(NewsUSA) - Recent inflationary pressure, challenging financial circumstances and a looming rise in interest rates have made aspiring homeowners across the country feel like the dream of owning their home is slipping away from them. This situation may seem bleak, but San Francisco-based start-up, Divvy Homes offers aspiring homeowners another option to make their dreams a reality.

Divvy Homes is dedicated to making homeownership more accessible to American families. The company has designed a program for would-be homeowners who don't quite qualify for a traditional mortgage because of tighter lender requirements, not quite enough savings or a range of other reasons.

Divvy helps by offering a program that allows customers to build savings with their Divvy payment, boost their credit score through free credit counseling and ultimately position themselves to qualify for a traditional mortgage at the end of their three-year lease. If a customer is ahead of schedule and wants to purchase before their lease ends, they can buy their home from Divvy whenever they are ready.

Here's how it works:

- Qualify. The process starts when buyers complete a five-minute online application. Divvy requires a minimum household income of $2,500 per month and proof of three months of income. It will then run a soft credit check, complete a background check and ask for a government-issued ID. Once approved, the customer receives a home-buying budget and pairs up with a real estate agent to start shopping. Already have an agent? Not a problem. Divvy knows the homefinding process is personal and will work with the agent of the customer's choice.

- Buy. Once the customer finds their dream home, Divvy bids to purchase the property. When a bid is successful, customers can expect a quick closing process so they can get the keys and move in.

- Save. The customer contributes a payment of one to two percent of the home's value at the beginning of the lease. That money is held on behalf of the customer to be used toward a down payment when the customer is ready to purchase the home. In addition to the initial payment, up to 25 percent of each monthly payment goes toward saving for a down payment. It's a plan that combines the flexibility of renting with the benefit of a savings program that prepares customers for the wealth-building power of homeownership when they are ready.

- Own. The potential homeowner builds up to 10 percent of the home's value over their three-year lease, but they can elect to obtain a mortgage and buy the home at any time. Change of heart? Customers can walk away from the arrangement and cash out their savings, net of a relisting fee.

Divvy has a consistent and growing record of creating new homeowners across the country. It has closed more homes in 2021 alone than in the past four years and doubled their market share since the beginning of 2021. Divvy customers have exercised their option to purchase their homes at a rate of nearly 50 percent -- well above the conversion rates of industry competitors.

The Divvy Homes program is currently available in 16 metropolitan areas across the United States: Atlanta, GA; Cincinnati, OH; Cleveland, OH; Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Ft Lauderdale, FL; Houston, TX; Jacksonville, FL; Memphis, TN; Minneapolis, MN; Miami, FL; Orlando, FL; Phoenix, AZ; San Antonio, TX; St. Louis, MO; and Tampa, FL.

Visit divvyhomes.com for more information.

(NewsUSA) - When making financial plans for retirement on a fixed income, remember that your retirement life at the beginning is not how it will continue indefinitely. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional will assist you in creating a smooth retirement plan that best fits your needs over time. "Your retirement will evolve in phases as your priorities change," says Cary Carbonaro, CFP.® "One of the most important things you can do right now is understand how your retirement will change and then budget for those different phases."

Carbonaro suggests thinking of retirement in three phases:

• Early: The early years of retirement are the years when most retirees enjoy good health and are free of work and child-rearing, allowing travel and other activities to play a larger role in the budget.
• Middle: This phase can be considered a slowing-down and transitional phase for many. Changes in health, legacy and other goals will impact financial plans and budgeting.
• Late: Late retirement is when healthcare and other similar issues take priority.

Regardless of your phase of retirement, it's important to consider all your sources of retirement income. For most people, these include savings, investments and Social Security. Some people also have a pension plan from a former employer.

Keys to successful financial planning on a fixed income include:

• Organizing withdrawals. You can choose to withdraw from retirement accounts monthly, but other options are annual, semi- annual or quarterly. Set up a plan that meets your needs.
• Budgeting. Your fixed-income budget will likely evolve, but it is important to have a plan in place so you can balance money for fun and adventure with a cushion for unexpected retirement expenses that could drain your savings.
• Considering costs. One often-overlooked expense when planning a retirement budget is the taxes on retirement account withdrawals. Carbonaro recommends withholding at least 20% to 25% of a withdrawal for taxes.

