Daily Archives: July 7, 2017

Don’t Call Full Frontal with Samantha Bee Liberal – Vanity Fair

Posted: July 7, 2017 at 2:39 am

By John Sciulli/Getty Images.

Jo Miller doesnt need an Emmyshes already got three, thanks to her work on TV Academy darling The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Now an executive producer for Stewart descendant Samantha Bee's TBS series Full Frontal, Miller says shed love for her staff to snag an Emmy nod when nominations are revealed July 13not to mention a statuette. For her, though, its just not a big deal.

I honestly don't care; I really don't, she says in a phone interview. I get the lettersthey mean everything to me. They keep me getting up in the morningthe things I hear from the fans who love [the show], and who get it, and the articles written in college papers by college kids who find the show important and meaningful.

Its pretty much the answer youd expect a creative type to give when asked about awardsbut Miller sounds like she really means it. Still, Full Frontals omission from last years Emmy variety talk series category was particularly egregious. Many wondered why the buzzy new show got sidelined in favor of a nod toward Jerry Seinfelds long-running Comedians in Cars Getting Coffeewhich felt less topical than Sam Bee, to say the least.

Maybe Emmy voters, most of whom live in Los Angeles, had not yet caught wind of the New York-based newcomer; Full Frontal does, after all, air just once a week on a network that, at the time of the show's launch, was just dipping a toe into original programming. And before the show moved from Monday to Wednesday nights, Bee had just one days worth of headlines to distinguish her coverage from that of another Daily Show veteran: John Oliver, whose show airs on Sundays.

Theres one more possibilityone that, during last year's nomination season, seemed pretty hard to ignore. Bee is late nights only female host. Whether that factored into the snub or not, the optics werent great.

Whatever the reason that Full Frontal got overlooked in 2016, most comedy fans outside the TV Academy recognized that it was a shame. Bees weekly episodes offer a distinct voice within late nights increasing bevy of comedians and monologues. Her trademark rage and fearless candor are singular, and Bee can often be found chasing stories that others neglect to cover both light-hearted ones, like Ivanka Trumps book, and serious ones, like the current administrations apparent intent to destroy the environment. When asked what she thinks the series has brought to the late night landscape, Miller says, When we burst onto the scene back in February [of 2016], we said exactly what we thought. We never pulled punches, ever. And we never focus-grouped in our head and worried who'd like it, and who wouldn't like it, and how it would land, and who it would offend.

Ill leave it up to other people to say whether that influenced the other shows to do the same and maybe tip their rage and pain a little more than they might have before, Miller adds. But we were doing it forwhatlike nine months before the election? And I think it was appropriate then. Everyone knows it's appropriate now.

Miller wrote for The Daily Show from 2009 right up until Stewart's last episode in 2015. The prevailing wisdom there, she says, was, you have to keep your foot on the neck of the story, or it will eat you. Bees segments, which leave nothing on the tableand nothing unsaidclearly abide by that mantra as well.

Compared with other late-night audiences, especially on broadcast networks, Full Frontals viewership is relatively smallbut its pieces make an outsize impact. Bee beat Stephen Colbert to the punch by going to Russia first, for a fascinating set of interviews with pro-Trump Russian trolls. (Oliver went to Russia before either of them, but his trip was to interview Edward Snowden in 2015, and occurred before any election-related hacking came to light.) When plans for the traditional White House Correspondents Dinner started to fall apart after Trump was elected, it was Bee who jumped on the opportunity to provide some counter-programmingrounding up a sizable collection of celebrities, including Will Ferrell, who showed up in character as George W. Bush, to back her up at her Not the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

For the record, Miller says she never wishes that Full Frontal were a daily show. She would give her "left tit for a few more minutes of air time, but not a full hour: No one wants to watch an hour of comedy. Theres S.N.L., but you have musical guests and its variety. . . It seems like 30 minutes is the right length.

While Bee was often, reductively, labeled late-nights resident female host when the show launched, Miller thinks descriptions of the series have grown more nuanced since. (And Bees status as late-nights lone woman really is important: after all, its what makes her authoritative on subjects that male comedians cant hit in the same way.) The terms in which she's described by people who hate us are highly gendereddisturbingly misogynist. That is always going to be their take, she adds.

Miller saves her ire for another label. What annoys me more is that people who don't watch the show regularly call us liberal, she says. Which, if you watch the show, is not accurate. We are passionate about feminism, and civil rights, and justice, and black lives, and women's livesbut we're radical centrists. And were not party affiliated. I think youll find a lot of our values reflect left of center rather than right of center, but to characterize us as partisan or liberal is lazy and its just something that people do who dont watch the show. And I think its also galvanized by the right wing trolls who do hate us, and want a clickbait narrative. Thats more annoying than noticing Sam has a vagina. Because she actually does have a vagina.

The assumption of bias bothers her. That is annoying. Its a lazy way to dismiss somebodyto say, Oh, this is just a liberal spin. We have an office full of trained journalists here, and academics, who are very serious about following the truth wherever it leads us. I mentioned David Frum in previous interviewsmy opinions seem to be most closely aligned with his these days, and Sams a fan, too. So I think the fact that we are left of center just reflects where center has moved to these days. . . Black people shouldnt be shot for sitting in their cars should not be a partisan position.

On issues like gun control and reproductive rights, Miller says that Bee also comes down on the leftbut, she emphasized, none of our takes are automatic, and we never check to see who else espouses them.

The show has plenty of detractors on the left, as well as the right, Miller notes, perhaps because Bee has mocked Bernie Sanders diehards on multiple occasions. Even the shows fans dont agree with it 100 percent of the time, according to Millerwhich is why she doesnt believe that late night is the liberal echo chamber its sometimes claimed to be.

