The New England Patriots have had one of the worst offensive line units in the league this season, and that was on full display again on Sunday in their 34-15 loss to the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. On the Tuesday after the loss, the Patriots announced a pair of roster moves on the offensive line, as they've released left guard Michael Jordan and claimed Lester Cotton off waivers. New England originally signed Jordan back in January, but he started the 2024 season on the team's practice squad. After he was elevated for their first two games, he was signed to the active roster. He started 11 games this year (all at left guard), receiving a 51.5 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. Cotton, 28, was waived on Monday by the Miami Dolphins. He originally entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2019 out of Alabama. After appearing in 15 games (starting one) for the Raiders from 2019-22, he appeared in 28 (starting eight) for the Dolphins from 2022-24. It will be very interesting to see what New England does with their line next week. They could slide in Sidy Sow or Layden Robinson, who have both been on the bench. Former first-round pick Cole Strange is also nearing his return and could get back to his original position. Cotton is also another option, as he's played both left and right guard in his career. MORE PATRIOTS NEWS Where Patriots sit in Week 13 NFL power rankings Patriots PFF grades from loss vs. Dolphins Winners and losers from Patriots’ Week 12 matchup vs. Dolphins Takeaways from New England’s loss to Miami
Historically the diseases affecting the morbidity rates of Indigenous peoples have been the diseases of poverty. Tuberculosis, pneumonia and gastrointestinal diseases are all related to living conditions and poor water. Now we can , particularly in the north. Scurvy is a series of symptoms brought on by a vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C isn’t stored in the body and must be provided daily by a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables. Scurvy is a growing problem south of the border and large swaths of America are regarded as food deserts with a lack of nutritious foods. It’s not just related to poverty. The abundant fast food and junk food lack proper nutrition and make up much of people’s diet. Prepackaged food doesn’t spoil and is easier to transport and keep than fresh fruits and vegetables. According to a 2022 report from the Saskatchewan Health Authority, the weekly cost of nutritious food for a family of four in the south was $291.58 and $358.79 in the north. In the , defined by communities located at Wollaston Lake and farther north, the weekly cost was $464.37. The reason breaks down to small markets and the cost of transportation. In the south, supermarket chains can bulk order and lower the cost per item. In a small community, food stores serve a much smaller population and are unable to buy in bulk. But the real culprit is transportation. Fuel, distance and labour costs drive up the cost of food in the north. The provincial government blamed the carbon tax in response to a question from the NDP. The reason is more complex. The Prince Albert Grand Council is planning to present a resolution at the December sitting of the Chiefs of the . Their concerns are related to the increase in scurvy and which are related to overcrowded housing and poverty. There are a variety of solutions to this resurgence of an ancient disease. Transportation costs could be subsidized by the provincial government to lower the cost of food in the north. The federal government has a program like this in Nunavut and a similar one could be implemented in northern Saskatchewan. I recall comments by Jim Sinclair, the former head of the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan and later a member of the FSIN senate. He pointed out that the provincial government subsidized the cost of alcohol where a bottle of whiskey cost the same in the government liquor store in La Loche as a store in Regina. His conclusion was that if they can do that for booze, they can do it for staples like milk. In addition to scurvy, our diet is the cause of other diseases like the diabetes that is reaching epidemic proportions. The high transportation rates are only part of the problem. We must return to our roots and recreate the healthy diet and lifestyle of our ancestors. The answer lies within our people. Traditionally our people could live on the land year-round and not suffer from malnutrition and scurvy. People would pick berries and preserve them for the winter. Pemmican was a mix of chokecherries, meat and fat. It was highly nutritious and sustained our people over the winter. There are also stories of early European settlers receiving help from local Indigenous people with spruce tea and other remedies. Also, most First Nations have community stores, and they have to assess the nutritional content of their products. Junk foods