the soldiers, working hard and crashing harder just like he did before, and the other half in some kind of paradise of luxury with Amoun.

He invites Aeron and Delia to the palace when he visits—he’s learned, as the queen’s betrothed, there’s little he can’t get away with, including sudden leave for any soldier he likes. Seeing the raw awe on Aeron’s face makes his own adjustment a little easier to bear.

He and Amoun decline to get tattoos of betrothal—that’s a Cairic tradition at heart, and the queen of Kadar couldn’t be seen with that, especially since they’re trying to move away from Tel Cairis’ traditions.

Being suddenly waited on and served food even better than the stuff in Amoun’s tent on their first date is nice, but jarring. He’s so used to the humble life, getting everything himself, being independent. The army only enforced that, even when he gained friends.

Now the clothes he wears puts his yellow dinner jacket to shame, and every bit of building has been made by hundreds of men compared to a few. He can only wonder how Amoun adjusted.

Amoun is a sweetheart, empathetic and sensitive. Unfortunately, this means Khyris can’t keep a secret around him, and he quickly notices Khyris’ discomfort.

“Mi’hail, please,” he implores one night, because of course he’d be the type to use old fashioned terms of endearment like that. “Tell me what I can do to make this place feel as much as your home as it is mine. All I desire is to make you happy.”

Khyris sighs, closing his eyes for a moment. His cheek is pillows on the silk nightshirt covering his arm, so light and soft and decadent you can hardly call it a shirt. His feet are made warm by the sheets of Amoun’s bed, the warm orange glow of candlelight turning Amoun’s skin the most beautiful gold.

This is not the first time Amoun has asked, but Khyris always tells him not to bother, he’s busy enough, he’s done enough already. “If we are to be married,” Amoun tries, “it cannot be on unequal footing. I will not have you be a sacrifice to be with me. You grew up with so little—let me repay you now.”

“Oh, and you grew up in luxury?” Khyris counters.

“Stop trying to switch the subject.” Amoun sits up against the cushioned headboard. “Tell me, or I will not leave it alone.”

Khyris knows how capable he is of that. He manages a small smile.

“A garden,” he settles on at last, thinking of the northern forests, how he loved the trees but always wished for a more glamorous, well-tended grove. “Remind me of the north, where we are from. Give me a version of our forests that’s neater, that shows the nicest parts without all the ugly ones.” He sighs, already picturing it, almost able to smell the richness of the tree sap if he concentrates. “With a fountain,” he adds. “Is that too much?”

Amoun’s eyes are shining. “Not at all. I will do it, mi’hail.”

Amoun builds him a garden. He commissions a fountain. He brings the forests of the north to Ramia.

Khyris underestimates him once again.

It takes so long and takes up so much space, Khyris is eventually banned entirely from the west side of the palace in case he catches a glimpse of Amoun’s hard work. All he knows is that Amoun is always beaming and giddy with excitement and anticipation of Khyris’ reaction.

The damn thing takes so long to build, Khyris doesn’t get to see it till three weeks after their wedding, when they get back from their trip alone to the forests of the north.

When everything is finally done to Amoun’s liking, Amoun can’t let go of his hand as he leads him out to see it. He even makes Khyris close his eyes, an incredible trust exercise. When Khyris is allowed to open them, his jaw falls open.

He’d been prepared by the sound of flowing water, but nothing could truly brace him for this. From the top of the steps leading inside where they stand, Khyris can see the whole thing: the fountain of himself holding his bow, quiver at his back, free hand reaching up to fix his hair. “Wh—how did you get a statue of me commissioned without needing me there?”

Amount just grins.

None of the trees are old enough to provide shade yet, but stone beds with soil inside house several young, green trees that will grow up to be the great sprawling ones of the north. The floor is stone, not dirt, and it’s much nicer and cleaner to look at than the leafy forest floor. The smell of the trees is absent, but it’s more than made up for with the greenery tucked into every spot, the rare pops of pink flowers from the east. Everything is well tended and trimmed, from the hedges to the plants to the shape of the trees.

Each layer up to the palace entrance is covered in some of potted plant, and an artificial river runs around every bit of it to feed them, the channel carved into the stone.

Khyris can’t fathom how he imported everything and how it’s stayed so fresh—the wont of a queen, he supposes.

“The gardens of Khyris,” Amoun says quietly at his back, wrapping an arm around his shoulder to pull him closer.

After another minute of silence, he laughs nervously. “Speechless, mi’hail?”

“Uh, yes.” Khyris turns his head to kiss him. “I don’t know how to thank you. it’s absolutely gorgeous. I—seriously, all of this is for me?”

“I would be happy to ban the public if you asked,” Amoun confirms. “Does it take you back to the north forests as it does for me?”

“You know it does. It’s perfect in every way.”

Amoun walks him down the steps to the garden itself, showing him every carefully chosen detail. Khyris is happy to stand with him near the fountain, enough for the sound of the rushing water to lull him into a sense of calm. He wonders how he could’ve ever hated Amoun.

“Khyris the Angrily Smitten, they called you all those months ago,” Amoun murmurs. Khyris’ ears burn hot.

“I find it endearing,” Amoun confesses, “but I know you find it rather—embarrassing. I’d like to call you something else.” His fingers curl around Khyris’ neck, soft and warm. “Khyris mi’hail? Khyris the Beloved?”

Khyris fights the smile threatening to break out and fails. “Better than Khyris the Great, or something awful like that.”

Amoun laughs. “I am great enough for both of us,” he says, and pulls Khyris to the sound of the water mingling with the wind. An earthly heaven without Cai.

shorts taglist (lmk to be added/removed) @magic-is-something-we-create @lunarmoment @missingpeace

acogs taglist (lmk to be added/removed) @magic-is-something-we-create @inkflight @spencer-nyx @writing-is-a-martial-art @ashen-crest @wisteria-eventide @nikkywrites @denkis-phone-charger @myhusbandsasemni @lynolord @ettawritesnstudies @golden-apple-s-blog @chazzawrites @pen-of-roses @47crayons @wickerring

#writing #writeblr #my writing #my short story #my wip #fantasy #fantasy writeblr #lila's wips: acogs #lila's short stories

[gaklz]

The Side Hustle: Second Jobs To Make Extra Money

A side hustle is a part time job, a second job, or alternate way to earn money – outside of your 9 to 5 career. The economic downturn left many well-qualified adults scrambling to earn wages that would continue to put food on the table, with many taking on a second job just to make ends meet.  According to FOX News and the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. job outlook remains dismal, with wage incomes improving by just 1.4%, and the economy expanded by only 1.9% during the first quarter of 2012.

