Daily Archives: May 28, 2020

Building sufficient financial resources to retire early may sound like a dream, but making that dream come true is not as hard as it may sound. The main thing is simply to save more money each month. No big deal, right? Well ...

Typically, advisors peg 15% to 20% of total income saved each month as a goal - but if you want to retire earlier, you probably have to ratchet that number up to 40% or 50% of your income. Not a feat easily accomplished when you review your take into account that a good portion of your paycheck goes to essential, non-negotiable lifestyle items. However, if you are willing to make some serious lifestyle changes and sacrifices, it's possible.

This concept of intensive saving for an early retirement has spawned a movement called FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early). Followers of FIRE strive to save up to three-quarters of their income, and make other adjustments too: live in small homes, walk to work each day, practice strict diet plans, and more. Even if this lifestyle may sound a bit unreasonable, the ideas behind it are worth considering.

The first point is to adhere to the key principles of long-term investing, including developing a diversified portfolio that includes stocks with various styles, sizes, sectors and regions.

To accelerate the retirement investment cycle, you can construct a portfolio designed with more risk - and the potential for higher returns - but it should still be appropriately diversified to protect against larger than average market drawdowns that can be difficult to recover from and ruin any chance to accomplish your early retirement goal. There are numerous ways to diversify a portfolio, and how you do so should depend on your age, your risk tolerance, your growth and income needs, and your long-term goals.

After accelerating your savings and setting up an ongoing plan, invest your savings into your portfolio at the earliest opportunity. Try not to attempt to time the market. Stay put, and let the compounding characteristics of the markets do its work to help grow your retirement wealth exponentially over time.

You may want to look at growth stocks with attributes acceptable for retirement investing like low beta, strong earnings estimates, positive sales growth, and expected future growth.

The Zacks Rank routinely recognizes lower risk growth retirement portfolio picks, and here are a few that may be worth considering: Global Medical REIT (GMRE), Clearway Energy (CWEN) and Farmers National Banc (FMNB). These growth stocks have strong Zacks Ranks and a beta of 1 or lower, with earnings and sales growth of at least 5% over the past 5 years.

Do You Know the Top 9 Retirement Investing Mistakes?

Whether you're planning to retire early or not, don't let investing mistakes derail your plans.

If you have $500,000 or more to invest and want to learn more, click the link to download our free report, 9 Retirement Mistakes that will Ruin Your Retirement.

This report will help you steer clear of the most common mistakes, like trying to time the market, lack of diversification in your portfolio, and many more. Get Your FREE Guide NowFarmers National Banc Corp. (FMNB) : Free Stock Analysis ReportGlobal Medical REIT Inc. (GMRE) : Free Stock Analysis ReportClearway Energy, Inc. (CWEN) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

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Easy Investing Secrets to an Early Retirement - May 27, 2020 - Yahoo Finance

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When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle negotiated their plan to step back from their senior royal roles with the Queen, Prince Charles, and Prince William, it was obvious that financial independence was essential in their chosen path forward. They sought, and won the ability to earn a private income, at the expense of other, perhaps more personal asks: Harry retaining his honorary military titles, being able to officially represent the monarchy moving forward, etc.

"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will become privately funded members of The Royal Family with permission to earn their own income and the ability to pursue their own private charitable interests," reads a page on the Sussex Royal website outlining their transition out of their working positions in the royal family.

Now, a friend of the Sussexes has confirmed to royal reporter Katie Nicholl, that Meghan "struggled" with not being able to earn her own income during her time as a working royal. Prior to meeting Prince Harry, Meghan had been a working actress on the popular US TV series Suits, and also an influencer, with her lifestyle blog The Tig, a career she gave up in marrying into the royal family.

One of the things she struggled with was not earning an income, a friend told Nicholl in her recent report for the Sunday Times. She has always worked and I think she felt unfulfilled. Having financial freedom was a big part of them wanting to leave.

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Being financially independent has also allowed the Sussexes completely change their relationship with the media. They are no longer receiving public funds, and have officially broken away from the royal rota. (More on that pool of British journalists, which helps to hold the monarchy accountable, while also receiving special access to the royals, here.)

But while Harry and Meghan have made it clear that they intend to seek out private income, they haven't laid out exactly what that means, yet. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic shifted any plans they had to launch their charity, Archewell, and likely put other, more lucrative initiatives on hold as well. So royal fans will simply have to wait and see what's next for the Sussexes.

