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New Survey from Landmark Credit Union Reveals Holiday Season Stressors

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4 days ago

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More than half of survey respondents (54%) feel financial strain into the New Year*

MILWAUKEE, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In anticipation of the holidays, Landmark Credit Union commissioned a survey to learn more about top holiday stressors, how Wisconsinites spend during the season and how shopping behaviors may lead to debt.

It’s no surprise that the holiday season can be expensive. Gifts, decorations, travel and parties add up quickly sometimes making it challenging to navigate the festivities debt free. In a recent survey of 400 Wisconsin residents, respondents primarily aligned with one of four shopping types:*

Bargain hunters prioritize deals, discounts and sales – 40%Early Bird shoppers finish shopping more than a month in advance of the holiday – 27%Last-minute shoppers buy gifts just days in advance the holiday – 16%Year-round gatherers purchase gifts all year round – 16%

Although most survey respondents (40%) identified as a bargain hunter, more than half (54%) experience financial strain post-holiday, and a significant number of those surveyed (45%) indicated the debt was carried into the new year. The majority (66%) take one to six months to pay off the debt. This suggests that there is more to holiday financial savviness than prioritizing deals and discounts, underscoring the importance of budgeting.

“For a lot of people, gift-giving during the holiday season is a chance to show appreciation which can sometimes lead to overspending,” said Brian Melter, chief experience officer at Landmark Credit Union. “Everyone spends money differently, especially this time of year. Spending with a plan in mind and figuring out what works for you as you shop for the holidays can help to alleviate financial stress that could otherwise spill into the new year.”

Holiday Shopping Tips:

Consider a budget – Setting a realistic budget may help shoppers avoid debt carryover into the new year.Set spending limits – Determine spending limits when gift giving to better manage holiday budgets. For example, the majority (33%) of survey respondents will spend $51 to $100 per person on a gift, followed closely by 29% who will spend $25 to $50.Determine the right way to pay – According to the survey, cash was the preferred way to pay (61%), followed by debit (56%), then credit card (49%). However, for those who pay off credit cards every month, it is an opportunity to simultaneously earn rewards, allowing an opportunity to self-gift too.

Beyond the financial stress that comes with holiday shopping, there also is more fraud and identity theft reported this time of year. An overwhelming 69% of survey respondents indicated a concern around this. As online shopping increases, including a heightened desire to find bargains, there is an opportunity for scammers to target people with fake deals and other schemes.

Does the concern for fraud stop shoppers from going online to buy gifts? According to the survey absolutely not as 60% will shop with clicks (online) versus heading to the bricks (stores). Here are a few tips to help protect online shoppers:

Don’t buy too quickly – This time of year, shoppers are more rushed, distracted and can be more vulnerable to fraud. Take time to research the retailer and products before clicking on links/purchasing. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.Consider using credit cards – In addition to the added layer of protection a credit card brings, there are management tools that allow the card holder to set spending limits and receive alerts on transactions and denied purchases.Be cautious – Shoppers should be cautious about providing information that could be used as answers for the identify verification questions. If an online shopper is concerned information was provided mistakenly, the shopper should freeze the corresponding account.

With the window between Thanksgiving and Christmas almost a week shorter than it has been in past years, one thing is for sure: the holiday shopping season is well underway. In fact, an overwhelming 75% of survey respondents started shopping before Thanksgiving. For out-of-the-ordinary gift-giving ideas from Landmark Credit Union, visit https://www.landmarkcu.com/gift-guide.

About Landmark Credit Union

Founded in 1933, Landmark Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative that’s focused on serving its members by delivering lower rates, providing personal service and investing in improved member experiences. Landmark Credit Union has more than $6 billion in total assets, 35 branches, more than 390,000 members and 1,000+ employees. For more information, visit landmarkcu.com. 

*Based on survey results conducted with a sample of 400 Wisconsin residents who plan on shopping this holiday season. For further citation, please contact info@braniganinc.com.

