Month: May 2021

2021-05-11T10:01:00

(BPT) – When is the last time you replaced your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms? Smoke and CO alarms are critical elements of home safety. Yet, many people overlook replacing their batteries — or even the alarms themselves. Fire safety experts have linked the incidence of fatal fires to the absence of alarms. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), three out of every five home fire deaths occur in homes without properly working smoke alarms, or no alarms at all.

“If you can’t think of the last time you installed a smoke or CO alarm, chances are, it’s time to replace your old ones,” said Tarsila Wey, director of marketing for First Alert. “It’s important to make sure alarm maintenance and replacement become a regular, ongoing part of your family’s routine.”

First Alert, the most trusted brand in fire safety, offers the following tips to ensure your family and home are best protected in the event of a fire or CO incident:

Every level, every bedroom. It’s critical to have enough smoke and CO alarms and ensure they are working properly. The NFPA recommends that smoke alarms be installed on every level of the home, including the basement, and in every bedroom. CO alarms should also be installed on every level and near each sleeping area. To put this in perspective, the average-sized home in America — a two-story, three-bedroom house — needs a minimum of five smoke alarms and four CO alarms. “Every home’s layout and dimensions are different, so consider your specific needs when selecting products to make your home more fire safe,” added Wey.

Test and maintain. Many people assume that because they have alarms in their homes, they’re automatically protected in the event of a fire or CO incident. In reality, both smoke and CO alarms need to be maintained and tested regularly to ensure that they’re working properly. Nonetheless, research shows that more than 60% of consumers do not test their devices on a monthly basis. Testing the alarm is simple — hold down the test button and wait for the alarm to sound. It’s also important to clean the alarm to remove any dust or debris that could interfere with proper function.

Alarms don’t last forever. If you don’t know how old an alarm is, the safest bet is to replace it. Check the date printed on the back of the device. If the alarm is more than 10 years old, it is time to replace it. It is necessary to replace all smoke alarms every 10 years and CO alarms every five to 10 years, depending on the model. Batteries also don’t last forever and should be replaced every six months, unless the alarm features a 10-year sealed battery. As an extra safety measure, most alarms feature an end-of-life warning to alert residents when it is time for replacement.

Double up on safety. Doubling up on safety and installing 2-in-1 protection, such as the First Alert 10-Year Battery Combination Smoke and CO Alarm, is a convenient way to ensure ultimate home safety by providing a decade of protection against both smoke and CO. Not only does the device warn you in case of smoke or CO dangers, but it also features a 10-year sealed battery, which eliminates the needs for battery replacements and late-night battery chirps for a decade.

Establish an escape plan. According to the NFPA, you may have less than two minutes to escape after your smoke alarms sound. Therefore, it is imperative to have an escape plan that everyone in the household follows to evacuate safely. When designing an escape plan, identify two ways out of each room, assign a meeting spot outside, and dedicate someone in the family to assist with pets, elderly family members or infants. Make sure to practice your escape plan with the entire family at least twice a year to help prepare you and your family for the unexpected.

To learn more about how to keep your family and home safe, and for more safety tips, visit www.firstalert.com.

2021-05-11T11:01:00

(BPT) – As the world looks with hope to the light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel, there lies another ongoing health crisis that, according to the American Heart Association (AHA), kills more Americans than anything else: heart disease. In the last year, heart disease claimed more than 690,000 lives in the U.S., which is staggeringly more than the reported 345,000 lives lost to COVID-19, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

With the prevalence of this disease and the large amount of clinical data surrounding the management of CV risk factors, one would assume that the approaches used to reduce the risk of a CV event, such as a heart attack or stroke, would be standard practice. However, the overwhelming amount of information and data out there can actually make it hard to assess risk and treatment options, and it can be confusing for physicians, patients and caregivers to figure out what is best — especially when data changes old ways of thinking.

