Auto insurance premiums and claims still on the rise: study
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AM Best’s latest Market Segment Report gives a grim outlook for the auto insurance industry, for both insurers and consumers alike. The auto insurance industry is hurting, with premiums and claims continuously on the rise, according to the study.
For insurers, the hike in auto insurance claims is largely due to drivers returning to the workforce. There’s an increasing number of people on the road compared to the height of COVID-19. The more drivers on the road, the more accidents that get reported, and the higher premiums tend to rise.
"Workplace patterns have changed post-pandemic with work-from-home arrangements, reducing the number of vehicles on the road. However, driver inattentiveness and riskier driving habits have become more problematic in the last few years, and as a result, auto severity has worsened," said Christopher Graham, senior industry analyst, in a press release.
Inflation is another point of blame for rising premiums, along with supply chain issues, the AM Best study cites. All these issues combined has resulted in a substantial loss for insurers, which gets passed on to consumers.
Car insurance rates vary based on a variety of factors – from your credit score to driving habits. You can use Credible's free tools to shop around and lower your car insurance premium today.
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FxWirePro: Forex Weekly Update
The US dollar index lost its shine after weak US PCE data. The PCE index surges 2.6% YoY in Nov, below market expectations of 2.8%. The Core PCE rose 3.2% in the same period from 3.4% in Oct. came to 4.9% for the third quarter, below the estimate of 5.2%.
US economic calendar previous week
US Philly Fed manufacturing Index - below estimate (negative for US Dollar)
US CB consumer confidence - above forecast ( Positive for the US dollar)
US GDP - below estimate (negative for the US dollar)
US durable goods orders - positive (positive for the US dollar)
According to the CME Fed watch tool, the probability of a 25 bpbs rate cut in Jan increased to 16.5% from 8.3% a week ago.
Best disability insurance companies
Disability insurance can help make ends meet if you're unable to work due to injury or illness. Nicolas Hansen/Getty Images
Injuries and illnesses can unfortunately happen to anyone at any time. Even if you don't work a manual labor job, a disability such as cancer, a broken bone, or a mental health issue could put you out of commission could put you out of work, at least temporarily. In fact, there's a 25% chance that a worker will miss work for at least a year sometime between the ages of 20 and 67, according to the Social Security Administration.
If that happens, you might be able to make up some of your lost income through Social Security disability benefits, but that might not be enough for some workers. Disability insurance can help close some of those gaps, either by paying a fixed monthly amount, a percentage of your monthly income, or a lump sum.
You might be able to get disability insurance through your employer, but you also might want to add coverage on your own for more protection. Start by getting a free disability insurance price quote here to see what it could cost you.
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15 Best Auto Insurance Companies Heading into 2024
What are Some of the Biggest Companies in the Global Auto Insurance Industry Up To?
The global auto insurance market is highly fragmented, with key players such as Allianz SE (ETR:ALV), Direct Line Insurance Group plc (LON:DLG), and The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR).
The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) is an American insurance company and one of the largest motor insurance carriers in the US. On October 13, The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) reported strong earnings for the fiscal third quarter of 2023, reflecting strong demand for auto insurance in North America. The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $2.11, surpassing EPS estimates by $0.4. The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) reported a revenue of $15.59 billion and outperformed revenue estimates by $231.2 million.
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Headquartered in Munich, Germany, Allianz SE (ETR:ALV) is one of the world's largest insurers and financial services providers. Operating as an international insurer, Allianz SE (ETR:ALV) has more than 120 million customers in over 70 countries. On November 28, Allianz SE (ETR:ALV) announced that its pan-European online insurer, Allianz Direct, is teaming up with ING Groep N.V. (NYSE:ING) in the Netherlands to offer companies and entrepreneurs access to a diverse range of Allianz Direct business insurance products. These insurance policies will be rolled out in phases from mid-2024 through ING Groep N.V.’s (NYSE:ING) digital platforms. Dutch customers will also be able to go to ING Groep N.V. (NYSE:ING) to take out auto, van, and corporate and professional liability insurance. The report also mentions that the Allianz Direct business insurance will be a fully digital process, allowing customers to take out insurance easily and quickly through ING Groep N.V.’s (NYSE:ING) app or website.
