Tanya Taylor’s story is the kind that makes you want to immediately check your savings account and maybe your insurance policy too. She moved from rural Jamaica to the US at 16 with just $100, built an incredible career, grew a seven-figure investment portfolio, and did everything “right” financially, only for one devastating accident to turn her world upside down. In this episode, Tanya shares how budgeting, goal-setting, and long-term investing helped her build wealth from scratch, why emergency funds matter far more than most of us think, and what she learned after being forced to start again. It’s part money masterclass, part resilience lesson, and part gentle-but-firm reminder to stop treating your emergency fund like it’s there for cheeky little treats.

And if this conversation gets you thinking about protecting your income too, we mentioned our insurance episode in the chat, you can listen to that here. (https://open.spotify.com/episode/5rBV0ZoDcNFjVaLhoQAjTk?si=fe362e2a5eaf4d55)

Tanya’s links:

Grow Your Wealth (https://growyourwealth10x.com/)

Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/growyourwealth10x/)

LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanya-taylor-cpa-mba-growyourwealth)

Credits:

Host: Sophie Hallwright

Guest: Tanya Taylor

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠

For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠Newsletter⁠⁠

(00:00:00) Introducing Tanya’s Story(00:02:24) Growing Up in Rural Jamaica(00:05:12) A New Perspective on Wealth(00:08:05) Moving to the US with $100(00:11:06) The Money Habits That Changed Everything(00:15:09) Milestones on the Path to Wealth(00:16:26) The Day Everything Changed(00:21:11) Emergency Funds and Preparing for the Unexpected(00:29:40) Teaching the Next Generation About Money(00:36:03) Thanks for Listening(00:36:28) Financial Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

This week, we get stuck right into a gloriously chaotic mix of finance news and media gossip, starting with the very juicy on-air fallout that may have blown up a $200 million radio deal. They also unpack what the latest conflict in the Middle East could mean for oil prices, inflation and the stock market, give the final update in the Warner Bros-Netflix-Paramount saga, and look at whether working from home could actually help solve the fertility crisis. Plus, Berkshire Hathaway drops its first annual update without Warren Buffett at the helm, Soph celebrates her Netflix gains like she’s the Wolf of Wall Street, and we round out with a brilliant community question on starting a business that reminds us that building wealth isn’t just about what you invest in, but what you’re brave enough to start.

WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits:

S&P 500 – The 500 biggest companies in the US stock market.

Passive Investing – Investing in funds that track the market automatically.

Conglomerate – A massive company that owns lots of different businesses.

Share Price – The cost of buying one slice of a company.

Shareholder – Someone who owns shares in a company.

Cash Reserves – Money a company keeps ready to invest later.

Long-Term Investing – Holding investments for years, not days.

Core–Satellite Investing – Safe investments at the centre, riskier bets on the side.

Credits:

Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠

For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Newsletter⁠⁠

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

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This episode is a bit of a hidden gem. It was recorded in New York last January and somehow ended up sitting quietly in the archives… until we recently rediscovered it and realised how good it was. Safe to say, we couldn’t keep it hidden any longer.

In this conversation, Sophie sits down with Rachel Beider, founder of Press Modern Massage, (https://www.pressmodernmassage.com/) the business she built and scaled from the ground up, before going on to launch a second venture: The Canopy (https://www.thecanopynyc.com/), an indoor play space for babies and toddlers in New York. We talk about Rachel’s journey into becoming a massage therapist, the early days of building her business, the biggest challenges she faced as it grew, and the lessons she learned scaling in a competitive industry. The conversation also dives into leadership, including her approach to servant-style management, as well as the personal side of entrepreneurship: financial freedom, how she manages her personal finances, and how her priorities evolved as she moved from business owner to mother.

Credits:

Host: Sophie Hallwright

Guest: Rachel Beider

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠

For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠Newsletter⁠⁠

(00:00:00) Coming up in this episode…(00:03:09) How Rachel became a massage therapist (and the unexpected path into business)(00:10:44) The key milestones in building her business(00:12:47) The biggest challenges she faced as a founder(00:19:08) What it took to scale to a million-dollar business(00:20:53) The leadership style that shaped her company culture(00:25:57) Advice for starting a business in a competitive industry(00:28:20) The upside of entrepreneurship and financial freedom(00:32:05) How Rachel approaches her personal finances(00:34:48) Navigating the shift from business owner to mother(00:37:16) Thank you for listening!(00:37:41) Financial disclaimer

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

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One woman gave away $7 billion in a single year, while most of the richest people in America have donated less than 5% of their wealth. We unpack the billionaire giving gap, why some tech titans are looking a little stingy, and how one woman is quietly raising the bar for what extreme wealth could actually do in the world.

