Following the critically acclaimed global smash hit X-Men : Days of Future Past, director Bryan Singer returns with X-Men: APOCALYPSE. Since the dawn of civilization, he was worshipped as a god. Apocalypse, the first and most powerful mutant from Marvel's X-Men universe, amassed the powers of many other mutants, becoming immortal and invincible. Upon awakening after thousands of years, he is disillusioned with the world as he finds it and recruits a team of powerful mutants, including a disheartened Magneto (Michael Fassbender), to cleanse mankind and create a new world order, over which he will reign. As the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance, Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) with the help of Professor X (James McAvoy) must lead a team of young X-Men to stop their greatest nemesis and save mankind from complete destruction.

Beware, X-Men Fans all around the world, X-Men: Apocalypse, came out in theaters on May 27th, 2016. The cheer applause and smile draws at the fans face all over the theater. This was the 6th movie of X-Men, not included the two series of Wolverine. The five movies before the series (the first to the last) are X-Men, X2: X-Men United, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men: First Class, and X-Men: Days of Future Past. The Wolverine two series are X-Men Origins: Wolverine and The Wolverine. This series joining a sequel with another two X-Men movies before, which is X-Men: First Class and X-Men: Days of Future Past. A few years ago, the X-Men: First Class has introduced two unforgettable stars in the movies, Michael Fassbender as Magneto and Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique. Lawrence is a talented artist with a lot of awards, but she's been reviewed badly for her act for this movie.

The plot introduced us to a new villain which is worse than magneto did. This villain character of En Sabah Nur starring by Oscar Isaac is a meaningful character which wants to take over the world and change it into a mutant-only world. As an ancient mutant, he was just awakening from a long and deep slumber, and he seems unpleased about this. He's charged four other mutants to join up his team. On the other team, under the Professor X order, a bunch of mutants lines up in the row. They tried to stop the wickedness of En Sabah Nur and his four horsemen. From En Sabah side it is Psylocke, Storm, Angel, and Magneto. From the Xavier school under the Professor X is Cyclops, Jean Grey, Beast, Mystique, Quicksilver and the last, Moira McTaggert, trying to save all of the mankind.

This movie has made us a little confused about where the mutants located, as the scenes take in many places like Berlin, Cairo, Poland, and some other places you need to track of. But the interesting piece also comes from Magneto the villain which worked under a company under a different name. It is shown that he had the ability to control magnet, but he didn't remain as a villain before. After the incident happened which involved his family until their death, he becomes this truly villain. Fassbender has got into a character nicely to reveal the ins and outs of Magneto. Round the plots here and there, this movie ended with some mutants practicing to enhance their abilities in togetherness to become more powerful to fight back the enemies.

Nonetheless, this movie with director Bryan Singer is being reviewed badly for the dialogue, the plot, the effects, and the actress. It is said to be the biggest and the empties X-Men Movies. The movie cannot satisfy the fans which waiting forward to this new film. Though so, the time will always go by, and we'll see the next exertion of The X-Men Series to regain the good plot and better effects, like the successful series of X-Men: Days of Future Past which reaping a great applause, and raised Singer's name and be worshiped.

Steelworks, Oil or China! What do they have in common?

Nail biting, gut clenching and worried faces from around the world is what they have in common. Words like Global Recession are not what you want to hear when you're about to take to the ski slopes at your favorite Swiss ski resort. And especially, when you are a banking mogul, who has come to de-stress from a hectic week juggling other people's money.

Other people, who more than likely, are watching their hard earned money plummet on the stock exchange as you put down your hot cup of cocoa and bite your lip in earnest. The world watched as popular stocks fell by about 20% and then tried to make their way back up again when the European Central Bank advised they were trying to make a plan with the eurozone's collapsing market. While a light at the end of a dark and damp tunnel, a light nonetheless.

What with China announcing that their GDP only grew by a simpering 6.9% in 2015, their lowest in 25 years, the world leaders are speculating that this will affect more than we can imagine.

Besides this shattering hit to the economy's gut, the know-it-all's of the world are stating that even the smallest, normally insignificant changes will have catastrophic effects on the rest of the world. The word on the street is that there will be very serious and compelling challenges to tackle in the near future, which will involve a mix of short and long-term trials. The journey to lifting our financial heads above this turbulent water will be a hard and grueling one.