Being left of center, I guess, on the spectrum, helps with thatbecause in my experience, people who are right of center are able to laugh at things that shun their dogma a little more easily than people, at least from the far left, Miller said. When we went to the Republican convention, delegates were coming onto the bus and saying that they're fans. My family has Hannity on at any moment when my shows not on; they love the show. My neighbors upstate in a very red county are fans. Because they just think it's funny. They dont always agree with everything. I cant really speak for the dogmatic left. I don't think an enjoyment of humor is maybe the dominant thing there. . . We're Satan for sitting down with Glenn Beck.

Seth Meyers

John McEnroe and Diane von Furstenberg

Claire Bernard

Jimmy Buffett

Kelly Meyer, Carey Lowell, and Jean Pigozzi

Peggy and Mickey Drexler

Rhea Suh and Hasan Minhaj

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Seth Meyers

Photograph by Hannah Thomson.

John McEnroe and Diane von Furstenberg

Photograph by Hannah Thomson.

Claire Bernard

Photograph by Hannah Thomson.

Jimmy Buffett

Photograph by Hannah Thomson.

Cocktail service at the after-party.

Photograph by Hannah Thomson.

Andy and Betsy Kenny Lack and Imran Khan

Photograph by Hannah Thomson.

Robyn Todd Steinberg and David Steinberg

Photograph by Hannah Thomson.

Harvey Weinstein and Lloyd Blankfein

Photograph by Hannah Thomson.

A box of popcorn was placed at each seat ahead of the performance.

Photograph by Hannah Thomson.

John Oliver

Photograph by Hannah Thomson.

Mike Birbiglia

Photograph by Hannah Thomson.

A scene from the after-party, also held at 583 Park Avenue.

Photograph by Hannah Thomson.

Leslie Moonves, Tom Freston, and Bryant Gumbel

Photograph by Hannah Thomson.

Jane Buffett

Photograph by Hannah Thomson.

David Zaslav, Len Blavatnik, and Richard Plepler

Photograph by Hannah Thomson.

Ronald O. Perelman

Photograph by Hannah Thomson.

George Lopez

Photograph by Hannah Thomson.

Kelly Meyer, Carey Lowell, and Jean Pigozzi

Photograph by Hannah Thomson.

Peggy and Mickey Drexler

Photograph by Hannah Thomson.

Rhea Suh and Hasan Minhaj

Photograph by Hannah Thomson.

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Don't Call Full Frontal with Samantha Bee Liberal - Vanity Fair

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A’s beat first place Liberal in doubleheader – Dodge City Daily Globe

Posted: at 2:39 am

Staff Reports

Strong starting pitching and some early runs helped Dodge City grab the first of a seven-inning double header versus the first place Liberal Beejays on Wednesday.

The second game of the double header ran too late for Thursday's paper but there will be a short recap of it in Friday's paper.

The extra game is for a rainout that occurred earlier this season.

With the win, the A's are now 18-8 this season and have won 12 of their last 13. With a win in the second game of the double header, the A's will get within a game and a half of first place in the Jayhawk League.

Starter Jacob Call went 6.1 innings allowing just one run on five hits with two strike outs.

Dodge City broke the 0-0 tie in the bottom of the third with a single from third baseman Tucker Rhode that scored second baseman Dakota Connors. First baseman Carlos Moseley followed up right after with a sac-fly to right field scoring center field Jake Malec making it 2-0 after three.

Liberal responded in the top of the next inning with a two-out solo homer off Call cutting the A's lead to one.

A sacrifice from Moseley in the bottom of the fifth scored Malec pushing the A's lead back to 3-1. An error from Beejays first baseman Robbie Young scored the final run of the game, giving Dodge City a 4-1 lead.

Three straight hits loaded the bases for Liberal with one out in the top of the seventh forcing a pitching change for the A's but a ground out and fly-out back-to-back stopped the Beejays insurgency and ended the game.

The A's will finish out their series with Liberal tonight at 7:30 at Cavalier Field.

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James Davidson, former Liberal MP for West Aberdeenshire, dies at 90 – Liberal Democrat Voice

Posted: at 2:39 am

The Liberal MP who tried to introduce a bill which would have given referenda to Scotland and Wales on devolution back in the early 70s has died at the age of 90 at his home in Newtonmore.

James Davidson represented the constituency of Aberdeenshire West from 1966-70 when he stood down for family health reasons.

His funeral will take place at St Brides Church, Newtonmore at 12 noon on Friday 14 July.

From Wikipedia:

Davidson was selected to fight Aberdeenshire West for the Liberals. During the1966 general election campaignone of Davidsons main policy points was the establishment of a development authority for the North East of Scotland (on the lines of theHighlands and Islands Development Board)and he was a strong advocate on behalf of small farmers and of improving communications in remote areas like the Highlands by improving road links to the major cities.He also campaigned for better air and sea links with Scandinavia.

Davidson was Liberal spokesman on foreign affairs and defence issues in Parliament, a particularly important brief given the ongoing war inVietnamand the arguments over Britains roleEast of Suez. In February 1967,he took a leading role in the opposition to the governments plans to raise fees for foreign students at British universities and introduced a Bill to give the people of Scotland and Wales referendums ondevolution.This was as part of the Liberal strategy to draw the sting of the increasing popularity of theScottish National Partyand re-establish the Liberal position on home rule all round with the Scottish electorate.

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Declare Your Own Financial Independence Day

Posted: at 2:38 am

As the Fourth of July should remind us all, independence is something worth fighting for. Independence means the ability to make your own decisions and live the way you choose to live. When it comes to financial independence, though, many people believe it is only a dream. Here's how to declare your own financial independence day.

TUTORIAL: Budgeting Basics

There is no absolute definition of financial independence. The most common sense of the term is that someone has enough wealth to live as they wish for the rest of their life without having to work. This is a foggy definition, though isn't picking a stock "work?" What about people who own a business and are not involved in day-to-day activities, but still step in for major decisions?

