Month: July 2019

2019-07-22T16:01:00

(BPT) – When it comes to managing your finances, are you more likely to be spontaneous and optimistic or stick to a formal plan? Understanding your financial personality can be important on the journey to reaching your financial goals, whether it’s something short-term like buying a home or longer term like your dream retirement. For some of us it’s simply about finding a better balance between spending and saving.

According to Charles Schwab’s Modern Wealth Quiz, designed to help people get a better grasp on their saving, spending and investing habits, about 43 percent of Americans are “Dreamers” when it comes to their finances — they tend to live in the moment but can also feel unprepared for certain life events.

Only 10 percent are considered financial “Architects” — they not only imagine the future but take pen to paper and map out a plan to make it a reality. Other personality types, according to the quiz, are Improvisers (18 percent), Organizers (11 percent), Mavericks (10 percent) and Philosophers (8 percent).

Here are some key themes the quiz explores to determine your money personality and provide tips to help you achieve your goals:

1) Is juggling your monthly bills a breeze or a tornado?

Half of Americans say they’re able to pay their monthly bills on time and even put money into savings regularly, according to Schwab’s 2019 Modern Wealth Survey, but a third of Americans say they typically don’t have any extra cash to put into savings after their basic expenses. The remainder say they even struggle to pay those expected monthly bills and often end up with unpaid balances.

Terri Kallsen, CFP^®, head of Schwab Investor Services, said that automatically depositing part of your income into a savings account each month can help make it a habit.

“Our survey shows about 40 percent of Americans set up an automatic transfer into their savings or investment accounts each month,” she said. “That way, they don’t have to make a decision to ‘spend or save’ each month — they’ve already made it.”

2) Do you set goals or go with the flow?

While most Americans say they’ve thought about their financial goals, only 28 percent have taken the time to put their goals in writing, the survey shows. Another 25 percent say they don’t have any plan at all.

“Planning can be a key indicator of your money personality, because how much you engage with your finances is often closely tied to how confident you feel about reaching your goals,” Kallsen said.

3) Are you an engaged investor or a sideline saver?

Most Americans have a traditional checking and savings account, according to the survey, but only about half have some kind of investing account.

“Savings accounts are often seen as a safe place to put your money, but to keep up with inflation and the rising cost of living, it’s also critical to invest,” Kallsen said. “The sooner you start investing, the longer your money has time to gain from rises in the market and the power of compounding and to recover from any downturns.”

Once you’re invested, it’s important to stay engaged to stay on track. Keep an eye on your investment fees and make sure to rebalance about once a year, added Kallsen.

Take Charles Schwab’s Modern Wealth Quiz and learn more about your money personality and tips and tricks to help reach your financial goals.

This article is sponsored by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., Member SIPC. This sponsored article is presented by Brandpoint. (0719-998W)

2019-07-22T09:01:01

(BPT) – Over 200,000 people in the United States are living with pulmonary fibrosis (PF), a progressive, debilitating lung disease. More than 50,000 new cases of PF are diagnosed each year — with many more that are likely misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. Most cases are idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), meaning of unknown cause. And sadly, today the disease has no known cure.

However, the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) is aggressively working to solve the mysteries of PF. The new PFF Patient Registry is now linking PF patients nationally to provide researchers with instantly accessible data, and there is new hope on the horizon.

What is pulmonary fibrosis?

PF causes progressive scarring in the lungs that destroys the normal lung, making it hard for oxygen to get into the bloodstream. Common symptoms include a persistent dry cough, shortness of breath and feeling run-down. People with certain autoimmune diseases, a family history of interstitial lung disease and environmental exposures may develop PF. Risk factors for IPF include a history of smoking and an age of 60 years or more. To facilitate a clear diagnosis, physicians must perform a thorough physical exam, as well as further testing such as a pulmonary function test and/or high-resolution CT (HRCT) scans.

Recognizing the symptoms and risk factors are important to ensure an early diagnosis to maximize treatment options.