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Financial Freedom Was "A Big Part" of Why Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Stepped Back from their Royal Roles - TownandCountrymag.com

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo remains steadfast in blaming China for keeping the truth about the coronavirus origin hidden from the rest of the world. (May 6) AP Domestic

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared Wednesday that Hong Kong is no longer autonomous from China a landmark decision that is likely to escalate already strained U.S.-Chinese relations and that could have serious economic consequences for the global financial hub.

"No reasonable person can assert today that Hong Kong maintains a high degree of autonomy from China, given facts on the ground," Pompeo said in a statement.

The White House will determine the next step, which could involve new sanctions on China, visa restrictions on government officials or nixing Hong Kong's special trade status.

"Well do our best to ensure the people of Hong Kong are not adversely affected," said David R. Stilwell, the Trump administration's assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

"Theres a very long list of things that the president could do in response," Stilwell said. He declined to offer more specifics, but said the White House's actions would be "as targeted as possible" to avoid hurting Hong Kong while sending a clear message to China's authoritarian leaders.

Pompeo's assessment wassparked by the Chinese government's move toassert sweeping authority over Hong Kongand comes as tensions between the Trump administration andBeijing have dramatically escalated over the coronavirus outbreak.

Hu Xijin, the editor of a Chinesestate-controlled media outlet, shot back at Pompeo over the Trump administration's assessment.

"Whether China's Hong Kong is autonomous, how could it possibly be up to the US to define?" Hu wrote on Twitter.He called Pompeo a "habitually lying Secretary of State."

Hong Kong was returned to China from British control as a semiautonomous territory in 1997 on the condition that China maintained a"one country, two systems" framework guaranteeing freedoms not found on the mainland.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is poised to push a national security law through his rubber-stamp legislature that would ban treasonand other perceived offensesin Hong Kong a move critics say is designed to stifle pro-democracy protests and put the territory firmly under China's rule.

"Hong Kong and its dynamic, enterprising, and free people have flourished for decades as a bastion of liberty, and this decision gives me no pleasure," Pompeo said. "While the United States once hoped that free and prosperous Hong Kong would provide a model for authoritarian China, it is now clear that China is modeling Hong Kong after itself."

Pompeo was required to make the determination under a U.S. law that grants Hong Kong special trading status including exemptions from certain tariffs and export controls that the United Statesimposes on China.

In a show of support for Hong Kong's autonomy and the democracy protesters,Congress passed bipartisan legislation last year requiring the State Department to annually reconsider the territory's special treatment, which has helped elevate the city to a global financial power.

Chinese officials were furious when President Donald Trump signed the bill into law last year.It's not clear whether the administration willmove to strip Hong Kong of those economic perks.

Foreign policy experts said the decision could have far-reaching consequences.

"This is potentially massive," Michael Fuchs, a former deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs in the Obama administration, tweeted Wednesday.

Fuchs, who is with the liberal Center for American Progress think tank,said the question is whether the United States"will impose sanctions or rescind certain trade arrangements with Hong Kong, which could fundamentally change US-China relations, Hong Kong's future, and the global economic system."

Mark Galasiewski, an investment analyst at Elliott Wave International, a financial forecasting firm, said the U.S. action is not likely to have more than a temporary impact on Hong Kong stocks because markets there have already plummeted in 2020.

The "one country, two systems" framework was intended to make sure that capitalist Hong Kong retained a measure of legal, economic and financial independence from socialist mainland China, but that autonomy has come under increasing attack as Beijing pushes to increase its control over Hong Kong. Hong Kong was rocked by almost six months of violent anti-China, pro-democracyprotests last year after Beijing tried to imposean extradition law.

Although that law failed to pass, anti-China sentiment has increased,protests have proliferated and Beijing has continued to try to undermine Hong Kong's rights.

The new proposed Chinese national security law wouldban "treason, secession, sedition and subversion" in Hong Kong.

Joshua Wong, a Hong Kong democracy activist, said Chinas law would do severe damage to the territorys business sector leading to potential boycotts and other fallout.

In a thread posted on Twitter, Wong said Hong Kongs autonomy including its independent judiciary and relatively loose business regulations have drawn financial investment,but that is in jeopardy. He called on the Trump administration, as well as European and Asian leaders, to reconsider Hong Kongs special trade status.

