Category Archives: Financial Independence

A tour of almost completed houses allowed us to observe the progress high school students have achieved under the supervision of construction experts.

In my last article, I shared the amazing commitment and dedication that The Immokalee Foundation has devoted to the education and success of Immokalee students, from early learners to high school students with support for postsecondary education.

To briefly review, from 1991 the Immokalee Foundation has made a commitment to assist low-income, at-risk, academically qualified students by providing early learning to postsecondary educational opportunities. In partnership with Take Stock in Children, the lives of more than 12,000 students have improved through their efforts. Their commitment and involvement with 1,400 students per year at various school levels speaks volumes for their dedication to changing the lives of Immokalees youth.

With the support of donors, mentors, volunteers and the community, The Immokalee Foundation provides students with the resources, training and confidence to follow pathways to success to meaningful careers and financial independence, according to one of the Immokalee Foundation brochures. To witness the program elements is truly inspiring.

How do they accomplish these goals? Parents are involved early in the process so they can learn about the professional opportunities that their children can experience. This is especially important to the continuity and understanding of the families so they can support their children every step of the way.

Starting in middle school, students can take surveys to identify and refine their interests and focus on a career. They have the opportunity to change their minds after what they discover.

Here are some more opportunities for students that I didnt include in Part One:

The HEST Program (Heavy Equipment Service Technician) is a specialized curriculum consisting of nine courses totaling 1,800 hours over two years. This program is supported by some of the heavy equipment industries biggest names, which provide shop training, classroom instruction and software instruction as part of the program. The graduates of the rigorous HEST training are prepared to join the HEST workforce without having to participate in a formal dealer apprentice program. And this is really fortuitous; because of their training and experience, the HEST program graduates also receive seniority within the companies they join. What a bonus for their hard work and they have the ability to progress in their field.

The Collier County Sheriffs Office partners with The Immokalee Foundation on a Public Safety Career Program to train students as 911 dispatchers. The impetus for this partnership came from the sheriffs office which wanted to develop public interest in dispatching as a career, while increasing opportunities for partnerships in the Immokalee community.

The extensive training involves learning how to operate the communication equipment; location mapping skills and the procedures and policies for taking, screening and dispatching calls. Understanding the legality of privacy laws is important as is the Florida public records law, how to testify in court cases involving 911 calls and stress management. The extent of the course is the need to complete 232 hours of training which is a prerequisite to taking the exam for state certification as a public safety telecommunicator in Florida. This makes me wishful of support like this when I was in K through12 schooling. Frankly, I didnt even know these were possibilities, and maybe they werent back in the Stone Age!

I dont know about you, but its comforting to me to understand the extent of the training that goes into these certifications, and the competency that our students can achieve by participating. The truly inspiring aspect of these trainings is that students, thanks to the Immokalee Foundation and Take Stock in Children, are given the opportunity to learn about possibilities, identify their interests and have the mentoring and support they need to be successful in their chosen field.

These opportunities for employment are not dead ends! There is support for the students when engaging in middle school/high school training to continue their education to the college level if they want to pursue more expertise.

The Middle School Career Exploration enables students to explore a broad range of careers. The six-week rotation focuses on each of the four career pathways including career panels, group mentoring, field trips and a four-week summer Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Academy, workshops, career interest and aptitude assessments.

High school curriculum is robust and each student will graduate with an industry recognized certification. Mentoring is key. Students also receive foundational skills training in professional effectiveness in financial literacy, CRP certification and intense career programming tailored for each of the four career pathways and more.

As students postsecondary endeavors continue, theres an emphasis on the goal of career success. Financial independence is achieved via financial planning. Advocates also assist with scholarships and work with Foundation partners to provide guidance to connect Foundation partners with students; possibilities include internships, job opportunities and professional introductions that help make career dreams become real.

This is one of the most positive and effective endeavors that Ive witnessed since entering the Collier County School District as a teacher. The Immokalee Foundation and Take Stock in Children, along with countless volunteers, have demonstrated the ability to reach those students who need support to make their dreams a reality. My sincere appreciation and respect to all involved with this endeavor.

Jory Westberry is an active educator and advocate for quality education. She presently serves on the Marco Island Historical Society Museum Board and the Collier County School Board and is running for re-election in 2022.

