Black Women Novelists You Should Be Reading
Review Meeting On Annual Brahmotsavams Held
Tirumala : With two months to go before the annual Brahmotsavams in Tirumala, TTD Additional EO Ch Venkaiah Chowdhary has directed all the officials to gear up for the mega religious festival.
The first review meeting on Salakatla Brahmotsavams with the officers concerned was held at Annamayya Bhavan in Tirumala on Saturday, where engineering works, checking fitness of vahanams, laddu stock, Annaprasadam, darshan and accommodation, security arrangements of TTD Vigilance and Security wing in co-ordination with police, Kalyanakatta, transport, HDPP, garden, medical, health, paraphernalia, Srivari Sevaks etc. Were discussed.
The important days in annual Brahmotsavam includes Dhwajarohanam on October 4, Garuda Seva on October 8, Golden Chariot on October 9, Rathotsavam on October 11 and Chakra Snanam on October 12. The morning vahanams will commence at 8 am and evening vahanams by 7 pm.
As heavy pilgrim rush is anticipated for Garuda Seva, ban on plying of two wheelers will come into force from 11 pm on October 7 till the midnight of October 8.
TTD has cancelled all Arjita Sevas and privilege darshans including senior citizens-diabled, NRIs, parents with infants stands cancelled during that period.
CE Nageswara Rao, Temple Deputy EO Lokanatham, chief Pro Ravi and heads of various departments were also present.
URI Trustees Approve $70,000 Annual Bonus For President Marc Parlange
University of Rhode Island President Marc Parlange is among the highest-paid of Rhode Island state employees. (URI Photo/Nora Lewis)
At $530,000, University of Rhode Island (URI) President Marc Parlange had the highest annual base salary of any state employee in Rhode Island in fiscal year 2024. His paycheck recently became even heftier when the URI Board of Trustees unanimously approved a $70,000 annual bonus for the university's president at a full board meeting on June 28.
The annual bonus was awarded "based on merit and consistent with the president's contract," wrote Anthony LaRoche, a URI spokesperson in an email.
The university president's earnings for fiscal year 2024 totaled $659,230 as of June 29, according to the state's payroll portal, which shows salary and wage information for all state workers. Parlange's total earnings were outpaced statewide only by Ryan "Archie" Miller, who coaches the men's basketball team and made a total of $1,425,769 in fiscal 2024.
Parlange has been URI president since August 2021, succeeding the retiring David Dooley. Trustees approved the renewal of his contract in February for a five-year period, beginning July 1 through June 30, 2029. A copy of the contract was not immediately available.
Before going before the full board, Parlange's job performance was discussed on June 25 during a joint meeting of the board's Executive Committee and the Compensation Subcommittee. While that discussion was held in executive session, a board policy document shows how the review session is structured. It includes a performance self-assessment by the president as well as a look ahead into future efforts.
"The purpose of the annual review is to enable the President to strengthen their own performance, to allow the President and the Board of Trustees to reset mutually agreeable goals, and to inform annual decisions on compensation adjustments or other terms of presidential employment," according to the policy document.
The board has also been public about its satisfaction with Parlange. "The board found that the president's performance far exceeds the standard of satisfactory," board chair Margo Cook said in a February statement when Parlange's contract was renewed.
The board has praised Parlange for his rallying for state support and funding, as well as the crafting of a strategic plan to fortify the school's finances. Under Parlange's leadership, the state's only land grant university is also preparing to invest heavily in its life sciences offerings, as a means of improving health care outcomes in the state.
"We actually have the best nursing program in the universe, or the galaxy," Parlange told the board at their June 28 meeting. "We have the best pharmacy program in the universe, or the galaxy. Psychology, nutrition, physical therapy…We are about prevention, we are about good health, we are about lifelong good practices in terms of health."
Voters in November could affirm Parlange's commitment should they approve a $161 million higher education bond package, which includes $88 million to subsidize the creation of a new biomedical sciences building at URI. The remainder of the funds would go to Rhode Island College.
Also in the works: A legislature-summoned panel that will study the feasibility of establishing a medical school at URI. The exploratory 21-person committee was named July and is co-chaired by Parlange and Sen. Pam Lauria, a Barrington Democrat and primary care nurse practitioner. The study group will meet through the end of 2025 before making recommendations on how the possible medical school might be a tenable way of easing Rhode Island's shortage of primary care doctors.
"Some of you, like myself, have yet to have a primary care doctor in the state," Parlange told the trustees on June 28. "It's a tough situation. We are Rhode Island's university. Strategic priority number one is helping the state."
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
SUBSCRIBE
View comments
Ink Business Cash Credit Card Review: A Great No-annual-fee Cash Back Card For Small Businesses
Advertiser disclosure: Content provided by Bankrate.Com. Fox and its content partners earn compensation from the affiliate companies below. This content doesn't include all available offers, and compensation may impact how and where links appear in the content.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.Com to learn more.
