Latest news with #Reynders
TimesLIVE
a day ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Blitzbok star Zander Reynders scores big in rugby and engineering
Blitzbok rugby player Zander Reynders is proving you can chase your dreams both on the sports field and in the classroom. The 24-year-old recently graduated with a degree in computer engineering from the University of Pretoria (UP), just a few days after helping South Africa win gold at the 2025 HSBC SVNS World Championship in Los Angeles. Reynders received his degree during the autumn graduation season in May. He studied in the faculty of engineering, built environment and information technology while playing for UP-Tuks and later the Blitzboks. 'Being part of this squad, standing on that podium in LA, it's everything I dreamt about when I used to watch these games with my family during December holidays,' said Reynders. South Africa beat Spain 19-5 in the final. Reynders was playing in only his third tournament as a fully-fledged member of the team, showing that hard work and determination can really pay off. Reynders made his Blitzbok debut in Cape Town in December 2024 after a training camp in Stellenbosch. 'Standing alongside someone like (Blitzboks co-captain) Impi (Visser), who's represented both UP and the country with such distinction, inspires me to uphold the same standards,' he said. He believes that his studies helped him improve as a player. 'Engineering taught me to stay calm under pressure and think critically. In a final like that, it's not just about fitness — it's about mental clarity,' said Reynders. Balancing sport and studies was not easy but Reynders says it helped him grow. 'That mindset helps on the rugby field too, whether it's solving a defensive puzzle or executing a set piece,' he said. Now, with two international titles and a degree, Reynders wants to make a difference on and off the field. 'My goal is to live a life of impact,' he said. 'I want to keep contributing to the Blitzboks and embrace every chance to represent South Africa with pride. But I'm also passionate about using my engineering background to drive innovation — especially in areas like sustainable development and conservation.' He hopes his story inspires other students. 'Whether you're in the lecture hall, on the rugby field, or simply figuring out who you are, I hope my journey shows that hard work, consistency, and support from the right people can take you far,' said Reynders. Reynders still feels proud to be part of the UP community. 'The world needs your energy and your courage. Keep dreaming boldly and acting bravely,' he said. His message to young people is simple: 'Make the most of every opportunity, big or small. Don't underestimate the power of consistency. Show up every day with purpose and discipline. Surround yourself with people who challenge and support you. Run your own race and trust the process.'
Chicago Tribune
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Rose Reynders, Michael LePore, Nicholas Muller lead in Homer Glen
Rose Reynders, Michael LePore and Nicholas Muller had a commanding lead Tuesday night in a race for three 4-year seats on the Homer Glen Village Board. The Homer Glen trustee race featured mostly newcomers to village politics. Reynders, an incumbent who chairs the Village Board's Parks and Recreation Committee, was the only incumbent, seeking election to a second term. Former Trustee Ruben Pazmino, who served from 2019 to 2023 before losing a reelection bid two years ago, sought another term on the board. Reynders paired up with LePore and Muller, who were all endorsed by Homer Glen Mayor Christina Neitzke-Troike and the Homer Township ReSet slate, which won the February primary and were unopposed Tuesday. Other independent candidates included Richard Modelski, Kevin Koukol and John Hayes. Resident Heidi Pacella looked to earn a spot on the board as a write-in candidate. With all precincts reporting, Reynders had 1,821 votes, LePore had 1,675 votes and Muller had 1,505 votes, according to unofficial results. Pazmino followed with 982 votes, Modelski with 787 votes, Koukol with 349 votes and Hayes with 379 votes. There were 548 votes for write-in candidates, according to unofficial results. Those write-in votes and late mail-in ballots will be included when official results are completed. Stopping Will County's widening project of 143rd Street, reducing water bills and ensuring responsible growth that maintains the village' rural nature emerged as top themes among candidates. But candidates also wanted to put an end to political fighting that has dominated local politics for years. The campaign season featured several anonymous memes posted on Facebook that took aim at Neitzke-Troike and those she endorsed. Reynders called some of the memes inappropriate, disgusting and untrue and said that if her group were victorious, they would return civility to the village and township and work together for the betterment of the community. 'We are doing this because we care about our village,' Reynders said at a victory party Tuesday night. 'I look forward to working together and bringing new ideas for the community. Everyone brings something different to the table, and we have the best interest of the village at heart.' The Homer Township ReSet slate, led by Homer Glen Trustee Susanna Steilen for supervisor, ousted incumbent Supervisor Steve Balich in the February primary. The ReSet slate members said residents were tired of political drama and negativity that circulates online and during meetings. Reynders, LePore and Muller agreed residents are still sending the message to end the political fighting. 'All the memes, all the lies, all the hate, all the vitriol, it's too much,' Reynders said. 'It's embarrassing.' Reynders said the village is about community and nature in harmony and should be known for its beautiful parks and forest preserves and family-friendly amenities, not political rhetoric. Muller said the three of them worked the campaign season 'the old-fashioned way' by knocking on doors and listening to residents' concerns. He said he wanted to put a face to the name on the campaign signs and meet the neighbors. 'I walked so much, I'm hearing doorbells in my sleep,' Muller said. 'The support from the community was overwhelming.' LePore said it was a team effort. 'The village has a very bright future,' LePore said. The Homer Glen trustee race started off crowded with 17 candidates filing for the three trustee spots. After several Electoral Board hearings in November and December, eight candidates were removed for a myriad of reasons. Pacella had to seek a write-in position because her name was removed for using an improper nickname on her nominating position, which is not allowed under Illinois Election Code. Other candidates were removed for using a wrong address, filing to run for both school board and village board, which are incompatible offices and having an insufficient number of signatures. Katie Surges and Kyle Surges, who were not removed by the Electoral Board, later withdrew their names from the ballot.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Here's what the ideal budget looks like for a $100,000 salary
Earning over $100,000 per year is a goal that many people strive for. But without the right budget, it can feel like your money disappears as fast as it comes in — even on a six-figure salary. Budgets often get a bad rap for being restrictive, but a good budget is just the opposite; it can help you prioritize how you spend your money and ensure you're on track to hit your financial goals. So, what should the typical budget for a $100,000 salary look like? Here's what you need to know. If you get paid $100,000 per year, that doesn't actually translate to a six-figure income. A gross salary of $100,000 ends up being closer to between $70,000 and $80,000 in net income (your take-home pay) after certain deductions are made from your paycheck. These may include: Federal and state taxes (exact amounts vary by state, filing status, and your tax bracket) Contributions to retirement and other tax-advantaged accounts, such as a health savings account (HSA) Out-of-pocket premiums for health, life, and other employer-sponsored insurance plans This isn't to say that you should skip these deductions and contributions for the sake of having a slightly bigger paycheck. In fact, reducing these contributions could mean leaving money on the table. 'For retirement contributions, I usually ask clients if they receive matching on their retirement plans through their employer,' said Jamie Hobkirk, CFP, CFA, and portfolio manager at Reynders, McVeigh Capital Management in Boston, Mass. 'If they do, it is usually a good idea to at least contribute this amount, if possible.' Hobkirk added that she encourages clients to automate retirement savings to avoid spending that money on other expenses. The same idea applies to your insurance premiums — investing in these plans on a monthly basis can reduce any surprise medical bills down the road. Start by reviewing your last few pay stubs to better understand your typical monthly net pay. Once you have that figure in mind, you can divvy up that money across all your major spending categories. In our example scenario, we'll assume you take home $75,000 after taxes and other deductions, or $6,250 per month. Keep in mind there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to budgeting; your budget should reflect your unique financial situation and goals. That said, experts often recommend certain guidelines to help keep your budget and spending on track. For example, your housing costs — likely the most expensive category in your budget — should be no more than 28% to 30% of your income. Hobkirk noted these expenses can include rent or mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, and homeowners association fees. And the right amount can vary depending on where you live. The same goes for other essentials, such as utilities, healthcare, food, and transportation. How much you can afford to allocate toward each category will depend on the cost of living in your area, whether you support dependents, and more. However, it's important to keep these expenses within a reasonable percentage of your overall income. Read more: Fixed vs. variable expenses: Key differences and how to budget for each As for your nonessential spending — also known as discretionary spending — you have more wiggle room when it comes to fitting expenses into your budget. For example, during the winter, you may need to cut back on your entertainment spending to account for higher energy bills. On the other hand, if you negotiate down your auto insurance premium, you may be able to spend a little more on dining out. One expense that shouldn't be compromised? Your savings. This should be a line item in your budget just like any other bill. Although it may take some time to work up to saving 15% of your income, you should strive to consistently put money away for the future. Read more: How much of your paycheck should you save? It's worth noting, though, that savings can and should be fluid. There may be times in your life when you're able to put more money into your savings, but if you have competing financial obligations, like a credit card or personal loan bill, you might consider scaling back your savings to pay down those balances. Finally, it's a good idea to leave a buffer of cash in your checking account to avoid overdraft fees in case you end up spending more than planned. Read more: How much money should you keep in your checking account? Remember: Your own spending categories and percentages may not align exactly with this budget example, and that's okay. Your budget should be tailored to your own living expenses and financial goals. It's important to make sure that you're checking in with yourself periodically to determine whether your budget is still working for you or whether it's time to make some adjustments. Again, there's no one right way to budget, and your personal budget should fit your financial priorities. But if you're overwhelmed by the idea of creating your own budget from scratch, there are a few tried-and-true strategies that you can use as a framework. The 50/30/20 rule is a budgeting strategy that simplifies the process. With this method, you spend 50% of your income on needs, 30% on wants, and 20% on savings and extra debt payments. Read more: Struggle with budgeting? Following the 50/30/20 rule could be your solution. A zero-based budget assigns every dollar you earn to a spending category so that at the end of the month, your remaining balance is zero. This might be a good fit if you struggle with overspending and want to take full control of your money by ensuring every dollar has a designated purpose. Read more: Guide to zero-based budgeting The envelope system is a budgeting method that uses physical cash to control your spending each month. You separate the available cash you have to spend into different envelopes for each spending category and withdraw money from the appropriate envelope when you need to make a purchase. Digital versions of envelope budgeting are also available if you like the concept but aren't a fan of using cash. Read more: Guide to the envelope budgeting system Ultimately, the best budgeting strategy is the one that you stick to and use to help you reach your goals. You may have to try a few things before you find a system that works for you.
