By Kimberly Palmer | NerdWallet

When you have money questions, sometimes a friendly chat with others in similar situations can spark helpful answers. If you’re a mom, those conversations can take place within moms groups. There are local groups like Utah Money Moms, private Facebook groups for single moms and entrepreneurial moms, and many websites geared toward moms interested in sharing smart saving, spending and earning tips.

These groups exist because there is a demand for them, says Amanda Christensen, founder of Utah Money Moms as well as an accredited financial counselor and extension professor at Utah State University. On the Utah Money Moms site, women can pick up tips on topics such as how to save money, how to discuss finances with a partner and how to trim expenses.

“I created the site in an attempt to make personal finance more approachable for women,” she says, citing the gender wage gap and research that shows fewer women feel confident about finances compared with men.

Groups and resources targeted at moms can be especially helpful, says Maria Bailey, author of “Marketing to Millennial Moms,” because moms benefit from learning from one another, especially when they are facing similar challenges such as juggling child care and other costs of young children.

“We’re seeing a rise of these groups, especially among younger and Gen Z moms, out of a sense of empowerment,” Bailey says, adding that “young moms in particular have a strong sense of self.”

If you’re looking to get helpful information out of a money-oriented moms group, experts offer the following tips.

(Kimberly Palmer shares how she talks about money with other moms.)

Find people with similar challenges

Pamela Horack, a certified financial planner who calls herself “Your Financial Mom,” recommends finding moms who are at similar life stages to you, whether that’s buying diapers or sending kids off to college.

“We’re experiencing the same life events at the same time, and money is a part of that, so it’s really important for women to be able to bounce ideas off of each other,” Horack says. A group of like-minded moms offers a support system of sorts as you navigate day care costs, plan family vacations or manage allowances, she adds.

Moms are also often interested in finding ways to support their families, whether by exploring options to earn extra income or looking for strategic ways to save, Bailey says. “Moms are motivated by finding solutions and nurturing, and talking about money is part of that,” she says.

Emma Johnson, creator of the private Facebook group Millionaire Single Moms and author of “The 50/50 Solution,” says women in her group have shared valuable advice on issues related to divorce and money management for single moms. “I get messages from women all the time that the Facebook group has changed them,” she says.

Share tips on day-to-day life and long-term planning

Moms can have a lot on their financial plates, from the weekly grocery budget to longer-term saving for college and retirement. Horack says the most helpful moms groups cover that entire spectrum of issues.

“Everybody is really worried about budgeting, because if you can’t budget now, then you’re not going to have money for your retirement later,” Horack says, adding that sharing ideas about tracking expenses and trimming costs can be extremely helpful. “Getting your fixed expenses under control is a good strategy; then you can have money available when non-monthly expenses come up,” she says.

Horack also suggests discussing how to teach kids about money, which is another popular parenting topic. Even a discussion about the words you use with kids when discussing money and the subtle messages you may be sending can be a useful conversation, and other moms might have perspectives you hadn’t previously considered.

Watch out for scams or inaccurate information

The proliferation of online moms groups has attracted scam artists, which means anyone seeking camaraderie online needs to be on guard. Johnson warns against interacting with anyone online who asks for your personal information or money.

She says she often has to kick people out of her private Facebook group when they start trying to sell goods or services to members. To keep online groups free from potential scams, Johnson says, you have to actively manage them.

It’s also a good idea to remain skeptical of any advice you see online until you verify it with your own research.

Be inclusive

Sometimes, expanding your group beyond moms can make sense, Christensen notes. She says she’s currently rebranding her “Utah Money Moms” site so it will no longer have “mom” in the name in an effort “to be more inclusive of all women, regardless of their role.”

Many of the most popular topics, including setting financial goals and tracking spending, apply to parents and non-parents alike, which means we can all learn from one another.

Kimberly Palmer writes for NerdWallet. Email: kpalmer@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @kimberlypalmer.

The article What We Can Learn From ‘Money Moms’ originally appeared on NerdWallet.

