Blockchain technology has emerged as a powerful tool that has the potential to revolutionize various industries and transform the way we conduct transactions and share information. While often associated with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, blockchain has a much broader range of applications that extend beyond the financial sector. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the fundamentals of blockchain, how it works, and its diverse use cases across different industries.
I. Understanding Blockchain Technology
1.1 What is a Blockchain?
At its core, a blockchain is a decentralized and tamper-proof database that records transactions and information in a transparent and secure manner. Unlike traditional databases that rely on a central authority, blockchain operates on a distributed ledger, where each transaction is recorded and verified by multiple participants in a network. This decentralization ensures that no single entity has control over the entire system, enhancing security and eliminating the risk of manipulation or fraud.
1.2 The Concept of Trust and Consensus
One of the key features of blockchain is the concept of trust and consensus. In a blockchain network, transactions are validated and agreed upon by the entire community, rather than a centralized authority. This consensus mechanism ensures that all participants in the network have a shared view of the transaction history, creating mutual trust without the need for intermediaries.
1.3 How Does Blockchain Work?
Blockchain operates through a series of interconnected blocks, with each block containing a set of transactions. These blocks are linked together using cryptographic hashes, creating an immutable chain of information. To add a new block to the chain, it must undergo a verification process by network participants known as miners. Miners use computational power to solve complex mathematical problems, ensuring the validity and integrity of transactions before they are added to the blockchain.
1.4 Types of Blockchains
There are several types of blockchains, including public, private, hybrid, and consortium blockchains. Public blockchains, like Bitcoin, are open to anyone and allow for anonymous participation. Private blockchains, on the other hand, restrict access to a select group of participants and are often used by enterprises for internal purposes. Hybrid blockchains combine elements of both public and private blockchains, while consortium blockchains are governed by a group of organizations working together.
II. Blockchain Applications
2.1 Cryptocurrencies and Digital Assets
Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, were the first and most well-known applications of blockchain technology. They enable secure and decentralized digital transactions, allowing individuals to transfer value without the need for intermediaries like banks. In addition to cryptocurrencies, blockchain also enables the creation and management of various digital assets, including tokens and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
2.2 Supply Chain Management
Blockchain has the potential to revolutionize supply chain management by improving transparency, traceability, and accountability. By recording every step of a product’s journey on the blockchain, companies can ensure the authenticity and quality of their goods, prevent counterfeiting, and streamline logistics processes. Blockchain also enhances trust between suppliers, manufacturers, and consumers, as everyone has access to the same verified information.
2.3 Healthcare and Medical Records
The healthcare industry can greatly benefit from blockchain technology in terms of secure storage and sharing of medical records. By utilizing blockchain, patients can have greater control over their health data, granting access to healthcare providers only when necessary. This improves the efficiency and accuracy of healthcare delivery, reduces administrative burdens, and enhances patient privacy and data security.
2.4 Smart Contracts and Decentralized Applications
Smart contracts are self-executing contracts encoded on the blockchain that automatically execute predefined actions when specific conditions are met. These contracts eliminate the need for intermediaries and enable trustless transactions. Blockchain platforms like Ethereum have opened up new possibilities for decentralized applications (dApps) that can revolutionize industries such as finance, insurance, and supply chain management.
2.5 Identity Management and Authentication
Blockchain technology offers a secure and decentralized solution for identity management and authentication. By storing identity information on the blockchain, individuals can have portable and verifiable digital identities, eliminating the need for multiple identification documents. This enhances privacy, reduces the risk of identity theft, and simplifies the process of identity verification.
2.6 Voting Systems
Blockchain can address the challenges of traditional voting systems by providing secure and transparent platforms for elections. By leveraging the immutability and transparency of the blockchain, voting systems can prevent fraud, ensure the integrity of the electoral process, and enable remote and anonymous voting. This technology has the potential to increase voter participation and enhance trust in democratic processes.
2.7 Finance and Banking
The financial industry has been exploring the use of blockchain technology for various applications, including cross-border payments, trade finance, and asset tokenization. Blockchain enables faster and more secure transactions, reduces costs associated with intermediaries, and enhances transparency and auditability. Major financial institutions are actively investing in blockchain-based solutions to streamline their operations and improve customer experiences.
2.8 Media and Entertainment
Blockchain has the potential to transform the media and entertainment industry by providing solutions for content ownership, distribution, and monetization. Through blockchain-based platforms, creators can protect their intellectual property rights, receive fair compensation for their work, and interact directly with their audience. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have gained popularity as a way to tokenize and trade digital assets, including art, music, and virtual real estate.
III. Advantages and Challenges of Blockchain
3.1 Advantages of Blockchain Technology
Blockchain technology offers several advantages, including enhanced security, transparency, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. By eliminating the need for intermediaries, blockchain reduces transaction costs and enables peer-to-peer interactions. The decentralized nature of blockchain also makes it resistant to single points of failure and censorship, ensuring the integrity and availability of data.
3.2 Challenges and Considerations
While blockchain has immense potential, it also faces certain challenges and considerations. These include scalability issues, regulatory concerns, energy consumption, and interoperability with existing systems. Blockchain technology is still evolving, and its widespread adoption requires addressing these challenges and ensuring interoperability between different blockchain networks.
Blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize industries and transform the way we conduct transactions, share information, and establish trust. From cryptocurrencies and smart contracts to supply chain management and healthcare, blockchain offers a wide range of applications that can enhance security, transparency, and efficiency. As blockchain continues to evolve and overcome challenges, its impact on various sectors will only continue to grow, paving the way for a decentralized and trustless future.
To view more of our blog posts, view our website’s blog section.


Islami Bank will take probationary officer, Salary 55500: Job Circular 2021
Private sector bank Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited has issued a notification for recruitment of manpower. The notification has been issued for the appointment of probationary officer. However, the details of how many will be recruited were not disclosed in the notification. Anyone can join the post of probationary officer subject to fulfillment of qualifications as per the notification. Online application has started from today. Applications can be submitted till March 30.
Eligibility of application
To apply for the post of Probationary Officer, the candidate should have Masters, MBA, MBM or equivalent qualification with Honors for a period of four years. The age of the applicant should be minimum 22 years and maximum 30 years.
The probation period for this post is one year. At this time, the candidate will get a salary of 48 thousand rupees per month. Successfully, after 1 year of probation, the recruits will get a salary of 55,500 rupees. In this case the basic of the candidate will be 24240 rupees.
Rules of application
Interested candidates can fill the application form from the website (http://career.islamibankbd.com/career.php).
There are details in the application. Interested candidates can submit the completed application form till March 30.
Job Circular 2021


The Long Term Objective:
To be able to accrue at least a month’s salary in hand – enabling me to get to a position to be spending at least 30 day old money rather than living payday to payday. This is a big objective which will take a long time to achieve, certainly more than the 365 day initial project. I intend to rollover the amount annually until I have at least £1200 in my current account before my salary lands each month.
Paying down debt.
Learning to manage my income and live within my means.


We are delighted to announce that the affiliation window for the 2021/22 season is now OPEN!
As we recognise that clubs have been unable to benefit from last season's affiliation offer, we are pleased to say this season's affiliation will reflect much of the same. To help continue to ease the financial burden on clubs at this time, the County FA are pleased to announce that our club membership fees are FREE for the 2021/22 season.
Further to this, the County FA are financing the Public Liability Insurance for all clubs and there will also be NO £5 team fee for the season, meaning all teams can affiliate for FREE, in the hope that this helps your club financially and generates growth for next season.
Additionally, we have negotiated some really great rates with the County FA's insurance brokers Sportsguard for Personal Accident Insurance, which is the only affiliation cost to your club for the 2021/22 season.
For all information and price lists, please view our Affiliation Pack here.
You can access the Whole Game System using your FA Number and password.
Should you experience any problems or would simply like to know more, there is a dedicated Whole Game System Help Page with FAQs and instructional videos on our website here.
If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us via email@example.com.
Thank you for your continued co-operation and hard work, under what have been and still are very difficult circumstances and we look forward to working with you again during the 2021/22 season.


How to save on your fees
At GEMS Education it is not just about financial support. We are always looking at ways we can evolve to ensure that we provide families with a quality education no matter what curriculum or fee point.
Here are some of the ways our parents can save on their school tuition fees:
FAB / GEMS Co-branded Credit Card
- 4.25% discount on your tuition fees
- 0% processing fees
- 12 months easy payment plan with 0% interest
Refer a friend to a GEMS school and earn 4% of the referred child's annual tuition fees as GEMS points. These points can be used to pay for your child's school and transportation fees.


