Wells Fargo To Announce Massive Layoffs Across Charlotte Today

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Wells Fargo is now expected to announce another round of massive layoffs due to the continued decline in the economy at a board meeting later today.

The company says the layoffs will occur across all locations, including here in the Queen City.

Wells Fargo is currently the 2nd largest employer here in Charlotte, employing over 27,000 workers across several local campuses.

The company sent a statement to Fox Charlotte saying:

“We are at the beginning of a multiyear effort to build a stronger, more efficient company and improve the experience for our customers, employees, communities, and shareholders. The work will consist of a broad range of near, medium- and long-term actions, including workforce reductions, to bring our expenses more in line with our peers and create a company that is more nimble, streamlined, and customer-focused.

As part of our efforts to strengthen the foundation of our company, we will have workforce reductions in most geographies across our footprint and nearly all of our business lines and functions, and expect to reduce the size of our workforce through a combination of attrition, the elimination of open roles, and job displacements. We are executing this work in a thoughtful and deliberate manner, and we will communicate openly and honestly with impacted employees and provide severance, career assistance, and other services to assist them.”

We will update this article with specific details once the official announcement is made. 

Survivor Melody Gross to Give Keynote Address at Charlotte Hope Event

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The more she talked, the more empowered Melody Gross felt.

When Gross started sharing her story, she reclaimed the power she thought she’d lost to years of abuse and manipulation. Today she uses that power to support and empower domestic violence survivors.

Gross, an advocate, blogger, coach, and speaker, will share her story at Safe Alliance’s Oct. 29 Breakfast of Hope Virtual Event. The event wraps up the Safe Alliance’s October Hope Is Calling campaign to raise awareness about the devastating impact of domestic and sexual violence in the Charlotte community. Emceed by WBTV’s Maureen O’Boyle, the breakfast will include the premiere of Safe Alliance’s 2020 video and agency updates.

After leaving an abusive relationship, Gross only told her story to friends. The she slowly and bravely began sharing her story openly on social media and her blog. And those candid posts struck a chord with fellow survivors.

“When others started reaching out to me and saying my story resonated with them, I knew I couldn’t stop,” said Gross. She established Courageous Shift, a domestic violence coaching and consulting company – channeling her own experiences to become a dedicated advocate and agent of change.

Gross said that organizations like Safe Alliance are a valuable resource for survivors because “domestic violence is nuanced, and if we can have as many resources as possible we have a better change of reducing its impact on our communities.”

The Breakfast of Hope Virtual Event is free; register today to receive the Zoom link.

Tiffany Trump Coming To Charlotte To Campaign For Her Father at “Breakfast With Tiffany” Event

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President Trump’s daughter Tiffany Trump will be coming to Charlotte today to hold 2 separate campaign events for her father.

The first will be called “Breakfast with Tiffany” and the second will be called “MAGA Meet-Up”. Both events will be targeting young women around the greater Charlotte area who have expressed support for President Trump in the past.

Tiffany Trump is the 4th child of Donald Trump, and the only child that he had with his second wife, Marla Maples.

Tiffany last spoke at a campaign rally for her father down in Tampa Bay at a “Trump Pride” event. Here is the speech she gave at the event:

11 Places In Charlotte City To Impress Your Non-Resident Beloved One

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Charlotte is a magnificent city in North Carolina. Despite some of the negative depictions of the town in the media, it is still one of the best places to live. Charlotte is also a cultural hub depicting the ‘South’ through different generations.

But why choose Charlotte as a travel destination? 

Here is the thing: if you find a bride who is not a resident of the city, they’ll definitely enjoy staying in Charlotte. For starters, the town has a large expanse of historical monuments and museums. Secondly, the streets are less crowded compared to the more tourist-infested megapolises.

So, let’s check out some of the top Charlotte destinations you can visit with your non-resident partner.

Levine Museum of the New South

Nothing takes you through North Carolina’s fun-packed history better than this museum. Entering this building gives you an eerie sense of resilience, struggle, and evolution that the city of Charlotte has witnessed.