“An overall lack of awareness of PF means that research has been fairly limited, but we’re working to change that — by directly funding research, promoting advocacy efforts, encouraging collaborative relations between industry and academic researchers, and developing solutions to bridge existing gaps in PF research,” said Dr. Gregory P. Cosgrove, chief medical officer of the PFF. “Because this is still a little-known disease, many patients have never even heard of it until their diagnosis, but we are very encouraged by the research in progress with the registry data and we will continue to push for more.”

Leading research with a patient registry

In 2016, the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation introduced its PFF Patient Registry to drive PF research to better understand the causes, improve treatments and speed the path to clinical trials by creating a pool of patients who choose to participate. More than 2,000 people living with PF have shared their detailed medical information with the registry, and scientists are using that data in their quest for a cure.

The registry contains information about each person’s diagnosis, symptoms, medical test results, medications used to treat PF and information about how people are doing years after enrolling. It also includes HRCT scans and a central biorepository with blood samples from patients, enabling researchers to examine the relationship between biomarkers and clinical data over time. The information is always de-identified, which means that researchers who use it can never learn whose medical data it is.

More than 23 studies have already been conducted or are underway.

“PF clinicians, scientific leaders and the patient community asked for a better patient resource to support research efforts, and the Patient Registry is already delivering results beyond our expectations,” said William T. Schmidt, president and CEO of the PFF. “Interest in the data has been very strong and we look forward to future results, which we hope will lead to faster diagnosis, better treatments and, eventually, a cure.”

To learn more, visit AboutPF.org.

2019-07-21T23:01:00

(BPT) – Every year in the United States, approximately 700 women die as a result of pregnancy or delivery complications, and more than 50,000 experience unexpected health problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Some pregnancy complications (for example, morning sickness) are not usually serious, but others, such as high blood pressure, can become severe enough to threaten a mother’s life. Such complications can occur during pregnancy or delivery and in the months, or even years, following delivery.

Teenagers, as well as women who are older than 35 years of age, women who are African American or Native American, and women who are pregnant with twins may be at higher risk for pregnancy complications. Chronic medical conditions prior to pregnancy — such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and diabetes — can also increase the risk for complications. The good news is that there are a number of things that all women can do to stay healthy and reduce their risk of pregnancy complications.

1. Talk with your health care providers and make a plan

Speak with your health care providers about your intention to become pregnant or as soon as you find out that you are pregnant. Work with them to develop a plan so you can be your healthiest before, during and after pregnancy. Some pregnant women are eligible for Medicaid. These benefits are discontinued after delivery, but moms may qualify for further assistance from one of the nearly 1,400 health centers funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration. Find a center at https://go.usa.gov/xyyAn.

Consult health care professionals about your use of any drugs or supplements. If you have a chronic medical condition, it is particularly important to develop a plan to manage it appropriately from early pregnancy through postpartum. Discuss your individual and family health history during medical exams, including problems during prior pregnancies and postpartum periods, as well as the signs of pregnancy complications and how to manage them if they arise.

Social workers, community health professionals, midwives, doulas, family members and friends can also provide valuable support during and after your pregnancy. And you know when something is not right with your body, so let someone know! “Pregnant women need a team of people to help them have the healthiest pregnancy possible, so it’s really important to have a supportive network,” says Dr. Samia Noursi of the Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH), a part of the National Institutes of Health.

2. Have a healthy lifestyle by eating well and being active

Diet and regular exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight to build a foundation for a healthy life and reduce the risk of pregnancy complications. The CDC website has a handy chart for determining healthy weight gain during pregnancy, at https://go.usa.gov/xyy7V, and offers guidelines on physical activity during pregnancy, at https://go.usa.gov/xyy7G. The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers a special web page on healthy eating for moms and pregnant women at https://go.usa.gov/xyy76.

3. Take care of your mental health

Some emotional ups and downs are normal. In fact, many women feel overwhelmed, sad or anxious at different times during and after pregnancy. For many women, these feelings go away on their own. If you continue to experience sad or anxious moods, loss of interest in fun activities, problems concentrating or other symptoms of depression or anxiety, or if these feelings get worse, talk with someone so you can manage them and take care of yourself and your baby. To learn more, see this resource from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD): https://go.usa.gov/xyy7J.

