Podcasts about LBW

St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Farmersville, OhioMay 18, 2025Fifth Sunday of EasterAnnouncementsOpening Hymn - "All Are Welcome"Responsive ReadingPrayer of the DayFirst Lesson - Acts 13:44-52Second Lesson - Revelation 21:1-5Hymn - "Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us With Your Love" - WOV #765 Gospel - John 13:31-35Sermon - "The Real Secret to Being a Christian"Song - "Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)"Apostles' CreedOfferingOffertory - "We Give Thee But Thine Own" - LBW #410, v. 1Prayers of the Church and Lord's PrayerBenedictionExodus Hymn - "Blest Be the Tie That Binds" - LBW #370DismissalFor the video version of today's service, please visit https://youtu.be/mI3iTZ3uNlkMay God bless you now and always!

St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Farmersville, OhioMarch 16, 2025Second Sunday in LentAnnouncementsPreludeOpening Hymn - "Are You Washed in the Blood of the Lamb?"Responsive ReadingPrayer of the DayChildren's SermonFirst Lesson - Jeremiah 26:8-15Second Lesson - Philippians 3:17 - 4:1Hymn - "Just As I Am" - LBW #296Gospel - Luke 13:31-35Sermon - "Witness: To Transformation"Song - "Lord, I Need You"Apostles' CreedOfferingOffertory - "We Give Thee But Thine Own" - LBW #410`, v. 1Prayers of the Church and Lord's PrayerBenedictionExodus Hymn - "Power in the Blood"DismissalJoin us this Sunday at 10:00 A.M.!

In Episode 47, “Creating Opportunity: Transforming the Community with Skills Training”, podcast hosts Houston Blackwood and Julie Frizzell sit down with Chad Sutton, Associate Dean of Workforce Development and Strategic Initiatives at LBW Community College, to dive into impactful workforce development efforts.Chad sheds light on how LBW is driving meaningful change in the community through Skills for Success and their workforce programs, offering vital skill-building opportunities to diverse groups, including high school students, incumbent workers, and incarcerated individuals. Learn how LBW is breaking down barriers, like bridging the digital divide for those without internet access, while empowering individuals with hands-on training and real-world skills.Tune in to hear how these programs are shaping the future, creating opportunity, and making a lasting impact in the community. Get ready to be inspired by the transformative work happening at LBW Community College!

During this quarter of the year, one of the most popular questions is: I heard about tax-loss harvesting from my friends/CPA/family. Should I do it? Tax-loss harvesting is a strategy investors use to offset capital gains by intentionally selling investments in taxable accounts at a loss. While it may be useful for a complex taxable account, it doesn't necessarily make sense for someone with smaller investable assets.  It may even hurt the long-term performance if executed improperly. In this episode, Nathaniel discussed some misconceptions of this strategy, the pros, and the cons. Stay tuned.

When it comes to private investments, guess what topic we get asked the most? Yes, real estate! Today, we will discuss a strategy called the “1031 exchange”. The biggest advantage is the tax deferral function. You can keep rolling from one real estate investment to the next (with some nuances.) And if you do it right, it can potentially eliminate capital gains taxes entirely for your heirs. But as with all financial tools, it's not for everyone. A 1031 exchange also has some strict rules and significant drawbacks. Is it right for you?

This is our “How to pick a financial advisor” mini-series.  First, did you know that only roughly 15% of financial advisors are “fiduciaries”, meaning we are legally and ethically bound to act in the best interests of our clients.  The rest are operating their business under the “suitability rule”, meaning they don't need to do what's best for you, as long as it isn't grossly inappropriate.  Some brokers may say that they “act” as fiduciaries, but that may hold no legal validity.  Dan discusses why it's important to find a true fiduciary advisor, and how you can verify this information.

Today, we're breaking down the order to invest your money.  We hear this question from our clients all the time: my friends are investing in this private deal, should I do something like that as well?  Well, hold the horses a bit, because before we go all the way to the “private deal”, there are some other basic (maybe not as sexy as a private deal), but more important glasses we need to fill first.  Let me introduce you to our Investment Champagne Tower!

Nathaniel talked about how high interest rates impact your investments previously.  In this episode, Tim discusses how interest rates impact daily financial planning, from mortgages, car loans, and credit cards, to savings and budgeting.  Tim said it so well: the point of planning is positioning.  It allows you to put yourself in a good position to take advantage when an opportunity presents itself!