Direct Line Insurance Group plc (LON:DLG) is a British insurance company that offers a wide range of general insurance products across home, commercial, travel, pet, and auto. On October 31, Direct Line Insurance Group plc (LON:DLG) announced that its brand Direct Line has launched a new car insurance product called “Essentials” for customers who are looking for an entry-level comprehensive car insurance policy. The new insurance product complements Direct Line's existing Comprehensive and Comprehensive Plus offerings, which have additional offerings and higher cover limits. The Essentials product includes Courtesy Car Cover as standard, which provides customers with a replacement car at no extra cost for the duration of the repair if fixed by an approved repairer. The new Essentials car insurance product also includes Direct Line Insurance Group plc’s (LON:DLG) Uninsured Driver Promise and Vandalism Promise, which protects a driver's no claims discount if the other driver involved in an accident is uninsured or if damage to the vehicle is caused by vandalism. Jazz Gakhal, Managing Director of Motor at Direct Line Insurance Group plc (LON:DLG) said:
“The Direct Line brand is all about simplicity and a common-sense approach, the Essentials product delivers quality cover along with the great service you’d expect from a household name. Understanding the needs of our policyholders is key to being brilliant for customers every day and we believe Direct Line Essentials is the perfect addition to our car insurance suite of products.”
Now that we have discussed what’s going on in the global auto insurance market, let’s take a look at the 15 best auto insurance companies heading into 2024.
15 Best Auto Insurance Companies Heading into 2024
A woman in her car checking her insurance documents with a satisfied smile.
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Bitcoin Wavers As Santa Rally Fades
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BTC/USD Forex Signal: Bitcoin Wavers As Santa Rally Fades
MENAFN- Daily Forex) Forex Brokers We Recommend in Your Region See full brokers list 1 Read full review Get Started Bearish view
Sell the BTC/US pair and set a take-profit at 42,598.
Add a stop-loss at 44,200.
Timeline: 1-2 days. Bullish view
Set a buy-stop at 43,500 and a take-profit at 44,500.
Add a stop-loss at 42,500. Bitcoin price remained in a consolidation mood during the Christmas weekend as traders waited for the next big news. The BTC/USD pair was trading at 43,450 on Tuesday, where it has been in the past few weeks consolidation continuesThe BTC/USD price has been in a tight range as volume remained much lower than the recent month's average. This price movement was expected as most traders and investors went to holiday. Many big investors have also closed their offices until next week.Still, there were some big news in the past few days. First, several altcoins have continued surging, with Solana and Avalanche continuing surging. Solana moved above $100 for the first time since 2022.Second, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) scored a big victory in its lawsuit against BarnBridge. In it, the agency won $1.7 million settlement and blasted Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAO).Third, and most importantly, more economic data from the United States showed that inflation continued falling in November. The core PCE, which excludes the volatile food and energy products, continued falling.The six-month core PCE dropped to 1.9% for the first time in over three years. It has dropped from 5.9% during the pandemic. The core PCE rose to 0.1% from October to November.These numbers mean that inflation will continue falling in the coming months. If this happens, the Fed will likely start cutting rates in the coming months, a major reversal from what it did in the past two years.The hope of a Fed pivot is one of the main reasons why Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies has jumped in the past few months. The other reasons are the rising possibility that the SEC will approve a Bitcoin ETF and the upcoming halving/USD technical analysisThe BTC/USD pair has moved sideways in the past few weeks. It has remained at 43,400, where it has been recently. Bitcoin's volume has continued moving downwards during this Christmas season while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) has drifted sideways.There are also signs that Bitcoin has formed a double-top pattern. In most cases, this pattern is one of the most bearish ones in the market. Therefore, the pair will likely continue falling as sellers target the support at 42,600.
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Less than half of millennials have life insurance
Why do I need life insurance?
Millennials are at a stage of life where they may be planning to or have already started a family. If you have people who financially depend on you, such as a spouse or children, leaving them without support is a serious risk. An adequate life insurance policy can cover outstanding debts and provide replacement income.
Even if you don't have a family, insurance can pay for your funeral and burial. That's actually the leading reason millennials buy life insurance, according to the survey. With funerals averaging more than $8,000, that can be a real hit to those you leave behind.
Life insurance is also cheaper and easier to get when you're younger. While many factors go into determining premiums, age plays a significant role. It may seem challenging to add yet another bill to your budget, but it will save you money in the long run.
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Money And Love: The Primary Social Determinants Of Health
My fear is what market analysts call the distribution effect, because they understand what a third Obama White House doesn’t. That the initial absorber of sudden volume often tries to immediately offload as much of its liquidity volume on other players as possible. This secondary distribution can be repeated numerous times, enlarging the impact.
As happened during the last 2 hours on Wednesday, where all the major US stock indices fell significantly. Some observers pointed to a large trade, a series of large trades of a highly leveraged short-term derivative. By the end of the day, individual securities were down multiple percentage points. Early Asian markets fell, but by the end of the trading day losses were small. On Thursday, stocks rallied almost back to Wednesday’s opening, and on Friday, there was a slight gain.