Hong Kong will be assimilated into Chinas authoritarian regime, on both rule of law and human rights protections if Xis national security law is passed, he said. The proposed law is the stepping stone for (Chinas) future intervention.

The Trump administration's announcement comesafterU.S. lawmakersproposed a bill to sanction any person with a role in violating "Chinas obligations to Hong Kong under the (Sino-British)Joint Declaration and the Basic Law" the formal terms under which Hong Kong was granted partial legal, economic and financial independence.

Xi Jinping: China strengthening armed forces amid tensions with US over coronavirus

It's not clear what impact, if any, the action will have on a pending trade deal between the United Statesand China. "Phase 1" of the agreement was signed less than five months ago, and despite both sides adopting a harsher diplomatic tone, they have been coy about whether they intend to implement it.

Riot police detain a protester during a demonstration against Beijing's national security legislation in Causeway Bay in Hong Kong on May 24. Hong Kong police fired volleys of tear gas in a popular shopping district as hundreds took to the streets to march.(Photo: Vincent Yu, AP)

Pompeo and Trump have accusedChina of misleading the USA and other countries about the novel coronavirus, which emerged in Wuhan before spreading across the globe. Beijing denied anysuggestions it has not been transparent about its coronavirus outbreak.

The Council on Foreign Relations, a Washington-based think tank, warned in an analysis May 21 that "the risk of a military confrontation in the South China Sea involving the United States and China could rise significantly in the next eighteen months, particularly if their relationship continues to deteriorate as a result of ongoing trade frictions and recriminations over the novel coronavirus pandemic."

Hong Kong braces for turmoil: Stocks slide on risk of 'strong' Trump reaction

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Pompeo declares Hong Kong no longer autonomous from China in a move that threatens to escalate US-China tensions - USA TODAY

Estimating the amount of money you need to retire is the first step in achieving financial independence. For many, a $1 million nest egg will be sufficient to live a comfortable retirement. If you are just starting out, achieving $1 million in investments can seem like a daunting task. However, by investing in the right companies, you can retire in 20 years with as little as $30,000 in capital.

To do so, investors will need to invest in companies that can achieve a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of at least 19.16%. Although this may seem like a lot, many TSX-listed stocks have a history of either meeting or exceeding this rate.

To achieve such a high rate of return, investors will need to take on additional risk. However, the tech industry has proven to be one of the best places for investors to park their cash over the past decade. As we are witnessing an accelerated shift to conducting business online, they are likely to also outperform over the next decade.

Investing in high quality technology stocks at the moment is the best path to retire in 20 years. Among the best? Constellation Software (TSX:SU) and Descartes Systems (TSX:DSG)(NASDAQ:DSGX).

To limit risk, it is best to invest in a strong management team. There is arguably none better than Constellation Software. Since the company did away with conference calls, investors have to put their full faith in management to help them retire in 20 years.

This faith has been well rewarded. Over the past decade, Constellation shareholders are sitting on total gains of 3,620%. A $10,000 investment in the company 10 years ago would be worth $371,620 today. This is equal to a CAGR of 43.55% more than double the required rate of return we are looking for.

Management has an incredible track record of scooping up companies and integrating them into the fold. It is a serial acquirer, and there is perhaps no better industry consolidator.

Constellation has averaged 17% annual earnings growth over the past five years, and it is a rate that is accelerating. Analysts expect earnings to grow at an annual rate of 25% over the next few years. This should be more than enough for investors to achieve returns that will put them on the right path to retire in 20 years.

Another strong candidate to help investors to early retirement is Descartes Systems. This logistics company has a 10-year CAGR of 26.71%. A $10,000 investment in the company would be worth $106,690 today. Once again, this is more than enough to achieve the rate required to retire in 20 years.

The best news is that the company should exceed historical growth rates. Over the past five years, earnings have grown by approximately 14% annually. Over the next five, analysts expect earnings growth of 17% annually. Not surprisingly, Descartes performance places it among the best technology stocks on the TSX Index.

Given the current environment, the demand for Descartes services from the transportation and logistics, distribution, manufacturing, and retail industries is likely to remain strong. In fact, one could argue that the lasting effects of the pandemic will be a boon for the company for years to come. Its a good bet to help investors retire in 20 years.

Turning $30,000 into $1 million is a realistic goal. To do so, investors will need to identify companies with a proven history and strong outlook. Constellation Software and Descartes Systems are two of Canadas premier technology companies.