If you're a small business owner looking for a credit card that offers high cash back rewards without an annual fee, the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card might be the perfect fit for your business.
This card offers generous cash back on common business expenses, including office supplies, internet, cable, phone services, gas stations, and restaurants. With a generous sign-up bonus and a 0% intro APR on purchases, the card can help you save money while growing your business.
Still, the Ink Business Cash card is geared toward business owners whose expenses align with its bonus categories since it earns only 1% cash back on non-bonus purchases. Its lack of premium travel benefits and foreign transaction fees may limit its appeal to business travelers.
Fox Money rating: 8.2/10
The Ink Business Cash card is best for businesses with expenses aligned with its bonus categories. This card offers solid cash back and a strong welcome bonus without an annual fee.
The Ink Business Cash card is designed to help small business owners earn cash back on their everyday expenses without paying an annual fee. Here are the key things to know about this card:
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Pros
Cons
The Ink Business Cash card offers a solid rewards structure that can greatly benefit small business owners who spend heavily in specific categories. Here's an overview of how rewards are earned and redeemed.
One of the standout features of the Ink Business Cash card is its tiered bonus categories, which allow you to earn elevated cash back rates on common business expenses:
To illustrate the potential savings, let's say your business spends $10,000 annually on office supplies and $15,000 on internet, cable, and phone services. With the Ink Business Cash Card, you'd earn $1,250 cash back on those purchases alone (($10,000 + $15,000) x 5% = $1,250). Add your gas station and restaurant spending, and your rewards can quickly add up.
It's important to note that the 5% and 2% bonus categories have a combined spending cap of $25,000. Once you reach this threshold, your earning rate will drop to 1% cash back for those categories. However, this cap is more than sufficient for many small businesses to cover their annual expenses in these areas.
While rewards earned with the Chase Ink Business Cash card cannot be transferred to Chase airline and hotel partners like they can with the Chase Ink Business Preferred®, cash back earned with the card is generally flexible.
The Ink Business Cash card offers a variety of redemption options. You can redeem rewards for:
For most redemption options, your cash back maintains a consistent value of 1 cent per point. For example, if you earn $500 cash back, you can redeem it for $500 in statement credits, gift cards, or travel. The only exceptions are Amazon, Apple, and PayPal purchases, with a redemption value of 0.8 cents per point.
One minor drawback of the Ink Business Cash Card is that, unlike the Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, you cannot transfer your rewards to Chase's airline and hotel partners. This means you won't be able to take advantage of potentially higher-value redemptions.
The Ink Business Cash card comes with quite a few perks compared to a credit card with no annual fee.
The Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card offers a substantial sign-up bonus. New cardholders can earn a total of $750 cash back, broken down into two tiers:
To put this bonus into perspective, let's say your business typically spends $2,000 monthly on expenses. By using the Ink Business Cash Card for these purchases, you would reach the $6,000 threshold within the first three months, earning you the full $750 bonus.
While the two-tiered structure may seem slightly more complex than a single lump-sum bonus, it's still a highly competitive offer, especially considering the card's lack of an annual fee. This bonus is higher than what you'll find with most other no-annual-fee business credit cards.
Another valuable benefit of the Ink Business Cash card is its introductory 0% APR offer on purchases. For the first 12 months after account opening, you can make purchases without incurring interest charges, providing a helpful tool for managing cash flow and financing larger business expenses.
After the introductory period ends, a variable APR of 18.49% to 24.49% will apply to any remaining balance and new purchases. To avoid high interest charges, it is best to pay off your balance in full before the 12-month period ends.
The Ink Business Cash card comes with a host of additional benefits, including:
While the Ink Business Cash card offers a range of valuable benefits, it's essential to understand any costs that come with it. Let's look at the key fees and interest rates you should know.
The Ink Business Cash card has no annual fee.
While some business cards with more extensive benefits may charge annual fees, the Ink Business Cash Card can offer substantial value without this added expense. This makes the card an attractive option for small businesses looking to maximize their rewards without incurring additional costs.
As mentioned, new cardholders can qualify for 0% APR on purchases for the first 12 months after account opening. This is followed by a variable APR of 18.49% to 24.49%.
This APR range is fairly standard among business cards. To avoid costly interest charges, pay your balance in full each month.
In addition to interest charges, there are a few other fees to keep in mind when using the Ink Business Cash card:
To minimize these fees, avoid using the card for balance transfers or cash advances. Instead, focus on using the card for purchases that align with its bonus categories and pay your balance in full each month to prevent interest charges and late fees.
If you frequently travel abroad or make international purchases, be aware that the Ink Business Cash Card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee. In this case, you may want to consider a business credit card that waives these fees, such as the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.
When considering the Ink Business Cash card, it's important to evaluate how it stacks up against other popular business cash back credit cards.
The Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard offers a unique rewards structure.
You can choose your 3% cash back category from a list of options, including gas stations, office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom & wireless, computer services, or business consulting services. You'll also earn 2% cash back on dining purchases and 1% on all other purchases.
The spending caps on both cards are similar. The Customized Cash Rewards card caps bonus rewards at $50,000 in combined 3% and 2% category purchases each calendar year, while the Ink Business CashCard's caps are $25,000 for each bonus tier.
Both cards offer bonus categories, but the Ink Business Cash Card's 5% categories are fixed, while the Customized Cash Rewards card allows you to choose your 3% category.
The Ink Business Cash card edges out the Customized Cash Rewards card with its more generous welcome bonus and slightly longer introductory APR offer.
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card offers a straightforward rewards structure. It earns 2% cash back on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year and 1% after that.
While both cards have spending caps, the Blue Business Cash Card doesn't have specific categories, which means you'll earn 2% back on all spending up to the limit, no matter what you buy.
However, the Ink Business Cash Card offers a higher welcome bonus and more redemption flexibility.
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Annual fee
$0
$0
$0. See rates and fees.
Rewards
5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores, internet, cable, and phone services per year, 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants per year, and 1% on all other purchases
3% cash back in the category of your choice (from a list of options, including gas stations, office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom & wireless, computer services, or business consulting services), 2% cash back on dining, and 1% cash back on all other purchases
2% cash back on all eligible purchases
Rewards caps
$25,000 for each 5% and 2% bonus category tier per year
Bonus rewards are capped at $50,000 in combined 3% and 2% category purchases each calendar year
The 2% rate is capped at $50,000 in purchases per year (1% after)
Welcome bonus
$350 bonus cash back when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
$300 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days of account opening
$250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on purchases within three months of account opening
The Ink Business Cash card can make sense for most business owners who want a rewards credit card with no annual fee.
Businesses that spend heavily in the card's bonus categories stand to gain the most. If your company frequently purchases office supplies or has significant internet, cable, and phone services expenses, you can capitalize on the 5% cash back (up to $25,000 annually) in these categories.
Similarly, if your business dines out or fuels up regularly, the 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations (up to $25,000 annually) can add up quickly.
Startups and growing businesses can find particular value in this card's features. The 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months can be a game-changer for companies needing to make large upfront investments in equipment, inventory, or marketing.
The Ink Business Cash card is an excellent entry point for businesses new to credit card rewards. With no annual fee, companies can explore the benefits of a rewards program without a big financial commitment.
It's important to note that while this card offers significant benefits for many businesses, it may not be the best fit for everyone. Larger companies with expenses far exceeding the bonus category caps, businesses primarily seeking travel rewards or premium travel perks, or companies with high general expenses outside the bonus categories might find better options elsewhere.
Every credit card review we publish has undergone a rigorous editorial process to ensure accuracy and objectivity.
We rate all credit cards on a 10-point system, with 10 being the highest possible score and 1 being the lowest possible score. We assess each card across several key factors, weighted based on what our research shows matters most to readers like you. Learn more about our methodology here.
Rating
Category
Description
8/10
Rewards
The card offers excellent cash back rates in specific business categories, though caps and lower rates on general purchases may limit its appeal for some businesses.
8.5/10
Redemption flexibility
Though the Ink Business Cash cards offer various redemption options, the lack of travel partner transfers and reduced value for some redemptions slightly diminishes its flexibility.
10/10
Annual fee
The card has no annual fee, making it accessible to many businesses and easy to justify keeping long-term.
6/10
Rates and other fees
The introductory 0% APR offer on purchases is valuable, but the high regular APR and foreign transaction fees are drawbacks.
9/10
Welcome bonus
The cash back welcome bonus is competitive, especially for a no-annual-fee card.
7.5/10
Benefits
For a no-annual-fee card, it provides a solid set of protections and perks, though it lacks more premium benefits.
If you're looking for a business credit card with no annual fee, the Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card should be on your list. This is especially true if your business spends heavily on office supply stores or internet, cable, and phone services, where you can earn 5% cash back (up to $25,000 annually). Additionally, the card's 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months can be a valuable tool for managing cash flow or financing large purchases.
However, it's important to consider the card's limitations. Unlike some premium Chase business cards, Ink Business Cash doesn't offer the ability to transfer points to travel partners. The card's benefits are also relatively modest, primarily focusing on travel and purchase protections rather than offering extensive premium perks.
To make the best decision for your business, we recommend analyzing your business spending patterns to see if they align with the card's bonus categories.
Editorial disclosure: Opinions expressed are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
Meet the contributor:Holly D. Johnson
Johnson has been a personal finance contributor for more than 10 years. She focuses on investing, banking products, credit cards and scoring and insurance.
Comments
Post a Comment