This attack, like the one on the “British forces” at Princeton, did not have a material impact on the war other than to buoy up Washington’s spirits and please the Congress in Philadelphia.
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Capital market sustains upswing amid subsidy removal, forex crisis
The Nigerian Exchange Limited closed negatively in the years preceding the elections of 2015 and 2019, but bucked the trend last year, posting a 19.98 per cent return. It has sustained this trend this year, despite the uncertainty that trailed the 2023 general elections.
On the first day of trading after the February 25 presidential election, the market hit N30tn capitalisation. A milestone which analysts said reflected local investors’ optimism about the policies of the winner of the presidential election.
Sharing the analysts’ perspective, the Managing Director of Arthur Stevens Asset Management Limited, Tunde Amolegbe, said, “For the elections, the market closed down for the two previous election cycles in 2015 and 2019. However, for the elections in 2023, the market broke from the conventional trend. Even after the elections, the market remained bullish, showing that inflation was good for it because it was the only place where positive real returns could be achieved when taking into account potential holding period returns.
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Capital market sustains upswing amid subsidy removal, forex crisis
Apart from the unusual response of the market to elections, investors also responded to the increasing inflation by playing more in the equity market because it was giving higher returns than the fixed-income market.
Corporate raids
Just as the audited 2022 financial reports of listed companies came in, the market woke up to the news that billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, had bought about 5.52 per cent stake in Transnational Corporation Plc.
While the share acquisition was welcomed by the company and minority shareholders, he soon sold to them the Chairman of Transcorp, Tony Elumelu. It also served as a harbinger of what was what to happen a few weeks down the line.
On July 7, a historic trade took place on the Nigerian Exchange Limited as a company linked to a former Chairman of FBN Holdings, Oba Otudeko, bought over four billion units of shares of the financial institution.
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Capital market sustains upswing amid subsidy removal, forex crisis
The Nigerian Exchange Limited closed negatively in the years preceding the elections of 2015 and 2019, but bucked the trend last year, posting a 19.98 per cent return. It has sustained this trend this year, despite the uncertainty that trailed the 2023 general elections.
On the first day of trading after the February 25 presidential election, the market hit N30tn capitalisation. A milestone which analysts said reflected local investors’ optimism about the policies of the winner of the presidential election.
Sharing the analysts’ perspective, the Managing Director of Arthur Stevens Asset Management Limited, Tunde Amolegbe, said, “For the elections, the market closed down for the two previous election cycles in 2015 and 2019. However, for the elections in 2023, the market broke from the conventional trend. Even after the elections, the market remained bullish, showing that inflation was good for it because it was the only place where positive real returns could be achieved when taking into account potential holding period returns.
“Additionally, the perception that whoever of the three leading presidential candidates who wins the election will be good for the market because they will all outperform the current administration. In fact, the equity market was bullish even after the elections and up to the announcements of results.”
Apart from the unusual response of the market to elections, investors also responded to the increasing inflation by playing more in the equity market because it was giving higher returns than the fixed-income market.
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We would be screwed for homeowners insurance
Homeowners associations come with perks like protecting home values, but many Americans living in these communities struggle when it comes to installing solar energy systems.
Such was the case for one desperate Redditor, who took to an anti-HOA subreddit for advice about a holdup with their HOA that was preventing them from updating their roof and installing solar panels. It seems that they just needed a certification of ownership, but the association was unresponsive.
If they didn’t get that certification, it could have disastrous effects, they added.
“We would be screwed for homeowners insurance and lose the amazing deal we got in our (solar/roofing) contract.”
Benefits abound when it comes to investing in solar energy. Though it requires an initial investment, solar panels are becoming more affordable, and taxpayers can claim a 30% tax credit on the cost of solar systems to their income taxes. Plus, solar users can save money in the long run, as utility bills decrease. Opting to install solar panels often increases home values as well.
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Unlocking the Potential: Exploring Exness in the Forex World
In the ever-evolving realm of Forex, Exness Trading Company emerges as a transformative force, reshaping the narrative of trading since its establishment in 2008. Operating seamlessly across 130 countries, Exness transcends the traditional role of a brokerage, embodying trust, reliability, and an unwavering commitment to sculpting an unparalleled trading odyssey. Let’s delve into the distinct features that set Exness apart, paving the way for an in-depth Exness broker review in the dynamic world of Forex trading.
