A Million Lives

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5 Things Every Sports Fan Should Have

Sports fans are willing to go to great lengths to show their support to their favorite team. When you’re not reading about your favorite players or scoping out the competition, you will be wagging foam fingers, painting faces, and commenting on performances.

Of course, if you class yourself as a true sports fan, there are some essential things you will need to own to show your love for a team. Here are the five things every sports fan should have.

1. Sports Channels

You are not a diehard sports fan if you’re not willing to pay for the best sports channels. Of course, with so many options available, you might have to pick and choose the best ones for your favorite sport, such as MLB Extra Innings, NFL Network, or NBA League Pass. By subscribing to these, you will instantly improve how you view games from the comfort of your home.

2. A Fantasy League

Only true sports fans will have a thorough understanding of the best players in a game. For example, if you’re an avid baseball fan, the likes of Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth, and Willie Mays will more than likely be at the top of your list, as well as maybe a few underrated players, such as Lefty Grove and Mike Schmidt. If you’re yet to create your dream fantasy league, you can build and play one using a baseball simulation game at Diamond Mind Baseball online.

3. A Throwback Jersey

A throwback jersey is a reminder of your team’s extensive history, which will make you feel proud to wear their colors. It will also prove to fans that you appreciate both players past and present. Plus, the classic design will have a retro style that will make you look and feel good. For example, few things are cooler than the Washington Redskins burgundy and gold jersey from the 60s, or the 70s Boston Red Sox uniform.

4. A Sporting Rival

Every sports fan needs to root against a villain. It’s what makes the game so interesting and exciting. Not only will you be willing your favorite team to win, but you’ll be praying the opposition to lose. A little bit of friendly sporting rivalry can improve the fan experience, and it will make victory much sweeter once it eventually arrives.

5. A Player’s Autograph

A player’s autograph will give you bragging rights to your friends that you’re a true sports fan. The bigger the name, the bigger the fan you’ll be, too. For example, some fans would pay a lot of money to have an autograph from the likes of Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, or LeBron James.

It proves you have gone above and beyond to secure a scribble from one of your favorite players of all time. You could have waited in line for their autograph, or sent them a letter as a child to receive a signed photograph back. It is also a little bit of sporting history you will feel proud to pass down to your children, too.

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Patrick Dwyer Financial Advisor on 2018 Miami Football

Miami continues to be a fun, sophisticated city — boasting the sort of infrastructure, commerce, and amenities you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in the nation, except unless we’re talking New York, San Francisco, or Los Angeles.

Patrick Dwyer Financial Advisor sees the long-term potential of both Miami football and the city of Miami itself. As the sun continues to shine on Miami’s athletic teams as well as its real estate, so will it continue to shine on Miami’s citizens who are focused on building their wealth and value.

oday, however, we’re here to talk about one of the most storied college football programs in the country (and in NCAA history, for that matter) — The Miami Hurricanes, a team focused on continuing to build their value and prowess in the NCAA.

Ranked 4th on the all-time list according to Associated Press National Poll Championships, “The U” is tied with both USC and Ohio State — all of which nipping at the heels of other storied names like Alabama, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma.

Miami football in particular distinguishes itself by holding numerous NFL Draft records — most notably holding the record for most first-round selections in a single draft, as well as holding the record for most consecutive drafts with one or more first-round selections. Beyond this, there are 2 Hurricanes who have won the holy grail of personal achievements in NCAA football — the Heisman Trophy (one in 1986 – Vinny Testaverde at quarterback, and one in 1992 – Gino Torretta at quarterback). Also, 9 Miami players currently grace the College Football Hall of Fame.

Miami is also known for generating great linebackers, names like Jonathan Vilma, DJ Williams, and Ray Lewis — just to name a few, many of which serve as mentors for Miami’s current and incoming players.

The Hurricane linebacker legacy spans decades, reaching all the way back to the 70s, culminating in The Bermuda Triangle (Michael Barrow, Darrin Smith and Jessie Armstead), capturing multiple national titles before heading off to NFL stardom.

What Miami should be very excited about for the coming season is this year’s possibilities for their secondary.

