(NewsUSA) - IU Students Prevail in 2024 CME Group University Trading Challenge

Indiana University secured another win as it's been named CME Group's 21st Annual University Trading Challenge winners! The rest of the top five teams are from outside the United States.

This year’s challenge saw record participation from nearly 570 teams across 180 universities, representing 24 countries. The increased participation points to a continued interest from students to learn the role of derivatives around the world.

The trading challenge brings together graduate and undergraduate students to learn, hands-on, the techniques for trading within global markets such as agriculture, energy, metals, equity indices, interest rates and foreign exchange futures through CQG, a real-time simulated electronic trading platform.

"We are extremely pleased to have had a record number of schools from around the world compete in this year’s University Trading Challenge and congratulate all the winners,” said Anita Liskey, CME Group Senior Managing Director of Global Brand Marketing and Communications. “For more than two decades, CME Group has been introducing new generations to futures markets through this immersive, hands-on and fun trading experience.”

Eligible winners will receive cash prizes. All participants in this year’s Trading Challenge were invited to attend an exclusive one-day, in-person market education event on December 9.

As the world’s leading derivatives marketplace, CME Group provides a wide array of risk management education services, tools and resources for learners of all levels to immerse themselves into the world of derivatives.

CME Group is committed to educating the next generation of finance professionals on the significance of its global derivatives market and risk management. CME Group also partners with other industry organizations to offer education tools such as Futures Fundamentals, a one-stop educational resource for “Futures 101.”

(NewsUSA) - Inner Trek: A Reluctant Pilgrim in the Himalayas by Mohan Ranga Rao

After being threatened by a Bangalore mob boss, Mohan Ranga Rao, an accomplished businessman, an avid traveler, and a generous philanthropist, makes a vow: If he somehow gets out of the situation, he will thank the gods by going on Kailash Mansarova, a holy mountain pilgrimage in Tibet. What starts out as merely a challenging high-altitude trek soon becomes a life-changing adventure.

With a blend of humor, honesty and keen insight, Mohan journeys toward a deeper understanding of the world around him. A memoir of a road less traveled and a true story of self-discovery at 18,000 feet.

“A modern Canterbury Tales, telling of a fascinating real-life adventure,“ says Dr. C. Naganna, University of Mysore.

“A heartwarming read; a spiritual adventure,” says Anuradha Goyal, The Mouse Charmers.

Purchase at https://bit.ly/3CNPzvn.

Tell the Story: A Hollywood Odyssey by Terrell Tannen

As a highly paid screenwriter, Terrell Tannen lived the classic Hollywood lifestyle: the Porsche, oversized house, dinners, and parties. By most measures, he could be called wildly successful. Yet script after script, written for the bona fide elites of the movie business, floundered for all the usual and unusual Hollywood reasons.

Here’s a peek into what it feels like to constantly flirt with fame. At times resembling a darkly comic film, it's a very American tale, illustrative of the driving forces of hope and ambition in a place where these desires burn like an inextinguishable neon sign.

It also reminds us that life has a way of writing its own script. This is the story behind the story on screen — how it happens, and more often does not. A story for cinephiles, film enthusiasts, aspiring artists, romantics, wishers and dreamers. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4eSMtV0.

The HEALing Revolution Diet by Dr. Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.

The definitive truths to living a long and healthy life are clearly explained by a wellness and healing expert in this comprehensive, science-based, easy-to-understand guide, which includes healing and health strategies that you can start today.

Our food system is not the best in the world; it is one of the worst. In the past 70 years, we have gotten food and nutrition completely wrong, resulting in an epidemic of weight gain, insulin resistance, diabetes, hypertension, digestive issues, heart disease, cancer, stroke, dementia, and more.

This book debunks dieting myths and focuses on the most current research on nutrition and diet. It includes answers to frequently asked nutrition and diet questions, expert tips from the best dieticians and nutritionists, and stories from people who have healed themselves through diet. The book also includes quick and easy recipes for healthy meals and snacks. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3U6Yo9A.

Are You Making Love or Just Having Sex? by Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D.

“A practical guide that unveils the profound difference between physical intimacy and deep emotional connection.”

In the act of making love, there is symbolic meaning that is felt through and through the sex act. Unfortunately, many relationships flounder. Just having sex may ease the tension, but it becomes a means, not an end in itself.

This book helps you overcome the obstacles, the unlovable habits that encumber your relationship. It can help to create the harmonic balance between a sex life and other aspects of your personal and interpersonal relationships.