Navigating Regulatory Waters: Exness as the Guardian of Compliance
Exness isn’t merely a ship navigating regulatory waters; it stands as a steadfast guardian of global compliance standards. With nods of approval from respected bodies like FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and others, Exness not only establishes its credibility but pioneers a course toward a secure harbor for traders. As a distinguished member of the Financial Commission, Exness dons the mantle of a protector, extending insurance coverage up to EUR 20,000 to fortify the financial interests of its users.
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Homeowner battles HOA to install money-saving home improvement
Homeowners associations come with perks like protecting home values, but many Americans living in these communities struggle when it comes to installing solar energy systems.
Such was the case for one desperate Redditor, who took to an anti-HOA subreddit for advice about a holdup with their HOA that was preventing them from updating their roof and installing solar panels. It seems that they just needed a certification of ownership, but the association was unresponsive.
If they didn’t get that certification, it could have disastrous effects, they added.
“We would be screwed for homeowners insurance and lose the amazing deal we got in our (solar/roofing) contract.”
Benefits abound when it comes to investing in solar energy. Though it requires an initial investment, solar panels are becoming more affordable, and taxpayers can claim a 30% tax credit on the cost of solar systems to their income taxes. Plus, solar users can save money in the long run, as utility bills decrease. Opting to install solar panels often increases home values as well.
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California threatens penalties over insurers’ stalling tactics against car insurance buyers
California’s insurance commissioner is warning of a possible crackdown against insurers that fail to offer and sell auto insurance to the state’s good drivers.
Commissioner Ricardo Lara said this week that the insurance department has received “numerous” consumer complaints about waiting periods, questionnaires and other insurer practices that could violate state laws, as CalMatters detailed in a recent story. Lara issued a bulletin threatening enforcement action against insurance companies as a result, and asking insurers to contact the Insurance Department’s legal division if they have questions.
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3 money moves to make in 2024
The monthly report surveys 5,000 American households about their expectations for savings, unemployment and the overall economy in the next six months. The latest CCI, released Dec. 20, reached 110.7, up from 101.0 in November 2023.
"It was really a sharp uptick – just about every measure throughout the survey was positive," said Dana Peterson, chief economist at the Conference Board, the nonprofit think tank that calculates the CCI. "Not only was it the amount of increase that was surprising, but also the breadth of improvement."
Peterson credits cooling inflation and the recent decline in mortgage rates for consumers' rosy outlook during the holiday season. Despite some economists still predicting a mild economic slowdown later in 2024, most respondents didn't believe the US would go into a recession next year.
Optimism about the economy was visible across all ages and income levels, she said, but the gains were largest among households with income levels of $125,000 and above. Consumers' top issue is still rising prices, according to write-in responses, with concerns about interest rates, politics and global conflicts all receding.
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RBI cracks down on illegal forex trading
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is in talks with banks and the government for more stringent measures to ensure that banking channels are not misused for illegal forex trading.
In a letter to all stakeholders last month, the RBI sought suggestions on the matter and also urged them to create greater public awareness.
Earlier this year, the Directorate of Enforcement arrested two businessmen in connection with illegal activity.75 entities in alert list so farThe investigations revealed that the Kolkata-based accused controlled and managed 180 bank accounts, from which Rs 120 crore was seized.
"There would be far more scrutiny by banks on account holders making forex transactions on non-authorised platforms, including apps," said one of the officials who didn't want to be named. "The regulator wants lenders to further ensure that Know Your Customers (KYC) norms for all parties in such transactions are strictly followed."
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A major life event derailed my progress and changed how I think about money
At the end of 2022, I decided to set some money goals for myself.
One key takeaway after a nearly nine-year career writing about people who are good at managing money is that they have multiple income streams. While there's a cap on how much you can save, there's no limit on how much you can earn. The wealthiest individuals dream up ways to make more money, rather than think about how to tighten their belt.
With that in mind, I came up with two objectives for 2023: diversify my income streams (ideally, create at least one passive stream) and buy my first property (ideally, an investment property; at minimum, a primary residence that I could "house hack" to offset my mortgage). I even wrote about these goals to hold myself accountable.
In a perfect world, they would go hand-in-hand: succeeding at objective No. 2 would mean creating another revenue stream (in the form of rental income) and, therefore, achieving objective No. 1.
And so in January, overcome with that inflated optimism one feels at the turn of the year, I got to work: I spoke to multiple lenders, got pre-approved for a mortgage, found a realtor, started looking at properties, and continued putting cash into a savings account earmarked for my down payment.
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We would be screwed for homeowners insurance
Homeowners associations come with perks like protecting home values, but many Americans living in these communities struggle when it comes to installing solar energy systems.