Before we got there though, we covered a lot. We dive into Trump’s tariffs being ruled illegal (and the refund chaos that could follow), the cringey US men’s hockey White House moment that sidelined the women’s gold medal team, the Netflix vs Paramount vs Warner Bros takeover drama, and rumours that Stripe might snap up PayPal.

We then zoom out to the bigger picture: the cost of being a woman. New data shows women are disproportionately seeking debt advice in the UK, and we talk childcare, pay gaps, and why financial pressure isn’t evenly distributed. And finally, we wrap with a community question on where to invest savings outside KiwiSaver.

Billionaires, boardroom battles, misogyny and money, all in one episode. Strap on in…

WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits:

Tariffs – A tax on imports. Businesses pay… you usually feel it.

Supreme Court – The highest court. Final legal say.

Volatility – Markets going up and down. Fast.

Takeover / Acquisition – One company buying another. Corporate hunger games.

Shareholder – Someone who owns a slice of a company.

Divest – Selling off part of a business.

Market Share – How much of an industry a company controls.

Fintech – Financial tech. Think Stripe, PayPal, investing apps.

Philanthropy – Donating money. Usually when you’re very rich.

Net Worth – What you own minus what you owe.

Managed Fund – Your money invested alongside others, run by professionals.

KiwiSaver – NZ retirement fund. Mostly locked till 65.

Credits:

Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠

For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Newsletter⁠⁠

(00:00:00) Quick catch up & almost-accidents(00:05:35) Trump’s tariffs ruled illegal(00:16:00) The US hockey White House fallout(00:21:21) Netflix vs Paramount vs Warner Bros(00:27:10) Stripe circling PayPal(00:32:06) The billionaire giving gap(00:40:56) The cost of being a woman(00:49:16) Community questions(00:51:55) Thank you for listening!(00:52:33) Financial Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

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Content note: this episode discusses fertility challenges.

In this episode, Soph sits down with Deirdre (co-founder of Hertility) to unpack what “investing in your fertility” actually means, medically and financially, at a time when many women feel pressure to make big life decisions without clear information. They explore the gap between being told to “just freeze your eggs” and actually understanding your hormone profile, why testing one number (AMH) isn’t the full story, and how tracking your fertility over time can give you far more control than panic-driven decisions. The episode dives into the economics of fertility too: the rising cost of IVF, companies offering egg freezing as a workplace perk, and whether paying for treatment instead of prevention is missing the point entirely. Along the way, they tackle biological clocks, career timelines, societal pressure, medical gaslighting, and the emotional weight of not knowing. This is a candid, thought-provoking discussion about autonomy, trade-offs, and why information, medical and financial, is often the most powerful investment you can make.

🌟 Exclusive for The Curve listeners: use code CURVE15 to get 15% off Hertility’s Advanced Tests..

Credits:

Host: Sophie Hallwright

Guest: Deirdre O’Neill

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠

For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Newsletter⁠⁠

(00:00:00) Episode Preview

(00:01:03) Quick Disclaimer

(00:01:16) What Hertility Does (And Why It’s Needed)

(00:11:25) The Founder Story

(00:17:19) What Testing Actually Tells You

(00:21:00) Get 15% off a Hertility Test!

(00:21:36) Investing in Fertility

(00:42:01) Thoughts on IVF

(00:47:39) How to Decide What’s Right for You

(00:54:40) Where to Learn More

(00:55:52) Thank you for Listening!

(00:56:17) Financial Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

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In this week’s Curve Weekly, Vic and Soph unpack the AI chip crisis and why soaring demand could mean pricier tech (no, not the potato kind), plus the recent market wobble and why it’s not a cue to panic. They dive into the ongoing Netflix vs Warner Bros vs Paramount drama, reveal the scary stat about people not knowing where their retirement fund is (and how that could cost up to $1 million long term), and explain why groceries in the Southern Hemisphere feel criminally expensive. Add in a quick emergency-fund reality check and the rise of burnout feminism: goodbye girlbossing, hello boundaries!

👉 Answer our 10-second retirement poll (https://forms.gle/4ZTRbchUYYgqVmt16)

WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits:

Bond – An IOU. You lend money, they pay you interest.

100-Year Bond – You get paid back in a literal century. Wild.

AI Inference – The “thinking” part when AI answers you.

Data Centre – Massive computer warehouses powering the internet.