Whether you’re trying to pay off bills, add to your children’s college fund, or save for a special event, taking a second job is a route many working adults take in order to get ahead financially.

Freelancing Freelance jobs are plentiful across the World Wide Web. However – unless you live in Pakistan and are able to work for pennies on the dollar – quality freelance jobs take some digging to find. I have freelanced for Yahoo and Demand Media Studios, edited web sites for small web publishers, and worked as an independent freelance writer. Of these choices, editing web sites paid the most… writing web content as an independent was the most flexible and pays well, and working for the “content mills” pays – but does it pay what you’re worth?

Demand Media Studios strict content form and requirements hardly make it worth the $25 per article you’ll receive… if you’ve spent an hour writing the article and it’s accepted as-is, $25/hour is awesome. However, this is rare with DMS, so in reality is takes more like 2 – 3 hours to earn the $25. Yahoo Contributor Network is the most user friendly place I have found to write for money… but at $15 per post you really need to have the concept down pat, write fast with few errors, and produce cookie-cutter content that can make your eyes cross by the end of the day. Freelance writing for blogs and websites is a good choice as a side hustle – IF you have the skills needed to turn content fast, and with few mistakes.

Blogging For Money – Side Hustle or Hype? My full time career is as a Blogger. I blog across several websites, and those sites make money through paid advertising, reviewing products, and creating interesting articles and content that make readers want to come back for more. When I first began blogging, I was also doing a lot of freelance writing and editing to put food on the table. I could go on and on about how to become a successful pro blogger, but the truth is that I followed the wisdom of another highly successful blogger, who recently rolled out an e-Book on making money as a blogger.  The eBook, How I Make Money Blogging, is a no-holds-barred tutorial on how to start, and how to create a viable income as a blogger. Since I know the author – Crystal Stemberger – have worked with her as a colleague on several projects, and have personally followed her success on Budgeting in the Fun Stuff, I highly recommend buying this eBook. Her actual website, How I Make Money Blogging, gives details weekly, but the book is one of the best places to start for newbies… of an excellent way for current bloggers/freelancers to get back on track and tuern their blogs into a lucrative business. I know that this eBook is in the up and up, and I couldn’t even say it better – or detail the steps Crystal outlines –  myself. I have watched as Crystal’s monthly earnings went from a level where she could quit her day job… to the point where her husband has been able to quit his own job to work alongside her from their home office. These people are solid, intelligent, hard working folks – and Crystal’s template for success is not to be overlooked. If you’re even remotely interested in creating a work-from-home career, please take a moment to check out the eBook… Click here to visit How I Make Money Blogging.

I do earn a commission for telling you about the eBook — so let me thank you in advance for clicking through my link (above) when you go to buy the eBook. Be sure to come back here to Thriftability and comment on your success with the tips in the book – or email me directly to share your story. If you are having trouble getting started, I’m happy to help. I have 8 years experience as a web dev/web editor, and have been a professional (paid) blogger for the last 3 years. I know that sometimes getting started can be frustrating, but it is definitely worth it for people who have the drive and determination to make it happen. so if I can help or answer a question, feel free to email: Lisa {at} Thriftability {dot} com. The book, How I Make Money Blogging is the true story of Crystal Stemberger’s experience in leaving her day job to work form home as a full time blogger and web ‘preneur. Definitely worth the read!

Side Jobs: Seasonal and Temp Work Taking a job during the holiday season is a good way to earn money in a short period of time. As long as you’re not paying for child care while you work (perhaps your spouse or a relative can keep the kids), you can earn decent money in retail during the holidays. Seasonal and temp work can pay off as well – as long as you’re OK with the reality of becoming involved with a company or project for a short term period. Keep in mind: with the unemployment rate hovering at 8.2% nationwide, you’re up against other adults who have no jobs at all, while those looking for the side hustle are out to supplement their primary source of income. Bring your “A Game”, and treat the interview for a second job as seriously as you would for any other. Dress for success, and be enthusiastic.

Put Your Skills To Work For You Perhaps taking a second  job is out of the question, because you have kids at home, your primary job is time consuming and you only have random hours in which to work, or… (be honest) the thought of taking on a second job makes you feel ill. I can relate to this! This is why I started working from home in the first place: I needed extra cash, but I was also needed at home as a single mom with three pre-teen and teen-aged kids. Think outside the box. Maybe you have valuable skills that could bring in a secondary income without ever leaving the house. Can you sew? The number of young professionals who have mastered the tasks once taught in Home Ec has dwindled sharply over the years. One of my neighbors takes in ironing – clean clothes brought over just to be presses – and makes $40 in an evening… ironing while watching her favorite TV shows or movies. Lawn care, auto maintenance, child care and supplying home-cooked meals are other ways to earn money from home. My latest hobby has just started bringing in extra (unplanned!) cash… I have a large organic garden, and sell produce at the local Farmer’s Market. Regardless of where, how, or how much, the side hustle is becoming more the norm for many Americans.

Do you have a side hustle? Tell us about ways you make extra money  – leave a comment below!

[todaysociety]

WOMEN FINANCIAL CONDITION AFTER DIVORCE. HERE’S HOW TO WORK ON IT

The liquid is an economic term for cash used in accounting. It is quite an important term. This name suggests that it is the cash, which we use to fulfil our requirement. In general, our society shows that liquid is one such thing that seems more appropriate on the male hand. But the woman's financial condition after the divorce arises a problem when a woman needs it to fulfil her requirement. 

