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Associated Press
07-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Aflac: 5 Financial Tips for Self-Employed Individuals
NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / July 7, 2025 / Self-employment can bring unique financial challenges, such as unpredictable income, business expenses, and, in some cases, a larger tax burden as well. Despite these challenges, though, the freedom and flexibility that self-employment offers make it an appealing alternative to traditional employment for many. By implementing a few key strategies and preparing in advance, navigating the financial landscape as a self-employed individual can become much easier. This article will cover strategies that the self-employed will want to consider. 1. Save in an emergency fund Emergency funds are arguably more critical for self-employed individuals. They provide a financial cushion to help cover unexpected expenses, such as car repairs or a loss of business income. The general recommendation is to save three to six months of living expenses. However, self-employed people should aim for the higher end of that range, or even more, given the uncertainty of income. A larger emergency fund can bring added peace of mind and help self-employed individuals to survive slow periods. 2. Save extra for and pay quarterly taxes Taxes are typically more complex for the self-employed. Since self-employed individuals don't have an employer to withhold taxes on their behalf, they must estimate their total taxes owed each year and divide that amount into quarterly payments. Failing to pay quarterly taxes could result in penalties, even if they make up the payments later. To account for these costs, it may be wise to save these funds in a separate account. Opting for a high-yield savings account could allow tax savings to earn interest while keeping them separate from other expenses. Unlike salaried employees, who share the burden of FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare) with their employer, self-employed individuals must pay both the employer and employee portions. This self-employment tax is separate from income tax but is paid together. While the employer portion of self-employment taxes is generally deductible, it's essential to set aside more for quarterly taxes to account for this extra tax amount. 3. Open a retirement account Self-employed individuals don't have access to employer-sponsored retirement accounts, but they can open their own tax-advantaged retirement accounts at financial institutions such as banks and investment brokerages. Several options are available: In addition to these plans, consider a Traditional or Roth IRA for extra savings potential: 4. Explore insurance options Without an employer-sponsored benefits package, self-employed individuals need to explore various insurance policies. Insurance tends to cost more without employer sponsorship, so shopping around is crucial. Consider the following insurance types: Life insurance needs may also be more complex for self-employed individuals. For example, if someone's primary financial concern is covering a large debt like a mortgage, a decreasing term insurance policy could be a good option to consider. This is a term life policy with a premium that shrinks over time to reflect a decrease in the beneficiary's financial support needs. 5. Invest in the business Being self-employed means running a business. Investing in the business can be an excellent way to grow and stabilize revenue. For example, a self-employed marketing professional might invest in a course to learn new skills, allowing them to expand their client offerings and potentially charge higher rates. Networking and upskilling aren't the only worthwhile investments. One could also consider hiring virtual assistants or other contractors to handle non-operational tasks, giving them more time to focus on revenue-generating activities. Regardless of the investment, it's crucial to analyze the costs and potential returns to make the best choice. The bottom line Self-employment's freedom and flexibility come with the tradeoff of additional financial uncertainty. By growing their emergency fund, saving more for taxes, opening self-employed retirement accounts, shopping for good insurance policies, and investing in their business, independent workers can help to reduce this uncertainty. Content within this article is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health, or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees, and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. For complete details, including availability and costs of Aflac insurance, please contact your local Aflac agent. Coverage may not be available in all states, including but not limited to DE, ID, NJ, NM, NY or VA. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on state and plan levels. Optional riders may be available at an additional cost. Policies and riders may also contain a waiting period. Refer to the exact policy and rider forms for benefit details, definitions, limitations and exclusions. Aflac insurance coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, coverage underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York. Aflac | WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, Ga 31999 Z2500173 EXP 3/26 CONTACT: Senior PR & Corporate Communications Contact: Angie Blackmar, 706-392-2097 or [email protected] SOURCE: Aflac press release
Associated Press
05-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
7 Benefits of Prequalifying for a Loan in Dallas Before You Apply
NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / July 5, 2025 / When you're thinking about borrowing money - whether for a car, a house or even emergency bills - there's one step that could save you time and stress: prequalifying. If you're looking into loans in Dallas, it may help to know where you stand before you apply. Prequalifying isn't a promise you'll be approved, but it could give you a strong idea of your chances. Here are seven reasons why checking to see if you're prequalified for a loan before you submit an application might work in your favor. 1. You may get a better idea of how much you can borrow Prequalifying shows you the loan amount or range of possible loans that a lender might offer you, which could help you set a clear budget. For example, if you're looking for a new car, you'll get an idea of what price range you can afford before you fall in love with a vehicle that's financially out of reach. 2. You could help protect your credit score Submitting an application for a loan often leads to a 'hard' credit check, also known as a hard pull, which could cause a small dip in your credit score. A hard pull generally happens when a lender performs a full credit inquiry on your credit history to decide whether to lend you funds. On the other hand, checking to see if you're prequalified for a loan typically involves a 'soft' credit check, which doesn't affect your score. A soft inquiry or soft pull generally happens when you check your own credit report, for example. A soft inquiry means you can explore your loan options without harming your credit. 3. You could compare loan offers more easily Once you prequalify, you may get several loan offers from different lenders. Getting multiple offers may make it easier to compare interest rates (the cost of borrowing), fees and other terms of the loans. With more information, you could make a better decision for yourself and choose the loan that best fits your needs. 4. You could spot potential problems early on When you prequalify, you might find out that you need to look at your credit report to see if there's anything that could hurt your chances of securing a loan. Learning more about your financial history could give you time to fix these issues - like paying down credit card balances - before you officially apply for a loan. 5. You may have more time to ask questions Prequalifying gives you a chance to talk to lenders without rushing through the process. You can ask questions about payment schedules, fees or different loan types before you're locked into anything. Having extra time to learn about and better understand your options could make all the difference in finding the loan that works best for you. 6. You may save time during the application process Prequalifying means you've already shared some basic financial information with lenders, which might speed up the official application process. You'll probably spend less time digging up documents and answering questions you've already gone over. Prequalifying could help you ensure you have all the necessary documents and paperwork ready to go, such as proof of identity, proof of income and bank statements. 7. You might feel more confident When you know you could prequalify for a loan, you may walk into the loan application process with more confidence. You'll already have an idea of which lenders may be willing to work with you, which could take away some of the worry. Keep calm and prequalify on Checking to see if you prequalify for a loan before you actually apply is often a smart move. It helps you stay informed, protects your credit score and helps you make more confident choices about your financial condition. By taking this simple step, you might avoid surprises during the application process and find the loan that best fits your needs. SPONSORED CONTENT CONTACT: Sonakshi Murze Manager [email protected] SOURCE: OneMain Financial press release
Time Business News
15-06-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
YourSecret: The Upcoming Anonymous Social Platform That May Redefine Digital Privacy and Online Expression
By Time Business News Contributor In a digital economy dominated by surveillance capitalism and identity-driven engagement, a new platform is preparing to challenge the status quo. Slated for release in fall 2025, YourSecret positions itself as a privacy-first, anonymous social space aimed at reshaping the way we share, speak, and connect online. Recently unveiled through AccessNewswire, the YourSecret platform is already attracting attention from tech analysts, investors, and privacy advocates alike — for its bold promise: no names, no likes, no algorithms, and no tracking. 'No real identities. No pressure to perform. Just raw expression,' the founding team writes. 'We believe people communicate most authentically when no one is watching.' At its core, YourSecret revives the ethos of early internet culture — message boards, confessional blogs, and pseudonymous creativity — but does so with a refined, mobile-first UX and a forward-looking tech stack. No personal logins or phone verification Anonymous publishing and interaction A chronological feed without algorithmic curation End-to-end moderation and AI-based behavioral filters (details to be revealed pre-launch) Minimalist web and mobile app experience YourSecret is expected to allow users to post thoughts, stories, observations, or questions without revealing anything about their identity. There will be no follower counts, vanity metrics, or reputation systems — creating a horizontal space where content matters more than profile aesthetics. In the wake of growing global debates about digital rights, platform ethics, and data exploitation, user demand is shifting. A significant segment of Gen Z and Millennials — two of the most overexposed generations online — are showing increased interest in 'digital quiet zones': spaces that prioritize safety, authenticity, and privacy over virality and monetization. YourSecret is not the only player in the anonymous space. However, its zero-data policy, combined with planned AI-enhanced community tools, may give it an edge over older anonymous platforms that often struggled with content quality or safety. Unlike the majority of social networks that rely on ad revenue and user profiling, Your Secret hints at alternative monetization models. The platform has not disclosed its full strategy, but early indicators suggest possibilities such as: Freemium subscriptions Tipping systems for content creators Community-supported funding (crowdfunding or tokenized models) This approach aligns with broader ethical tech movements that reject the commodification of user behavior in favor of long-term trust and transparency. For investors, marketers, and digital entrepreneurs, YourSecret may represent more than just another app — it could signal the next evolutionary phase of online interaction: from performance to presence, from exposure to intimacy, from branding to being. If it succeeds in building a sustainable, moderated, and user-centric community, Your Secret may emerge as a blueprint for what the next generation of social networks will look like — decentralized in spirit, human in tone, and radically private by design. The official launch is expected in Q4 2025, with both mobile and web versions planned for simultaneous release. While funding and partnership details remain undisclosed, early buzz suggests that YourSecret has ambitions beyond just niche appeal. We will continue monitoring the rollout of YourSecret and how it resonates with a digital public increasingly hungry for safer, quieter, and more honest online environments. accessnewswire/Secret/Your Secret/ TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How to Protect Dental Implants from Damage & Wear
NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / May 18, 2025 / Dental implants are a strong, long-term way to replace missing or damaged teeth. But even though they're artificial, they can still experience wear and tear over time-just like natural teeth. In fact, failure to properly maintain dental implant restorations could mean they won't last a lifetime as they're designed to do. When getting dental implants in Valdosta, here are eight strategies to protect your implants from damage and wear. 1. Practice good oral hygiene habits Since dental implants function similarly to your natural teeth, you can care for them in the same way. Practice healthy habits like brushing twice daily, flossing once, and using an antibacterial mouthwash. Good oral hygiene is especially important for patients who have an alternative type of implant, like zygomatic implants, due to significant bone loss. Caring for oral health may reduce the likelihood of infection, implant failure, or other complications following dental implant surgery. 2. Visit your dentist regularly Even though dental implants offer a durable tooth replacement option, you'll still want to keep regular check-up appointments with your dentist at least twice a year. During these appointments, your dentist can look for signs of any issues with the implants, like gum inflammation or infection. If they find anything, your dental team may recommend additional procedures to promote the longevity of implants. 3. Avoid certain hard or sticky foods Be mindful of what you eat, especially when it comes to hard or sticky foods. Crunching on ice, biting into hard candies, or chewing sticky treats like caramel can put extra stress on your dental implants. Over time, this pressure can cause damage or even loosen your restoration. Instead, opt for softer, implant-friendly foods that won't put your smile at risk. And if you ever feel like something isn't quite right after eating, check in with your dentist to make sure everything stays secure. 4. Quit smoking Tobacco use has been shown to increase the chances of implant failure and generally cause problems with your body's ability to heal and accept the implant. One of the best things you can do (for not only the health of your implants, but also your overall health) in the long term is to avoid using tobacco in any form. 5. Protect your teeth while playing sports Certain sports, whether they're full contact or they use a small, fast-moving object like a hockey puck, can cause serious dental damage. If you play a sport, it may be smart to wear a removable mouthguard that covers your teeth and protects them. Doing so can decrease the likelihood of serious damage after a sports-related facial injury. 6. Ask your dentist about nighttime tooth protection If you have a history of grinding your teeth at night, a condition known as bruxism, your dentist may have you wear a nightguard or retainer to protect your dental implants. Constant grinding can wear down implants and put unnecessary pressure on them, potentially causing wear and tear on implants. The right nightguard can lessen the risk of grinding and help make sure the surfaces of the teeth aren't making contact throughout the night. 7. Avoid using your teeth as tools It may be tempting to use your teeth to open packages or bottles, trim your nails, or remove tags, but doing so could damage your teeth, gums, and jaw. Using your teeth as tools could cause unnecessary wear and tear on dental implants and potentially create the need for further dental work. Instead, use scissors or another appropriate tool to complete the task and give your dental implants a break. 8. Immediately seek treatment for any issues Damage to dental implants can get worse if a minor problem, like discomfort or irritation, is left untreated. Instead, contact your dental team right away if anything feels off in the area around your dental implants. Your dental team can quickly assess the root cause of the issue and thanks to advances like one-day dental implants may be able to fit you for a replacement the same day. The bottom line While dental implants are designed to last a lifetime, it's important that you properly care for and maintain the implants to get the most from them. While some wear and tear is to be expected, as it happens to natural teeth, acute damage or excessive wear should be reported to your dentist immediately. Contact Information: Name: Sonakshi MurzeEmail: Title: Manager SOURCE: iQuanti View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