The book introduces a five-step method based on Logic-Based Therapy & Consultation (LBTC), a popular form of evidence-based, philosophical counseling modality. Complete with self-improvement exercises and video lectures, this innovative book shows how you can identify your unlovable ways of relating, counter them with lovable goals, embrace philosophies of love that promote. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4eLxkoP.

(NewsUSA) - Russian Nonsensical by Edward D. Webster

This book weaves a spellbinding embroidery of mystery and intrigue, with threads of betrayal, exotic thefts, international adventure, and the looming specter of war in Ukraine.

Pastor Clem Dudas is a man of exquisite contradictions: a charismatic preacher who features rattlesnakes in his worship, a businessman developing fake AI "political exposés," and a schemer with clandestine Russian connections. Bud Randolpf shares Clem's politics, a quirky disposition of his own, and a far different link to Russia: Bud travels there seeking love.

When Clem’s wife and two favorite snakes go missing, Bud and his detective team take the case. They solve one mystery, only to uncover another far more deadly. Bud’s Russian romance heats up, just as Russia attacks Ukraine. In the end, Russian deceptions, American deep fakes, unorthodox ideas and the gentle love of a good woman turn Bud’s world upside down. Purchase at https://amzn.to/47hABcv.

The Recess Coat by Susan Wyant

The recess coat is big, green, long and puffy. It symbolizes the favorite teacher that wore it.

The Recess Coat, a children’s book for ages 6-9, is a tale about a beloved educator and her endearing qualities of warmth, kindness, sharing, inclusion and many more positive traits.

She sees potential in every child and helps them realize it. Her carefully crafted lesson plans offer knowledge and inspire the love of learning. Be there for her final lesson.

The book captures hearts of children and educates through its storytelling and glossary by introducing new vocabulary. It stands as a tribute to dedicated teachers everywhere while clearly leaving a legacy on a generation of students. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4fy8ZTf.

Villiansac by John Warwick

A supernatural mystery set in a small village in Southwest France, revolving around a 13th-century chateau with a haunting history. Constructed by Count Alphonse de Poitiers, the chateau imprisoned his illegitimate, unstable son, Charles, until his mysterious disappearance. In 1868, another occupant, John Henry Forbes, vanished under similar eerie circumstances.

In 2006, London banker John Mortimer purchases the chateau, but a hidden decree demanding pension payments to local villagers stirs trouble. Mortimer stumbles upon a pub and, inexplicably, time-travels back to 1868, becoming entangled in strange occurrences, hauntings, and deadly secrets.

A group of villagers and a persistent tax officer die in their quest for the truth about the pension payments, while Mortimer is confronted by supernatural forces, including a sinister figure named Charles Snoopchut Sfenalono. The novel weaves together elements of time travel, ghostly phenomena, and suspense in a tale of mystery and intrigue. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4dSes6U.

Temporal Destiny by Robert Schulman

In this thrilling conclusion of Robert Schulman’s science fiction trilogy, readers embark on an adventure reminiscent of Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, and Larry Niven. The story follows paleontologist Jack and his astrophysicist girlfriend Jen, who, alongside their crew, navigate a future Earth ravaged by a pandemic.

After discovering an alien artifact in Wyoming, they learn they were chosen by future inhabitants to solve humanity's crises. Their journey reveals the Balocks, an advanced alien race that has abandoned their domain, leaving behind destructive inorganic beings.

Set a decade after their arrival, the crew faces challenges that ignite a galaxy-wide conflict. As they attempt to save one race while aiding another, they discover the harsh realities of time travel—the universe always collects a toll for disrupting the Temporal Order. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4fH6Vsj.

(NewsUSA) - The Housekeeper’s Secret by Sandra Schnakenberg

For fans of stranger-than-truth stories, Sandy Schnakenburg uncovers rattling and unprecedented revelations in this powerful memoir of love, secrets, and survival.

When Lee Metoyer is hired to be the new housekeeper, she has no idea she’s about to become the anchor to a family in an abusive patriarch's home, setting a mystery in motion that will take decades to uncover. At 72, Lee falls ill and on her deathbed asks Sandy to write her story. The only problem is, Sandy doesn’t know the story.

So Sandy takes an emotional and thrilling journey, unveiling shocking truths not only about her beloved housekeeper but also her own upbringing. She learns that Lee came to her family’s sprawling estate harboring a secret past. For decades, she’s been in hiding. But Sandy’s quest forces her to grapple with her own family history as well, and to confront the effects of the psychological abuse she suffered as a child. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4ewzcRO.