Honda of Oakland Auto Financing Department | Serving Berkeley, San Leandro, Alameda, the Bay Area with Car Loan & Honda Lease Options
Welcome to Honda of Oakland's auto Finance Department, your auto loan and car lease resource. We're eager to provide financing for your new car, or we can assist in used car financing. Before deciding on a ride to finance make sure to browse our current new vehicle specials! Check out our online car loan calculator for an instant car loan rate. Then, proceed to our online finance application.
All types of credit, from good to bad, can qualify for an auto loan. Honda of Oakland has strong relationships that are needed to get you the perfect auto financing options. If you don't have any credit or have less than perfect credit we will still work to find you an option for auto financing that you can afford. Honda of Oakland is committed to finding you the perfect car loan company to suit your car finance needs.
Low interest car loans are available for customers with existing loans. We can help you refinance your car loan or adjust the term of the contract. You're just a step away from approved car financing! We have helped many satisfied drivers in the greater San Leandro, Berkeley CA, Alameda and Bay Area afford their dream cars.


Due to economic and political instability, purchasing power is noticeably reduced, and the average check on online platforms is decreasing. However, competition is still growing, more and more sellers want to trade on marketplaces.
What to do in a difficult situation in order to earn money, and whether it is worth selling seasonal goods, says Askar Rakhimberdiev, CEO of MySklad. The cloud service is integrated with popular marketplaces. The company organizes discussions and webinars where trends and current market issues are discussed.
Seasonal products - what are they and what are their advantages
Seasonal goods are called goods, the demand for which directly depends on the time of year, holidays, weather conditions and other external factors. Such goods include swimwear, down jackets, school supplies and other goods that are in high demand during a certain period of time.
It is profitable to sell such products no more than 3-4 months a year at best. At worst, the demand period is only a few weeks. The rest of the time, interest in it can be generated by participating in seasonal sales, when prices are reduced by 50%.
The main advantages of seasonal products:
High profitability. It is much higher for seasonal goods. The profitability of products that are sold evenly all year round starts at 7%, and for seasonal products - from 25% to 70%. Conditional bows, which are used to tie the hair of first-graders, cost fabulous money in the last week of August, and on the morning of September 1, their cost drops.
Opportunity to earn fast. The margin for seasonal goods can reach up to 400%. If you buy or produce goods in advance at a low price and correctly predict demand, you can extract maximum profit with minimal investment.
The ability to make an upsell is to increase the average check. If you sell artificial fir trees, you can offer additional products for them - toys, garlands, New Year's tablecloths, napkins, etc. With a high probability, the buyer will buy something else.
Difficulties in dealing with seasonal goods
If the seller does not know the specifics of working with seasonal goods, he runs the risk of not having time to sell the goods and being left with Christmas trees in January.
Therefore, it is necessary to take into account the following nuances:
Analyze sales. See how the same products were sold last year by competitors, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses.
It is necessary to purchase products from a supplier 3-6 months before the start of sales. Later, the supplier or manufacturer may raise the price. If we want to sell winter hats, we need to buy them in the summer, long before the start of the season.
It is necessary to correctly predict demand and manage it during the season. If the product does not sell well, then you need to use all possible tools: advertising on the marketplace itself and in social networks, bloggers, SEO promotion. It is better to order more than to run out of stock. Some seasonal items are sold all year round, but their sales drop noticeably.
For example, summer clothes, swimwear or down jackets: they will have to be sold at a discount, but if the unit economy is calculated correctly, then the seller will not be left without profit. It is not uncommon for novice salespeople to make the mistake of miscalculating the number of units and subsequently find themselves unable to restock or difficult to sell.
Seasonality should be tracked based on the principle of segmentation:
Rigid. Goods that belong to this category are bought within 2-3 weeks. As an example - Easter sets or Christmas trees.
Bright. Demand for goods in this category is reduced by 40-60%. For example, swimwear is also bought in winter - for the pool or relaxing in warm countries, as well as in order to buy goods at a better price.
Moderate. Demand for these goods is always about the same level, except for holidays, when it rises by an average of 15%. This category includes bouquets, school supplies, beauty products and others.
I do not advise entering the market exclusively with seasonal goods, especially if the business is taking its first steps. Such products should not be more than 30-40% of the assortment portfolio. The rest is products with minimal risks (household chemicals, cosmetics, etc.).
To get the maximum income, follow the trends
If you want to get double the profits from selling seasonal items, follow the trends. The recommendation is most relevant for those who sell toys, clothes, jewelry, handicrafts. Fashion trends can be analyzed based on reviews of industry experts and information on social networks and large marketplaces - where it appears and spreads very quickly.


Redland is helping to add a banking option to the thriving Central Park community in Highlands Ranch, as the construction of Ent Credit Union recently broke ground.
Ent Credit Union is a community credit union founded in Colorado Springs in 1957. Their member-centric approach has elevated them to one of the leading credit unions in the Front Range. This new branch building will include drive-up service and will be the first full-service location in Highlands Ranch
Redland is proud to have provided landscape architecture, civil engineering, and entitlement services for Ent Credit Union, and project architect, Keys + Lauer Architects.
Within the Central Park community, Redland is working for the owner, Shea Properties, for the retail/restaurant development and the park element, totaling approximately 14 acres. We are proud to be providing civil engineering, entitlement, and planning services for this project.


What does “Forever Pricing” Mean?
Once you sign up for one of the DonorHQ programs, your pricing will be locked in for the lifetime of the account! We will never raise the price or add any fees, your price is forever!
Do I need servers or and IT staff?
We run all of software on the Amazon Cloud (AWS) where uptime and security is the highest priority. You will benefit from a data center and network architecture built to meet the requirements of the most security-sensitive organizations and most reliable uptime in the industry. Our engineers maintain all of the infrastructure and software so you don’t have to, ever!
How do I pay for subscription services?
We believe in complete transparency, no quotes and no sales people! All of our services are self-service on our website, you can checkout and join whenever you want!
Are there any contracts?
We have no contracts or proposals. We break pricing down on a monthly cloud subscription model, but bill annually upon checkout. We have found that our software platform(s) are most effective when our customers committed to using it, but you have no penalties for leaving whenever you want.
Are there any setup fees?
ZERO – Simplicity and intuitive design is our goal, so we have built a platform that anyone can walk himself or herself though. We have also created and invested in both interactive guides to walk you through any questions, an online knowledge base and industry client service managers (CSM) ready to help!
Can I buy by the modules and upgrade later?
Correct, you can buy individual modules or upgrade to the full DonorHQ platform with in-platform self-upgrades!
What exactly is the platform fee?
Our platform fees are used to fund our security initiates to ensure all your data is safe for both your organization and donors.
Do you hold credit card information?
We collaborate with Stripe as our premier payment processor, so we as an company NEVER hold any financial information. In addition, data is passed straight through securely in the background right to our processor. Stripe has been audited by a PCI-certified auditor and is certified to PCI Service Provider Level 1. This is the most stringent level of certification available in the payments industry.
Are the credit cards and payments encrypted?
All card numbers are encrypted at rest with AES-256. Decryption keys are stored on separate machines. None of the internal servers and daemons are able to obtain plaintext card numbers; instead, they can just request that cards be sent to a service provider on a static whitelist. Stripe’s infrastructure for storing, decrypting, and transmitting card numbers runs in separate hosting infrastructure, and doesn’t share any credentials with Stripe’s primary services (API, website, etc.).
How safe are your software services?
We encrypt your data using 256-bit AES encryption, also known as AES-256, one of the strongest block ciphers available. Although nothing is completely fail safe, we have invested in highest standards to make sure you and your data are safe!
In which countries can I shop online?
Although we hate to see anyone leave, we understand if it’s time to go. Do not worry, we purge all data once an organization has elected to not continue.