Visit link:

How the Immokalee Foundation Makes Learning Efficient and Productive - coastalbreezenews.com

TCS will enable Nitstone Finserv to gain access to real-time data and customer insights, enhancing business simulations for improved revenue, costs, and optimized operations further increasing its digital and platform positioning through advanced digital capabilities.

The partnership will also provide the customersa seamless access to a suite of financial solutions that they're able to tap on their path to financial independence.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is one of the largestIT services company in the world bymarket capitalisation and operates in 149 locations across 46 countries.

Nitstone Finserv launched in 2018, provides quick financial solutions throughpersonal loans, gold loans, and consumer durable loansto customers through online platforms and branches. The business model is uniquely characterised by a data-powered segmentation strategy, efficient and effective operating workflows and a robust governance mechanism.

"Our partnership with TCS helps us to enhance the digital footprint for the strategic growth of our business through a well-tailored origination solution, mitigating key risk parameters as well as providing the best customer experience," said Mr. Govindankutty Edaden, Executive Director, Nitstone Finserv. "The TCS partnership will support the ambitious growth plans of Nitstone Finserv."

About Nitstone Finserv

Nitstone Finserv is a Bengaluru based Fintech- Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC) with a radical approach to lending and meeting the financial requirements for personal loans, gold loans, and consumer durable loans, catering to various segments of customers including employed, self-employed professionals and others.

From unprecedented products and tools to faster service, we are all about helping our consumers get ahead, grow and find success.

To know more, visit-https://www.nitstone.com/

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1744190/Nitstone.jpg

SOURCE Nitstone Finserv

Read more:

Nitstone Finserv announces TCS as its technology partner - PR Newswire India

PALO ALTO, Calif., Feb. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Two Bay Area-based organizations dedicated to enhancing financial literacy among teens, Palo Alto Education Group and LaunchFIT, have partnered with trading app moomoo to launch #Investeen, a campaign aimed at improving financial literacy and equity investment knowledge in adolescents and high school students across the U.S.

The #Investeen campaign will feature a host of engaging educational programs, including livestreamed virtual classes and the 2022 Global Teen Investment Competition (GTIC). The GITC includes a paper trading competition hosted in a specially programmed environment in the moomoo app. The top-ranked regional teams will be invited to create an equity portfolio pitch to a judging panel comprised of investment professionals, finance media veterans and executives from investment firms.

"An adequate financial literacy education will benefit today's youth for a lifetime. This is especially important now, as young investors increasingly enter the financial markets on the heels of the meme stock craze and wider adoption of trading apps," said Carolyn Bao, Vice President at Moomoo Inc. "We have long-admired Palo Alto Education and LaunchFIT's dedication to financial literacy education and are thrilled to partner with them on this important campaign."

In conjunction with the #Investeen campaign, moomoo and Palo Alto Education today released polling data from its survey of 120 teenagers between the ages of 13-18 on their experiences and education surrounding financial literacy and investing.

Investing education from a trustworthy source is especially important at this stage of life, given an overwhelming majority (92%) of adolescents have interest in investing in the stock marketeven though more than seven in ten teens (71%) report that they are currently receiving limited education about investing, or none at all. When asked to rate their knowledge of investing in the stock market, most adolescents (69%) claimed to have some basic knowledge only while 13% of participants say they have absolutely no idea.

Story continues

When asked why they were interested in investing, financial independence was the most common response, with 82% of participants citing it as a motivator. The data also showed that teens are prioritizing future needs, such as paying for college (54%) and building up retirement savings (43%) over short-term luxuries, such as buying a car (25%).

The majority of adolescents say they turn to friends and family (76%) or financial websites (66%) for investment guidance and ideas. Although nearly half of teens (43%) learn about investing through online forums and social media, their trust in influencers' investing guidance is lowwith fewer than 13% of surveyed teens responding that they trust influencers for investment recommendations and ideas.

Notably, despite the buzz surrounding cryptocurrency, teens surveyed report that they prefer traditional assets like stocks (73%) and savings accounts (43%) over cryptocurrency (25%) and NFTs (12%).

"It's crucial for teens to begin learning about financial literacy now because they have the power of time on their side," said Joyce Lin, Co-founder of LaunchFIT, a nonprofit created by teens for teens. "The earlier they learn, the more compounding potential their money will have. Unfortunately, many schools do not go into depth on topics such as saving and investing, which is where FIT comes in. We hope to fill the knowledge gap left by schools."

Between now and February 14th, students can register for the GTIC paper trading competition on moomoo's website. Winners will be named and prizes will be awarded in April 2022.