4. Start prenatal care early, and attend all scheduled visits

Research shows that starting prenatal care early and going to these visits regularly can decrease risk of pregnancy complications. Typically, this means prenatal care visits monthly during the first 28 weeks, every two weeks between weeks 28 and 36, and weekly from week 36 to delivery. Care for pregnant women should continue after delivery. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends a follow-up visit within the first 3 weeks of giving birth and a comprehensive assessment no later than 12 weeks after delivery.

Moms-to-be can find more information on the many steps they can take toward a healthy pregnancy at the websites of NICHD (https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/preconceptioncare/conditioninfo/healthy-pregnancy), ORWH (www.nih.gov/women/maternalhealth), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health (https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy), and ACOG (https://www.acog.org/Patients). Would you like to tell researchers about your experiences during pregnancy and after giving birth? Check out PregSource (https://pregsource.nih.gov), a research project that aims to learn about the pregnancy experience directly from women.

2019-07-22T05:01:00

(BPT) – There’s no better summer companion than your furry, four-legged friend. From sunshine and beach days to playing fetch at the park, summer is the perfect season to bond with your pet. Keep in mind that higher temperatures come with higher precautions for pet owners. Here are four helpful tips to keep your pet safe this summer.

Protect Paws. Warm weather means more walks and outdoor fun, which your pet is sure to want to join in on. While tons of fun for your furry BFF, hot walks can lead to burns on sensitive paw pads. Because pets absorb heat from the bottom up, it’s important to try to keep them off hot surfaces like cement and asphalt, as the heat can increase their body temperatures and cause overheating. If possible, try taking your dog on walks in shaded or grassy areas, or opt for earlier or later walk times. If your pet has protective booties, they’ll be even more prepared to seize the day.

Prevent Sunburns. The summer season can also be synonymous with sunburns. Long days soaking up the sun can come with unwanted consequences if prevention isn’t practiced. Surprisingly, pets get sunburns just like people do, if they aren’t properly protected — especially pets with short hair or light coats. These sunburns are equally as dangerous for pets as they are for us. If your pet will be out in the sun for more than just a few minutes, apply a sunscreen that’s made for pets in their least hair–covered spots, including their stomach, ears and nose. Pet sunscreens should be fragrance free, non-staining, and contain UVA and UVB barriers similar to sunscreens for humans. Pets should have their sunscreen reapplied every 3-4 hours.

Refreshing Routines. Just as humans can prefer lighter snacks during the summer, pets also prefer to switch up their diets to reflect their energy levels, and should always have fresh, clean drinking water available. Feeding pets in a cool place provides extra comfort, but it’s also recommended to provide sources of protein and nutrients through ingredients such as liver, cage-free eggs, wild-caught fish and kelp, all found in formulas of ORIJEN dry food for dogs. Developed with WholePrey ratios of fresh or raw animal ingredients to mirror the natural diets that dogs have evolved to eat, pets can thrive in a summer setting as they would in the wild.

Avoid Overheating. Along with protecting paw pads and sensitive skin, pet owners can never be too cautious in ensuring that their pets keep cool in the warmer months. While dogs don’t sweat like humans do to show they are getting too hot, they show signs of overheating and dehydration by excessively panting and drooling. Always bring a water bottle along for pets when going outside and be mindful of their breaks to keep them happy and hydrated. Many pet lovers shave their pets for the summer to keep their temperatures down, but they are best off only getting a trim, as their coats are designed to keep them cool and a full shave can lead to potential sunburns.

2019-07-19T12:30:03

(BPT) – As students move forward to preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school and college, parents across America celebrate the achievements of their children, nieces, nephews and other friends and relatives.

A whopping 3.3 million were set to graduate from high school this year. A variety of graduations and graduation-related events are happening throughout the year. At the college level, students are expected to have earned an impressive one million associate degrees; 1.9 million bachelor’s degrees; 780,000 master’s degrees and 182,000 doctor’s degrees over the 2018-19 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Because these milestones are such an important part of life, your graduate will want to preserve memories of friends, accomplishments and key experiences gathered along the way. If you’re a proud parent helping your student celebrate this transition into the next phase of life, here are some ways to make it extra special.