When developing a financial plan, retirees on a fixed income should also factor in the need for long-term care, which might involve paying for personal assistance with bathing, dressing and taking medications.

Caring for adult children also is becoming a more common source of costs for retirees. Census data suggest that more than one-third of adults aged 18 to 34 are living in their parents' home. In some cases, the situation is reversed, and retirees find themselves moving in with their adult children, either as a matter of preference or because of the expense of long-term care.

For more information on financial planning strategies on a fixed income, visit LetsMakeAPlan.org.

"The Bus to Beulah"
by E.C. Hanes

On her way to a new job in America, Maria Puente accidentally discovers a human- trafficking ring. Fearing exposure, the American company that manages it kidnaps Maria.

Maria's disappearance triggers a desperate search to find her before the kidnappers can permanently dispose of her. As the investigation unfolds, longtime Hogg County high sheriff Will Moser confronts Albert Waters, a powerful businessman who Will suspects knows about Maria's disappearance -- but Albert and his Mexican cartel partners prove to be brick walls.

Will calls on Elijah Kahn, a man he got to know while serving in Vietnam who now runs one of the world's largest international security firms. This taut thriller culminates in a heart-pounding chase to save Maria. Purchase athttps://amzn.to/3dMQfBs .

"Blockchain Ethics: Fighting Honorable Battles"
by Jamil Hasan

A continuation of the Blockchain Ethics consumer guide series that author Jamil Hasan first penned in 2018. He continues to address important trends in the media plaguing the retail consumer's ability to effectively and accurately understand the benefits of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology: specifically, media disinformation and misinformation.

The author examines the more than 400 times that Bitcoin has been pronounced dead by "experts" in the mainstream media and dispels Bitcoin's demise by sharing excerpts from guests' podcast interviews while hosting them at the weekend Crypto Corner Podcast. He tackles conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders, providing readers with an ethical guide to understanding Bitcoin, free from media bias against the popular cryptocurrency. Purchase at https://amzn.to/35UgFAZ.

"A Promise for His Daughter"
by Danielle Thorne

His latest project has a two-year-old surprise.

Fatherhood wasn't what Bradley Ainsworth expected to find at Henny House. The run-down Victorian is his best shot at proving himself as a historic renovator, but the new owner has no interest in recreating the past. Claire Woodbury and her foster daughter, Emily, are focused on the future -- until everyone learns that Emily is Bradley's daughter. Does that future have room for him as a father…and more?

The author has written more than 25 books including, romantic adventures and historical novels. This book is part of the Love Inspired Inspirational Romance Series, in which readers fall in love with stories where faith helps guide them through life's challenges, and they discover the promise of a new beginning. Purchase at https://books2read.com/DanielleThorne.

"The Prison Minyan"
by Jonathan Stone

Welcome to Otisville, America's only Jewish prison . . . rugelach, blintzes and a quest for vengeance from the highest tier of the US government. A crew of fraudsters, tax evaders, trigamists, and forgers discuss matters of right and wrong in a Talmudic study and prayer group, led by a rabbi who's a fellow convict.

As the only prison in the federal system with a kosher deli, Otisville is the penitentiary of choice for white-collar Jewish offenders. When the regime is toughened to punish a newly arrived celebrity convict who has upset the 45th president, they find devious ways to fight back.

Stone brings the sensibility of Saul Bellow and Philip Roth to the post-truth era in a sharply comic novel that is also wise, profound and deeply moral. Purchase at https://amzn.to/367Xwf7.

NOTE: BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

For those who relish the blurring lines between reality and existences lurking beyond, the recently released epic book "KALEIDOSCOPIC SHADES: WITHIN BLACK ETERNITY" by David A. Neuman catapults readers into such unknowns.

At 566 pages, the book is a doorstopper of a novel that fans of sci-fi and paranormal thrillers can really sink their teeth into. It's a homage to "The Twilight Zone" overlaid with "Alice in Wonderland," with its own soundtrack, including Satchmo trumpeting, classic rock, a twisted version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and always the eerie, persistent sound of tinkling bells.