  Women usually face many problems when it comes to divorce in a heterosexual marriage. According to stats – when both are employed, the man always outruns women with 77.8 %. This situation shows that after post-divorce women almost lose half of their household income. 

 Estimated cases cleared that in 3 domains in which women have to balance her when she decides to take divorce are children, home, well-being. And to fulfil this requirement, women have to be financially strong and stable.

 In this article, we will talk about the financial problems that women face after divorce. Then we will move on to things you should consider doing when divorcing. We are also advising a few tips on how women after divorce can improve her financial situation.

 THE BIGGEST FINANCIAL CHALLENGES WOMEN FACE AFTER DIVORCE:

THE BIGGEST ISSUE IS MONEY:

Women's financial condition after divorce under number 1 rank in terms of women’s top concern, followed by worries about their children. This thing shows the seriousness of the matter. And what’s more brutal is declining post-divorce income to the women. 

 According to the research conducted by the school of Economics women – who worked after their marriage experiences a 20% decline in income as their marriage ended. On the other hand, men experience a 30% of the rise in their income. 

 The poverty rate of women after a divorce is 27%, nearly three times than men. All these stats speak volume on how worst women's financial condition after divorce can be.

 RAISING CHILDREN, IMPACT WOMEN FINANCIAL CONDITION AFTER DIVORCE:

You can easily relate to the relations between financial problems and worries about your children. In terms of stat, every three women out of 4 are concerned about their children's futures. 

 They found themselves worrying about the matters whether they would have enough cash to raise their children. It’s just not the financial situation that is worrisome, but your mental health too. To look after your kids, you have to first care about yourself.

 FINDING A PLACE TO LIVE:

In most dramatic Television shows, you often see the women walking away with small fortunes including the family house. The reality is far away from the dramatic series. According to researchers, millions of women find themselves looking out to find a safe home after divorce. 

 This timing couldn’t be worse. Women have to look for a home to live on while she is already on a tighter budget. And living in a home is another factor to worry about, as it adds more bills. Bills that include maintenance fees, homeowner association costs, and higher utility bills.

 THINGS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER WHEN DIVORCING:

YOUR INVESTMENTS AND PROPERTY:

When divorcing, the laws that will govern how property will be distributed varies from state to state and from country to country. For example, the laws of some states believe in 50-50 distribution of property. Other states distribute in terms of “equitable” division. According to which distribution of property will be fair but not equally.

Therefore, we advise that you must hire a lawyer who really knows and understands local laws. It is also important that you get independent, outside valuations.

THE HOUSE:

Your house is a place where you feel safest and at ease. Another fact is that your house is also an asset. According to Stirrat, one of the mistakes divorcing women makes, is to try, and keep the marital home, even when they can’t afford it. Stirrat suggests to put your emotions aside and appraise your home. 

 WORK ON YOUR RETIREMENT ASSETS:

When conversing with your divorce lawyer, it’s always a good idea to include your accountant. The reason behind it is that it needs special care when you transfer one person’s retirement account to another. To make sure that there are no tax implications. 

There’s one more thing you need to keep in your mind if you have been married for ten years or more, you are entitled to 50% of your husband's benefits. 

HOW TO TACKLE WOMEN FINANCIAL CHALLENGES AFTER DIVORCE:

HIRE A FINANCIAL ADVISER :

We understand that it is tempting to pursue a do-it-yourself divorce to save money on attorney’s fees. So, you can avoid going to court, and get the ordeal over with as early as possible.

But this situation is good until both you and your husband agree on dividing up the assets equally. Considering that your spouse is not hiding any assets from you. And if you agree, on child custody.

However, if things get complicated, Doscow suggests saving money, and hiring a divorce mediator to help you and your spouse reach an agreement. According to Attorney Emily Doscow, the average amount of the attorney’s fees is $20,400.

 REDESIGN YOUR SPENDINGS TO ACCOMMODATE THESE NEW CHANGES.

No one can deny the importance of cash but, sometimes we took it for granted when all our expenses met. We have our list of items that we buy every week or month, even though they are not required.

Divorce may create new obligations such as child support and alimony to pay. Hence, our spending list requires a bit of remodelling. Figure out your source of income and priorities for your essential needs. Find out whether you have enough to maintain your current standards of living. And if not, then you’ll need to make changes.

DEBT CAN BE A HEADACHE, SO, TAKE IT SERIOUSLY.

Often, divorce leaves you in debt due to legal bills and various costs for making a new start.

So, make a plan to deal with this debt as soon as possible.

Among many approaches, one is to refinance the debt. A personal loan may help you smoothly reduce the interest that you’re paying on your debt.

Remember to work-out your budget. It will help you to send extra payments to keep this debt in a hold and allow you to become more financially stable.

CHANGE YOUR TAX WITHHOLDING

Tax situations will inevitably change after divorce, so be susceptible to these changes and don’t ignore them.

It depends on whether you can claim your kids as dependents or not, you can either file as single or file as head-of-household. Anyway, you must adjust your money the way your employer withholds from your paycheck.

CONCLUSION:

In this article we told you the challenges faced during and after the divorce. We even explained what you can do to save yourself from financial crisis. We hope you got what you were looking for.

To Know More Visit Today’s Society’s Women

#women financialcondition

[forlorn-kumquat]

thursday’s child, ch. 1

Also on AO3

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“I will never understand,” Higgins said, as they pulled into a parking spot in front of the Waikiki Aquarium, “what compels people to cheat on their spouses.”

“Boredom?” Thomas suggested with a shrug. “They want some excitement in their lives?” He was guessing, to be honest; the whole thing baffled him as much as it did Higgins.

“So they take up skydiving,” Higgins insisted, leading the way to the front entrance. “Just as exciting, but there’s no emotional devastation.”

“Be grateful for the cheating spouses,” Thomas countered, reaching out to pull the door open for her. “It’s the only kind of cases we’ve been getting, the last few weeks.”

“All right, but why the aquarium?” Higgins asked, skeptically. “It’s not exactly the ideal place for an illicit tryst.”

Thomas made a non-committal noise. “Maybe they just really like the monk seals.” Eying the ticket prices at the booth, he asked, “You think they’ll give us some kind of professional discount since we’re here working?”

