jili okbet By Kimberly Palmer, NerdWallet The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. NerdWallet, Inc. does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments. The start of a new year can bring a surge of motivation around setting new goals, including financial resolutions. One way to help those goals become reality, financial experts say, is to make them as specific as possible. Then, track your progress, while allowing flexibility for unexpected challenges. “It’s easier to track progress when we know where we are going,” says Sylvie Scowcroft, a certified financial planner and founder of The Financial Grove in Cambridge, Massachusetts. That’s why she encourages her clients to set clearly defined goals, often related to paying off a specific debt, saving a certain amount per month or improving their credit score. Here are more tips from financial experts about crafting 2025 financial goals : Trying to accomplish too much can feel overwhelming. Instead, pick your priorities, says Cathleen Tobin, CFP and owner of Moonbridge Financial Design in Rhinebeck, New York. She suggests focusing on those big, often emotionally-driven goals to find motivation. “It’s more compelling than just a number,” she says. For example, do you want to make sure you’re on track for retirement or save money for a house? “Start there.” Scowcroft says she sees clients get tripped up by selecting overly broad goals, such as “get better with money.” Instead, she encourages people to select specific action items, such as “sign up for a budgeting tool and set aside time each month to learn where my money is going.” That level of specificity provides direction so you know what steps to take next, she adds. For example, if your top priority is to become debt-free, then your specific goal might be to pay off an extra $200 of your debt balance each month. Tobin says labeling savings accounts so they correspond with goals can also help. An emergency fund could be named something like “Peace of mind in 2025,” so you remember why you’re saving every time you make a transfer. “It’s more motivating than just ‘emergency fund,’” Tobin says. Measuring your progress as the year unfolds is also a critical component of successful goal setting, Tobin says. She compares it to weight loss. If you want to lose 20 pounds by June, then you need to lose about a pound a week for the first six months of the year. Similarly, she says it helps to break savings goals into microsteps that specify what you need to do each week. Schedule a weekly or monthly check-in with yourself to make sure you are meeting those smaller goals along the way. You might want to review your debt payoff progress or check your credit score , for example. “Being able to break it down into steps that can be done each week or twice a month really helps,” Tobin says. If your goal is to save more money , then setting up an automatic transfer each month can help turn that goal into reality, as long as you know you have the money in your checking account to spare. Related Articles Advice | 7 tips to prepare for next year’s taxes now Advice | Most medical debt can no longer hurt your credit score under new California law Advice | For some FSA dollars, it’s use it or lose it at year’s end Advice | Jill On Money: Economy in review — The I’s have it! Advice | Are religious people more generous than non-religious people? What new study finds “It reduces the mental load,” says Mike Hunsberger, CFP and owner of Next Mission Financial Planning in St. Charles, Missouri, where he primarily supports veterans and current members of the military. He recommends starting small to ease into the change. “I wouldn’t jump to double what you’re currently saving,” he says. For example, when it comes to saving in a retirement account, if you’re starting with a 3% contribution, you might want to bump it up to 4%, then slowly increase it from there. “My number one piece of advice is to start small, but make sure you scale over time,” Hunsberger adds. “Because it’s gradual, you probably won’t notice it impacting your lifestyle.” “Stay flexible,” Scowcroft says. “Part of it is just being kind to yourself and not being too rigid.” When unexpected challenges come up, such as a big unplanned expense, you might have to pause making progress on your goal and reset. You might even need to change your goal. Scowcroft says that doesn’t mean you “failed,” just that life changed your plans. Dwelling on any negativity won’t help your forward progress. Sharing your goals with a friend can also make it easier to reach them, Scowcroft says. “It really helps to have an accountability buddy,” she says. She suggests putting a regular “money date” with your friend on the calendar so you can ask each other how you’re doing, brainstorm any challenges or even budget together side-by-side . “It’s a fun excuse to meet up with a friend.” Kimberly Palmer writes for NerdWallet. Email: kpalmer@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @kimberlypalmer. The article The Secret to Making Successful Financial New Year’s Resolutions originally appeared on NerdWallet .Gabriel mimics Gyokeres in cheeky goal celebration in Arsenal win over Sporting in Champions League