South Africa have reached their first ever Men's World Cup final after beating Afghanistan in the ICC T20 World Cup. They have previously lost two T20 semi-finals, most recently in 2014 against India and lost five 50 Over World Cup semi-finals. Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma debate if they can lift the trophy after going unbeaten so far in the competition. Plus they discuss Afghanistan reaching their first ever World Cup semi-final and their journey through the competition. Plus Jim Maxwell shares where it went wrong for Australia after their early exit at the World Cup and whether it was a good tournament for the West Indies who were knocked out in the Super 8s. They ask what is next for Sri Lanka after Head Coach Chris Silverwood resigned. We hear from Netherlands cricketer Sybrand Engelbrecht who has retired from the sport aged 35. Photo: Tabraiz Shamsi of South Africa celebrates alongside teammates during a DRS review to successfully dismiss Noor Ahmad of Afghanistan (not pictured) LBW during the ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup West Indies & USA 2024 Semi-Final match between South Africa and Afghanistan at Brian Lara Cricket Academy on June 26, 2024 in Tarouba, Trinidad And Tobago. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

We're Back! with Manny's blessings LBW is back with Jay and new cohost Carlos. We introduce Carlos and he comes in HOT with a stalker story.

As you may have already heard, the Federal Reserve announced that it plans to hold interest rates steady amid high inflation, and forecasted just one cut in 2024 instead of three to six.  In this episode, Nathaniel discussed what that means for your investments.  And why did the market keep going up in a high-interest rate environment when in theory should have gone down?

Welcome to The Nonlinear Library, where we use Text-to-Speech software to convert the best writing from the Rationalist and EA communities into audio. This is: Introducing Ansh: A Charity Entrepreneurship Incubated Charity, published by Supriya on May 29, 2024 on The Effective Altruism Forum. Executive Summary Ansh, a 1-year-old Charity Entrepreneurship incubated charity, has been delivering an evidence-based, scientifically proven intervention called Kangaroo Care to low birth weight and premature babies in 2 government hospitals in India since January 2024. Ansh estimates that their programs are saving, on average, 4 lives a month per facility and a total of 98 lives per year. The cost of one life saved is approximately $2077 (current costs, not a potential estimate). Ansh is now replicating the programs in two additional hospitals, doubling their impact before the end of this year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), neonatal conditions[1] are among the top 10 causes of death worldwide[2]. This makes neonatal mortality one of the largest-scale causes of suffering and death today. In 2022, 2.3 million babies died in the first 28 days of life (i.e. the newborn/neonatal period) (World Health Organisation, 2024). Let's compare that number to one of EA's other top cause areas. In 2022, 608,000 people died of malaria, which is about 26.4% lower than neonatal conditions. However, we have a cost-effective, scalable model for preventing malaria-caused death (e.g., with AMF and Malaria Consortium). Unfortunately, there has been no equivalently cost-effective and scalable model for preventing neonatal mortality. In this post, we will introduce Ansh, a 1-year-old Charity Entrepreneurship incubated charity that is working towards building tractable, scalable solutions to neonatal mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). 81% of neonatal deaths happen in low and Low-Middle SDI countries. The disparities in mortality rates between low and high-resource contexts suggest that most neonatal deaths are preventable. In the sections below, we will first introduce Ansh and its mission statement, share our results thus far, and then introduce some of our plans for how to increase our reach and impact over the next few years. We are very excited to share the work we've done so far with the EA community, and to hear your constructive feedback on how we can make our non-profit even more impactful! I. The Problem and Solution More than half of all neonatal deaths occur within the first three days after birth (Dol J, 2021) and over 75% in the first week of life (WHO, 2024), making it imperative to reach babies as soon after birth as possible. Moreover, low birth weight (LBW)[3] is considered the number one mortality risk factor for children under 5. In fact, according to the Global Burden of Disease, around 89% of all newborn deaths in India (the country where about 22% of all newborn deaths in the world occur) happen to LBW and preterm newborns. Further, 81% of all newborn deaths occur in Low or Low-Middle SDI countries (Global Burden of Disease Collaborative Network, 2019). Hence, the most effective path toward reducing neonatal mortality rates globally lies in developing interventions aimed at helping LBW babies during their first week of life in LMIC contexts. Thankfully, such an intervention exists: Kangaroo Care. Kangaroo Care (KC) needs neither fancy equipment nor expensive technology - the methods of KC are both simple and highly effective, especially for LBW newborns. KC requires early, continuous, and prolonged skin-to-skin contact between the mother (or another caregiver) and the baby for about 8 hours of contact per day-paired with exclusive breastfeeding and close monitoring of the baby. This is often assisted with a cloth binder, between the LBW newborn and caregiver (preferably the mother), to allow for mobility. Estimates from the 2016 Cochrane review suggest that KC can reduce LBW neonates' chance of (i) ...

Today we're diving into a topic that's crucial for self-employed individuals: investment account types. Whether you're a freelancer, consultant, or small business owner, understanding these options can be a game-changer for your financial future and retirement. So, let's get started.