About Palo Alto Education Group

Based in Silicon Valley, Palo Alto Education Group aims to ignite the passion and maximize the potential of each student in finance, investing and AI with social equity, in preparation for global competitiveness. http://www.thePaEdu.com

About LaunchFIT

LaunchFIT (Financial Intelligence for Teens) is a 501c(3) non-profit organization with the goal to empower teens through spreading financial knowledge, teaching the power of responsible decision making, and financial literacy. http://www.launchFIT.org

About Moomoo Inc.

Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Moomoo Inc. is a company that offers a commission-free* professional trading app. With advanced research tools, free in-depth market data, and one of the most active online communities, moomoo empowers individual investors to trade like a pro. In the United States, securities are offered by Futu Inc., a licensed broker dealer regulated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Futu Inc is also a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). For more information about moomoo, please visit the company's official website http://www.moomoo.com.

*Commission-free trading is available only to U.S. residents trading in the U.S. markets.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bay-area-organizations-partner-with-trading-app-moomoo-to-improve-financial-literacy-for-teens-301477981.html

SOURCE Palo Alto Education Group

Original post:

Bay Area Organizations Partner with Trading App Moomoo to Improve Financial Literacy for Teens - Yahoo Finance

Because of recent changes to existing law, Hoosiers with disabilities are now able to save even more under the states INvestABLE Indiana program.

Beginning January 1, 2022, the annual contribution limit for ABLE accounts increased from $15,000 to $16,000. This increase of over 6% will allow savers to deposit even more into their accounts and experience lower fees. The contribution limit is tied to the annual gift tax exclusion limit, which saw an increase this year.

ABLE plans have been making headlines across the country, too. The National ABLE Alliance, of which Indiana is a proud member, recently crossed a significant threshold, exceeding $250 million in program assets. That automatically reduced the Program Management Fee from 30 basis points (0.30%) to 28 basis points (0.28%), bringing further savings to the program and Hoosiers.

Im thrilled to announce that INvestABLE Indiana account owners can now not only contribute more annually toward their savings goals but also experience lower fees, said Amy Corbin, Executive Director of the ABLE Authority. The lowering of fees comes as a direct result of more individuals enrolling in ABLE and saving for their or their loved ones future. As INvestABLE Indiana continues to grow, it is heartening to see more individuals with disabilities achieving increased financial independence and economic empowerment.

INvestABLE Indiana offers seven investment options, including a checking account option with a debit card. Up to $16,000 per year can be saved in an account, with a maximum account balance of $450,000. For individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), they can save up to $100,000 in their INvestABLE Indiana account and not risk losing their monthly SSI benefit. Money can be withdrawn and spent on qualified expenses or INvestABLE Indiana account holders can choose to grow their finances and create long-term savings with tax-free earnings. Contributions and earnings in INvestABLE Indiana accounts are not subject to federal or state income tax if spent on qualified expenses. Contributions are made with post-tax dollars.

More information about INvestABLE Indiana, including how to open an account, can be found athttps://in.savewithable.com.

View original post here:

Hoosiers with Disabilities can Save More and Experience Lower Fees - am1050.com

Image source: Getty Images

Investing can help you achieve financial independence, which is the term given when investments can cover someones day-to-day living expenses. Granted, it wont happen overnight. When it truly comes down to it, financial independence requires a source of income greater than or equal to the income you would expect to get from a job. Therefore, its imperative that investors find stocks that can supply a solid source of income over many years. In this article, Ill discuss three stocks that could do just that.

When looking for stocks to hold, with the goal of generating passive income, investors should turn to the list of Canadian Dividend Aristocrats. This is a list of companies that have been able to increase dividend distributions for at least five consecutive years. Near the top of the list, investors can find Fortis (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS). At 47 years, it claims the second-longest active dividend-growth streak in Canada.

Fortis is able to do this because of intelligent capital allocation by its management team. Investors may notice that Fortiss payout ratio is much higher than some other Dividend Aristocrats. However, its management team has been able to navigate financial waters at such a high level, that even the Great Recession didnt stop it from raising its distribution. Fortis is a top TSX dividend stock that should be in your portfolio.

Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS)(NYSE:BNS) announced its initial dividend at a rate of 3% per year in 1833. Since then, the company has never missed a dividend payment. That means Bank of Nova Scotia has managed to pay a dividend for 189 years. Today, its dividend offers investors a of 4.28%, making it a very attractive stock to hold. Investors may not that the company is only listed as having a dividend-growth streak of 11 years. This is because Bank of Nova Scotia was unable to continue growing its distribution through the Great Recession.

Bank of Nova Scotia is a member of the Big Five. This is a group of five banks which dominate the Canadian banking industry. What differentiates Bank of Nova Scotia from its peers is its international diversification. With 2,000 branches and offices across 50 countries, it is known as Canadas most international bank. With that level of diversification, Bank of Nova Scotia should have protection against a massive slowdown in its business if one region were to experience a period of economic uncertainty.

Investors should also take note of how fast a company is able to raise its dividend. A failure to beat the rate of inflation will result in a loss in buying power over time. Personally, I aim to hold companies that raise dividends at a compound growth rate of 5% or greater. That would even keep a stocks dividend growing at a faster rate than inflation has over the past year and a half. goeasy (TSX:GSY) is a stock whose dividend has grown at a very fast rate over the past seven years.

Since 2014, goeasys dividend has grown 776%! That represents a compound annual growth rate of 34%. Although goeasys forward dividend yield is quite low (1.74%), so is its payout ratio. This means that the company could be able to continue growing its distribution without issue in the coming years.

More:

3 Stocks That Could Give You a Solid Source of Passive Income - The Motley Fool Canada

NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --National Debt Relief has announced "The Hidden Cost of Debt," a multi-pronged initiative to drive awareness for debt's mental and physical health implications, with the release of new data and launch of a dedicated Financial Wellness Board.

"National Debt Relief has helped hundreds of thousands of clients resolve unsecured debt and achieve financial independence over the past decade - so people get their lives back," said Natalia Brown, National Debt Relief's Chief Client Operations Officer. "We hear about the impact of debt from our clients everyday - how it is an isolating problem that also affects self-esteem, relationships, to their physical and mental wellbeing. As a result, we launched 'The Hidden Cost of Debt' to help destigmatize debt and empower people to take back control of their finances."

National Debt Relief issued a national survey among 2,000 Americans that uncovered staggering data on the "Hidden Cost of Debt" and how debt impacts a person'sphysical and mental health, along with their personal relationships. Key findings included:

To proactively drive the conversation about debt relief and inspire people to take control of their financial journey, the debt relief company has partnered with three thought leaders in the personal finance and wellness space to launch the National Debt Relief Financial Wellness Board.

The Financial Wellness Board's purpose will be to add an authentic, human voice to the debt narrative and provide people with the resources and support to take control of their finances by tackling their debt and getting back to living.

Each board partner was selected based on their experience with debt and finances. This includes two leading financial experts who have overcome personal debt and now use their social media platforms to advocate for financial empowerment, and a clinical psychologist to support with understanding debt from a mental health and wellness perspective.

National Debt Relief's Financial Wellness Board members include:

Marc Russell, BetterWallet

Dasha Kennedy, The Broke Black Girl

Dr. Regine Muradian, PsyD.

These new initiatives reinforce National Debt Relief's efforts to taking a whole human approach to debt relief by getting people out of debt and back to living.

For more information about National Debt Relief, please visit: http://www.nationaldebtrelief.com.

About National Debt Relief:National Debt Relief (NDR), a BBB A Accredited business that helps consumers get out of debt and is committed to empowering people on their financial journey, bringing them back to living their lives and away from focusing on debt. NDR offers a successful alternative to bankruptcy, credit counseling or taking on new loans. As a top-rated debt relief company in the U.S., NDR is proud to have positively impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands of people on their journey to become debt-free. NDR wants to make sure clients succeed and have the best chance to regain control of their finances. Founded in 2009, NDR is values-centric; built on integrity, growth and connection. For more information, please visit: http://www.nationaldebtrelief.com.

Survey MethodologyThis online survey of 2,000 U.S. adults was commissioned by National Debt Relief and conducted by market research company OnePoll, in accordance with the Market Research Society's code of conduct. Data was collected between December 13 and December 15. All participants are paid an amount depending on the length and complexity of the survey. This survey was overseen and edited by the OnePoll research team, who are members of the MRS and have corporate membership to ESOMAR and AAPOR.