and sugar drinks should be seriously cut back. The people are either invalids who can’t get out to a store often or those who are separated from a healthy lifestyle and traditional diet. A person can be employed full time with a steady income and still suffer from malnutrition based solely on their diet. Some communities are bringing back the use of community gardens to improve food security. Muskoday, for example, maintains a community garden and provides members with root vegetables like potatoes. On a macro level we need to improve the housing stock and eliminate overcrowding. We continue to suffer from the diseases of poverty. Proper nutrition is both a seemingly simple and complicated issue. It means changing lifestyles and taking care of each other.Analysis: Win or lose at UNC, Belichick's NFL legacy cementedNone
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Krishi Jagran Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Mahindra Tractors commenced with the registration of participants, followed by a grand inaugural session. The event was hosted by MC Dominic, Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Krishi Jagran, who extended a warm welcome to all attendees and dignitaries. The distinguished guests included . An auspicious lamp-lighting ceremony was held to mark the occasion, signifying the official commencement of this prestigious event. Welcoming all progressive farmers, industry leaders, and esteemed dignitaries, , shared his vision for the MFOI Awards, emphasizing the importance of recognizing farmers. He celebrated the success of last year’s awards, where Raja Ram Tripathi was honored from 36,000 nominations. Dominic expressed his dream of making farmers icons, inspiring even the children of doctors and engineers to pursue farming. He stressed the need for fair prices, support, and recognition to empower farmers and motivate future generations to embrace farming as a respected profession. The Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) signed an MoU with to scale up and replicate the MFOI initiative in its partner countries. During the MoU signing, , praised efforts in promoting agriculture as a respected career and countering its negative portrayal in society. He emphasized CIRDAP's ongoing work in across 15 member countries, including India and Fiji, and stressed the need to raise awareness among policymakers. Dr. Shekara also noted that July 6th, 2025, would be declared Rural Development Day by the UNGA, coinciding with CIRDAP’s foundation day. He expressed his gratitude to MC Dominic, Mamta Jain, and all the farmers for the opportunity to collaborate on this important initiative. The categories in focus cover a broad spectrum, reflecting the diverse facets of Indian agriculture. To be a part of... , said, “This year marks six decades for Mahindra, a journey driven by our singular mission—transforming agriculture and uplifting farmers. Over these years, we’ve remained committed to providing over 350 tractor variants across India, each tailored to the unique soil conditions of different regions. In the past six decades, we’ve supported over 40 lakh farmers, and this success has been possible only with the unwavering support of our farming community. We are also proud to be part of the MFOI Awards for the second consecutive year, celebrating the success we’ve achieved together with Krishi Jagran and farmers.” He added, “This three-day event is more than just a celebration; it’s an invaluable opportunity for us to connect directly with farmers, understand their needs, and continue refining our products. Since the last event, we’ve conducted roadshows and farmer meetings to ensure our equipment is even more farmer-friendly. Our goal is to inspire more farmers, share knowledge, and make this event a true celebration of agriculture, innovation, and collaboration.” , highlighted that the MFOI Awards celebrate farmers earning over Rs 10 lakh, aligning with the government's goal to double farmers' income and boost agricultural productivity. He emphasized that , through its 113 research centers and 731 KVKs, is working to promote modern agricultural practices and capacity building across India. Agriculture, he noted, should be viewed as an agri-business, a shift that some farmers have already embraced. Over 1,200 farmers will be honored at MFOI, with some even earning ₹1 crore. The event also provides a platform for knowledge sharing, where stakeholders, including policymakers and farmers, discuss ways to increase incomes and inspire others with their success stories. , said, "Today feels like a festival, one that celebrates our farmers. He emphasized the significance of medicinal plants in enhancing the livelihoods and income of Chhattisgarh farmers, while also recognizing their potential to benefit farmers in other states. Dr. Rao shared the board's goal of turning 1 lakh farmers into 'Lakhpatis' by promoting medicinal and aromatic plants. Last year, 20,000 farmers reached