How does Lutheran Braille Workers reach the blind and visually impaired with the Gospel? Daniel Jenkins, President of Lutheran Braille Workers (LBW), joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the current status of the blind and visually impaired population in the US, the opportunities for sharing the Gospel with this population, how LBW has reached the blind and visually impaired in the last year, how LBW is able to serve those in prison, and stories of the growing need for accessible Bibles and faith-development materials. Learn more about LBW's work and how to support them, including volunteer opportunities, at lbwloveworks.org.

The man who has scored more Test runs and more Test centuries than any other player from New Zealand was always likely to be a childhood star - but Kane Williamson's first cricket coach says it wasn't just his ability, but the way he carried himself that set him apart and set him on the course to be our greatest ever. David Johnston worked for Bay of Plenty Cricket for many years and came across a young Williamson playing junior cricket, already making a name for himself. At a regional primary school tournament Johnston told Newstalk ZB's Jason Pine he witnessed something that told him that Williamson was not only a player of supreme talent, but one that understood and respected the game of cricket. “It was in Gisborne at a Northern Districts primary school tournament, his Dad Brett was coaching them. He'd peeled off three centuries in the first three days so his dad changed the batting order, Kane came in at about eight I think. The team was in pretty serious trouble, maybe six down for not too many. “He proceeded to work his way through and he got to the last partner and I think they might have put on about 60 or 70 for the last wicket - Kane ended up with a hundred.” “As they walked off the field, the players stood to clap Kane and he stood back and let the young guy, who was about three or four not out at the other end, leave the field first because Kane recognised and respected he couldn't have done that without the young man that had been batting at the other end. That's just the mark of the boy back then at the age of 12 - and nothing's changed.” Williamson has become one of the most well-liked and respected cricketers in today's game and Johnston told Pine it comes down to an insatiable desire to be better - not better than his peers, but better than himself. “His father Brett had coach him in his early years and he'd done a very good job of establishing some pretty strong foundations in his game and once I got involved it was very obvious early on that he was not only quite talented but he had this prodigious desire to improve and I think that's the greatest thing about Kane.” “The desire to be better and it's nothing to do with being better than everybody else, it's just being better than himself. He used to practice harder than anybody else.” “Those who know Kane and those who have thrown cricket balls to him over the years would attest to the fact that nothing's changed he just loves to practice and loves to become better.” One of the marks of Williamson's ability is his appearance that things come easy to him when he is batting - Johnston says that wasn't always the case but that is one of the factors that led to his greatness. “I think his first game for Northern Districts he actually got a pair, playing against Auckland. So as a 16 or 17-year-old batting first drop I think it might have been Andre Adams got him LBW twice. “So right from the start, it didn't always happen but he had this thirst for improvement, this thirst for knowledge and thirst to be better. He dealt with it a lot better than anybody else and that's why he's one of the greats of today's cricket.”  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Titus sits down with author Dan Liebke to discuss his new book, The 100 Funniest Moments in Australian Cricket. They discuss Rob Quiney's resurrection of a dead seagull, Shane Watson's LBW appeals, Dennis Lillee asking the Queen for an autograph and Jeff Thomson's speech at the Allan Border Medal. For tickets to Titus' new live show; Sport: The Unauthorised History click here.  If you'd like more Sports Bizarre, become a member of Bizarre Plus. Click here to join today As a member, you'll get: A weekly bonus podcast Access to all past episodes Exclusive behind-the-scenes access A fortnightly newsletter Access to the members-only chatroom Ability to vote on future episodes Early access to any live show tickets Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTubeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Caps are bowling first in the opening cricket test against hosts Bangladesh in Sylhet. Moments ago, Bangladesh were 20 without loss, with New Zealand having a couple of early LBW shouts turned down and burning a review on one of them. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tales from the recent Tailenders Tour, the Angelo Mathews 'Timed Out' affair, can anyone stop India, and meet 'Timmy Banderson'. Plus Mattchin returns with a ‘dismissal edition' of a quiz favourite and what is your favourite ever LBW?

Pakistan lost their 4th game in a row in the ODI WC and is out of the tournament. Let's talk.

Presentation by Daniel Jenkins from Lutheran Braille Workers, informing us of the need for Braille, and the work that is done by the LBW. October 15, 2023

Daniel Jenkins, President of Lutheran Braille Workers, and  Nate Paredes, CFO of Lutheran Braille Workers, join Andy to talk about how many people are blind or visually impaired worldwide and in the US, what resources like Bibles are available to the blind and visually impaired, some roadblocks to resources like these being widely available, how LBW is meeting the needs of these people, and stories of lives who have been impacted by Lutheran Braille Workers. Learn more about Lutheran Braille Workers at lbwloveworks.org.