SOURCE National Debt Relief

See the original post:

National Debt Relief Draws Attention to the Health Impacts of Debt Announcing New Research and Launch of Financial Wellness Board - PRNewswire

(Photo: Black Classic Press/Adobe Stock)

Reginald F. Lewis became the first Black American to build a billion-dollar company and rose to prominence with his autobiography, Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun. His legacy of entrepreneurship, philanthropy and integrity lives through the Giving Gap organization.

Lewis daughter, Christina Lewis, co-founded Giving Gap in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd sparked public debate over how racial and economic disparities persisted in the United States. Giving Gap emerged as an organization that would amplify Black nonprofits addressing socio-economic inequities and connect the groups with donors online.

I think people read Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun because its about a Black person, but who sustained great financial independence, Lewis told theGrio. Thats what we need to ultimately close the wealth gap.

Aisha Alexander-Young, CEO of Giving Gap, contends that if the question posed by Lewis in his book title were applied to the racial economic issues of today, the question would evolve to ask, why should white guys have all the power?

The work that were doing, and its connection to his legacy, is ensuring that the power belongs with Black communities and Black-founded nonprofits that are building power in Black communities, Alexander-Young said.

The figures Giving Gap is challenging demonstrate that there are many ways in which Black-led nonprofits are in need of finding. According to the organization, the average revenue for Black-led early-stage nonprofits compared to white-led nonprofits is 24% lower. In comparison to white-led nonprofits, Black-led early-stage nonprofits have access to 76% less unrestricted net assets. Even programs geared toward helping Black men and boys have a racial funding gap that shows Black-led groups lagging in revenue by 45 percent.

I believe that these people whove chosen to do nonprofit work now and work directly in the community, helping people really deserve to be supported, Lewis highlighted.Too often, theyre working on threadbare budgets, you know, spending their own money on, you know, on supplies, because they care so much about this issue.

Online potential donors can log onto Giving Gaps website and select a specific area where theyd like to bridge the financial gap of philanthropy. For instance, if you are passionate about housing or food insecurity, Giving Gap identifies which organizations are addressing those disparities.

Throughout Reginald F. Lewis career, he acquired companies and invested in their growth. Similarly, Giving Gap provides donors an opportunity to invest in the growth of nonprofits that are providing services to Black communities in hopes of spurring sustainable economic stability.

We see that investments in Black-founded nonprofits are always connected in trauma, and then they go away. And its this kind of cyclical trauma, investment, and then lack of investment after the attention on that trauma dies down, Alexander-Young explained to theGrio.We fundamentally believe that that shift in culture should be that Black-founded nonprofits are important. Their work is important. It should be supported all the time, and not just connected to times of trauma.

Maybe some of those traumas wouldnt exist if we funded Black founded nonprofits fully all the time, Alexander-Young added.

To date, Giving Gap has more than 800 nonprofit organizations on their list and averages 20 submissions to add onto the list per day. Nonprofits can reach out to Giving Gap to be added to the list by going to their website and selecting at the top of the page submit a nonprofit.

In addition to raising awareness of Black nonprofits, Giving Gap exemplifies an emerging practice in philanthropy that has taken off since 2020 ethical investing. What you spend money on, who you financially invest in and what causes you decide to fund say something about who you are as a person and what you believe.

The concept of Giving Gap speaks to this shift occurring in philanthropic circles that its now a standard practice to put your money where your mouth is in a sense.

Even donor engagement makes a statement. Alexander-Young explained to theGrio that regardless of if Giving Gap achieved its goal of helping Black nonprofits access $1 billion in donations, shed still want to activate one million donors in reach.

Ultimately, this is about shifting the culture of philanthropy, and shifting the culture and mindset of people who are giving to organizations, Alexander-Young emphasized. We want to see, as many people participate in what is ultimately a movement to realize the value and importance of Black founded-nonprofits and supporting their work.

TheGrio is now on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

See more here:

Giving Gap, in the spirit of Reginald F. Lewis, aims to improve philanthropy for Black nonprofits - TheGrio

By Siby Varghese

What Is Funds Management? Fund Management Services is a professional management service offered by experienced fund managers and stock market professionals, to oversee your investment portfolio and make the necessary investments to provide you with the anticipated returns. Fund management aids in maximising profits while reducing risk. With perks like regular evaluations and excellent risk management flexibility, Fund Management Service relieves you of any monitoring responsibilities, making it an ideal investment outlet for high net worth investors.

What is the current and future scope in this sector?