Metabolic London Terms & Conditions
1. The terms and conditions apply to 100 Club Founder Membership, Monthly Unlimited and Corporate Membership options. Membership will commence from the date of payment and will recur on a monthly basis. You can cancel your membership after the initial 3 month period by giving us a minimum of 1 months notice. Your membership will be cancelled after your next payment. For example, if your membership renews on the 25th of each month and you give notice on April 10th (or any point between March 25th and April 24th), we will take one final payment on April 25th and your membership and access to the gym will end on May 25th.
2. If you are paying by direct debit, your signature on the credit-card or debit-card form authorises us to use that card to take the monthly payment if we do not receive your direct-debit payment for any reason. If you fall behind with your membership fees and this is not caused by a bank error, we may charge reasonable administration fees or suspend or cancel your membership and we may pass your details to a debt-collection company to recover any outstanding payments.
3. We may decide to increase our membership fees, but your fees will not increase in your initial term of membership (unless you do not provide ID for a membership type that requires it). We will give you one month’s notice of any fee change. If you pay your membership fees as a lump-sum payment, we will only review your membership fees when your membership is due for renewal.
4. You can cancel your membership within 14 days of joining and we will refund any membership fees you have paid as long as we receive your cancellation notice within this time frame.
5. If you pay your membership fees upfront in one single lump sum, your membership will automatically end at the end of the initial term unless you choose to renew it.
6. If you pay your membership fees monthly by direct debit, your membership will automatically continue at the end of the initial term unless you give us one full calendar month’s notice to end it. (You can give one month’s calendar notice to end your contract on the last day of the initial term.) If your contract rolls over after the initial term, you can end your membership by giving us one full calendar month’s notice. You must pay your full membership rate during your month’s notice. Example: You give notice to end your membership contract on any day in April, but your full calendar month’s notice will not start until 1 May and you will leave on 31 May (your final payment will be for the month of May).
7. You can ask to cancel your membership and give us notice by providing your membership details: in person, by calling 07801 271 642, or by emailing firstname.lastname@example.org. We will send or give you confirmation once we have processed your cancellation. This could be by email or letter, depending on how you tell us you want to cancel your membership. Please tell us if you do not receive this. You are responsible for cancelling your direct debit once we have processed your cancellation and any payments relating to notice periods have been taken. We are entitled to keep any membership fees we receive if you have not cancelled your direct debit instruction with your bank and you have not given us valid notice to cancel your membership.
8. You can also cancel your membership if we seriously break these terms and conditions. We can cancel your membership if: you have seriously broken any terms of this contract; you do not pay any fee or charge within seven days of the date it was due, and we have written to you and given you a further 14 days to pay (so the fee or charge is more than 21 days late); If the gym permanently closes we will refund any membership fees you have paid upfront for a period of membership that has not yet been completed, or for any other reason if we consider it necessary to end your contract.
9. Our staff, agents and subcontractors are not medically qualified so if you have any doubts about your fitness or capability to exercise, we strongly recommend that you get advice from a doctor first. For safety reasons, you are responsible for correctly using all club facilities and reading club signs, and agree to keep to the conditions in the Health Commitment Statement, which is available at the front desk.
10. We will not be liable to you for any loss, damage or theft of any property you bring onto our premises which happens while the property is not locked away in a locker. The maximum compensation we will pay for any loss, damage or theft to property is limited to a total amount of £500 (for any one incident) if the loss, damage or theft is caused by the negligence of Metabolic London.
11. Late cancellation of classes and the 12 hour cancellation rule. If members have booked a class and fail to show up - you will be charged £9 automatically from your account. All members are entitled to change their bookings more than 12 hours from the start of the class, however cancellation / no show within the 12 hours will incur a charge.


Holy Trinity Church offers online giving!
Our Sunday Visitor has been chosen as our Online Giving provider. Our Sunday Visitor serves millions of Catholics worldwide through its publishing, offertory and communication services. Established in 1912 by a local parish priest, Our Sunday Visitor has grown into the nation's largest supplier of offering envelopes, parish and diocesan mailings, books, periodicals, curriculum, address management and stewardship services.
Online Giving costs you nothing and provides many advantages to you and the church! Click here to register now, or keep reading to learn more about the benefits...
Benefits for You
- No check writing or ATM stops before church
- Safe, secure, and confidential
- Use your checking, savings, or credit card
- Schedule recurring or one-time donations
- Change a gift or account any time you like
- Choose offertory, special funds, pledges
- Earn rewards through your credit card
Benefits for Holy Trinity Church
- Reduces check processing fees
- Allows staff more time to focus on ministries
- Creates peace in knowing your data and auto-deposited gifts are secure
- Accommodates special funds and tuition
- Provides giving history for tax statements
- Reaches a wider demographic of givers
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Giving
Is Online Giving Safe?
Online Giving meets the highest banking-level security standards set forth by the Payment Card Industry (PCI) to ensure safe and confidential transactions. In fact, your banking information is encrypted in the system and is not accessible to any users or administrators of the Online Giving system.
When you manage your own account information, your parish never needs to handle checks or worry about locking up documents containing your account information. And you'll always be certain that your gifts are direct-deposited into your parish's account.
What are the advantages of Online Giving?
It makes it easy to give, even when you are unable to attend church. You never have to bring cash or checks to church. Giving electronically also helps the parish save money and plan its budget!
How are my contributions automatically deducted from my account?
Once you complete the online registration form, the contribution amount you specify will automatically be transferred from your bank account to the parish's bank account.
When will my contribution be deducted from my account?
Your electronic contribution will be debited on the date you specify on the "My Gifts" page of the Online Giving system.
If I do not write checks, how do I keep my checkbook balance straight?
Since your contribution is made at a pre-established time, you simply record it in your check register on the appropriate date. Electronic contributions are recorded for you on your bank statement as well as your online reports.
Without a canceled check, how can I prove I made my contribution?
Your bank statement and the Online Giving system both provide reports that document your electronic transactions.
Can I put different amounts in offerings and have all of them withdrawn at different times?
You can contribute to different offerings at different times; however, you will have to do each one separately. You will receive a receipt for each one.
What if I change bank accounts?
Log in and update your account information in the My Payment Schedule window. Each checking/savings/credit card can be changed using the edit button, deleted completely, or new accounts can be added on the right side of the screen.
How much does Online Giving cost?
It costs you absolutely nothing!
What if I try Online Giving and don't like it?
You can cancel your authorization by deleting your accounts and donation dates at any time.
How do I sign up for Online Giving?
- Visit your parish website
- Click on the Online Giving link
- Complete the registration form
It's that simple!
For additional information or help setting up your account please contact the parish office at 860-246-4162.
Click here to enroll in online giving.
For Your INFORMATION: Contributions and tax requirements
We thank our parishioners for their faithful support of our parish, their support of the monthly parish debt payment, their support of our various parish projects and activities, and their support of the special collections. By law parishioners who itemize deductions for income tax purposes must have bank records or receipts from the parish in order to deduct contributions to the parish on their tax return. In order for the parish to be able to provide a parishioner with the required receipt, parishioners are encouraged to use parish envelopes or online giving. As an alternative, using a check to make weekly contributions will provide the parishioner with the required documentation.


“The key to our consistent record of success is a truly unique combination of authoritative expertise and ability to transform complex data into actionable strategies.”
Unmatched expertise. Exceptional results.
Urban Economics is a nationally recognized resource for real estate appraisals, property tax challenges and real property consulting services. The firm incorporates the power of advanced GIS mapping technology to provide leading-edge real estate research, market analysis and litigation support for the industry’s most demanding clients.
Respected real estate appraiser and expert witness Michael McElveen and his team leverage a unique combination of GIS-based real estate data, micro economics expertise and litigation support to provide clients with a fully-integrated suite of 360º solutions.
The Tampa, Florida-based firm is an industry-leading provider of strategic real estate transaction, asset management and workout solutions, as well as property taxation, eminent domain and expert witness services. Advising institutional and private investors, Urban Economics has an incomparable track record of delivering results for even the most complex challenges in a rapidly evolving real estate market.


Did you know that if each woman in America spent $20/month at a woman owned business that would put $37.7 billion into the hands of women-owned business? That amount is more than all the venture capital given to women-owned businesses in 2017. Crazy isn’t it?!
My guest is making it easier for you to spend that $20/month. She has created MAIA.community. A directory website with profiles of currently over 700,000 women owned businesses.
Rather than just give lip service to supporting women Kateri Ruiz has devoted her business to growing women owned businesses.
Take a listen as we talk about how she decided to create her business after declaring she sold her soul in corporate life.
At MAIA, our mission is to change the status quo on gender equality at the highest levels of leadership. We are women-conscious consumers and we’re creating the first free access searchable platform of woman-owned businesses in the United States, 13 million and counting. As the CEO of your life, does your purchasing power align with your values?
My personal challenge is 83% – 5 out of 6 people in my household are female. 83% of our household spending will go to women-owned companies, and women-created ventures. When women are involved equally at the highest levels of leadership, where we ideate, create and make decisions, we have the potential for our products, our services, and solutions to truly represent all of us.
If each female in the U.S. spent $20 a month at a woman-owned business for 1 year, they would drive $37.7 billion more to women-owned companies than all Venture Capital funding did in 2017. Your money matters, use it to make a difference!
I also sold my soul for corporate America for 17 years. I had full P&L responsibility of $42M. website: maia.community


Disclaimer: I am not a financial advisor or business expert and this article isn’t intended as a guide for your specific financial or business situation. It is a recounting of my experience and my opinions on the subject on what has worked for me. For advice about your financial or business decisions, please contact a qualified financial advisor or a trusted business mentor.
I want to start this post by acknowledging that I am not wealthy, nor do I come from a wealthy family. I am working towards becoming financially free at some point in my future, but I still have to work on a fairly consistent basis to earn income. With that said – there can be a disconnect with people understanding how I still need to work but own what most people would consider very expensive equipment.
When I was first starting out, I had never even dreamed of owning a camera that essentially costs the same as a mid sized car. I once had a hard time wrapping my head around spending more than $200 on a camera. Over the years, I was continually exposed to camera gear pricing and became less shocked at prices. Sometimes I’m brought back to reality when I speak to beginners who have trouble justifying the cost of camera gear.
Therefore, the goal of this article is to take beginners through the process and mindset I’ve gone through over the years to afford higher priced equipment as I progress to each new level.
Before I get too much into the details of this topic, here is the perspective in which I am writing from:
- I do not have a trust fund from my family nor have I received any significant financial inheritances.
- All of the major equipment purchases I’ve made have been with money that I’ve worked and saved for.
- Large ticket items I couldn’t afford with savings I’ve put on credit cards and paid off over time.
Working your way up
When one begins to work at the professional level in your field, some tools of the trade can be very expensive. Sometimes, there is a big difference between a professional tool and a hobbyist tool. Other times, there are minor differences that make a big difference over time (comfort, durability, build quality, etc). Whatever the case, professional tools such as camera equipment, can get very expensive when you get to the higher tiers.
I’ve gotten the question “How did you afford that?” or comments like “Wow you have that camera/lens/etc? You must be doing well.” or “That’s really expensive” with wide open eyes. It’s easier to understand when you see the mechanics of how expensive equipment is purchased and paid off – that often people just aren’t successful out of nowhere and that owning expensive items such as equipment came from a lot of hard work.
I grew up in a middle class family where both parents worked full time. I think my father single handedly brought our immediate family out of the lower class existence he grew up in so I need to acknowledge him for that – thanks dad. Although I am only child and my parents did a great job of not making me feel like money was a big issue, I still remember my parents intensely discussing and arguing about the state of financial affairs, savings, etc.
6 years ago I was in the same boat with similar questions and comments that most people have when they haven’t invested into high end equipment for whatever reason. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would come to own a RED camera. When I looked at the price tag compared to my Canon t3i at the time, it didn’t even register as a reality. Why would I spend more money on a camera than I can get a car for?
I did not work on large sets when I was first starting out. Because of this, I did not have access to these higher end tools. Later I came to find some of my favorite fashion photographers and directors were shooting on RED, so I eventually became interested in the camera platform. Once I decided I wanted to own one, I looked for ways of how to obtain one.
I think making a decision is the first important step; once your mind has decided on something, the problem then becomes ‘how do I achieve this’ instead of ‘I’ll never be able to afford that’. Whatever your priority is, your mind will focus on.
Over the course of the next two years I saved money. Combined with the small savings I had from work, I was able to purchase a used Scarlet-MX. It was the lowest end model I could afford, from a student who was selling it at a really low price to fund other things. I was lucky with my find, as I wouldn’t have been able to afford a brand new model without going into debt. It was more than just about buying the equipment – it was a gateway for me to understand the best way for me to save and get over the mental barrier of a high cost item, but also being financially responsible and not go into debt.
How to afford an expensive camera/lenses/etc
Here are the steps I use to purchase camera equipment:
- I decide I am going to buy something.
- I take a look at my current finances. Do I have enough saved up? If it negatively will affect my savings or my ability to have a rainy day fund, I will look into 0% APR credit cards. I’ve found that if I can pay my debt off in 15-18 months, I can essentially have no interest on it. I do not take out loans if I can avoid it, since I do not like paying interest on things.
- If I cannot afford what I want after taking account of my finances and my credit cards, keep working until I am financially ready to afford it. By that point, usually 1-2 years later depending on my saving habits, I will be ready to purchase either through savings or credit. However I’ve found that I may have grown out of my desire to own the thing I wanted. Then I have enough for the next thing that comes along without having to work so hard towards it.
There have been a lot of things I’ve wanted to buy but simply didn’t because I did not want to put myself in a precarious financial situation. I would love to buy a fully loaded, $80k brand new Alexa Mini on a loan. However, in order for me to pay it back in a timely manner, I would have to rent my camera out frequently on projects that I am not working on. I’m not interested in maintenance and dealing with pickups and drop offs, and I do not want to be paying back a loan with interest for 2+ years by not using additional rental income to pay the camera off. Typically, I purchase items I can pay back within an interest free 15-18 month period.
Don’t let the gear define you
Although owning gear can be lucrative, here’s something to think about: Some very successful cinematographers I know in their 20s and 30s do not own and never have owned major camera equipment. They started out renting and rent now. If something is currently out of reach for you financially, there are other creative ways of making great images, and people are out there proving it every day.
As a cinematographer I’ve always had a camera for personal projects as well as work projects. The size/price/etc of the camera may go down in the near future to not have to worry about figuring out a financial strategy for myself; but until then I’ve found a combination of saving and using 0% APR credit cards the best method for me to finance these items.


Insurance for Your Horse
This comprehensive policy reimburses you in the event of the death of your insured horse resulting from an accident, sickness or disease sustained during the annual policy term. This policy also provides coverage if an insured horse requires euthanasia, as recommended by your veterinarian and agreed to by the insurance company, to prevent excess or continued suffering due to an incurable injury or terminal disease. Limited theft protection is included offering protection if the insured animal is stolen and dies as a result.
Your mortality policy will provide coverage while your insured horse is stabled in the United States or Canada including during transportation throughout. The territorial limits of your policy can be extended to include many foreign countries. Prior notification and acceptance by the insurance company is required to provide transit coverage outside of the US and Canada. This is a very important consideration if you are purchasing a horse from another country, or one who will be traveling worldwide.
You will always want to notify your agent or assigned claims adjuster of any illness or injury requiring veterinary care and prior to any surgery even if elective-type surgery.
Failure to give proper notice of any claim or prior to any surgery (unless required to save the animal’s life) could jeopardize your insurance coverage.
Insurance Policy Requirements
The insurance company has specific requirements for placing insurance on your horse. Once these requirements are met, we will be able to immediately provide coverage. Learn More