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SOURCE Landmark Credit Union

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Matrixdock Partners with Brink’s for Global RWA Custody, Starting with Gold

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32 minutes ago

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November 25, 2024

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Partnership Enhances Security for XAUm, Matrixdock’s Gold-Backed Digital Asset, with a Focus on Key Asian Financial Hubs

SINGAPORE, Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Matrixdock, a leading platform for tokenized real-world assets (RWA), is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Brink’s, a global leader in secure logistics and asset protection. This partnership ensures the secure transportation and vaulting of LBMA-certified gold, which underpins Matrixdock’s recently launched XAUm token, with a focus on vaults located in Singapore and Hong Kong, two of Asia’s premier financial hubs.

XAUm, an ERC-20 token fully backed by physical gold, offers investors a trusted and transparent digital asset tied to London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) accredited gold. The partnership with Brink’s guarantees that the gold reserves backing XAUm are securely held in high-security, fully insured vaults in Singapore and Hong Kong, enhancing the credibility and security of the token for investors across the globe, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Brink’s reputation for excellence in secure logistics, combined with the strategic location of vaults in Singapore and Hong Kong, provides unparalleled security and confidence for our XAUm investors,” said Eva Meng, Head of Matrixdock. “This partnership underscores our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of trust and transparency for our tokenized real-world assets.”

Zac McKenna, Head of Digital Assets at Brink’s, emphasized the importance of secure custody solutions in the growing RWA tokenization space: “At Brink’s, we are proud to support the tokenization of real-world assets by providing the secure infrastructure that makes these digital products credible and reliable. Our collaboration with Matrixdock enables us to bring our extensive expertise in secure logistics to the forefront of the blockchain ecosystem.”

Brink’s, with its extensive experience in secure asset management and its well-established presence in Asia, will ensure that the LBMA gold backing XAUm is safely transported, stored, and protected in its world-class vaults. Ben Van Kerkwijk, Vice President of Brink’s Global Services – Asia Pacific, added: “Our premier vaulting facilities in Singapore and Hong Kong are trusted by top-tier clients around the world. We are pleased to provide the same world-class protection for the physical gold that backs Matrixdock’s XAUm token, further enhancing the security and trust for investors in the region.”

This partnership allows Matrixdock to offer a robust gold-backed digital asset that aligns with the security and regulatory requirements of global investors.

XAUm provides investors with seamless access to the value of physical gold while benefiting from the efficiency, liquidity, and transparency of blockchain technology. By focusing on secure vaulting in Singapore and Hong Kong, Matrixdock strengthens its offering in the growing Asian market for tokenized assets.

For more information, please visit www.matrixdock.com.

About Matrixdock

Founded in February 2023 by Matrixport, Matrixdock is a premier platform that offers access to high-quality Real World Assets (RWA) through advanced tokenization technology. As the first in Asia to introduce a tokenized short-term treasury bill product, STBT, Matrixdock has rapidly emerged as an industry leader, earning the Ecosystem Excellence TADS Award in 2023 for Trading & Liquidity Solutions.

Matrixdock is dedicated to becoming the gateway for clients seeking top-tier RWA investments. With a steadfast focus on building a trusted and secure RWA ecosystem for crypto, Matrixdock provides diversified investment opportunities while setting new standards for trust and governance in the digital asset space.

About Brink’s

The Brink’s Company (NYSE:BCO) is a leading global provider of cash and valuables management, digital retail solutions, and ATM managed services. Our customers include financial institutions, retailers, government agencies, mints, jewelers, and other commercial operations. Our network of operations in 52 countries serves customers in more than 100 countries.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/matrixdock-partners-with-brinks-for-global-rwa-custody-starting-with-gold-302315224.html

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Snag top-notch smart home gadgets at unbeatable prices: EZVIZ drops Black Friday deals on its all-time bestsellers and flagship innovations

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32 minutes ago

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November 25, 2024

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People can score huge savings on EZVIZ’s award-winning security products and robot vacuums, making their homes safe and comfortable before New Year arrives.

