One of the biggest fears families have about using a 529 plan to save for college is the dreaded 529 plan penalty.
There are many ways to save and pay for college, and the absolute best way to do it varies depending on your specific situation. A 529 plan, which is designed to help you with higher education expenses, is a type of tax-advantaged account that allows you to save and invest money.
As long as you withdraw that money for qualified expenses, you can do so without paying taxes on it. However, if you don’t use the funds in your 529 plan for qualified education expenses, you may be assessed a tax penalty.
Thankfully, it’s fairly straightforward to avoid this 529 plan penalty, as long as you take a few precautionary steps.
An odd trend in my shop lately: flower essences for breaking family patterns and having the confidence to go your own way despite peer and family pressure are suddenly unusually popular. There may be political forces at play. In some cases it might be due to people attempting to rebound from being in pandemic lockdown with family too long. Or, I suppose, it could just be a coincidence that so many people are buying products that didn’t used to be popular. But that’s not usually the case, so let’s talk about the flower essences that may be of interest to you if you’re going through the same thing. Perhaps it’s time to get brave enough to make a change, and apparently, you’re not alone in thinking that way!
Let’s start with the most obvious Bach Flower Remedy for such a situation: Walnut. Walnut is great for making any kind of change but it is particularly important if you need to feel protected from outside forces that might attempt to hold you back or interfere with your ability to trust yourself as you go forward. “What do you mean you want to vote for a Democrat when we as a family have always voted Republican?” “What? You’re going to go to that school? You’re breaking family tradition!” “You’re getting a tattoo? What will the neighbors think?” “You’re not getting a tattoo? Don’t you want to be one of us anymore?” And on and on it goes. The deliberate sabotaging of other people’s direction by well-meaning or simply lockstep tribal instincts can be a real challenge to deal with, especially if you are close to the people doing this or want to be.
Goldenrod also comes to mind for this purpose. Peer pressure is more than dealing with criticism. None of us want to risk feeling ostracized, and that can make it difficult to even know who you are and what you want if the group norms and expectations differ from that. Goldenrod can help you maintain a strong sense of self in balance with the ability to remain part of the group.
Are you needing to break a long-standing family or cultural pattern? Sometimes the challenges we face have actually been passed down through generations. Addiction often is an example of this as well as beliefs that come from being a member of an oppressed group or one that experienced extreme tragedy. Joshua Tree flower essence can help you gain more insight and compassion into how this has affected you. It can also help you differentiate your own identity from that of your culture or family at least to the extent of being able to be less influenced by unhelpful patterns and more able to make new decisions.
Then there is the issue of confidence and how family and friends affect that. I think of my mother who I loved dearly and had great intuition who would invariably focus in on whatever might go wrong whenever I wanted to do something new. “Well, that sounds like a great idea, darling, but what about . . . ?” And then I would feel shattered and confused, neither one of us usually remembering that the fatal flaw in a game plan didn’t mean it was doomed. Those problems could simply be addressed and planned for! Instead I’d be thrown off my game and worry about it for weeks or months or years. Larch is the flower essence I recommend for that. Add it to a combo with others on this list to help you have more faith in your ability to handle whatever might come up and have more confidence as you go forward.
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Flower essences are used to assist with mind-body-spirit interactions and individual results may vary. They are extremely dilute which makes them quite safe. But because so little physical substance can be detected in a flower essence solution, these products are presumed to work on an energetic or vibrational level—something that cannot be adequately tested by western scientific methods. Claims made by me, therefore, are based on personal experiences and the evidence of the combined multiple decades of case notes by Dr. Edward Bach as well as Healing Herbs and Flower Essence Services (the companies who make the ingredients I use in my products). This is not, however, accepted medical evidence or substantiated scientific evidence from a modern allopathic point of view. I am not a medical doctor or licensed healthcare practitioner.
Statements made have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information provided on my blog, websites or by this company are not a substitute for a face-to-face consultation with a health care provider, and should not be construed as individual medical or mental health advice. Consulting with a health care provider is a must for anyone taking medications or working with a medical or mental health condition, and highly recommended before using any herbal product. Please consult your doctor or health care provider for any possible contraindications and/or interactions with current medications. I trust you to seek the medical guidance you need to use any of my herbal products healthily at your own risk.
At first glance, these wooden sculptures might seem like purely decorative objects, with their minimalist silhouette featuring a rectilinear base topped with a sphere. However, a closer look reveals their true function: they are salt and pepper grinders, designed to flavor your dishes and your tablescapes. Made from solid, FSC-certified oak wood, the TWIST collection designed by applicata is a must-have for all cooks and design enthusiasts alike.
These grinders are produced in family-owned workshops in Denmark, ensuring meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship that reflects Scandinavian design principles. Each grinder features a ceramic grinding mechanism from CrushGrind, the world’s first ceramic grinder mechanism, developed by IDEAS Denmark in 1994. This mechanism is known for its durability, corrosion resistance, and ability to grind spices with precision, making these grinders not only beautiful but highly functional and reliable for everyday use whether in a home kitchen or a professional setting.