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The costs associated with our program cover tuition at George Mason University and furnished housing in downtown Washington, D.C.
The additional benefits of our comprehensive program, including an internship placement, guest lectures, networking events, professional seminars and site briefings add value beyond just the classes and housing. The experience, knowledge and contacts you will gain by participating in a TFAS program will be valuable assets and can increase your earning potential in the job market.
As an educational nonprofit organization, we strive to provide as much scholarship funding to as many qualified and deserving students as possible. 85% of students attending TFAS programs are on full or partial awards based on merit and/or need. You’ll see the full costs listed below, but keep in mind that the majority of students receive scholarship funding to help cover a portion of the costs.
Scholarship Funding Overview
Awards for the summer tend to range from $1,000 -$5,000 and $2,000 –$7,000 in the semester, with the highest awards going to students with the highest degree of need and merit. Please see the Admissions page for details on how to apply for a scholarship with your application.
In addition to the partial scholarships available through our general scholarship fund, we have a number of special full scholarship opportunities open to students meeting certain criteria or focuses of study.
“Before coming to Washington, D.C, I was struggling to choose whether to accept this opportunity due to financial reasons. Thanks to my scholarship, I have gained an unforgettable experience, and I have TFAS to thank for helping me take full advantage of this opportunity!”
Anthony Bonini, University of Redlands Intern, Aspira Association Inc.
Program Costs + Full Scholarships
Details on the summer and semester program costs as well as full scholarship opportunities are found below. Please click through all tabs to learn more about each category of full scholarship after reading the overview.
Students are required to take a 3-credit core class and may choose to enroll in an additional elective class for up to 6 credits in total. There are two housing options offered.
3-Credit Option: $8,250
Tuition + Housing in Affinity Units for 8 weeks
6-credit Option: $9,450
Tuition + Housing in Affinity Units for 8 weeks
A non-refundable deposit of $750 (deducted from tuition balance) is due at the time of enrollment (generally within 3 weeks of acceptance). The remainder of the tuition balance is due May 1.
Estimate of living costs for the summer (actual costs will vary and are not included in the program costs):
Books and supplies: $200
Food: $1,000 (depending on personal preferences)
Transportation around Washington: $350 (Metro train and bus fare)
Personal expenses: $250 (Entertainment, etc.)
Transportation to Washington: Based on distance from Washington and type of travel
In addition to a pool of full scholarships that are open to any undergraduate studying in the United States, TFAS has multiple full scholarships restricted by geographical region, school of enrollment, or focus area.
Unless otherwise noted, the scholarships outlined on this page are open to students applying to and attending the following summer program tracks:
Public Policy + Economics
Journalism + Communication
Business + Government Relations
All students receiving a full scholarship must enroll in 6 credits, including an economics and elective course of their choice.
Select full scholarships are available to applicants to the Leadership + the American Presidency program track. The Reagan Institute administers these awards. Please contact email@example.com to learn more.
How to Apply
Complete the Full Scholarship application within the online application.
Full scholarships are merit-based and will be reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis beginning at the December 6 Early Deadline.
Any student not selected for a full scholarship will be considered for a partial award from the general scholarship fund if the General Scholarship application was completed. Partial awards are based on a combination of financial need and merit.
Scholarship awards are made at the time of admission.
Full Scholarships: Regional + School Specific
The following full scholarships are open to students from the region or university/college noted in the description. Please see the Full Scholarship Overview tab for further application details.
This scholarship is open to a student attending Amherst College (Massachusetts).
There are 2 full scholarships available to students attending Bucknell University (Pennsylvania).
This scholarship is open to students from or attending college in the Houston, Texas area.
This scholarship is open to students attending Southern Methodist University in Texas.
This scholarship fund is open to students attending college in Western Texas. Special preference is given to students of Abilene Christian University, Hardin-Simmons University and McMurry University.
This scholarship is named for Senator Richard Lugar and is open to students attending colleges and universities in Indiana.
This scholarship is open to a student attending Mt. Holyoke College (Massachusetts) or Wesleyan University (Connecticut).
Sponsored by the DeJoy Wos Family Foundation, this scholarship fund will provide at least 12 full scholarships to students from or attending college in North Carolina.
This scholarship is open to a student attending Stetson University (Florida).
This scholarship is open to students attending Tufts University (Massachusetts).
This scholarship opportunity is open to a student attending Western Michigan University (Michigan).
Full Scholarships: International Students
We have several special scholarships/partnerships available for students from specific countries. Admission of international students studying outside of the U.S. will be limited to applications from the following scholarships.
Please see the Full Scholarship Overview tab for further application details.
This full scholarship is available to several students from Hungary in both the summer and spring semester.
Through the generosity of the Hungary Foundation, full scholarships along with a generous living expense stipend are provided. Interested applicants should visit HF’s website for more information about the fellowship and apply on TFAS’ website by the noted deadlines.
Through this scholarship fund, TFAS is able to provide a full scholarship plus a generous travel and living expense stipend to a student from Poland to attend one of the summer program.
Through the generosity of the Netherland-America Foundation, 4-5 full scholarships will be provided to students from the Netherlands to attend the summer program.
Through this scholarship named in honor of George Viksnins, a long-time and beloved TFAS economics professor, a full scholarship is offered to 1 Latvian student to attend the summer program.
Through the generosity of the DeJpoy Wos Family Foundation, 1 full scholarship along with a generous travel stipend is offered to 1 Estonian student to attend the summer program.
Topical Fellowships – U.S.-based Students
The following full fellowships are open to students interested in the topic of focus. Each fellowship provides a full scholarship. Please see the Full Scholarship Overview tab for further application details.
At least 10 full scholarships are available to students with a demonstrated interest in studying and pursuing a career in defense and national security. This scholarship opportunity is open to students who are applying to and admitted into the International Affairs track.
This scholarship opportunity will provide full scholarships to at least 10 students involved in the liberty movement. Several fellowships are reserved for students attending college or university in Arizona.
This fellowship is open to students enrolled in the Business + Government Relations program track and provides 4 students with a full scholarship that covers 6-credits, housing and program fees, along with a $1,000 stipend. Students will be given the opportunity to apply for this fellowship upon enrollment in the program. Applicants will be asked to submit several additional short essay prompts.
The fellowship is open to students with experience or interest in information technology, computer science and public policy. Fellows will be interning in the government affairs offices of one of the following technology organizations:
Technology CEO Council
Computing Research Association
Intern supervisors provide mentoring, hands-on experience and valuable high-tech public policy training. Fellows have an opportunity to observe the development and advocacy of significant policy issues in Congress, the Administration and industry associations. They also have the opportunity to participate in projects of their own, focusing on current critical issues facing the tech sector.
One of the fellowships is named to honor the memory of Thurmond Woodard, Dell’s former vice president of global diversity and the chief ethics, privacy and compliance officer. Applicants interested in this fellowship will submit an additional essay prompt on diversity and ethics. The selected fellow will intern at Dell for the summer.
Partner Organization Scholarships
TFAS partners with a number of organizations to provide full scholarships to attend the summer programs. Please see the Full Scholarship Overview tab for further application details.
6 full scholarships are open to students with confirmed State Department internships. These students will enroll in the International Affairs track and receive mentorship from members of the Council of American Ambassadors. An invitation to apply for the fellowship will be sent to all eligible State Department interns. Interested applicants should apply directly to the State Department’s internship program.
Full and partial scholarships are available to alumni of the Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE) summer programs.
This scholarship opportunity is open to students who are receiving a Sumners Foundation scholarship at an identified university. Interested applicants should email Mary Stankus to notify her of their intent to apply.
4 full scholarships will be awarded to cadets of the U.S. Air Force Academy annually. Interested cadets should contact the academy directly for application instructions.
Other Sources of Funding
While 85% of students receive scholarship support from TFAS, including some full awards, most students will have a remaining balance due. It is important to think about how you will fund your Washington experience early in the application process.
We encourage you to take the following steps:
Talk with your parents, guardians and other family members about their ability to contribute to your participation in the program.
Research scholarship opportunities on your campus and in your community, including the honors college, academic departments or other offices that offer scholarships for enrichment programs. Community organizations such as the Rotary Club and churches often assist students in financing their DC experience.
Meet with the financial aid office at your home university to discuss the possibility of transferring any federal aid to a summer or semester of study. Aid may be transferred through a consortium agreement. A consortium agreement is a form that allows one academic institution to verify the credit hours and costs of another academic program before a transfer of funds can occur.
Your TFAS admissions counselor will also serve as your tuition payment counselor as you research additional funding opportunities. Questions regarding consortium agreements, transferring aid and applying for educational loans may be directed to these staff members and firstname.lastname@example.org.


To provide a fully electronic “One-Stop” shopping approach for real estate services that enables our clients to make sound loan decisions. We are dedicated to maintaining our current edge in turnaround time and quality; continually striving to meet or better your expectations. From application to approval, our goal is to be your professional solution.
For over 20 Years, Universal Real Estate Services strives to provide financial institutions a one-stop NATIONWIDE resource for their lending needs. These services include Title and Settlement, Instant Flood Certifications, property searches and APPRAISAL SERVICES. Universal’s cost effective and timely appraisal services include all recognized appraisal forms as well as Instant AVMs and Broker Price Opinions.
With over 3,000 licensed and certified professional appraisers, Universal provides your institution with local market expertise, complete geographic coverage and unmatched customer service. Each of our clients is assigned at least two Universal in-house processors to provide continual updated status information to get your deals done promptly. Factor in on-line tracking and 100% electronic transmission of your reports and you will understand why we are confident when we say: From Application to Settlement, Universal IS your answer.
We at Universal are confident we can exceed your vendor expectations and assist you in reaching your lending goals. Universal views our association with our clients as a partnership and we look forward to that same partnership with your institution. Your consideration is greatly appreciated!