The post Retire in 20 Years With $30,000 Today appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

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Fool contributor Mat Litalien has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Constellation Software.

The Motley Fools purpose is to help the world invest, better.Click here nowfor your free subscription toTake Stock, The Motley Fool Canadas free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead. Motley Fool Canada 2020

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INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Tuesday mornings (May 19) regular board meeting, again held online, focused on finances and commencement plans, while also addressing entrance fees for sporting events and the ongoing search for a high school principal.

Eric Koehler, chief financial officer for the district, first addressed current financial realities, relating the figures to the overall five-year forecast. Koehler cautioned that forecast models for future months and years could be dramatically reshaped by the coronavirus pandemic, continued school closures and an unpredictable economy.

There are a lot of what-ifs? he said.

Deficit spending could potentially be an issue in the next five years. The district will have just over $12 million in cash reserves at the end of June, which represents 232 days of operations. With expenses outpacing revenue, Koehler projects the district will have only $4 million as of June 30, 2024, representing 67 days of operating costs. District guidelines call for maintaining 90 days worth of cash reserves.

The district is also facing state funding cuts that have led to a spate of misinformation, particularly on social media.

Some of our residents are getting the impression that its 50 percent or 51 percent of what were receiving in our revenues, commented board president Lynne Laski.

Koehler said the district will lose slightly more than half of the $612,000 the state provides the district each year, but explained that state funding constitutes only about 4 percent of our total funding.

The affluent district primarily relies on property taxes to fund operations and, while Koehler does not expect a drop in such revenue, he anticipates the income will remain relatively flat.

Its tighten-up time, said Superintendent Ben Hegedish. We are looking at some smart cuts.

According to Hegedish, the district recently collaborated with coaches to negotiate reduced salaries for the shortened spring season. Although coaches logged hours in preseason and with remote workouts during the closure, most accepted a reduction in pay.

In the end, the board voted unanimously to accept the five-year forecast and assumptions.

Sports and other activities were a topic during the board roundtable. Several board members argued for free admission for all students. Hegedish, though open to exploring the idea, explained that he has tasked Athletic Director Annie McGhee with examining the realities of such a proposal. Hegedish plans to reveal the results at a June 30 board meeting.

Class of 2020 commencement

Board members unanimously -- though somewhat reluctantly -- signed off on modified commencement plans for 2020. Graduating seniors and their immediate family members are being filmed. The results will hit the big screen at a June 5 drive-in movie event. The compilation will also be streamed online.

Hegedish remarked, Nobody wanted this, though he and various board members maintained that the format makes the best of a bad situation.

Laski agreed, though she added an emotional appeal: I just pray and hope that everything is back to normal at this time next year.

Hegedish revealed that the district is making progress in its online search for a high school principal. The districts choice to become the new head of the school will likely be made public at a June 4 special session of the board.

Bill McGuinness, the current principal, will retire at the end of July. He plans to return to the classroom to teach his beloved history courses.

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Independence school board addresses financial outlook, comes to terms with adjusted commencement plans - cleveland.com

Many cast members on TLCs 90 Day Fianc end up pursuing careers on social mediaoften through brand partnerships on Instagram, YouTube sponsorships, or other marketing deals. Over the years, as the franchise has grown, many 90 Day Fianc stars have amassed huge followings and grown their personal platforms.

More recently, some 90 Day Fianc cast members have taken their online careers to the next step with accounts on OnlyFans, a subscription service thats primarily (though not solely) used by creators of adult content. Here are the 90 Day Fianc stars who are producingor hoping to producesexy content for fans.

RELATED: 90 Day Fianc: Which Cast Members Have Had Plastic Surgery?

RELATED: 90 Day Fianc: Every 90 Day Fianc Cast Member Instagram Handle You Will Ever Need

Stephanie Matto, 29who is currently appearing on the fourth season of 90 Day Fianc: Before the 90 Days with her Australian girlfriend (now ex-girlfriend), 24-year-old photographer Erika Owenswas active on OnlyFans before she joined the 90 Day Fianc cast.

The 90 Day Fianc star produces burlesque videos, themed 18+ photo shoots, and other 18+ content on Patreon, OnlyFans, and other platforms. In one Instagram post, she opened up about how much she loves creating this kind of contentno matter what others may think of it.