By Kimberly Palmer, NerdWallet The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. NerdWallet, Inc. does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments. The start of a new year can bring a surge of motivation around setting new goals, including financial resolutions. One way to help those goals become reality, financial experts say, is to make them as specific as possible. Then, track your progress, while allowing flexibility for unexpected challenges. “It’s easier to track progress when we know where we are going,” says Sylvie Scowcroft, a certified financial planner and founder of The Financial Grove in Cambridge, Massachusetts. That’s why she encourages her clients to set clearly defined goals, often related to paying off a specific debt, saving a certain amount per month or improving their credit score. Here are more tips from financial experts about crafting 2025 financial goals : Trying to accomplish too much can feel overwhelming. Instead, pick your priorities, says Cathleen Tobin, CFP and owner of Moonbridge Financial Design in Rhinebeck, New York. She suggests focusing on those big, often emotionally-driven goals to find motivation. “It’s more compelling than just a number,” she says. For example, do you want to make sure you’re on track for retirement or save money for a house? “Start there.” Scowcroft says she sees clients get tripped up by selecting overly broad goals, such as “get better with money.” Instead, she encourages people to select specific action items, such as “sign up for a budgeting tool and set aside time each month to learn where my money is going.” That level of specificity provides direction so you know what steps to take next, she adds. For example, if your top priority is to become debt-free, then your specific goal might be to pay off an extra $200 of your debt balance each month. Tobin says labeling savings accounts so they correspond with goals can also help. An emergency fund could be named something like “Peace of mind in 2025,” so you remember why you’re saving every time you make a transfer. “It’s more motivating than just ‘emergency fund,’” Tobin says. Measuring your progress as the year unfolds is also a critical component of successful goal setting, Tobin says. She compares it to weight loss. If you want to lose 20 pounds by June, then you need to lose about a pound a week for the first six months of the year. Similarly, she says it helps to break savings goals into microsteps that specify what you need to do each week. Schedule a weekly or monthly check-in with yourself to make sure you are meeting those smaller goals along the way. You might want to review your debt payoff progress or check your credit score , for example. “Being able to break it down into steps that can be done each week or twice a month really helps,” Tobin says. If your goal is to save more money , then setting up an automatic transfer each month can help turn that goal into reality, as long as you know you have the money in your checking account to spare. “It reduces the mental load,” says Mike Hunsberger, CFP and owner of Next Mission Financial Planning in St. Charles, Missouri, where he primarily supports veterans and current members of the military. He recommends starting small to ease into the change. “I wouldn’t jump to double what you’re currently saving,” he says. For example, when it comes to saving in a retirement account, if you’re starting with a 3% contribution, you might want to bump it up to 4%, then slowly increase it from there. “My number one piece of advice is to start small, but make sure you scale over time,” Hunsberger adds. “Because it’s gradual, you probably won’t notice it impacting your lifestyle.” “Stay flexible,” Scowcroft says. “Part of it is just being kind to yourself and not being too rigid.” When unexpected challenges come up, such as a big unplanned expense, you might have to pause making progress on your goal and reset. You might even need to change your goal. Scowcroft says that doesn’t mean you “failed,” just that life changed your plans. Dwelling on any negativity won’t help your forward progress. Sharing your goals with a friend can also make it easier to reach them, Scowcroft says. “It really helps to have an accountability buddy,” she says. She suggests putting a regular “money date” with your friend on the calendar so you can ask each other how you’re doing, brainstorm any challenges or even budget together side-by-side . “It’s a fun excuse to meet up with a friend.” Kimberly Palmer writes for NerdWallet. Email: kpalmer@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @kimberlypalmer. The article The Secret to Making Successful Financial New Year’s Resolutions originally appeared on NerdWallet .As Week 14 begins in the NFL , the league is starting to enter the homestretch of the season. The games are more important and the injury reports are growing as more teams are getting banged up. There are still five weeks left in the season as the playoff races are heating up, evidenced by the Detroit Lions ' huge victory over the Green Bay Packers Thursday night. The Chicago Bears have some key injuries to skill players D'Andre Swift and DJ Moore , while the Steelers had a surprise on the injury report with wide receiver George Pickens. Before the Sunday games commence, let's take a look at the final injury reports around the league. Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings (-6) Falcons: RB Jase McClellan (ankle) OUT; CB Mike Hughes (neck), DT Ruke Orhorhoro (ankle) QUESTIONABLE Vikings: CB Stephon Gilmore (hamstring) OUT; LB Patrick Jones II (knee), OLB Andrew Van Ginkel (thigh), LS Andrew DePaola (hand), K Will Reichard (quad), G Dalton Risner (back), DT Harrison Phillips (back) QUESTIONABLE Another light injury report for the Falcons, as Orhorhoro was listed as questionable -- but was a full participant in Friday's practice. For the Vikings, Phillips was a late addition to the injury report as he was limited Friday. Van Ginkel was limited all week, while Reichard was a full participant in practice throughout the week. Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles (-12) Panthers: WR Jalen Coker (quad) DOUBTFUL; OLB Jadeveon Clowney (knee), CB Caleb Farley (shoulder), LB Josey Jewell (hamstring), TE Ja'Tavion Sanders (neck), OLB D.J. Wonnum (knee), S Nick Scott (hamstring), G Robert Hunt (back) QUESTIONABLE Eagles: S Reed Blankenship (concussion), S Sydney Brown (knee), WR Britain Covey (neck), TE Dallas Goedert (knee) OUT The Panthers don't have as lengthy of an injury report as in weeks past, but there is some positive news with the injury designations. Sanders was a full participant in Friday's practice, along with Hunt, so it looks both are on the verge of playing Sunday. With Goedert out, Grant Calcaterra is slated to get more targets on Sunday. The three-year veteran has already set career-highs this season in receptions (17) and receiving yards (216) and has caught a whopping 85% of his targets. Some good news for the Eagles is the return of wide receiver DeVonta Smith , who practiced fully on Friday and is set to play Sunday. Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers (-6.5) Browns: DT Maurice Hurst (ankle/foot), DE Sam Kamara (concussion), WR Cedric Tillman (concussion), T Jedrick Wills (knee) OUT; CB Myles Harden (tibia), S Juan Thornhill (calf), WR Jamari Thrash (shoulder) QUESTIONABLE Steelers: DT Montravius Adams (knee) OUT; WR George Pickens (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE Each of Cleveland's questionable players were limited practice participants each of the past two days. With Tillman out and Thrash questionable, expect a considerable of targets to be thrown to fellow receivers Elijah Moore and Jerry Jeudy . Pickens ends up as a surprise on the injury report after tweaking his hamstring in Friday's practice, giving him the questionable designation. Pass rusher Alex Highsmith (ankle) practiced in full and will not carry an injury designation. Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans (-3.5) Jaguars: CB Tyson Campbell (thigh), P Logan Cooke (left knee), LS Ross Matiscik (hamstring), LB Yasir Abdullah (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE Titans: G Logan Bruss (knee), OT Jaelyn Duncan (hamstring) OUT; CB Roger McCreary (shoulder), LB Kenneth Murray Jr. (hamstring), DT T'Vondre Sweat (shoulder), LB James Williams (knee), OT Leroy Watson IV (back), OLB Jerome Baker (neck), DB Jarvis Brownlee Jr . (hip) QUESTIONABLE Each of the Jaguars questionable' players sans Cooke were limited during Friday's practice. The Jaguars will be without Trevor Lawrence , who was placed on injured reserve this week after sustaining a concussion during last Sunday's game against the Texans . Mac Jones will start in his place. For the Jaguars, McCreary, Murray and Sweat did not practice all week. Williams and Lynch were full participants on Friday after both players did not practice on Thursday. Las Vegas Raiders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-6.5) Raiders: CB Nate Hobbs (ankle), RB Zamir White (quadricep) OUT; TE Justin Shorter (back) DOUBTFUL; WR Jakobi Meyers (ankle), RB Alexander Mattison (ankle) QUESTIONABLE Buccaneers: LB K.J. Britt (ankle), S Mike Edwards (hamstring), CB Troy Hill (foot/knee), LB Markees Watts (knee) OUT; RB Bucky Irving (hip/back), DB Tykee Smith (knee), LB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (ankle), WR Trey Palmer (hip), DB Josh Hayes (hamstring), ILB J.J. Russell (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE Meyers and Mattison were both limited on Friday. Backup running Ameer Abdullah is in line to get an increased workout with White and Mattison on the injury report. Abdullah had 118 all-purpose yards in the Raiders' last two games. Irving was limited on Friday after not practicing the previous two days. Regardless of Irving's status, expect Rachaad White to continue to have an increased role in the offense. White ran for a season-high 76 yards on just 11 carries during last week's overtime win over the Panthers. New Orleans Saints (-5) at New York Giants Saints: TE Taysom Hill (knee), OL Nick Saldiveri (knee), WR Bub Means (ankle) OUT; DE Tanoh Kpassagnon (Achilles), RB Kendre Miller (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE Giants: CB Deonte Banks (rib), DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches (neck/shoulder), ILB Bobby Okereke (back) OUT; G Jermaine Eluemunor (quad) DOUBTFUL; OT Evan Neal (hip), LB Dyontae Johnson (ankle), WR Malik Nabers (groin), DT Jordon Riley (knee), OT Chris Hubbard (knee), DB Andru Phillips (shoulder) QUESTIONABLE Kpassagnon and Miller were both full participants all week. For the Giants, Nabers didn't practice Friday and was limited Thursday. Nabers has been dealing with a groin issue for most of the season. New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (-6) Jets: Dolphins: OT Terron Armstead (knee), LB Anthony Walker (hamstring), OLB Bradley Chubb (knee), LB Cameron Goode (knee), CB Kader Kohou (back), RB Raheem Mostert (hip), LB Blake Ferguson (non-football illness) QUESTIONABLE Walker and Ferguson are trending up as both players were full practice participants Friday. Mostert, Chubb, Kohou and Goode were limited throughout the week. Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals (-2.5) Seahawks: T Stone Forsythe (hand) OUT; RB Kenneth Walker (ankle/calf), P Michael Dickson (back) QUESTIONABLE Cardinals: CB Elijah Jones (ankle) OUT; DT Dante Stills (back), DT Naquan Jones (elbow) QUESTIONABLE Walker did not practice Thursday and Friday and was limited Wednesday. Given Walker's status, expect backup Zach Charbonnet to continue to receive some carries. Charbonnet had six touches and a touchdown in last week's win over the Jets. For the Cardinals, Stills and Jones were both limited the past two days. Buffalo Bills (-5) at Los Angeles Rams Bills: DT DeWayne Carter (wrist), WR Keon Coleman (wrist), OL Tylan Grable (groin), TE Dalton Kincaid (knee), TE Quintin Morris (shoulder/groin) QUESTIONABLE Rams: The Bills could be without two of their top skill-position players on Sunday, as Coleman and Kincaid were limited at practice on Friday. Both will be game-time decisions. Kincaid has missed the last three games while Coleman has missed the last four. Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers (-4) Bears: OL Ryan Bates (concussion), DB Elijah Hicks (ankle), RB Roschon Johnson (concussion) OUT; WR D.J. Moore (quad), RB D'Andre Swift (quad) QUESTIONABLE 49ers: Ten days of rest have certainly helped Moore and Swift, but the Bears' top skill-position players were upgraded from nonparticipants in practice to limited on Friday. With Johnson out, Travis Homer would be the No. 1 running back if Swift can't go. Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs (-4) Chargers: Chiefs: Analysis to come Cincinnati Bengals (-5.5) at Dallas Cowboys , Monday Analysis to comeSengun records triple-double and Rockets beat Wolves 117-111 in OT to clinch NBA Cup group

By Lea Skene | The Associated Press Maryland is suing the company that produces the waterproof material Gore-Tex often used for raincoats and other outdoor gear, alleging its leaders kept using “forever chemicals” long after learning about serious health risks associated with them. The complaint, which was filed last week in federal court, focuses on a cluster of 13 facilities in northeastern Maryland operated by Delaware-based W.L. Gore & Associates. It alleges the company polluted the air and water around its facilities with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances , jeopardizing the health of surrounding communities while raking in profits. The lawsuit adds to other claims filed in recent years, including a class action on behalf of Cecil County residents in 2023 demanding Gore foot the bill for water filtration systems, medical bills and other damages associated with decades of harmful pollution in the largely rural community. “PFAS are linked to cancer, weakened immune systems, and can even harm the ability to bear children,” Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said in a statement. “It is unacceptable for any company to knowingly contaminate our drinking water with these toxins, putting Marylanders at risk of severe health conditions.” Gore spokesperson Donna Leinwand Leger said the company is “surprised by the Maryland Attorney General’s decision to initiate legal action, particularly in light of our proactive and intensive engagement with state regulators over the past two years.” “We have been working with Maryland, employing the most current, reliable science and technology to assess the potential impact of our operations and guide our ongoing, collaborative efforts to protect the environment,” the company said in a statement, noting a Dec. 18 report that contains nearly two years of groundwater testing results. But attorney Philip Federico, who represents plaintiffs in the class action and other lawsuits against Gore, called the company’s efforts “too little, much too late.” In the meantime, he said, residents are continuing to suffer — one of his clients was recently diagnosed with kidney cancer. “It’s typical corporate environmental contamination,” he said. “They’re in no hurry to fix the problem.” The synthetic chemicals are especially harmful because they’re nearly indestructible and can build up in various environments, including the human body. In addition to cancers and immune system problems, exposure to certain levels of PFAS has been linked to increased cholesterol levels, reproductive health issues and developmental delays in children, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Gore leaders failed to warn people living near its Maryland facilities about the potential impacts, hoping to protect their corporate image and avoid liability, according to the state’s lawsuit. The result has been “a toxic legacy for generations to come,” the lawsuit alleges. Since the chemicals are already in the local environment, protecting residents now often means installing complex and expensive water filtration systems. People with private wells have found highly elevated levels of dangerous chemicals in their water, according to the class action lawsuit. The Maryland facilities are located in a rural area just across the border from Delaware, where Gore has become a longtime fixture in the community. The company, which today employs more than 13,000 people, was founded in 1958 after Wilbert Gore left the chemical giant DuPont to start his own business. Its profile rose with the development of Gore-Tex , a lightweight waterproof material created by stretching polytetrafluoroethylene, which is better known by the brand name Teflon that’s used to coat nonstick pans. The membrane within Gore-Tex fabric has billions of pores that are smaller than water droplets, making it especially effective for outdoor gear. The state’s complaint traces Gore’s longstanding relationship with DuPont , arguing that information about the chemicals’ dangers was long known within both companies as they sought to keep things quiet and boost profits. It alleges that as early as 1961, DuPont scientists knew the chemical caused adverse liver reactions in rats and dogs. DuPont has faced widespread litigation in recent years. Along with two spinoff companies, it announced a $1.18 billion deal last year to resolve complaints of polluting many U.S. drinking water systems with forever chemicals. The Maryland lawsuit seeks to hold Gore responsible for costs associated with the state’s ongoing investigations and cleanup efforts, among other damages. State oversight has ramped up following litigation from residents alleging their drinking water was contaminated. Until then, the company operated in Cecil County with little scrutiny. Gore announced in 2014 that it had eliminated perfluorooctanoic acid from the raw materials used to create Gore-Tex. But it’s still causing long-term impacts because it persists for so long in the environment, attorneys say. Over the past two years, Gore has hired an environmental consulting firm to conduct testing in the area and provided bottled water and water filtration systems to residents near certain Maryland facilities, according to a webpage describing its efforts. Recent testing of drinking water at residences near certain Gore sites revealed perfluorooctanoic acid levels well above what the EPA considers safe, according to state officials. Attorneys for the state acknowledged Gore’s ongoing efforts to investigate and address the problem but said the company needs to step up and be a better neighbor. “While we appreciate Gore’s limited investigation to ascertain the extent of PFAS contamination around its facilities, much more needs to be done to protect the community and the health of residents,” Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain said in a statement. “We must remove these forever chemicals from our natural resources urgently, and we expect responsible parties to pay for this remediation.” Related Articles Business | Addicts trafficked cross country by ‘army of fraudsters,’ new lawsuit alleges Business | FTC sues largest wine and spirits distributor, saying it discriminates against smaller stores Business | LA prosecutor suing over alleged demotion during Gascón era tentatively settles Business | Embattled addiction treatment empire countersues Aetna in $40 million tug-of-war Business | California charges construction firm with felony wage theft at Cathedral City projectRobert Cardillo, Chief Strategist and Chairman of Planet Federal, to Present at Goldman Sachs Investor Conference

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