Fund management sets a plan based on an individuals income, budget, age, and risk tolerance. It lowers the risks of investing while simultaneously increasing the probability of return. It covers portfolio diversity as a risk management strategy. Fund management can provide a spectrum of subjects that may be used to leverage various economic scenarios.

The current & future scope in this revolves around streamlining the whole system into techno-based to come out more effective.

Who needs these services?

Even skilled investors are challenged in todays complicated market to stay current, monitor their assets, and adapt to fast-changing conditions.

For investors whod like to free themselves from the need to constantly monitor asset allocation and portfolios, fund management services provide investors access to specialists with expertise in risk profiling, institutional asset allocation, money management selection, and investment policy formulation can help them navigate a continuously changing market.

Does the youth need to manage its funds?

Savings awareness and early investment are critical for long-term fund management. The two pillars of financial independence and financial planning are critical to living a better life today. Giving children a good understanding of finances at a young age is critical for appropriate financial management later in life. Every young person should learn how to invest as part of their life skills. Unfortunately, many kids enter adulthood without a complete understanding of financial management.

While there are lessons to be learnt from mistakes, financial literacy is about managing money consistently and intentionally.

Unfortunately, financial literacy is frequently left out of the official education systems curriculum for children and young pupils.

Money is a necessary commodity, and it is critical to learn personal fund management beginning in youth to acquire financial literacy. Parents are often concerned about providing adequate money for their youngsters. Theyll have to add another stage to their never-ending care and planning for their youngsters. They must instil financial literacy in their youngsters before they walk out into the world on their own.

How to start up a fund management fund: challenges to successful entrepreneurship

For Fund Managers, the most critical thing is to deliver returns to their investors. Keeping pace with the challenges of fund administration, accounting, and reporting while also adhering to regulatory compliance may distract your attention away from delivering value and keeping your investors satisfied.

Even the most experienced fund managers may find it difficult to maintain fund administration functions. Its no surprise that managing more complicated data and security procedures, as well as managing lean operating teams and reacting to regulatory requirements, may be challenging.

Thriving at this moment will require ambitious leaders who are not content to simply return the business to what it was, but willing to up-end convention & create their future.

(The author, Siby Varghese, is an award-winning portfolio manager, leading entrepreneur and expert wealth consultant. He is an experienced wealth creator & portfolio manager. The article is for informational purposes only. Please consult medical experts and health professionals before starting any therapy, medication and/or remedy. Views expressed are personal and do not reflect the official position or policy of the Financial Express Online.)

Financial Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest Biz news and updates.

Read the original:

Funds Management and everything you need to know about it - The Financial Express

Alex Cooper gets another HUGE "of the moment" guest on this week's Call Her Daddy, and after the Jamie Lynn Spears episodes, I was excited to see how I'd feel after watching Julia Fox explain her life to us. A lot of people now know her as "Kanye's girlfriend" but despite some subtle shade I've thrown in blogs about Kim and Kanye, I've seen her around the scene for a long time. What made me start to think she was cool and normal, were a few tweets praising Julia from one of my favorites bitches ever, Cat Marnell (author of "How To Murder Your Life.) She's someone I respect, and she's always pumping up Julia on social. I was ready to give her a shot.

As far as the interview went, we really got a lot of good info. She doesn't shy away from talking about Kanye, or her semi fucked up past, and she's very open about having a much different experience than most growing up. Her parents were separated, living in different countries, and she spent most of her childhood/teen years with minimal supervision as an only child. Growing up in New York City, she explains that you "see a lot of adult things" at a young age. I've always said, city kids are freaks, mini hardened adults walking around like the run the place, because they do. Here are a few bullet points from the interview:

- growing up she was always interested in art, fashion and gaining her own independence. She wanted to start working as soon as she could - financial independence was paramount to her.

- she first went clubbing when she was 14 years old, she and her friends made shitty fake IDs that would get them in everywhere. She compares them to the girls in the movie "Thirteen" (big points with me, I love that movie.)

- She started smoking weed in 6th or 7th grade at her friend's house, because her friend's family was very casual about weed. She later experimented with harder drugs, eventually trying heroin (not a good look for the "weed isn't a gateway drug" crowd).