Its amazing supplemental income and a fun side job for me, Stephanie wrote, adding: I sell naked photos of myself online. Some people think thats wrong, some say thats gross, some will call me a whore. Your opinion is exactly that: YOURS. And I respect you for having one and voicing it. I actually have pretty strong morals about my body.

Stephanie added that shes proud of the financial independence OnlyFans has allowed her to achieve, especially given her ongoing health issues due to her rare and potentially life-threatening condition, aplastic anemia.

90 Day Fianc: The Other Way stars Evelin Villegas and her American husband-to-be, Corey Rathgeber, both have OnlyFans accounts. But Corey wasnt happy about it at first.

Evelin, who hails from Ecuador, apparently started herswhich now boasts three videos and 16 photoswithout letting her fianc know. He initially said he didnt agree with it after getting hundreds of messages from concerned fans.

Recently, Evelin opened up about why she started an OnlyFans in a fan Q&A on her Instagram stories. I saw a video on YouTube, and I was like, Thats interesting, she explained. I didnt know what OnlyFans was. And then, I was like, you know, why not? I have so many friends who are posting pictures that are super sexy, and for free. And I was like, money out of this? Why not?

Coreys fiance added that she has been enjoying her time onthe platform. I dont consider this a degrading thing. Ive been having a lotof fun, Evelin said. Guys have been really respectfulHonestly, Im justhaving a lot of fun there. No judgments. They are, like I said, respectful. AndIve been making good money. Im pretty sure Im gonna end up making more thanI made in a whole season with 90 Day Fianc.

And Corey himself got in on the action soon. Corey started a Fanbound account in which he offered stripteases for sale, and he now has his own OnlyFans. Some of the adult pictures have cheeky captions like shower time, and he says he wants to get to know his fans more personallyso it looks like hes not too bothered by his fiances account anymore.

There are several other 90 Day Fianc fans who havetheir own money-making endeavors through OnlyFans or plan to start them.

Larissa Dos Santos Lima, Colt Johnsons ex, has been open in recent months about her desire to start an OnlyFans account. She has recently undergone a makeover, including hair extensions, plastic surgery, fillers, and significant weight loss. Larissa told her fans on Instagram that shes planning to open her account soon.

Jay Smith, Ashley Martsons on-again, off-again Jamaican husband, used to have an OnlyFans account as well. But since he got back together with Ashley most recently, hes taken down the page.

And Paul Staehle, soon to appear on 90 Day Fianc: Happily Ever After with his wife Karine Staehle, took to his Instagram stories recently to ask fans if theyd be interested in seeing Karines OnlyFans in the future.

90 Day Fianc blogger John Yates (at the Instagram handle @johnyates327tv) was able to snag a screenshot. Paul posted a revealing photo of Karines cleavage and wrote, Karine has asked me to help her set up an OnlyFans account. Should I help her?

Leida Margaretha, a 29-year-old from Indonesia who married 41-year-old Eric Rosenbrook on the sixth season of 90 Day Fianc, chimed in to open up about her own experience with OnlyFans. Leida, who goes by AyaCO on the platform, said she uses the service to produce 18+ cosplay content.

She can absolutely do it,Leida wrote in reference to Karines hopes for an account. Whatever contentyou have, you can absolutely do it on OnlyFans. I cant wait to share my wickedgore cosplay in June. Some people are really into it. And guys please, its notalways about porn or prostitution. Dont accuse all of us doing that whilethere some of us are doing it for something else, like cosplay, and otherartistic material.

Meanwhile, Corey jumped in to joke about how many of his 90Day Fianc castmates are heading to OnlyFans, commenting on the post: Weare all doing it!

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'90 Day Fianc': Which Cast Members Have OnlyFans Accounts? - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Ghoshs Change.org petition, published earlier this month, is titled PM Modi: Tell Indian Men to Do an Equal Share of Household Chores in Your Next Speech".

If Mr Modi can inspire us to light lamps and clap in solidarity, he can inspire us to correct an unfair norm that discriminates against women in every home," it says. Most of us require no further explanation.

When her husband shared it, one gent asked, What does your wife expect the PM to do about this?" Ghoshs husband had an answer: There are more Modi bhakts than there are biwi bhakts."

Some friends were reluctant to own up to the fact that ever since Narendra Modi announced a sudden, stringent lockdown on 24 March that devastated the workforce, leaving one in four employed people jobless (according to Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy), women have overwhelmingly borne the burden of domestic and unpaid care responsibilities.