By LARRY NEUMEISTER

NEW YORK (AP) — Guo Wengui, a self-exiled Chinese business tycoon whose criticism of the Communist Party won him legions of online followers and powerful friends in the American conservative movement, was convicted by a U.S. jury Tuesday of engaging in a massive multiyear fraud that ripped off some of his most devoted fans.

Once believed to be among the richest people in China, Guo was arrested in New York in March of 2023 and accused of operating a racketeering enterprise that stretched from 2018 through 2023.

Over a seven-week trial, he was accused of deceiving thousands of people who put money into bogus investments, with the aim of preserving a luxurious lifestyle. He was convicted of nine of 12 criminal counts, including racketeering conspiracy.

Guo’s lawyers said prosecutors hadn’t proven he’d cheated anyone.

Guo, who is also known by the name Miles Kwok, left China in 2014 during an anticorruption crackdown that ensnared people close to him, including a top intelligence official.

Chinese authorities accused Guo of rape, kidnapping, bribery and other crimes, but Guo said those allegations were false and designed to punish him for publicly revealing corruption as he criticized leading figures in the Communist Party.

He applied for political asylum in the U.S., moved to a luxury apartment overlooking Central Park and joined former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago golf club in Florida.

While living in New York, Guo developed a close relationship with former Trump’s onetime political strategist, Steve Bannon. In 2020, Guo and Bannon announced a joint initiative to overthrow the Chinese government.

Prosecutors say hundreds of thousands of investors were convinced to invest more than $1 billion in entities Guo controlled. Among those businesses and organizations was Guo’s media company, GTV Media Group Inc., and his so-called Himalaya Farm Alliance and the Himalaya Exchange.

In a closing argument, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Finkel said Guo “spouted devious lies to trick his followers into giving him money.”

He said Guo made hundreds of broadcasts and videos in which he promised followers that they would not lose money if they invested with him.

“I’m rich. I’ll take care of you,” the prosecutor said Guo told them.

Then, he said, Guo spent millions from investors on a lavish lifestyle for himself and his family that included a $1.1 million tortoise-shell jewelry box and some candlesticks, a million dollar chandelier, $36,000 mattresses, a $40,000 coffee table and a $250,000 antique rug, items kept at a family home in Mahwah, New Jersey.

Defense lawyer Sidhardha Kamaraju told the jury prosecutors had presented a case that was “long on rhetoric but short on specifics, long on talk, but short on evidence.”

Kamaraju said Guo was the “founder and face” of a pro-Chinese democracy movement that attracted thousands of political dissidents. Kamaraju urged jurors to think about whether Guo would intentionally cheat his fellow movement members for money. He said prosecutors had failed to prove that “Mr. Guo took a penny with the intent to undermine the political movement he invested so much in.”

The lawyer did not deny that his client lived lavishly, with a luxury apartment that took up an entire floor in Manhattan; a home in Greenwich, Connecticut; a yacht and a jet. But he said prosecutors wanted jurors to take “leaps in logic” to find Guo guilty.

“It’s not a crime to be wealthy,” Kamaraju said. “It is not a crime to live in luxury or to spend money on nice things. It’s not a crime to have a yacht or a jet or to wear nice suits. It may not be our lifestyle. It may be odd. It may even be off-putting to some, but it’s not a crime.”

The prosecutor, Finkel, said everyone agreed that Guo was targeted by China’s Communist Party, but that did not give Guo “a license to rob from these people.”

Finkel said Guo also created a “blacklist” of his enemies and posted their personal information online. When the Securities and Exchange Commission investigated him, Guo organized protests against the agency and claimed that it had been infiltrated by China’s Communist Party. When a bankruptcy trustee was appointed by a judge to represent Guo’s creditors, Finkel said Guo’s followers protested outside the home of the trustee’s children and outside an elementary school where one of them was a teacher.

