Latest news with #Cherie
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Woman, 63, hasn't worked in years and has now burned through her savings — here's The Ramsey Show's advice
Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. Cherie, a 63-year-old San Bernardino, California resident, has been surviving on dwindling savings since 2007. Now she's down to her last few thousand. Concerned, she called in to The Ramsey Show for some advice. With multiple disabilities that prevent consistent work, Cherie lives in a fully paid-off home held in a trust. She has no debt and spends roughly $1,000 a month on essentials, living diligently within her budget, paying only utilities, insurance and food (supplemented by food stamps). Don't miss Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) You don't have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here's how 'I've burned through nearly all my savings, and I'm down to $4,000,' she said on her recent call to The Ramsey Show. She cannot claim Social Security retirement benefits until age 67, and repeated denials of her disability benefits have left her without another reliable income source. Prioritize income over equity Cherie asked if she should borrow against her trust-held home, or sell it, to gain more money. 'Don't borrow against it, because that's now putting the one thing that you have that's safe and secure at risk — income is an issue for you, so you don't want to do anything that will add debt to your life,' co-host Jade Warshaw said. Instead, they urged her to generate modest but essential income through part-time remote work. 'You sound great on the phone,' said co-host Ken Coleman. The hosts recommended customer service roles that require only a headset and about four hours of work per day. They also advised Cherie to apply immediately for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which averages about $718 per month for all recipients. In her case, Cherie could probably receive a slightly higher sum, averaging $764. This would help her cover roughly two-thirds of her current expenses while bolstering her application for Social Security at age 67. She could also find ways to cut back on expenses, like by shopping around for better rates on fixed monthly costs. For instance, with it takes just two minutes to comb through over 200 insurers for free to find the best home insurance deal in your area. The process can even be done entirely online. users can save an average of $482 per year. For Cherie, that would amount to about an extra $40 per month in savings, provided she can find a similarly low rate for her home insurance. Similarly, can help you switch to a more affordable auto insurance option within minutes. After answering a few questions about yourself, your vehicle and driving history, you can compare quotes from trusted brands like Progressive, Allstate, and GEICO. Depending on factors like the make and model of your car, you can find rates as low as $29 per month. Read more: Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — Increase income when retirement isn't an option yet Cherie's predicament isn't unique. Nearly half of Baby Boomers (49%) are working past age 70 and do not yet plan to retire. Their situation is driven as much by financial necessity (82%) as by a desire to stay active (78%). Pew Research data backs this up, and notes it as a growing trend for those aged 65 and older. In 1987, only 11% of Americans in this age group were working, but that number had shot up to 19% by 2023. Part of this is because many Americans don't have sufficient savings to retire (the latest estimates put this number at around $1.26 million). By contrast, the Federal Reserve found that the median retirement savings among Americans aged 65 to 74 was just $200,000 as of 2022, the last year for which data is available. While the average retiree's Social Security benefit hit a record $2,002 per month in May 2025, many cannot afford to wait or don't qualify due to limited work history. That's why it's so important to make sure your cash is being put to work in the background. One easy way to get started is with an automated investment advisor. These services typically help you invest in low-cost index funds without having to work with an advisor or pick funds directly. With Wealthfront Automated Investing, you can start investing in the stock market with as little as $1. Depending on your risk profile, Wealthfront will create a customized portfolio with low-cost index funds, combining up to 17 global asset classes. Wealthfront automatically rebalances your portfolio, diversifies your deposits and can help reduce your tax liability by tax-loss harvesting. Even better, up to $500,000 of your deposits with Wealthfront Invest are protected by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation. This means that, in the event of a brokerage failure, your cash and securities are protected. New accounts can get a $50 deposit bonus and fund it with $500 or more. For seasoned investors with portfolios of $50K or more, you might consider diversifying your nest egg through a flat-fee self-directed retirement account. A self-directed retirement account is a tax-advantaged individual retirement account (IRA) that lets investors allocate funds to a significantly broader range of alternative assets than typical IRAs offered by banks or brokerage firms. With IRA Financial, you can work directly with experienced retirement specialists. If you prefer making your investments online, their platform and mobile app make it easy to manage