Here's a different definition: Financial independence should mean the ability to live more or less as one wants to, within reasonable limits. It may not mean the absolute freedom to never work another day again, but it may mean the ability to quit a bad job, go back to school or start a new business without major sacrifice. Likewise, financial independence should mean the ability to deal with life's ups and downs without scrimping, sacrificing or going into debt.

It is hard to fight for independence without allies. Financially speaking, that means assets that work for their owners and throw off cash. A savings account or CD is a really basic example (especially with today's microscopic interest rates), but a portfolio of dividend-paying stocks or a portfolio of bonds (or bond funds) can serve that role.

Where else can investors look for returns that can help them build wealth? Rental properties can throw off impressive amounts of cash flow not only paying for themselves, but throwing off cash above and beyond that. Writers, musicians and inventors can also look at royalties as long-term (if not lifelong) sources of income that require little additional effort. Last and not least, ownership of a business can certainly spin off significant amounts of cash, even if the owner is not directly involved in day-to-day management.

For example, say an investment of $8 or $9 in rental properties can produce $1 of rental income. Even allowing for expenses, it is not hard to get a mid or high single-digit return meaning that $1 million real estate nest egg could potentially deliver $50,000 or $60,000 in income. Likewise, simply having $1 million invested in a corporate bond fund could generate upwards of $50,000 a year in pre-tax income. (For an example of an income generating investment, read Bond Funds Boost Income, Reduce Risk.)

If you're reading this in your 20s or 30s, planning how to handle a $1 million nest egg may sound ridiculous, but it is attainable.

For starters, a careful budget is important. To make the most of every penny, it is vital to know where every penny goes. It isn't possible to plug leaks without finding them first. There is plenty of budgeting advice out there, but the three most important elements are (1) to build an emergency fund, (2) to allow some fun discretionary spending, and (3) to make saving an integral expense every bit as important as rent or food.

Once a budget is in place, cutting costs and maximizing savings can take precedence. Almost everybody spends more than they need to and a little careful consideration can usually turn up avoidable (or reducible) expenses. Saving $50 a month is not going to make anybody a millionaire, but every extra dollar prudently invested can multiply the value of that extra $50 many times over. It's known as the undeniable power of compound interest.

Financial independence is all but impossible without taking some risks. The key here is "smart" risk investing $100,000 in a risky biotech hoping to get a 10-bagger is not a smart risk, it's gambling. But doing a lot of research and spending $100,000 on a rental property in an attractive neighborhood is not nearly as risky, nor is starting a business based on a marketable skill and a real desire to do something different than the competition.

Nobody is born knowing anything about the stock market or rental properties, and most people do not have a parent or mentor to learn from at a young age. Instead, most people learn by researching, reading and experimenting with different strategies to see what works. That process never ends there is always more to learn, not only about investing but about specific investments as well.

Likewise, financial independence requires a lifetime commitment to continuous investment. It's not simply a process of saving some money, investing that money and calling it a day. Instead, those who would be financially independent have to be on the lookout for new opportunities and new ways to make the most of their hard-earned capital. After all, the price of freedom is eternal vigilance. (To help improve your investing knowledge, check out 10 Books Every Investor Should Read and 3 Business Books to Read Over the Summer.)

Independence does not come simply because people demand it or decide they want it. It is important to take that first step and make a declaration of what you want, why you want it and what you are prepared to do to get it.

Decide what financial independence means to you. Once those decisions are in place, come up with a clear plan that outlines what you need, what you want, what you have today and what you can do to move towards independence (this includes the budgeting, cost-cutting and investment plans). Last and not least, stick to that plan and keep the goal in sight.

Financial independence is not easy, but it is not impossible for those who are willing to show resourcefulness and invest years of hard work into the process. (For some tips, see 10 Simple Steps To Financial Security Before 30 and Two Roads: Debt or Financial Independence?))

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15 Experts Chatting About Financial Independence | Cash Cow …

Posted: at 2:38 am

Work seems to have gotten a bad rap in PF blogs, as many are primarily focused on financial independence and early retirement. Is work really that bad? Has everyone caught the early retirement bug, or just a select few that have loud online voices?

To shed some light on this controversial topic,we decidedtointerview some excellent bloggers and ask them their views on financial independence, work, and everything in between.

We got a diverse set ofresponses,which makes for a great read.

So check out what all 19 had to say about financial independence and share your viewsin the comments below.

Jacob from theCash Cow Couple:

1. What does financial independence mean to you and how are you pursuing it?

Financial independence (FI) is achieved when your passive income streams cover allyour living expenses. Most people include pensions, Social Security, portfolio income (stocks, bonds, etc), and things like rental income from real estate in the passive category.

Its more aboutfreedom than money. Ultimately, its freedom from the 9-5 constraints that plague most Americans.

Were only halfheartedly pursuing FI right now. Neither of us are making as much money as possible, but we do have a high savings rate. Our savings rate will almost always be above 75% for the foreseeable future.

2. Would you rather quickly reach financial independence working a job that you hate or pursue a career that you love and work for many more years?

Even though I created this question, I dont know the answer because its not possible to simultaneouslyexperience both options. Ive definitely chosen the latter in my current situation and I think its a more desirable path (assuming its actually possible to find a career that you love).

Im currently in the middle of my PhD in financial planning/finance, getting paid much less than I could make elsewhere. But its a long term play. I should make a decent income when I graduate, and Ill always have numerous employment options because Im building human capital right now.

I was speaking to one of my professors a few days ago about this very subject. Hes a highly coveted speaker, writer, and consultant who makes good money outside of his academic position. He could leave academia at any time and find higher paid positions in industry, but is not interested in doing so. He told me that another pay increase is irrelevant. He already makes good money and can afford anything that interests him. When I asked about financial independence or early retirement, he chuckled and said something like this

I love what I do, and Id do the same things even if retired. Why would I give upmy currentincome to continue reading,writing, and speaking from home?