Higgins rolled her eyes and pulled out her wallet. “Honestly, Magnum.” To the ticket attendant, she added, “Two adults, please.”

“I’ll pay you back,” Thomas promised, as she passed him one of the ticket stubs.

“We’ll add it to our client’s bill,” Higgins corrected him, stuffing her own ticket stub into the pocket of her jeans. “Assuming, of course, that you didn’t arrange for us to be paid in chickens.”

“That was one time,” Thomas protested, with a laugh.

“I seem to also remember a goat,” Higgins reminded him. Opening a paper map of the aquarium, she studied the layout. “Well, there are certainly no shortage of places our amorous couple could be, aren’t there?”

“We should split up,” Thoma suggested. “I’ll take the outside section, if you want to look around in here.”

“That’s probably best,” Higgins agreed. “We’ll be able to cover more ground that way.”

“And afterward, we can stop by Kamekona’s shrimp truck for lunch,” Thomas added. Off Higgins’ sideways look, he added, a little defensively, “I skipped breakfast.”

Higgins rolled her eyes again, but this time there was a fond smile tugging at her lips. “Meet back here in thirty minutes?” she asked.

Thomas agreed, watching her turn and disappear into the crowd headed for one of the shark tanks. Going in the other direction, he headed for the doors that led to the outside exhibits.

Stepping out into the sunlight from the darkness inside the aquarium had him blinking away spots for a moment, shading his eyes as he waited to adjust to the change in light. When he could see again, he pulled out his phone to pull up the picture their client had given them of her husband.

“Lily!”

Busy with his phone, Thomas heard the faint yell but didn’t really pay attention. It was the height of summer vacation; there were kids swarming all over the place, and everything was more than a bit chaotic. But the second yell…

“LILY!”

A woman’s voice, tinged with desperation and fear, rang out over the crowds. Thomas’s head shot up in an almost instinctive reaction to that cry, looking around until he saw the source: a dark-haired woman turning in a circle, holding a small pink jacket clutched in her hands. Quickly abandoning his earlier plan, Thomas pushed his way through the crowd to the woman’s side.

“Ma’am-”

“I lost my daughter!” the woman blurted out, before he could finish. “She wanted to put her coat in my backpack because it was getting so warm, and I only looked away for a second because I couldn’t get the zipper open, I swear-”

“Your daughter’s Lily?” Thomas asked. Off the woman’s frantic nod, he went on, “What does she look like? What’s she wearing?”

“She’s five,” the woman told him, as she pulled up a photo on her phone of a smiling, dark-haired child. “She’s wearing a blue unicorn tee-shirt and jeans. I braided her hair this morning, but she’s been playing with it all day, and it might just be loose by now.”

Pulling out his own phone, Thomas dialed Higgins. “Higgy, I’m still outside,” he said, as soon as she picked up. “We’ve got a missing kid.”

Higgins didn’t waste any time with useless questions. “Description?”

“Five year old girl, long black hair, wearing a blue unicorn tee-shirt and jeans,” Thomas told her. Turning his attention back to the woman, he asked, quickly, “Blue jeans?”

“No, black,” the woman told him.

Thomas relayed the new information to Higgins. “Can you find Security and alert them?” he asked. “I’m going to help her mother search out here.”

“Michelle,” the woman said. “My name’s Michelle - well, Mia-” The woman cut herself off when she realized that she was babbling.

“I’ll find the Security office and get them involved,” Higgins told him, at the same time. “Maybe they can shut down the entrances, or something, and I’ll have one of them meet you and the girl’s mother outside.”

“Right, good, thanks Higgy.” Hanging up the phone, Thomas turned back to Mia with a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry; I’m sure Lily’s just hiding somewhere. We’ll find her.”

He’d worked enough missing persons’ cases that he knew he shouldn’t be making that kind of promise, but he couldn’t help it. Not when faced with the fear on Mia’s face.

“Thank you-” Mia started, but then she broke off when the intercom crackled to life, an announcement with Lily’s details ringing out overhead. Thomas was gratified to see a good majority of the people around them immediately turning to start looking - he hadn’t expected that many people to be willing to help out.

“Let’s split up,” Thomas said. “It’s a big area out here, and we’ll cover more ground if we’re looking on both sides of the outdoor enclosure at the same time. My partner and Security are covering the indoor section, and some of them will be coming out here-”

“Who are you?” Mia interrupted him. Realizing how that must have sounded, she blushed. “I’m sorry-”

“No, it’s fine,” Thomas told her. “I’m Thomas Magnum. I’m a private investigator. My partner and I have worked missing persons’ cases before.”

Mia let out a short, wet laugh. “Well, if I had to pick a time to lose my daughter, what better time then when I’ve got an expert on hand?”

“If you take the right side of the monk seal enclosure,” Thomas told her, “I’ll take the left. Work your way up from side to side. You want to search systematically, in a pattern, kind of. Don’t zig-zag, or you risk leaving areas untouched.”

Mia nodded, then surprised Thomas by holding out her hand. “Give me your phone,” she said. Before Thomas could ask the obvious question, she added, “I’m going to give you my phone number so you can call me if you find Lily.”

“That’s a good idea,” Thomas said, handing over his phone and accepting hers in return. He quickly typed his name and number into her contacts. “I’ll call you and give you an update every ten minutes, okay?”

Mia let out a shuddering breath. “Right. Okay.” She still looked scared to death, but also fiercely determined, anxiously clenching and unclenching her fists. “Thank you, Thomas.”

“We’re gonna find her,” Thomas said, again, getting a nod in return, and then he turned to begin searching.

Like he’d told Mia to do, he searched from one side of the outdoor enclosure to the other, slowly and methodically making his way back toward the entrance to the inside of the aquarium. It galled him to have to work so slowly, knowing that every second could be another that Lily was wandering somewhere that no one was looking for her, but he wasn’t willing to risk rushing and miss her that way.

He’d also called Higgins, keeping an open line between them as they coordinated their searches. Higgins was also working with half a dozen members of security inside the aquarium; another three had joined him and Mia outside to look for Lily. With all the manpower at their disposal, he wanted to believe that there was no way they wouldn’t find her.