The book has been described by Editor Jason Pettus as "part Stephen King, part David Mitchell, part David Lynch … with [an] emphasis on wry humor and clever wordplay."

It seems fitting that the author himself calls the novel an "adventure of escapism," explaining, "The world has become a pressure cooker. If I can be a release-valve, and those who choose to go along for the ride come back in one piece and invigorated, albeit a little rattled, then it has been worth the risk."

In the story, 11 years following a cataclysmic event that ripped apart the state of South Australia, the Triplow family has finally found peace. Settling in California has ensured that the past horrors and madness of Hastings remain relegated to another time, another place.

But that false perception is quickly shattered when Bob Triplow is forced to face those things buried deep within himself.

Having to accept what no parent would ever wish upon his child, he will take his son on a journey to his past and the horrors of his childhood -- a place well beyond Hastings…well beyond South Australia … a place truly out of this world, where life is manipulated with brutal destructiveness.

Within this dark, boundless dimension, surrounded by the ghosts of all that has gone before, Bob will learn that past events always find a way of catching up -- and that somehow, these events are intimately connected to Earth's impending loss.

In a final confrontation, life's fragility will be displayed with gruesome clarity, and Bob will struggle for his own sanity and while his ten-year-old son will be compelled to make decisions upon which six billion lives depend.

Readers will discover that the paranormal is never far from the surface of modern-day life, and that what lies in the darkness knows more about you than you ever dared to imagine.

The author's fascination with the paranormal began when he was barely a teenager. Having worked from an allied health background, where he assisted thousands over the decades to rediscover their physical selves, Neuman now wishes to transport people into a world beyond the physical, a reality that can nonetheless be seen and touched.

"An intriguing, engaging and articulately written book," says Gina Skoumbros. "It builds in intensity and gripping suspense and makes you question whether unthinkable events could actually be possible. If this were a movie, my nerves wouldn't last."

OnLineBookClub.org calls it "an exciting work of paranormal fiction. It takes you into a world where anything and everything is possible."

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3qWBXnY.

NOTE: BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

"Strong community involvement is at the heart of Williams, driven by our core value to be responsible stewards," says Alan Armstrong, president and chief executive officer of Williams, which handles 30 percent of the nation's natural gas. "By harnessing the energy and enthusiasm of our employees, we're exemplifying our values by lending a hand to the nonprofits that work hard every day to improve our communities."

Williams volunteer week builds on the company's long tradition of being a good neighbor through employee volunteerism and financial support. Projects this year ranged from outdoor beautification to volunteering in elementary school classrooms to helping at food banks.

In Houston, employees revitalized a community garden in an underserved area. Williams employee Jerry Fabian is on the board of directors for nonprofit Urban Harvest, which has a mission to increase access to fresh and local food. The Happy Place Garden serves a low-income population.

"This area is classified as a food desert, meaning many residents live away from a supermarket or grocery store with healthy food options. The goal is to revitalize this garden so that the neighborhood can once again plant and harvest nutritious foods from the allotted beds, plus also have a safe space for the neighbors to gather and build social cohesion."

Fabian, a supervisor of project controls at Williams, says employee volunteerism is not just a duty, but a privilege.

"While we are supporting the areas where we work, live and play, we are also helping to create a sustainable and safe community for everyone. Obviously, volunteering has a positive impact on the communities, but it also creates a positive and lasting feeling of achievement."

In North Carolina, Williams' Coordinator of Maintenance Chad Dlugoszewski says it feels good to help a local nonprofit needing volunteers with skills in repairs and construction. At the Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson, N.C., employees repaired roofs, sanded and painted walls, assembled pantry shelving and pruned trees.

"The center rarely has volunteers with the skills required for upkeep and repairs to their 85-year-old building," Dlugoszewski says. "Partnering with Williams for the volunteer project allowed them to make repairs that have been needed for years."

In western Georgia, employees documented thousands of gravestones at a nearby cemetery. The project, in coordination with Billion Graves, will add to an online database of gravestones that can then be located by longitude and latitude, says Tina Kitchens, a senior field office administrator at Williams.