Many are fixated on what many consider will be the strength of this team: defense. Miami knocking at the door of all the elite defensive units in the country with a cornerback group that brings a unique blend of talent to the table.

Miami’s secondary is both made up of veteran experience as well as youthful optimism, highlighted by All-ACC cornerback Michael Jackson. This exciting senior has a legitimate claim to distinguishing himself as the best cornerback — not only in the the state of Florida, but also the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Only time will tell as the season commences and runs its course. One thing is for sure: the future is bright on all counts in Miami.

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Fun Themes for an Outdoor Summer Party

Summer is probably one of the best times to hold a party. You know that the weather is going to cooperate. It will also be easier to think of more themes that will work well with what you have in mind. Do remember that you do not have to celebrate something just to have a summer party. You just want to get together with your friends and there is nothing wrong with that.

You have to make sure that you are prepared with the right tables and chairs to accommodate all of your guests. Choosing the right venue is also something that you have to do ahead of time. You can always choose to do it in your own backyard. You can contact Palm Springs event rentals so that you can have the right items to make your party comfortable and fun for your guests.

Thinking of themes is exciting. There are so many themes that you can choose from. These are some summer party themes that you should consider:

  • Have an ice cream theme party.

You have to admit that everyone just loves ice cream. This is ideal if you are going to serve different flavored ice cream to your guests. Have all of the possible toppings that people would place on their ice cream. Expect that this is going to be a hit for all of the dessert lovers you will invite.

  • Have a movie night.

This is a more ideal theme to do if you are planning to do the party at night. You can invite your guests to come at around 6 PM so that you can all eat dinner before you can start watching movies that you all love. You may choose to serve popcorn too in order to complete the movie setting of your party.

  • Have a camping party.

Set up your yard in such a way that there will be tents available. You can also put up signs that you would normally see at camping grounds. Do not forget to add the bonfire too as this is where you and your guests are going to bond.

San Francisco event rentals will make sure that all of these themes plus all of the other summer themes that you have in mind can be achieved.

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Promoting And Selling Your Business USP

Source

Selling off your business can be an exciting time, especially if you have spent many years building it up into something potentially lucrative that can net you a nice return when you sell it on. Finding a unique selling point to market your business to potential buyers can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. #SellingYourUSP is one of the key ways to market any business and will help you stand out in the crowd and separate yourself from the competition. Hiring an organisation such as BCMS is a great way to reduce the stresses associated with the sale, handing it over to professionals who are trained in this kind of thing.

So what are some great USP’s that you could focus on when selling your business? Read ahead to learn more.

A Good Financial Background

Just like no one wants to bet on a losing horse, no one wants to buy into a losing company. A company or business with a history of poor finances or financial issues is far less likely to sell than one with a sturdy financial background. Likewise, if you have a portfolio with impressive financial growth on display for potential buyers, it looks even better and can act as something that really sets you apart from potential competitors.

Existing Clientele

No one really wants to buy a new business and start getting to work immediately to rake in the customers. Purchasing a business with clientele already in place is key to anyone who wants to make a purchase, just as it is for anyone who wants to make a sale. Make it as easy as possible for your new business owner to hit the ground running by already having a great client base in position so they can hop right into the driver’s seat and not have to worry about chasing customers. Repeat and loyal customers who have been using your business over a period of years is even better!

The Only Way Is Up

If you have some seriously great forecasts for growth, this will help attract potential buyers and will really help sell your brand and business as a real winning investment that people should consider getting in on. If you have issues with growth, it can look really bad to investors and potential buyers and you might struggle to drum up interest.

Stellar Management

A management structure and background that makes people want to work for you is key to having a booming business. Training and retaining staff can be a huge drain on finances for even the biggest, most efficient businesses, nevermind a small fledgling company that is going through an ownership change. Having management that makes the business better is key to creating the kind of business people are proud to be a part of.

So there you have a couple of great USPs that you can consider promoting to help sell your business to a new owner. Pick the one or ones that work best for you and your company and go from there with the promotion. Check out the infographic below for more great information! Good luck!

