(NewsUSA) - The more pessimistic you are about the state of the economy, the greater the odds that it's affecting your financial decisions -- and not necessarily in a good way.

That's the conclusion of a new national survey from financial services firm Edward Jones and Morning Consult. Topping the list of people's concerns? Inflation. However, it's one thing to be among the 83 percent of U.S. adults surveyed who cited it -- or even the 41 percent who said they'd considered it in their decision-making process in the past nine months -- and quite another to get so worked up about the inflation rate's steady rise (or other issues like the employment rate and supply chain disruptions, for that matter) that you wind up doing something rash.

Alas, according to the survey, one in five Americans admit to primarily making emotional decisions when it comes to their personal finances.

The figure is even higher for Gen Z investors, with more than one in three of those age 18 to 25 saying the same.

And that's where the potential danger lies.

"When people become worried about their finances, their natural desire is to want to do something -- anything -- to make that worry go away," said Laurel Newman, a behavorial scientist at Edward Jones. "But it's important not to let fear, anxiety or even excitement over the stock market derail long-term goals."

The financial crisis of 2008 proved how costly acting on raw emotion can be.

From the market top on Oct. 9, 2007 through the bear market bottom on March 9, 2009, the S&P 500 index and the Dow Jones Industrial Average both lost more than half their value. But investors who stuck it out -- as opposed to panic-selling everything and eating what would otherwise only have been paper losses -- saw the S&P rally 331 percent from that low through its all-time high on August 29, 2018. That works out to a compound annual growth rate of 16 to 17 percent.

The bright spot in the survey was that, despite the ongoing economic uncertainty brought on by the COVID pandemic, 79 percent of respondents still managed to have made carefully planned financial decisions over the same nine month period as their "emotional" counterparts. Many credited their levelheadedness to working with a financial advisor.

You can find a trusted local Edward Jones advisor here. And the firm's free online tools include an instructive guide for avoiding emotional investing mistakes.

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Past performance of the markets is not a guarantee of future results. Indexes are unmanaged and not available for direct investment. Returns do not include commissions, taxes or other fees which would reduce performance.

(NewsUSA) - The American Kennel Club® (AKC), the governing body of dog sports in the United States, is teaming up with the dog supplement brand YuMOVE® to educate pet owners about helping their dogs live their most active life, for life.

YuMOVE is now the official dog joint sponsor of the AKC. The partnership reflects the importance of maintaining and improving joint health for dogs of all shapes, sizes and breeds at every stage of life.

Whether your dog jumps across the agility course or just jumps off the couch for daily walks, joint and hip care are important to keeping your furry friend healthy and active.

YuMOVE has been improving the health of dogs for 15 years, since it made its debut at an agility show in the United Kingdom, and has become the U.K.'s no. 1 dog joint supplement. The chewable tablet is made with natural ingredients, and includes the unique ActivEase® Green Lipped Mussels -- a super-concentrated source of high quality, joint-soothing Omega-3s, sustainably sourced from local farmers in New Zealand. Dogs love the taste, but YuMOVE backs it up with efficacy. It is scientifically proven to work within six weeks and is the only dog hip and joint supplement backed by two canine clinical studies.*

"The health and well-being of dogs is a priority for the AKC, and we know that responsible owners want their dogs to live long, healthy lives," says Dennis B. Sprung, President and CEO of the AKC.

"We are thrilled to work with YuMOVE and to highlight the commitment dog owners have to the wellness and joint health of both canine athletes and dogs everywhere."

This April, YuMOVE introduces its newest dog joint supplement into the U.S. market. YuMOVE Plus+ Hip & Joint Supplement provides extra high-strength joint support, and contains 20% more ActivEase® Green Lipped Mussels than the original YuMOVE chewable tablets for adult dogs.

"We're delighted to work with the American Kennel Club, becoming their official dog joint supplement sponsor. We want dogs globally to live their most active life, for life," says Fiona Hope, CEO of Lintbells -- home of YuMOVE.

"That's why we're excited to launch YuMOVE Plus+ in the U.S. and to become the official dog joint supplement sponsor of the AKC. This will help to ensure that dogs throughout their canine action sport careers, as well as dogs everywhere, have access to a joint supplement that truly makes a difference to their performance and recovery."

To help dog owners see the joint difference in their dogs, YuMOVE is offering 30% off on any YuMOVE hip & joint supplements by using the one-time code "DogAthlete30" at checkout. Or dog owners can save 40% every month when they sign up for a subscription using "DogAthlete40" at checkout.

