How to Make Better Choices With Your Money

Money habits

photo credit: Cottonbro Studio / Pexels

Key Takeaways

  • Money decisions are emotional first – building awareness of triggers like stress or boredom helps you spend more intentionally.
  • Short-term convenience often undermines long-term goals; adding “friction” (like 24-hour rules or caps) improves decision-making.
  • Effective money systems should match your real habits – not idealized ones – using automation and engagement together.
  • Comparison skews clarity; aligning spending and saving with personal values creates lasting financial progress.
  • Progress is gradual and built on small, repeated improvements, not dramatic overnight transformations.
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Two Key Partners in Private Equity Funds – Insights from Zac Barnett

Zac Barnett

photo credit: Idea Mensch

Key Takeaways

  • Private equity funds are typically structured as limited partnerships (LPs), consisting of general partners (GPs) and limited partners (LPs).
  • General partners manage fund operations, make investment decisions, and earn through management fees and carried interest.
  • Limited partners provide the bulk of capital, enjoy limited liability, and may serve on advisory committees without managing day-to-day operations.
  • LPs include sovereign wealth funds, pensions, endowments, and high-net-worth individuals, often pushing for transparency and responsible investing.
  • Understanding the roles of GPs and LPs is crucial for grasping how private equity generates returns and manages risk.
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An Overview of the Elks National Foundation with Mitch Hanlon of Fullerton

Mitch Hanlon

Key Takeaways

  • Mitch Hanlon, a respected Southern California music educator and conductor, continues his legacy of service through the Elks National Foundation (ENF).
  • The Elks National Foundation, founded in 1928, has distributed over $500 million to charitable projects nationwide.
  • With more than 124,000 active donors and an $851 million endowment, the ENF funds scholarships, veteran support, and community initiatives.
  • Scholarship programs include the Most Valuable Student awards ($3M annually) and Legacy Awards ($1.6M for children and grandchildren of Elks members).
  • ENF initiatives also support youth drug awareness programs, veteran services, and local lodge community investment projects.
  • A board of seven trustees, all past Elks national presidents, oversees the foundation’s operations from Chicago.
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Jonathan Macht on Home Ownership Becoming Increasingly Unaffordable

Jonathan Macht

Key Takeaways

  • Jonathan Macht, a top-performing Realtor, highlights the growing crisis of housing affordability in the U.S.
  • Only 20% of homes on the market in 2025 are affordable for households earning $75,000 annually, compared to 50% pre-pandemic.
  • Median home prices reached $420,000 in Q1 2025, creating barriers for middle-income earners in teaching, nursing, and skilled trades.
  • Restrictive zoning and limited new construction have deepened affordability gaps in 26 of the top 100 U.S. markets.
  • Creative solutions include converting office buildings to apartments, co-living designs, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
  • States like California, Arizona, and Massachusetts, along with several cities, are supporting ADUs to expand affordable housing options.
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How Effective Are Vehicle Wraps in Marketing Your Business?

Vehicle wrap

Key Takeaways

  • 97% of people remember seeing a vehicle wrap ad, making it one of the most effective tools for brand recall.
  • Vehicle wraps reach diverse audiences across multiple locations, unlike static billboards.
  • Wraps are a non-intrusive form of advertising, blending into daily life while capturing attention.
  • Installation takes just 1–2 days, with easy updates for seasonal campaigns or promotions.
  • Vehicle wraps are cost-effective, with long lifespan, no recurring media costs, and strong ROI.
  • They provide unmatched creative freedom, allowing businesses to showcase vibrant designs and consistent brand identity.
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Why Hybrid Teams Lose Focus Without Visibility and How You Can Fix It Fast

Remote working for business success

Key Takeaways

  • Hybrid teams lose focus when workloads, delays, and handoffs aren’t visible in real time.
  • Silent reassignments, unseen bottlenecks, and unbalanced workloads often go unnoticed until deadlines slip.
  • Real-time workload views prevent burnout and uneven task distribution.
  • Tracking time spikes highlights early delays before they snowball into major blockers.
  • Weekly focus reviews uncover hidden distractions and improve long-term productivity habits.
  • Live activity dashboards reduce missed handoffs by showing what’s moving and what’s stalled.
  • Workforce intelligence platforms provide actionable insights without adding unnecessary meetings.
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Blackcat Website: A Gateway to Modern Banking and Controversy

BlackCatCard website

Key Takeaways

  • The Blackcat website offers free IBAN accounts, Mastercard access, and crypto integration in one platform.
  • Users praise its convenience, global accessibility, and rewards such as cashback and interest on balances.
  • Critics report frozen accounts, delayed transfers, and poor customer support, raising transparency concerns.
  • Blackcat operates under an EMI license in Malta, which provides regulation but not the same protections as traditional banks.
  • The platform suits digital nomads, freelancers, and crypto enthusiasts, but caution is advised when holding large sums.
  • The Blackcat website illustrates both the opportunities and risks of fintech innovation in modern banking.
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David Colakovic on Why Founders Should Stay Involved in the Day-to-Day

David Colakovic

TL;DR

  • Conventional advice to “step back” during growth can miss the benefits of founder involvement in daily operations.
  • Staying close to the work ensures tighter feedback loops, early problem detection, and faster, better decision-making.
  • Operational awareness comes from direct exposure to customers, frontline teams, and processes—not just filtered reports.
  • Founders shape company culture by example; stepping back too soon risks dilution of core values.
  • Involvement provides critical context for strategic choices, enabling speed without sacrificing quality.
  • Hands-on founders see higher retention, stronger alignment, and a reduced risk of drift from the original mission.
  • Effective leaders avoid micromanaging by “leading with context, not control,” keeping teams empowered yet aligned.
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How Mark Seruya’s Expertise Shapes Pre-Distress Strategy to Unlock Asset Value

Mark Seruya

photo credit: Principal Post

TL;DR

  • Mark Seruya, a veteran wealth manager with over 40 years of experience, now applies his expertise to distressed loan strategies at Safe Harbor Equity.
  • Pre-distress strategy targets assets showing early signs of financial strain before default or bankruptcy occurs.
  • Indicators include falling rental income, declining operating margins, upcoming refinancing deadlines, and reserve fund depletion.
  • Early engagement allows more negotiation flexibility, better due diligence, and a wider range of restructuring options.
  • Specialized credit firms are better suited than traditional lenders to design tailored pre-distress recovery plans.
  • Acting early preserves asset value, builds trust with borrowers, and avoids the limitations of post-default scenarios.
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Skills Associated with Fly Fishing: Insights from Ralph Byer

Fly fishing

photo credit: Miguel Cuenca / Pexels

TL;DR

  • Ralph Byer, a seasoned wealth management leader, is also passionate about fly fishing, philanthropy, and community engagement.
  • Fly fishing uses specialized lightweight flies and casting techniques with a weighted line to mimic natural prey and attract fish.
  • Success depends on selecting the right fly type—nymphs, dry flies, or streamers—based on season, location, and fish feeding habits.
  • Essential skills include precise casting, reading water conditions, and adapting to changing light, temperature, and fish behavior.
  • Fly fishing builds patience, focus, and mindfulness, helping anglers stay resilient and present in nature.
  • The sport fosters interpersonal skills through mentorship, group activities, and conservation efforts.
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