Lacey Pfalz | (TNS) TravelPulse

Planning a trip can be a daunting task, but it can feel impossible when you’re trying to stay within a reasonable budget. Yet Travel Insured International offers a few important tips to remember to help make your travel planning process go smoothly and ensure you’ll stay within your budget, no matter how far you’ll be traveling from home.

Be realistic about your budget

The first step to any travel planning is to be honest about how much you can reasonably spend on your trip. Consider everything from transportation and accommodation (the two biggest expenses), to things like food and even souvenirs. If you already have a destination in mind, search for those flights and accommodations, and write down what you expect them to cost based on your research.

Travel Insured International also recommends to include a small buffer for unexpected expenses, and to allocate some money towards purchasing a travel insurance plan, which can help you save money if you need to cancel or change your trip, or for certain unexpected events like losing your luggage.

Choosing your destination

Let’s be real: Some destinations are just pricier than others. We recommend using online resources to find second-city destinations or, if you’re traveling internationally, to pick destinations where the U.S. dollar has a higher value than the local currency, ensuring you’ll likely get more for your hard-earned dollars.

Remember to be flexible with travel dates and even your destinations when planning on a budget.

If you can’t choose your destination, or you know you want to visit a more popular, pricier locale, then the next tips are definitely for you.

Travel off-season

This is one of the best ways to travel cheaper, and there are also some great benefits, such as fewer crowds in popular destinations. Flights, accommodations and even some attractions will all be cheaper in many destinations when travel demand is low — that’s why we recommend traveling to many summer-popular destinations (like Rome or Paris) in the winter. Sure, you’ll have to pack that jacket, but you’ll also be able to save hundreds of dollars and enjoy less crowded everything!

To save on airfare any time, consider traveling midweek instead of during the weekend, when many travelers consider it convenient to do so. This might save you a few hundred dollars, too.

Additionally, it’s important not to book your flights at the last minute. You should book your flights at least three months in advance to get the best deals, and price shoppers can use a variety of websites to compare airlines and dates to get their preferred deals.

Affordable accommodations

Besides getting to your destination, paying for accommodations is likely the second biggest expense of any trip. That’s why it’s important to choose the one that works for your budget: budget hotels, vacation rentals or hostels might be the best options for those looking to tighten their belts. If you’re looking to save money, consider lowering your expectations.

Use public transportation

Many cities around the world offer cheap public transportation not just for the residents, but for travelers, too. Buses, trains and metro systems are all great options for travelers to save money, instead of using costly taxis or rideshares.

Make sure to research your destination’s public transportation options prior to arrival, and consider a travel pass that allows for unlimited travel for a fixed period to get the most out of your trip.

Meal planning

Heavy tourist areas can offer pricey meals for convenience, so it’s important to plan some of your meals to be more affordable. Check out local markets and street food options, or smaller hole-in-the-wall haunts away from touristy areas.

If you’ll be staying in a destination longer term, consider staying in an accommodation with a kitchen or kitchenette that offers the ability to cook your own food. Doing this instead of eating out at every meal can save you money, too.

Search for free activities and experiences

While it’s important to budget the price of entry to incredible attractions like the Louvre or the Colosseum (and often to purchase tickets in advance prior to traveling), there are also many events and experiences you can enjoy on a budget, or without any cash at all!

The Internet is a great resource for these: visit blogs written by locals in your destination, or visit the destination’s tourism website to get a calendar of the major events. Parks and some museums in certain destinations could also be free, or fairly inexpensive to visit.

Some destinations also offer a multi-use pass that can provide entry into several different museums or attractions at a reduced cost, which might come in handy if you’re interested in visiting the attractions listed.

Use those rewards points

Are you a frequent traveler? If so, it can save you money to be part of a hotel or airline loyalty reward program. Many credit cards also offer travel rewards points that you can redeem for flights, hotels, upgrades and even experiences, which can save you money in the long run.

The bottom line

Traveling on a budget is possible, but it takes flexibility, open-mindedness and the desire to research everything thoroughly. If you think you have what it takes, then take these tips and use them to plan your next dream vacation on a budget.

