Styleweek Returns

STYLEWEEK Northeast will return this fall for Season 17, showcasing Spring 2020 collections. As a well-established Rhode Island favorite, STYLEWEEK looks to freshen up their three-night fashion extravaganza this year.

This new look will feature a new location for STYLEWEEK, set in the larger, third floor venue of the Rhode Island Convention Center, as opposed to the former, narrower venue of Sabin place. STYLEWEEK aims for a new, modern look by transforming the venue into an industrial chic atmosphere featuring a wider runway.

Remaining in theme with their new venue, STYLEWEEK will also keep things fresh in their designer lineup by opening on Thursday, September 19th evening with mainly emerging artists and the SEED challenge. Thursday night will feature STYLEWEEK alum, Michigan-based designer Mikalya Frick, as well as the new emerging designers, Rhode Island-based Tatyana, and Bostonbased Sinsational and Jeena. This year’s SEED challenge will consist of university level designers from MassArt tasked to create one piece made out of recycled material.

Friday, September 20th, will open with STYLEWEEK newcomer Kathryn Ambers, followed by returning Boston-based designer Angelica Timas, and STYLEWEEK veteran Carissa Lynne. The second half of Friday evening will showcase designs from STYLEWEEK veteran Chris Rogers, Project Runway alum Cornelius Ortiz, and end with eco conscious and ethical fashion label Devinto from Cape Cod. Friday evening will also include a bridal instillation by Arianna Nicola Designs.

Closing night, Saturday, September, 21st, will open with RISD student Zoe Grinfield. Following Grinfield will be the luxurious custom-designs of Boston-based Stephen Pasqual, Rhode Island-based designer Brianna Moon, and STYLEWEEK newcomer Anna Lemley from Pittsburgh, PA. Saturday evening will close with designs from Bostonbased Lalla Bee and Project Runway alum, Chicago-based designer Peach Carr. The final evening of STYLEWEEK Season 17 will also feature a fashion instillation by Amy Page DeBlasio. Guests can enjoy the pre-show Cocktail Hour and shopping on all three of the nights. Boston-based company, Flexetail, will have two mobile shops set up at STYLEWEEK, showcasing local designers.

STYLEWEEK will be releasing a brand new website on July 31st. After 17 successful seasons, STYLEWEEK is excited to branch out and embrace change on and off the runway. Attend any of STYLEWEEK’s three nights this fall to see just how good change can be. Tickets will be on sale August 15 via STYLEWEEK’s website or Ticketmaster.

By: Carrie McPherson

Doctors, lawyers and other highly-trained professionals often have their sights on lucrative salaries once they complete their courses of study – but many are also saddled with a less pleasant graduation gift: outstanding student loans. For those who’ve landed a well-paying job in their desired fields, the dual reality of commanding a big salary while being encumbered with debt can lead to financial mistakes. But, as with many complexities in life, having a plan in place can help.

If you find yourself in the camp of high-income, highdebt professionals, consider the following four steps to manage your finances, pay down your obligations and pave the way to a confident financial future.

The income you earn today may seem staggering compared to what you were accustomed to in the years before receiving your degree. Before you increase your spending, it’s important to take a step back and consider how to tackle multiple financial goals at once. Start by earmarking part of each paycheck for your future goals. Knowing you have dedicated savings for future purchases like a new home or sending your kids to college can help you have confidence in your everyday finances – including an occasional splurge. However, until you have your other debts paid off or dramatically reduced, it may not be prudent to take on a large mortgage or a loan for an expensive vehicle.

Keep up on student debt and if you can, consider accelerating your payments. Paying extra will not only help you eliminate the debt sooner but will reduce the total amount you pay in interest. Refinancing the debt to ease your monthly payment schedule may be an option, but given your likely cash flow, it may not be necessary. If you have accrued other debts such as car loans or credit card borrowing, repay them as quickly as possible. Make it a priority to reduce the impact that debt has on your monthly budget.

A good rule of thumb for any young professional is to try to save 10 percent (and more, if possible) of their income in accounts designed to build wealth for the long run. While the idea of retirement may seem a lifetime away, starting to accumulate money in a retirement account as soon as possible can be especially effective. Those who begin saving for retirement in their 20s or early 30s can most effectively leverage the power of compounding interest. At this age, you have time on your side and the ability for your investments to grow over the decades to come.

