NEW YORK (Newswire.com) – iQuanti: With the holidays coming to a close, it’s time to look ahead and make sure you’re paying off those leftover debts from last year. The APR for personal loans is typically lower than that of credit cards, making this an attractive option for consolidating debt: it will cost less interest overall and can reduce your monthly payments considerably. That said, it’s also crucial to remember that repaying debt responsibly requires discipline: you’ll need to stay organized with budgeting, use proper money-management skills, set short- and long-term goals – and yes, commit to them! Successfully taking control of your finances in this way benefits both your financial health and your peace of mind.
In addition to consolidating debt, this article will discuss how to get rid of your debt from last year. Several options exist. All you have to figure out is which of them makes the most sense for your unique situation.
1. Take Out a Personal Loan
You might consider personal loans if you have several outstanding debts from 2022. Credit unions and banks offer personal loans. Either of these can be reputable entities.
You can take the money from a personal loan and pay off all your outstanding debts. By doing so, you make your repayment schedule less complicated.
You can go from owing several different entities to only owing money to a single one. Many times, it’s that simplification of your repayment schedule that will assist you in becoming debt-free during the new year.
2. Hunt for a Job that Pays More
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Looking for a job that pays more in the new year can also get you out from under the debts you accumulated in 2022. Maybe you feel that you’ve reached the limit of what you can achieve in your current position. You don’t see a path to a promotion and a raise that can accompany it.
If that’s true, you can update your resume and look for jobs online. You can use sites like Monster, Indeed, and LinkedIn. If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile yet, you should create one.
Getting a job that pays more will free up more money that you can use to pay off your debts from 2022 quicker. Don’t rest until you find a new position that pays you a salary that matches your skill set. Being complacent at your current job isn’t going to help you if you’re sure there’s no raise or promotion in your immediate future.
3. Don’t Accumulate Any More Debt
You can also work on paying off what you owe from last year without accumulating any new debt. Often, debt piles up because you keep accruing new debts before you can pay off your existing ones. If that’s happening, it’s a sure sign you need to curb your spending.
Don’t live an extravagant lifestyle. Limit the number of times you go out to dinner. Instead, buy bulk food items and use them to make low-cost meals. Purchase clothing at second-hand stores like Goodwill instead of buying them brand new. If you can put off shopping for new clothes, do that.
If you need a new vehicle, get a used or certified pre-owned one instead of buying the latest model. Only spend money on home improvements if they’re unavoidable.
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Conserving money in all these ways will let you put the cash you’ve saved toward paying off your 2022 debts. If you’re determined and don’t mind living this way for a while, you should see positive results.
You Can Get Rid of Last Year’s Debt
Getting rid of last year’s debt can be challenging, but you can do it if you’re determined. You can save money to put toward debt from 2022 by living frugally. Eating in restaurants less often, shopping for second-hand clothing, and taking similar measures leaves you more money to put toward your outstanding debts.
Hunting for a new job that pays more is another viable option. Spruce up your resume and look for jobs on sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Monster. You may also consider taking out a personal loan and using the money from it to pay off all your other outstanding debts. Having one creditor to pay back will simplify the process.
These tips should help you get rid of last year’s debt. It may not be easy, but it’s always possible.
Socially Engaged Design of Nuclear Energy Technologies
What prompted the idea for the course?
The two of us had some experience with participatory design coming into this course, and we had a shared interest in bringing virtual reality into a first-year design class at the University of Michigan.
It seemed like a good fit to help students learn about nuclear technologies, given that hands-on experience can be difficult to provide in that context. We both wanted to teach students about the social and environmental implications of engineering work, too.
Aditi is a nuclear engineer and had been using participatory design in her research, and Katie had been teaching ethics and design to engineering students for many years.
What does the course explore?
Broadly, the course explores engineering design. We introduce our students to the principles of nuclear engineering and energy systems design, and we go through ethical concerns. They also learn communication strategies – like writing for different audiences.
Students learn to design the exterior features of nuclear energy facilities in collaboration with local communities. The course focuses on a different nuclear energy technology each year.
In the first year, the focus was on fusion energy systems. In fall 2024, we looked at locating nuclear microreactors near local communities.
The main project was to collaboratively decide where a microreactor might be sited, what it might look like, and what outcomes the community would like to see versus which would cause concern.
Students also think about designing nuclear systems with both future generations and a shared common good in mind.
The class explores engineering as a sociotechnical practice – meaning that technologies are not neutral. They shape and affect social life, for better and for worse. To us, a sociotechnical engineer is someone who adheres to scientific and engineering fundamentals, communicates ethically and designs in collaboration with the people who are likely to be affected by their work.
In class, we help our students reflect on these challenges and responsibilities.
Why is this course relevant now?
Nuclear energy system design is advancing quickly, allowing engineers to rethink how they approach design. Fusion energy systems and fission microreactors are two areas of rapidly evolving innovation.
Microreactors are smaller than traditional nuclear energy systems, so planners can place them closer to communities. These smaller reactors will likely be safer to run and operate, and may be a good fit for rural communities looking to transition to carbon-neutral energy systems.