Stealing Time by Tilia Klebenov Jacobs and Norman Birnbach

For fans of Back to the Future, The Time Traveler’s Wife, and Time and Again, here’s a smart, funny caper that will steal your heart.

When there’s no time left, you have to steal it!

New York, 2020. Tori’s world is falling apart. Between the pandemic and her parents’ divorce, what else could go wrong?

Plenty! Like discovering that a jewelry heist 40 years ago sent her grandfather to jail and destroyed her family.

New York, 1980. Bobby’s life is pretty great—until a strange girl shows up in his apartment claiming to be a visitor from the future. Specifically, his future, which apparently stinks. Oh, and did she mention she’s his daughter?

Soon Bobby and Tori have joined forces to save the mystical gemstone at the heart of all their troubles. This time-travel jewelry heist will keep you guessing until the end. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4guShFH.

The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone by Randy Susan Meyers

Seven children. Five mothers. One idyllic commune. What could go wrong?

Annabel Cooper wants to save the world. In 1964 she journeys to Freedom Summer in Mississippi, where the disappearance of her first love ignites a lifelong fight for justice. Years later, she, her husband, and four couples form a Boston political collective where they live together with their children in a rambling Boston house. As the era's social upheaval intensifies, they move their children to a Vermont Eden, where they can remain safe; their parents continue their political work, taking turns traveling to Vermont to care for the children.

But not all danger comes from the outside.

This book delves into the intricate and nuanced dance of familial love and communal ties through the lens of sociopolitical upheaval from the 1960s to the present day, examining which sacrifices are worth the price. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3BANWkr.

The Lafitte Affair by Norman Woolworth

When burglars break into Hope Mausoleum and violate Crypt 1083-A where the remains of the former Girod Street Cemetery are housed, New Orleans property crimes detective Thibodeaux “Bo” Duplessis is confronted with three confounding questions: Who are the burglars? Why did they break into the crypt? What, if anything, did they take?

In need of expertise he does not possess, Bo turns to his childhood friend Bruneau Abellard, a cranky, overweight antiques dealer with exacting epicurean standards and a font of historical knowledge. Together, the friends uncover a secret love affair between a famous antebellum actress, whose remains are contained in the crypt, and the notorious pirate Jean Lafitte. As their investigation deepens, they find themselves confronting two separate yet entwined mysteries 200 years apart. To solve the present-day crime, they come to realize they must first unravel a conundrum from the distant, murky past. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4dFl1J6.

(NewsUSA) - With cooler weather, the holidays approaching, and more time spent indoors, staying connected becomes essential. Whether it’s streaming your favorite movies, searching for new recipes, shopping online, or simply having virtual hangouts with family and friends far away, reliable internet is a lifeline for keeping us close to the people and activities we love. In remote areas, satellite internet can provide the connectivity families need this holiday season. To get the most out of your satellite internet over the holidays, there are a few things you can do to support your internet needs.

Understand Your Internet Needs

For many people, streaming classic holiday movies and TV shows is a cherished tradition, yet rural families often face challenges due to limited connectivity options. Satellite internet solves this by delivering high-speed connections wherever you are, allowing families to enjoy uninterrupted streaming for popular platforms.

To get the most out of your satellite internet solution:

• Select the Right Internet Plan: Streaming in 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) takes almost three times as much bandwidth as standard High Definition (HD).  Choose a satellite internet plan that aligns with these requirements to maintain a smooth streaming experience.
• Get Smart on Data Usage: Streaming consumes significant data. Some satellite internet providers impose data caps and charge you more if you exceed them. For the best internet experience, pick a satellite provider who offers unlimited data.

Satellite internet providers like Hughesnet are investing in rural high-speed connectivity so that families can connect, stream and play wherever they live – even in places that are beyond the reach of cable and fiber.

Optimize Your Connectivity Experience for Multiple Devices

The holiday season brings families together, which often means multiple devices streaming, gaming, or connecting at the same time. Satellite internet provides plenty of bandwidth to support multiple users at once. New satellite technologies can also provide a more responsive internet experience.