• Share the great news. Even if you’re not planning a huge event, you can still show pride in your grad’s achievement by mailing out personalized announcements that include graduation photos. Friends and family will appreciate hearing that your student has passed a milestone and moved on to the next stage of life. And the photo will give them a tangible memento they can display and keep. Choose special photos — recent and from childhood — to reflect your grad’s personality.
• Plan a personalized grad party. Honor your graduate’s individuality by creating customized signs, banners, tableware, balloons, favors, candy, a cake and/or other party gear that features their name, image, hobbies, school colors and logos, etc. You might even spring for a life-sized standalone cut-out of the guest of honor. Many personalized products can be easily created at the self-service Kodak Picture Kiosks at most CVS stores across the nation. In fact, most can be completed and returned on the same day they’re ordered. You can spread the projects out over a few months as you prepare for your party.
• Serve up your grad’s favorites. In American culture, love is often expressed through food. Whether your celebration will consist of a big party or a small, private family affair, putting your grad’s favorite food and drink on the menu will show him or her you care. Of course, that’s made easy now that graduation parties feature such a wide range of cuisines; consider ordering take-out from your grad’s favorite BBQ restaurant or having your local supermarket hand-craft beautiful sushi platters to serve to guests. Taste-test recipes in advance and quiz your grad on their favorites.
• Make a personalized playlist. Compile and record a selection of your grad’s favorite music to play at his or her celebration party. Sprinkle in other songs that may bring a smile; consider childhood favorites, tunes with sentimental lyrics, school fight songs and/or music associated with band, orchestra, theater or dance performances. Make note of songs enjoyed at events or even on the way to school or practice in the car throughout the year.
• Commemorate friendships through photo gifts. Your grad and his or her classmates will treasure their school memories well into the future if you custom-create gifts featuring their favorite photos. Digital photos can be brought to better light, and create more smiles, when they’re turned into functional items like keepsake boxes, calendars, mugs and magnets on KodakMoments.com. Plan ahead by taking group photos at special events throughout the school year.

Your child will remember graduation celebrations for years to come — and have keepsakes to treasure — if you personalize every element. Start planning the details now so you can be ready by the graduation day.

2019-07-19T14:01:00

(BPT) – Today’s homeowners are increasingly expecting their bathrooms to mirror some of the spa-like features that were previously seen only in hotels, resorts and luxury vacation rentals.

Home television shows and websites like Better Homes and Gardens (bhg.com), ElleDecor.com and Houzz.com have showcased these once aspirational luxuries, while technical advances have made them more attainable.

With the baby boomer population among the most active of renovating groups, those wanting to remain in their current homes longer have an eye toward safety and accessibility, but also luxury and style when upgrading their bathrooms.

Here are some of the latest features transforming modern bathrooms.

Towel warmers

On a cold morning, nothing would be more pleasant than reaching for a warm towel as you step out of the tub or shower. To help make your bathroom feel more like a luxury spa, a heated towel warmer keeps towels at just the right temperature for optimal comfort. If you don’t have enough space for a towel warming drawer or cabinet in your bathroom, space-saving towel warmer racks are also available. Some are free-standing, while others are wall-mounted.

Heated floors

Another option for warming up on a cold morning is to install a heated bathroom floor. Radiant floor heating can supplement your home’s overall heating system, making you feel warmer when standing on a tiled floor in January. Because these systems warm objects and people in a room, radiant floor heating systems are more energy efficient than conventional forced-air. In fact, more people are comfortable with radiant floor heating at a lower thermostat setting than with forced-air heating at a higher thermostat setting.