this milestone, and already 5,000 farmers have registered this year. He highlighted the suitability of various medicinal plants for different geographical regions and wished all farmers success in their journey of growth." , honored both soldiers and farmers for their contributions, highlighting that 85% of farmers in India remain marginal, and boosting their income is crucial. He stressed the need for collaboration with ICAR and to address key issues: lack of knowledge and technology, unfair pricing, and the rise of fake agricultural inputs. Agarwal urged stakeholders to ensure technology reaches farmers and to empower them to decide where and at what price to sell their produce. He also advised farmers to use QR codes to verify agricultural products, emphasizing that better inputs and knowledge will improve farmers' income. , affirmed that agriculture is the foundation of human development and prosperity. He stressed that both improving farmers' income and making farming profitable are essential for India's growth. The government is working to raise awareness among farmers and improve technology penetration, including at the groundwater level. Mishra also highlighted the crucial role of cooperatives in strengthening farming communities. Following this, Chief Guest Ramesh Chand, Ajay Mishra, and other dignitaries presented trophies to the millionaire farmers in recognition of their exceptional achievements.
LONDON , Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The EY organization announces today the appointment of Joe Depa as the new EY Global Chief Innovation Officer, effective immediately. Within this role, he will spearhead applied innovation to help improve service delivery and guide EY teams to address and solve business challenges. Depa joins the EY organization at a pivotal moment, as a range of emerging technologies are reshaping businesses and industries, creating a multitude of new challenges and opportunities. To keep pace, the EY organization is continuing to make significant investments in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing and blockchain, and most recently formed the EY.ai Global AI Advisory Council. In his new role, Depa will be leading the organization's global innovation strategy. This will include overseeing efforts to successfully implement emerging technologies for tangible business applications, both internally and across work of EY member firms with clients. Raj Sharma, EY Global Managing Partner of Growth and Innovation, says: "At this time of constant disruption, success would require a forward-thinking approach and willingness to make bold decisions, which are at the heart of an innovative mindset. We're thrilled to have Joe's deep experience and knowledge around AI and data to lead on our strategic approach to innovation so that EY teams can help clients shape their future more confidently." Throughout the last decade, Depa has worked closely with C-suite leaders and boards to bring innovative products and services to market, improve client and employee experiences, and help enhance operational efficiencies through technology. Most recently, he served as the inaugural Chief Data and AI Officer at a leading university and health care organization. At the university, he helped to promote AI literacy, launch a responsible AI governance program and enable a secure data foundation. Prior to that, he acted as Senior Managing Director and Global Lead for Data and AI at a global multinational professional services company, where he led a team of AI strategists and data engineers in developing and implementing new products and services. Joe Depa , EY Global Chief Innovation Officer, says: "I'm truly excited to join an organization that is 'All in' on its commitment to the transformative potential of emerging technologies. I look forward to working with the EY teams and clients to help empower them to apply innovation in bold, new ways that help create value for clients through data, AI and emerging technologies to make the world a better place." A renowned thought leader in the field of AI, Depa has been recognized as one of the "Top 50 Global Leaders" by World Summit AI and has received Fast Company's "World Changing Idea" award, among other accolades. For more information, visit: ey.com . About EY EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets. Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow. EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories. All in to shape the future with confidence. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy . EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com . This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global EY organization that also does not provide any services to clients. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/joe-depa-named-as-ey-global-chief-innovation-officer-to-lead-its-global-innovation-strategy-302316910.html SOURCE EYGS LLP