Tourists always marvel at the various articles and depictions of the post-Civil War South of the United States, specifically Charlotte. This is the perfect destination for you if you are traveling with mail order wives interested in history.

Bechtler Museum of Modern Art

This museum contains some of the most famous masterpieces from artists of the 1900s, including Picasso. Check the website to see if you can buy wife a ticket to a jazz night. You can also get a dose of various modern art pieces and take a break from the cliche museum pieces.

NASCAR Hall of Fame

This picturesque building, located uptown, is home to the best NASCAR has to offer throughout its history. Mail order brides with great taste in race cars will definitely enjoy this venue. Moreover, your partner doesn’t even need to be a racing enthusiast to have fun. Standing within the walls of this building brings about an aura of history and greatness. You can also try out the race simulator for a dose of adrenaline.

Freedom Park

This park captures the entire essence of Charlotte — simple, laidback, and peaceful. The 100+ acres of green is a great venue to spend a chill evening with your spouse. There are also various sporting activities for everyone. 

You can also plan and pack a picnic basket with a cozy blanket during the cold days. The artificial lake and water fountains provide a refreshing essence — the perfect escape from the hectic city life. And if you are lucky, you might even run into a concert or performance.

Carowinds

If you find old bridges, museums, and waterfalls a bit boring, the city of Charlotte has you covered. Head down to Paramount Carowinds — the thrill capital of the Southeast. 

The Carowinds is your first stump for a proper adrenaline rush. Hop on the roller coaster or the aptly-named 325-ft Fury 325. You can also get a bit wet on the various water rides.

Whitewater Center

The US National Whitewater Center will take the adrenaline rush to a different level. This venue is perfect for couples and groups that wish to get wet and navigate rough waters (literally). Strap on your life vests, pick up your saddles and navigate the human-made rapids with your spouse. You can also go kayaking or canoeing on less-turbulent waters.

Billy Graham Library

If you have a partner with religious interests, visiting the evangelist and television icon’s library is always a great idea. Visitors are blessed with presentations and memorabilia of Billy Graham’s personal and religious life.

Carolinas Aviation Museum

Aviation geeks and casual history buffs will find this museum quite interesting. This venue contains prototypes and out-of-service versions of aircraft. You can also see some of the world-famous military aircraft like the Super Tomcat. 

DefyGravity Charlotte

Visitors can literally ‘defy gravity’ in this recreational center. Take the edge off by taking several joyous leaps from a trampoline onto the piles of soft cubes for a low price. You can also play dodgeball with other couples and groups.

Carolina History and Haunts

Confront ghosts of the past with your spouse clutching your elbow for refuge. This tour can be enjoyed by two people but is always better in groups because of the collective experience. Note that the entire 90-minute tour features no bathroom breaks. So, don’t drink a lot of wine prior.

Bulldog Beer and Wine

No place is better than the Bulldog Beer and Wine spot in Charlotte when it comes to wine. What is better than petting bulldog puppies with one hand while sipping freshly brewed wine with the other? And this is not one of the crowded spots that take ages to get a reservation. Book a table ahead for a fun evening with your spouse, and enjoy a wonderful wine-tasting experience.

In general, Charlotte is quite a fun place to visit. The city is magnificent, peaceful, and hospitable. There are fun activities for everyone — fast-paced or laidback. Start planning your trip right away to get the best out of your trip to Queen City.

Study Names North Carolina Among Highest Risk States For Militia Violence During Election

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With the 2020 presidential election just over a week away, a new study from the government-funded Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) named North Carolina among the states with an exceptionally high risk of increased right-wing militia activity during and immediately after the election.

The ACLED partnered with research group MilitiaWatch to compile the new study, which analyzed over 80 different militia groups across the U.S. and considered both historical precedents, including violence in the past, and recent developments that have emerged over the recent lockdowns and civil unrest.

The groups specifically found that Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Oregon, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, California, and New Mexico have a significantly high risk for heightened militia activity during the upcoming election.