You’ve worked hard to get where you are, and earning a big paycheck is a justifiable reward. Your professional and financial journey is just beginning, so treat your financial life as a marathon, not a sprint. At the very least, focus on living within your means. To the extent you are able, try to live even more modestly with the goal of paying down debts as quickly as possible. You never know what the future holds and what opportunities may arise. Your income level could change, either by your own choice or due to unavoidable circumstances. Take advantage of your good fortune today to strengthen your financial future.

Carrie A. McPherson, CRPS®, CDFA® is a Financial Advisor and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst with BeaconPoint Wealth Advisors, a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in Providence, RI. She specializes in fee based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 13 years.

Please contact her at www.ameripriseadvisors.com/ team/beacon-point-wealth-advisors or (401)824-2557.

Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser.

Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC.

Many people who carry a home mortgage dream of the day when they will no longer face the burden of a monthly house bill. They want the financial freedom – and the satisfaction – of owning their home outright. Does that mean you should make paying off your mortgage early a priority? The answer depends on your circumstances and goals. One question you should ask yourself is, “Would the money you spend on your home loan be better spent on or invested in another financial opportunity?”

Reducing debt as early as possible could help you avoid costly interest rate charges. You may have experience with this principle if you’ve eliminated credit card debt or a car loan. While your home mortgage is a type of debt, the same concept may not apply. In certain instances, staying true to your repayment terms may be best for your financial situation for these reasons:

• The interest rates on mortgages tend to be more reasonable than other types of credit, and the terms often provide more certainty (30-year fixed rate mortgage).

• The interest you pay can potentially be deducted from your taxes. This deduction makes a mortgage much more cost-efficient on an after-tax basis than most other forms of debt. If mortgage interest is part of your tax strategy, consider if you’ll be able to itemize deductions once you own your home outright.

On the other hand, the earlier you pay off your loan, the longer you could have the opportunity to invest the money each month. This additional investment could help you achieve a more secure financial future. To see if investing may make sense, compare your interest rate to what you could reasonably expect to earn in market returns.

As you evaluate your situation, you should consider the time you expect to stay in your home and how close you are to retirement. Those who are approaching retirement or are already retired may prefer to be done with the monthly expense of a mortgage. Since this is also a stage in life when your investment approach may be more conservative, the tradeoff of reducing your balance rather than investing may not be as significant. Those who are in this position may want to consider if accelerating payments today would help reduce housing expenses in retirement. The same is true for those who plan to stay in their homes for a long time. Reducing your loan may be appealing if it results in years of living without a house bill. Younger homeowners should explore methods of accelerating their mortgage pay down. Among the strategies to consider are contributing more money each month, refinancing your mortgage over a shorter term (i.e., a 15-year mortgage instead of a 30-year one) or occasionally making a larger, lump sum payment to reduce the balance.

Deciding if you should carry a home mortgage is not only a rational decision, but an emotional one as well. Your home is where you raise your family, create memories and return to each day. How important is it for you to know that you will own your home free and clear?

As you think about your decision, be sure you’re in a position to not jeopardize your financial security today by putting additional funds toward your home. Adjusting your monthly bill will impact your cash flow, and you’ll want to have flexibility in your budget to cover unexpected expenses. Review your financial circumstances carefully before you decide what’s right for you.

Edward Pontarelli Jr, APMA®, CRPC® is a Financial Advisor and Managing Director with BeaconPoint Wealth Advisors a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in Providence, RI. He specializes in fee based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 20 years.

Please contact him at www.ameripriseadvisors.com/ team/beacon-point-wealth-advisors or (401)824-2532.

Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser.

Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC.

by a team of finance and business professionals, we by a team of finance and business professionals, we recognized that a need exists for reliable transactionrecognized that a need exists for reliable transaction processing and customer service.processing and customer service.