For example, many people are unaware that after a failed outcomes study, the FDA revoked the approval of a class of drugs called fenofibrates — such as TriCor^® (fenofibrate) and Trilipix^® (fenofibric acid) — concluding that fenofibrates should not be used in combination with statins because the risks outweigh the benefits. As a result, millions of patients at risk of heart attack or stroke may be unknowingly receiving medications that have not been shown to reduce cardiovascular (CV) risk on top of statins. Statins are recommended for high cholesterol, and as they are used very commonly, it is important to know which drugs are FDA-approved to be taken in combination with them for additional cardiovascular benefit.

Dr. John Osborne, the Director of Cardiology at State of the Heart Cardiology in Southlake, Texas, sees many patients every year who are taking a fenofibrate, in addition to a statin. In his role as the director of a practice, he is continuously advocating for his patients and pushing for the treatments he prescribes to be up to date with the latest science. In his opinion, patients who are taking a fenofibrate, in addition to a statin, are taking a drug that has not shown CV benefit and instead just exposes them to the risks of these medicines which outweigh the benefits.

“If I see a patient in my practice who has CV risk and has been prescribed a fenofibrate in combination with a statin, I try to get them off of it as soon as possible,” says Dr. Osborne. “When they ask why, I can summarize my reasoning in two words: unproven and risky. We have no data showing that fenofibrates, when combined with a statin, have a benefit for patients with cardiovascular disease and on top of that, there are significant risks that go along with them that outweigh the benefits.”

Many patients may be resistant to being taken off a medication they have been used to taking for some time, especially if they have not seen any side effects.

To those patients, Dr. Osborne has a simple answer: “The FDA does not approve of this drug for their condition. They should not be taking it.”

The AHA data showed that although 1 in 3 deaths in the U.S. are due to cardiovascular (CV) disease, it is preventable. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that CV risk can be reduced by around 25-35% by taking statins, along with diet and exercise, but persistent CV risk (P-CVR), the serious threat of a life-threatening event, may remain. Another study published in the Atherosclerosis Journal found that proven, FDA-approved treatments on top of cholesterol management may be necessary.

Dr. Osborne recommends that patients with CV disease should ask their doctors about their individual CV risk, and whether FDA-approved therapies proven to reduce CV risk, when taken in combination with a statin, are an option for them. The good news is the AHA says that healthier lifestyle choices like diet and exercise, in addition to proven therapies on top of cholesterol management, can mitigate heart disease risk.

Dr. Osborne noted that as data are published, it can sometimes take a while for some physicians to transition all of their patients to align with the latest evidence and guidelines. But he stressed, “the data here are clear. Patients who have been prescribed a fenofibrate in addition to a statin to reduce CV risk can feel confident in talking to their doctor about whether switching off of fenofibrates and onto an FDA-approved therapy is right for them.”

For more information about heart disease risk reduction, including information on how to talk to your doctor about the best way to help manage and reduce your CV risk, visit itscleartomenow.com.

2021-05-11T11:31:00

(BPT) – For many Americans, a run to the grocery store is a simple task. You quickly grab items off the shelf with the next week of meals in mind. By the time you get up to the checkout counter, your cart is full of essentials and you swipe your card without a second thought. But for many others, purchasing the essentials is difficult and anxiety-inducing. People experiencing food insecurity don’t have reliable access to items that are affordable or nutritious enough, and instead of exploring each aisle, they are often forced to search the store for select items that can be covered in a too-tight budget.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s estimated that the percentage of American households experiencing food insecurity increased from 10.5% to 23%¹. Due to low salaries, spousal unemployment or high living expenses, junior active-duty servicemembers are at a high risk for food insecurity with 14% of surveyed servicemembers reporting an experience with food insecurity in 2020² — leaving many Americans asking, “How can we help military members in this situation?”

National Poppy Day^® is Friday, May 28. Every year, The American Legion Family distributes poppies in exchange for monetary donations that help meet the essential needs of veterans, active military servicemembers and their families. The poppy has been recognized as the memorial flower for The American Legion Family since the early 1920s, and with food insecurity being a core challenge for active-duty servicemembers, the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) is focusing their Poppy Day efforts on mitigating food insecurity. The funds from poppy distribution events may be used to buy food and other essentials including gas, diapers, baby formula, school supplies and medicine. The goal is to help give back a measure of security and comfort to those who have given so much to our country.