They note that:

“Analysis of a variety of drivers and barriers to militia activity allows for identification of high-risk locations ahead of the election. These include locations that have seen substantial engagement in anti-coronavirus lockdown protests as well as places where militias might have perceptions of ‘leftist coup’ activities. Spaces where militias have been active in setting up recruitment drives or holding training for members are also at heightened risk, as are spaces where militia members cultivate personal relationships with police or law enforcement or where there might be a friendly attitude by law enforcement towards militia presence or activity. In the context of the upcoming election, swing states are also at heightened risk, in line with scholarship around election violence and unrest
being more common in competitive spaces. And lastly, state capitals and ‘periphery’ towns also remain important potential inflection points for violence, especially in more rural and suburban areas that have been particularly conducive to the foundation and regular activities of militia groups.”

In speaking about North Carolina, the study notes that:

“North Carolina is a swing state in both the presidential election as well as the Senate race for incumbent Republican Thom Tillis’ seat. “Most paths to the White House go through North Carolina… [and this is] particularly true for President Trump” (CNBC, 20 October 2020). As such, both candidates have been spending considerable time campaigning in the state.

The state also has a history of neo-Confederate and paramilitary organization, especially around Confederate monuments — seen both this summer and last year as well. Late last month, for example, a man was arrested for having a gun at a demonstration held at a Confederate monument. Proud Boys have been active in the state since the start of the summer, engaging in protests around child sex trafficking, which have spiked in connection with the QAnon movement. In other cases, those armed at protests have not necessarily been linked to a named militia: in late June, for example, a group of white men showed up
with guns to observe a protest associated with the BLM movement in Danbury.

In addition to militia presence, there have also been a number of demonstrations in support of President Trump over the last month, including caravans and boat parades. Some of these have been linked to pro-police movements. In late August, for example, pro-police counter-demonstrators, in opposition to a march associated with the BLM movement held in Waynesville, waved US and Confederate flags alongside
Trump 2020 banners. Within this increasingly polarized context, there have also been reports of violent threats, as in mid-July in Raleigh when two men wearing “Make America Great Again” hats pulled a gun on a Black woman and her daughter after racially harassing them.

Cities with medium-sized populations, as well as suburban areas, serve as natural points of coalescence for militia activity. North Carolina is home to a number of such cities — including Greensboro and Chapel Hill — which have historically and contemporarily acted as rallying points for violence.”

What do you think about the growing militia threat in North Carolina? 

Have you already voted? 

North Carolina Ranked As Having The 6th Most Powerful Voters In The 2020 Presidential Election

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With the 2020 election a little over a week away and voters’ influence varying from state to state, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2020’s States with the Most & Least Powerful Voters.

In a presidential election, voter power varies widely by state. While all votes are theoretically counted equally — one person, one vote — the choices of swing-state citizens are more influential. It’s safe to assume that Alabama will vote Republican and California will vote Democratic in the upcoming election. In contrast, the electoral results of swing states such as Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and North Carolina are up in the air, giving their voters much more impact over the general election.

The site compared the relative clout of 2020 voters in swinging the presidency. In order to make the comparison, they calculated a ‘Voter Power Score’ (“win probabilities” calculated by fivethirtyeight.com, multiplied by the number of electors in each state, divided by the state’s population aged 18 and older).

Presidential Election – States with the Most & Least Powerful Voters (No. 1 = Most Powerful)

Rank  State Vote Power 
1 Alaska 239.22
2 Iowa 207.13
3 Ohio 193.54
4 Georgia 193.24
5 Arizona 124.84
6 North Carolina 117.16
7 Texas 109.08
8 Florida 97.53
9 New Hampshire 94.23
10 Montana 78.36
11 Maine 72.87
12 Nevada 65.29
13 Mississippi 63.22
14 Wisconsin 52.64
15 South Carolina 49.05
16 Pennsylvania 47.20
17 Kansas 43.38
18 Missouri 37.78
19 South Dakota 35.85
20 Michigan 32.64
21 Minnesota 32.28
22 Louisiana 26.94
23 Indiana 25.56
24 Utah 21.09
25 Tennessee 16.55
26 Colorado 15.99
27 Arkansas 15.53
28 Oregon 12.52
29 New Mexico 12.32
30 North Dakota 10.25
31 Alabama 9.43
32 West Virginia 6.98
33 Nebraska 6.85
34 Wyoming 6.75
35 Vermont 5.88
36 District of Columbia 5.19
37 Rhode Island 4.67
38 Kentucky 4.62
39 New Jersey 4.03
40 Delaware 3.90
41 Hawaii 3.59
42 Idaho 2.99
43 Connecticut 2.47
44 Oklahoma 2.33
45 Maryland 2.12
46 Illinois 2.03
47 Washington 2.02
48 Massachusetts 1.99
49 Virginia 1.95
50 New York 1.88
51 California 1.80

 

Have you voted yet?