Hawaii and our new business volume averages overHawaii and our new business volume averages over 3 billion dollars in annual processing. The size and3 billion dollars in annual processing. The size and scope of our portfolio allows us to offer extremelyscope of our portfolio allows us to offer extremely competitive pricing to our customers.competitive pricing to our customers. What began as our vision has become our mission.What began as our vision has become our mission. At East Commerce Solutions,At East Commerce Solutions, We make credit card processing simple andWe make credit card processing simple and we offer cutting edge products and services to meetwe offer cutting edge products and services to meet seamless for our customers at the lowest possibleseamless for our customers at the lowest possible the demands of the ever changing merchant servicesthe demands of the ever changing merchant services cost, with continuous ongoing support.cost, with continuous ongoing support. industry. Partnering with a company that fosters newindustry. Partnering with a company that fosters new This is what separates us from the competition.This is what separates us from the competition. technology is vital to your business.technology is vital to your business. Today...Today... Over the years we have worked tirelessly to bring ourOver the years we have worked tirelessly to bring our East Commerce Solutions is a top rated, nationallyEast Commerce Solutions is a top rated, nationally customers the smartest solutions for their business.customers the smartest solutions for their business. ranked Merchant Services Provider/ISO, aligned withranked Merchant Services Provider/ISO, aligned with We have acquired the companies that have the latestWe have acquired the companies that have the latest the largest transaction processors in the industry,the largest transaction processors in the industry, Smart Solutions for curbside / contactless payments,Smart Solutions for curbside / contactless payments, Elavon, WorldPay and Tsys. Our client base extendsElavon, WorldPay and Tsys. Our client base extends mobile processing, POS systems, cash registers,mobile processing, POS systems, cash registers, throughout the United States, including Alaska andthroughout the United States, including Alaska and Payroll Processing and so much more!Payroll Processing and so much more! Cape Business Systems is a cash registerCape Business Systems is a cash register sales, supplies and service providersales, supplies and service provider serving Cape Cod for over 30 years,Weserving Cape Cod for over 30 years,We are committed to continue in the traditionare committed to continue in the tradition of providing exceptional, local service andof providing exceptional, local service and support to our customers in Cape Cod andsupport to our customers in Cape Cod and the Islands.the Islands.

Working Throughout The Years To Bring Our CustomersWorking Throughout The Years To Bring Our CustomersWorking Throughout The Years To Bring Our Customers The Best Products, Service, Pricing and 24/7/365 SupportThe Best Products, Service, Pricing and 24/7/365 SupportThe Best Products, Service, Pricing and 24/7/365 Support That The Merchant Services Industry Has To Offer!That The Merchant Services Industry Has To Offer!That The Merchant Services Industry Has To Offer!

1994 EAST COMMERCE SOLUTIONS , INC . est . 1 9 94 - EAST COMMERCE SOLUTIONS , INC . es t . 1 9 94 - 1994 EAST COMMERCE SOLUTIONS , INC . est . 1 9 94 - EAST COMMERCESOLUTIONS , INC . es t . 1 9 94 -

1994 - ECSI opens as:1994 - ECSI opens as:

90 Airport Road,90 Airport Road, Warwick RI Warwick RI 1998 - ECSI Becomes Incorporated1998 - ECSI Becomes Incorporated

1995 - ECSI Moves To:1995 - ECSI Moves To: 43 Jefferson Boulevard,43 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick RI Warwick RI 2000 - ECSI Moves To:2000 - ECSI Moves To: 50 Vision Boulevard,50 Vision Boulevard, East Providence RIEast Providence RI 2005 - ECSI Moves To2005 - ECSI Moves2005 - ECSI Moves To To Our Current Location:Our Current Location:Our Current Location: 22 Morris Lane22 Morris22 Morris Lane Lane East Providence RIEast Providence RIEast Providence RI

Two Floors - 28,000 Sq. Feet Divisions of East Commerce Solutions, Inc.Divisions of East Commerce Solutions, Inc.Divisions of East Commerce Solutions, Inc.

Arriving Each800.527.5395800.527.5395 Week. capebusinesssystems.com capebusinesssystems.com

800.527.5395 346 Taunton Ave, Seekonk, MA 02771800.527.5395 346 Taunton Ave, Seekonk, MA 02771

Established in 2008, WriteTouch POS, a division of EastEstablished in 2008, WriteTouch POS, a division of East Commerce Solutions, has been providing POS solutionsCommerce Solutions, has been providing POS solutions customized for your business. Our systems will automatecustomized for your business. Our systems will automate and streamline your operations, to reduce your costs,and streamline your operations, to reduce your costs, increase productivity and boost your bottom line.increase productivity and boost your bottom line. From POS systems, camera surveillance systems, credit cardFrom POS systems, camera surveillance systems, credit card processing equipment, software, internet processing, payrollprocessing equipment, software, internet processing, payroll services, to gift card and loyalty programs.services, to gift card and loyalty programs. We do it all.We do it all.