For individuals like him (and hopefully me), financial independence almost becomes irrelevant.

3. How much money would you need to stop working and call yourself financially independent? How did you arrive at that amount?

The common rule of thumb that youll hear repeated is the 4% rule. This rule is based on academic research from several years back which suggested that a portfolio could sustain a 4% withdrawal rate for 30 years time, without being depleted. So a $1 million portfolio could provide $40,000 of income each year (adjusted for inflation),for30 years, without being completely depleted.

There are a couple of problems with this, but Ill try to keep it brief. First of all, most of the people talking about the 4% rule on the internet are attempting to retire in their 30s or 40s. If someone is retiring at age 40, they should plan on their portfolio lasting 50+ years. The original research on the 4% rule was based on a 30 year retirement horizon. The portfolio would have been depleted many times with a 50+ year horizon, and the person would be forced back into work.

The second problem is the fact that many experts dont expect equity (stock) returns to continue being close to 10% each year. Some think the equity premium is lowering, and that the stock market is overpriced with respect to company earnings. The result would either be a large correction (less likely, I think) or a period of lower returns moving forward (more likely).

If both of these facts are true (and they might not be),4% is too optimisticwhen designing an early retirement portfolio. Id feel much safer around a 3% withdrawal rate. The result is a rather large increase in required principle. Instead of $1 million, you now need roughly $1.33 million to support that same $40,000 of income.

(the math is easy, just multiply yearly expense by 25 to get required savings for 4%, or multiply by 33.33 to get required savings for a 3% withdrawal rate)

But herein also lies the beauty of frugality. If you can manage tolive on roughly $10,000 as year like us, you only need $333,000 to call yourself financially independent.Even annual expenses of $20k per year only require $665,000.

Of course, living on $10k is shocking to some people, but I think somewhere between $10k and $20k is entirely doable in a low cost of living area, without a mortgage payment. Therefore at the current time, Id consider us financially independent when we are mortgage free, and our investments reach $500,000.

4. What will you do after you are financially independent and free from the constraints of a job?

The same things that I do now, which is why Id rather choose to work a fulfilling career over many years. I enjoy reading, writing, teaching, hanging out with my wife and family, and traveling. I also like being productive, and believe that some form of work is a very healthy thing.

If I do decide to retire from my first career, Id like to sell used cars. I love buying and reselling in general, but used cars can have great margins and they are always in demand.

5. Any other relevant thoughts or advice on the topic?

Understand financial independence before pursuing it. I think many people get caught up in the sexy story of FI, but they dont actually think it through. Sure, having a high savings rate is always recommended. Thats a good part of this blog. But socking away money is completely different than choosing a career based on earning potential alone, or waking up one day and deciding that its time to quit your job simply because you have enough assets to cover your living expenses.

Those are major life decisions, and in complete honesty, I dont think its healthy for some people to stop working. They dont have sufficient hobbies to fill the time and are left void of purpose. This is the dark side of financial independence and the reason that people should do a little soul searching before they make these huge decisions.

There isnt any one size fits all approach to reaching financial independence, but there is a superior path. Figure out what brings you satisfaction and joy in life, then try to design a lifestyle around that. Work doesnt have to be soul crushing. If your current position makes you miserable, save enough to take a year or two off, so that you can find a way to make money doing what you enjoy. Its not all rainbows and butterflies, but I think its possible to find meaningful work and still achieve financial independence along the way.

James fromRetirement Savvy

1. What does financial independence mean to you and how are you pursuing it?

I equatewealthywith financial independence; and I define wealthy as being able to live your chosen lifestyle on passive (e.g. income from defined benefit plans , Social Security benefits, rental property, etc.) income and portfolio income (e.g. defined contribution plans such as 401(k)s, IRAs, etc.) and do not require earned (labor) income. Therefore, I am wealthy when I am financially independent.

Currently, the savings/investment rate in my household on an income of $190,000 is 39%.

2. Would you rather quickly reach financial independence working a job that you hate or pursue a career that you love and work for many more years?

I dont know that it is necessarily a case of choosing one or the other. At least that has not been my experience. My experience is that most people end up in a profession or on a career path through circumstances, some factors within their control, others not.

My suggestion to younger people, Im 47, is to learn and/or receive formal education in two disciplines (my undergraduate degree is a dual major in business administration and communications technology and I also possess an MBA) and pursue a career that you believe you will enjoy. However, recognize that life has a way of throwing many curveballs, hence the suggestion for multiple disciplines. Dont spend too many years chasing a dream job or career. It probably is not as great as you think it will be and you have to be careful not to waste too much time in the pursuit.

Most of us will end up in jobs that we are good at, or at least capable of performing moderately well, and will find sufficient pleasure in that job. I believe most people will be much better served by just going with the flow with respect to which career path they end up on and spend much more energy in cultivating rewarding relationships and attaining personal finance literacy. They both will pay significantly better dividends than a career that you love.

I believe it is a lot better to be sufficiently satisfied with your career and have significant, deep-rooted relationships and financial independence. That way, when you do walk away from the career which will happen at some point, either through choice or circumstances you are in a position to enjoy the relationships and the comfort that comes with being wealthy.

3. How much money would you need to stop working and call yourself financially independent? How did you arrive at that amount?

Our current projection is that at 60, our income from passive income (six sources) will exceed our expenses. Therefore, we really will not require portfolio income. However, we have established $1.5M as our portfolio goal. Individuals can only arrive at their number through detailed retirement planning.

A quick example, discounting inflation for the moment. Assume a family decides that they want to retire in 20 years and have an annual income of $120,000. Assume, that like me, one spouse is retired from the military and is currently receiving a $20,000/yr. pension; which they project will be $25,000/yr. (COLA increases) in 20 years. Further assume the following factors: neither has a job with a defined benefit plan (traditional pension) and they project that their Social Security benefits will equal $35,000. That gives them a projected income of $60,000 from passive sources.

That leaves them with $60,000 they will need from portfolio income. How large does their portfolio need to be to support withdrawing $60,000 a year and not run out for ~ 30 years? We turn to the 4% rule. That 60,000 x 25 (or 60,000 / .04) gives us an answer of $1,500,000.

Assume they currently have $50,000 in various retirement accounts. The question then becomes, how much do they need to save on a monthly basis (most of us operate financially on a monthly basis) to reach their goal?

Turning to a good compound interest calculator I like the one atMoneyChimp lets plug in some numbers:

Current Principal $50,000

Years Until Retirement 20

Annual Rate of Return Lets assume they are assuming 5%

Annual Contributions $39,390

Result = $1,500,256.21

This family would need to contribute $3,282.50 (39,390 / 12) monthly to reach their goal. Of course, if they change any of the factors, everything changes. Running ahead of pace? Contribute less. Get much better rate of return for a few years? You can lessen the requirement going forward.

4. What will you do after you are financially independent and free from the constraints of a job?

Travel, golf, travel, lift weights, travel, ride bike, travel, hike, volunteer.

Brian fromLuke 14:28

1. What does financial independence mean to you and how are you pursuing it?

The termindependentmeans to be free from outside control; not depending on anothers authority. In that regard, a person cant be financially independent until they are completely free from the constraints of debt. Until all consumer debt, school loans, the mortgage and any other debts are retired a person is not technically independent, even if they have vast wealth. They are still beholden to another party and have obligations that require their money go in a certain direction.

Once those obligations are gone, the individual has total freedom to use their money in any way they desire. That is what my wife and I have found now that we have eliminated all our debts. Financial independence means the freedom to pursue anything you desire with money that is 100% yours.

2. Would you rather quickly reach financial independence working a job that you hate or pursue a career that you love and work for many more years?

The desire and capacity to work is something built into our nature as humans. There can be pleasure and fulfillment found in our work. For me, no amount of money would be worth the job that I dreaded going to each morning when the alarm clock sounded.

There is something to be said for the process of building money over time. Quick fixes dont satisfy in the long run. The stack of money will taste sweeter and will be appreciated more through the effort of consistent and diligent work that a person loves and feels called to.

3. How much money would you need to stop working and call yourself financially independent? How did you arrive at that amount?

I prefer not to use specific dollar amounts. Instead, I see it summed up this way: When the money a person has saved and invested makes more for them in a year than they make for themselves in a year at their job, they are financially independent. (The caveat being of course they have no outstanding debt as I said earlier.)

However, just because a person reaches this point doesnt mean they should automatically stop working. There are other life situations to consider including years to formal retirement age, ones health, lifestyle and future plans.

4. What will you do after you are financially independent and free from the constraints of a job?

My wife and I have really focused and worked hard over the past decade to budget properly, eliminate our debt and grow our investments. Part of that effort included my wife transitioning careers from high school math teacher to CPA. For her that dream career presented an opportunity to earn more and speed up the possibility of becoming financially independent.

The result of all these efforts is that, after 17 years of teaching high school students myself, Ive been able to transition to stay at home dad and personal finance blogger. Because we have reached a level of financial independence, it allowed me, and us, to invest more time in the lives of our four kids.

5. Any other relevant thoughts or advice on the topic?

Only that financial independence isnt the end-all to life. All the money in the world wont cure the emotional or spiritual hurts present in our lives. Nor will it bring true happiness and contentment. Only God can meet those needs in a persons life.

Dee fromColor Me Frugal

1. What does financial independence mean to you and how are you pursuing it?

To us, financial independence means being able to choose when and how we work. Wed like to develop enough passive income streams so that wed have the freedom to choose to quit our relatively well-paying but stressful jobs and pursue a less stressed out life. We are aggressively saving and working hard to pay off our debt to achieve this goal. We live on a small percentage of our income. Currently we put about 15% of our post-tax income into savings, but right now a whopping 40% of our income is going toward our debt repayment because we want to be debt-free so badly (darn student loans!) We also heavily contribute to retirement accounts.

2. Would you rather quickly reach financial independence working a job that you hate or pursue a career that you love and work for many more years?

Definitely the latter! Life is just too short to spend a significant amount of time being miserable. Like MasterCard always says, having a job you love is truly priceless.

3. How much money would you need to stop working and call yourself financially independent? How did you arrive at that amount?

Oh dang, this is a hard question! To be honest, Im not totally sure. We tend to think more in terms of our passive income, and we would want, at a minimum, our basic expenses to be covered by passive income streams (right now we are working on rental properties and investment income among others). But my hubby is extremely cautious by nature AND he really likes his work (not so much his current employer but his work, yes). So in truth I think that he will probably keep working long after weve technically achieved financial independence. As for myself- I see being a stay-at-home mom in my future.

4. What will you do after you are financially independent and free from the constraints of a job?

Enjoy life! And like I said, hubby will likely keep working at least part time. We love travel, being outdoors, reading, writing (me), and I think that wed love to have the luxury to spend ample time with our future children as they are growing up.

5. Any other relevant thoughts or advice on the topic?

Financial independence is a possibility! I would encourage everyone out there to dream big. If you want it, go after it. But know that it will likely take years of dedication, planning, and hard work to achieve this goal. In the end, we think it will be worth it.

1. What does financial independence mean to you and how are you pursuing it?

Financial independence to me means not having any debts including mortgage debt and being able to pay my household bills easily through a reliable source of income. At the moment, Im working on clearing my debts and then Ill be focusing on saving money and creating different income streams.

2. Would you rather quickly reach financial independence working a job that you hate or pursue a career that you love and work for many more years?

I have been in that place before where I was trapped in a job I hated, yet paid quite well. I wouldnt recommend it! I think that if you can do something you are passionate about for a living, then theres nothing wrong with working many more years. Im not planning on being the kind of person that just gives up anyway even when I have reached financial independence.

3. How much money would you need to stop working and call yourself financially independent? How did you arrive at that amount?

I havent really thought about this all that much before now, but I would think that I could stop working at this moment in time with a sum of 1million (around $1.6million) in the bank. I reached that figure because this amount would need to last me until the end of my life, Im currently 33 years old. This lump sum would need to be invested safely in order to grow the amount and so that I could take an income from it.

4. What will you do after you are financially independent and free from the constraints of a job?

I guess I would find something I really enjoy doing and relax a little more! I would try to make life a bit better for my family and friends too. It would mean a lot to me to be able to help them out both financially and also by just being around more when they need me the most.

1. What does financial independence mean to you and how are you pursuing it?

Financial independence to us means having the ability to make life decisions based on what is best for our family, with money not being a determining factor unless we want it to. We are not yet pursuing FI, but working fervently on debt payoff.

2. Would you rather quickly reach financial independence working a job that you hate or pursue a career that you love and work for many more years?

Thats a tough question, but I think Id rather work for a shorter term in a job that I hate and get it done quickly.

3. How much money would you need to stop working and call yourself financially independent? How did you arrive at that amount?

We could retire right now on a million dollars. We could easily take care of our family of six on $25k a year, and add in another 5k a year for fun stuff. We could earn this in interest alone on a million dollars.

4. What will you do after you are financially independent and free from the constraints of a job?

When our debt is gone and we are FI, it will leave Rick free to stay at his job if he wants, or to quit. He would love to have his job consist of what needs to be done on the farm here, even if it doesnt bring in any income.

5. Any other relevant thoughts or advice on the topic?

If you really are interested in FI and having the freedom to do what you want to do, start NOW. Dont wait another minute.

1. What does financial independence mean to you and how are you pursuing it?

To me, financial independence means being able to live a comfortable life (not extravagant) with the amount of money I have in savings. I am currently pursuing it by maxing out myRoth IRAeach year (currently limited to $5500) and maxing out my contributions to my SEP IRA.

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Tips for financial independence | KARE11.com – KARE

Posted: at 2:38 am

5 tips to achieve financial independence

Bryan Piatt, KARE 4:29 PM. CDT July 06, 2017

A basket of golden eggs (Photo: Monkey Business Images Ltd, (c) Monkey Business Images Ltd)

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. If the 4th of July got you thinking a lot about independence, that can also carry over to your finances.

Justin Halverson of Great Waters Financial stopped by the KARE 11 News at 4 to talk about tips to achieve financial independence.

Halversonhas insight on five of the most commonly overlooked expenses in retirement and how to plan ahead to combat them.

Sequence of Risk

Market volatility can dramatically impact the longevity of ones retirement assets. Pulling money out of savings and investments when the market is down will deplete assets at a much faster rate. As you approach retirement be sure to evaluate your risk exposure and adjust your investments accordingly.

Healthcare

The out-of-pocket medical expenses such as insurance premiums, co-pays and prescription drugs can add up to more than $200,000 per couple in retirement with traditional Medicare insurance. This does NOT include long-term care, which statistically one out of two adults will require in retirement. Dont underestimate the cost of healthcare in retirement. Plan ahead by considering long-term care insurance. If you qualify, you may also want to consider opening a heath savings account.

Inflation

The cost of living will continue to increase in retirement. Planning ahead for an increase in daily living expenses, a new car, home repairs and even leisure activities is crucial to maintaining financial independence in retirement. Simply savings cash wont help you stay ahead of inflation. To stay ahead of inflation you may want to consider investments such as annuities or bonds. You may also have to be realistic about adjusting your spending habits in retirement. If you dont want to sacrifice your quality of life, then youll need to find ways to bring in more income before you retire.

Taxes

Rarely does the cost of taxes goes down. Even though your tax bracket may be lower in retirement, it doesnt mean that the rates will stay that way forever, or that your circumstance will not change as you age. Tax planning should be a year-round practice so work with a qualified professional to review your entire financial house and see where you can implement tax-advantageous strategies such as charitable giving.

Longevity

Retirement could be 30+ years, and even without the other four obstacles above, outliving ones assets can be a real possibility if longevity is not planned for well in advance. There are many ways to offset longevity, including working longer rather than retiring early. Planning ahead can help you find ways to make your money stretch over 30 or 40 years.

2017 KARE-TV

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Utopia Launches New Branding with Innovative Packaging and Positioning – PR Newswire (press release)

Posted: at 2:35 am

Utopia hits the most important checkmarks on nearly every consumer's wish list, by providing:

Utopia will unveil its new brand and product lineup at the 4th Annual Chalice Festival, July 7-9 at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville, at the Critical Concentrate Terp Terrace #2.

"For years, cannabis consumers have said they care about their cannabis, and want clean, quality products they can trust," said Emily Bercow, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Utopia. "We are proud to offer our line of premium products that are as close to perfection as possible."

Utopia worked on the rebranding project with Hippo Premium Packaging, a leading cannabis-focused custom packaging and branding agency, known for its upscale product enclosures, POP displays, graphic design, and brand development.

Kary Radestock, Founder and CEO of Hippo Premium Packaging said working with Utopia has been uniquely fulfilling. "It has been our team's immense pleasure to work this bright, focused group of entrepreneurs. The unveiling of the refreshed brand is just the beginning. As we continue the development process, we will be releasing additional products and packaging that will reflect Utopia's new spirit and energy."

For information on Utopia, call: (831) 824-4099, or visit: http://www.utopiacannabis.com

For information on Hippo Premium Packaging, call: 619-269-0939, or visit: http://www.hippopackaging.com.