UPDATE: Hurricane Zeta Could Strengthen To Cat 2 Hurricane En Route To North Carolina

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UPDATE 10/28/2020 10:30am: 

Hurricane Zeta has slightly slowed and continued to intensify as it continues north toward the Lousiana and Mississipi coasts.

The storm is now expected to bring tropical-storm-force winds to the Charlotte region by early tomorrow morning:

There is still a chance the storm could strengthen to a category 2 hurricane before it makes landfall:

Original article 10/25/2020: 

Tropical Storm Zeta is now growing in strength as it barrels toward the US gulf coast.

The storm is forecasted to likely become a Category 1 hurricane and possibly even a category 2 hurricane by the time it makes landfall:

The likely trajectory will take the storm through Louisiana and Alabama en route to North Carolina:

The National Weather Service in Greenville has just issued the following alert for the Charlotte region:

A small threat of flooding and damaging wind could develop in parts
of the area Wednesday night or Thursday as a cold front and the
remnants of Tropical Storm Zeta sweep across the Southeast. Monitor
the latest forecast for updates on this system.

The Atlantic Coast hurricane season for 2020 runs from June 1st through November 30th.

NWS officials are reminding all residents in Atlantic Coast states to be prepared for this hurricane season.

In case of a power outage, make sure to have the following emergency items stocked in your home;

We will continue to update this article as this storm develops. 

Top Tips to Deal with Conflict in the Workplace

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No matter where you work, whether it be a huge company or a small family-owned business, there will most likely be conflict at one time or another. While it can be extremely stressful to deal with, especially if you’re in charge, it’s important to remember that there is a way to resolve the situation.

In this article, we are going to talk about some of the top tips to deal with conflict in the workplace. Interested? Then let’s get started.

Create a conflict plan

The best way to deal with conflict is to be prepared for it. By creating a conflict plan, you can have strict policies and procedures in place for all of your employees, including yourself, to follow. This plan should outline what acceptable behavior is and also the process of coming up with an agreement. You might have a look at the Thomas Kilmann conflict mode instrument to help with this. At the end of the day, the more prepared you are, the easier it will be to manage a situation when it arrives, whether it be with a customer or with your employees.

Avoid gossip

One of the biggest things that can influence an individual’s judgment about a conflict is gossip, and in the office, there is plenty of it. If you’re going to be the mediator for a particular dispute, you want to ignore this gossip as much as possible. Try your best to focus on the facts and get information straight from those involved. Otherwise, the whole situation is going to get very messy, very quickly, and you might not come up with a mutual solution. 

Host a meeting and set ground rules

Once you’ve been notified of a particular situation and have spoken to each of those involved individually, it’s time to set a time and host a meeting. Before beginning, you want to make sure that everybody knows the ground rules. These include letting everyone get a chance to speak without interruption and negotiating in a civilized manner. You want everything to go as smoothly as possible; otherwise, you might have another conflict on your hands. 

Allow both parties to discuss their thoughts

After the meeting has commenced, and everyone is aware of what is going to happen, you can let those involved discuss their thoughts. Everyone should get equal time to express their feelings, while all those involved listen. Once everyone has shared their point of view, you can then start thinking about any disciplinary action that should occur. However, this isn’t always necessary, depending on the situation.

Brainstorm solutions for the problem together

If no immediate action needs to take place, it’s time for everyone involved to start brainstorming solutions for the problem together. It’s vital that everyone outlines what they would like to happen so that they all get a say. Write everything down on a piece of paper and see what each individuals’ main points are. This will help you make your final conclusion.