When it comes down to tankers, waiting in the mist, filled to the brim with over 50 million barrels of oil, and all they need is the go ahead as to where they are taking their prized possessions, one must ask the burning question.

What is going on in the world?

What is going on in the world?aWell, simply, all tankers from one of the biggest oil producers were sanctioned and they only had those heavy and debilitating sanctions lifted just last weekend. Brokers have been waiting in the wings, with bated, stale breath for the thumbs up to send their tankers to oil starved countries.

Ironically, it has been hypothesized that there will be less of a demand for fuel in the next few months. What with the fracking industry on the up and up, this means that the world's leaders are not so reliant on Middle Eastern oil. So when the demand is less, the price drops. And when the price drops, it affects so many other avenues in the economy.

And it is not just the oil market that is affecting the worlds stocks and shares, the mining industry, that massive giant, is also having trouble keeping up. The problem with the likes of South Africa, Russia and Brazil mining share prices dropping, means that other commodity industries will follow the same path shortly.

Another word one doesn't want to hear is Armageddon and some big financial puppets are being pulled this way and that, struggling to keep up with the ever-slipping stock prices.

A recovery is expected but when one looks at the recovery from 2008, it is clear to see it will not be easy. If you look very closely, you will see the tiny cracks, which have never been filled since 2008. 8 years may seem like enough time to have pulled through cleanly from a crash, but in fact, the signs are showing that all is not well with the economy yet and another recession may just cripple an already limping leg.

So, is there any good news?

Yes. A little! An increase in the world's economy should be around 3.1% but having said that the China crisis, the delicate baby economy of Brazil and Russia as well as the impending increase of interest rates from the US Federal Reserve Bank will be big mountains to jump over before we can breathe easier.

Some more good news for the UK is that analysts are insisting that an interest rate hike isn't the best route right now.

However, good news is followed by more bad news. If anyone remembers the trade war of the 1930's they will know that events like China's falling currency strength will have a domino effect on how the US handles certain tariffs, namely China's steel imports, which affected 750 workers at Tata.

The one statement that had been repeated a few times over the world is ‘not to panic".

This is easier said that done, when your retirement money is hanging in the rafters, pending a lift of the Chinese economy and a possible global recession.

In this era of tight economy, with the threat of recession looming larger than life in the horizon, people tend to adopt a rather stoic and placid attitude towards life in general and jobs in particular, especially when the job market seemingly dull. Forget about pay hike, holding on to the present job itself is considered as an achievement. In such a scenario, one might even assume that requesting a raise could jeopardise the job itself. But that does not resolve the never ending monetary issues. The fact remains that if you want more money in the saving, more money should come in. No amount of penny pinching can ever help in saving money like a hike in the salary can.

So how can one go about earning a bigger pay check without being awkward or risking humiliation? Here is how. Understand and follow these golden guidelines.

1. Know your worth. Websites like salary.com can give fairly good idea about this and based on that information, go for the most reasonable figure you deserve as a raise.

2. Find out how stable and healthy the company is financially. The raise is possible only if the company has the actual means to provide it.

3. Request a meeting with the boss to understand what targets you re expected to achieve.

4. Document all your accomplishments especially those that have added value to the company.

Now ascertain that circumstances are favourable generally before going for it.

If they are not particularly favourable and the budget appears tight, there is another strategy that can be employed as long as there is a positive feedback regarding your work.

5. Tactfully point out the extra work done on top of the expected target along with the accomplishments. Request for a stipend towards the extra work alone till the normal raise if any is due.

6. If not a raise, try for a bonus that is one off pay and therefore practically more feasible.

7. Request for an overtime pay. Working overtime is the most effective way to achieve a bigger salary minus the raise. But unfortunately most of the companies seldom pay for overtime. In such cases try pushing for an overload payment for work overload done within your own timings of work.

8. Referral bonus if applicable can be claimed by referring new talents who are cultural as well as organisational fit to the company, for new recruitment. Here as the company saves time man power and money that could have been otherwise spent on training the recruit. So a known referee in the company makes a world of difference and therefore deserves a bonus.

9. Request for paid time off instead of cash. Earn money doing seasonal work or any part time work during that period. In effect it brings home more cash.

10. Here, the raise is yours without even asking. Care to know how? Be an expert in some area, do twice your normal and outperform yourself. Show your strong commitment towards the company. This is bound to get you noticed by the management. This will automatically ensure your place as the first choice in case the company is considering someone for a raise.

Even though these are really clever tips, nothing is guaranteed. A promotion, a raise or a bonus is something over which you have no control of even if you are the most deserving candidate simply because it has to be offered by someone else. But these tips surely do increase your chance for a raise tremendously.

Chesapeake Energy Corporation, well known as the profoundly indebted shale maker, said for the current week, it is capable of clinging to its four billion dollar bank line provided it posts pretty much all that it possesses as collateral.

Huge numbers of its rivals are faring far more regrettable. Right around 2 years experiencing the most terrible bust of oil in an era, loan specialists including JPMorgan Chase and Co., Bank of America Corporation also, Wells Fargo and Co. are cutting lines of credit for battling energy companies. It's an unsaid affirmation that energy costs aren't returning, and speaks to an unexpected turnaround from a year ago the time banks remained indulgent on battling drillers in the trust that good times were approaching.

Ever since 2016 began, loan specialists have taken out 5.6 billion dollars of credit in the possession of 36 gas and oil makers, a diminish of 12%, resulting in the most serious retreat since crude started falling in the middle of 2014.

What's more, the end has not come yet. Financial institutions are amidst a two times a year survey of loans for energy, where the financial institution choose the amount of credit they can stretch out to low evaluated organizations taking into account the estimation of their gas and oil reserves. With crude floating close 40 dollars for one barrel, drillers' advantages are currently worth a lot short of what they were worth 2 years back.

Under Pressure

Most Financial institutions are reducing their gas and oil exposure to a limited extent since they're confronting pressure from investors and regulators to control risk. JPMorgan communicated that it put aside some 529 million dollars in the main quarter in order to take care of anticipated loss gotten from loans to gas and oil organizations. JPMorgan has a sum of 14 billion dollars of loan loss back up by March, rising from the initial 13.6 billion dollar by the end of the final quarter.

Lower Credit

No less than 15 organizations have witnessed their available credit lines reduced, including Rex Energy Corp., Whiting Petroleum Corp., and Halcon Resources Corporation. Goodrich Petroleum Corporation's loan specialists reduced their credit line since January to 40.3 million dollars from 75 million dollars, placing limitations on how much the money starved organization could get access to.

Boosting reserves

Banks are putting aside more cash to cover misfortunes on loans for energy. Wells Fargo, the company that had 17.4 billion dollars in outstanding gas and oil loans toward 2015 end, put aside 1.2 billion dollars to take care of possible losses.

Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, JPMorgan and Citigroup might require an extra 9 billion dollars to take care of souring gas and oil loans in the direst outcome imaginable, Moody's Investors Administration communicated to the public in an April 7 report. Yet, the loan specialists would have the capacity to assimilate such misfortunes out of one quarter's income or earnings.

The most noticeably period of the oil accident is over and costs ought to be more grounded by year's end, six of the world's greatest energy dealers said during the FT Worldwide commodities Summit as the cost of Brent unrefined moved to another high for the year.

As indicated by some high regarded brokers who talked at the FT Worldwide commodities Summit, oil business were practically consistent in saying the business sector was beginning to come into equalization, with interest anticipated that would begin exceeding supply in the second 50% of 2016. Most dealers present were seen to have agreed. It was likewise noticed that the main impetus for the business sector going ahead is when, not if, the alleged rebalancing happens and supply and request gets once again into equalization

What's more, there will be a great deal of instability going ahead, however starting now and into the foreseeable future, the pattern is up. It won't be as quick as a few examiners think today, however it will happen.

The organizations, which together exchange enough oil day by day to meet just about a fifth of worldwide interest, said the almost two-year value breakdown had set off a surge sought after and prompted a breakdown in interest in new supplies. Brent raw petroleum, the universal benchmark, hit a 2016 high on Tuesday of $43.58 a barrel.

Most dealers still feel they are yet to see the base, unless a disastrous occasion happens. It is trusted that supply and request will be intersection by the time the third or final quarter comes to an end.

Amid the Worldwide summit Ian Taylor, the world's biggest autonomous oil dealer, told the FT that the business sector "is moving marginally towards a superior parity". He included that the world's biggest makers would likely discover consent to "stop" yield the next week.

As indicated by Marco Dunand, CEO of Mercuria, the accident in costs to underneath $30 a barrel toward the start of this current year had quickened the recuperation, driving further venture reductions. Marco Dunand explained that at the point when oil costs as of late plunged beneath 28 dollars, it was a good sign for crude as forward costs fell quicker than present ones, provoking real generation undertakings to be scratched off,

At $30 a barrel there was a second flood of spending cuts. The vast majority foresees costs to recoup in 2017-18, however when the lows were hit, the back-end of the business sector was falling speedier than the front-end and that executed a great deal of ventures.

In any case, Glencore's oil sector head communicated a note of alert, saying that while supply and request would likely adjust in the second half, rough and refined item stockpiles have expanded generously since costs began tumbling from above $100 a barrel in mid-2014.

To get any huge rally, there's an expansive stockpile to work through and it's improbable it will come rapidly.

What do business leaders in the U.S. have in common? Actually, a better question is: what do they have in common besides money and success? They certainly didn't all start their own businesses. They don't all dress in any particular manner or brand of clothing. They don't all have some secret diet plan or pill that keeps them functioning on a higher level than everyone else on the planet. They probably don't have secret meetings with time traveling aliens who tell them what their next business move should be either…probably. However, the one thing they all share is a drive to continue improving, upgrading, and moving forward, both in business and in life.

Although most of the news about Michigan these days is understandably focused on the Flint water crisis, there is also good news coming from the "land of 1,000 lakes." Michigan has had a lot of troubles since the decline in U.S. car manufacturing which brought Detroit to its knees, but many business leaders in the state have been working to maintain positive business practices and improve the Michigan-based businesses that have not been in the news so much.

Take the Gardner White furniture company as an example. The Detroit Free Press reported that there have been a few recent changes in management, and the current leaders, Kathi Veltri, Pat Sebastian, and Pamela Novak-George took the opportunity to donate furniture to fire departments in Detroit and Taylor, Michigan. Why is this important? They are not only sharing the company's assets with the community, but also sharing their drive for improvement. Upgrading the furniture in a fire house may sound like a small thing, but think about it from a firefighter's perspective.

Most fans of prime time tv know that professional firefighters spend a huge amount of time at the fire station. It's like a second home. These public servants eat and sleep there, and in light of the high stress level that is inextricably linked to their life-saving work, comfort matters. The business leaders of Gardner White recognize how important it is to maintain or improve working conditions, not only within their own company, but in the public service sphere as well.

Not everyone understands this phenomenon, but when public servants feel appreciated, they are grateful. Gratitude is an under-appreciated emotion because, while it's a small thing by itself, it can do amazing things to improve the human condition and interpersonal interactions. Gratitude for appreciation from business leaders in the community can help relieve some of the stress that firefighters feel. Everyone knows that stress can inhibit a person's ability to work and function well. Doesn't it make sense to show appreciation to public servants, give them an opportunity to find gratitude, and support their efforts to protect their little piece of this great nation?

This is why it's important to share that drive for improvement that business leaders all have within themselves. A couple of the Gardner White leaders chose to celebrate their own promotions by sharing that upgraded feeling with firefighters. What lesson can be gleaned from this info? It's simple. Next time you get an upgrade in your work sphere, share that with someone. An upgrade for everyone improves morale in the workplace, the community, the U.S., and eventually, the world.

The population of the US as per the latest census reaches the value of 313, 900,000. Also 0.00525% of this constitutes the number of sports persons in the population. That is a mere 16,500. This may look meagre and a career in managing the small population might not sound lucrative.

But here are the facts that tell you otherwise. Let's take a look at the figures of the revenue generated from various industries in the US. The hospitality industry earns - $400billion, automobile industry-$220billion, education - a low 50billion and the real-estate-$310 billion. Let's compare these to that derived from the sports industry which is a huge amount between $430 - 470 billion! Even lawyers, business graduates and communications graduates compete to get in to this career. This could explain the reason behind the demand to get admission in the numerous sports management colleges scattered over the country.

How can one equip himself/ herself to achieve a rewarding career in such a thriving industry? How do you stand out apart from all those wanting the same?

A degree in sports management particularly an advanced one, could open the doors for you towards a wonderful and satisfying career in a thriving field. It helps the student get an insight into the working of sports business and gives an understanding that it involves much more than cheering for one's team in the field.

What does such a career entail? Marketing, sales, philanthropy, graphic design to name a few that would not demand one to sweat and toil in the sports ground to earn a living. Many pursuers have this misplaced notion that a degree in sports management would fetch them the job of the team manager. Nothing could be farther from the truth. A graduate can go for majoring in any of the following avenues like public relations, analytics, sales, management, consulting, social media, or business development as the course focuses on all these subjects. There is also a period of internship during the course of advanced sports management which provides the student with an opportunity to experience and develop skills in analytics. Here the student is given opportunity to work in close coordination with a professional team.

It is important to have a goal that is realistic in any career but particularly in sports management. Most of the management students end up changing their goals after getting exposure to each new sector in sports management. While choosing the goal it is also important to choose one where the job opportunities are more like the sales. A fear of failure and a negative way of projection of the jobs and also the demands it will make on time and mind might discourage one from pursuing this particular area.

On a note of conclusion, for a lover of sports wanting a career in the industry, a degree in advanced sports management throws open the door to a wide range of opportunities that promise a satisfying and rewarding career that makes one feel proud about self, a career that one visualises in dreams…

The Rich and the Poor. As per the records of the World Bank, the US holds the position as the 9th richest country in the world. Recently following the recession in 2008, the job market has improved, though cost of education health care, real estate and commodities in general seem to be on the rise. That is why it is not surprising to note that the ever -existing divide between the affluent and the mediocre/poor has become even wider.

As is expected, periods of economic doom and boom reflect on the wealth of the country though not much difference is expected in the metropolitan areas, both affluent and impoverished. As mentioned before the wealth gap widens. This is measured in terms of GMP- gross metropolitan product. GMP is a measure in terms of money in relation to the value of goods/ services within a metropolitan area during a specific period of time, but is masked by the population in surge and out surge. The US median household income in 2014 was lower than that in 2009 after adjusting for inflation.

Silicon Valley, where the technological headquarters is located, is in Northern California. Subsequent to the changing economy, the title of the richest city in the US had been awarded to SanJose California and this is owing to the recent surge in the tech market. This boom gave the upswing to the US economy as well. Real estate market in Northern California showed an upswing with hike in the rent rates.

As per the records of US bureau of economic analysis published in 2014, the GMP per capita here is $105,482, which amounts to twice the national average. Bridgeport Connecticut stands a somewhat close second with a value of $94,489. Third position is held by SanFransisco at$80,643. Seattle and Boston stand neck to neck in the subsequent positions at $75,874 and $74746 respectively. Closely behind in line are Durham ($73593), Washington ($72191), New York ($70830) and Houston ($70 097). Other cities worth mentioning are DesMoines, Dallas, Portland , Hartford , Madison, Minneapolis , Denver, LosAngeles, Saltlakecity, Philadelphia and SanDiego, in that order. It is noteworthy to mention here that Seattle's per capita has shown a growth of 7.9% since 2009. This could have been assisted by online companies like Amazon Inc. and Zulily Inc. Also other cities like Portland, Washington and Boston which is hub for biotechnology have also improved their positions since 2008.

These technical hubs are populated by educated crowd holding white collared, scientific and technical jobs and they draw high income as per the latest statistics. This could explain the reason behind surge in the rate of return to college for higher education. This significant difference in the pay packet between the graduate degree holder and a high school diploma holder is another one of trending emergences of this economy. The economists only hope that this expansion of the technological centres will continue through the future years.

Investment of one's had earned money could be a tricky business. Like the stock market, the real estate market too is temperamental and may exhibit unpredictable behaviour. In the US, as much as one- third of an average American's total assets after deducting the liabilities lie in the real estate area. It is further interesting to note that 48% of the American millionaires have made their wealth in real estate.

Even with the elements of uncertainty and risk looming over many people are drawn towards property investment. Let us explore what makes real estate business attractive to an ordinary American.

Several factors encourage even the most cautious of individuals towards making an investment in commercial real estate. These are 1) it is income generating 2) tremendous appreciation of the capital investment 3) the fact that the investment can be made with up to 30% cash down 4) upholds some value of security and 5) offers lots of diversity.

Having seen the attractions of property investment, an understanding of the factors determining the trends of real estate business is also equally important.

These include:

1) state of economy: this essentially affects people's capacity to purchase. The global economy when becomes dull, real estate business also generally slows down.

2) bank interest rates: when there is a hike in the rates, naturally the buying power drops.

3) legislative factors can exert a considerable influence on properties. Policies of the government involving tax deductions and subsidies can affect the market considerably.

4) demographic statistics like age/ gender/ income/ migration data/ population expansion etc. can affect prices in the real estate market significantly.

As was accurately predicted in the late 90's, the US economy took a turn to the down in 2008. Even with this prior knowledge in hand, nobody seemed to be prepared for the devastating destruction it caused.

The real estate market typically and invariably falls through a cycle of 4 stages and it pays to have an understanding of this to know the trending in the market.

These stages will be: 1) the stage of recovery- as implied, here the government takes measures to lower the interest rates prompting investment and when the economy is low, prices to drop. And the process of recovery thus starts when vacant places start getting occupied. 2) stage of expansion where occupancy becomes near total and demand increases. Prices especially rents start to go upward. Increased profit will naturally attract more investment and so expansion continues. 3) stage of expansion along with increased supply where prices are high demands are high and supply is also high. 4) stage of recession: the first pointer to this is the stagnant rent rate even with the high occupancy rate. Now the occupancy starts falling. Though this will arrest measures to provide new supply, those that have been already delivered have to stay and remain unoccupied. The rent rates drop and subsequently the income of the investors. Next, the interest rates go up. The combination of dropped rates of rent as well as occupancy and increased rates of borrowing will considerably eat up the investors resources with not much scope for profit prompting foreclosures.

So what is the duration of this cycle? Statistical records prove that on an average this cycle can range between a time period between 10-20 years with the exception of WW II and 1979.

Currently we are moving to expansion from recovery and 8 years ahead of the recession of 2008. So when is the next catastrophic crash predicted? As per experts' opinion it might be in the year 2024.

In summary, the real estate market in the US is not all that unpredictable after all. A proper understanding of its fairly regular behavioural pattern can bring higher returns and security to the investor. So the dear investor makes an effort and the property market beckons.

Expert economists are of two kinds, those who believe in the economic cycle theory and those who don't. The theory of economic cycle has helped predict most of the financial market collapses and peaks of the past. As per this theory, the US could be heading for one of the worst financial crisis ever around 2017-2020. Is this bound to happen? If yes, what would be the circumstances leading to such a predicament and more importantly what could be its impact on the already widened economic strata of the society?

Unemployment crisis that especially aggregated by military layoffs and tech company layoffs that shook the nation is now slowly settling down. Job market does not bleak mow and more people are changing their status to employed from unemployed. But even then, the crisis is hovering around the corner waiting to smother us down. It has not developed overnight, but is the result of a series of events that have been slowly, steadily and stealthily making the economy unstable and leading us towards doom. Currently, as a result of inflation rearing its ugly head, the prices of commodities are on the rise and dollar on the low. The cost of education, healthcare and properties are on the rise. At the same time, income/wages is stagnant and does not show any inclination to increase. The US market is very much consumer based and has always encouraged the consumer to spend more and more. The consumer does exactly as prompted, even going beyond his/her means by borrowing more and more. The rich will get more money to invest back in the market. This widens the chasm between the rich and the mediocre/ poor of the society, making the rich richer and the poor, poorer. This could be the saddest but realistic fate of 90% of the Americans in 2017.

So the answer to what would be the circumstances that lead to 2017 crisis is without doubt, a debt laden market. Inflation is also the culprit causing more layoffs, increasing the need to borrow more and this will in turn cause more inflation raising the interest rates culminating in less economic activity. Turning a blind eye or denying its existence does not resolve the issue as it is very much here and now. There may be some economists who might fear deflation, but one begs to differ here as nothing can empty a bank account like inflation. Though inflation is said to shift the money from the savers and investors to the debtors, the wages lag and cost of living rises unbearably.

So the net effect here is economic stagnation and decline.

The summary of an analysis on this financial crisis which appears to be inevitable is though this crisis will make the rich richer, the market again is dependent on how much the mediocre / poor will spend. So the way to survive would be to curtail spending and to live well below means.