And yet…

The minutes were slipping by distressingly quickly, and still no sign of Lily. Thomas was intimately familiar with the statistics on missing children, knew that the longer Lily was missing, the less likely they were to get her back. And from the tense tone in Higgins’ voice, he knew that she was all too aware of it, too.

“If we don’t find Lily in the next ten minutes, we need to call the police.” Trust Higgins to voice the thought that had been running through his head.

“I was thinking five minutes,” he told her, “but, yeah, we need to get HPD and 5-0 in on this. Everyone we can.”

“You don’t think Lily just wandered away from her mother.” A statement, not a question, and Higgins didn’t sound surprised to be saying it.

“She may have actually wandered off,” Thomas said, reluctantly. “But I’m starting to wonder if that’s the only reason she’s still missing.”

“If we are dealing with an abduction-” Higgins started, but then Thomas’s phone beeped with an incoming call, interrupting her.

“Higgy, that’s Mia, I gotta take this,” he told her.

But he’d barely switched over to the other call before Mia’s frantic voice rang out from the speaker.

“Thomas, they have my baby, someone took my baby-”

#Magnum PI #kumquat writes

[rohanmeda]

Covid, Sick of It 🤧

There is a very simple and elegant way to reduce the COVID-19 deaths to zero over the next few months where we can carry on with normal lives, have little risk of dying, while we all still gain immunity.

We cannot control the infection rate, as much as we try to quarantine, social distance, shelter in place, and duck and cover. The virus just mutates to spread better, and waits for us to make a mistake. The delivery people become the vectors instead of peer-to-peer social contact.

The CDC recently updated on the subject, making this fresh statement: “The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person,” in these ways:

“Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about six feet).

“Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

“These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.”

Is the coronavirus in the air?

When a person infected with the virus talks, sings, coughs, or sneezes, droplets containing the virus are emitted. The CDC and all leading experts agree on this, and this is why face masks are important — not so much to protect the wearer, but to protect others. The droplets come in a range of sizes, from tiny to tinier. The smallest, called aerosols, have been likened to hair spray that lingers and can be smelled if you walk through a plume even minutes later. Viruses like Coronavirus and Flu are extremely good at propagating between people, and they can live on surfaces for days to do so. The mutate and adapt to almost countermeasures we can throw at them, and can lurk and hide in individuals, isolated populations, or ever in an animal species for decades. Typically, a flu or cold epidemic lasts about 8 months, peaking in months 3–5, with peak infection rates being 30% of the people, so that is what we are probably in for with COVID-19. 

Only one thing can defeat a virus and that is our immune system, by counter-evolving antibodies to stop the virus. Once our body knows how to do that, we are immune. Injecting us with a vaccine give us this immunity without requiring us to get sick, but takes 8-12 months to produce from when a virus is first isolated.So we cannot stop the virus spreading, and immunity in a population requires 60% of the people to be immune, but we don't have a vaccine, and just letting everyone get sick would have an unacceptable mortality rate (1.5%) that would kill 50-70 million people before we got population immunity.Do people really think they can last 6–8 months quarantined to their homes? Can our economies, infrastructure, our jobs and livelihoods still be intact after that? People need to get food, supplies, services, and whether they travel to go get them, or they have delivery services, both are vectors for a virus, and delivery networks with their spoke and hub organization are much better for virus transmission.BUT, to minimize mortality from infection, there is another way... we can directly influence the mortality rate. We can breed the virus to be milder with each generation. This happens normally when a virus is free to spread, as the mildly ill people who are out and walking around spread their mild strain more than the people that have the lethal ones and are on their deathbeds. The mild strains predominate and the virus becomes less lethal over time.Even if we don't make the COVID-19 strain deadlier, and it infects 60% the world at it's current 1.5% mortality rate, we lose 70 Million people. That's horrific. Let's not do that either.

Solution

Let’s say we use 2 methods:The First...

Say we use a Medical AI app to track people's symptoms as they catch and recover from COVID-19, and people who have an especially mild strain, now have the option to be 'donors', so other nearby healthy, eligible people can voluntarily come see them, catch the mild strain, and then the mildest strains of that group become 2nd gen donors,... you get ranked (and compensated) by the mildness of your strain and the people intentionally catching it from you pay you.Basically we have a strong, healthy, compensated, volunteer force deliberately getting themselves sick with the mildest COVID-19 strain they can get, and putting aggressive selection pressure on the virus to tame it, make it less lethal, until the rest of the people can catch it without fear of deadly symptoms. Then we can distribute it like a vaccine, months before a vaccine would be ready.In the meantime, we can fortify and sanitize our hospitals and treatment centers, and have the capacity to treat the nasty strains, stomp them out, and cheer as the incoming cases get less severe, less frequent, and hospitals DON'T get overwhelmed.

With that.....I think the most important measures you can take against COVID-19 are practicing good hand hygiene.

If you go outside please practice "social distancing!" The CDC recommends staying 6–10 feet away from everybody!Wash your hands after you use the bathroom and before you eat! Wash your hands with soap and HOT water for a minimum of 20 seconds.

If you don't want to count, then sing the ABC's. Wash both sides of your hands and in between your fingers.