Improving your home network to keep everyone in the family happy is easier than you think:

• Upgrade Your Router and Modem: Older equipment may not be able to fully take advantage of the newest wireless standard, Wi-Fi 6, especially if you have multiple devices connected to your network. Replacing your modem or router may resolve dead spot issues if it is several years old.  Thankfully, internet providers like Hughesnet include a Wi-Fi modem featuring Wi-Fi 6 technology with every plan.
• Choose the Right Router Placement: Where you locate your router is important. Routers send wireless signals in all directions to a set distance; an incorrectly positioned router may only cover part of your house. The best location for a router is in a central location, ideally raised off the floor and away from as many walls as possible.

Explore Festive Apps and Websites for Holiday Fun

With time off from work and school, the holiday season is the perfect time to explore apps and websites that enhance family entertainment, creativity, and connection. Here are a couple of great ways to stay connected:

• Host a Virtual Movie Marathon: Teleparty lets you watch Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and HBO shows in sync with friends and family anywhere. The chat feature adds an extra layer of fun, allowing everyone to comment on holiday movies together, even from a distance.
• Host a Holiday Recipe Cooking Challenge: Pinterest is a treasure trove of holiday inspiration, from recipes for festive treats to DIY decor projects. Families can browse ideas together online, then cook or create as a group, comparing results for added hands-on fun to holiday gatherings.

The holiday season is a time to connect and celebrate with family and friends. While the house is full of loved ones, ensuring everyone can stay connected with a dependable satellite internet connection is crucial. Cousins can play the latest video game, grandparents can upload their famous cookie recipe to the internet, and mom can watch her favorite Hallmark Christmas movie, all under one roof without experiencing interruptions to their internet service. With the help of satellite internet this holiday season, families can focus on what really matters – staying connected.

(NewsUSA) -

A young man’s coming of age is at the heart of what BookLife Review calls “a richly layered narrative that sheds light on the human toll of conflict and celebrates an indomitable spirit of resilience amid overwhelming adversity."

Author Michael J. Cooper has made a pivotal period in history come alive in his thought-provoking, immersive and multiple awarding-winning two-book saga, Wages of Empire and Crossroads of Empire. The author masterfully crafts a tale that intertwines vivid characters and complex themes, blending historical fiction with elements of mystery and intrigue.

Both novels are set against the backdrop of World War I and explore themes of ambition, political intrigue, and the complex relationships between Western powers and the Middle East during the early 20th century.

In Wages of Empire, the story begins in the summer of 1914 when 16-year-old Evan Sinclair leaves home to fight in what was then called "The Great War for Civilization." The novel vividly portrays the Western Front's brutal reality, where Evan experiences firsthand the horrors of trench warfare.

Little does Evan know that, despite the war raging in Europe, the true source of conflict will emerge in Ottoman Palestine, since it's from Jerusalem where the German Kaiser dreams to rule as Holy Roman Emperor.

One of the strengths of Wages of Empire is its interwoven cast of historical figures. Evan crosses paths with personalities like famed British archeologist T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia); British diplomat Gertrude Bell; Winston Churchill; Arab leader Faisal bin Hussein; and Zionist leader Chaim Weizmann.

In Crossroads of Empire, Cooper continues Evan’s journey, focusing more intently on the intricate political and military maneuvers in Ottoman Palestine. Having survived German artillery, poison gas, and friendly fire in helping to turn the tide of the war in its first months, Evan barely survives his hospital ship's sinking by a German U-boat. Left with amnesia, he no longer remembers who he is.

During his quest to recover his memory, Evan will discover far more: love for his father, grief for his late mother, and hidden secrets of his bloodline — an unbroken lineage that stretches back to the Crusades and will determine his future role in the Great War.

Cooper has produced  “a gripping page-turner and a series of carefully observed character studies,” says Chanticleer Book Reviews. “Beautifully written in a voice and in details that capture the era, Crossroads of Empire is a must-read for readers of all ages.”

The author himself emigrated to Israel in 1966 and lived in Jerusalem during the last year the city was divided between Israel and Jordan. He graduated from Tel Aviv University Medical School, and after a 40-year career as a pediatric cardiologist in Northern California, he continues to do volunteer missions serving Palestinian children who lack access to care.

Cooper’s writing is richly detailed, and he blends historical accuracy with a gripping narrative. The novels shed light on how the seeds of modern Middle Eastern conflicts were sown during this era, offering readers not only an engaging story but also a deeper understanding of the region's complex history.

To learn more and purchase, visit https://michaeljcooper.net.