"There is a huge need to record all gravestones so that relatives and descendants can search for their loved ones," says Kitchens. "Some of the gravestones date back decades and are too dirty to read, so we will carefully and respectfully wash them and load the images to the Billion Graves app."

Kitchens says Williams' support of volunteer efforts is meaningful to both employees and those in need.

"It makes us feel good to do something for others," she says. "I hope if I was in need, there would be caring people out there to help."

These are just a few of the many volunteer projects completed across the nation by Williams employees in only one week. To learn more about Williams and see photos from its volunteer week, visit Williams.com.

(NewsUSA) - The challenges of the past two years have raised global stress to unprecedented levels, illuminating the importance of prioritizing mental health.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization, recognizes May as Mental Health Awareness month -- a time to raise awareness and mobilize efforts to support mental health.

This year, let Mental Health Awareness Month serve as a gentle reminder to prioritize your mental well-being and self-care.

Yet, finding the time to focus on our health can be a struggle during busy or challenging times.

That's exactly why mental wellness app, Breethe, meets you where you're at, ensuring self-care becomes a reality and not just a hopeful wish. Breethe's personalized approach -- which easily integrates self-care into your day instead of just adding another item on the to-do list --delivers customized, relatable stress relief right to your phone,

"Breethe is personalized for you and your needs. When it comes to wellness and self-care, there is no one-size-fits-all approach," says Breethe co-founder Lynne Goldberg. "The more we can meet someone where they're at in their day and life, the more lives we can change for the better."

Can't sleep? Feeling anxious? The app's new "Therapy On-The-Go" feature is designed to figure out why, and gets to know its users through a series of quick and easy questions rooted in behavioral science. Then, based on this interaction, it provides personalized recommendations -- including bite-sized therapy talks, meditations, relaxation practices and hypnotherapy sessions.

Additionally, with the "Customize My Day" tab, Breethe helps users sneak in a few minutes of self-care as they go about their day. Choose from a selection of activities, such as starting the day, doing chores, working out, or falling asleep. By setting the times when you typically do the activities, the app recommends what support would serve you best at that specific time.

Finally, Breethe is all about real help for your life -- it offers relatable tools for (very!) specific everyday situations, such as "My Boss is a Jerk" and "My Family Drives Me Nuts," making the app even more accessible, timely and friendly.

This approach differentiates Breethe from other wellness apps because users need not sift through content libraries in search of the right tools. Instead, Breethe provides a personalized experience that delivers the most appropriate content to users on demand, just the solution for busy lives. As the Breethe team explains, "it's like having a best friend and life coach in your pocket."

Visit breethe.com for more information, and for a two-week free trial.

You can check out Breethe on social media by following along at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breetheapp (handle: @breetheapp) and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breetheapp (handle: @breetheapp).

(NewsUSA)

"As Time Unfolds"
by Barbara Zerfoss

Bethany Miller inherits an ancestral home from the biological mother she never knew. Inside a grandfather clock named The Timekeeper, she discovers a family journal. For three centuries, generations of women each wrote one entry, sharing family secrets, chronicling courageous acts, the freeing power of forgiveness and more.

Reading the women's stories and timeless wisdom, Bethany begins to reassess her busy life and contemplates taking a chance on romance, but she can't forget an alarming encounter with a girl's soul-piercing eyes. They shot a dire warning. . . right before she disappeared. Those eyes cause Bethany's past, present and future to collide.

This suspenseful tale with elements of historical fiction will captivate you from the start and keep you guessing until The Timekeeper chimes twelve. Purchase at http://www.barbarazerfoss.com.

"God's Gift (Woman)"
by Freddie Floyd Jr.

This book helps readers understand the value God placed on women, and why it's so important for women to unlearn the things that society has shown them regarding their purpose, why they need to establish a healthy relationship with the Creator so He can be your guide. No longer will you feel the need to settle, know who you are, and what is your value in Christ.

Once again, the author has written a short, straightforward guidebook to help readers looking to connect with God and hoping to reap the abundance that is available through that practice. It is all about how women believe and treat themselves, which sets the standard for how others will treat them. Take the journey. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3CsmLo9.