Rinse your hands from fingertips to wrists.If you've been outside, wash your hands as soon as you walk through the door of your home. If you have a spouse at home have them open the door and turn on the sink knobs for you. (You don't want to infect your family door knob or sink knobs with COVID-19 germs from outside!)Avoid touching door knobs and handles when out in public. Push doors open using your elbow or another part of your body. If you're washing your hands in a public bathroom with paper towel, use the towel to turn off the sink knobs. Use a paper towel to open the door rather than touching the dirty door handle.Carry a hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol or more. When using hand sanitizer. Close the top and put it away before sanitizing your hands. Do not sanitize your hands and then touch the dirty bottle.Purchase groceries online. I know that you might need to make a trip to the store for items like milk and frozen food, but try to make your trip to the store as brief as possible.Avoid using a grocery cart. If you need to use a cart, then make sure that you wipe it down with disinfectant cart wipes. Use your hand sanitizer after disinfecting the grocery cart. Also, use sanitizer after ringing up your groceries and before you touch the handles on your car.Sanitize your hands before touching your car handles. Don't get in your car with dirty hands and start touching your seatbelt and steering wheel. Sanitize your hands before touching the handles on your vehicle.Take your clothes off and shower as soon as you get home from work. Don't drop your dirty clothes on the bathroom floor. Put them in a trash bag or a hamper so that they don't contaminate the surfaces in your bathroom.Consider letting dirty laundry sit a minimum of 3 days before washing it. COVID-19 can live on surfaces for up to 3 days. Don't rush to wash dirty laundry that has been in recent contact with surfaces and people out in public.Sanitize items you use often. Sanitize your phone, keys, knobs, handles, kitchen and bathroom surfaces often using bleach wipes.So with all this and the right mindset  we can get through this situation

Sources : https://www.quora.com/How-do-I-keep-safe-from-COVID-19 https://medium.com/@paulanderson_73765/nyc-lung-doctor-tells-his-family-how-to-protect-themselves-from-covid-19-fb0b117b34

#disease #covid19 #corona update

[thecoroutfitters]

Written by Guest Contributor on The Prepper Journal.

4 Realistic Threats You Should Be Prepping For

Editor’s note: This prepping primer was written by guest contributor Mark Hedman.

Shows like National Geographic’s Doomsday Preppers have shone a spotlight on the prepping lifestyle, and people across the country have joined the movement. Families are stockpiling water, food, weapons, essential first aid supplies, and more. While many people associate preppers with crazy people preparing for a zombie apocalypse, there are some real threats that you should be prepping for. You may be surprised at which ones make the list.

Prepping for Losing a Primary Source of Income

Losing a main source of income can be a catastrophic event for any family. Today, you almost need two incomes to survive, so what happens if you lose one of those? Worse yet, what if you’re single with only one source of income and lose it? 

Most preppers don’t talk about losing income, but it’s an event to plan for. Here’s what you can do:

Stock your pantry – Stocking your pantry with items you use every day is smart. Think beyond food. Look for items such as shampoo, soap, laundry detergent, toilet paper, and other household items. You can add to your stockpile a little at a time by purchasing items when they’re on sale. If you or your spouse lose a job, at least you have some of the necessities. 

Save an emergency fund – Many financial experts say that you should save enough money to cover at least six-months-worth of expenses and household bills. This savings account will help you pay for unexpected bills such as car repairs or cover expenses if you lose your job.

Aim for self-reliance – The more self-reliant you can be, the better. You can even take steps to move off-grid and away from community resources. Making the shift to off-grid prepares you to live without community services such as water, trash pickup, electricity, etc.

Prepare for Floods

Don’t think you are safe from the dangers of flooding if you live outside of flood-prone areas. Think of Hurricane Harvey and the destruction it caused in Texas. That hurricane remained over Texas for six days, making landfall three times in September 2017. Approximately one-third of Houston, Texas was underwater. According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Harvey caused $125 billion in damage, and 88 Texans died, mostly from rain, floods, and wind.

Floods are the most common natural disaster in the U.S., per Ready.gov. Flash floods can occur with no warning. To prepare for a flood, first check FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center to see if you live in a flood area. Then sign up for your community warning system. You can also get alerts from NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration, and EAS—The Emergency Alert System.

Research evacuation plans and practice drills with your family. You should prepare a bug-out bag with essential survival gear, medications, and other necessities for your family members. Don’t forget your pet’s needs. 

Civil Disturbance and Social Unrest

The way society is today, expect something disastrous to occur. Communities are divided, and it seems sensitivity is at an all-time high. Be prepared for riots, active shooter incidents, and other similar events. 

Learn what to do to survive a riot and teach your family how to respond if they’re caught in the middle of an active shooter incident. Always remain aware of your surroundings when you’re in public, as situational awareness can save your life. Learn how to defend yourself and carry a weapon or tool for protection. Be prepared for anything.

Terrorist Attacks

The United States has been attacked multiple times from 9-11 to the present. Thousands of terrorists live right here in the U.S., so the likelihood of another attack increases every day. 

The Red Cross says that you can prepare by developing a disaster plan. Create a plan for communication with other family members or friends that live out of the area. They should live far enough away that they would not be affected by the same incident as you if one occurred. 

You and the other family or household you pick should email or call if something happens. Make sure each of your immediate family members has the contact information for the other family or friend. Leave the information with each of your children’s schools, and the workplaces of you and your spouse. Those numbers serve as a backup should something happen to you. 

If you need to evacuate work or home and get separated from your family, you should establish a meeting place for your immediate family members. Make sure you keep a bug-out bag with supplies on hand for incidents like this. Keep copies of important documentation like marriage and birth certificates, power of attorney, insurance policies, and other essential paperwork in a safe deposit box at your bank or at a friend or another family member’s house. 

Make sure you know school emergency plans for each of your children. Leave updated contact information with the schools and designate and give permission for other trusted friends or family members who can pick up the kids from school if you or your spouse can’t. 

These attacks could include dirty bombs or biological agents, and these are real threats that you may face. 

Post-Disaster Aftermath

You don’t need to just survive the disaster; you need to survive the aftermath as well. There are many things that you need to worry about after a disaster. You may be without community resources and utilities for an extended period. You’ll need food, household supplies, water, first aid supplies, and more. You need to be able to cook your food without electricity or gas. 

Sanitation may also become a problem if the local infrastructure fails. Your local grocery store may be shut down for a long time. 

Make a plan that covers all these possible problems and teach your family how to implement it. 

These are just a few events that you need to prepare for. Flooding and natural disasters can occur at any time and are common occurrences. Other disasters such as civil disturbance and terrorist attacks are less likely but still a real possibility. Also, you can lose your job tomorrow.

As the old adage says, hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. If you prepare for any of these events, you’ll be miles ahead of other people and will fare much better during and after a disaster. 

Mark Hedman is the CEO of LA Police Gear, located in Valencia, CA.