When it comes to the world of real estate, the term “properties” is a common buzzword. Whether you’re a seasoned investor, a first-time homebuyer, or simply curious about the housing market, understanding the concept of properties is essential. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of properties, exploring their different types, values, and the factors that affect them. So, let’s get started on this exciting journey!
What are Properties?
Properties, in the context of real estate, refer to land and any structures or improvements on that land. They can include residential homes, commercial buildings, vacant land, farms, and even natural resources like oil or mineral deposits. Essentially, properties are tangible assets that can be bought, sold, rented, or leased.
Types of Properties
Properties can be broadly categorized into four main types:
- Residential Properties: These are properties primarily used for housing purposes. They include single-family homes, apartments, condominiums, townhouses, and vacation homes. Residential properties are typically owned by individuals or families who either live in them or rent them out to tenants.
- Commercial Properties: Commercial properties are used for business purposes. They can include office buildings, retail stores, warehouses, industrial facilities, and hotels. Commercial properties are often owned by corporations, real estate investment trusts (REITs), or individual investors who lease them out to businesses.
- Industrial Properties: Industrial properties are specifically designed for manufacturing, production, or distribution activities. They can encompass factories, warehouses, distribution centers, and storage facilities. Industrial properties are usually owned by companies engaged in industrial operations or by investors looking to generate rental income.
- Land and Agricultural Properties: Land and agricultural properties include undeveloped land, farmland, ranches, and vineyards. These properties are primarily used for agricultural purposes, such as crop cultivation, livestock farming, or viticulture. Investors may also purchase land for future development or speculation purposes.
Factors Affecting Property Values
Now that we understand the different types of properties, let’s explore the factors that influence their values:
- Location: The location of a property is one of the most critical factors affecting its value. Properties situated in desirable neighborhoods with good schools, amenities, and proximity to transportation tend to command higher prices. On the other hand, properties in less desirable areas or those facing environmental issues may have lower values.
- Supply and Demand: The law of supply and demand plays a significant role in determining property values. When the demand for properties exceeds the supply, prices tend to rise. Conversely, when the supply outweighs the demand, prices may decline. Economic factors, population growth, and market conditions can all influence the supply-demand dynamics.
- Property Condition: The condition of a property, including its age, maintenance, and renovations, affects its value. Well-maintained properties with modern amenities and upgrades generally have higher values. Buyers and tenants are willing to pay a premium for move-in ready properties that require minimal repairs or renovations.
- Economic Factors: The overall state of the economy, including factors like interest rates, employment rates, and inflation, can impact property values. During times of economic growth and low interest rates, property values tend to rise. Conversely, during recessions or periods of high interest rates, property values may decline.
- Property Size and Features: The size of a property, both land and building, can influence its value. Larger properties typically command higher prices. Additionally, unique features like swimming pools, outdoor spaces, or scenic views can add value to a property.
The Importance of Understanding Properties
Why is it crucial to understand properties, you might ask? Well, whether you’re buying, selling, renting, or investing in real estate, having a solid understanding of properties can provide you with several advantages:
- Confident Decision-Making: When you understand properties and the factors that affect their values, you can make more informed decisions. Whether you’re deciding on the right property to buy or determining the right price to sell, your knowledge will empower you to make confident choices.
- Identifying Investment Opportunities: Real estate can be a lucrative investment avenue. By understanding properties, you can identify investment opportunities that align with your financial goals. You can analyze market trends, assess potential rental yields, and make calculated investment decisions.
- Negotiating Power: Armed with knowledge about properties, you can negotiate better deals. Whether you’re negotiating the purchase price, rental terms, or lease agreements, your understanding of property values and market conditions gives you an edge in negotiations.
- Protecting Your Interests: Understanding properties also helps you protect your interests as a property owner or tenant. Being aware of your rights and obligations, as well as the legal aspects of property transactions, ensures that you are safeguarded and can mitigate potential risks.
Let’s bring the concept of properties to life with a few real-life examples:
Example 1: Sarah is looking to buy her first home. She’s considering two properties in different neighborhoods. Property A is located in a highly sought-after neighborhood with top-rated schools, parks, and easy access to the city center. Property B is situated in a less desirable area with limited amenities and a higher crime rate. Sarah knows that Property A is likely to have a higher value due to its location and positive neighborhood attributes.
Example 2: Michael is a real estate investor looking to diversify his portfolio. He’s considering investing in either a commercial property or an industrial property. After analyzing market trends and rental yields, Michael realizes that commercial properties in his city are in high demand due to the thriving business sector. On the other hand, industrial properties have lower rental yields but offer long-term stability. Armed with this knowledge, Michael decides to invest in a commercial property to capitalize on the current market conditions.
Example 3: John is a homeowner who wants to sell his property. He knows that his house is in good condition and has recently undergone renovations. However, he’s unsure about the right price to list his property. John researches similar properties in his neighborhood, assesses the current market conditions, and consults with a real estate agent. With a solid understanding of property values and market trends, John confidently lists his property at a competitive price, attracting multiple interested buyers and ultimately selling it for a higher value.
Properties are the building blocks of the real estate world. Understanding their different types, values, and the factors that influence them is crucial for anyone involved in real estate transactions. Whether you’re a buyer, seller, investor, or tenant, having a comprehensive understanding of properties empowers you to make informed decisions, identify opportunities, and protect your interests. So, next time you come across the term “properties,” remember the exciting world it represents and the potential it holds.


Worked with TLE at CaseRev
Referred TLE to 6+ companies
"I have had extensive experience with TLE.market and have been very impressed with their effectiveness in creating qualified leads for companies that sell within the insurance and legal industries. I was originally introduced to their services by a Board Director of a start-up insurance and litigation technology company at which I was in charge of business development. I was initially very skeptical of any third-party's ability to drive interest across our C-suite oriented executive prospect base, particularly because our solution was both complex, difficult to explain, and new to the industry. To my delight, TLE.market not only exceeded their own estimate of how many qualified meetings they could produce for our organization, but they generated a robust pipeline that was core to our growth and ability to secure new funding. I have been sufficiently impressed with TLE.market's performance that I have suggested them to executive colleagues at no less than 6 other companies in the insurance, legal and financial spaces. Each has shared with me how pleased they have been with their services also. In short, I would not hesitate to recommend them to others who are looking to quickly build, expand, or strengthen their sales pipeline."


Here’s a riddle that I thought about.
Every year, 4 months before the start of a new semester each department in Queens College 🏫 releases the schedule of when classes are to be held and which professors will be teaching those classes.
You are the chair of the math department. You’ve assigned all but 2 professors to their classes. The two remaining professors can teach any class and both want to be full time employees. In order to be considered a full time professor you need to teach 6 hours a day and atleast one 2 hour class. The problem is that these two professors are married with little kids at home who need to be watched at all times. This means that both professors cannot teach at the same time (Because then nobody would be home). This also means that the moment one of them finishes teaching, they drive home (Luckly they have 2 cars 🚙). The contract you signed with them stipulates that you must pay for gas money incured by driving back and forth during school hours.
- 2x 2 hours classes
- 8x 1 hour classes
that need professors so you’ll need to divy those classes up among the 2 remaining professors. The way the schedule worked out this semester each of these classes are back-to-back with no breaks.
You want to minimize the amount you pay for gas so you want to schedule each professor for as many back-to-back classes as possible, having them switch shifts at home less often. You’d like to do an even split but the order in which the classes will occur is currently unknown and is decided by people not in your control.
Today is the final day to send the budget to the Budget Office 🏦. You want to add the necessary gas money, $1.00 a trip from the professor’s home to college and each trip requires both of the professors to drive one way ($2.00 total per switch), to the budget but don’t want to request more than necessary. On the other hand you don’t want to request less than necessary because then the gas money will be coming out of your pocket. How much money should you write down per day so that you won’t have to pay out of your pocket but you also wont be asking for more then you need.
Note: More then you need is anything over the guarenteed minimum, the guarenteed minimum means that although there could be scenarios where you pay less, this is the minimum you’d have to pay in the worst case.
Here is an example schedule:
|7am - 8am||8 - 9||9 - 10||10 - 11||11am - 1pm||2 - 3||3 - 4||4 - 6||7 - 8||8 - 9|
|1hr class||1hr||1hr||1hr||2 hour||1hr||1hr||2 hour||1hr||1hr|


BRITISH CERTIFICATION AND TAX RELIEF
In order to qualify for the UK’s creative sector tax reliefs, all films, animation and television programmes or video games must be certified as British through the cultural test or qualify as an official co-production to support the production of film and high-end TV across the UK, further, the government will provide £2.1 million of new funding next year for the British Film Commission and the British Film Institute Certification Unit. Furthermore, the government will review public investment in Research and Development spending for the creative industries to a Spending Review timeframe.
Find out how to qualify your film, high-end television programme, animation programme, children’s television programme or video game as British.
Funding information is also accessible via the links.
How do you qualify?
FILM: At the end of the day, your accountant and auditor will need to satisfy the Films (Certification) Regulations 2006 to accompany the application for Final Certification as a British film under Schedule 1 to the Films Act 1985. Read through the BFI’s guidance on the Cultural Test for Film.
ANIMATION: Likewise, there is a very helpful page for the Cultural Test for Animation.
Here at the Backstage Centre we look forward to working with our clients who can receive further incentives following the Autumn Statement. But, what about the details? And when do these initiatives go ‘live’?
The government has published a call for evidence on recent trends in the visual effects industry. This will inform the design of additional tax relief for expenditure on visual effects, which the government intends to deliver through the Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC). The government intends to consult on the detailed policy design of further support and intends to implement changes to the expenditure credit from April 2025, which means we are some way away from the fine details.
This new approach will also see an extension of uplifted relief for animated television content to include animation films which will be eligible for a 5% uplift in relief under the Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit.
In summary, (we do like abbreviations….you won’t be disappointed!)
The audio-visual expenditure credit (AVEC) will replace the current film, high-end TV (HETV), animation and children’s TV tax reliefs, while the video games expenditure credit (VGEC) will replace video games tax relief (VGTR).
Under the current schemes, relief is given by way of an additional deduction from profits or surrendering a loss for the tax credit. Under AVEC and VGEC, companies will instead receive an above-the-line tax credit based on qualifying expenditures. This will be taxable at the main rate of corporation tax (CT). Whether there are further changes to CT we are yet to learn.
However, it should be noted that the Capital allowances ‘full expensing’ will be made permanent in the Autumn Finance Bill 2023, so that investments made by companies in qualifying plant and machinery, after 1 April 2026, will continue to qualify for a 100% first-year allowance for main rate assets, and a 50% first-year allowance for special rate (including long life) assets. Cars, assets for leasing and second-hand assets will be excluded from these 100% and 50% first-year allowances. At last, something for the likes of us providing the studio spaces.
The Autumn Statement can be read in full here.


Online Financial Aid System
Welcome to the York University's Financial Aid portal. You can:
- View a list of documents we've received from you and a list of the documents still outstanding
- View your estimated financial aid awards
- Upon Completion of required documentation, accept the awards
- View your student loan history
- Check the status of your student loans for the current year.
If you have not previously logged in, click on the "First Time User" link in the "Log-In" sidebar.
You must have a financial aid record already established at York University in order to use this system. If you have not begun the financial aid application process, you can get started by completing online the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Enter our school code, 002567, on your application and we will automatically receive a copy.
First Time Users
If you are new to this portal, click here to setup your account.
Returning students or anyone who already has access to both their PantherNet and York University Email accounts should go here to login.


1. Who is the publisher?
Research who the publisher is, remembering that publishing income is far more difficult to collect than record income. It is vitally important that your publisher is a reputable company able to continue paying income over many years.
2. How long is the contract for?
Do not enter into a publishing agreement for a period longer than five years. The terms of an agreement will need to be reconsidered every so often in view of the writer's success. If possible only enter into an agreement for a period of three years although this will in effect, be one year plus two one year options.
3. What sort of publishing advances can the songwriter or composer expect to be paid?
The advances should reflect an accurate estimate of the income due to the artist normally over the next 12 months. If an artist has secured an album deal it will be higher than if the artist had secured a singles deal. The publisher is effectively advancing the income that will be expected on royalty payments to the artist through the release of recorded material.
4. How much money will a publisher take in royalty income?
a)The royalties should be a fair and accurate split; the norm today is 75% for the writer and 25% for the publisher. Royalties split 50-50 is not acceptable and are a hangover from a less regulated era.
b) Understand fully how royalties are calculated at source it means that when £1 is earned throughout the world the writer receives 75p.
However, if royalties are calculated on a receipts basis and the publisher has entered into a 75/25 split with its sub-publisher (even if it is a company the publisher owns completely) then the songwriter will receive is 75% of 75% - that is 56.25p in the pound.
5. When will the writer get the full rights to her/his music back?
Consider the retentions. Songs last for the writer's life plus 70 years and it is very important that writers get their songs back at some point so that they can enter into new agreements and maximise potential income. Songs are a writer's pension. Many songs which seem to have no real value after their initial success come back years later and are of considerable value. A 10 to 15 year retention period is fair, some publishing companies require longer, but you should not agree to a life of a copyright deal.
6. What control does the writer have over her/his work?
Deal with creative controls in a publishing deal as you have in a record contract. You want to ensure that the writer's work is not altered, amended or modified without permission. Ensure sync licenses (the right to put the music on film, TV) are not granted without the writer's permission. Impose controls on the publisher to ensure they register each song in each territory in order to protect them.
7. How can an artist ensure the right to the debut performance of his/her own song?
Contractual controls make sure that the publisher abides by any control composition clause and requirements for the granting of sync licenses imposed by the record company and that the publisher will grant to the writer's own record company a first mechanical license without the writer's permission. This will ensure the writer always has his or her own work available to him/her.
8. Who keeps track of the money?
Deal with accounting provisions as per the record company – it is very important in publishing agreements that the source of all income is easily identifiable.


COVID-19 has created an unprecedented demand for unemployment insurance benefits for employees. The North Carolina Division of Employment Security is the agency charged with administering both state and federal unemployment benefits. Below is information about how to apply for assistance, and for answers to other frequently asked questions.
Filing for Unemployment Insurance Benefits
The Division of Employment Security’s website is the fastest and most efficient way to file a new claim. Visit their site to create an account and begin the application process.
Federal Unemployment Assistance
The Division of Employment Security has received official guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor on how to implement the three unemployment programs of the federal CARES Act. The agency is now working to quickly modify theirnsystems to ensure people receive proper and accurate payments. Applicants due any benefits prior to the full implementation of these programs will be paid retroactively.
DES intends to implement the programs in the following order.
- Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC): This program provides an additional $600 in weekly unemployment insurance benefits to eligible claimants. We are currently testing our system for this program and anticipate making the first payments by April 17, 2020.
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA): This program provides unemployment compensation for individuals not eligible for regular unemployment insurance or any extensions to unemployment insurance. This will provide benefits to eligible self-employed workers and independent contractors. We anticipate the system will be ready to accept claims for this assistance around April 25, 2020.
- Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC): This program provides up to 13 additional weeks of benefits for those who have exhausted their state unemployment benefits. A definitive timeline for completing system updates for this program is not yet available.
Visit the North Carolina Employment Security Division’s Federal Unemployment Assistance page to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
The North Carolina Division of Employment Security has put together the following FAQ’s related to COVID-19 and insurance benefit changes.
Changes to Unemployment Insurance
On March 17 Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 118, making unemployment insurance benefits more widely available. According to the Division of Employment Security, the following changes are now in effect for individuals eligible for benefits due to COVID-19:
Waiting Period. Normally, individuals do not receive payment for the first week of their claim for unemployment—this is the one-week waiting period. The one-week waiting period is waived for people filing as a direct result of COVID-19.
Note: After you file your claim, your last employer is given, by law, 10 days to respond to DES about your claim. No payment will be released until after this 10-day period. If there are no issues with a claim, individuals typically receive payment within about 14 days of filing their initial claim.
Work Search Requirements. Executive Order 118 allows some requirements to be waived for people filing for unemployment due to COVID-19. If you are filing due to COVID-19, you may answer ‘yes’ to the following question on the Weekly Certification: ‘Did you look for work?’
Note: Requirements for performing a work search and being able and available for work are still in effect for individuals filing for unemployment due to reasons other than COVID-19.
No charges will be assessed to an employer’s account for any benefits paid as a direct result of COVID-19.
NC Works Career Center
The NC Works Career Center in Durham is currently closed to the public. However, residents can still access resources virtually. To access those resources, please visit their website.
Please note that office closures do not affect access to NCWorks Online. Job Applicants can continue to receive Job Search services and create resumes. Employers can still receive Recruitment Services. Should your local NCWorks Career Center close, most services can still be accomplished online.
Visit NCWorks Online.


Stay in the home you love with one of our many financing options!
Financing for Stairlifts, Straight Stairlifts, and Curved Starlifts in Chicago, Arlington Heights, Aurora, Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Champaign, Highland Park, and Joliet, IL
A stairlift is a major home purchase. Like a furnace or an air conditioner, it’s a purchase you want to get right the first time. Windy City Stairlifts offers several types of payment options and financing. We accept cash, check, and all major credit cards.
DCU Access Loans (Digital Federal Credit Union)
Access Loans are for any product, device, or building modification designed to assist someone with a disability. The borrower need not be the beneficiary of the purchase.
CareCredit helps you pay for out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for you, your family, and even your pets! Once you are approved, you can use it again and again to help manage health, wellness and beauty costs not covered by insurance.
Apply for Care Credit through our parent company Access Elevator:
The Federal Savings Bank
The Federal Savings Bank has low-cost loans available for home modifications, repairs, and improvements.
Blue Cross Blue Shield (IL)
Health Care Coverage You Can Depend On. Check BCBSIL.COM for affordable health care plans and coverage, that may cover some or all of your stairlift purchase.
Medicaid Waiver Programs
What is an HCBS Waiver?
A waiver is a program that provides services that allow individuals to remain in their own homes or live in a community setting, instead of in an institution. Illinois has nine HCBS waivers. Each waiver is designed for individuals with similar needs and offers a different set of services.


Last Updated May 2023
Is Family safe?
Yes, Family is safe. Your private keys are encrypted and stored locally on your device. This means that only you have access to your credentials and, consequently, your wallet and its assets. In addition, we employ several other security measures including requiring 2FA via biometrics for sensitive actions, such as signing transactions.
Who controls my wallet keys?
You have full control over your wallet keys. This means that the private keys, which grant access to your wallet, are stored on your device and not on a central server. You are the only one who has access to these keys, giving you complete control and responsibility over your assets. This is the main distinction between self-custody wallets and custodial wallets, where the private keys are held by a third party. Remember, it's crucial to securely store and never share your private keys or secret recovery phrase, as anyone with access to these can access your funds.
Can I switch from another wallet?
Yes, you can easily switch from another wallet to Family. If you're using a non-custodial wallet such as Trust Wallet or Rainbow and want to keep your current wallet addresses, you can import your existing wallet into Family by using your secret recovery phrase or private key.
Can I trade crypto within the wallet?
Absolutely, Family features a built-in decentralised exchange that allows you to trade between different tokens without having to leave the app. This function provides a seamless trading experience, enabling you to manage and diversify your crypto portfolio all from within our wallet. To trade, navigate to the ‘Swap’ section in the app, select the tokens you wish to trade from and to, input the amount, and confirm the transaction. The traded amount will then reflect in your wallet balance.
Are there any fees associated with the wallet?
Family does not charge any additional fees for using the wallet. However, standard network fees still apply. These fees are not collected by Family, but rather are integral to the Ethereum network, acting as compensation for validators who process and validate transactions. The specific transaction fee can vary depending on the intended transaction and the current network congestion.
If Family ever stopped existing, would I lose access to my wallet?
Nope, you would still be able to access your wallet and all of its assets and transaction history. This is because Family is a self-custody wallet, meaning you are in full control of your wallet keys rather than us. You can think of Family as a helpful visual interface to assist you in managing your Ethereum wallet. Your wallet itself exists on the Ethereum blockchain, which is fully decentralised and not going anywhere. As long as you keep your secret recovery phrase or private keys backed up safely, you’ll always be able to keep using your wallet with any other self-custody wallet app or interface, even if Family ceased to exist.
Does Family support L2s?
Yes, Family supports L2s such as Optimism, Base, Arbitrum, and Polygon, with more to come.