High-tech mirrors

From mirrors with automatic, built-in LED lighting options or fog resistance to magic-like mirrors incorporating built-in clocks, TV panels or digital assistant-connected features, the bathroom mirror has gone way beyond a simple place to shave or check your look. Bathroom mirrors with automatic sensors light up as your face approaches the mirror. Some high-tech mirrors include touch-screen controls, some are controlled by remotes while others are responsive to voice commands. If it’s connected to an advanced security system, you can use a smart bathroom mirror to check who’s at the front door while brushing your teeth. With a smart mirror that connects to the internet, you can watch tutorials on your favorite makeup app while getting ready for that big date. You can also check the news and weather or tell your digital assistant to turn on your coffee maker while you’re fixing your hair. The latest mirror features make all your simple grooming tasks easier.

Standalone bathtubs

Homeowners with the space and resources are increasingly choosing to separate the bathtub from the shower, opting for a much larger and more stylish soaking tub. While whirlpool-type spa tubs are not as popular as they have been in recent years, larger tubs for luxury bathrooms — disconnected from the shower — are considered much more desirable.

Curbless showers

As showers are increasingly separated from tubs in modern bathrooms, curbless showers with linear drains, such as those designed by QuickDrain USA, are gaining in popularity. A curbless entrance makes showers easily accessible for all ages and abilities, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. They can also accommodate a freestanding bench, wheelchair or other mobility aid because they require no center drain where water may pool or make users feel unbalanced. Usually located against the edge or back of the shower, linear drains are more hygienic, as they are most often designed with larger format tiles, reducing grout joints and seals where mold, mildew and grime can accumulate. QuickDrain curbless showers accommodate existing plumbing, install quickly and provide wall-to-wall coverage for efficient drainage and a beautiful aesthetic. Because of the larger tiles and the elimination of a center drain, more diverse materials can be used, including ceramic, porcelain or stone tiles, plus a range of solid surface materials like marble, granite or engineered stone products.

If you are building or remodeling your shower, bring the spa-like luxury and high-end aesthetics available with linear drains. Learn how at QuickDrainUSA.com.

2019-07-18T11:41:00

(BPT) – Once the stuff of science fiction, driverless cars are already here, with vehicles adding more automated features every year. Cars already use many features self-driving cars need, such as cruise control, multi-view cameras, proximity sensors and brake assist and autonomous vehicle companies are paving the way to make autonomous vehicles (AVs) a reality sooner rather than later.

However, one industry moving the needle with AVs is commercial transportation technology. Commercial fleets increasingly rely on new innovations to improve vehicle safety, monitor drivers, provide road condition alerts, map the roads, understand risk and track driver performance. The advanced technology being used in these vehicles today was designed to improve safety and efficiency while laying the groundwork to drive forward the development of cars of the future. The fact that commercial vehicles are driving hundreds of miles a day means the technologies are being tried and tested at a rate that will help guarantee consumer safety when AV’s hit the road.

Here are some technological advances used by commercial fleets today that will impact driverless vehicles of the future:

3D HD Mapping

Mapping today goes beyond getting from point A to point B. Companies are utilizing vision-based systems to capture everything from traffic conditions to weather hazards to even predicting ideal routes and drive times.

Netradyne, a leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology focusing on driver and fleet safety, is revolutionizing conventional mapping with dynamic 3D HD mapping technology. This combines computer vision, simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), edge computing and crowd-sourcing to deliver contextually rich, highly accurate data and content in real time, all of which are crucial to design safer and smarter autonomous vehicles.

Because Netradyne supports a vast breadth of commercial fleets across the country, its products capture high-quality HD video from vehicles over hundreds of thousands of miles daily. Their ability to collect this extensive information means drivers are equipped with robust insight regarding road conditions, including potential risks. Since these vehicles frequently travel the same routes, with constant communication between each vehicle’s device and the cloud, the maps are able to capture data at all times during the day and year, something that will be essential to AVs learning to operate on these roads in all conditions.

Vision-Based Technology

Created by Netradyne, Driveri is a vision-based technology that provides fleet managers with a comprehensive view of drivers’ activity using intelligent cameras that provide HD video of multiple views on each vehicle. Driveri’s technology platform processes this visual data in real time to deliver insights and alerts to drivers and fleet managers. These in-cab alerts help drivers adjust immediately as potential risks occur.