(NewsUSA) - Advances in technology, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping the geopolitical landscape. At the Ash Carter Exchange in Cambridge, Massachusetts, nearly 30 distinguished speakers discussed how emerging technologies are pushing the scientific frontier, transforming national security, and necessitating new partnerships between academic institutions, government agencies, and the private sector.

The event was hosted by the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative with a goal of making recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness in AI.

The speakers stressed that achieving technological leadership requires not only investment in AI, biotechnology, and robotics, but also a unified effort across government, academia, and private industry to accelerate progress and transform traditional approaches.

Some key themes from the event included:

- Academic Evolution. Dr. Joseph E. Aoun, President of Northeastern University, emphasized the need to integrate AI as a fourth dimension of education alongside understanding the physical world, life, and social interactions. He also emphasized the need to shift from traditional education to lifetime learning, and the importance of producing more graduates in STEM fields that would support national security efforts.

- Emerging Technology Extension. Anne Neuberger, the Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technologies discussed the evolving role of cyber capabilities and emerging technologies in protecting national security. She emphasized the potential of AI to enhance both offensive operations and defensive capabilities, such as identifying vulnerabilities and detecting anomalies. However, she warned of the risks of AI models trained on non-assured code, and emphasized the challenge of deterrence in cyberspace, especially with regard to ransomware threats.

- Biotechnology and Robotics Revolution. Dr. Noubar Afeyan, founder and CEO of Flagship Pioneering and co-Founder of Moderna, highlighted the transformative role of AI in biotechnology, notably in generating protein sequences and antibodies to treat disease. The use of molecular markers for early disease detection could reduce healthcare costs and improve outcomes, he said. Although public-private partnerships have been essential to advancing technology, as in the case of the rapid development of a COVID-19 vaccine, Dr. Afeyan emphasized the need to guard against potential misuse of AI in biotechnology. Dr. Marc Raibert, Founder and Executive Director of the AI Institute, also discussed the evolution of robotics over the past 50 years, and reflected some of the issues raised at the SCSP’s recent AI+ Robotics Summit.

Overall, the message of the Ash Carter Exchange was clear: now is the time to align resources, reform outdated systems, and commit to collaborative progress if the United States is to uphold its strategic, technological, and ideological edge in the world.

Visit scsp.ai for more information, and the SCSP YouTube channel to watch sessions from the Ash Carter Exchange.

(NewsUSA) - As the holiday season approaches, people around the world unite in a Global Day of Giving—Giving Tuesday—on December 3^rd to support the charitable causes they respect and admire. For the Marine Toys for Tots Program, this day is Giving TOYSday, and we want to ensure that every child across our Nation will have at least one gift to open on Christmas morning.

With the generosity of the American public, the Program has faithfully delivered 677 million toys, books, and other gifts to 301 million deserving children since its inception in 1947. We still need your help to deliver the same Christmas magic to even more disadvantaged families—who continue to face financial challenges due to inflation, joblessness, and other hardships. Sadly, the idea of providing their children with Christmas gifts is a distant hope rather than a reality.

“We are asking for support from the American public now more than ever,” said Lieutenant General Jim Laster, President & CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

“We encourage our dedicated supporters to make a donation to the Marine Toys for Tots Program in honor of Giving TOYSday,” LtGen Laster said.  “When you give to Toys for Tots, you provide hope for a brighter future through the gift of a new toy, book, or game to children who might otherwise go without on Christmas morning. Together, we can restore optimism and deliver Christmas miracles to children whose families are struggling financially.”

Giving TOYSday also serves as a reminder that generosity is not limited to material possession alone. Your kindness helps instill empathy, compassion, and responsibility in children and future generations, shaping them into more caring and socially conscious individuals.

Make this holiday season brighter for children in need! Visit toysfortots.org to donate on Giving TOYSday and spread hope, joy, and the magic of the season to those who need it most.

(NewsUSA) - July and Everything After by Allie Nava

A modern tale of resilience and transformation against extraordinary odds, for fans of Paolo Coelho, Amy Tan, and Khaled Hosseini.

As Maya turns 22, civil war breaks out in her birth country Sri Lanka while on a visit from America. Maya is targeted and attacked in organized massacres against minorities, and she barely escapes.

Haunted by the horrors, Maya returns to the U.S. and tries to rally a diverse group of allies to help expose the atrocities, among them her Norwegian-American best friend, a magnanimous Catholic nun, and a gifted young man from her past.