_______

©2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Luaine Lee | Tribune News Service

NBC Sports is going all-out programming the 2024 Paris Olympics, which begin July 26. Officially dubbed “NBC Sports: 2024 Paris Olympics,” the network coverage will run live all day with a compilation of highlights and interviews during prime time.

The massive NBC coverage is helmed by Molly Solomon. As executive producer and president of Olympics production, the buck stops with her. “I’m going to get promoted or fired. One or the other,” she jokes.

No chance of that. Solomon started her NBC Olympics coverage in 1990 as a researcher for the Barcelona Games and has worked nearly every Olympics since.

“I remember where I was seven years ago, when I heard that Paris was going to host the Olympics and Paralympics, and I was thrilled then,” she said.

“But … I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited about an Olympics. This will be my 13th Games, and we are keenly aware that this truly will be a Games that none of us has seen before. The historic landmarks of one of the world’s most beautiful cities is actually going to be the backdrop for the 17 days of this incredible competition,” she explains.

Molly Solomon, left, executive producer and president, Olympics production, and rapper Snoop Dogg, who will act as roving reporter during the Summer Games, which will air on NBC and stream on Peacock beginning July 26. (Todd Williamson/NBC Sports/TNS)

“Some of these famous sites actually will be Olympic venues. These Summer Olympics, thank goodness, are going to return (after COVID) with joy, spectacle, and crowds, so you’ll see friends, families and fans back in the seats, and that really is providing the excitement and energy that the viewers expect when they watch the Olympics.”

What they’re probably not going to expect is rapper Snoop Dogg as a lively roving commentator. The 52-year-old gained some attention when he served as commentator on the dressage competition during the Tokyo Olympics. But he was not on-site then.

This time he will be, though they haven’t quite determined what to call his new avocation.

“I think what it’s going to be, it’s going to be me actually in the field at events — hosting, getting with the athletes, moving through the city. Just doing the things that Snoop Dogg does,” he said.

“We’re planning on shaking it up in many different ways, bringing my flavor. And then at the same time, just having fun. Because it’s the Olympics, y’all, this is the biggest sporting event every four years. We only get it once every four years, so we’re going to make the most of it.”

Solomon said she spoke with Snoop Dog about filling this role a year ago. “And what I was so struck by was the passion, the genuine passion, that (he has) for the athletes.”

The singer-celeb, who’s known for his quirky appearances with chum Martha Stewart, said he has followed the Olympics ever since he first caught them when he was 13.

“I think it’s very special because it’s a time where the whole world can come together and cheer for their countries, cheer for certain athletes. And then at the same time, we come together as one — as America,” he said.

“And a lot of times in the world, it’s always division and separation. But this is a chance for the world to be on one page, for everybody to be together, to cheer for each other, to root for each other. So it’s actually a peace offering that I feel like. I’m honored to be here because I always represent peace. I love sports, I love the Olympics. And for me to be a part of it is only going to make it more peaceful and more passionate.”

According to Solomon, NBCUniversal plans to be no-holds-barred in its coverage.“We’re going to be live all day on NBC. So the ‘Today’ show will be in Paris from 7 to 9 a.m., and then we will come out and go from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, live on NBC. And that allows us to be truly live because … of the time difference, it’s six hours,” she said.

“So everything is happening all day long. So from 2 to 5 p.m. in the afternoon, Eastern Time, is almost like prime-time live in the afternoon. You’ll have swimming, gymnastics, and track and field finals on NBC.”

The network’s streaming stepchild, Peacock, is going to spread its tail too.

According to Solomon, “Peacock will be the greatest single Olympics destination in U.S. media history. We’re going to be incorporating all the lessons that we’ve learned from the last two Olympics and really every moment, every medal, every network and cable simulcast will be shown on Peacock.”

(Luaine Lee is a California-based correspondent who covers entertainment for Tribune News Service.)

©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC