Greetings!
Spring has sprung! Or has it? April surely isn't what it used to be with all of this cold weather that still keeps popping up lately. Nevertheless, we're optimistic we'll all be enjoying the warmth of sunshine and the scent of springtime before we know it. Besides, we have so much going on at CURO, who has time to pay attention to a fickle Mother Nature?

With the change of seasons we're ready to get out into our community and get active! We've partnered with an amazing organization called Together We Rise to provide foster children in our local community with comforting essentials and playful gifts to help them in their transition and journey to finding forever families. Read on below to see how you can get involved – we'd love your help!

Have you heard of Dragon Boat Racing ? It's a fun and exhilarating team paddling sport taking place on long, ornately adorned watercraft. Inspired recently by a movement in support of breast cancer survivors, the sport has been around for centuries in China, but is now thriving in the Philadelphia region and beyond. CURO is getting in on the action this summer with an introduction by a member of the local Bucks County Dragon Boat team and our own squad of gutsy gals. We expect it to be a wet, wild and unforgettable experience!

As proud supporters of Philadelphia local WHYY, we love sharing the unique opportunities with our clients to mingle and meet with well-known personalities. If you follow us on Facebook you may have seen the recent Breakfast with Deepak Chopra and just this week we attended a Reception and Book Signing with Lidia Bastianich. If you haven't already, connect with us. There are many more exciting events ahead, of which we announce through social media!

Soon, we'll be sharing details on our upcoming Long Term Care Event, Medicare Marathon and our first venture into winemaking, as we commemorate our 5th Anniversary! Want to stomp grapes with us? Let us know!

What do you think of The new Monthly Curator? This is not the only change in-store for CURO. In the coming months, you will see a new website, a new blog and enhanced branding throughout all channels. We're improving every touchpoint to better serve you and be a resource you can count on. It's just one way we're taking care of you. We want to hear from you, so don't be shy. Click the button below.

Marianna
NEWS THAT AFFECTS YOU
MARKET COMMENTARY
March was a rough month for financial markets across the globe, as tariffs and trade wars grabbed headlines. All three major U.S. indices were down for the month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was hardest hit, posting a loss of 3.59 percent. The S&P 500 Index and Nasdaq Composite were down 2.54 percent and 2.79 percent, respectively. For the quarter, a volatile March and weak February more than offset gains in January to leave the Dow down 1.96 percent and the S&P down 0.76 percent. The Nasdaq, on the other hand, managed a quarterly gain of 2.59 percent.
Even as prices dropped during the quarter, the fundamentals continued to improve...


Prior salary can't justify wage gap between men and women, U.S. appeals court rules

By Maura Dolan Apr 09, 2018 for LA Times   
Aileen Rizo was sitting at a lunch table with other math consultants in 2012 when she learned that her employer had just hired a man with less experience and education at a higher salary.

Rizo, then a math consultant for the Fresno County Office of Education, said the new hire made $13,000 a year more than she did. When she asked management about the disparity, she was told her pay had been based on her prior salary. She sued.

On Monday, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decided unanimously in Rizo's favor, ruling employers may not consider prior salaries in setting a person's pay.

"I am just overjoyed," Rizo, 43, said in an interview. "I have three daughters, and I know what I did will make the world a better place for them. I wanted to make a difference."

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS! Build-a-Sweet Case Event
Want to help, but you can't join our event? Donate items to be included in the bags through our Amazon Wish List.

Did you know that everyday at least 1200 kids in the United States enter foster care? Currently, there are about 400,000 in America's foster care system.They are typically given trash bags to gather their few worldly possessions and then are sent to a foster home. Help us support these kids by providing new, personalized duffel bags called Sweet Cases , filled with teddy bears, blankets, hygiene kits and more to show them they matter!

Friday, May 11th from 1-4 pm we will be hosting a Build-a-Sweet Cases Event, through the organization Together We Rise, at the CURO office: 1705 Langhorne-Newtown Road, Ste. 5, Langhorne, PA . Join us for refreshments and creative fun, while we assemble duffel bags with toys, handwritten cards, and comfort items for children in our community entering foster care.

What happens to our stolen information after a cyber breach?
Young hacker in data security concept
After a cyber breach, we tend to think in terms of what the victim needs to do next. Can any of the stolen data be protected after the fact? What can the victim do to secure confidential information going forward? But for a change, let’s talk about the crime from the cyber thief’s point of view. What does the crook do with our data once he or she has stolen it? 

The going rates on the black market

First, cyber criminals use our stolen information for individual gain, opening lines of credit with our social security numbers or draining our bank accounts. They also look to make still more money by selling our information. In fact, there’s a vast and complex underground marketplace where our stolen information is offered for sale.


We're here for you when you need us most.
Tax season is the best time to begin your tax planning for 2019. We can help you understand the income or estate tax issues and costs involved, while minimizing your income tax liability.
You likely have Health Insurance and Life Insurance, but what about Long Term Care Insurance? Learn more about it at our information luncheon in October.
Divorce can be a stressful and overwhelming time in your life, with so many important decisions to be made and your financial future at stake. Let us be an advocate for you.