Welcome back to the Bishop and Bear. There's a white ball series against New Zealand coming up and who better to chat with about that, than our guest on the Barstool of Bravado today? A former New Zealand opening bowler with 73 Test wickets no less. Eight of those were against England and included Kevin Pietersen Michael Vaughan, Alistair Cook and Andrew Strauss amongst them. An old friend of the show, he's also written a children's book called ‘Pirates Don't Play Cricket', though I'm not sure if it answers the vital question of whether you can be LBW with a wooden leg.   It's Iain O'Brien of course. And he's the first person to order a Pina Colada in the Bishop and Bear too.   It wouldn't be a Bishop and Bear chat if we didn't meander off topic a bit, but this one does get very interesting in a whole number of areas we weren't necessarily expecting. Here are some of the topics covered, though I wouldn't rely on the running order much if I were you.   ·     New Zealand series – expectations? ·     8 games between England and NZ, then first game up in the World Cup. How much relevance can we place on a series in England? Does familiarity breed contempt? ·     A bowler down for England (John Turner) and we haven't even started yet! Injuries and quick bowlers – just bad luck, or can bowlers do more to prevent damage? ·     Returning Boult and Rachin Ravindra in focus ·     World Cup predictions – India at home will be hard to beat surely? ·     Franchises around the world. How does Iain feel watching the changing cricket landscape?     Don't forget, if you haven't yet got yourself some Ponting wine, our special offer will stay open just a little longer. You can get that 15% discount right here using the special gcashes2023 code.   Cheers and thank you again!   Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you are planning to have a child, or you just had one, there are some financial preparations that you may find extremely beneficial in the long run:1. Cash Flow: Create a realistic budget and increase your emergency fund;2. Estate Planning: Pick your guardians, create a trust, or at least complete the free estate planning templates your state provides;3. Life Insurance: Now that you have (or are about to have) another person who depends on you, please review your insurance needs.  It's a risk management tool, not an investment!4. Education Planning: Utilize 529 plans and other useful investment vehicles for your child;5. Tax Breaks: Talk to your advisor and CPA about child and dependent care credits, FSAs, and other tax benefits.

In this episode, Nathaniel and Tim discussed what the S&P 500 index is, its performance, and does it truly represent the overall stock market.  From January 1 to June 20, 2023, the S&P 500 increased 14.3%.  That's well above the 10-year and 20-year averages through that same time period of 3.6% and 3%, respectively.  "The markets must be doing really well this year then!", you may think.  But why are your 401(k)/retirement accounts not doing as well?  Did you know that the top 9 companies of this index (Apple, Microsoft, Amazon.com, Nvidia, Tesla, Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Berkshire Hathaway, and UnitedHealth Group) accounted for almost 31% of the market capitalization?  And if you exclude these top 9 stocks, the index would be up about 3% in the same time frame, making it a very mediocre year.  Nathaniel talked about what drives the 2023 jump, and the volatility of the short-term market.

In this episode, Tim and Nathaniel discussed estate planning for digital assets.  This is a relatively new concept for older generations.  Most of us are familiar with wills and trusts for cash, real estate, and other investments.  But what about digital assets like Bitcoin, online bank accounts, etc.?  If you are an influencer or work in the media industry, what about your social media accounts, movie/music rights?  Nathaniel and Tim also discussed password management.  We understand that estate planning is always difficult because we don't want to face our mortality.  But please give it a try, and do the hard work on estate planning, so that your loved ones can focus on mourning your passing and building a meaningful life afterward, instead of stressing out about where everything is.

In this episode, Tim and Nathaniel discussed private investments: what're their qualifications, why they have income/assets restrictions, and how should one view them.  A couple of research filters to go through: define your goals, understand the vehicles, consider the risk, know the management/leadership, and pay the right price.  Nathaniel made a great point: if you have a small business or part-time side business, the best private investment could actually be your own company.  You know the industry well, you understand the product/service, and you are in control of the execution.  When it comes to investments, new and shiny may not be the best option.  Why not put your money into things you know best?!

Threads is Meta's latest social media app.  It's a Twitter-like product with short missives you can share with followers.  It lets you post text, photos, links, and videos.  It reached 100 million subscribers in a record time: within 2 days.  In comparison: it took ChatGPT 2 months, TikTok 9 months, Instagram 30 months, cell phones 15 years, and telephones 75 years.  Tim and Nathaniel discussed from an investor's perspective, what Twitter's and Thread's (really Twitter and Meta's) pros and cons are and what the future may hold for them.

For this episode, Nathaniel and Tim discussed investments within the music industry.  The earning method has changed in the past decade with streaming services.  Nathaniel used Taylor Swift as a perfect example of how top artists can change the power dynamic with corporate giants.  There are many different types of organizations in the music industry (artists, music production, recording companies, publishing companies, agencies, etc.); which ones will Nathaniel choose to invest with?  He gave his answer and reasoning.

In the last episode, we discussed some frequent spending habits we've seen, and how we should interpret them.  For this episode, we are going to discuss budgeting.  Before we start, understand that this is going to be an emotional and hard exercise.  Ask yourself, are you really ready to make a lifestyle change if needed?  Be realistic about your expectations and numbers: if not, you are going to fail again and again, and create a negative emotion feedback.  Dan and Tim discussed delayed gratification, outliers, and the importance of understanding the value of your dollar: both quantitatively and qualitatively.  How you feel matters a lot when it comes to budgeting.