your account. They also have an in-house tax team to ensure your investments stay fully compliant with IRS rules. With over $5 billion in retirement assets under custody, guaranteed IRA audit protection, 25,000+ clients nationwide and a 97% client retention rate, IRA Financial can help you grow your retirement fund with alternative assets. Simply answer a few questions — including the kinds of assets you would like to invest in and how much you'd like to start with — to prequalify for an account in just 90 seconds. Develop a strategic plan for your retirement Beyond ensuring her savings and investments are running smoothly, experts recommend that seniors like Cherie treat job seeking as a strategic project. Apply for SSI and appeal disability denials: Even partial SSI support (about $700/month) can ease immediate cash flow issues. Search for remote jobs: Look for remote positions in roles like customer service, data-entry tutoring roles, ideally with minimal qualifications and flexible hours. Track and adapt: Keep a simple spreadsheet of applications, follow up weekly and tweak your pitch to emphasize reliability and interpersonal skills over technical credentials. Plan for Social Security at 67: You can delay full retirement age and raise benefits by up to 8% annually, which can make a long-term difference in your retirement situation. Find other ways to earn money in the meantime: With cash back apps like Upside, you can get a little bit back every time you shop. Simply download the app, and you can earn an average of 8% cash back on groceries and dining. You can also earn up to 25 cents per gallon back on gas, plus a bonus 25 cents off per gallon with code MONEYWISE25 on your first transaction when you sign up. Cherie owns her home outright and has no debt. Co-host Coleman said her next step is to increase her income until she qualifies for more retirement benefits. ' Sum it all together and say, 'I'm not going to be a victim here. I'm going to take control.' And you can, but you have to go after it,' Coleman said. With that pragmatic plan, Cherie could transform her precarious situation into a sustainable next chapter. What to read next Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here's how Car insurance in America now costs a stunning $2,329/year on average — but here's how 2 minutes can save you more than $600 in 2025 Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The Founders Of Apparel Brand Cherie Are Winning The Attention Economy
Two looks from Cherie's latest collection, Dulce Vida. Courtesy of Cherie Helena Busch and Nutrada Sottivoranan, founders of Cherie, live and work in Bangkok, Thailand. Busch, a model with a natural eye for social media content, grew up in Sweden and Sottivoranan, who graduated from University of Arts London, was raised in Thailand. 'I think our first ever piece that went viral was Tia corset,' Busch told me. 'We started with corsets. Obviously we maintained that throughout the years. I love pieces that make an hourglass fit. We started with corsets and we also had denim, but we soon realized that a lot of our customers really appreciate our corsets.' 'To be honest, when we started,' Busch said, 'it was a lot of learning. We made a lot of mistakes. It wasn't really Cherie back in the beginning.' 'We refined the branding to be just more like feminine pieces,' Sottivoranan added. A model wears the V-neck "Tia" corset by Cherie in black Mesh. Courtesy of Cherie Cherie, as a brand, takes inspiration from the classic, mid-century silhouette. 'We like the feeling of light fabrics,' Busch told me. 'But obviously you can't wear lingerie out. We wanted to turn that feeling into something that was more wearable, but still with a touch of lingerie. It's very vintage inspired. Because we love the aesthetic. We love the feeling and felt like it was very feminine. And we love other types of fashion too, obviously. Like we wear all kinds of different types, but for Cherie, we really wanted to enhance femininity and make it timeless. Sweet but still sexy and romantic as well.' Busch moved to Thailand from Sweden when she was 19 and signed with a modeling and acting agency. At the same time, Sottivoranan was interning with a Thai fashion brand. Both ladies, independently and before they knew each other, started their own small brands, and eventually met when Sottivoranan was hired to model for a company Busch was working for. 'We had our own separate brands,' Sottivoranan explained, 'and wanted to do a collab together, but from the first time we met, we were just like, instead of doing a collab together, why don't we just work together? It was very early and when we met, we just complimented each other, we have different strengths that really enhanced each other. We just decided to do this together.' From corsets to the dreamiest of dresses, the founders of Cherie have perfected their aesthetic with their latest collection, Dulce Vida. Courtesy of Cherie 'We just realized,' Bosch said,' we felt like we would do so much better if we become partners. Like she's very good with the business side. She studied fashion and for me, I have such a big creative eye. When it comes to taking photos, I just know when something looks good in a picture. It's really hard to explain it because I didn't go to school to learn it, but it's just something I've always had since a very young age. My mom used to say that I love beautiful things, that it's just a part of who I am.' The founders started their business in 2020, they're currently five years in, and though both of them are young, they have learned a lot as their brand, and its impressive online presence, have grown from a regional brand to one that serves an international clientele. 