Available in four finishes – Oak, Smoked Oak, Black-stained Oak, and Olive Green – the TWIST collection pulls double duty as an objet d’art and a heavily used kitchen tool. The variety of finishes allows you to choose a style that complements your kitchen decor or dining room setting, adding a touch of modern elegance and warmth. Whether displayed on your dining table or showcased on a shelf, these grinders bring both form and function to your home.
With their sculptural design, tactile surfaces, and practical use, the TWIST grinders are a perfect blend of art and utility. Their understated yet sophisticated presence makes them a versatile choice for any culinary space. With the holidays coming up, they’re also an ideal gift for design-savvy cooks or the family that loves to host every occasion.
To spice up your culinary space with the TWIST collection by applicata and explore the full range of options available, visit applicata.dk.
As the Senior Contributing Editor, Vy Yang is obsessed with discovering ways to live well + with intention through design. She’s probably sharing what she finds over on Instagram stories. You can also find her at vytranyang.com.
The Harbourmaster Cafe has recently become my favourite spot for food and coffee. Their menu recently underwent a revamp and now boasts some of Devonport’s best cuisine.
Over a recent weekend in Devonport, I visited four times (don’t ask why so many times..) and as I visited with groups of people, I could see and taste most of the new menu. Without going into specifics, I honestly couldn’t believe this quality and food presentation was here in my hometown of Devonport.
A few favourites: the ramen, prawn and chorizo scramble, chicken souvlaki. The food was delicious and all feel so gourmet.
I could keep raving about the food but will withhold myself and finish with the location – gorgeous riverside views of the Spirit of Tasmania, the newly built Novotel and the family area.
Make sure to call in advance to ensure you can grab a seat, it’s been packed on each of my visits.
Priyanka Chopra, who tied the knot with Nick Jonas in 2018, is currently in London with him on his birthday. Priyanka recently attended her husband Nick’s concert in London with their daughter Malti Marie and she has finally wished her hubby on social media. Needless to say, it is a treat for their fans across the world. PeeCee has the sweetest birthday wish for Nick Jonas as the mother-daughter enjoyed his London concert on the occasion.
A while ago, Priyanka Chopra took to Instagram to share a few glimpses from Nick Jonas’ O2 Arena London concert. In the first picture, Priyanka and Nick are posing along with their daughter, Malti Marie. PeeCee looks gorgeous in an orange bodycon dress. Nick is sporting a blue jacket and trousers with a white graphic tee. The little munchkin, who has her head hidden, is shining in a brown and white dress. Malti is holding them close to her.
The couple has their eyes on their cute daughter. While the actress is flashing a million-dollar smile, the American singer can be seen looking intensely at his baby girl.
Next up is a clip that features Nick Jonas performing live on the stage amid a grand crowd. In the video, fans are cheering and flashing their mobile phone’s lights at the concert. The third in the series shows PeeCee carrying her daughter Malti on her waist and walking in a hallway. Malti, who is sporting two cute ponytails, has her headphones on. The fourth picture shows Nick carrying their daughter in a similar area.
In the caption, PeeCee penned a sweet note for her hubby, Nick Jonas on his special day. Calling Nick “best husband and dad”, the actress wished him a happy birthday. “You make all our dreams come true .. every day…we love you @nickjonas,” read an excerpt from her caption.
Take a look at her post here:
For the uninitiated, Nick Jonas and other Jonas Brothers are on a world tour celebrating five albums. On Monday, they set the stage on fire at O2, the arena for hosting concerts in London. The Jonas Brothers will also perform on Tuesday at the same venue.
As per the venue’s official website, the concerts, which were earlier supposed to take place on June 12 and June 13 this year, were rescheduled for September 16 and September 17.
ALSO READ:Priyanka Chopra’s daughter Malti walks holding dad Nick Jonas and uncle Kevins’ hands in UNSEEN PIC and it’s the perfect birthday post
Ti suggerisco posti da visitare e ti racconto esperienze di Beauty, Lifestyle e Crescita Personale
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PUBG’s 31.2 update is now live on PC, introducing massive changes for a whole host of areas on Taego and improving the HUD for a better experience for viewers tuning into its esports streams. The patch dropped for PC on Sept. 4 and console players must wait over a week (coming Sept. 12) for this patch to go live on their devices.
Here are all the most significant changes in PUBG’s Update 31.2.
PUBG update 31.2 patch notes
A new hot drop? Image via Krafton
Five POIs tweaked in Taego
Taego is the featured PUBG map in this update, and the highlight map will now offer a fresh experience with the Studio area (previously found on the map’s southeastern edge) transformed into an abandoned hospital. The buildings in the area cover considerably less area now, with more open grounds to loot and spot incoming enemies.