"CareGivers ScareTakers"
by Jacklyn Ryan

Do you know if your trusted caregiver is ripping off your parents? What can you do to protect your loved ones? How can you find the best qualified caregiver?

Families struggle to find dependable, trusted care. These true stories are but a glimpse that exposes fraud and manipulation by unscrupulous caregivers. Through these stories, you will learn to identify subtle hints that expose a dishonest caregiver. You'll discover resources, tips on hiring and managing your caregiver, as well as some basic estate planning advice.

More than $37 billion is stolen each year because of the financial exploitation of seniors, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Better regulation is needed for in-home care agencies. Raising the bar on caregivers will raise the bar on the quality of care. Purchase at https://amzn.to/38RsE3o.

"The Colorless Womb"
by Kimberly Gowdy

Kimberly had always yearned for a child, but after multiple miscarriages, coupled with an unhealthy marriage, she accepted that her plan to become a mother was inconceivable. A painful divorce and a job opportunity opened the door for a fresh start in Atlanta. A chance meeting with her husband-to-be David was a breath of fresh air. They seemingly shared the same goals and dreams, but soon after realized life doesn't always go as planned.

They entertained the possibility of surrogacy, yet after three failed attempts, and only two embryos left, failure wasn't an option. Desperation to find the right surrogate led them to the biggest surprise of their lives: an unlikely person who proved to be the perfect match. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3EX439j.

NOTE: BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

(NewsUSA) - Good housecleaning has never gone out of style, but it has taken on a new priority in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Whether you are spending more time at home or have returned part-time to in-person work or school, smart, effective cleaning strategies can help keep your home and family safe and healthy.

Safe and simple are key criteria for choosing from among the wide variety of today's home cleaning products. However, consumers also want cleaners that are tough and effective, that don't just eliminate stains and spots, but also kill germs, viruses, and bacteria.

To that point, many people want to make cleaning easier, and that includes one-stop shopping.

One such product, all-n-all, tackles cleaning, stain removal and deodorizing in one single step.

The multipurpose cleanser contains ingredients derived from renewable resources, natural products including hydrogen peroxide and plant derived essential oils. It is designed to deliver a tough cleaning punch throughout the home, and the formula kills 99 percent of germs, bacteria, and viruses on hard, porous/non-porous surfaces when used correctly.

"Added surfactants help to break down those stubborn stains, giving you a one-step cleaning solution for your whole home," says Jason Bailey, president of all-n-all.

To that end, all-n-all is engineered to clean the entire house:

• Kitchen: all-n-all can help keep countertops and floors germ-free while tackling kitchen appliance cleaning from the sink, refrigerator, to tough stove top grease and grime.
• Living room: Stain-removal properties can take on challenges such as wine, coffee and pet stains from carpet, clean light switches, remotes, and tables.
• Bathroom: Remove iron deposits, hard water and calcium deposits from faucets and shower fixtures, clean sinks, bathtubs and countertops in one simple step.
• Nursery: It's safe and gentle enough to use on children's highchairs, furniture, toys, and game controllers.

All-n-all contains no dyes, phosphates, bleach, chlorine, or sodium lauryl sulfate, and is manufactured in the USA, with no harsh or abrasive chemicals.

Visit Lowes.com for more information and to purchase all-n-all natural cleaner.

(NewsUSA) - Witnessing a cardiac arrest can be frightening, but don't be afraid to take action -- two simple steps can save a life.

Each year, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital or emergency department, according to the American Heart Association. When someone experiences cardiac arrest, immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can make the difference between life and death. In fact, immediate CPR can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim's chance of survival.

Many people still think that effective CPR involves mouth-to-mouth resuscitation as well as chest compressions, and they may be hesitant to perform it, but that is not the case.

Hands-Only CPR has been shown to be as effective as the conventional CPR for cardiac arrests in the home, office, or in public places in the first few minutes until more advanced help arrives.

"By equipping people with Hands-Only CPR training, they learn how easy the technique is and there is a comfort level that will help them overcome concerns that cause hesitation to act in an emergency," say Raina Merchant, Chair, American Heart Association Emergency Cardiovascular Care.