Bent on justice, Maya isn't prepared for the unexpected twists and turns that will test her resolve. As the war and humanitarian crisis intensify, so does Maya's disillusionment with herself, but contact with a mysterious mentor whose wisdom she once ignored holds the key to her future.

Purchase at https://a.co/d/0HNFtb9.

Between Lies and Revenge by Hannah D Sharpe

For fans of Megan Miranda and Sally Hepworth, here’s a gripping debut of domestic suspense, where a daring jewel heist becomes a lifeline for two women entangled in a web of deceit.

Years after the theft of an heirloom jewelry, ex-con Elle is on the run ... until she spots a stranger wearing a signature piece. Determined to take back what is hers, Elle befriends the woman, and offers to appraise and clean the jewelry, replicating and replacing the pieces instead.

Meanwhile, Olivia is maxing out credit cards to pay for fertility treatments, keep her blackmailing father at bay, and maintain appearances. When Olivia meets Elle, she finally feels understood.

The two bond and start a home jewelry side-hustle. Then they start switching rich housewives’ gems with fakes. But they each have secrets and trust their final con will exact the revenge that’ll secure their freedom. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3ZBsJR3.

Lucianity by John Byer

Lucianity reports the results of a criminal investigation into a 2000-year-old “Cold Case” where it is revealed that Lucius, the Bishop of Cyrene and keeper of early church records, forged and/or corrupted about 75 percent of the New Testament, which includes the four gospels; Revelation; Acts, and at least 16 of the Epistles.

Lucius fabricated his scripture under each of the deceased Apostle’s names, except for the gospel of Luke and Acts, since Lucius was Luke. As such, the detective identifies only the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ as true, and almost everything else as the fiction of Lucius: e.g. the physical ascension and Rapture. Lucius even used books by Flavius Josephus and ancient Egyptians to write scripture for Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21 and Revelation wherein he attributes false dialog to Jesus. Purchase at https://amzn.to/4aD0R0O.

SUPER PSYCHED by Adam Dorsay, PsyD

Connection is everything. Let a leading therapist to Silicon Valley’s top executives help you become super psyched by discovering your personalized formula for more energy, higher performance, better relationships, and a more meaningful life.

Drawing on more than a decade of practical research and Dorsay’s groundbreaking work with Facebook as co-creator of its international resiliency program, Super Psyched reveals an innovative framework for readers to create their own Connection Formula—a customizable tool that allows users to strengthen their bonds in four basic areas: with others, the world around them, their spirituality, and (perhaps most importantly) themselves.

Packed with actionable advice, unforgettable stories, and unexpected insights, Super Psyched is the ultimate handbook for unleashing the power of connection to live the life you love. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4fKR6kg.

(Lindsey Johnson, Consumer Bankers Association President and CEO) - The end of the year is the perfect time to review your full financial picture and consider any changes. With over 4,000 banks in the U.S. competing for your business, you have more options than ever to take control of your finances—whether it’s budgeting, improving your credit, or saving in challenging times.

Managing life's big expenses 

If you're struggling with debt as the year ends, you're not alone—life is expensive! Fortunately, there are many different resources available to you to help you get back on track.

For credit card debt, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recommends that you first contact your credit card company directly. They can often provide a similar, less expensive solution than debt settlement companies, offer tips for budgeting, and provide hardship programs that can include lower monthly payments. Another good option is to work with a nonprofit credit counselor, who can help negotiate with your creditors on your behalf and help you manage multiple debts.

It’s also important to know the risks associated with for-profit debt settlement companies that use aggressive advertising and sales tactics and may leave you deeper in debt than you were when you started. Learn more at https://www.aboutdebtrelief.com/.

Overdraft services help customers in a pinch

Another tool banks offer is overdraft services, which cover transactions that exceed account balances. For many consumers—especially the one in five Americans without access to credit—overdraft is a lifeline for essential expenses like rent and utilities when faced with an unexpected expense shock.

Many banks have made big changes to improve overdraft policies, introducing innovative tools designed to reduce fees and give you more visibility into your finances, including:

• Fee elimination: Decreased or eliminated overdraft fees entirely in some cases for consumer accounts.
• Grace periods to give you time to bring your account balance back to positive before a fee is applied.
• Overdraft cushions or “buffers” that let you avoid fees for smaller transactions.
• Daily limits on the number of overdraft fees charged to prevent unexpected financial strain.

As you think about your New Year’s resolutions and evaluate your financial situation, the innovations offered by America's banks can be useful tools to reduce stress and help you stay on top of your finances.