East Commerce Solutions Is Your Trusted, Single Source, Local Merchant Services Provider East Commerce Solutions Is Your Trusted, Single Source, Local Merchant Services Provider East Commerce Solutions Is Your Trusted, Single Source, Local Merchant Services Provider East Commerce Solutions Is Your Trusted, Single Source, Local Merchant Services Provider

East Commerce Solutions Has Smart Solutions For Your Business:East Commerce Solutions Has Smart Solutions For Your Business:East Commerce Solutions Has Smart Solutions For Your Business:East Commerce Solutions Has Smart Solutions For Your Business: Smart Solutions ForSmart Solutions For Smart Solutions For Smart Solutions For Smart Solutions For Smart Solutions ForSmart Solutions ForSmart Solutions ForCredit Card Processing Smart Solutions ForCurbside / Contactless Payments Smart Solutions ForPOS Systems Smart Solutions ForPayroll Processing Smart Solutions ForGift & Loyalty Cards Credit Card ProcessingCredit Card ProcessingCredit Card Processing Curbside / Contactless Payments POS Systems Payroll Processing Gift & Loyalty Cards Make The SMART Choice And Contact Us Today!Make The SMART Choice And Contact Us Today!Make The SMART Choice And Contact Us Today!Make The SMART Choice And Contact Us Today!

2015 - ECS Expanded 2015 - ECS Expanded and Formed: and Formed: ECS Simple Payroll Solutions ECS Simple Payroll Solutions ECSSimple Payroll ECS Simple PayrollSolutions Solutions

2016 - The ECS Group is Formed 2016 - The ECS Group is Formed 2018 - ECS Expanded 2018 - ECS Expanded and Acquired: and Acquired: Quality Cash Register Quality Cash Register 2021 - ECS Corporate Headquarters 2021 - ECS Corporate Headquarters Still Local and Located At: 22 Morris Lane Still Local and Located At: 22 Morris Lane East Providence RI East Providence RI

2008 2008 2014 2014 2015 2015 2016 2016 2018 2018 2021 2021

2008 - ECS Expanded 2008 - ECS Expanded and Acquired: 2008 - ECS Expanded and Acquired: 2008 - ECS Expanded and Acquired: and Acquired: WriteTouch POS

WriteTouch POS WriteTouchWriteTouch POS POS

2015 - ECS Expanded 2015 - ECS Expanded and Acquired: and Acquired: Cape Business Systems Cape Business Systems 2016 - ECS Expanded 2016 - ECS Expanded and Acquired: and Acquired: Boston Cash Register Boston Cash Register

2016 - ECS Expanded 2016 - ECS Expanded and Acquired: and Acquired: South Coast Cash Register South Coast Cash Register

2021 - ECS Expanded 2021 - ECS Expanded We Opened Our Newest Branch In: We Opened Our Newest Branch In: Louisville Kentucky Louisville Kentucky

Corporate Headquarters Corporate Headquarters

800.527.5395 264 W Broadway, South Boston, MA 800.527.5395 264 W Broadway, Southbostoncashregisterexchange.com Boston, MA bostoncashregisterexchange.com Boston Cash Register is a cash register and point of sale systems provider serving the Boston since 1932 Boston Cash Register is a cash register and point of sale systems provider serving the Boston since 1932 800.527.5395 22 Morris Lane East Providence RI 02914 800.527.5395 22 Morris Lane East Providence RI 02914 eastcommercesolutions.com eastcommercesolutions.com 207.989.6045 207.989.6045 540 S Main St, 540 S Main St,Brewer, ME 04412 Brewer, ME 04412 qualitycashregister.net qualitycashregister.net

Quality Cash Register is a cash register and point Quality Cash Register is a cash register and pointof sale systems provider serving the Maine area for of sale systemsover 38 years. provider serving the Maine area for over 38 years.