Other POIs like Shipyard, Ho San Prison, Ho San, and Song Am also received minor changes to their landscapes. The devs implemented these layout tweaks to offer better accessibility, cover, and repositioning opportunities to players.
Map rotations and no more sunrise in Deston
Maps will rotate every Tuesday at 9pm CT for PC, while the console version will change its map pool every Thursday at 2am CT. Erangel’s the mainstay in the pool across all regions, with several maps like Taego, Sanhok, and Miramar also included (depending on your region).
If you’re interested in the ranked map pool in PUBG’s update 31.2, here’s the list:
The developers have addressed ongoing player feedback and improved various aspects of the Training mode. With the PUBG update 31.2, you get infinite ammo using your reload button. Recommended attachments are also automatically equipped when you get a weapon through the Spawn Tool. The tool also allows you to save and load your favorite gear set, keeping the gear and weapons you’re running in the Training mode.
The observer experience in custom matches has been elevated with many features to view any team’s items, markers, and waypoints on the map. The player HUD, while observing, also displays your kill count and damage along with your rank on the server for the stats in question.
Bug fixes, Mastery Medals, and skins
The developers fixed over 20 issues affecting gameplay, map environments, and user interface. You can also earn nine new Mastery Medals by simply playing. Additionally, new items are available in the workshop for the Hunter and Archivist’s Chests, along with several bugs fixed for the existing character and weapon skins.
For the full breakdown, you can read all the PUBG update 31.2 changes here.
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Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked aboard Mardi Gras for a great number of sailings in the months to come with an alert about an itinerary change. In total, more than 60 published sailings are impacted.
The change, however, is a minor one that most guests won’t notice. Still, it is wise of the cruise line to alert travelers in case their onward travel plans may be impacted by the adjustment.
“We have slightly revised the itinerary for your cruise and now plan to conclude the voyage at 8:00 AM (instead of 7:00 AM) in Port Canaveral,”the email notification read.“Although this is some time away, the Mardi Gras is already looking forward to welcoming you aboard for a fun and memorable cruise.”
The impacted sailings are every Mardi Gras cruise from the ship’s January 4, 2025 departure through and including the September 7, 2025 departure, plus the October 16, 2025 sailing through and including the December 27, 2025 voyage. Furthermore, all published sailings in 2026 are also included in the itinerary change.
This makes a total of 63 sailings of the Excel-class ship that will have this later ending time as she returns to Port Canaveral. The only cruise not included with the change is Mardi Gras’ 14-night one-way transatlantic crossing to Barcelona that departs on September 13, 2025.
To be clear, only the ship’s return to Port Canaveral is impacted, and at this time, there are no changes to any ports of call on the various voyages.
That crossing is ahead of the ship’s roughly two-week dry dock refit, a planned out-of-service window for general maintenance, refreshment, and upgrades. This will be Mardi Gras‘ first dry dock update since she debuted in July 2021.
It is common for ships to undergo dry dock refreshments every 4-5 years, which will include general updates, technical enhancements, minor repairs. This type of work will keep the ship looking her very best and operating at peak efficiency.
The exact updates planned for Mardi Gras have not been announced and will not likely be revealed until much closer to the dry dock dates, or even after the upgrades are complete.
The impacted cruises are mostly 7-night sailings from Port Canaveral, including both Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. Also affected are the occasional Southern Caribbean cruises the ship offers, as well as her return transatlantic crossing from Barcelona, which will depart Spain on October 16, 2025 and arrive in Port Canaveral on October 30.
The 181,808-gross-ton ship, the largest ever built for Carnival Cruise Line when she debuted, can welcome 5,282 travelers at double occupancy or up to 6,500 guests when fully booked with all berths filled. Also onboard are roughly 2,000 international crew members to make sure every passenger has a memorable Mardi Gras vacation.
Why the Change?
A one-hour change may not seem significant to most travelers, but it could impact anyone who had hoped to make a quick exit from the ship to reach an early flight or perhaps even get back to work that same day, if they live locally to Port Canaveral.
For most cruisers, however, the one hour delay will be a welcome chance to sleep in a bit, enjoy one last leisurely breakfast, or grab an extra cup of coffee before the general chaos of debarkation.
Carnival Cruise Line has not explained the nature of the minor delay, but it is likely due to expected port operations.
As Port Canaveral continues to grow with new ships from Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, and other cruise lines all beginning to homeport from the Space Coast over the next year, it will be necessary to carefully plan when individual vessels move in and out of the channel as well as turning basins.
Some ships will undoubtedly come in earlier than planned, while others, like Mardi Gras, are very slightly delayed.
While the first of the impacted sailings is more than three months away, if any guests are troubled by the changes, they should reach out to their travel agent, airline, or other travel arrangements to make adjustments if need be. With such a small change, most guests will not even realize there has been any adjustment at all.