A TELLY gangster’s moll, a chef who promises to treat dancing like risotto and an Olympic gold medallist are among the five newest names for Dancing With The Stars. The RTE show returns to screens next month with a bit of Kin thrown in as Yasmin Seky takes to the dance floor. She’s best known for playing Nikita Murphy, the partner of gang enforcer Eric ‘Viking’ Kinsella, played by Sam Keeley. Yasmin, from Cabra in Dublin , said: “I’m a little nervous, as I’ve never really done anything like this before. But I’m really excited too. “I suppose nervousness and excitement manifests in the body the same way, so I don’t know which one I am! I think the anxiety that I have from time to time motivated me to take part. “With acting on screen, if you mess up you can go again, but with this you get one shot and you just have to make it happen!” Yasmin starred in a short film as a teen but never considered acting as a career until casting director Louise Kiely got in touch ten years later to get her to audition for Kin. She went on to win the Royal Television Society Ireland Award for Best Newcomer for her role and is currently filming a Channel 5 crime drama, The Puzzle Lady in Northern Ireland , starring Downton Abbey star Phyllis Logan. Meanwhile RTE will be hoping for an online bounce by signing up social media star Kayleigh Trappe. The former primary school teacher has amassed over 400,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram . Kayleigh, 29, posts comedy sketch videos, in which she lip syncs along to famous pop culture clips Some of her most sketches have even attracted attention from those she has imitated, including Nadine Coyle and the cast of Derry Girls. But Kayleigh expects moving off people’s phones and onto the small screen to be a “big change”. She said: “I’m so excited. It feels so surreal, especially because I’m so used to just being behind the camera in the comfort of my own home, and now I’m going full glitz and glam. “It’s a big change but I can’t wait to get the Glitterball rolling! This type of glam has never been a part of my life, but I have so much support from my family and friends at home in Monaghan. I can’t wait to be in the midst of it all now.” Telly chef Kevin Dundon is also ready to cook up some dance routines — and he’s looking forward to impressing his wife. The Dublin kitchen whizz, 58, who has cooked for Irish and US presidents and the late Queen Elizabeth, said: “The fact that I’m actually going to learn to dance means that my wife will hopefully now enjoy dancing with me at weddings, and I won’t make a complete fool of myself! I’m a little bit nervous, as it’s quite difficult to learn the moves. “It’s tricky. As a chef, I’m coordinated, but not with my feet. My first dance is an American smooth, so I’m going to treat it like a risotto, nice and slow with a little bit of excitement at the end.” Season eight of DWTS will feature two Olympians with gymnast Rhys McClenaghan joining taekwondo star Jack Woolley on the show . Named RTE’s Sportsperson of the Year in 2023, the Co Down man became the first person to win a gold medal in pommel horse for Ireland at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The 25-year-old said: “I’m thrilled to take on this new challenge and look forward to bringing some gymnastics skills to the dance floor. I am approaching my training for the 2025 competition year differently. “I took some time to travel, and as I begin my first training block for the LA Games, I will also have some fun figuring out how to dance! "Hopefully, with the guidance of my pro dance partner, I can bring some of my pommel horse flair to the dance floor, too.” Meanwhile Virgin Media star Elaine Crowley will be hoping to win fans over on rival station RTE after signing up for the show. The Cork presenter, 47, has been incredibly honest in the past about the personal struggles she has faced throughout her long career. She was praised for revealing her diagnosis with dysphoria, a mental state which means she will often feel deeply uneasy or low. But Elaine is ready to try something new. She said: “I’ve never done anything remotely like this before, never mind in front of so many people. “But my eldest sister said to me, you haven’t put yourself out of your comfort zone for decades. You can interview the politicians. You can do all the stuff on Ireland AM , but challenge yourself for once. “So bring it on. What’s the worst that can happen?” Eurovision’s Mickey Joe Harte, comedian Gearoid Farrelly, Mrs Brown’s Boys actor Danny O’Carroll and ex-Miss Universe Ireland Aishah Akorede are also taking part. The final celeb's name will be revealed this weekend.