But for the needs, concerns and knowledge of local people to shape the design process, local communities need to be involved in these reactor siting and design conversations.
Students in the course explore nuclear facilities in virtual reality.Thomas Barwick/DigitalVision via Getty Images
What materials does the course feature?
We use virtual reality models of both fission and fusion reactors, along with models of energy system facilities. AI image generators are helpful for rapid prototyping – we have used these in class with students and in workshops.
This year, we are also inviting students to do some hands-on prototyping with scrap materials for a project on nuclear energy systems.
What will the course prepare students to do?
Students leave the course understanding that community engagement is an essential – not optional – component of good design. We equip students to approach technology use and development with users’ needs and concerns in mind.
Specifically, they learn how to engage with and observe communities using ethical, respectful methods that align with the university’s engineering research standards.
What’s a critical lesson from the course?
As instructors, we have an opportunity – and probably also an obligation – to learn from students as much as we are teaching them course content. Gen Z students have grown up with environmental and social concerns as centerpieces of their media diets, and we’ve noticed that they tend to be more strongly invested in these topics than previous generations of engineering students.
Aditi Verma, Assistant Professor of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan and Katie Snyder, Lecturer III in Technical Communication, College of Engineering, University of Michigan
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
(Family Features) Spending a good portion of each day on camera is no longer a job description reserved for the rich and famous. Working professionals across a wide range of industries spend more time than ever on video chats and virtual meetings.
The ultra-connected working world has distinct advantages, especially for those who wish to work from the comfort of home, but the connectivity comes with a price. While meeting fatigue is a familiar workplace challenge, video fatigue brings a new layer of challenges, including the pressure of always being “on” with a camera sitting mere inches from your face.
Avoid exhaustion, burnout and digital eye strain from a rigorous video meeting schedule with these tips from ZEISS Vision Care:
Avoid digital eye strain: Back-to-back virtual meetings can leave your eyes dry and exhausted. The most important consideration in protecting your eyes is taking frequent breaks. Experts recommend the 20-20-20 rule: look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. This lets your eyes rest and minimizes the physical and mental exhaustion of screen time.
Create a comfortable setting: There’s nothing worse than realizing halfway through an important meeting you’re either too hot or too cold. Rather than visibly disrupting the meeting, make sure you have what you need to adjust your climate in easy reach, such as a fan you can flip on or a blanket you can pull over your lap. Invest in a chair you’re content to sit in for extended periods of time, and if you’re prone to fidgeting, be sure to get up and move around before your meeting starts.
Look your best: It’s human nature to worry about your appearance on camera, so take a few minutes before the meeting to smooth your hair and straighten your collar. Wearing video-ready attire and accessories can put you ahead of the game. One example is incorporating subtle style such as eyeglasses featuring ZEISS DuraVision Gold UV AR. This high-clarity, anti-reflective lens coating has a striking gold residual reflectance that radiates luxury, elegance and sophistication. The coating also offers several functional advantages including durability, improved cleanability, reduced blue light reflections and enhanced clarity in low-light conditions.
Eliminate disruptions: It’s not easy to stay focused and engaged in a video meeting when you have noise and disruptions in your background. In fact, it’s a good way to get flustered. Turn off your music and mute your phone. Put curious cats and friendly pups in a safe place, and if you share your workspace, consider closing your door and hanging a sign that indicates a meeting is in progress.
Be mindful of lighting and angles: Lighting that comes from behind your screen will illuminate your face without awkward shadows. Avoid overhead lights or a table lamp behind you if possible. When it comes to setting your camera, be sure it sits at eye level or slightly above for the most flattering angle. A good rule of thumb is to have the same portion of your upper body (head and shoulders) visible as you would in a traditional head shot photo so your colleagues don’t have a close-up of your face the entire meeting.
For more advice on protecting your vision, visit zeiss.com/vision.
SOURCE:ZEISS
(Family Features) With tax season officially in the rearview mirror, it’s the prime time for small business owners to step back and re-evaluate their expenses. Before tossing those receipts, now is a good opportunity to understand how every dollar you spend can fuel your next adventure.
One way to maximize your rewards for business spending is by selecting a credit card that works as hard as you do. Credit cards can help manage cash flow but also provide a way to get rewarded for purchases you’re already making. One credit card to consider is the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card from Chase, which offers opportunities to unlock benefits like free hotel nights, elite status and points on every purchase.
Cardmembers can conduct business as usual while unlocking a quicker route to an elite status and earning two World of Hyatt Bonus Points per $1 spent on their top three eligible spending categories each quarter. That means treating clients to a dinner, shipping samples or running a digital campaign to boost your business can transform into more points toward a bucket-list trip, higher tier status and more. Those who apply by June 30, 2025 and are approved can also earn a special offer of 60,000 World of Hyatt Bonus Points and enjoy World of Hyatt Explorist status through February 2026 after spending $7,000 in the first three months of opening the account. That means more rewarding stays with perks like room upgrades, 2 p.m. late checkout, and extra points every time you check in. Learn more at chase.com/hyattbiz.
If you’re looking to get the most out of your business expenses, consider these categories and how they can be maximized for more rewards.
Earn While You Wine and Dine
Entertaining clients is more than just a meal – it’s an investment in the relationships that can drive your business forward. Whether that’s closing a deal over lunch or hosting a team dinner to celebrate a milestone, dining can reward your business. By using a rewards-driven credit card to pay for these expenses, you can accumulate points and turn them into valuable rewards. The celebratory dinner for your biggest client can earn you points toward your next business trip or vacation to unwind with the family.
Supercharge the Online Visibility of Your Business
Marketing and advertising – including social media and search engine advertising – can be crucial for business growth, and a credit card designed for small business owners can help you earn more rewards for the way you do business.
Turn Spending into Upgraded Travel Experiences
If your business requires frequent travel, you can earn up to nine Bonus Points total per $1 spent on qualifying purchases at more than 1,400 Hyatt hotels and resorts around the world with the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card. Plus, extended benefits like auto rental coverage, extended warranty protection and travel assistance make it so you can focus on what’s important without worrying about unforeseen events.
Being a small business owner requires complete dedication, which can lead to long hours, high stress levels and a lack of time for self-care. A strategic credit card can help drive your business forward and allow you to redeem points for experiences that are designed to complement your well-being. From on-property spa treatments to unique experiences that don’t require a hotel stay, you can reward yourself and your employees.
As a small business owner, you can flip the script on business expenses and turn spending into epic getaways and well-earned rewards for you and your team.
Content courtesy of Chase and Hyatt.Credit Cards are issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.SOURCE:Chase and Hyatt
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(Family Features) Spending a good portion of each day on camera is no longer a job description reserved for the rich and famous. Working professionals across a wide range of industries spend more time than ever on video chats and virtual meetings.
The ultra-connected working world has distinct advantages, especially for those who wish to work from the comfort of home, but the connectivity comes with a price. While meeting fatigue is a familiar workplace challenge, video fatigue brings a new layer of challenges, including the pressure of always being “on” with a camera sitting mere inches from your face.
Avoid exhaustion, burnout and digital eye strain from a rigorous video meeting schedule with these tips from ZEISS Vision Care:
Avoid digital eye strain: Back-to-back virtual meetings can leave your eyes dry and exhausted. The most important consideration in protecting your eyes is taking frequent breaks. Experts recommend the 20-20-20 rule: look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. This lets your eyes rest and minimizes the physical and mental exhaustion of screen time.
Create a comfortable setting: There’s nothing worse than realizing halfway through an important meeting you’re either too hot or too cold. Rather than visibly disrupting the meeting, make sure you have what you need to adjust your climate in easy reach, such as a fan you can flip on or a blanket you can pull over your lap. Invest in a chair you’re content to sit in for extended periods of time, and if you’re prone to fidgeting, be sure to get up and move around before your meeting starts.
Look your best: It’s human nature to worry about your appearance on camera, so take a few minutes before the meeting to smooth your hair and straighten your collar. Wearing video-ready attire and accessories can put you ahead of the game. One example is incorporating subtle style such as eyeglasses featuring ZEISS DuraVision Gold UV AR. This high-clarity, anti-reflective lens coating has a striking gold residual reflectance that radiates luxury, elegance and sophistication. The coating also offers several functional advantages including durability, improved cleanability, reduced blue light reflections and enhanced clarity in low-light conditions.
Eliminate disruptions: It’s not easy to stay focused and engaged in a video meeting when you have noise and disruptions in your background. In fact, it’s a good way to get flustered. Turn off your music and mute your phone. Put curious cats and friendly pups in a safe place, and if you share your workspace, consider closing your door and hanging a sign that indicates a meeting is in progress.
Be mindful of lighting and angles: Lighting that comes from behind your screen will illuminate your face without awkward shadows. Avoid overhead lights or a table lamp behind you if possible. When it comes to setting your camera, be sure it sits at eye level or slightly above for the most flattering angle. A good rule of thumb is to have the same portion of your upper body (head and shoulders) visible as you would in a traditional head shot photo so your colleagues don’t have a close-up of your face the entire meeting.
For more advice on protecting your vision, visit 
If you’re looking to get the most out of your business expenses, consider these categories and how they can be maximized for more rewards.
Earn While You Wine and Dine
Entertaining clients is more than just a meal – it’s an investment in the relationships that can drive your business forward. Whether that’s closing a deal over lunch or hosting a team dinner to celebrate a milestone, dining can reward your business. By using a rewards-driven credit card to pay for these expenses, you can accumulate points and turn them into valuable rewards. The celebratory dinner for your biggest client can earn you points toward your next business trip or vacation to unwind with the family.
Supercharge the Online Visibility of Your Business
Marketing and advertising – including social media and search engine advertising – can be crucial for business growth, and a credit card designed for small business owners can help you earn more rewards for the way you do business.
Turn Spending into Upgraded Travel Experiences
If your business requires frequent travel, you can earn up to nine Bonus Points total per $1 spent on qualifying purchases at more than 1,400 Hyatt hotels and resorts around the world with the 