Simsbury, CT, October 3, 2023 – Veeder-Root, a worldwide leader in fuel management and environmental systems technology, in collaboration with NOV (NYSE: NOV), a global manufacturer for the energy industry, announced today their partnership to make forecourt equipment more accessible. Site owners and operators can purchase their complete forecourt site equipment leveraging Patriot Capital rates with the Veeder-Root and NOV financing bundle program. This bundle is designed to support customers with single wall tanks, or site owners and operators who need to upgrade their existing equipment.
To make the rapidly evolving fueling landscape more accessible and affordable, this bundle provides 100% financing opportunities up to $350,000, offers fixed payments, and can save end-customers upwards of $59,402 in interest costs. To combat interest rates that are at a 20 year high, this financing bundle program offers two financing options, 4.9% for 60 months and 5.49% for 72 months*.
The tank replacement financing bundle program includes purchasing the following, among other eligible products:
• Fiber Glass Systems’ Containment Solutions Tank (NOV)
• Fiber Glass Systems’ Piping (NOV)
• TLS-450PLUS and TLS4 Series Automatic Tank Gauges (Veeder-Root)
• Red Jacket® Submersible Turbine Pumps (Veeder-Root)
“We're excited to bring together two industry leading providers of forecourt equipment to provide more accessible rates to site owners and operators who need to undergo tank replacement projects,” said Lindsay Neubecker, Director of ATG & Vapor Product Platforms for Veeder-Root. “Together, we're revolutionizing accessibility in the fuel handling industry and continuing our commitments to excellence by helping our customers thrive in today's dynamic fueling environment.”
"We are thrilled to partner with Veeder-Root and provide this innovative financing solution to our customers," said Juan Carlos Marroquin, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at NOV's Fiber Glass Systems business unit. "By merging the product portfolios of two industry leaders and offering unparalleled financing options, we can now offer operators an unbeatable value proposition. This collaboration truly removes barriers for those looking to upgrade their infrastructure."
Veeder-Root and NOV are exhibiting at the 2023 NACS Show in Atlanta, GA from October 4-6, where they are excited to begin discussing this program with all in attendance. The Veeder-Root team can be found in booth B4031, and the NOV team can be found in booth B5049 at the show.
Proven solutions. Powerful partnership. Bundling the products you need at the industry’s best rate. Veeder-Root and NOV are happy to offer the strongest financial options in the industry to complete your project. For more information about this financing program and to explore the options available, please contact Patriot Capital at patriotcapitalcorp.com/contact-us/application or +1.877.527.0383.
Veeder-Root is a leading global supplier of fuel management and environmental solutions with a tradition of excellence in the petroleum industry. Our portfolio of market-leading products includes: Veeder-Root Automatic Tank Gauges, probes and sensors, Red Jacket® submersible pumps and pressurized line leak detectors, HydrX™ Fuel Conditioning System, EMR meter registers, and stage II vapor recovery solutions. Our products improve profitability and abate risk for customers by delivering solutions to manage onsite operations, compliance reporting, fuel procurement, inventory reconciliation, and accounting processes. Veeder-Root products and services are installed in over 500,000 tanks globally and are responsible for 22 billion gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel annually. To find out more about Veeder-Root, visit veeder.com.
NOV delivers technology-driven solutions to empower the global energy industry. For more than 150 years, NOV has pioneered innovations that enable its customers to safely produce abundant energy while minimizing environmental impact. The energy industry depends on NOV’s deep expertise and technology to continually improve oilfield operations and assist in efforts to advance the energy transition towards a more sustainable future. NOV powers the industry that powers the world. Visit nov.com for more information.
Veeder-Root Media Contact:
Director, ATG & Vapor Product Platforms Veeder-Root
Phone: (W) +1.860.651.2787
NOV Media Contact:
VP Sales, Fuel Handling
Phone: (W) +1.860.306.0530
* The term of financing will be based on current market rates and borrower credit quality. Shipping, installation, taxes, and soft costs are not eligible for the promotional incentive but may be financed at a higher rate at Patriot’s discretion.


The purpose of the Amazon Disaster Relief Fund is to help Amazon employees and partners impacted by a designated natural disaster. The fund will offer eligible Amazon employees and partners in need of immediate financial assistance tax-free grants (US) administered by a third-party, Emergency Assistance Foundation (EAF). Specifically, the fund provides assistance to eligible applicants up to $3,000 through a one-time grant for expenses related to temporary housing, temporary transportation, vehicular repair, replacement of essential appliances, as well as immediate needs such as food and clothing. EAF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, public, non-profit organization and makes the final determination on all applications. The Fund relies on support from the sponsoring organization, Amazon.
If you are experiencing hardship due to a designated natural disaster, you can apply for a grant. Please read the Application FAQ to see if you qualify.
Emergency Assistance Foundation independently administers all Fund activities and assists applicants with their grant applications when needed. The sponsoring organization, Amazon, has no visibility into individual applications or grants unless an applicant opts in to share certain details under specific circumstances.
Emergency Assistance Foundation is here to help during difficult times. Please click the “Community Resources” button for links to local resources, disaster preparedness education, financial learning tools, and more.


JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon sharply criticized former President Donald Trump on Thursday, saying the 2024 presidential candidate doesn’t understand the debt ceiling and what is at stake. It is just “one more thing he doesn’t know very much about,” Dimon told Bloomberg Television.
Trump said in a CNN town hall Wednesday night that a default would be preferable to a result that doesn’t stop the government “spending money like drunken sailors.”
Economists and congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle say an extended default would hurt the US economy, triggering widespread unemployment, surging interest rates and sparking a global downturn.
Defaulting on the US debt would be “potentially catastrophic,” Dimon said Thursday.
“The closer you get to it, you will have panic. Markets will get volatile, maybe the stock market will go down, the Treasury markets will have their own problems,” he said. “This is not good.”
Dimon also expressed concerns that US creditworthiness could be downgraded, as it was during the 2011 debt limit crisis.
Dimon told Bloomberg he has been hunkering down in a so-called “war room” once a week in order to prepare JPMorgan Chase, the largest bank in the United States, for the possibility of a debt default.
As the June 1 ‘X-date’ approaches — when the US Treasury could run out of cash and extraordinary measures to pay all government obligations — Dimon said he will convene his war room more often. By May 21, he expects to meet every day.
He added that while he’s respectful both of Republicans and Democrats during ongoing negotiations, he’d “love to get rid of the debt ceiling thing” altogether.
The whole debt ceiling situation “is very unfortunate,” he added. “It should never happen this way.”
On the whole, Dimon said he doesn’t feel confident about what the second half of 2023 holds for the US economy.
American consumers still have excess money in their bank accounts, he said, but they’re quickly spending it down and “the bite of that is going to happen later this year.”
By that time, he added, the full impact of the Federal Reserve’s tightening regimen could be felt by the economy.
“I think it’s reasonable to say that those two things are coming to fruition maybe towards the end of the year,” he said.
Given the risks, “I would take a mild recession happily,” he said.
He also reiterated that he is far more concerned about the toll the geopolitical climate could take on the US economy.
“Ukraine, trade, Russia and our relationship with China” top his list of worries, he told Bloomberg.
In April, he told CNN’s Poppy Harlow that the war in Ukraine was “the most important thing.”
Those rising tensions abroad are “changing everything we think about in the world” from safety and security to food and energy, he said. “It’s changing economic relationships, it’s roiling the relationship with us and China.”
Dimon also told Bloomberg he has met with the leadership of embattled US regional banks every day for the last week.
“We need to finish the bank crisis,” he said. “We’ve had uncertain policy on mergers,” he said “and I think we have to assume there will be a little bit more.”
Last week, JPMorgan acquired the majority of First Republic after the bank’s collapse into receivership.
First Republic was the third-largest US bank to fail and came just over a month after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank set off concerns about the health of the financial sector.
Still, in a bit of good news, he said mid-size banks’ fundamentals are strong.
“They’re quite worried because of the run on deposits, but their financial results are good,” said Dimon. “They’re going to be okay next quarter: They’re earning money, they’ve got very good clientele, very diversified.”
The Biden administration has recently pointed fingers at short-sellers who bet against the banks and profited when they fell.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters during a press briefing last week that the administration is “going to closely monitor the market developments, including the short-selling pressures…on healthy banks.”
Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler said in a statement that his agency is focused on finding “any form of misconduct” that threatens investors and capital markets.
Dimon said on Thursday that the SEC has the enforcement capability to look at “what people are doing, by name, in options, derivatives and short sales.”
If someone is doing something wrong like colluding or tweeting about a bank after short-selling its stock, the SEC “should go after them, and vigorously,” said Dimon. “They should be punished to the full extent that the law allows it.”
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