The post Are You Prepared? appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

from The Prepper Journal Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. How prepared are you for emergencies? #SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

#SHTF #TEOTWAWKI #MARTIALLAW #BUGOUT #PREPPERBAG #USAF #USSOCOM #ARMY #NAVY #SurvivalFirestarter #Sur

[sleepyfemme]

you just see customers as people to make money from and treat them accordingly? that’s so gross.

what’s gross is that i make my rent money DIRECTLY from tips & ppl think it’s okay to jeopardize their waitress paying her bills (bc you know we don’t make nearly enough hourly, right?) bc they’re in a bad mood bc they had a fight with their spouse earlier or bc they’re grouchy that we serve pepsi instead of coke or bc the hostess was busy when they walked in so they’re mad bc they had to wait an extra 8 seconds to get seated. i would say it’s actually pretty gross to take up someone’s table & waste their time & be rude for no reason & keep them from their main source of income bc you’re either just an asshole or bc you’re mad about things outside of your server’s control. i actually think that’s pretty gross. also like....... i’m never any less friendly or sweet and i’m barely less attentive, but if i have to choose between doing a task for a friendly table & doing a task for a rude table, i’m gonna be smart about where i place my bets bc i wanna make sure the table i KNOW is gonna tip well is happy & 95% of the servers i know would say the exact same

also i’m not trying to be an asshole but this is a literal business transaction dude lmfao it’s okay to be honest about what’s going on. my customers also see me as a vehicle for sweet tea refills if it makes you feel any better

#i usually ignore asks that i think are in bad faith & just trying to rile me up but i accidentally wrote a novel for this person lmao

[bryanfaganlaw]

Handling changing work schedules while negotiating a possession order in Texas

If you have need a best suitable service your Child Law experience, Handling changing work schedules while negotiating a possession order in Texas with the great process!

Houston Family Law Attorneys: How many of you are contract employees? You work a job for a period of time and then move on to the next one when your current contract runs out? Sometimes you go weeks or even months in between working. Other folks work inconsistent hours due to seasonal issues related to their job or even downturns in the economy. Whatever your particular work situation it is likely that you do not work the traditional, 9-5 job that our parent's generation grew up with.

The fact is that the economy is shifting towards placing workers in situations that allow for greater flexibility. Working from home is a benefit that many of us enjoy in today’s economy. The flip side of that flexibility is that there is perhaps less security than in years past when it comes to employment and income. I don’t know whether this is a trend that is irreversible or is an episodic event that will see employment revert back to more “traditional” hours. Regardless, the reality is that right now the odds are high that either you or your spouse have a job with atypical hours and responsibilities.

Nonprimary parents who have irregular work schedules offer problems for parents in a divorce

One of the more difficult and tedious processes that a person will have to go through in a divorce is negotiating a parenting plan/possession schedule. First of all, every parent wants to be able to spend as much time as possible with their child. This should come as a shock to nobody. Parents fight long and hard to win more and more time with their child.

Secondly, family circumstances often come into play that forces both sides to change their plan of attack when it comes to settling on a plan to use for visitation. For instance, if you have a job that requires you to work every weekend, but you are also the nonprimary parent then you have a problem. That problem revolves around your needing to work on the main source of your time with your child each month. During the school year unless we are talking about a holiday the only consistent time you have with your child is during the weekend.

The problem that many clients and even their attorneys do not always consider strongly enough is the possibility that even if you are able to come up with a visitation schedule that allows a person to work and see their child regularly, there may be an enforceability issue concerning the order. The reason being is that the language in an order needs to be extremely specific in order to be enforceable. If the language in your order is flexible, but not specific, this may cost you in the long run.

What happens when you or your spouse have an addiction to drugs or alcohol?

It is always a very sad situation when a parent has an addiction to drugs or alcohol. If this describes you or your spouse then this section is especially important for you. A judge will primarily be concerned with your child’s safety and well being. I think you would agree that this is the primary concern that you and your spouse have as well. Unfortunately, if you are addicted to drugs or alcohol your ability to honor this concern can impact your divorce as well.

If it comes out in your divorce that you either have issues related to abuse of alcohol or drugs and/or you have already failed a drug test within your divorce you will likely face the circumstances of having to negotiate a unique possession order that takes these facts into consideration. For instance, you are likely going to be forced to undergo drug testing. Who pays for these orders depends. At first, you could be the one to be liable for the costs of drug testing.

Once you have taken and passed a sufficient number of these tests the responsibility to pay for them could shift to your spouse. In lieu of paying for the tests, a parent may simply tell you that you don’t need to take the tests any longer. If you pass tests and show an improved capacity to live a sober life you can be awarded more time with your child. A failure to take seriously the requirement that you live a sober life may result in your visitation time with your child being curtailed or even eliminated altogether.

What you need to do to win on these issues in court

Divorce Houston: The end result of having these goals in mind is preparing for and making winning arguments in a courtroom to a judge regarding why your situation demands unique possession orders specific to you and your spouse. Evidence in the form of photographs and documents can help you to be able to win in court.

Let’s consider an example before pressing on to different subject matter. Suppose that you are requesting that your summer possession schedule not resemble the SPO. You will need to present more evidence to a judge than a simple assertion that your spouse is not a trustworthy person. Rather, you must testify as to specific reasons why it is appropriate for a court to not follow the SPO in this regard. Always remember that any decision a judge makes in your case will be done to meet the best interests of your child.

Also, if you have a child who is under the age of three it is helpful to make sure your judge is aware of your child’s normal routine. Stability and consistency in parenting are important- and I would argue that they are especially so when it comes to a young child. As we’ve discussed in prior blog posts, whether or not your child is being breastfed, who watches your child during the workday and if your child has ever had overnight visits away from his or her home are important considerations for you to argue to a judge depending on what side of the issue you find yourself in your specific divorce case.

If you are the squeaky wheel be prepared to present your plan

The squeaky wheel in any negotiation needs to be prepared to do extra work to prepare options and plans for their spouse as well as a judge. If you want to propose an outside the box idea to your spouse in mediation you need to come prepared with multiple iterations of that plan.