Bill Belichick didn't wait around for a call that he might not get from an NFL team. With no guarantees that another opportunity might come his way — only the Atlanta Falcons interviewed Belichick last offseason — and unsure whether he could find the right fit in the NFL, the 72-year-old future Hall of Fame coach decided to go back to school. Belichick took his eight Super Bowl rings to North Carolina on a mission to build a college program the way he constructed two dynasties during 24 seasons with the New England Patriots. It starts with doing things his way. The Patriot Way is legendary. Perhaps it'll translate into the Tar Heel way. That's to be determined. But Belichick is back doing what he loves: coaching. And, he's going to run the show with his guys around him. An NFL team giving Belichick full control the way he had in New England seemed unlikely. Success at North Carolina could change that thinking. For now, Belichick's quest to break Don Shula's all-time record for most wins in the NFL is on hold. He's 15 victories short but the buyout clause in his college contract — a $10 million fee if done before June 2025 and $1 million after that date — leaves the window open for a return to the league. If Belichick stays in college or retires without returning to the NFL, his legacy is already cemented. Winning at North Carolina will only enhance his reputation. Losing won't impact his NFL resume. "He's one of the all-time great coaches. What he's done for the NFL and the game, we all know where he'll end up — in the Hall of Fame with a gold jacket," Dallas Cowboys executive Stephen Jones said Wednesday shortly before Belichick agreed on a five-year deal with North Carolina that pays him $10 million in base and supplemental salary annually with up to $3.5 million in bonuses per year. Belichick has his detractors. There's no denying he couldn't win without Tom Brady. He was 29-39 and had no playoff wins without No. 12 in his final four seasons with the Patriots. Critics have labeled him a cheater because of the Spygate and Deflategate scandals. He overlooked Aaron Hernandez's issues. He was tough on players, even alienating Brady in the end and letting him walk him away in free agency in 2020 only to see him lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl in his first season there. But Belichick instilled in players the importance of doing their job and presided over an unprecedented two-decade run of dominance that withstood changing times, free agency, salary-cap restrictions and much more. Brady has always maintained how important Belichick was for his career, giving him credit for helping him become one of the best players in sports. Now, Belichick is onto Chapel Hill in a surprise twist after he spent most of the NFL season reinventing himself as an entertaining and engaging analyst. Belichick is a football genius and his knowledge came across on television. But he also displayed a fun personality, trading quips with the Mannings and cracking jokes with Pat McAffee. "College kind of came to me this year," Belichick said at his introductory news conference. "I didn't necessarily go and seek it out. I had many coaches, probably a couple dozen coaches, talk to me and say, 'Can we come down and talk to you about these things?' Let's call it the salary cap of pro football relative to college football. The headsets, the green dot, the two-minute warning, the tablets on the sideline. Those were all rules changes this year for college football that were either or the same or similar to what we had in the NFL. These coaches said, 'Hey coach can we talk to you about how you did this? How you did that? How did you use this?'. "As those conversations started and then the personnel conversations started relative to salary cap and how you spend whatever the allotment of money you have. I'd say that started to make me a lot more aware of it because the first thing I would have to do is learn about it. .... As you learn different things about different programs you start to put it all together. There is some common threads and there's some variables." How will he do as a college coach? Nobody knows yet. Three of Belichick's former players were skeptical before he took the job. "There's a lot of things he can do, and obviously he's tremendous, and even showing his personality. But getting out there on the recruiting trail and dealing with all these college kids, that would be ..." Brady said before trailing off during a conversation on Fox's NFL pregame show last Sunday. Fellow former Patriots Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman also wondered the same. "Can you imagine NIL, and all that nonsense?" Gronkowski said. Edelman added: "Can you imagine Bill on a couch recruiting an 18-year-old?" But Belichick doesn't have to recruit kids on visits. These are new times in college sports. The NIL has dramatically changed the landscape. Plus, Belichick's name is enough. Just like Deion Sanders at Colorado. "I think it could be great for this game, honestly, if he can find a way to make college football more like this in terms of what's being asked of the coaches, the recruiting staff, the personnel, the NIL, and all those different things," Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Cohen said. "If he can make it a little bit less demanding on some of the coaches and create a great atmosphere and have success, I think it's great for our game. It's pretty cool to see, actually." Time for Belichick to do his job. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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I&M and Stakeholders File Large Load Settlement to Advance Grid Reliability and Support Economic GrowthHOMB Takes Additional Hurricane Reserve Out of Abundance of CautionRachel Christian | (TNS) Bankrate.com Just because retirement planning involves some guesswork doesn’t mean it has to be a total mystery. Related Articles Business | Tech review: Earbuds and phones for those on your holiday list Business | The year in money: inflation eased, optimism ticked upward Business | Some in seafood industry see Trump as fishermen’s friend, but tariffs could make for pricier fish Business | Trump offers support for dockworkers union by saying ports shouldn’t install more automated systems Business | Bay Area county divests from Caterpillar over equipment sales to Israel Whether you’ve been saving since your first job or you’re getting a late start, you can leverage expert-recommended strategies to gauge your progress on the road to retirement. And if you’re not quite on track, don’t sweat it — the experts we spoke to offered actionable tips to help you close the gap. 5 ways to tell if you’re on track for retirement You might have a general idea of how much money you need to save for retirement . A few quick calculations can give you an estimate, but to truly appreciate where you stand, you’ll need to dive into the numbers. Here’s how to get started. 1. Use the Rule of 25 to get a ballpark number A good rule of thumb to estimate your retirement savings goal is the Rule of 25 . Simply multiply your desired annual retirement income by 25. The result is roughly how much you’ll need to save before hitting retirement. For example, if you plan to spend $50,000 a year, you’ll need about $1.25 million to make it a reality. The Rule of 25 is based on the idea that withdrawing 4% annually from your retirement savings should last you about 30 years. While it’s not an exact science by any means — health care costs and lifestyle changes can skew the numbers, for example — the Rule of 25 can be a good starting point to figure out how much you need to save. 2. Compare your savings to Fidelity guidelines Fidelity Investments, a behemoth in the retirement planning space, offers savings guidelines to help you determine if you’re on track . —By age 30: Save 1x your annual salary —By age 40: Save 3x your annual salary —By age 50: Save 6x your annual salary —By age 60: Save 8x your annual salary —By age 67: Save 10x your annual salary For example, if you earn $60,000 annually, you should aim for $600,000 in savings by age 67. But like the Rule of 25, Fidelity’s guidelines offer a 10,000-foot look at retirement goals, and they’re not customized to your situation. Maybe you earned a low salary in your 20s, but you’re working hard in your 30s to make up for it. Use these estimates as a benchmark — but don’t get discouraged if you’re lagging behind. 3. Use an online retirement calculator Now it’s time to zoom in a little. To get a clearer snapshot of your progress, use an online retirement calculator. These tools factor in your age, current savings, income and lifestyle goals to estimate whether you’re on track. You’ll get a more refined estimate without crunching the numbers yourself. Bankrate’s retirement calculator even lets you input different rates of return on your investments and accounts for estimated annual salary increases. 4. Map out your retirement budget Having a general savings goal is nice, but to avoid falling short in retirement, you’ll need more than a ballpark figure. Experts recommend creating a retirement budget to get an up-close-and-personal look at how much you’ll really need once you leave the workforce. First, estimate how much you’ll spend per month in retirement. While some costs will increase, like health care, others will likely decrease, like dining out and commuting. “Estimating expenses can be challenging for some people, so as a starting point, I often use your net take-home pay,” says Jeff DeLarme, a certified financial planner and president of DeLarme Wealth Management. For example, if you receive a direct deposit of $2,500 every two weeks from work, use $5,000 as your estimated monthly spending in retirement. “Assuming this was enough to pay the bills while working, we can use $5,000 a month as a starting budget to plan for,” says DeLarme. Next, map out your sources of income in retirement. Social Security is the largest income stream for most retirees, but don’t neglect other inflows, such as: —Workplace retirement accounts, like 401(k)s —Personal retirement accounts, like a traditional or Roth IRA —Pensions —Annuities —Selling your home or business —Rental income —Inheritance “If there’s a gap between your expected expenses and income, you’ll have a good idea of how much you need to save,” says Mike Hunsberger, a certified financial planner and owner of Next Mission Financial Planning. From there, you can adjust your savings and investment strategy accordingly. 5. Talk to a financial adviser For something as important (and complex) as retirement planning, it pays to speak with a professional. Financial advisers can analyze your savings, investments and retirement goals to create a personalized plan. Advisers use special planning software that account for more variables than an online calculator, giving you a much more precise, granular look at your financial life in retirement. Many financial advisers can also help you optimize your tax strategy, which can potentially save you thousands of dollars over time. Make sure the adviser you hire is a fiduciary , meaning they’re legally obligated to prioritize your interests over their own. A fiduciary won’t push investments to earn a commission or recommend products that aren’t aligned with your needs. A certified financial planner is one of the most well-recognized designations for fiduciaries. You can use Bankrate’s adviser matching tool to find a certified financial planner in your area in minutes. 5 ways to catch up on retirement savings Maybe you did the math and realized you’re not quite where you need to be. Don’t panic if you’re behind schedule. Here are five strategies experts recommend to help you catch up on your retirement savings . 1. Scale back your spending now and in retirement Cutting expenses now frees up more cash to invest in your retirement accounts. Evaluate your budget and identify areas where you can cut costs, like dining out, streaming subscriptions or shopping. Don’t rule out bigger lifestyle changes either, especially if retirement is rapidly approaching. Housing is the biggest monthly expense for most people. Getting creative here can help amplify the amount you can sock away, says Joseph Boughan, a certified financial planner and managing member at Parkmount Financial Partners. It can also reduce your expenses in retirement, so you may not need to save as much as before. “Downsizing can be a great way to cut expenses,” says Boughan. “This can even free up cash if you don’t end up needing all that money for a new home.” Moving somewhere with lower property taxes or income taxes can also help bring your retirement plan back in line. And if you’re a renter, making tough short-term decisions, like taking on a roommate or moving to a lower cost-of-living area, can free up hundreds of dollars a month for your retirement. “Everyone’s plan is unique, so exploring all the options is important,” Boughan says. Joe Conroy, a certified financial planner and owner of Harford Retirement Planners, recommends taking a “retirement test drive” as you near your target date. “Start to live on what income you think you can afford in retirement and stash all the extra income into savings and investments,” says Conroy. “If you can make it through each month, you’re ready for retirement. If you run short, then adjust your plan accordingly.” 2. Delay retirement by a year or two Working a little longer can be a game-changer for your retirement nest egg. Not only does it give you more time to save, it also gives your investments room to grow. “Working longer or even just part time for a few years early in retirement is one of the best ways to reduce the amount of money you need to save,” says Hunsberger. Postponing retirement can also boost your Social Security benefits . “You can claim as early as 62, but your benefits will be reduced significantly,” says Hunsberger. Meanwhile, each year you delay claiming Social Security benefits beyond your full retirement age , your monthly check will increase by 8%, though this benefit maxes out at age 70. So waiting can really pay off. 3. Save more It may seem obvious, but if you’re behind on retirement savings, you’ll need to boost your contributions as much as possible. Here are a few ways to make saving for retirement easier: —Increase your contribution rate: Allocate a larger portion of your paycheck to a workplace retirement plan. Even bumping up your contributions by 1% or 2% can make a huge difference down the road. —Take advantage of your employer match: Don’t leave free money on the table. Many employers will chip in between 3 and 5% depending on your plan, so make sure you’re contributing enough to take advantage of the benefit. —Use “unexpected” money to catch up: If you get a raise or bonus at work, funnel part of it directly into your 401(k). And if you get a refund at tax time, siphon some of it off to beef up your IRA. 4. Invest more aggressively If you’ve been investing in low-risk, low-return investments, you may not be keeping up with inflation, let alone growing your nest egg. Reallocating part of your portfolio to stocks or low-cost growth exchange-traded funds (ETFs) is one way to get your money working harder. Higher-risk investments like stocks carry more volatility but also offer higher potential returns. Work with a financial adviser or use a robo-adviser to strike the right balance between growth and your personal risk tolerance. 