Come to a mutual agreement

Once everyone has written down their solutions, it’s time to come to a mutual agreement. If both parties can’t do this, then you need to step in and decide what is best for everyone. This can also be a trial to see how things go, and if the issue doesn’t resolve itself, you can bring everyone in and start again. The aim is to make both parties happy so that everyone can get back to work and continue doing what they do best.

Finish the meeting in a professional manner 

Once the meeting is over, you want to finish everything in the most professional manner possible. Shake hands, thank each other, and move forward with the finalized solution. Regardless of what sort of conflict was resolved, you want to make sure that there is no negativity left in the air.

Follow-up afterward

Lastly, and most importantly, you want to make sure that you follow-up a few days after the meeting has been held. This is an essential part of being a proactive HR leader, as you are showing initiative and care for your employees and clients. If everything is running smoothly, that’s great, but if not, you may need to pull everyone in again and go over your initial strategies.

And that’s it! These were some of the top tips to deal with conflict in the workplace. While it might seem overwhelming, you want to remain strong so that everything is sorted out in the best way possible. Good luck!

7 Ways to Trade Like a Pro

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Do you dream of being a professional trader? You see the lavish lifestyle that many traders have that allow them to work from anywhere in the entire world, all at their leisure. Sounds pretty great.

It takes a lot of work to get to the pro status as a trader. There may be a tad bit of luck involved, but professional traders have gone through years of testing strategies, losing money, and dealing with the trading game’s mental fatigue.

Ready to take your trading level up a notch? The following seven points separate amateur traders from the professional ones that will take you to pro status.

Be 100% Focused on Your Trade

For professional traders, this is their job. It’s how they pay the bills and support their family. That means they cannot afford to have any distractions while trading. So, ensure that you are set up for success by removing any distractions during your trades. Remember, being off even by one second could cost you.

Uses a Reliable Platform

Your platform plays a role in your trading. If you want to be successful and trade like a pro, look at the top ECN brokers of 2020 to find the best company for you.

Some platforms offer more educational resources than others, while certain platforms offer a demo account to test your trading strategy. Take a look at this FBS trading review on another excellent example.

Create a Thoughtful Trading Strategy

All professionals will likely tell you the first step to being a successful trader is to have a strategy in place. Your trading strategy is your roadmap to success. It’s also a way to prevent you from taking on too risky a trade and telling you when it’s time to back down, so you don’t lose everything.

Keep Your Confidence In Check

Overconfidence is like kryptonite for traders. Although you need to have confidence in your abilities as a trader, being overconfident often causes you to take a risky trade, you wouldn’t normally do. Remember, just because you’re on a winning streak doesn’t mean you’re invincible of losing. Stick to your trading plan.

Treat Each Trade as New

It’s common for beginner traders to get in the mentality of trying to win it all back. They often bring their emotions from a previous trade into their new one, which ultimately ends up costing them more in the end.

Professionals will keep each trade separate to keep emotions out of it. The last thing you want to do is try and win everything back in one trade and end up losing everything.

Spend Time Prepping

Because trading for the pros is likely their career path, they put in several hours a day to get the job done. That means, just because they have done trading for the day, that doesn’t mean their work is finished. There is still lots of preparation needed for the next trading day. Going in without your research will only lead to losing money.

Know the Risk/Reward Ratio

The risk/reward ratio is a critical number to know if you want to be a professional. That number tells you how well you’re performing and if you’re on the path of making money. Understand what the risk/reward ratio means and how to implement it into your trading strategy.

How to Select the Right CBD Hand and Body Cream

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CBD cream has many benefits and it can be helpful in supplementing treatments for a variety of different symptoms. The problem is that there are so many options out there when it comes to CBD cream, it can be confusing when it comes to choosing the cream that is best for you. This is why it is important for you to follow these steps so you can select the right hand and body cream for you.

  • See What’s the Best Way to Treat Your Problem

CBD comes in any forms. You can find it as oil, spray, candy, food, lotion, pills, and many other things. CBD can have many benefits depending how it is consumed and applied. In order to get the best results, contact your doctor or do some research online. Find out the things you can do to supplement your treatments with CBD and the best course of action to take. Remember that if not applied properly, CBD might not have any effects on your body, so having a plan ready before beginning is an important part of selecting the right CBD hand cream.