Hands-only CPR includes just two simple steps.

- First, call 911.

- Second, push hard and fast in the center of the chest of the individual having a cardiac arrest. How hard to push? At least 2 inches. How fast? That's easy. Use the beat of a familiar song that has 100 to 120 beats per minute. For example, the classic disco hit, "Stayin' Alive" can help you stay on pace, but anything with a similar tempo will do.

To help promote the lifesaving value of Hands-Only CPR, the American Heart Association has partnered with the Anthem Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Anthem, Inc., in a public service campaign, "The Power is in Your Hands," to encourage everyone to learn Hands-Only CPR.

"Approximately 70 percent of cardiac arrests happen at home, and CPR can double or even triple chances of survival if performed immediately," said Shantanu Agrawal, M.D., Chief Health Officer at Anthem, Inc. "Together with the American Heart Association, the Anthem Foundation remains focused on working to increase the number of people who learn Hands-Only CPR. By providing greater access to training we can help increase the number of people who are prepared to respond in case of an emergency and for some, that could mean saving the life of someone they love."

The American Heart Association offers a 90-second livestream instructional video demonstration of Hands-Only CPR, as well as a new CPR first-aid app that anyone can download onto a phone.

Visit heart.org/handsonlycpr for more information.

(NewsUSA) - Creating a financial planner workforce that reflects the changing demographics of wealth in the United States is important for ensuring the long-term success of the profession and the ability of Americans to access the advice they need.

In recent years, significant progress has been made in attracting more women, people of color, and young individuals into the field. The number of CFP® professionals under age 30 has increased by 83% since 2016; 6,032 new women have joined the ranks of CFP® professionals, bringing the total to 20,632; and the number of Black and Latino CFP® professionals , including those who self-identified as biracial Black and Latino, grew to 3,688 in 2020.

Recruiting, however, is just one piece of the puzzle.

Creating a more diverse and sustainable workforce also requires cultivating an environment in which financial planners want to build a career.

"As awareness of the financial planning profession continues to spread and we attract more ethically and racially diverse talent, the challenge continues to be retaining and supporting these thriving professionals," explains Rianka Dorsainvil, CFP®, Co-CEO of 2050 Wealth Partners.

In part, such support means helping financial planners feel comfortable in the field and recognize the unique skills and perspectives they bring.

"Even though I didn't necessarily look like most everyone else in the profession, I wish I realized then the power of being able to connect with someone who shares my background," says Marguerita Cheng, CFP®, CEO of Blue Ocean Global Wealth.

"There are many people from different walks of life who could benefit from the services provided by a financial planner. And the personality traits that might appeal to one person or demographic, may not resonate quite as well with women or people of color," Cheng says.

Jeanne Fisher, CFP®, CPFA, with Strategic Retirement Partners, notes that this is why financial planners need to harness their differences.

"Being a woman can be an advantage -- not a disadvantage. Embrace it. Don't try to 'fit in with the guys.' Our different approach, and the fact that we are naturally more empathetic, works in our favor," she says.

Early in her career, Dorsainvil says she felt that "in order to fit in I needed to code-switch. I could not be my authentic self." Not only was it exhausting to constantly change mannerisms or appearance to feel like she belonged with a specific audience, Dorsainvil says doing so also ignored the fact that no matter where you come from, what you look like, how you grew up or your circumstances, you can be successful in this profession for who you are and what you bring to the table.

Dorsainvil adds that overcoming that mindset and the barriers that keep women and people of color from entering or staying in the profession requires allies in the financial advisory space to act in solidarity with marginalized groups and unlearn what they think they know about race and ethnicity.

Phuong Luong, CFP®, a financial planner with Just Wealth, LLC, explains that this means having difficult conversations.

The profession "cannot truly be inclusive until we see why we've been exclusive for so long," she says, adding that financial planning as a whole is in a unique and privileged position to facilitate the reckoning that will ultimately help people become the most honest and realized versions of themselves

"If we get comfortable talking about race, imagine what we could do."

To learn more from diversity, equity and inclusion thought leaders and best practices visit www.CFP.net and plan to attend the 4th Annual Diversity Summit, taking place virtually November 17-18.