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October 2025
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Debt Defense Most people recognize Oct. 31 as Halloween, but few know it’s also World Savings Day. It makes perfect sense that it falls on this date, as it’s a few weeks before the biggest spending time of the year — the holiday season — begins crimping most people’s budgets. World Savings Day is also a reminder that most people simply aren’t saving enough money at any time throughout the year — a bad habit that can have devastating consequences if an emergency hits your household. Delay Disaster With Discipline Anyone can start improving their financial position today; all it takes is forethought and careful planning. The most important thing to remember is that the habit of saving is more important than the amount you put away. Start small by putting aside whatever you’re comfortable going without for now. Trust me, your savings will snowball before you know it. The most critical thing is that you start now . Saving money is something you should be doing well before you need to. You don't want to be in bankruptcy court trying to figure out how to save money! That’s an extreme example, but unexpected events can put us in dire scenarios if we haven’t done enough to protect ourselves financially. When did you last look closely at every cost you incur each month? Expenses have a way of creeping in and piling up when you’re not paying attention. Subscription fees for entertainment and that cup of coffee you buy at the drive-thru on your way to work every morning are two seemingly minor purchases that can become mountains over time. Did you purchase a subscription to stream a movie or two six months ago but haven't used it since? Well, that’s just one expense you can probably go without. The next time you look at your budget, ask yourself whether you have at least $1,000 readily available for emergencies. Unfortunately, we can’t predict
when our automobile may need repairs or when the sump pump might stop working. If coming up with at least $1,000 without notice would be a hefty task, consider ways to save up to that amount sooner rather than later. Successful savings depend on your savings rate, which is the percentage of income you put aside each month and don’t touch. What is a reasonable savings rate? Everyone’s situation differs, but 15%–20% is a good benchmark. Take a look at your current rate. If you save $200 a month but have a $4,000 monthly gross income, your savings rate is only 5%. That's better than nothing, but it’s far from enough. I’ve seen cases where someone thinks they’re saving enough before realizing they’re only putting aside 2% or 3%. They need to break that risky habit. To help you better understand your savings rate, I’ve included a QR code that will direct you to a free online questionnaire. The questionnaire will take 5–10 minutes to complete and provides 11 measurements that help you identify areas for wealth creation. It is especially helpful for people who work full time and have young families, as it offers a clear and realistic picture of their ideal savings rate.
Please take the time to complete it. The answer may surprise you, but you will at least have greater knowledge of the foundation you’ll need to build upon for the future — and have more of what you’ll need to keep potential disaster at bay. —Kevin Roberts
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MORE THAN JUST A CREDIT SCORE All the Things Lenders Really Check
When you apply for a loan or credit card, it’s easy to assume your credit report tells the whole story. But honestly, that’s only one piece of the puzzle. Behind the scenes, lenders are looking at other details, and those can matter just as much, if not more.
difference, too. For instance, a mortgage or auto loan gets more scrutiny than a store credit card. Other behind-the-scenes factors also matter. Some lenders track how often you apply for new credit. If it looks like you’ve been applying everywhere, that can make them
Here’s something that catches people off guard: The credit score you see might not be the one your lender uses. Different lenders pull reports from different credit bureaus, and many rely on customized scoring models made for their industry. That means the “good” score you see on a free app might not match the lender's number. Lenders also look at how steady your income is and how much debt you carry compared to what you earn. You could have a perfect payment history but raise red flags if your debt-to-income ratio is too high. And the kind of credit you’re applying for makes a
nervous. A few lenders even use internal data based on your history with them, and those things never show up in your credit report. It’s not always obvious how much weight these things carry, but they help explain why someone with a solid score might still be denied. Your credit report matters. But so do your habits, your consistency, and the bigger story your finances tell. If you’re considering borrowing, it’s worth looking at the whole picture. Clean up your credit, yes — but also take stock of your income, budget, and how you manage what you already have.
From Silver Screens to Console Catastrophes
FILM-INSPIRED VIDEO GAME FAILS When all the marketing stars align, a Hollywood hit can lead to profitable tie-ins with multiple products. Unfortunately, not all film-related products result in huge profits — sometimes, a misjudged crossover can literally end up in a dump. Here are two examples of video games that tanked despite their ties to popular movies. Atari’s Awful ‘E.T.’ Misadventure
game was a financial and critical disaster, leading Atari to reportedly dump millions of unsold cartridges into a landfill in New Mexico. Nintendo’s ‘Mean Girls’ Meltdown In 2011, Nintendo decided to expand its appeal to the teenage girl gamer market. Inexplicably, the company thought creating a video game adaptation of a 7-year-old film, 2004’s “Mean Girls,” would do the trick. Although
If you’re part of Gen X, you undoubtedly remember how magical it was to sit in a theater and watch the 1982 classic “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” on the big screen. Consequently, the movie’s success prompted an array of popular marketing tie-ins with famous brands, including a memorable campaign for Reece’s Pieces. However, one “E.T.”-related tie-in will forever live in infamy. In December 1982, roughly six months after “E.T.”’s theatrical release, Atari, Inc. released a home video game based on the film. With Atari’s 2600 game console all the rage at the time and “E.T.” quickly becoming one of the most beloved films in history, combining the two into one item should have been a financial slam dunk. However, there was a slight problem: The rush to design and code the game for the holiday season left its designer, Howard Scott Warshaw, only six weeks to create it — at a time when video games could take up to a year to perfect. Marred by poor graphics and clunky gameplay, the “E.T.”
the film had been a hit nearly a decade earlier, its popularity circa 2011 had diminished due to star Lindsay Lohan’s high-profile run-ins with the law. Nintendo attempted to avoid the stigma by removing Lohan’s image from the game’s
packaging — a move akin to marketing an “Indiana Jones”- related product without using an image of Harrison Ford. Lohan’s absence, coupled with the fact that they released the game years after a movie tie-in would have been relevant, all but guaranteed the product would sink into obscurity shortly after its release.
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Inspired by RecipesByJanet.com
Creamy Braised Short Ribs
Mystery and Motivation Despite what my wife may suspect, I’m not a closet CIA agent! That’s what she jokingly tells me whenever I find time to read a good spy novel or crime thriller. Although I swear I’m not living a double life of intrigue and suspense, I love reading fictional stories that place my imagination right in the action on the page. If John Grisham’s name is on the book cover, it’s definitely for me. I also enjoy reading nonfiction books that help me thrive in business and my personal life. In celebration of National Book Month, here are three recent reads I wholeheartedly recommend. ‘The First Gentleman’ by Bill Clinton and James Patterson Bill Clinton, of course, is a former U.S. president, and James Patterson is one of the most prolific fiction writers today — if not ever. Their latest and third collaborative book, “The Last Gentleman,” weaves a captivating tale of U.S. President Madeline Wright and her husband, Cole, who is charged with murder. If you’d like some suspense mixed with your politics, this novel is worth your time. The ‘Gabriel Allon’ Series by Daniel Silva Imagine you’re an art restorer who also happens to be an Israeli intelligence officer who goes on risky high-stakes missions to places like Vienna and the Vatican. That’s the world of Gabriel Allon, a character created by bestselling author Daniel Silva. Allon’s adventures have spanned over two dozen books, and the series has been a favorite of mine for years. ‘Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones’ by James Clear In this month's cover article, I discuss the importance of maintaining smart savings habits. Well, it’s always wise to follow good habits in other facets of life as well, and this book by James Clear is full of practical strategies for forming and maintaining them. This book has been a slower read than the others I’ve mentioned, as I often take notes on a pad as I go along — a good habit for retaining information! Whether you find your reading material at the library, online, or on a Kindle, October is the perfect month to dive into a great book! TOP PICKS FOR NATIONAL BOOK MONTH
• 5 lbs bone-in short ribs • Ground black pepper • 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced • 6 garlic cloves, chopped • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves • 1 cup white wine or broth • 1/2 cup water INGREDIENTS
• 1 cup heavy cream • 1 cup chopped kale (optional) • 4 tbsp salted butter, divided • 8 fresh sage leaves
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 325 F. 2. In a large braiser, season short ribs with black pepper. Scatter onion, garlic, and thyme over ribs. Pour in white wine or broth and 1/2 cup water. 3. Cover the braiser with a lid and roast for 2 1/2–3 hours. 4. Increase temperature to 400 F. Remove the lid, skim excess fat, and stir in heavy cream, kale, and 2 tbsp butter. Roast uncovered for 10–20 minutes. 5. Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Melt remaining butter and fry sage leaves until crisp. 6. Serve ribs hot with creamy sauce, garnished with sage.
SUDOKU
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 Create a Crisis Cushion 2 Credit Checks Beyond the Score Movie Tie-Ins That Tanked 3 Suspense and Self-Growth Creamy Braised Short Ribs 4 Downsize, Redesign, or Stay Put? Housing Tips for Empty Nesters
EMPTY NEST, FRESH START Smart Housing Moves for Your Next Chapter
Fall is a season of fresh starts for teenagers and young adults as they begin college or take a new job. But it brings different challenges for many parents, who may feel abandoned and forgotten in an empty house. A well-known clinical psychologist once said that your child’s life will be filled with fresh experiences, and it’s good if yours is, too! Figuring out what to do with all that space is a promising place to begin. Of course, there is no one right answer, but here are some factors to consider as you determine your best path forward. Lifestyle The letting-go stage often stirs deeper questions of personal identity for parents. How do you see your life as an empty-nester changing? Do you cherish the comfort and familiarity of your current home and community and enjoy having peace, quiet, and extra
space to welcome guests? Or have you been yearning for the freedom to travel without the responsibility of maintaining your house? If so, moving to a smaller home or remodeling your current one may best serve your needs. Health No one wants to think about potential declines in their health, but laying the groundwork now to meet changing needs can avert untold hassles and expenses in the future. Is your current home easy to navigate? Is it free of stairs, narrow hallways, or small bathrooms? If such obstacles would make it difficult for you to live there as you grow older, renovating your home or moving to an age-appropriate residence may be wise. Finances Any decision about keeping, remodeling, or moving out of your present home involves financial tradeoffs. Staying in place allows you to build more equity in your home, but
it bypasses the opportunity to cash out and invest the money elsewhere. Remodeling or updating your home imposes upfront costs but could increase its future value. And while trading down to a smaller home may reduce your utility, insurance, tax, and mortgage payments, it also may impose other unforeseen costs, such as homeowners’ association fees. As these tradeoffs show, every empty-nester’s dreams and circumstances are different. Only you can decide the right moves for you!
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