'We naturally just learned as the brand grew,' Sottivoranan told me. 'Both of us, Lena's so great with content and creative direction. For me it's more of the business side. We just learn as we do with manufacturing, with the production garment process. We just wanted to make something that could last every season.' 'We have gone through so many ups and downs,' Busch said. 'So many times we were just like, I want to give up now. And then the other one is like, no, we can't give up now. And then vice versa. But I think for us, when we reach something that we never thought we would, and just accomplish things with our company, we know this can be something much bigger if we just continue going. I think pushing each other when the other person is down has really helped us get through it.' 'We are both Aries,' Busch continued, 'and Aries are very fierce people. I think when we went into it, we went into it 200%.' A romantic setting for an exquisite gown. Courtesy of Cherie 'Covid was a difficult time around the world,' Sottivoranan said, 'But I think that we took advantage of the time when a lot of people were at home. That's when we got a lot of exposure from influencers because during that time, it was quite popular to be making content at home. We would send product out to a lot of influencers back then. And they would make a lot of content and post for us as well. We got a lot of exposure during that time.' 'Influencers are connections,' Busch said, and I liked that wording a lot. I sat with it for a few minutes while working on this piece. There's a lot of content out there, all of it hungry for eyes and attention. Ezra Klein and Kyla Scanlon have been encouraging their audiences to rethink our economic ideas to include the attention economy. I'd like to propose that Cherie, through Helena Busch and Nutrada Sottivoranan, is an excellent example of instinctive understanding of the nuances of catching, and keeping, the eyes of their audience. It is this innate skill that has allowed them to so quickly outgrow their regional market. Any young person, or brand, needs mentors and peers as a support system. Community is a lot more important to success than our culture seems willing to accept at this moment in time. Though there are many examples of wonderful mentoring relationships in fashion, they are not exactly common, and when there are no mentors available peers end up pulling double duty. This is not something which has escaped Busch and Sottivoranan's attention. 'We have friends and mentors that have fashion brands,' Busch told me. 'They are also models or influencers, and we have all been helping each other, building each other's brands. We will help them with photoshoots or they will help us. I feel like that community, and just like wanting the best for each other, helps us all grow. When you're surrounded by like-minded people that want the same things, that really helps you and motivates you to want the best and you get to learn from each other. And for example, if we made a mistake, we would tell our friends don't make this mistake. And if they figure something out, they tell us. I think that's really helped us grow faster than we actually would if we would have done everything by ourselves.' Sexy can be sweet, and Sottivoranan and Busch are creating work that is both playful and beautifully made. Courtesy of Cherie 'We've had a lot of help behind the scenes,' Sottivoranan told me. 'Like the backend part, how we operate, how to make it smoother. Stolen Stores is a Thai brand and they've mentored us from the beginning as well. Child Collective is another brand that has helped us.' 'I feel like every time we face a struggle or we face a problem, we always have people we can reach out to to ask for advice,' Busch told me. 'And the people around us have always been very supportive.' Covid aside, one of the biggest challenges the young brand faced was taking payments from international customers. As they garnered more attention online, as their audience grew, so did the complications of processing funds from different countries. 'We had to manually write every payment and send the link,' Busch told me. 'Stripe is the payment that Shopify usually uses. And that was not available in Thailand. We were struggling so much with payments, for almost a year. And when Stripe finally came to Thailand, it changed everything. It changed the way we were accepting payments and we were getting a lot more orders. And that was this start.' 'I think we were like one of their first customers,' said Sottivoranan, ' as soon as it was available in Bangkok, we got on to Stripe.' Cherie is a brand that focuses on the romantic details that make a garment special. Courtesy of Cherie 'To be honest,' Busch said, 'when we started a brand, we didn't really think we would have international customers. We were thinking that we wanted a European feel to the brand that wasn't available in Thailand. And I, as a customer, because I thought about myself as a customer when I was ordering from abroad, the custom fees in Thailand, it was just really insane. It was 50%, I think. We were like, let's start a brand that we would buy from if we were abroad, that people in Thailand could also buy from and they wouldn't have to pay custom fees.' 'In Bangkok and Thailand,' Sottivoranan explained, 'it's quite difficult to reach the international target audience, which I feel like we've been able to do. Like 95% of our customers are abroad. And we don't over produce. Our team is not big at all. And we produce everything in house.' 'We make very small batches,' Bush said. 'We produce very small batches and then we do pre-orders, because we don't want to produce things that people won't buy. That is a waste of fabrics and it is not good for the environment. We try to be very hands-on with the sewing team and with orders.' The ladies work in the same building where their garments are manufactured. Quality control is built into their model and they work closely with their 14 employees, a 10-person sewing team and four members of staff. This set up allows for constant communication, and should an issue arise, there is always a founder on hand to work with a patternmaker or trouble shoot a production challenge. Helena Busch and Nutrada Sottivoranan, founders of Cherie. Courtesy of Cherie 'We really just like having everyone in one office,' Busch explained. 'We have tried not having in-house sewers and it's very hard to control the pieces. And as our pieces got more complicated, it felt necessary to make that change. We're always making sure that we're producing the amount of a piece that is actually going to be worn,' Sottivoranan said. 'We like it to be very timeless, pieces that we know are always going to be in fashion. Pieces you can mix and match very easily. We want, because if you're going to spend something on a piece, you want it to last. We want to create pieces that are long lasting and of good quality.' Surely all this attention to detail, combined with their beautiful designs and dedicated community, will mean that Cherie is destined to continue its global ascent. Personally, this writer cannot wait to see what accomplishments are next. There are few things as inspiring as young people ready to work for the world they want to live in, and I left my conversation feeling better about the future of our world and the industry I love most. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes Exploring Class And Character In Costumes For Prime's 'We Were Liars' By Rachel Elspeth Gross Forbes Hello, My Name Is Sprayground: Celebrating 15 Years Of Artistry By Rachel Elspeth Gross Forbes 'Dressed To Kill': PBS' 'Human Footprint' Examines Apparel And Evolution By Rachel Elspeth Gross
South Wales Argus
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
Highway Code: Drivers risk £1,000 fine for sun visor mistake
With the sun's glare at its peak, drivers are using their sun visors more than ever at the moment, but a little-known Highway Code rule means that you could be risking a £1,000 fine. With bright summer sunlight making visors essential, many drivers also use them to hold sunglasses, toll receipts, face masks, festival passes, or parking stubs. However, these items could be deemed an obstruction if they block the driver's view of the road ahead. Cherie Carter, director at Indigo Car Hire, explained: 'Most people wouldn't think twice about clipping a receipt or sunglasses case to their visor, but anything that affects your field of vision could lead to enforcement action. 'We see countless hire cars returned with cluttered visors, which is not only a safety risk, but could invalidate insurance in the event of a crash.' Under Highway Code Rule 94, drivers are legally required to ensure their vehicle is safe to drive, including having an unobstructed view. If police believe an obstruction contributed to dangerous or careless driving, fines can reach £1,000, plus points or driving bans in severe cases. Cherie added: 'Our advice is simple; keep your visor clear. Store passes or receipts in your glove box or wallet instead. It's a small change that can keep you, and everyone else, safer on the roads this summer. Recommended Reading: 'It's a good habit to do a quick sweep of your car interior before every journey. Remove anything hanging from your mirror or visor, check your windows are clean inside and out, and adjust your seat for maximum visibility. 'These small checks only take a minute but can significantly reduce your risk of fines or accidents.' Drivers risk £50 fine over roundabout mistake For new drivers, and some experienced ones, mastering roundabouts can be tricky, and experts are warning that millions of us are still making a simple mistake that is putting us at risk of a fine. One in six drivers believe roundabouts make their journeys more stressful, according to a study from Compare the Market. (Image: Getty/yevtony) And experts at the insurance firm warn that almost six million of us are not following roundabout rules correctly, putting them in danger of getting a £50 fine. Compare the Market's study found some drivers failed to give way to the right at roundabout junctions. Rule 185 of the Highway Code states: 'Always give priority to the traffic coming from the right, unless you have been directed otherwise by signs, road markings or traffic lights.' Furthermore, over half of UK licence holders (55%) could be at risk of the same fine due to driving over mini-roundabouts. Nearly half (48%) admit to driving over a raised roundabout and almost two-thirds (62%) to driving over a flat one. Rules 188 to 190 of the Highway Code reveal that when it comes to mini-roundabouts the regulations are no different from regular roundabouts - 'It is important to remember that all vehicles must pass round the central markings, unless they are too large to do so. You will find that when driving around mini-roundabouts there is less room to manoeuvre and less time to signal, so take extra care.'
Daily Record
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Warning to drivers as overtaking cyclists incorrectly could land them with £1000 fine
Common overtaking habits could now be against the law Motorists are being warned to be cautious when driving near to cyclists as they could be hit with a hefty fine. Common overtaking habits could now be against the law after updates to the Highway Code clarified safe passing distances for cyclists. Drivers overtaking a cyclist without leaving enough space may be slapped with a fine of £1000 plus penalty points, according to motoring experts. Under Rule 163, motorists must give cyclists at least 1.5 metres of space when overtaking at speeds up to 30mph, and even more clearance at higher speeds or in poor weather conditions. Failing to do so can be treated as careless or dangerous driving. Cherie Carter, Director at Indigo Car Hire, said: 'Most drivers think they're giving enough room, but 1.5 metres is wider than many expect; it's about half the width of a typical car. We see many near misses where drivers squeeze past cyclists without realising how dangerous it is.' Police forces across the UK have run undercover operations using cyclists with helmet cameras to catch offenders, issuing fines and penalty points to those passing too closely. Some regions are now considering permanent safe-passing camera schemes to enforce the rule more widely. Cherie added further advice: 'If in doubt, hang back. Wait until it's completely safe to overtake with the right distance, or slow down behind the cyclist until you can pass safely. It's better to be a minute late than to put someone's life at risk. 'Our advice is clear; always treat cyclists as if they were a car. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 'Give them the space you'd want if you were in their place. It keeps everyone safer on the roads.' Failing to give enough room to cyclists can result in fines starting from £100 but can rise to £1,000 or even a court summons if the overtake is deemed dangerous, especially if it results in injury. Cyclists were also recently warned that they could be hit with fines if they don't follow new rules which are set to be introduced. According to five percent of all road fatalities involved pedal cyclists in the year ending June 2024. People riding on a pedal bike may face fines if found guilty of one of the following: Failing to stop at a school crossing patrol Holding on to a vehicle while it is moving for the purpose of being drawn along Cycling on a road dangerously Riding a pedal bike on the road without proper care, attention, or consideration for others All cyclists should be aware of new rules falling under the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989: Cyclists should use lights between sunset and sunrise Lights should not cause undue dazzle or discomfort to other persons using the road
North Wales Chronicle
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- North Wales Chronicle
Highway Code: Drivers risk £1,000 fine for sun visor mistake
With the sun's glare at its peak, drivers are using their sun visors more than ever at the moment, but a little-known Highway Code rule means that you could be risking a £1,000 fine. With bright summer sunlight making visors essential, many drivers also use them to hold sunglasses, toll receipts, face masks, festival passes, or parking stubs. However, these items could be deemed an obstruction if they block the driver's view of the road ahead. Cherie Carter, director at Indigo Car Hire, explained: 'Most people wouldn't think twice about clipping a receipt or sunglasses case to their visor, but anything that affects your field of vision could lead to enforcement action. 'We see countless hire cars returned with cluttered visors, which is not only a safety risk, but could invalidate insurance in the event of a crash.' Under Highway Code Rule 94, drivers are legally required to ensure their vehicle is safe to drive, including having an unobstructed view. If police believe an obstruction contributed to dangerous or careless driving, fines can reach £1,000, plus points or driving bans in severe cases. Cherie added: 'Our advice is simple; keep your visor clear. Store passes or receipts in your glove box or wallet instead. It's a small change that can keep you, and everyone else, safer on the roads this summer. Drivers warned they risk hefty fines over common headlight mistake 'It's a good habit to do a quick sweep of your car interior before every journey. Remove anything hanging from your mirror or visor, check your windows are clean inside and out, and adjust your seat for maximum visibility. 'These small checks only take a minute but can significantly reduce your risk of fines or accidents.' For new drivers, and some experienced ones, mastering roundabouts can be tricky, and experts are warning that millions of us are still making a simple mistake that is putting us at risk of a fine. One in six drivers believe roundabouts make their journeys more stressful, according to a study from Compare the Market. (Image: Getty/yevtony) And experts at the insurance firm warn that almost six million of us are not following roundabout rules correctly, putting them in danger of getting a £50 fine. Compare the Market's study found some drivers failed to give way to the right at roundabout junctions. Rule 185 of the Highway Code states: 'Always give priority to the traffic coming from the right, unless you have been directed otherwise by signs, road markings or traffic lights.' Furthermore, over half of UK licence holders (55%) could be at risk of the same fine due to driving over mini-roundabouts. Nearly half (48%) admit to driving over a raised roundabout and almost two-thirds (62%) to driving over a flat one. Rules 188 to 190 of the Highway Code reveal that when it comes to mini-roundabouts the regulations are no different from regular roundabouts - 'It is important to remember that all vehicles must pass round the central markings, unless they are too large to do so. You will find that when driving around mini-roundabouts there is less room to manoeuvre and less time to signal, so take extra care.'
