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Ridgewood NJ, the New Jersey Business & Industry Association ( NJBIA) created a Postsecondary Education Task Force after research showed that New Jersey makes a significant investment in public education – $20,000 per student per year in its K-12 schools – yet leads the nation in outmigration rates of recent high school graduates and young adults.
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Ridgewood NJ, Public Service Electric & Gas is warning New Jersey residents that scammers have spoofed one of its phone numbers in attempts to obtain personal information. On Thursday, PSE&G started receiving a small number of inquiries, with calls escalating during business hours today. Many of the callers were returning missed calls that appear to have been made from a PSE&G phone number.
“If you receive an unexpected call from PSE&G in the next few days, particularly if you are not a PSE&G customer, we encourage you to hang up as it may be a scammer,” said Fred Daum, PSE&G’s executive director of customer operations. “If you have pending business with us, such as an appointment or collection notice, call us back on the number provided on your bill or call our customer service line, 800-436-PSEG (7734) or contact us on our website through MyAccount.”
Continue reading PSE&G Issues Scam Alert : PSE&G phone number spoofed by scammers
110 Towns Receive Funding for Participation in Statewide Law Enforcement Clampdown on Impaired Driving – Runs August 16 – September 3
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Ridgewood NJ, The Division of Highway Traffic Safety today announced grants totaling more than $540,000 that will be used by local law enforcement agencies to crack down on drunk and impaired drivers as part of the national initiative, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”
One hundred and ten law enforcement agencies across New Jersey received funds to staff saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints during the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, which runs from August 16 through September 3. More than 300 additional agencies, including the New Jersey State Police, are expected to join the annual statewide traffic safety effort aimed at reducing highway crashes.
Author: Benjamin Lee
From making the rent to shopping for groceries and paying off study loans, putting aside savings is nearly impossible for millennials. With a weak economy and poor job prospects, it’s a wonder that any of us are still surviving.
While it may be easy to blame all of these on poor financial management skills, this simply is not true. Despite an increase in median household incomes over the years, soaring college fees and car and property prices mean that most millennials are firmly anchored in debt. Consequently, this makes it impossible for them to have savings of any kind.
However, there is still hope on the horizon. Despite rising unemployment and soaring costs of living, it is still very possible to have some savings put aside. Here, we’ve put together a simple guide to help you have some cash in the piggy bank.
1. Put aside 10-20% of your salary each month
Call it a tax upon yourself or a forced savings scheme, either way putting aside at least 10% of your salary each month is a great way to start saving. Deposit the self-imposed 10-20% tax each month into a separate savings account via auto debit each month. Before you know it, you’ll have a fair sum put away.
2. Sign up for an IRA account
From the moment you land your first job, you should always check to see if your job has a 401k plan. If it doesn’t, sign up for an IRA account as soon as possible. Treat it your IRA deposits as just another expense and you’ll find putting aside some savings is quite possible.
3. Avoid credit card debt like the plague
A study conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York has revealed that a whopping 55% of American households are in severe credit card debt. With the extortionate interest rates charged, it’s easy to see how outstanding credit card debt can easily balloon out of control.
As a rule of thumb, always pay off any and all existing credit card debt at the end of the month. This ensures that you’ll never be bogged down with interest payments. Also, paying off your credit card debt on a timely basis helps you develop a solid credit history.
4. Take on a side-gig
Sometimes, a single income stream just isn’t enough. Fortunately, in today’s world there are plenty of opportunities for those willing to look. An example of this can be seen in the active freelance market.
Thousands of copywriters, designers, accountants and even virtual assistants are hired on a daily basis on sites such as Upwork.com and Freelancer.com.
Sites such as these allow you to monetize any of your skills. By taking on a side-gig or a series of freelance projects, you’ll be able to grow and multiply your income streams. Put aside your earnings from these jobs and deposit them into a savings account.
Over time, you’ll be able to save up a surprising amount of money. In some cases, successful freelancers have been known to turn their side hustle into a successful full-time business.
If you fancy sports, look out for online sportsbooks. They might offer some rewards and they have promotions and bonuses for newcomers. However, remember to wage responsibly, so you don’t lose more money than the one you are betting.
5. Audit your expenses
Auditing your personal expenses can be tough. However, by taking a look at your expenses over the previous 6 months, you’ll be able to identify areas where costs could be reduced. Whether it’s skipping on eating out or giving Starbucks a pass, you’ll find that even the smallest expenses do add up.
While it may initially seem like an insurmountable task, it is very much possible for you to have a healthy savings account. With the right combination of self-discipline and consistency, you can make saving a part of your lifestyle.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING WITH TOLL BROTHERS BOROUGH OF UPPER SADDLE RIVER JULY 24, 2019 1:00 p.m.
ATTENDEES:
USR Mayor Joanne Minichetti Craig Cherry, Toll Brothers Div. President Ramsey Mayor John Roth John Peck, Toll Brothers, Div. Sr. VP James Dougherty, USR Building Official Rick Hoff, Toll Brothers, Attorney Robert Regan, USR Borough Attorney David Fultz, Toll Brothers Joy Convertini, USR Deputy Municipal Clerk Carmine Merlucci, Toll Brothers Bobby Fleshman, USR Public Works John Lehane, Toll Brothers Kevin Boswell, Borough Engineer Quentin Weist, Ramsey BA Frank Rossi, Boswell Engineering Jay Kruse, ESE Consultants Mark Mayhew, SVP, ESE Consultants
Continue reading Upper Saddle River officials and Toll Brothers’ arrive at a Corrective Action Plan and Schedule to Lift Stop Work Order
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Trenton NJ, Legislation sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney, Senator Steve Oroho, Senator Jim Beach and Senator Bob Andrzejczak that will create a statewide program for the cultivation, handling, processing, transport, and sale of hemp and hemp products in New Jersey was signed into law today.
“The hemp industry offers an expanding market for farmers to grow their crops and for processors to produce new hemp products,” said Senator Sweeney (D- Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland). “New Jersey’s agriculture industry has the capacity and ability to capitalize on new opportunities for hemp products that will create jobs and expand economic opportunities.
Continue reading New Jersey Passes Statewide Program for the Cultivation, Handling, Processing, Transport, and sale of Hemp and Hemp products
photo by ArtChick
Governor Waits till the second week in August to repeal new renters tax
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Ridgewood NJ, Governor Phil Murphy today signed legislation (A-4814) amending the transient accommodations law enacted last summer to provide relief for many shore renters by narrowing the scope of rentals that are subject to taxation. The administration conducted a thorough legal and technical review to ensure that the legislation, as written, was not only feasible to implement, but more closely mirrors the original intent, which was to create parity throughout the rental industry by extending the existing tax on hotels and motels to certain short-term rentals, such as those done through online marketplaces. “Our shore economy adds tremendous vitality and dynamism to New Jersey,” said Governor Murphy.
Continue reading Finally Governor Murphy Signs Legislation Easing Taxation on Shore Rentals
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Trenton NJ, Governor Phil Murphy today signed S2297 and A5111 into law, establishing the New Jersey Blockchain Initiative Task Force and creating the Innovation District Designation Program. Governor Murphy announced the signings while participating in a panel discussion at the Propelify Innovation Summit at Nokia Bell Labs in Murray Hill.
“Growing New Jersey’s innovation economy will take more than just new and smart government policy. It will also require new and smart infrastructure that enables businesses and governments to work with greater speed and efficiency, as well as a collaborative way of thinking that includes government, higher education, and the private sector,” said Governor Murphy. “These two important bills go a long way toward accomplishing those goals.”
Continue reading Governor Phil Murphy signs Law Establishing the New Jersey Blockchain Initiative Task Force
photo courtesy of wabc
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HOBOKEN NJ, Following weeks of advocating by Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher for better contracts to improve the safety of Hoboken’s nascent eScooter pilot program, the City Council voted on amended contracts that will allow Hoboken to collect additional revenue to help address growing public safety concerns. While the terms of the new agreements are a step in the right direction, they fall short in addressing the immediate and tangible safety initiatives that Hoboken needs to properly ensure responsible ridership and safety for its residents.
Continue reading Hoboken Debates Safety Tax for New eScooter Contracts
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SUMMIT NJ, After Gov. Phil Murphy defended raises for politically-connected NJ Transit executives today, Asw. Nancy Munoz responded by criticizing Murphy’s zest for patronage.
“I am afraid that the governor didn’t finish his statements today claiming he is committed to fixing NJ Transit,” exclaimed Munoz (R-Union). “He left out the part that his priority is to help his political friends before helping commuters. That is evidently the case since his tenure has resulted in more cancellations, more worker turmoil, and worse service for commuters.”
Continue reading Governor Murphy defends raises for politically-connected NJ Transit executives
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Teaneck NJ, a Bergen County, New Jersey, man today admitted that he embezzled funds from an employee benefit plan, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Howard Preschel, 63, of Teaneck, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court to one count of an indictment charging him with embezzling funds from the CMG Vending Inc. Pension Trust Fund.
Continue reading Teaneck Man Admits Embezzlement from Employee Benefit Plan
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Ridgewood NJ, Garden State Initiative (GSI) today released Adding It All Up: The Path to Saving $2 Billion on the Cost of New Jersey’s Roads and Bridges, which includes recommendations based upon a data-driven analysis of our investments in our state’s roads and bridges. Third in a series of reports on the true size of New Jersey’s expansive government, this report identifies $2 billion in savings that can be reinvested for tangible improvements to our state’s infrastructure. The full report can be downloaded here.
Continue reading New Jersey has among the most expensive road and bridge networks in the country
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Glen Rock NJ, As you are aware, our contractors have been continuing their work on the County of Bergen’s Resurfacing Project (entire lengths of Rock Road Maple Avenue).
Continue reading Glen Rock Updates Bergen County Roadwork 2019 (Rock Road & Maple Avenue)
photo by William Thomas
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ocean City NJ, Legislation that would relieve the costly consequences of a tax on short-term rentals that was imposed by Governor Phil Murphy last year continues to sit on the governor’s desk while evidence of the tax’s damage to the Jersey Shore economy mounts.
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and Dave Wolfe (all R-Ocean) say they are frustrated by the delay and are calling on the Murphy administration to enact the bill before it’s too late for the summer season.
Continue reading Shore Rental Tax Relief Nowhere in Sight
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Montvale NJ, New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District appears to many national political observers to be a Democrat lock at this point, given the massive war chest maintained by two-term incumbent Josh Gottheimer, who presents an image of being a moderate. Not far in the past, however, the district was a long-time Republican stronghold, with the seat being held by a very conservative congressman, Scott Garrett, for 14 years until he lost it in 2016 to Gottheimer.
In 2018, Gottheimer retained his seat, defeating his Republican challenger by getting 56% of the vote. Although the vote differential was somewhat sizable, the gap isn’t such that can’t be filled by a Republican with the right message and background. A fresh face with conservative bonafides and considerable, current political experience is the GOP’s best chance to take back this congressional seat, which covers all of Sussex and Warren counties, as well as a substantial portion of Bergen County and a part of Passaic county.
Continue reading MIKE GHASSALI, AN AMERICAN DREAM STORY POISED TO BECOME A CONGRESSMAN