Ghosh experienced it first-hand when the weight of running the household settled firmly on her, giving her no time to work on the fledgling healthcare startup she had founded.

We thought we were different but now theres the realization that not much has changed between our lives and our mothers," she says.

Ghoshs goal is simple: Ask the PM to use the lockdown to amplify an important issue. Its not just about him asking men. For years we have struggled to make the state acknowledge that this is productive work."

This discussion is playing out across the world as feminists worry that the pandemic might push back womens struggle for independence by a few decades. In India, women already spend a disproportionate amount of their time on invisible work. Unpaid care work makes up 35% of GDP or 182% of the total tax revenue, non-profit ActionAid said in 2017.

Even in a booming economy, we struggled to deal with the problem of women dropping out of the workplace. Some 21.7 million women stopped working in the five years to 2009-10, according to government data. Post the economic burden that the lockdown placed on an already depressed economy, womens fight to stay in the workplacewhile managing children who are unlikely to go back to school soon and running the home with less help for a variety of reasonsjust got tougher.

Women are the worst receivers of a tanking economy. Anyway you are standing last in queue. And the problem of womens workforce numbers is nobodys job," says Sairee Chahal, pointing out that theres no secretary-level bureaucrat in any of three government ministrieswomen and child welfare, skills and commerceto track these numbers.

At SHEROES, the womens community platform that Chahal founded in 2014, the helpline queries have moved from general topics to calls from women who want to discuss anxiety and abuse. As families stay home more, domestic abuse has risen across the world.

In the short term its going to be very, very hard for women but it will give many the confidence to use new tools. Women will start helping themselves, we cant wait for other people to give us jobs," says Chahal.

Adds Neha Bagaria, founder of online job portal JobsForHer, Given that companies have figured out how to make Work From Home work, we are seeing many more opportunities opening up for women."

Chahal believes that in the long term, two things are likely to happen.

Remote work will grow and women will benefit the most from it; and women will embrace the internet faster. You have already seen this latter phenomenon unfold on your social networksevery girlfriend with a skill is attempting to monetize her ideas online.

When more women start adopting the internet, it will change a lot of things for them. Millions of women will become micro-entrepreneurs in the next couple of years," says Chahal.

Osama Manzar has helped create 10,000 digital entrepreneurs since 2007 (80% of them women) through the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) that believes digital literacy is the path to greater socioeconomic equality.

DEF has already moved some of its learning programmes with rural women and schoolgirls in Assam and Telangana online. Manzar believes the way we have defined our lives through work, earning, the economy will all have to be redefined. Localization instead of globalization is one solution in this reset," he says. I see a more modest supply chain but bigger localized dependency on each other which is trust-based. Even e-commerce will have to become more localized."

Some women have already switched track. In the pre-covid era, Gurugram resident Shweta Rai was a personal trainer who had a tie-up with a fitness chain. But gyms were the first to shut down and taking her skill online only allowed her to earn a fraction of what she made earlier. Now she is the co-founder of Krishak Agritech Pvt. Ltd, which sells seasonal fruits and vegetables sourced from nearby farmers in Haryana and Rajasthan and promises same day delivery to her 300 clients. Her goal? To go hyperlocal from as many Delhi neighbourhoods as she can.

Meanwhile, in Bengaluru, Mansi Charan, who went back to a full-time job in mid-March after a break of several years, is struggling to juggle her responsibilities. Overnight I became a full-time cook, maid, mother and employee," she says. I wanted to get out and meet people and get some financial independence but." Shes trying to figure out whether she should keep working or just quit.

Chahal knows the new and parallel track of micro-entrepreneurs and remote workers wont address any of the battles women have been fighting these past years, such as more of us in leadership positions and greater diversity in the corporate workplace. I guess we will have to go back to tackling these issues after the present crisis has been addressed.

The future of work for women might be a little less bleak if men agree to reskill too and take equal ownership of household responsibilities rather than magnanimously making the morning tea every once in a while.

At 10.30pm, after all the chores were done for the day, Ghosh would go up to the terrace to grab some time away from her family. I realized there were five, six other women in my building society who were also there. We were all talking about the same thingeveryone was struggling." So the next time Ghosh had a brainstorming session on Zoom with members of the online petition sites She Creates Change community, she interrupted people discussing important" ideas with, I am sick of bartan, jhadu pocha"

Priya Ramani shares whats making her feel angsty/agreeable.

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Opinion: The future of women's work - Livemint