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How to Embrace Wabi-Sabi Design in Your Home

For ages, symmetry has been a synonym of good taste, aesthetics and positive visual stimulus. However, applying it in an interior design is, more or less, restrictive and unimaginative. This is due to the fact every move you make conditions you to make a separate move in order to “put things into balance”. Instead, why shouldn’t you embrace this imbalance and make it into your ally? This is so-called wabi-sabi, an ancient Japanese philosophy of embracing the imperfection in life and learning how to enjoy the beauty hidden in it. Designing in this trend can be incredibly liberating, yet, also challenging in more ways than one. Here are some suggestions and examples.

1. Declutter

The first thing you need to understand is the fact that there’s a thin line between imperfect or imbalanced and outright messy and careless. Your wabi-sabi design may be imbalanced but it isn’t random. However, if you let all the unnecessary items, thrash and old furniture pieces you’re yet to store devour the room, you’ll make it look just outright chaotic. Keep in mind that your ultimate goal here is harmony, therefore, you need to heavily invest in transparency and directness of communication. With that in mind, any process of preparing a wabi-sabi design needs to start with decluttering.

2. Simplicity

Another thing you should focus on is the simplicity that’s not unlike what you’ve encountered in minimalism. In fact, these two trends have much in common. The phrase less is more also applies, yet, you also need to understand that this is not just about the simplicity of the layout but of the form, as well. This means picking simplistic furniture pieces and fixtures, like a plain wooden stool for your bathroom and a freestanding stone bathtub.

3. The raw form of materials

In theory and by exploiting numerous logical syllogisms, one could argue that all materials (even synthetic ones) are, in one way or another, obtained from nature. After all, the raw materials used for their making are natural, so wouldn’t that make them natural, as well? In practice, on the other hand, this doesn’t translate that well, seeing as how you aren’t aiming for a compelling reason to prove why you’re right but a sensation of being in touch with nature. The above-listed two fixtures (tub and a stool) can achieve this through their natural texture, which is what we were aiming for from the very start.

4. Natural landscape

Creating natural landscape is yet another challenge you’re bound to encounter, ranging from a way to implement adequate houseplants into your home and make them fit the landscape around. To achieve this, you need to think about the palette that you use for the interior of your home. We’re talking about hues you’re able to encounter in nature, which means that bright colors are off (for the most part).

In order to make your home stand out, you need to think past the traditional indoor plants and consider getting a real bonsai tree. The downside of this idea lies in the fact that such a tree takes quite a bit of maintenance. The fun part lies in the fact that you can make your own bonsai tree from a starter pack.

5. Clay is your friend

Metal, especially copper, is all the rage nowadays. However, when it comes to accessorizing, especially if we’re talking about bowls, planters and similar items, you might also try going with clay. The most compelling aspect of this is the fact that you get a completely new way of DIY decorating terracotta pots. While this is a trend that most commonly takes place outdoors, there isn’t a single reason why you shouldn’t start using it indoors.

6. Outdoor furniture

To carry on with this trend, you might also want to turn towards an outdoor seating solution inside of your home. Nonetheless, not every option is as available and applicable. Keeping things simple is your first goal. However, if you could embrace furniture made from reclaimed wood, it would be even better. Wabi-sabi is all about the natural cycle of life, death and growth. Naturally, reclaimed wood fits this idea perfectly due to the journey that the tree the furniture it’s made from had undergone to reach you.

7. Wooden floor

Lastly, while tiles (especially stone tiles) are also an option, it’s much safer to go with wood. Here, we’re not talking about laminate or engineered hardwood. What you need to go for are more natural-looking options like cork, bamboo and real hardwood. In this way, you can achieve a harmony with most of the above-listed trends or even combine this method in any other way possible. When choosing a floor finish, going for matte is by far the best choice.

Conclusion

One guide online described wabi-sabi design as shabby chic’s less flamboyant sibling and, based on the above-listed trends, this much seems to be true. Despite its dependence on organic and high-end materials, it wouldn’t be fair to describe wabi-sabi as expensive. Minimalism and dependence on DIY projects alone make it much more budget-friendly. All in all, it’s one of those low-effort high-impact trends that isn’t likely to get outdated in years to come, seeing as how it’s both efficient and beautiful.

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How to Choose an Aged Care Facility

When the time comes for a family member to be moved to an aged care facility, it can be very difficult for everyone. Making a decision on someone else’s behalf is always tough, even when you have their well-being in mind. On the other hand, when people decide to move to such a facility, they have a chance to choose the one they feel will suit them the most. Deciding which facility is the best for you is a practical task, and there are plenty of things on the list that you need to check before you decide, and we’re here to help.

Visit the center

Of course, you’ll need to visit the centers, but try to time your visits so you get the most of them. Stop by at different times of the day so you can get acquainted with the staff better since they’ll change shifts in the morning and afternoon. Try to be discreet in your observations but pay attention to see if the staff look tired, stressed or rushed. These are all signs of an understaffed facility and you should be wary of it. Visit at the weekends as well, because these are the times when management, as well as office staff aren’t usually present and use the opportunity to talk to the staff and ask them about their job.

Ask about the food

You should spend some time during the meals too and take note of the food. Pay attention to the variety of food as well as its quality and quantity. See if everyone is seated comfortably and if there is enough staff to help everyone during the meals. Small details such as if there’s water on the table will tell you a lot as well. Inquire to see if there are other options available if someone doesn’t like the item on the menu and check the menu yourself to see whether you’d like it. The menu should change often to provide a variety of foods as well as keep the residents interested.

Cleanliness is next to godliness

You already know how easy it can be to drop and spill something and how challenging it can be to clean it up. With a lot of aged residents, these facilities have to deal with a lot of spills but that doesn’t mean that these things should be tolerated. Spills on the floor can be dangerous because slipping and falling are dangerous for the elderly. Look around to see if everything appears clean and check for unpleasant smells. Bedrooms in aged care facilities should always have clean linen, bathrooms fresh towels, and male residents should be clean shaven, while ladies should be well groomed.

Daily activities

Just because you move to such a facility, it doesn’t mean you should spend your days watching TV and being bored. Socializing is important as we age, and even when our mobility decreases, our need for company doesn’t. Residents in aged care facilities should have a chance to get to know each other, interact with each other and spend time together. There should also be organized activities for individuals as well as groups to help residents stay active and meet others.  Access to computers is important too, because the internet allows us to stay in touch with our family via emails and social media.

Reputation

Last but not least, you should pay attention to the facility’s reputation. Ask around to see what other people have to say about it and ask the facility for references. See if it would be possible for you to talk to families of people who are already staying there and some of the residents because that’s one of the best ways to get reliable information. There are also accreditation reports which can be useful but don’t underestimate word of mouth.

Trying to decide when the time is right for you to move to an aged care facility is tricky, but once you set your mind to it, you can start dealing with practical issues. Fortunately, there are many providers on the market, and you have a better choice today than people did decades ago. Start early, put together a list of important things to look out for, and find the facility that’s best for you and your needs.

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What Causes Medical Malpractice to Occur?

Medical malpractice is not something that many people want to think about. But a Toledo law firm like Groth & Associates understands that this problem can develop in many hospitals. The worst part is that many cases of medical malpractice could have been prevented if the right measures were taken.

The various causes of medical malpractice that a person may be subjected to include the following:

  1. Surgical Errors

A surgical error entails concerns like a doctor not exhibiting the proper care before a surgical procedure or when a doctor does not follow the appropriate procedures during the process. Cases where the doctor did not put a pre-existing condition into consideration may be reviewed. Such errors may can dramatic physical concerns like a wound reopening or infections and blood clots.

  1. Anesthesia Errors

Other errors that may develop in a case include concerns where anesthesia is administered incorrectly. In such a case, the patient receives more medication than necessary or not enough. The extensive complications involved can involve intense stress on the body or extended sedation that could result in death in some of the worst cases.

  1. Medication Errors

Medication errors can develop when the wrong medicine or the incorrect dosage is provided to the patient. Proper measurements have to be adhered to when getting medications ready for patients. Failing to handle those standards can result in serious consequences that may be potentially deadly.

  1. Worker Fatigue

Many of the problems surrounding medical malpractice are issues that could have been prevented if a doctor was able to get the support one needed. A lack of support can result in a person developing fatigue. The situation may cause a person to become incapable of making the right decisions, thus resulting in potentially dangerous errors. The threat can be significant and should be examined in detail.

  1. Infections

Hospitals and other medical treatment centers are intended to be safe places that are free from infectious items. But there are times when a hospital or other facility does not use due diligence to prevent infections and other physical problems from developing. A hospital could be held liable in cases where it does not manage infectious pathogens well enough. This includes cases where an open wound could become worse due to foreign bodies moving into an area.

  1. Patient Abandonment

There are times when a doctor might abandon one’s patient. This would entail cases where the doctor feels that the patient is not being cooperative. This would be an inappropriate action that could jeopardize the health of the patient. The doctor is supposed to take care of the patient throughout one’s entire time at a hospital or other facility. A case where someone does not offer one’s full support may be grounds for a malpractice suit.

Talk with Groth & Associates if you or a family member has been a victim of medical malpractice. The Toledo law firm may help you with representing your case and helping you to get the compensation you desire.

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7 Tricks for Quickly Paying off Your Debt This 2018

Debt is a horrible thing that anyone can easily fall into. If you don’t quickly get it under control, you could find yourself dealing with a lifelong problem that you never actually escape. Regardless how bad your debt situation currently is, you can take advantage of the following tricks to significantly put a dent in your debt and pay it off sooner.

  • Create a budget and prioritise spending

By creating a budget for the month, you can prioritise your spending and minimise your expenses. By cutting your monthly expenses, you will have more money that you can put into gradually repaying your debt. You can use mobile apps such as B to effectively monitor your monthly income and expenses. Simply put, no more unnecessary spending.

  • Pay off worst debts first

The worst debts aren’t necessarily the biggest ones. In fact, the worst debts and the ones you should try to get rid of first are the ones with the highest interest rates. The sooner you can get rid of your high interest rate debts, the sooner you can stop falling into worst debt.

  • Pay more than the minimum balance

Debt repayment arrangements often offer the option of you paying a minimum balance per month. Paying only the minimum will slow down your debt recovery process. To get out of debt as fast as you can, pay as much as you can afford when due.

  • Ignore your credit card

Even if your credit card comes with low interest rates, just put it aside until you are done with settling your debts. This is because each time you use your credit you are only accumulating more debt. So don’t take your credit cards with you when you go shopping, and if you want to be drastic, destroy your credit cards. You can start using credit cards again when you are in the green and have your finances under control.

  • Put work bonuses or other cash windfalls toward debt.

If you suddenly receive a cash windfall or get a bonus at work, be wise with it and spend it on something like settling your debt. Don’t take the cheque out to celebrate or splurge because there’s nothing to actually celebrate till you are out of debt. Sudden financial windfalls can help you put a serious dent in your debt and move closer towards being clear

  • Delete credit card information from online stores.

Clear your credit card information from online stores. Stored credit card information can be used to charge you for services you don’t necessarily need. Instead, shop with a debit card.

  • Sell unwanted gifts and household items.

If you have gifts or other items that you don’t actually need or can do without, sell them off to raise extra cash that you can put towards settling your debt. You can sell your items conveniently via eBay or Craigslist. Remember that the faster you clear your debts, the better.

So that’s our list of tricks to help you settle your debts faster this year. But bear in mind that even if you apply these tricks diligently but fail to change your spending habits and how you view money, it won’t make much of a difference. You need to make changes by learning how to cut back on expenses without necessarily compromising the quality of lifestyle you prefer.

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Here’s How to Survive the First Few Months of Your Start-up business

The first few months of your new business can be equally exhilarating and nerve racking. A lot of the time, you are part confident and part scared shitless. This is not surprising as statistics show that only 75% of new businesses ever make it past the first year. And with millions of businesses starting up every year, it is obvious that the odds are not exactly stacked in your favor. However, there are a few things you can do to even the odds up a bit. Read on for some tips on how to survive the first few months of your new start-up.

Remind yourself why you started out in the first place –

Very few people can gather the confidence needed to walk away from the security of a paying job and start up a business. It takes a lot of guts to do that. These same guts can keep you going even when you hit a rough patch in the early months of your business. The secret is to constantly remind yourself exactly why you chose to go into business. Let everything you do revolve around this singular purpose. This will carry you whenever you begin to doubt your sanity.

Surround yourself with the right people –

It takes having the right kind of people around you to succeed. This includes your employees and those you see advice from. No matter how much you know, there will come a time in the early days of your business when you will encounter things that baffle you. This is where you will experience the importance of having a mentor. People who have gone ahead of you in the industry once passed through what you are passing through; don’t be ashamed to ask for assistance.

Keep your expenses low –

One of the major problems startup face is the lack of enough capital. In fact, as you journey further in your business, you will realize that you can never have too much money. It is therefore vital that you keep you expenses as low as possible so that you don’t get insolvent. There will be certain things you will have to do without during the early days of your business. If you can comfortably run your business out of a 12 by 12 room, then you have no need for something bigger. However, as much as you are trying to reduce expenses, it should not affect your business offerings.

Make the right partners –

“No man is an island” should be the maxim for new entrepreneurs and startups. The truth is that in the early days of your business, and even as the business continues to grow, you will need the right kind of partnership that encourages scalability. For instance, partnering with similar businesses will help you enjoy economies of scale. Similarly, you also need the partnership that provides adequate coverage for your fledging startup in the event of that you hit one of the many potholes you are bound to hit as you journey in business.

Make customer king –

The purpose of starting a business is not necessarily to make a great product or to create an empire; it is to offer value to your customers. These are the people that would make your business grow. As long as you focus on providing customer satisfaction, you will have the satisfaction is surviving the first few months of your startup business.

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Simple Tips for Investing While You are Still in College

It’s never too early to start investing, even if you are still in college. Unlike a professional investor, you may not have near unlimited amounts of capital, however, you can start investing with just a dollar using a few different methods. To become more financially literate in the field of investing, take up an economics or finance class, where knowledge is always a key to becoming a successful investor.

Open a Savings Account

The easiest way to invest as an undergraduate is to head to the nearest bank and open a savings account. The risk you take on would be extremely minimal. Put any supplemental income you earn in your savings account and watch your money grow quite literally. The interest rate is not as high as in the stock market, but your money would be better off than spent on new clothes or stored away in a drawer.

Understand the Risk Associated with Cheap Stocks

Some college students are only too eager to “play the stock market.” Students with limited amounts of capital are highly likely to invest in penny stocks, which are securities with little to no oversight that cost less than $5. Though these stocks seem so cheap to buy, you are taking on more risk than you should. Before buying any stock, particularly penny-grade stocks, it’s advised that you understand the type of risk you are undertaking. This type of trading is highly vulnerable to scams, particularly pump-and-dump schemes. College undergrads should invest in blue-chip stocks that are financially transparent to actually expect returns. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with low-end stocks, buying these without realizing the risk is a surefire way to lose all your money.

Think about Repaying Your Student Loans

Paying down debt is also a form of investment. It is, perhaps, one of the most important forms of investment for regular income earners. Unless your parents are wealthy, you will probably end up tens of thousands of dollars in student debt when you leave campus as a graduate. The student debt trap affects millions of graduates. However, you don’t have to fall into the same debtor crisis like so many others. If you earn income right now by working on-campus or at an internship, save that money for repaying your student loans. The grace period will eventually end, at which point you will have to own the debt. Think about how it might affect your future ability to take on other essential forms of debt such as a mortgage, therefore, make repaying student loans a priority to protect your post-graduate financial status.

Open a Retirement Account

If you are a young college student looking forward to a satisfying career, you may wonder why you should start investing towards retirement right now. Would your future employer take care of all that with a 401(k)? Yes and no. You can formally start investing in your golden years by matching your employer’s contributions toward a 401(k), however, until you are employed full-time, invest on your own towards retirement. You could do so in a savings account that you can later combine with an IRA or a 401(k). The reason to start this early is simple: the compounding factor. If you invest towards your retirement now, your contributions would mature impressively in the next 40 to 60 years. The longer the investments have to compound, the more money you will have to spend in your senior years. That’s why you should open a retirement account right now, even if you are not formally employed.

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