If you are in a trial setting your attorney needs to have multiple versions of orders ready to go for a judge to sign off on should he or she side with you. Don’t assume that a judge will do the legwork for you- odds are he or she will not. This drastically reduces your ability to achieve whatever your goals are in your divorce case.

Questions on family law in Texas? Contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC

Family Lawyers Houston: The attorneys and staff with the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC take a great deal of pride in working with our clients on achieving whatever their goals are. While no two cases are the same, our office has a history of reaching goals and satisfying our client's expectations. To learn more about our office please contact us today to set up a free of charge consultation.

A consultation with our office is free of charge and are available with one of our licensed family law attorneys six days a week ... Continue Reading

#divorce #Divorce Attorney #divorce lawyer #divorce law #houston divorce lawyer #family #Family Law #fagan #family attorneys #Houston family law #attorney #attorneys #child custody attorney #law #lawyer #lawyers #Houston #Houston attorneys #texas attorneys #Texas

[buckbergerbaergandpartnersllp]

8 Key Financial Tips for Farmers

Individuals involved in the farming industry—the industry that helps make it possible for us to eat and enjoy certain products—often face unique financial challenges. There are countless variables, including climate and weather, that affect farmers far more than those working in office settings. As a farmer, each of these variables will need to be considered whenever you are developing any sort of financial plan. If you are searching for finalcial tips than BBLLP is one of the best accounting firms Saskatoon.

If you are currently involved in the farming industry, it is important to take a proactive approach to your current financial situation. By preemptively preparing to address the industry’s variability, you will be in a much better position to embrace any future challenges.

1. Invest Heavily in Insurance

Many of today’s largest insurance corporations—including State Farm, All State, Farmers, etc.—were originally created to help farmers. Farmers know that bad seasons are inevitable, but they can’t always anticipate when these seasons will occur. Investing heavily in insurance is something that will certainly pay off and help smooth cashflows over time.

2. Take Advantage of Government Programs

Relatively speaking, the farming industry is substantially subsidized and supported by the Federal Government—however, it remains up to the individual farmers to actually take advantage of these programs. Be sure to investigate the support being offered by the USDA and other government entities. Support has increased even further since the COVID-19 outbreak.

3. Diversify Your Crops

Diversification is key in almost every industry and farming is no exception. By planting many different types of crops (and cycling between seasons), you can protect yourself from sudden changes in market prices. Even if there is a particular crop you prefer to grow, having some degree of diversification is still important.

4. Remember: Cash is King

Many farmers will allocate all of their wealth into illiquid assets, particularly land. However, though land will be needed to expand your enterprise, you should not overlook the importance of cash. Make sure to begin building a cash fund that can be accessed in various situations.

5. Restructure Your Debt

Farming often requires substantial amounts of debt, including mortgage debt, traditional loans, and loans from the federal government. If your current debt load has become unmanageable, consider restructuring the debt and looking for other options.

6. Look for Permanent Employees

The farming industry often relies on seasonal employees, which are cheap in the short-term but inefficient in the long run. Once your business has grown enough to sustain full-time employees, you should consider restructuring your employment model.

7. Begin Preparing Taxes Early

Taxes are one of the most common sources of frustration for farmers. Rather than waiting until the very last minute to begin preparing your taxes—something that many people, including farmers, tend to do—keep track of these expenses as they accrue. Even if you are not yet ready to pay your tax bill, it certainly helps to know what you are going to end up owing.

8. Hire a Financial Expert

Financial advisors play an important role within the farming industry. They’ll be able to help you manage your ongoing accounts, plan for future expansion, and also help reduce your personal exposure to financial liabilities. Even if you are well-versed in finance, hiring some outside help will almost always be a good idea.

LinkedIn Posts

1. Quarterly Taxes

April 15th is a date that we, the taxpaying citizens of the United States, have probably heard a thousand times. But did you know that, depending on the nature of your business and income, you might also owe taxes every quarter? Confirm that you are paying your quarterly taxes, otherwise your debts will begin accruing interest and may end up facing other penalties.

2. Liquidity

Liquidity is a term used to describe “how close” your current assets are to being turned into cash. While cash-in-hand will be considered extremely liquid, physical property—such as land or a home—is considered much less liquid. A good financial portfolio will usually have a range of liquidity and a diversified set of assets. Make sure that if an emergency were to occur, you could generate the cash needed to address it.

3. Leverage

In most cases, you can probably afford to access much more capital than you currently possess. Having a good credit score, as well as assets that could potentially be used for collateral, will help you generate the sort of leverage you need to make major purchases. Issuing a down payment when buying a house is a common example of utilizing leverage.

4. Preparing for Sale

There are many things you’ll need to consider when preparing any valuable asset—a home, a farm, a business, etc.—for sale. Usually, this process begins with getting a fair valuation and understanding your current claim to ownership. Consider working with a financial representative to ensure you are taking the right steps.

5. Business Valuation

How much is your business currently worth? Most business owners cannot give a straight answer to this simple, but important, question. There are many different ways to valuate a business, including looking at the enterprise value as well as the equity value. If you are preparing to sell your enterprise, consider exploring multiple different valuation strategies.

6. Latent Taxes

Taxes are confusing and, when ignored, can create a wide range of problems for well-meaning people. Latent taxes are just one example of taxes that many people tend to overlook. Whether you are addressing latent taxes, deferred taxes, or any other type of taxes, you’ll need to work closely with your accountant and confirm you are making the right payments at the right times.

7. Matrimonial Disputes

Many people wrongly assume that a divorce is the only instance in which spouses might need financial litigation. However, there are plenty of instances in which married people might want some outside help. If you and your spouse currently have concerns about ownership, obligations, and—most commonly—personal tax issues, it’ll be a good idea to speak with a professional financial advisor such as BBLLP as they consider well in providing tax services saskatoon.

8. Working Capital

How much money do you currently have to work with? Essentially, this is the question that working capital hopes to answer. Increasing your access to working capital can help your business pursue new opportunities, settle existing debts, and improve its current balance sheet. As a result, working capital is often considered to be one of the most important business metrics.

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