Connect with Utopia:Facebook: facebook.com/utopiafarms.org Twitter: @UtopiaFarms Instagram: instagram.com/utopia.ca/

Website: http://www.utopiacannabis.com

Connect with Hippo:Facebook: facebook.com/hippopackaging Twitter: @HippoPackaging Instagram: instagram.com/hippopackaging Pinterest: pinterest.com/hippopackaging Website: http://www.hippopackaging.com

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/utopia-launches-new-branding-with-innovative-packaging-and-positioning-300483972.html

SOURCE Hippo Premium Packaging

http://www.hippopackaging.com

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Bombs Will Not Defeat ISIS (but Maybe the Internet Will) – New York Times

Posted: at 2:35 am

I grew up in Raqqa, a small Syrian city on the banks of the Euphrates. The city of my childhood was little known. They didnt even include Raqqa in the weather forecasts on local news.

In January 2014, Islamic State militants took control of Raqqa and cut it off from the world, submitting its citizens to abuse and horror. The Islamic State claimed Raqqa as the capital of their caliphate and began to publish slick videos calling the city a paradise and seducing new jihadists into joining their cause.

Even though we had no formal training, my friends and I became citizen journalists to expose the atrocities committed by the Islamic State. We called the group Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS).

We started inside Raqqa, plastering walls with anti-ISIS graffiti and posters. We even created a local magazine called Dabaq, a name similar to that of the ISIS magazine Dabeeq. We would go out at night and place copies of Dabaq at cafes, shops, and mosques. The cover of our magazine was the same as the Islamic State magazine, but inside we published information to discourage residents from joining the terrorist group.

But we also wanted the rest of the world to know what was happening in our home town, so we snuck covert footage and photos out of the city, publishing them on social media and ultimately sending to various news organizations to show that Raqqa was not the utopia that ISIS claimed. Now, when people search for Raqqa on the Internet, instead of finding ISIS propaganda, they find our website listing the abuses carried out by ISIS.

Last week, the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces seized the final road into Raqqa, tightening a siege on the militant de-facto capital. But reclaiming the city will not be enough; we must continue to fight against the ideology of ISIS. Our group works diligently to point out the hypocrisy and the lies of ISIS media campaign an act of resistance that the terror group does not like. They have killed several members of our group and continue to track us down and threaten us online. In the three years since leaving Raqqa, several members of RBSS have come out of the shadows to put a human face to the campaign. We continue our mission in the hope that one day our words and images will defeat their weapons.

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Oceania – Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Posted: at 2:35 am

Oceania is a name used in geography for the region made up of Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and several other island nations in the surrounding area. Some people call this part of the world Australasia instead.

The term "Oceania" does not have one single agreed definition. In politics (United Nations etc) it includes Australia and the nations of the Pacific from Papua New Guinea east, but not the Malay Archipelago or Indonesian New Guinea.

The widest definition of Oceania includes the entire region between continental Asia and the Americas, including islands in the Pacific Rim such as the Japanese archipelago, Taiwan, and the Aleutian islands. On the other hand, the Oceania ecozone includes all of Micronesia, Fiji, and all of Polynesia except New Zealand.

Sometimes, people use the term 'Oceania' to include only the Polynesian and Melanesian islands in the Pacific Ocean, as separate from Australasia.

For these reasons, it is not correct to say that Australasia is part of Oceania, because what is meant by 'Oceania' is not clear. Australasia has an exact definition in biogeography and geology. Australasia includes New Zealand, Australia (including Tasmania), and Melanesia, New Guinea, and the islands just north and east of Australia. All these are south-east of the BaliLombok line. This is known as the Wallace Line, after Alfred Russel Wallace.

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Oceania Cruises, 2017 and 2018 Cruise Deals, Destinations …

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Oceania Cruises Cruise Destinations

Cruise with Oceania Cruises to exotic, historic and alluring destinations all over the world. Featuring longer itineraries, incredible extended overnight stays in the most intriguing destinations and the capability to visit smaller ports-of-call, Oceania really focuses on immersing each passenger in the destination. Discover unique cultures and special people in Africa. Kick back and soak in the tropics during a cruise to the Caribbean or South Pacific. Enrich your body, mind and soul with a voyage to the Mediterranean or Northern Europe. Choose Oceania Cruises, and anything is possible. Your World. Your Way.

Views of the African wilderness will inspire you during a cruise to Africa, where youll be accepted by a kind and giving people with open arms.

Step away from your everyday life to embrace the beautiful wildlife and scenery that Alaska has to offer on an Alaska cruise vacation.

Explore the best of Asia with Oceania Cruises from ancient shrines and towering temples to quaint villages and peaceful gardens.

Be bold and try new and exciting things like exploring the Great Barrier Reef and learning the sport of cricket during a cruise to Australia and New Zealand.

Delight in the sunshine and explore the rich culture of the Caribbean with Oceania Cruises.

Travel through an intimate region full of fresh food and wine with a Mediterranean cruise vacation.

History. Beer and wine. Medieval art. Those are just a few features of a cruise to Northern Europe and Scandinavia.

Sail through history when you traverse the incredible Panama Canal with Oceania Cruises.

Buenos Aires stunning culture and the raw natural beauty of Costa Rica are amazing parts of a cruise to South America.

Sail away to a paradise full of clear blue ocean waters, hot sunny days and sparkling island sunsets with a South Pacific cruise.

If you love the peak of fall when the leaves change colors and the scenery paints the perfect picture, take a cruise to Canada and New England along U.S. Atlantic coast.

With the increased length of a Grand Voyage or a full World Cruise, youll find more time to explore the most special historical attractions around the world.

Sail around the world in style with Oceania Cruises. With a handful of ships Oceania has itineraries leaving from ports across the globe. In Asia there are cruises from Papeete in the South Pacific and Hong Kong in China. In Europe, London, Copenhagen, Venice and Athens are key ports. Of course the Caribbean is always a popular itinerary with many of their itineraries leaving from Miami. If you are interested in an Oceania Cruise speak with one of The Cruise Webs expert consultants, who can walk you through their itineraries and find a perfect match for your vacation criteria.

With Amsterdams beautiful canals and an open attitude youll find no shortage of interesting attractions in the capital of The Netherlands.

The mild temperatures in Auckland enhance an outdoorsy cruise destination. Tour the many beaches, hike beautiful mountain ranges or just wander Aucklands city streets.

For decades Bali has lured visitors with its beautiful beaches, forests and mountains and a culture that is devoted to the arts.

A visit to Bangkok is a must as this city has a unique blend of old and new world attractions to keep visitors both enlightened and intrigued.

Discover imaginative architecture, impressive Spanish dishes and beautiful excursions into nature when you cruise to Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia.

Beijing is quickly modernizing with new buildings going up daily, but the city retains its historical importance with sites like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China.

Get a taste of some of the best cuisine in Spain when visiting Bilbao as well as discover some amazing beaches, museums, restaurants and shops.

Barbados, where the weather is impeccable, the beaches are beautiful and the food is fantastically fresh.

Buenos Aires is a charming European style city with the perfect combination of new world characteristics mixed with old world history and culture.

The historical port city of Callao welcomes visitors with great beaches, rich history and open arms.

See the beautiful sights of Cape Town, South Africas most visited city, which offers cruisers natural beauty, plentiful wine, historical significance and a sense of peace.

A cruise to Civitavecchia is a chance for you to hop a quick train to Rome and explore the enormous history through ruins, galleries and The Vatican museums.

Copenhagen is a delightful city with some of the worlds most interesting places, like the longest pedestrian street and one of the oldest amusement parks in the world.

Dubai is a modern city that people from all nationalities flock towards to indulge in designer clothes, fancy hotels and the high life.

Dublins streets are filled with interesting stories and charming people, including a long, celebrated line of writers. Cruise to Dublin and youll find something interesting around each corner of this Irish jewel.

One of the worlds most exciting modern cities, Hong Kong offers a true East meets West experience where you can shop for traditional Chinese cure-alls and attend high tea all in the same afternoon.

Honolulu, with its near perfect weather every day and beautiful mountains and tropical landscapes, is a destination not to be missed.

Lisbon has deep cultural roots that are exposed through ruins and museum artifacts. Cruise to Lisbon and discover the culture and history of Portugal in its capital city.

The possibilities are endless when cruising to or from the City of Angels. Let your inner rock star shine as you explore the many wonders of Los Angeles, California.

In Miami, youll enjoy a small taste of the tropical weather many of you will experience during your cruise, and youll see why Miami is one of the most popular places to live in America.

Experience the life of the rich and famous with a trip to the glamorous spots of Monte Carlo in the tiny constitutional monarch of Monaco.

Montreal combines Old World style and New World cosmopolitan inspirations, along with a French culture, for a beautiful all-encompassing city and cruise destination.

Mumbai is a bustling city where youll find packed trains, towering skyscrapers and a vibrant population that continues to grow.

Take in the incredible art scene of New York City, expand your cultural horizons in the citys diverse neighborhoods and marvel at the architectural wonders.

Enjoy the great outdoors in Oslo, the beautiful and spacious capital of Norway, where the city includes lakes, forests and lots of history.

This picture-perfect island is everything you ever dreamt of, from lush greenery inland and perfectly clear turquoise waters to the scent of gardenia from the coconut groves.

Learn about the Greek gods and the early philosophy of Socrates when you visit the incredible ruins left in Athens, Greece. At night, go out and take in the culture with the modern Athenians.

Reykjavik was just a small village until seeing a major expansion after World War II, but this popular cruise destination still offers a small town feel different than any other European capital.

Rio de Janeiro, one of the most visited cities in the southern hemisphere, has numerous activities for every desire. Cruise to Rio for the Carnival celebrations, natural environment, beautiful beaches and famous landmarks.

Situated on the Pacific Ocean, San Diego is known for its near perfect weather, beautiful beaches and abundance of activities.

On a cruise from San Francisco you can experience all that the City by the Bay has to offer, from its artistic, forward-looking culture to the beautiful coastline.

Known as The Emerald City, Seattle is a beautiful, luscious city with incredible views of the Cascade Mountains and Elliott Bay. The city is full of activities for both water lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Shanghai is the cultural and economic center of East Asia and is drawing more and more attention from all over the world as it is becoming a renowned international metropolis.

Southeast Asias most modern city, Singapore, also contains a lot of history and treasures from the past, along with a perfect tropical climate all making Singapore a wonderful destination year round.

The cruise port of Southampton features tons of diverse attractions that provide insight into Englands culture and storied past, including fortresses, gardens and national parks.

Whether looking out into the citys waterways, ancient castles or modern buildings, youll always have a great view when cruising to Stockholm, Sweden.

The near perfect days, beautiful scenery, pristine beaches and sparkling water offer the perfect backdrop for any dream adventure in Sydney, Australia.

In the province of Nova Scotia, you will find Sydney, a port city on the scenic Cape Breton Island.

Tokyo is a dazzling city where you might be overwhelmed at first by its modernity but will find lots of interesting subcultures in its various neighborhoods.

Valparaiso, the oldest city in Chile, is a beautiful urban town full of old Victorian homes and cobbled stone streets bordered by the Pacific Ocean and steep hills.

Whether its your cruise destination or a launching point, Vancouver is a beautiful destination in itself with a sophisticated downtown and lots of natural elements to explore.

Experience the serene, romantic splendor of Venice, but dont forget to check out its wonderful museums and neighborhoods located off the Grand Canal.

See Japanese history in person as you discover Yokohama, Japans biggest port city, where the country was first opened to outside trade after more than 200 years of seclusion.

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Oceania Cruises, 2017 and 2018 Cruise Deals, Destinations ...

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