  • Look for a Reputable Company

CBD is a powerful supplement that many people swear by. Unfortunately, studies on this supplement are just beginning to take off and there is not enough evidence to classify CBD as a medicine on a federal level yet. Because of this, CBD is largely regulated as a supplement, meaning it is pretty loosely regulated. This is one of the main reasons you need to make sure you find a reputable company. Some companies that produce these types of supplements are only in the business for the money. They sell watered down CBD supplements that might be mixed with other chemicals. This is why you should always look into any company you are thinking of trying, look up their online reviews, and ask any friends or family if they are familiar with that company. Your best bet is for you to purchase a product from a company that your friends and family are familiar with.

  • Read the Ingredient Labels 

As mentioned previously, supplements are pretty loosely regulated. This is why every time you buy a new product you should always read all labels clearly. Look at the ingredients and recommended dosage. The most important part is the ingredients though, make sure you are familiar with all ingredients, and make sure they are natural. If the product you purchase lists ingredients that you are not familiar with, get on your computer and look them up to avoid taking unknown or possibly dangerous substances. A good quality CBD cream will be clearly labeled, have all-natural ingredients, and will come with a guarantee from a reputable source. Always do your research before trying a new product. 

  • Test the Cream Out

CBD typically has very little to no side effects. This is one of the main reasons this supplement is so popular. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean that no one has ever had a bad reaction to it. Many times, some of these products contain natural products that your body might be allergic to. This is why it’s important to read the ingredients and follow the directions that are printed on the label. When using CBD cream for the first time, apply a small dab of it to the affected area, gently massage it in, then wait 10-15 minutes to see how your body reacts. If you have no problems, then apply more cream as necessary.

Benefits of CBD Cream

  • Helps Control Acne

Acne is caused by the bacteria that you normally have on your face. If it grows out of control, it can lead to an infection that can spread to other parts of your body. Acne can also cause scars and these scars can only get worse over time. One of the main reasons why people use CBD cream to treat acne is because CBD reduces the size of your pores. When you have large pores, they can soak up a lot of oil and dirt which can cause your acne to get worse.

  • Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties

One of the primary medicinal properties of CBD is that it is a powerful anti-inflammatory. This ability helps it to eliminate the symptoms of many inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. CBD can also be used for relief from seizures, convulsions, and spasms. 

  • Can Be Used as Pain Relief

CBD is a safe, effective, and highly effective way to help you relieve the pain you have been dealing with for quite some time. The truth is that there are so many people that suffer from arthritis in today’s society and it seems like no matter how hard you try to stay pain-free, there always comes a point in time when something will happen to you. 

This is why it is important that you are able to take care of the pain in the first place. If you cannot control it, then you should find the CBD creams that you can use to help you out. There are several companies out there that make these products and you can use one of them to help control the pain that you have been dealing with. Not only are these creams very effective, but they are also very safe to use. You do not have to worry about any of the side effects that are associated with prescription medications and they are safe to use.

  • Helps Treat Neuropathy

Neuropathy is a condition in which the nerve tissues become damaged because of damage to the spinal cord. This is often caused by diabetes, but can also be caused by things such as arthritis, tumors, and heart disease. The body then begins to no longer have access to the chemicals that it uses to control the flow of blood and, without these chemicals, it has to deal with painful sensations such as cramps, numbness, and even a loss of sensation. With the help of a CBD foot cream for neuropathy, it’s possible to regain some of the sensation and function that a person who suffers from neuropathy might have once their disease was taken care of.

Takeaway:

The benefits of CBD are just some of the reasons why it is gaining so much popularity as a pain treatment. As we move into the future, more new treatment options will be available to us. However, until then, CBD cream has become one of the most popular choices for many people. You can purchase CBD from many different places. In addition, there are some products on the market that are not regulated by the FDA and may not contain the exact ingredients that you think they do. Therefore, before choosing a CBD cream, it’s important that you do your research and understand what each product offers and its effects on your body.