"Voting is the expression of our commitment to ourselves, one another, this country, and this world." - Sharon Salzberg

Election Updates: As we get closer to the end of the year, the Election is top-of-mind for many of us. So what’s going on in the realm of US politics? Let’s take a look-see. (You can always check back here for live updates.)

Vice President Kamala Harris has secured enough delegates to be the Democratic Party’s nominee for president. Here’s what you need to know:

• Historic Nomination: Kamala Harris will be the first Black woman and person of South Asian heritage to earn the top spot on a major political ticket for president.

• Nomination Official: The Democratic National Committee announced the nomination, which will become official after a virtual roll call vote ends on Monday.

• Fundraising: The Harris campaign raised a record-setting $310 million in July, more than doubling the $139 million raised by the Trump campaign.

• Diplomatic Victory: Harris and President Biden met with three Americans released in a prisoner swap with Russia, including journalist Evan Gershkovich.

Former President Donald J. Trump has announced his withdrawal from the ABC News debate scheduled for September 10, proposing instead a debate on Fox News six days earlier.

This unexpected change has sparked objections from Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign, raising doubts about the much-anticipated showdown between the two.

ABC has not confirmed if they will proceed with the debate featuring only Harris, while Fox News has not responded to inquiries.

The situation has created uncertainty about future debates and has intensified the rivalry between the two political figures as they prepare for the upcoming election.

You can follow live updates here.

Market Meltdown: Buckle up, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride. This morning, the stock market… well, it tanked and it’s been a little unnerving to watch.

Here’s the rundown on what’s going on but you can click here for the most up-to-date reporting on things:

• Dow's Sharp Drop: The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 1,033.99 points (2.6%) to 38,703.27, marking its worst day in nearly two years.

• Tech Tumble: The Nasdaq Composite fell 3.43% to 16,200.08, and the S&P 500 slid 3% to 5,186.33, their biggest daily losses since September 2022.

• Global Impact: Japan's Nikkei 225 saw a historic drop of 12.4%, its worst since 1987’s Black Monday, ending at 31,458.42.

• Recession Fears: Concerns over a U.S. recession sparked by a weak July jobs report and the Fed's decision to keep interest rates high fueled the sell-off.

• Tech Sector Hit Hard: Major tech stocks suffered, with Nvidia down 6.4%, Apple down 4.8% after Berkshire Hathaway cut its stake, and Tesla dropping 4.2%.

• Safe Havens: Investors flocked to bonds, causing U.S. Treasury yields to drop, and the Cboe Volatility Index spiked to its highest since early 2020.

• Currency Moves: The yen's value rose following the Bank of Japan's interest rate hike, affecting global market stability.

• Market Sentiment: Experts suggest the market was due for a correction, triggered by disappointing economic data.

• Fed's Stance: Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee hinted that current interest rates might be too restrictive and the Fed would act if conditions worsen.

In a nutshell, Monday's market turmoil was a cocktail of recession fears, tech stock sell-offs, and global economic jitters, with investors seeking safe havens amidst the chaos.

Do we have permission to freak out? Sure, but let’s keep our collective cool. This is the time when learning to make smart money moves and maybe refreshing that resume 😉 can come in handy. A bad situation creates areas of opportunity and this could have an upside for those who play their cards right.

Investments Worth Watching 

Investing is, well, it’s tricky when you’re trying to pick each stock you hope will be a winner. That’s why many investors look to ETFs like the ones ARK Investment Management has put together.

This business was founded by Catherine Wood who has a long reputation in the world of finance. She founded ARK as a way to focus on disruptive innovations and “to open up research, becoming a ‘sharing economy’ company in the asset management space.“

💪 What they do: ARK aims to find and invest in companies at the forefront of innovations in fields like artificial intelligence, robotics, energy storage, DNA sequencing, and blockchain technology.

📅 Founded: 2014

Get Rec’d

Financial Feminist: Overcome the Patriarchy's Bullsh*t to Master Your Money and Build a Life You Love

Tori Dunlap, learned financial prudence from her parents and began saving early. However, she noticed a significant gap in financial literacy, especially among her female friends.

Tori discovered that girls typically receive less comprehensive financial education compared to boys, who are encouraged to invest and pursue wealth. As adults, women face stereotypes of being frivolous spenders and are more vulnerable during economic downturns.

Tori's vision of money is one of freedom and choice—enabling luxurious travel, early retirement, and philanthropic efforts. She founded Her First $100K to empower women financially. In her book, "Financial Feminist," she offers a judgment-free guide to paying off debt, mindful spending, saving, and investing.

Key learnings include:

• Understanding and improving your relationship with money.

• Setting and achieving investment goals.

• Negotiating better pay using relevant data.

With journaling prompts, expert interviews, and in-depth discussions on financial issues, "Financial Feminist" aims to make your money work for you.

😋 MMM, Yummy! 

It’s a new month and that means new recipes to try. Here are some new ideas for the whole month of August!

• Tomato Burrata Pepperoni Pizza Dip

• Saucy Coconut Curry with Rice Noodles and Garden Vegetables

• Sheet Pan Hawaiian Pineapple Shrimp Tacos

• Sheet Pan Hot Honey Garlic Chicken and Zucchini