5. Take advantage of new retirement account catch-up contributions Contribution limits for 401(k) plans and IRAs are higher for people over 50. For 2025, employees aged 50 and up who participate in most 401(k) plans or the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan can save up to $31,000 annually, including a $7,500 catch-up contribution . But thanks to SECURE 2.0 , a sweeping retirement law, a new higher catch-up contribution limit of $11,250 applies for employees ages 60 to 63. So, if you’re in this age group, you can squirrel away a whopping $34,750 a year during the final stretch of your career. Of course, you’ll need a big salary (think six figures) in order to take full advantage of such massive contribution limits. But if you can afford it, these catch-up allowances can put your plan back on track, especially if you struggled to save much early in your career. Bottom line There’s no GPS to gauge your progress on the road to retirement. If you’ve veered off course or aren’t sure where to start, begin by getting a quick estimate of how much you’ll need before mapping out a retirement budget. And if you’re behind, don’t panic — adjusting your spending, boosting your contributions and speaking with a financial adviser can help you catch up. ©2024 Bankrate.com. 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CONNEXA HAS CLOSED THE ACQUISITION OF A FURTHER 50% OF YYEM AND CONFIRMS THAT TRADING OF THE POST-ACQUISITION YYAI WILL COMMENCE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2024The controversy around a religious Christmas sign that was taken down in downtown Kelowna continues. Two days after a sign stating 'Keep Christ in Christmas' was removed from the nativity scene display at Stuart Park, Kelowna-Centre MLA Kristina Loewen went to social media to express her opinion on the matter. "We believe that it's an important detail that Christmas is a Christian holiday," said Loewen in her video, referring to 'we' as all of the MLAs for the Central Okanagan. "We will be standing united and defending all British Columbians rights to religion and freedom of expression, speech, thought, belief," she added. "Canada is an incredible country full of diverse cultures and religions, and a wide variety of views, and I think that's one of the things that makes us so incredible." Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream MLA Tara Armstrong agreed with her fellow Conservative, quote-tweeting the video and saying "a great message from a colleague and friend. I'm proud to be part of a team that stands for what's right." Macklin McCall, MLA for West Kelowna, also quote-tweeted Loewen's post. However, Kelowna-Mission MLA Gavin Dew appears to not have commented on social media. The nativity scene is put up by the Knights of Columbus every year and a permit is given from the City of Kelowna to do so. When the 'Keep Christ in Christmas' sign was displayed beside the scene on Monday, Dec. 9, some people in the community, including the Kelowna Atheists, Skeptics, and Humanists Association (KASHA) took issue. A letter by KASHA to Black Press Media on Dec. 9, stated the nativity scene is part of Christmas, just as "lights, festive trees, and other decorative displays" are also. "This message is not merely festive—it is political, advocating for a specific religious interpretation of the holiday," said KASHA about the sign. The next day, the sign was taken down and the City of Kelowna confirmed that the sign was not part of the Knights of Columbus' permit for the nativity scene. The Knights of Columbus had no comment regarding the matter. Capital News reached out to Loewen for further comment but was met with an automatic e-mail reply. Additionally, the City of Kelowna stated it had no comment on Loewen's video. However, Ian Bushfield the executive director of the B.C. Humanist Association did have a comment. "Freedom of religion in Canada includes freedom from religion," said Bushfield in an e-mailed statement. "Ms. Loewen and all Christians are obviously free to celebrate Christmas as a Christian holiday but our governments have a clear duty of religious neutrality. That means neither endorsing nor prohibiting any religion over any other. That sign, and arguably even the nativity scene, being on public property breaches that duty. She can put the sign up at her church or at her own house but we do not live in a theocracy." Bushfield has previously stated that BCHA is an organization committed to secular values. “Part of that is the separation of religion and government," said Bushfield. The City of Kelowna also said it received five letters on the matter when the sign was up but none since it's been taken down.Purchase College Was Founded to Make Quality Arts Education Affordable