For more information on the AKC, visit www.akc.org.

Visit www.yumove.com for more information about YuMOVE products.

*Double-blind, placebo-controlled, objectively measured canine clinical studies with Royal Veterinary College 2015 (data on file) & School of Veterinary Science, Massey University 2020 (manuscript in preparation) -- six-week study by the Royal Veterinary College.

(NewsUSA)

"Honor Through Sacrifice"
by Robert E. Lofthouse

"A man can fight if he can see daylight down the road somewhere," said President Lyndon Johnson. "But there ain't no daylight in Vietnam -- there's not a bit." As he said that, he was committing the first U.S. ground combat units and initiating a massive bombing campaign in North Vietnam. Unaware of Johnson's misgivings, Gordon Lippman dutifully entered Vietnam as an Infantry Division executive officer.

Lippman was the man soldiers wanted to follow, a stud from small-town America to become a leading member of "The Greatest Generation."

This is a sweeping story on the broad landscape of twentieth-century compromise, accommodation, and conflict, from the allied war in Europe to the forgotten victory in Korea to the televised dinnertime war in Vietnam. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3Gtv4BD.

"A Tree's Tale"
by Ellen Zaroff

Incest and rage.

Every family has secrets, and these families are no exception. Three generations, two families intertwined, hidden truths and half-told tales span the decades of these two families.

Marmy's two children are distant from her and harbor secrets from each other as well as their parents. When unspeakable events bring out some of the truths, events unravel in ways that bring about addiction, banishment and a new limb of the family tree.

As fates take control, the next generation tries to learn from what has transpired, but history repeats itself. As the roots of a tree feed the limbs that make up these families, they also eventually define and shape them all. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3HwEblE.

"Sins of the Fathers"
by Herbert J. Stern and Alan A. Winter

In the tradition of Herman Wouk, this eye-opening historical sequel to "Wolf" tells the dramatic true story of the foolish prime minister who undermined the coup to topple Hitler, delivered Czechoslovakia to Hitler, saved the Führer's life and paved the road to World War II.

When Neville Chamberlain refused to meet with German military leaders, career civil servants and clergy to solicit England's assistance to bring down Hitler in 1938, they turned to Winston Churchill. Waiting for Hitler's telephone call ordering troops to invade Czechoslovakia, the signal for their uprising, the call never came. Bestselling author Steve Berry calls it "a masterful blend of fact and fiction that will have you thinking about it long after the last page is read." Purchase at https://amzn.to/3xi0I0Z.

"Kaleidoscopic Shades"
by David A. Neuman

Eleven years following the cataclysmic event that ripped apart the state of South Australia, taking civilization and society to the brink of no return, the Triplow family has finally found peace. Settling down has ensured that the past horrors of Hastings, South Australia, remain relegated to another time, another place.

That false perception is shattered when Bob Triplow is forced to face those things buried deep within himself. He will take his son on a journey back to his past, and the horrors of his childhood. A place truly out of this world, where life is manipulated with brutal destructiveness.

Within this dark, boundless dimension, Bob will learn that past events always find a way of catching up. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3qWBXnY.

NOTE: BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com. 

(NewsUSA) - After years in the shadows of trendy tech stocks, solid value stocks are having their moment. Opportunistic value investors who are willing to go against the trends can acquire stocks cheaply, and benefit from generous dividends over time.

If you are a value investor or looking to get into more value stocks or seeking other financial guidance, having the right investment advice is essential, as the options can be confusing and overwhelming.

Regular investment newsletters from competent authorities can help investors sort through the mountain of stock information and make smart decisions that work for them.

When choosing an investment newsletter, keep these factors in mind to separate the experts from the fly-by-nighters.

- Broad base. A quality investment newsletter offers information about a diversified portfolio and a broad base of investment themes. The best investment newsletters provide details of what individual stock and other assets the experts are into; look for newsletters with information about capital gains over the medium- to long-term, and generating dividends.

- Access to material. At the end of the day, your investment decisions are your own, but it is important to be informed, and the right investment newsletter offers current and complete access to research material.

- Expert knowledge. Learn what the experts recommend, and what sectors they are investing in and why. The best investment newsletters offer new ideas and updates via trade alerts.

- Share with others. Investment newsletters that offer members' forums as well as expert Q&A sections are especially helpful for making sound decisions. Member forums are a rare and valuable feature, so look for them when choosing an investment newsletter. You can take advantage of the knowledge and experience of fellow newsletter subscribers and learn tips from them, as well as from the expert newsletter authors, on long-term wealth building across a range of sectors or investment classes.