HOOFDDORP, Netherlands, Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — EZVIZ, a leading smart home company known for its high-quality gadgets, is ramping up the thrills of Black Friday shopping by kicking off its special sale into high gear. Simplifying the stressful process of handpicking products and comparing bargains across brands and platforms, EZVIZ adds massive discounts to its extensive product portfolio, helping people build a multi-device smart system from scratch. Even busy but picky homeowners can quickly find essential devices like a garage security camera, a pet monitor or a multi-purpose vacuum cleaner, at hard-to-resist prices with unmatched functionality.

EZVIZ’s Black Friday sale runs from November 22 to December 2 in its official store on Amazon UK. For any family in need of peace of mind or gift ideas for the upcoming holidays, here are some hard-to-miss offers:

H9c Dual Pan & Tilt Wi-Fi Camera (3K) – now￡99.99, was￡129.99

A star innovation of the year that advances the dual-lens technology to become highly smart and responsive. The H9c Dual combines a 3K wide-angle lens and a pan-tilt 3K telephoto lens in one housing. The duo works independently to secure two directions, or reacts to each other to complete the tracking of a single important activity.

EP3x Pro Dual-Lens Battery Video Doorbell – now￡99.99, was￡129.99

A truly smart doorkeeper that doubles up your vision with subscription-free detection features, all with easy installation. Seamlessly stitching the view of a main 2K lens and a 1080p down-facing lens, the EP3x Pro sees visitors and delivered packages from top to bottom. Flexible for any home, it uses a large battery and has an included solar panel for additional green power. 

CP2 Peephole Door Viewer – now￡49.99, was￡69.99

A simple yet reliable option to turn an existing peephole into a smart, sharp camera. The CP2 attaches to most doors and allows real-time viewing via the large indoor screen or remotely via the EZVIZ App. All family members, including seniors and children, can see who’s outside without having to worry about blind spots, and feel protected and safe in a cost-effective way.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2557647/EZVIZ_2024_Black_Friday_PR_Picture.jpg 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/snag-top-notch-smart-home-gadgets-at-unbeatable-prices-ezviz-drops-black-friday-deals-on-its-all-time-bestsellers-and-flagship-innovations-302315226.html

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innDex bolsters team with new COO appointment – their global mission to transform the industry shows no signs of slowing

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32 minutes ago

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November 25, 2024

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LONDON, Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — innDex have announced the strategic appointment of Charlie Versi as Chief Operating Officer, “marking a significant step in the company’s ongoing mission to empower the construction industry with simple and powerful solutions”. Charlie brings 20 years of experience within development and contractor businesses, including 10 years leading in-house software development and procurement. 

innDex have recognised that continuing to build this blend of technology and construction delivery expertise in-house, is vital in navigating today’s construction challenges. 

Reflecting on the move to innDex, Versi shared, “the last 12 months has reinforced the fact that the construction industry continues to face significant challenges and a need to evolve. innDex has positioned itself as a key technology partner, at the forefront of tackling many of these issues  through innovation and strong industry partnerships. I’m thrilled to join a team that’s deeply committed to addressing the underlying inefficiencies that fundamentally impact productivity in  the construction industry.”

innDex Co-Founders George Smithies and Aaron Vousden both saw an opportunity to bring Versi in, to drive multiple positive impacts inside the organisation as well as support their continued efforts to partner closely with the industry that is under increasing pressure to perform in difficult conditions. They believe this strategic hire, coupled with a shared vision for a proactive, technology-led approach, will support innDex’s growth and their continued focus on addressing  the fundamental causes of the sector’s productivity challenges.

Co-Founder George Smithies added, “Our mission to empower construction professionals remains  the core driver of our business. innDex was built by industry experts committed to revolutionising  project delivery—not just through small improvements, but by embracing a forward-thinking, tech driven mindset. Having Charlie join was the obvious next big step for us, we’re excited to strengthen an already incredible team, during a rapid time in our growth.”

Contacts: Marketing and Communications Coordinator – Uyen Dang – uyen@inndex.co.uk 

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2565698/innDex_COO_Charlie_Versi.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/inndex-bolsters-team-with-new-coo-appointment—their-global-mission-to-transform-the-industry-shows-no-signs-of-slowing-302314512.html

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