This is part one of our spending habits discussion.  Dan and Tim listed what people call “spending red flags”: frequent small expenses like coffee and restaurants; unused subscriptions and memberships; impulse purchases; and trying to keep up with your friends.  We are not disagreeing with these points, but it's also important to understand this: our spending is not about the objects/services that we pay for, but more about the emotions behind the purchase.  You have to ask yourself: why did I buy it, and does it bring me the maximum happiness?  

The crypto ETFs are not doing too well for the past year.  The fall of some leading players like Tierra/Luna and FTX hurt investors greatly, and the potential criminal fraud investigation is even more alarming.  And now, with the rise of ChatGPT, you can clearly see that crypto is no longer ETFs' favorite new baby; the money is moving to the AI world.  Investors are piling into shares of graphics chip maker Nvidia, Microsoft, Google, and other stocks that they think stand to benefit from AI technology. What can we learn from the crypto fallout, and should we jump on the new AI investing wagon?  Nathaniel and Tim discuss the four main reasons why investors lost millions over crypto and their thoughts on how to approach the new AI investment trend.

In this episode, Nathaniel discussed 4 hot industries that he won't invest in, and what his exceptions are:1.     No commodities like oil, gold, and silver, etc., but yes to commodity royalties.2.     No Bitcoin, but yes to blockchain technology or other related industries.3.     No real estate as a landlord, but yes to professional real estate investment groups.4.     No cash-heavy and cyclical industries like shipping, but yes to utilities and railroads in the US.Overall, you can find a pattern: Nathaniel doesn't like asset-heavy and high-risk industries, and he doesn't like investments that require a lot of upfront capital-intensive work either.  But overall, that's not what ultimately stops him.  What Nathaniel truly cares about when he invests, is his circle of competence.  Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Warren Buffett, Dr. Dre, what makes them successful?  They all stick with what they are good at: their own business, their strength, their core values.  When it comes to investing, most of the time “safe and boring” is good!  It's not worth it to chase the next “sexy new thing”.

The U.S. government has never defaulted on its debt, and it's unlikely it will default this time either.  But if it were to happen theoretically, it would have severe consequences for the country's economy and global financial markets, from rising interest rates to lower stock market prices, and from higher inflation to the end of the U.S. Dollar dominance.  What can one do to prepare for such a disaster?  Academics have differing opinions, but in real-life practice, our one golden rule is: position yourself well with complete and consistent financial planning and actually execute the plan.  Don't deviate from your ongoing investment contributions or distributions, be it your 401k or other retirement accounts.  CONSISTENCY IS KEY.  Nathaniel gave an example of 2011 when the U.S. came close to default, and what would have happened to your investment if you had sold everything in a panic vs. holding your position and riding the turmoil out.

Charlie Munger and Warren Buffett are Nathaniel's all-time favorite investors.  As always, they offered a lot of wisdom (and a couple of zings) at the 2023 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting.  Tim and Nathaniel discussed the duo's take on: 1. Why are they against "diversification" when everyone else thinks it's the golden rule, and the importance of building up your circle of competence; 2. The pair called Elon Musk a "brilliant, brilliant man", but may "overestimate himself" sometimes; and 3. This is one of Nathaniel's favorite quotes: "You should write your obituary and figure out how to live up to it."  Overall, their take on life is simple, and yet requires a lot of self-discipline: "You spend less than you earn.  Invest shrewdly.  Avoid toxic people and toxic activities.  Try to keep learning all your life.  And do a lot of deferred gratification.  If you do all of those things, you are almost certain to succeed."

For this episode, we asked ChatGPT and Google Bard: "Write a podcast outline on how will ChatGPT/Google Bard change the financial planning industry?"  Here is the second part of each chatbot's outline.Discuss potential concerns and limitations of using ChatGPT in financial planning:o Make mistakes that could lead to financial losses.o Be biased in its advice, which could lead to people making poor financial decisions. o Not be able to understand all of the nuances of a person's financial situation, which could lead to bad advice.Overall all, we believe that AI technology is good at gathering, processing, and analyzing raw data.  It will help advisors to scale their practice rapidly.  But as always, a brilliant plan is only great when executed correctly.  Until the machine learns to feel (oh man, we hope not), we will always need a human touch in the financial planning industry.  Because most of the time, people choose not the best plan, but the one that makes them feel complete, relaxed, and happy.

For this episode, we asked ChatGPT and Google Bard: "Write a podcast outline on how will ChatGPT/Google Bard change the financial planning industry?"  Here is the first part of each chatbot's outline.From Chat GPT:I. Introduction A. Introduce the topic of how ChatGPT is poised to revolutionize the financial planning industry B. Briefly explain what ChatGPT is and its capabilitiesII. Background on the financial planning industryA. Discuss the traditional model of financial planning B. Identify the limitations of the traditional model C. Explain how technology has already begun to disrupt the financial planning industryIII. The role of ChatGPT in financial planningA. Explain how ChatGPT can improve upon the traditional model of financial planning B. Highlight some of the specific ways ChatGPT can help financial planners and their clients 1. Streamlining data collection and analysis2. Providing personalized investment recommendations3. Automating routine tasks4. Improving communication and customer serviceGoogle Bard:I. Introduction Introduce the topic of Google Bard and how it can change the financial planning industry.II. Discuss the potential benefits of using Google Bard for financial planning.A. Save more money by creating personalized budgets and investment plans. B. Make better financial decisions by providing access to unbiased information and advice.C. Reach their financial goals sooner by taking advantage of automated investing and other features.In the second part of the episode next week, we will discuss the rest of the outlines created by ChatGPT and Google Bard, which focuses more on potential problems and challenges.

In this episode, Ying and Nathaniel discussed the fight between Disney World and the state of Florida.  Back in 2022, the state of Florida passed the Parental Rights in Education bill, aka “Don't Say Gay” law.  Because of Disney World's pushback, the Governor of Florida sought to take away Disney's special tax district until he realized that the abolishment of the district would require taxpayers in Orange and Osceola Counties to pick up the tab for services paid by Disney World like fire protection and road maintenance, and more than $1 billion in debt.  Instead, a new bill was passed to take control of the special zone's board.  The Governor also implied that the government wanted more control over Disney's content within the parks.  In response, Disney passed a Declaration which essentially took control away from the future board and gave it back to Disney, the company.  There is a unique time period term “King Charles III clause" assigned to the Declaration, which makes the new Declaration valid virtually forever.  We believe any company has the right to make a stand on social matters; but at the same time, the power balance between the government and corporations is quite delicate.  It will be interesting to see how this event will continue to unfold, mostly at the cost of Florida's taxpayers and Disney.

Many studies have been done from quality and quantity perspectives on whether money can buy happiness.  It can, to a certain level.  Caroline recommended reading the book: "Happy Money: The New Science of Smarter Spending" by Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton.  The authors discussed 5 ways to actually increase happiness with money: 1. buying experiences; 2. buying time; 3. making it a treat; 4. paying now and consuming later; and 5. investing in others.  How does all that tie in with financial planning?  We don't care where you spend your money (well, as long as it's legal). What we do care about is whether you understand your spending patterns?  Is it sustainable?  Do you have enough cash to be prepared for unexpected life changes?  And lastly, is your spending matching your ultimate life goals?

In today's world, with social media's help (or curse?), we are beyond "keeping up with the Joneses."  Billions of people on the internet are our "neighbor Jones" that we are trying to keep up and compete with, from the five bedrooms house in the Valley to the new Porsche, from traveling to Naples on a whim with some friends to the new Birkin special order.  Social pressure spending can get out of control fast.  Dan gave some chilling data: did you know 40% of millennials have gone into debt to keep up with their friends?  Oh my... Gary gave some tips on keeping your FOMO ("fear of missing out") spending in check.  One of my personal favorites: practice gratitude!

Nathaniel and Tim discussed the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank: what happened and what went wrong.  First, unlike most banks, most of SVB's clients are not retail individuals/small businesses, but VC-funded tech/crypto startups.  As you know, they are having a tough year.  They are burning through cash and thus taking significant deposits out of SVB.  SVB had to sell its long-term bonds/Treasuries at a loss to cover its withdrawals.  The snowball started to roll from there.  Because most of its clients are VC-funded startups, the average account is a whopping $4.2 million, far over the FDIC's threshold of $250,000 per account per bank (the definition is more complex than this).  Therefore, when the snowball got going, depositors had a legitimate worry that they may not get their money back, creating a feedback loop that exacerbated the situation.  We believe this is an isolated situation because of SVB's unique client base and its management's apparent risk management oversight.   Of course, nothing is risk-free (not even U.S. Treasuries), but the average person's accounts are likely safe.

Caroline and Tim discussed some highlights of SECURE ACT 2.0 and how it impacts us:1. The age changes of RMDs (Required Minimum Distributions).2. Allowing direct transfers from 529 plans to Roth IRAs under certain circumstances.3. Changes with 401(k)s.4. 401(k) catch-up contributions.5. New Roth SIMPLE/SEP IRAs for small businesses and self-employment.6. Employer's match for emergency savings.All these new rules have nuances/circumstances built around them; please consult an Advisor and see if they make sense for you.

1.Free estate planning documents.2.Guardianship for minor children (or your pets!)3.Is Trust right for me?4.Burial instructions.5.End-of-life instructions (Living Will).6.POAs.7.Asset distribution.8.Knick-knacks.9.Communicating with your loved ones about where you store your documents.10.Routine review.

Some people say that with today's technology, there's no need to have a financial advisor anymore.  Robo/AI advisor has its uses: it's relatively cheaper, it can work 24/7 without any vacation, and the algorithms make objective investment decisions without bias.  But does this mean we no longer need a human touch in financial decisions?  Absolutely not!  We are the information generation, and there's certainly no lack of data or information.  But then what?  How do I interpret the data?  How do I apply the solution to myself?  How do I put all the different pieces together and compile the complete financial picture of my household?  And most importantly, how do I FEEL about my money and my life?  Robo/AI advisors can't tell you these answers.  The algorithms can calculate data and present you with possibilities, but it's still up to a human who is capable of empathy to interpret the data and advise.

For part II of the episode, Dan and Kennidy discussed how to manage your financial routine as a couple/partner.  Do you join finances?  Do you consolidate debts?  How do you define the roles of finances?  Is one of you taking the lead?  Do you value your partners' non-monetary contributions?  How to effectively discuss financial goals such as college planning, retirement, inheritance, charitable giving, estate planning, etc.?  How do you navigate conflict and what happens when your income changes significantly?  As much as we don't want to admit it, finance can often make or break a relationship.  Consistent communication is always a key component.  Talk finance to your partner!

This is part I of the episode where we discuss how can a couple/partners talk about finances.  A survey showed that 41% of divorced Gen Xers and 29% of Boomers say they ended their marriage due to disagreements about money. Talking about money is important for any couple, whether you are dating, are domestic partners, or are married.  “Even at the dating phase?” you ask.  Yes!  Money means different things to different people.  It may be about security, reward, ability, a means to an end, or to a lot of first-generational wealth: empowerment.  So it's a good idea to ask yourself and then your date, what does money mean to you?  That answer may significantly impact your dating pool.  Second phase: now you are in a steady relationship, you need to build a routine together: Do you want to join finances?; Should you have prenuptial conversations?; How do you feel about gifting/charity?  As we always say, it's better to have these awkward but critical discussions when everything is good.  For part II of the episode, we are going to talk about the third phase: managing your finance routine as a couple.

There's increasing discussion about Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) - don't confuse it with Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies.  CBDC is not a new crypto.  It's still US dollars released by the Federal Reserve, just in the digital format.  The benefits are clear: more efficient and low-cost; faster access to assets and financial systems; it can also continue to strengthen USD as a global currency.  However, the drawbacks and risks may also be potentially astronomical if not planned carefully: cybersecurity risks to not only your savings but the stock market, investments, banking, etc.; how can people get access if they live remotely?; privacy concerns for citizens from the government, etc.  Overall, with blockchain and other technologies, some type of digital currency is coming, one way or another.  It will be very interesting to see how will the Federal Reserve sets it all up!

Because the U.S. has been running on a deficit (less tax revenue than the total spending) for the last few decades (with a few exceptions), we have a debt problem.  The U.S. national debt hit $31.51 trillion as of Jan. 26. 2023.  Our current debt ceiling is $31.4 trillion.  What happens then?  Nathaniel and Tim discussed how Congress can increase the debt ceiling (once again), how the dollar being a global reserve currency plays an important role in our national debt issue, and what happens if the country defaults on its debt.  Overall, the odds of default are unlikely now.  But for the long term, it's definitely something that we should keep a pulse on, for the consenquences will be catastrophic.

Why is it important to talk about finance in the family?  Because money is not just about money.  It's particularly hard to discuss finance with your aging parents/loved ones because it makes them feel vulnerable.  In addition, you can be 60 years old, but your 88-year-old father still views you as a child.  Some important topics you should cover with your parents: estate planning (parents, please don't leave the terrible burden “should we pull dad's tube?” to your kids.  Have a Living Will!), inheritance, college planning, business succession, etc.  Dan offered some tips: do it together as a family, don't play telephone between the siblings; be sensitive, be patient and be calm; make it a routine because things may change and evolve; and last but not least, communicate, communicate and communicate!  It's the crucial ingredient in all relationships. 