- She had her own clothing line (sold at DASH stores [which are Kardashian establishments] and worn by stars like Nicki Minaj)

- She got into the Dominatrix world. This part was fascinating. She told us in detail about her job at a "Dungeon," of which there are a handful in New York City, and explained that it felt a lot like acting to her. Men (she doesn't specify if women came) would arrive at the dungeon and choose where they would want to be; torture rooms, school rooms, doctors offices, and all of the "rooms" in the Dungeon would be decorated as such. Sometimes clients would pick certain women, other times Julia would find out last minute that she had to be playing the role of XYZ and would fulfill the fantasies of the clients. There was NO sex involved at all.

- After she was in a bad place, out of control with the drug use and unsure of where her life was going next, she fled New York to stay with friends in Louisiana and clean up her life. She was also on probation for 3 years, and gives credit to her probation officer and probation itself for "saving her life."

- Her role in Uncut Gems was made for her (she is very close with the director who has called her his "muse" for the movie), and the character's original name was going to be Sadie, but had to be changed because that's Adam Sandler's daughter's real name. They landed on Julia, because it just fit the best.

- She calls Kanye her boyfriend, and describes their relationship as this whirlwind situation that revolves around the fact that Kanye is wanting to dress her and "elevate" her. She's appreciates him for what he is, and to me it sounds like a pretty modern relationship with little expectations. She isn't "jealous" of Kim per say, but respects the fact that everyone has other relationships in their lives. She says "I know he's with me now, and that's all that matters." She sounds like she's very secure with herself, and with everything that's going on around her.

- She wants people to know she wasn't some random nobody before meeting Kanye, and she has the receipts. Even saying that the infamous party that included Madonna, was organized by her; NOT Kanye.

That's pretty much the bulk of it. I recommend watching yourself, the way she tells stories and the way she speaks is interesting to see. It's obvious that she's an artistic person, that she respects the industry and she even says that she feels she "deserves" this new level of fame. She explains that she feels she's earned it after many years of hard work, and honestly, I'm inclined to agree. I respect anyone who has hustled to her extent, overcome a lot of her own kind of adversity, and doesn't hesitate to be honest about her life. While I still don't really fuck with Kanye and how he's handled his life outside of his relationship with Julia, it doesn't seem so crazy that he's attracted to her at the moment. She's easy going, malleable, and eager to make her mark on society. She certainly has my attention!

Continue reading here:

Julia Fox Finally Showed Us All Her Real Personality On Call Her Daddy And She Actually Seems Cool And Interesting - Barstool Sports

Louis Theroux is back with a new documentary in which he explores the impact of the internet and social media in some of the most controversial corners of American society.

Forbidden America will cover three themes across three episodes: far-right figures, rappers and porn performers.

Theroux has said the series will look at the way that social media has affected people in America who are in different ways involved in dangerous, extreme, or morally questionable lifestyles.

The documentarian said the three films were tough to make and feature scenes and confrontations that are shocking and upsetting.

He added: They are also powerful depictions of a world that has become strange in ways we could never have imagined just 10 years ago.

They show the dangers of the technotopia we all now inhabit, where extremist content can be piped directly into the phones and laptops of millions of children.

But they also illustrate some of the positive opportunities the new world has created by disrupting old hierarchies of power.

In the first episode, airing Sunday 13 February, Theroux meets the new, young influencers of the far-right who are promoting racist, misogynistic, homophobic and antisemitic ideologies online, often under the guise of irony.

Capitol rioter Baked Alaska and Louis Theroux (BBC / Mindhouse Productions / Dan Dewsbury)

Among the figures he meets are some of those who were involved in the Capitol Hill riots. Theroux will interrogate their opinions and explore how they are stepping out from the shadows of the web to influence events in the physical world.

Episode two will see Theroux immerse himself in the new world of rap and hip-hop in the southern states of the US, particularly Florida.

Ratchet Roach, Louis Theroux and Boo Bon (BBC / Mindhouse Productions / Dan Dewsbury)

He will look at how rappers are now becoming successful through self-promotion online, and how internet feuds, opening up about their anxieties and fears, and live-streaming their lifestyles has connected them to their fanbases.

The third instalment will see Theroux delve into the porn industry as it grapples with its own #MeToo movement.

He will explore how the emergence of websites such as OnlyFans has given performers financial independence, while social media platforms have become a space to publish accusations of sexual misconduct. He will meet accusers and alleged perpetrators, and discuss the wariness around stigmatising sex work as a haven for predators.

Louis Theroux: Forbidden America begins on BBC Two at 9pm on Sunday 13 February.

More:

Shocking and upsetting: Everything we know about Louis Therouxs new documentary series Forbidden America - Yahoo News