Market Wobble – A small dip. Not a meltdown.

Sell-Off – Lots of people selling at once.

AI Cannibalisation – AI replacing parts of an industry.

Rebalancing – Adjusting your portfolio back to your original plan.

Default Fund – Where your retirement money goes if you don’t choose.

High-Growth Fund – Higher risk, higher long-term potential.

Currency Losses – Exchange rates messing with your returns.

Duopoly – When two companies dominate a market.

Market Share – How much of the market a company controls.

Burnout Feminism – Less hustle, more boundaries.

Credits:

Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠

For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Newsletter⁠⁠

(00:00:00) Coming up in this episode...(00:01:32) Life updates: events & emergency funds(00:09:18) AI chips, tech hype & the rise of AI girlfriends(00:30:35) Netflix vs Warner Bros vs Paramount update(00:33:44) The $1m retirement wake-up call(00:37:26) Why your groceries are so expensive(00:42:13) Goodbye girlbossing, hello burnout feminism(00:48:03) Community questions(00:55:09) Thanks for listening(00:55:46) Financial disclaimer

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

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Money isn’t just numbers in a spreadsheet: it’s childhood memories, anxiety, guilt, confidence, and the occasional unhinged purchase you defend forever. In this first episode of IOU (Some Money Education), Soph, Vic and Lucy Blakiston from Shit You Should Care About get honest about their own relationships with money, from how they grew up, to why they spend, save, or stress the way they do now. Expect family voice notes that expose everything, a few rogue spending confessions, and a reminder that if budgeting hasn’t worked for you before, it might not be the spreadsheet, it might be the mindset. Think of this as finance, but with a bit of self-reflection (and no judgement).

Check out IOU (The Practical Lessons) here: (https://thecurveplatform.com/)

We’re proud to be partnering with BNZ. There’s an art to starting something new, and like any art form, you need the right tools to make it work. Whether you’re flatting, saving to travel, or making a career move, BNZ has the tools to help you master your money from the get-go.

Credits:

Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright

Guest: Lucy Blakiston

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠

For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Newsletter⁠⁠

(00:00:00) Welcome to IOU (Some Money Education)(00:00:40) Coming up in this episode….(00:01:25) BNZ X The Curve(00:01:51) The idea behind this series(00:04:32) Who is Lucy + Shit You Should Care About?(00:13:13) In the Red or in the Green?(00:19:20) Lucy’s relationship with money(00:28:58) Soph’s relationship with money(00:36:09) Vic’s relationship with money(00:42:48) Some messages from Lucy’s family...(00:51:11) Cash and Burn(00:57:34) Extra Credit(00:59:57) Thank you for joining us for IOU (Some Money Education)!(01:00:21) Thank you BNZ!(01:00:51) Financial Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

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The Day COVID Split Australia’s Wealth - and the numbers are honestly jaw-dropping. We unpack the sharp divide between those who bought property BC (Before COVID) and AC (After COVID), why some younger homeowners saw their wealth jump 63% in five years, and why others are still feeling the interest-rate squeeze. It’s a timely reminder that timing helps… but overstretching isn’t the answer. Plus, Soph is officially back in New Zealand and we’re reunited in the studio (finally!), just in time to cover the Netflix vs Paramount bidding war over Warner Bros (hello $2.8B breakup fee), Pepsi quietly notching its 54th consecutive dividend raise, Nike’s Converse headache, and Google raising $32B through a 100-year AI bond. There’s lots we covered this week so let’s get into it…

WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits:

Dividend – A share of a company’s profits paid to shareholders.

Dividend King – A company that’s raised its dividend for 50+ years straight. Elite behaviour.

Breakup Fee – A penalty paid if a takeover deal collapses.

Shareholder – Someone who owns part of a company (aka shares).

Market Share – How much of a market a company controls.

Defensive Stock – A steady company that holds up when the economy wobbles.

Net Worth – What you own minus what you owe.

Interest Rates – The cost of borrowing money.

Tariffs – Taxes on imported goods. Higher tariffs = higher costs.

Bond – A loan you give to a company or government in exchange for interest.

100-Year Bond – A loan that won’t be repaid for 100 years. Yes, actually.

Dilution – When new shares are issued, reducing the value of existing ones.

Liquidity – How quickly you can turn an investment into cash.