- Resources. The best investment newsletters provide the background that their experts use in making their own investment decisions; you get a window into their thought process that will add to your understanding and appreciation of their recommendations.

- Reputation. For more proof that you are choosing a quality investment newsletter, you can check out what others are saying on a reputable review site such as trustpilot.com.

Find an example of an investment newsletter with the power to improve your financial picture at invest4deepvalue.com.

(NewsUSA) - When travelers to North Texas hang their hat in Plano, they enjoy prime access to all of the Dallas-Fort Worth area's cultural, sporting and entertainment offerings. But this dynamic city is also a destination in its own right, one that blends cosmopolitan flair with vintage charm for the perfect weekend getaway.

Here are the makings of a memorable weekend in Plano.

Stay. For extra pampering, consider the Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West, known for its "cowboy meets Samurai" décor and rooftop pool and cabanas.

Looking for something truly over-the-top? Take over Southfork Ranch, home of the TV series "Dallas," for the night. The package includes a private tour of the mansion and a steak dinner fit for J.R. Ewing. (If opting for one of Plano's many other hotels, visitors can still enjoy a Southfork trail ride by day.)

Sip and Savor. With more than 1,000 eateries, Plano has more restaurants per capita than New York or San Francisco and an incredibly diverse dining scene.

Legacy Hall, a European-style food hall located at Legacy West just steps from the Renaissance, lets visitors sample a mouthwatering variety, all under one roof, often with a side of live music.

Along the brick-lined streets of Plano's charming, historic Downtown Arts District, you'll find everything from Japanese robata at Ebesu and pub fare at The Fillmore to artisan pizza at Urban Crust and tacos at its sister restaurant, Urban Rio.

The Boardwalk at Granite Park is another fun "restaurant row" with everything from burgers to English high tea.

Shop, See and Do. With four major walkable retail districts, Plano is a shopper's dream.

At Legacy West, Teslas are on offer alongside home furnishings, décor and more.

The nearby Shops at Legacy are the place to stroll outdoors, shop popular brands, catch an indie film or indulge in a spa treatment.

The upscale Shops at Willow Bend offer a well-rounded mix of stores anchored by Neiman-Marcus. They also house a special attraction for families -- one of only five Crayola Experiences in the nation.

The streets of quaint downtown Plano brim with charming art galleries and independent boutiques like Lyla's and La Foofaraw, and shoppers can also take in colorful murals, a farmer's market and outdoor concerts.

For more ideas for Plano lodging, dining and activities, check out visitplano.com.

(NewsUSA) - Vacations are back, but not just any vacations. As the pandemic wanes and travel restrictions relax, travelers with pent-up enthusiasm are ready to get back on the road in a big way.

Travelers of all ages are looking for unique experiences and personalized details that make a trip truly memorable.

Many people who used to make their own arrangements are rediscovering the value of a professional travel planner.

Expert planners can handle the important details, from identifying unique destinations to navigating the variety and shifting safety and testing protocols of post-pandemic travel.

"Consider us your matchmakers; the connection between the trip you've been dreaming about and the vacation we create that makes those dreams a reality," says Brianna Glenn, owner and travel designer for Milk + Honey Travels, a boutique travel service that designs custom vacations.

Travelers don't need the added stress of trying to navigate the details that elevate a vacation from a good time to a truly unforgettable experience, she adds.

Now is the perfect time to plan a summer or fall getaway, and a professional travel advisor can help. Some of the benefits of a customized, bespoke travel service include:

- Personalized planning. The best trips start with a look at what you really want. After years of being stuck at home, travelers have their wish lists ready, and a professional advisor can help make those dreams a reality.

Whether your dream is a beach getaway, an African safari, an all-inclusive resort or a family-friendly European adventure, a professional advisor can make sure that everything is in place, and that you know what to expect for safety protocols, local transportation and special events or excursions.

- Expert backup. Upscale travelers want peace of mind as they plan the complex and exotic trips that they have dreamed about while stuck at home. The more complex the trip, the more important it is to have a knowledgeable advocate in your corner if something goes wrong or if safety regulations should suddenly change.

Professional travel advisors can help with purchasing travel insurance and with negotiating refunds if reservations, flights, cruises or other travel-related activities are canceled.

"Ultimately, we save you hours of time and energy so you can focus on the things that matter most to you," Glenn says. "You get the trip of your dreams with none of the leg-work. All you have to do is pack your bags."

Visit milkandhoneytravels.com to learn how professional travel advisors can help make your post-pandemic getaway seamless and stress-free.