Such was the case for one desperate Redditor, who took to an anti-HOA subreddit for advice about a holdup with their HOA that was preventing them from updating their roof and installing solar panels. It seems that they just needed a certification of ownership, but the association was unresponsive.
If they didn’t get that certification, it could have disastrous effects, they added.
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All-in-one insurance cover Bima Vistaar to be rolled out in Q1: Report
The proposed all-in-one product will be known as ‘Bima Vistaar’.
“The product design and other key aspects for rolling out Bima Vistaar are almost complete. We need a technology platform to launch the product, which is being looked into by the Life and General Insurance Councils," a senior official of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) told businessline on Friday.
“In all probability, the product will be rolled out in the first quarter of FY25," the official said, adding that the ecosystem required for the launch of the product is being put in place."
The launch of Bima Vistaar is significant because it is part of the “Insurance Trinity," along with Bima Sugam, a one stop digital platform; and Bima Vahak, a woman led field distribution force. These are all major components of IRDAI’s vision to achieve insurance for all by 2047 while bridging the existing gaps in product design, pricing, and distribution, among others.
“It is noteworthy that the insurance industry is also looking forward to the launch of the product and is bullish on it. The regulator is not in favour of imposing any policies or decisions on the insurers, and everything is being done in a consultative manner,’‘ the official said.
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I set 2 money goals in 2023 to improve my finances
One key takeaway after a nearly nine-year career writing about people who are good at managing money is that they have multiple income streams. While there's a cap on how much you can save, there's no limit on how much you can earn. The wealthiest individuals dream up ways to make more money, rather than think about how to tighten their belt.
With that in mind, I came up with two objectives for 2023: diversify my income streams (ideally, create at least one passive stream) and buy my first property (ideally, an investment property; at minimum, a primary residence that I could "house hack" to offset my mortgage). I even wrote about these goals to hold myself accountable.
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Your money horoscope for the week of December 24
Your money horoscope for the week of December 24
Whether you're climbing the towering peak of financial success, venturing into the mysterious world of investments, or striving to make your earnings go the distance, a dash of cosmic advice might just be the ticket.
Join me, Madame Villamere, your completely uncertified and delightfully unqualified guide to the stars' impact on your finances.
Don’t miss
My financial predictions are whimsically concocted from the hushed discussions of secretive financial circles, the musings of advanced AI, insights glimpsed in moments of slumber, and the intuitive cues from my network of psychic pets.
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bet365 Bonus Code NYPNEWS: $150 bet and get or $1K bet insurance for any Sunday game
Commercial Content. 21+. Action Network is the official betting partner of the New York Post, which edits this content.
New users can unlock one of two available promotions with the same bet365 bonus code NYPNEWS: either a $1K bet insurance offer or a $150 bet and get. Players who sign up with that code will have to select their preferred promotion from a landing page after registering.
Currently, bet365 is operational in seven states — Louisiana, Kentucky, Ohio, New Jersey, Colorado, Iowa and Virginia — with any user who is 21 or older eligible in six of those locations.
Notably, in Kentucky the age restriction is 18 or older so any player who is at least 18 can take advantage of either promotion in the Bluegrass State.
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3 money moves to make in 2024
The monthly report surveys 5,000 American households about their expectations for savings, unemployment and the overall economy in the next six months. The latest CCI, released Dec. 20, reached 110.7, up from 101.0 in November 2023.
"It was really a sharp uptick – just about every measure throughout the survey was positive," said Dana Peterson, chief economist at the Conference Board, the nonprofit think tank that calculates the CCI. "Not only was it the amount of increase that was surprising, but also the breadth of improvement."
Peterson credits cooling inflation and the recent decline in mortgage rates for consumers' rosy outlook during the holiday season. Despite some economists still predicting a mild economic slowdown later in 2024, most respondents didn't believe the US would go into a recession next year.
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Today’s top money market account rate roundup…
Money market accounts vs. savings accounts
Money market account rates typically offer higher yields than those provided by savings accounts. MMAs often require a higher minimum deposit or balance, but banks and financial institutions typically reward clients for maintaining larger balances with higher rates.
Currently, the average rate on an MMA with a $10,000 minimum balance in Curinos’ dataset stands at 0.56% APY, while the average rate you’ll find on a savings account with a $10,000 balance is a mere 0.23% APY.
Keep in mind that savings accounts are better suited to achieve a particular goal, such as maintaining an emergency fund or amassing a down payment on a home. By placing your funds in a high-yield savings account, you’ll earn interest and you’ll hopefully also be less inclined to spend the money.
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