Credits:

Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠

For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Newsletter⁠⁠

(00:00:00) Coming up in this episode…(00:01:29) New NZ studio reveal!(00:11:29) The Warner Bros saga continues(00:19:58) Pepsi’s 54-year dividend streak(00:25:26) BC vs AC property gap in Australia(00:35:09) Nike and Converse struggles(00:40:28) Google’s 100-year AI bond(00:48:21) Community investing question(00:54:58) Thanks for listening to The Curve Weekly!(00:55:37) Financial disclaimer

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

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If your income doesn’t come in a neat little monthly payslip because you freelance, contract, run a business, or your earnings are just a bit… chaotic - this one’s for you. In this month’s Property Podcast, we look at five key things to keep in mind when you go to apply for a mortgage when your money is “lumpy,” including what banks actually care about (stability and proof, not perfection), the paperwork that makes lenders take you seriously (income + tax records, accounts, contracts and future work), how to keep business and personal spending clean, what deposit expectations can look like, and how to boost your chances with simple moves like paying yourself regularly and cleaning up high-interest debt. Most importantly: this episode is here to kill the myth that getting a mortgage without a traditional salary is impossible, because it’s not. It’s just a slightly wiggly path, and you can absolutely prepare for it.

Watch our episode with Gabby: ‘A Property Story Gone Wrong’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raE9rKH-Duo&t=1315s

We’re proud to be partnering with BNZ, who know that getting a mortgage isn’t always straightforward, especially if you don’t have the “standard” payslip setup. If you’re self-employed, contracting, freelancing, earning commission, or your income changes month to month, BNZ’s Home Loan Partners can help you understand what you might be able to borrow and what steps to take next. With the right tools and expert support, you can navigate the process with more clarity and confidence - from first search to settlement.

👉 To learn more, ⁠head here.⁠

BNZ home loans are subject to BNZ’s lending criteria (including minimum equity requirements), terms and fees. An establishment fee of up to $150 may apply.

Credits:

Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠

For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Newsletter⁠⁠

(00:00:00) Coming up in this episode...(00:00:20) BNZ x The Curve(00:01:48) What even is a mortgage?(00:10:12) Soph’s mortgage story(00:21:00) 5 things to keep in mind if you work for yourself & you’re trying to get a mortgage(00:24:09) 1: Why it feels harder when you work for yourself(00:27:38) 2: What banks actually need to see(00:36:51) 3: The actual paperwork the bank requires(00:42:43) 4: What deposit is needed?(00:47:02) 5: What will help you get approved?(00:51:42) Final thoughts(00:54:41) Thank you for listening to the property podcast!(00:56:16) Financial Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

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This week on The Curve Weekly, we’re serving finance news with a side of pop culture mess: the Beckham family feud is officially giving royalty-level drama, complete with billionaire in-laws and a casual $1 million-a-month allowance (just… imagine). We also break down why silver went absolutely feral, shooting up, then dropping hard, plus the big investing lesson: if you’re buying because everyone’s screaming about it, you’re probably late (sorry, Polly 😭). Then, the genuinely groundbreaking bit: a hormone-free male contraceptive pill is in the works, and we unpack whether this could become the next big investing trend (and whether men will actually take it…). And finally, Elon Musk is back doing Elon Musk things: SpaceX + xAI rumours, IPO chatter, and the slightly terrifying possibility of the world’s first trillionaire. Love the finance chat? Help two girlies out by giving the show a rating (only a good one pls) or sending this episode to a friend! 💖

WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits:

FOMO – Buying because everyone else is. Dangerous energy.

Safe Haven – The “world is scary” investment. Like gold.

Commodity – A tradable raw thing (gold, silver, oil).

On-paper gains – Profit that isn’t real until you sell.

Central banks – The boss banks that control money + rates.

Volatility – How rollercoaster-y the price is.

Correction – A price drop after things got too hyped.

IPO – When a company hits the stock market for the first time.

Private company – A company you can’t buy shares in (yet).

GLP-1s – Weight-loss meds like Ozempic (big economic ripple effects).

Hormone-free – Works without messing with your hormones.

Ownership – Building wealth by owning a slice of a business.

Credits:

Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright

Producer & Editor: Emily Rigby

Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro

⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠

For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Website⁠⁠

⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Newsletter⁠⁠

(00:00:00) Coming up in this episode...(00:01:13) Quick catch up(00:07:17) The Beckham Peltz Saga(00:18:20) The cost of being a woman(00:26:05) Why airlines are about to save $600 million on fuel a year...(00:27:57) What's going on with gold and silver?(00:34:55) Other quick updates...(00:39:40) SpaceX and xAI merger(00:48:08) Wrap up(00:49:55) Thank you for listening!(00:50:33) Financial Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.