Prior to the launch of this specialized technology, legacy systems would only be able to capture small snippets of video when an event, such as hard braking, occurred. Unlike legacy video capture platforms, the Netradyne system records and captures every second of every driving day, allowing not only a vastly larger amount of data to be collected, but the ability to reward good behavior, as well as identify those who are being more risky.

Using commercially deployed Driveri devices, nearly 100 million miles of data per month are captured and analyzed which can improve transportation data analytics for commercial applications. The data, and insights the machine learning used are able to draw, will be crucial to further development of AVs.

AI

A deep learning AIs system, such as that found in Driveri, works to identify and understand various — often confusing — data, including road signs, construction zones, railroad tracks and lane markings. A system that is always learning and getting smarter will be crucial for the creation of AVs.

As AVs become a reality, AI will not only have to learn the nuances of the road, but they must be able to handle driving alongside pedestrians and human-driven vehicles, probably one of the greatest challenges for driverless cars since humans can be unpredictable. However, some behavior is more predictable than we might think. For example, drivers stuck in an especially slow lane may be prone to suddenly pulling out to pass stalled traffic. Autonomous vehicles will benefit from AI systems that can learn from hours of this type of observed data and predict those situations.

It makes sense that commercial transportation fleets would be on the cutting edge of technology enhancing vehicle safety and efficiency. This technology is bound to have multiple applications, beyond helping drivers and the companies who employ them. The increasing development and combination of multiple technologies, relying on aspects of AI, 3-D mapping and more, will help create much safer, more reliable vehicles — with or without human drivers.

2019-07-17T08:01:00

(BPT) – Honey Nut Cheerios is on a mission to inspire happy hearts! The beloved cereal brand is encouraging people to adopt simple, enjoyable behaviors that can help make their heart happy with this doctor-approved activity list. Plus, from now through August, consumers can participate in the Honey Nut Cheerios Whole Heart Challenge on MyFitnessPal for a chance to win badges, points and more.

2019-07-17T12:01:00

(BPT) – The country is filled with adventures to check off your bucket list this summer. From road trips to unique vacations, there’s something for everybody! With the help of your smartphone and dependable wireless service, you can stay connected and share the special moments along the way with family and friends. Here are four must-do summer endeavors that won’t break the bank.

1. Historic Route 66 – Historic Route 66 was one of the original American highways, extending all the way from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California. From a weekend trip to a summer adventure, the route provides an opportunity to see small-town America and famous sites. No matter where you are on the route, Tracfone gives you the ability to look up stops along the way with Unbeatable Nationwide Coverage(TM) on America’s largest and most dependable networks and a variety of plans built to fit your needs. There are plenty of must-sees, like the Route 66 drive-in theater in Springfield, Illinois, along with many classic restaurants and historic hotels on the famous route.

2. Out-of-this-world views – Looking for something to put you in touch with the great outdoors? The desert landscape of the Southwest is the quintessential American scenery. The rough-cut canyons and red hue make it feel like you’re on Mars without having to leave the planet — or even the country! Plan a trip to Arizona or New Mexico to take in these breathtaking views. And when the sun goes down, enjoy the nighttime sky by finding where the stars shine brightest with a light pollution map. With an ideal spot and constellation apps readily available to download on your smartphone, you can take a break and enjoy unforgettable stargazing to truly feel like you’re in space.

3. Visit baseball stadiums across the country – For sports fans, what better way to see the country than by exploring America’s favorite pastime? A baseball stadium tour is a great excuse to see new cities and watch hours of baseball. To keep your trip flexible and spontaneous, use your smartphone to find the best prices on tickets, track game updates and research the best spots for a pre-game drink.

4. Staycation – For those without the time to get away this summer, new experiences don’t have to mean setting aside more time or money than you can afford. Whether it’s finally eating at that restaurant you’ve been meaning to try, or a weekend trip to a nearby lake or park, use the summertime to explore what new activities your area has to offer. You’ll be surprised what fun adventures you can find in your own backyard!

Whatever your bucket list items may be, Tracfone can help you stay connected and experience all of the adventures summer has to offer. Learn more at www.Tracfone.com.