ELW 304 - Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized // ʟᴏʙᴛ ɢᴏᴛᴛ, ɪʜʀ ᴄʜʀɪꜱᴛᴇɴ ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // The dove appears as “peaceful” and “urgent” as a flame. These are both images of the Spirit in Scripture, but in this context, the Spirit is “peaceful” because of the promise spoken - “you are my beloved Son” - yet “urgent” because of the work of ministry to save and redeem the world.Stanza 2 // Christ comes to do “God's holy will” - that is, to fulfill what we, as sinners, cannot. He is sent to “proclaim the reign/kingdom of heaven” - to give mercy wherever sinners are found.Stanza 3 // From baptism, a seemingly picturesque moment, Jesus moves “straightway and steadfast unto death.” This is what it means to be a servant - to die in this world, and be clothed in the righteousness given/fulfilled by our Lord. The hymnal 1982 originally reads “...obeyed [his] call” - meaning the call of God, the Father. Christ is “well-pleased” with the Son as the one who is obedient or “steadfast” to death.Stanza 4 // The fourth stanza is a prayer. Finding “perfect freedom in God's service” can sound like the Law, but to be a servant in the kingdom of Christ is to be named as a sinner, and forgiven as one of God's own children - as stanza two says - to hear the “reign of heaven proclaimed.” The cross is signed on us with the promise God gives - “you are my beloved child.” The “perfect freedom” we find in the cross is God's righteousness given to sinners.OTHER SUGGESTIONS:LBW 79 - To Jordan Came the Christ, Our Lord - ᴄʜʀɪꜱᴛ, ᴜɴꜱᴇʀ ʜᴇʀʀLBW 192 - Baptized into Your Name Most Holy - ᴏ ᴅᴀꜱꜱ ɪᴄʜ ᴛᴀᴜꜱᴇɴᴅ ᴢᴜɴɢᴇɴ ʜÄᴛᴛᴇELW 305 - When Jesus Came to Jordan - ᴋɪɴɢ'ꜱ ʟʏɴɴLSB 404 - Jesus, Once with Sinners Numbered - ᴍɪꜱꜱɪꜱꜱɪᴘᴘɪLSB 405 - To Jordan's River Came Our Lord - ᴡɪɴᴄʜᴇꜱᴛᴇʀ ɴᴇᴡELW 442 - All Who Believe and Are Baptized - ᴇꜱ ɪꜱᴛ ᴅᴀꜱ ʜᴇɪʟELW 447 - O Blessed Spring - ʙᴇʀɢʟᴜɴᴅELW 448 - This Is the Spirit's Entry Now - ʟᴀɴᴅ ᴏꜰ ʀᴇꜱᴛELW 449 - We Know That Christ Is Raised - ᴇɴɢᴇʟʙᴇʀɢELW 450 - I Bind unto Myself Today - ꜱᴛ. ᴘᴀᴛʀɪᴄᴋ'ꜱ ʙʀᴇᴀꜱᴛᴘʟᴀᴛᴇELW 454 - Remember and Rejoice - ꜱᴛ. ᴛʜᴏᴍᴀꜱELW 456 - Baptized in Water - ʙᴜɴᴇꜱꜱᴀɴELW 458 - Praise and Thanksgiving Be to God - ᴄʜʀɪꜱᴛᴇ ꜱᴀɴᴄᴛᴏʀᴜᴍLSB 594 - God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It - ʙᴀᴄʜᴏꜰᴇɴLSB 600 - Mark How the Lamb of God's Self-Offering - ʀᴇɴᴅᴇᴢ À ᴅɪᴇᴜSubscribe to Sing to the Lord on your favorite podcast player:

“Forget the scorecard,” advises Viru. Well, we can't. Marnus tripled, Smudge doubled red, Gareth took six and Australia (essentially) cantered. It's all we asked for, but is it enough? Of course not. So fresh, raw meat is mooted in Adelaide, in the form Lance Morris – all sunken eyes, Dieter Brummer salad – because we demand more. Or maybe it doesn't matter, because Cummins took a knee. No wonder he did he quad. In Rawalpindi, the To and Froms are legitimately revolutionising the game, but will naivety cost them? And is it Test Championship 2's? Private Equity wants The Hundred, but Thommo won't get out of bed unless there a couple bil. Bangladesh knock over India in dramatic circumstances in some game or other, our women head to India next week, and AskTGC traverses LBW noncery via an inquisitive little cherub, as well as a two-piecer monstrosity from some wine bin stuff in South Australia.  Budgy has both us and you covered wherever you are the world. There's a new drop of gear across underwear, party shirts, Christmas jumpers, golf wear, stubbies, bucket hats. All new, for you, at budgysmuggler.com(.au) Watto at T20 Stars is backing you, too. Sorry about the value. Use the promocode xmas25 for 25% of all stock at their sterling website. Get TGC hoodies, t-shirts, caps, and bucket hats at our brand spanking new website: gradecricketer.com/shop. Sign up to Patreon for a 10% or 20% discount using a special code at patreon.com/gradecricketer Check out our Patreon for exclusive content every single week at https://www.patreon.com/gradecricketer including #AskTGC Fridays and the exclusive audio from all of our YouTube videos.  We are delighted to once again link up with Ponting Wines. Use the code GETAFEW at pontingwines.com.au for 20% off! You can follow The Grade Cricketer on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/gradecricketer https://www.instagram.com/thegradecricketer/ https://twitter.com/gradecricketer   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices