To improve teacher workforce, report says Maine needs better pathways
Think twice before cleaning up your leaf litter this fall, a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert advises. Whether you shred or rake them, leaving some leaf piles will help pollinators and beneficial insects. “Remember, leaf litter makes great overwintering sites for insects,” said Larry Stein, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension horticulture specialist and professor in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Horticultural Sciences, Uvalde. While some bees and wasps live in hives, they are often ground nesters. These pollinators will need leaf litter and some loose soil to get through the winter. Keeping your garden insect-friendly through the winter months also means that when overwintering eggs, nymphs or larvae, and pupae hatch in the spring, you will have an already-flourishing insect population to get to work as pollinators and protection from “bad bugs.” Leaf drop may have come a little earlier than normal, this year. While October is typically a wetter time of the year, 2024 has proven to be different for much of Texas. “We would prefer leaf drop to be normal as opposed to being caused by drought, but many parts of the state didn’t get the precipitation levels they are used to seeing, and we are also seeing higher heat than usual as we head into November,” Stein said. However, once leaves do drop, whether early or “on time,” he said to think twice before disposing of them. Plant of the Month: Possum Haw Holly Stein’s plant of the month is a deciduous holly, better known as possum haw holly. It has the widest range of all Texas hollies and does well in various soil conditions. It can be grown in shade, but it fruits best in partial shade to full sun. Possum haw holly also attracts songbirds. Due to its heat and drought tolerance, it does well in many parts of Texas. Female plants will need a male pollinator for a good fruit set. “This is a truly outstanding small native tree that is very low maintenance,” he said. “The tree drops its leaves in fall to reveal showy red or orange berries on female plants that remain throughout the winter.” Other November Gardening Guide Tips What to plant, what to wait on: Container trees and shrubs can be planted; wait until January to plant bare root stock. It is also the ideal time to select and plant cool-season annuals like pansies, violas and ornamental cabbages and kale. However, establishment will be a bit more challenging if the higher temperatures continue, so more frequent watering would be needed. Be patient to prune: Don’t get in a hurry to prune woody plants. Late December through February is usually the best time to prune them. Know when to pick persimmons, citrus: As the temperatures cool, the full color of persimmons and citrus will highlight your landscape. However, just because astringent persimmons turn orange does not mean they are ripe; a light frost seems to expedite this process. Citrus does not need to be totally orange to be ready to eat. Keep an eye out for fungus: Monitor your lawn for late-season fungus issues, which can be exacerbated by too much moisture. Grow a winter salad: As temperatures cool, your cool-season crops will continue to develop. You can also do bi-weekly planting of salad greens, such as leaf lettuce, kale, chard and spinach. Prepare garden equipment for winter: Drain gasoline from power tools and run the engine until fuel in the carburetor is used up, unless you have made the switch to ethanol-free gas. Even with ethanol-free gas, it is a good idea to run the gas out of the carburetor. Drain and store garden hoses and watering equipment in a readily accessible location. Revisit your cold protection plan: As the temperatures begin to cool, make sure you have a cold protection plan in place. Think about the mulch, mounding around trunks, covers and other measures to protect plants. Bring in late-blooming plants such as decorative kalanchoes or Christmas cacti so they can finish flowering in the warmth of the house. Think variety: Place orders for seeds this month to have them available when you are ready to plant in the spring. In addition to ordering seeds you are already familiar with, try a few new kinds each year to broaden your garden contents. Change the way you fertilize indoor plants: Reduce the fertilization of indoor plants through mid-March. An exception would be plants in an atrium or a well-lighted window location.
TV’s Dr. Oz invested in businesses regulated by agency Trump wants him to leadThis photo taken on November 10, 2023 shows Philippine coast guard personnel and journalists sailing onboard a rigid inflatable boat (left) as they head back after filming the BRP Sierra Madre grounded at Renai Jiao in South China Sea. Photo: AFP The US has reportedly acknowledged for the first time the existence of a task force named after Philippine name of China's Ren'ai Jiao (also known as Ren'ai Reef), which is backing Philippine military activities in the South China Sea. The move could encourage the Philippines to take bolder actions that could escalate tensions, but it cannot change China's capability and determination in safeguarding its rights, Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, said on Thursday. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin this week visited a command and control center in the western Philippine province of Palawan, and in a post on social media platform X, Austin said he "met with some American service members deployed to US Task Force Ayungin," in what appeared to be the first public acknowledgment of its existence, Bloomberg reported on Thursday. Ayungin is the Philippine name for China's Ren'ai Jiao. "Task Force-Ayungin enhances US-Philippine alliance coordination and interoperability by enabling US forces to support Armed Forces of the Philippines activities in the South China Sea," Kanishka Gangopadhyay, spokesperson at the US Embassy in Manila, was quoted by Bloomberg as saying in a statement on Thursday. The Philippine military said on Thursday the US troops provide technical assistance that helps enhance Manila's maritime domain awareness, according to the Bloomberg report. Chen told the Global Times on Thursday that he believes the Chinese side has long been aware of the existence of such a US task force, which has been training the Philippines' navy and coast guard forces and providing planning and guidance to the Philippines' maritime operations. One reason why the US and the Philippines chose to make the US force's existence public now is probably to enhance US-Philippine bilateral relations and reduce the potential impact brought by change of the US administration, according to Chen. Austin's visit could encourage the Philippines to make bolder moves that could escalate tensions, and the publicly announced existence of US forces supporting the Philippines also means that the US' grey zone tactics in using the Philippines to contain China is becoming more open, Chen said. However, it is unlikely that the US forces will enter a direct confrontation with China, as the situation could spiral out of control and become too costly for the US, Chen said, noting that Washington will likely continue to encourage Manila to stir up more trouble. China has the capability and determination to defend its rights on Ren'ai Jiao as well as safeguard the situation in the region, and this cannot be changed by either the US or the Philippines, Chen said. China will continue to take necessary measures in accordance to domestic and international laws to resolutely safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, he said.
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs left his team’s game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday because of a concussion. Doubs’ injury came on a third-quarter play in the end zone that resulted in a pass interference penalty against San Francisco’s Renardo Green. Doubs stayed down briefly after the play, then got up slowly before heading to the sideline. He went into the injury tent before walking to the locker room. The Packers then announced Doubs was out for the rest of the game because of a concussion. He had three catches for 54 yards before leaving. San Francisco defensive tackle Jordan Elliott left in the first half of the game to get evaluated for a concussion and was ruled out at halftime. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLDAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Bashar Barhoum woke in his dungeon prison cell in Damascus at dawn Sunday, thinking it would be the last day of his life. The 63-year-old writer was supposed to have been executed after being imprisoned for seven months. But he soon realized the men at the door weren't from former Syrian President Bashar Assad ’s notorious security forces, ready to take him to his death. Instead, they were rebels coming to set him free. As the insurgents swept across Syria in just 10 days to bring an end to the Assad family’s 50-year rule , they broke into prisons and security facilities to free political prisoners and many of the tens of thousands of people who disappeared since the conflict began back in 2011. Barhoum was one of those freed who were celebrating in Damascus. “I haven’t seen the sun until today,” Barhoum told The Associated Press after walking in disbelief through the streets of Damascus. “Instead of being dead tomorrow, thank God, he gave me a new lease of life.” Barhoum couldn’t find his cellphone and belongings in the prison so set off to find a way to tell his wife and daughters that he’s alive and well. Videos shared widely across social media showed dozens of prisoners running in celebration after the insurgents released them, some barefoot and others wearing little clothing. One of them screams in celebration after he finds out that the government has fallen. Torture, executions and starvation in Syria's prisons Syria's prisons have been infamous for their harsh conditions. Torture is systematic, say human rights groups, whistleblowers, and former detainees. Secret executions have been reported at more than two dozen facilities run by Syrian intelligence, as well as at other sites. In 2013, a Syrian military defector , known as “Caesar,” smuggled out over 53,000 photographs that human rights groups say showed clear evidence of rampant torture, but also disease and starvation in Syria's prison facilities. Syria’s feared security apparatus and prisons did not only serve to isolate Assad’s opponents, but also to instill fear among his own people said Lina Khatib, Associate Fellow in the Middle East and North Africa program at the London think tank Chatham House. "Anxiety about being thrown in one of Assad’s notorious prisons created wide mistrust among Syrians,” Khatib said. “Assad nurtured this culture of fear to maintain control and crush political opposition.” Just north of Damascus in the Saydnaya military prison, known as the “human slaughterhouse,” women detainees, some with their children, screamed as men broke the locks off their cell doors. Amnesty International and other groups say that dozens of people were secretly executed every week in Saydnaya, estimating that up to 13,000 Syrians were killed between 2011 and 2016. “Don’t be afraid ... Bashar Assad has fallen! Why are you afraid?” said one of the rebels as he tried to rush streams of women out of their jam-packed tiny cells. Tens of thousands of detainees have so far been freed, said Rami Abdurrahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based pro-opposition war monitor. Over the past 10 days, insurgents freed prisoners in cities including Aleppo, Homs, Hama as well as Damascus. Families seek loved ones who have been missing for years Omar Alshogre, who was detained for three years and survived relentless torture, watched in awe from his home far from Syria as videos showed dozens of detainees fleeing. “A hundred democracies in the world had done nothing to help them, and now a few military groups came down and broke open prison after prison,” Alshogre, a human rights advocate who now resides in Sweden and the U.S., told The Associated Press. Meanwhile, families of detainees and the disappeared skipped celebrations of the downfall of the Assad dynasty. Instead, they waited outside prisons and security branch centers, hoping their loved ones would be there. They had high expectations for the newcomers who will now run the battered country. “This happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of prison and know where he is,” said Bassam Masri. “I have been searching for him for two hours. He has been detained for 13 years," since the start of the Syrian uprising in 2011. Rebels struggled to control the chaos as crowds gathered by the Court of Justice in Damascus. Heba, who only gave her first name while speaking to the AP, said she was looking for her brother and brother-in-law who were detained while reporting a stolen car in 2011 and hadn't been seen since. "They took away so many of us,” said Heba, whose mother’s cousin also disappeared. “We know nothing about them ... They (the Assad government) burned our hearts.” Chehayeb reported from Beirut. Associated Press writers Sarah El-Deeb and Ghaith Alsayed in Damascus contributed to this report.None
SAN FRANCISCO , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Docusign, Inc. (NASDAQ: DOCU) today announced results for its fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2024. Prepared remarks and the news release with the financial results will be accessible on Docusign's website at investor.docusign.com prior to its webcast. "Docusign delivered powerful new innovation for customers highlighted by new capabilities to its Intelligent Agreement Management ("IAM") platform," said Allan Thygesen , CEO of Docusign. "In Q3, early IAM momentum outpaced expectations, and we continued to drive improvement in our core business with strong revenue growth and operating profit." Third Quarter Financial Highlights A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures has been provided in the tables included in this press release. An explanation of these measures is also included below under the heading "Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Other Key Metrics." Key Business Highlights: IAM Product Releases and Highlights : Docusign announced new product capabilities to its IAM platform. Highlights from recent product releases include: Contract Lifecycle Management ("CLM") Product Releases and Highlights : Developer Ecosystem: Guidance The company currently expects the following guidance: A reconciliation of non-GAAP guidance measures to corresponding GAAP guidance measures is not available on a forward-looking basis without unreasonable effort due to the uncertainty regarding, and the potential variability of, expenses that may be incurred in the future. Stock-based compensation-related charges, including employer payroll tax-related items on employee stock transactions, are impacted by many factors, including the timing of employee stock transactions, the future fair market value of our common stock, and our future hiring and retention needs, all of which are difficult to predict and subject to constant change. We have provided a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures in the financial statement tables for our historical non-GAAP financial results included in this release. Webcast Conference Call Information The company will host a conference call on December 5, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. PT ( 5:00 p.m. ET ) to discuss its financial results. A live webcast of the event will be available on the Docusign Investor Relations website at investor.docusign.com . Prepared remarks and the news release with the financial results will also be accessible on Docusign's website prior to the webcast. A live dial-in will be available domestically at 877-407-0784 or internationally at 201-689-8560. A replay will be available domestically at 844-512-2921 or internationally at 412-317-6671 until midnight (EST) December 19, 2024 using the passcode 13750095. About Docusign Docusign brings agreements to life. Over 1.6 million customers and more than a billion people in over 180 countries use Docusign solutions to accelerate the process of doing business and simplify people's lives. With intelligent agreement management, Docusign unleashes business critical data that is trapped inside of documents. Until now, these were disconnected from business systems of record, costing businesses time, money, and opportunity. Using Docusign's IAM platform, companies can create, commit, and manage agreements with solutions created by the #1 company in e-signature and CLM. Learn more at www.docusign.com . Copyright 2024. Docusign, Inc. is the owner of DOCUSIGN® and all its other marks (www.docusign.com/IP). Investor Relations: Docusign Investor Relations investors@docusign.com Media Relations: Docusign Corporate Communications media@docusign.com Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are based on our management's beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management, and which statements involve substantial risk and uncertainties. All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our future operating results and financial position, our business strategy and plans, market growth and trends, objectives for future operations, and the impact of such assumptions on our financial condition and results of operations are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release also include, among other things, statements under "Guidance" above and any other statements about expected financial metrics, such as revenue, billings, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP diluted weighted-average shares outstanding, and non-financial metrics, as well as statements related to our expectations regarding the benefits, rollout and customer demand of the Docusign IAM platform. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "could," "intends," "target," "projects," "contemplates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," or "continue" or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions that concern our expectations, strategy, plans or intentions. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements about: our expectations regarding global macro-economic conditions, including the effects of inflation, volatile interest rates, and market volatility on the global economy; our ability to estimate the size and growth of our total addressable market; our ability to compete effectively in an evolving and competitive market; the impact of any data breaches, cyberattacks or other malicious activity on our technology systems; our ability to effectively sustain and manage our growth and future expenses and maintain or increase future profitability; our ability to attract new customers and maintain and expand our existing customer base; our ability to effectively implement and execute our restructuring plans; our ability to scale and update our platform to respond to customers' needs and rapid technological change, including our ability to successfully incorporate generative artificial intelligence into our existing and future products; our ability to successfully execute our technical developments, go-to-market and sales strategy for our IAM platform; our ability to expand use cases within existing customers and vertical solutions; our ability to expand our operations and increase adoption of our platform internationally; our ability to strengthen and foster our relationships with developers; our ability to retain our direct sales force, customer success team and strategic partnerships around the world; our ability to identify targets for and execute potential acquisitions and to successfully integrate and realize the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions; our ability to maintain, protect and enhance our brand; the sufficiency of our cash, cash equivalents and capital resources to satisfy our liquidity needs; limitations on us due to obligations we have under our credit facility or other indebtedness; our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of our stock repurchase program; our failure or the failure of our software to comply with applicable industry standards, laws and regulations; our ability to maintain, protect and enhance our intellectual property; our ability to successfully defend litigation against us; our ability to attract large organizations as users; our ability to maintain our corporate culture; our ability to offer high-quality customer support; our ability to hire, retain and motivate qualified personnel, including executive level management; our ability to successfully manage and integrate executive management transitions; uncertainties regarding the impact of general economic and market conditions, including as a result of regional and global conflicts; and our ability to maintain proper and effective internal controls. Additional risks and uncertainties that could affect our financial results are included in the sections titled "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2024 filed on March 21, 2024 , our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 2024 , which we expect to file on December 6, 2024 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), and other filings that we make from time to time with the SEC. The forward-looking statements made in this press release relate only to events as of the date on which such statements are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this press release or to conform such statements to actual results or revised expectations, except as required by law. Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Other Key Metrics To supplement our consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we use certain non-GAAP financial measures, as described below, to understand and evaluate our core operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures, which may be different than similarly-titled measures used by other companies, are presented to enhance investors' overall understanding of our financial performance and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information about our financial performance, enhance the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects, and allow for greater transparency with respect to important metrics used by our management for financial and operational decision-making. We present these non-GAAP measures to assist investors in seeing our financial performance using a management view, and because we believe that these measures provide an additional tool for investors to use in comparing our core financial performance over multiple periods with other companies in our industry. However, these non-GAAP measures are not intended to be considered in isolation from, a substitute for, or superior to our GAAP results. Non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP income from operations, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per share : We define these non-GAAP financial measures as the respective GAAP measures, excluding expenses related to stock-based compensation, employer payroll tax on employee stock transactions, amortization of acquisition-related intangibles, amortization of debt discount and issuance costs, fair value adjustments to strategic investments, acquisition-related expenses, lease-related impairment and lease-related charges, restructuring and other related charges, as these costs are not reflective of ongoing operations and, as applicable, other special items. The amount of employer payroll tax-related items on employee stock transactions is dependent on our stock price and other factors that are beyond our control and do not correlate to the operation of the business. When evaluating the performance of our business and making operating plans, we do not consider these items (for example, when considering the impact of equity award grants, we place a greater emphasis on overall stockholder dilution rather than the accounting charges associated with such grants). We believe it is useful to exclude these expenses in order to better understand the long-term performance of our core business and to facilitate comparison of our results to those of peer companies and over multiple periods. In addition to these exclusions, we subtract an assumed provision for income taxes to calculate non-GAAP net income. We utilize a fixed long-term projected tax rate in our computation of the non-GAAP income tax provision to provide better consistency across the reporting periods. For fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2025, we have determined the projected non-GAAP tax rate to be 20%. Free cash flow : We define free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property and equipment. We believe free cash flow is an important liquidity measure of the cash that is available (if any), after purchases of property and equipment, for operational expenses, investment in our business, and to make acquisitions. Free cash flow is useful to investors as a liquidity measure because it measures our ability to generate or use cash in excess of our capital investments in property and equipment. Once our business needs and obligations are met, cash can be used to maintain a strong balance sheet and invest in future growth. Billings : We define billings as total revenues plus the change in our contract liabilities and refund liability less contract assets and unbilled accounts receivable in a given period. Billings reflects sales to new customers plus subscription renewals and additional sales to existing customers. Only amounts invoiced to a customer in a given period are included in billings. We believe billings can be used to measure our periodic performance, when taking into consideration the timing aspects of customer renewals, which represents a large component of our business. Given that most of our customers pay in annual installments one year in advance, but we typically recognize a majority of the related revenue ratably over time, we use billings to measure and monitor our ability to provide our business with the working capital generated by upfront payments from our customers. For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, please see "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.NEW YORK (AP) — With the end of 2024 around the corner, you might be reflecting on financial goals for 2025. Whether you're saving to move out of your parents' house or pay off student loan debt, financial resolutions can help you stay motivated, said Courtney Alev, consumer advocate for Credit Karma. “Entering a new year doesn’t erase all our financial challenges from the prior year," Alev said. “But it can really help to bring a fresh-start mentality to how you’re managing your finances.” If you’re planning to make financial resolutions for the new year, experts recommend that you start by evaluating the state of your finances in 2024. Then, set specific goals and make sure they're attainable for your lifestyle. Here are some tips from experts: Change your relationship with money Think about how you currently deal with finances — what's good, what's bad, and what can improve. “Let this be the year you change your relationship with money,” said Ashley Lapato, personal finance educator for YNAB, a budgeting app. If you feel like money is a chore, that there's shame surrounding the topic of money, or like you were born being “bad at money,” it's time to change that mentality, Lapato said. To adjust your approach, Lapato recommends viewing money goals as an opportunity to imagine your desired lifestyle in the future. She recommends asking questions like, “What do my 30s look like? What do my 40s look like?” and using money as a means to get there. Liz Young Thomas, head of SoFi Investment Strategy, added that it’s key you forgive yourself for past mistakes in order to move into the new year with motivation. Know your “why” When setting your financial resolutions for 2025, it's important to establish the “why” of each, said Matt Watson, CEO of Origin, a financial tracking app. “If you can attach the financial goal to a bigger life goal, it’s much more motivating and more likely you’ll continue on that path,” Watson said. Whether you're saving to buy a house, pay off credit card debt or take a summer vacation, being clear about the goal can keep you motivated. Watson also recommends using a tool to help you keep track of your finances, such as an app, spreadsheet, or website. Budget, budget, budget “After three years of inflation, your pay increases are likely still playing catch up to your monthly expenses, leaving you wondering where all the money is going," said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate. "Make that monthly budget for 2025 and resolve to track your spending against it throughout the year." McBride said that you may need to make adjustments during the year as certain expenses increase, which would require cutting back in other areas. “Calibrate your spending with your income, and any month you spend less than budgeted, transfer the difference into your savings account, ideally a high-yield savings account,” he said. Pay down outstanding debt “Interest rates aren’t likely to come down very fast, so you’re still going to have to put in the hard work of paying down debt, especially high-cost credit card debt, and do so with urgency,” McBride said. Start by taking stock of how much debt you have now relative to the beginning of the year. Hopefully you’ve made steady progress on paying it down, but, if you’ve gone in the other direction, McBride encourages making a game plan. That includes looking into 0% balance transfer offers. Take control of your credit card interest rate “You have more power over credit card interest rates than you think you do," said Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree. “Wielding that power is one of the best moves you can make in 2025.” A 0% balance transfer credit card is “a good weapon” in the fight against high card APRs, or annual percentage rates, he said. A low-interest personal loan is an option as well. You may simply be able to pick up the phone and ask for a lower interest rate. LendingTree found that a majority of people who did that in 2024 were successful, and the average reduction was more than 6 points. Set realistic, practical goals When planning for your financial resolutions, it’s important to consider how you’re going to make your goals sustainable for your lifestyle, said Credit Karma's Alev. “It really is a marathon, not a sprint,” Alev said. Alev recommends setting realistic, practical goals to make it easier to stick with them. For example, instead of planning to save thousands of dollars by the end of the year, start by saving $20 a paycheck. Even when your plans are achievable, there are times you'll get derailed. Maybe it’s an unexpected medical bill or an extraordinary life event. When these situations happen, Alev recommends trying not to feel defeated and working to get back on track without feeling guilty. Don't ‘flamingo' or bury your head in the sand “You can't manage what you can't see, so set a New Year’s resolution to check your credit score monthly in 2025," said Rikard Bandebo, chief economist at VantageScore. “Be sure to pay more than the minimum on your credit accounts, as that's one of the best ways to boost your credit score.” Bandebo also advises student loan borrowers to make all payments on time, as servicers will begin to report late payments starting in January, and missed payments will affect borrowers' credit scores. Automate savings, where possible Automated changes, like increasing workplace 401(k) plan contributions, setting up direct deposits from paychecks into dedicated savings accounts, and arranging for monthly transfers into an IRA and/or 529 college savings accounts all add up quickly, McBride said. Slow down Your financial goals can encompass more than just managing your money better — they can also be about keeping your money safe from scams . A golden rule to protect yourself from scams is to “slow down,” said Johan Gerber, vice president of security solutions at Mastercard. “You have to slow down and talk to other people if you’re not sure (whether or not) it’s scam,” said Gerber, who recommends building an accountability system with family to keep yourself and your loved ones secure. Scammers use urgency to make people fall for their tricks, so taking your time to make any financial decision can keep you from losing money. Focus on financial wellness Your financial goals don’t always have to be rooted in a dollar amount — they can also be about well-being. Finances are deeply connected with our mental health, and, to take care of our money, we also need to take care of ourselves. “I think that now more than any other year, your financial wellness should be a resolution," said Alejandra Rojas, personal finance expert and founder of The Money Mindset Hub, a mentoring platform for women entrepreneurs. "Your mental health with money should be a resolution.” To focus on your financial wellness, you can set one or two goals focusing on your relationship with money. For example, you could find ways to address and resolve financial trauma, or you could set a goal to talk more openly with loved ones about money, Rojas said. —— The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism. Cora Lewis And Adriana Morga, The Associated Press
The Wallaroos will end a 17-year wait when they return to Canberra to face one of world rugby's most marketable stars, with a breakout sensation vowing to "show the world how much we've grown". Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue The Wallaroos will return to Canberra for the first time since 2008 when they host the USA at Canberra Stadium on May 17, forming part of a double-header with the ACT Brumbies' Super Rugby clash with the Queensland Reds. The ACT government has been hunting for marquee sporting events but Canberra is often either priced out of the market or simply overlooked in favour of other cities. The Socceroos shattered a crowd record in Canberra this year but the city's hopes of luring the Matildas to the ACT have faded with bigger states racing for hosting rights, while Wallabies, Kangaroos and Jillaroos games have not been sighted in Canberra for years. Manuka Oval will host a women's Ashes Twenty20 in January but the Australian men's cricket team has bypassed Canberra this summer as states fight to host sport's biggest events. But the Wallaroos' Pacific Four series clash could bring plenty of attention to Canberra. USA sevens convert Ilona Maher - who has drawn praise for redefining what it means to be a female athlete - has more social media followers than any rugby player on the planet with 4.6 million on Instagram and 3.3 million on TikTok . Maher has featured in Sports Illustrated and on Dancing With The Stars , and now the box office sensation has shifted to 15-a-side rugby in a bid to play at next year's World Cup. Canberra product Michaela Leonard will lead the Wallaroos onto Canberra Stadium next year. Picture Getty Images Australia and ACT Brumbies winger Biola Dawa hopes the double-header can lure more fans through the gates as the Wallaroos - captained by Canberra product and Western Fore lock Michaela Leonard - build towards the World Cup. "It will be amazing to see the stadium fuller. Just having people there is amazing," Dawa said. "Having the younger generation coming through to watch us, whether that's a double-header or standalone, it doesn't matter, as long as you get the younger generation through to watch the game. "We're all excited to play against a top nation. Going off WXV, you can't really take any team for granted. "It is a very full calendar, but it's a good opportunity to spend more time together and put in the hours we need to, to connect on and off the field to achieve the goals we've set ourselves for the World Cup." Biola Dawa and the Wallaroos will return to Canberra. Picture by Keegan Carroll The last time the Wallaroos played in Canberra, a side including Sharni Smale went within a whisker of knocking off the world champions before falling to back-to-back losses against New Zealand at Viking Park in July 2008. The Wallaroos' Canberra comeback doubles as a World Cup rehearsal with Australia set to meet the USA during the international showpiece in August. A third-place finish at the 2010 World Cup is Australia's best result after back-to-back sixth-place finishes at the past two tournaments. Following the 2025 World Cup, Australia will take centre stage by hosting the 2027 [men's] and 2029 [women's] editions. "The 2025 season is going to be a really exciting year for the Wallaroos," Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp said. "The opportunity to play seven Test matches leading into the 2025 Rugby World Cup will provide a fantastic platform for us to continue to grow as a squad following our WXV 2 title win in Cape Town. "Playing a Test match in Fiji before the Pacific Four series allows us to build into that tournament and we welcome further Test matches against New Zealand and Wales throughout July before we travel to England." Share Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Copy Caden Helmers Sports Writer Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times. Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times. More from AFL Dockers star recruit Bolton keeps lid on flag hype Joanna Guelas No one can replace Daniher: Lions recruit Day Joanna Guelas Larkey looking forward as recruits bolster rising Roos Melissa Woods Dockers star recruit Bolton keeps lid on flag hype Joanna Guelas No one can replace Daniher: Lions recruit Day Joanna Guelas Larkey looking forward as recruits bolster rising Roos Melissa Woods Soldo in seamless return to Port after trade request Steve Larkin More from sports Brendan wanted to retire at 40. Nine years later he has $70m reasons to smile Chris Dutton • No comment s This Canberra star needed stitches, and the first thing she said will stun you Caden Helmers • No comment s 'Make sure we're not just handing out caps': Canberra's warning for Matildas Caden Helmers • No comment s Brendan wanted to retire at 40. Nine years later he has $70m reasons to smile Chris Dutton • No comment s This Canberra star needed stitches, and the first thing she said will stun you Caden Helmers • No comment s 'Make sure we're not just handing out caps': Canberra's warning for Matildas Caden Helmers • No comment s The audacious bid to turn this sport into Canberra's biggest summer spectacle Caden Helmers • No comment s More from Brumbies This Australian team is set to play in Canberra for the first time in 17 years 41m ago • No comment s Back to school: Why the Brumbies are taking a game to a Canberra college No comment s The stars the Brumbies must sign as the club braces for a market frenzy No comment s Demolition man: Why this 135kg Tongan Test powerhouse joined the Brumbies No comment s Will the ACT Greens block the budget over a new stadium or racing? No comment s Imagine this combination in their prime: Why Pocock teamed up with Larkham No comment s Newsletters & Alerts View all DAILY Your morning news Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. Loading... WEEKDAYS The lunch break Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. Loading... DAILY Sport The latest news, results & expert analysis. Loading... WEEKDAYS The evening wrap Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. Loading... WEEKLY Note from the Editor Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. Loading... WEEKLY FootyHQ Love footy? We've got all the action covered. Loading... DAILY Early Look At David Pope Your exclusive preview of David Pope's latest cartoon. Loading... AS IT HAPPENS Public Service News Don't miss updates on news about the Public Service. Loading... WEEKLY Explore Travel Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. Loading... WEEKLY Property Get the latest property and development news here. Loading... WEEKLY What's On Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. Loading... WEEKLY Weekend Reads We've selected the best reading for your weekend. Loading... WEEKLY Times Reader's Panel Join our weekly poll for Canberra Times readers. Loading... WEEKDAYS The Echidna Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. Loading... TWICE WEEKLY The Informer Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. Loading... WEEKLY Motoring Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. Loading... TWICE WEEKLY Voice of Real Australia Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. Loading... AS IT HAPPENS Breaking news alert Be the first to know when news breaks. Loading... DAILY Today's Paper Alert Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! Loading... DAILY Your favourite puzzles Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Loading...OpenAI releases Sora, its buzzy AI video-generation toolBest Bets, Odds for the Titans vs. Jaguars Game – Week 17