Here’s how you can help make a difference for veterans, active servicemembers and military families in your area this year:

• Donate in exchange for a poppy
• Wear a poppy to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and help create awareness of issues that impact military servicemembers
• Share social media posts from @ALAforVeterans
• Use hashtags #NationalPoppyDay #AmericanLegionAuxiliary #LegionFamily
• Watch the virtual National Poppy Day program May 28 on Facebook @ALAforVeterans

Our brave servicemembers have protected our freedoms throughout the years. This National Poppy Day, help us protect their right to lead happy, healthy and secure lives. For more information on how you can get involved, visit www.ALAforVeterans.org.

Sources:

1. Silva, C. (2020, September 27). Food insecurity in The U.S. by the numbers. Retrieved May 03, 2021, from https://www.npr.org/2020/09/27/912486921/food-insecurity-in-the-u-s-by-the-numbers
2. 2020 Military Family Lifestyle Survey (2021). Retrieved May 3, 2021, from Blue Star Families https://bluestarfam.org/wpcontent/uploads/2021/03/BSF_MFLS_Comp_Infographic_2020.pdf

2021-05-11T09:05:00

(BPT) – Green spaces have always been a welcome addition to a home, but the COVID-19 pandemic elevated people’s view on these areas from a nice-to-have to a necessity. Accessing a lawn or patio area allowed people to escape the extended indoor quarantine, but still feel safe at home. This welcome retreat meant people were spending more time outdoors at increasing rates.

On average there was an increase of three hours a week being spent outside during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic days, according to a OnePoll and TruGreen survey polling 2,000 American homeowners. What’s more, over 67% somewhat or strongly agree they are more thankful for outdoor space because of COVID-19.

While outdoor green spaces were a source of solace in the first year of the pandemic, the trend is poised to continue. Homeowners are now looking for new and creative ways to live life fully and enjoy time outdoors — even beyond the pandemic.

Maximizing outdoor living spaces in 2021

Creating meaningful outdoor spaces is a top lawn and garden trend that is here to stay. In fact, 57% of homeowners plan on using their outdoor space just as much, if not more, as the pandemic subsides, the survey found. Outdoor enhancements are often a wise investment, making a home more livable while adding to its value.

Homeowners are maximizing and customizing their outdoor space to meet their needs in many ways. For some, outdoor living reflects a new lifestyle driven by an opportunity to safely socialize with extended family and friends. Specifically, outdoor spaces are now being used as an office or classroom, home gym, backdrops for digital social events, or gatherings that allow for ample social distancing, such as outdoor movies. For others, updates could include a new patio or garden space that serves as a relaxing oasis.

The benefits of a professional partner

New outdoor enhancements like these can require additional maintenance, often resulting in longer to-do lists. Caring for the lawn and garden is not something every homeowner wants to take on.

As more people are taking pride in their outdoor living space and enjoying the escape it provides, many are not so excited about the additional maintenance needs. Over 68% of people believe the exterior of their home has become more important, though a majority shared that taking care of their outdoor space felt like a chore (59%).

“If you feel maintaining a yard is confusing or difficult, you are not alone. Research shows nearly one-fifth of people are unsure how to care for their lawns properly,” said Brian Feldman, director of technical operations at TruGreen. “Partnering with a service professional can ease the burden of outdoor maintenance so you can enjoy living life outside. As outdoor spaces have become a more integral part of home life and entertaining, investing in a lawn service to maximize the benefits is a smart choice. Beyond functional and aesthetic benefits lawns provide, there are a number of environmental benefits as well, including improved cooling around the home, reduced soil erosion and improved water infiltration.”

The future of outdoor living

Given the mental and physical benefits of spending more time outside and the convenience and safety of doing so at home, outdoor enhancements are poised for continued growth. As people begin to feel more comfortable hosting guests at home, these spaces will only be utilized more, with 50% of people planning to use their outdoor space to host a socially distanced get-together with family and friends in the future.

“Now over a year in the pandemic, there is an even greater desire to find alternatives to safely socialize and find ways to unwind,” said Feldman. “By working with a professional service provider, individuals can spend more time and energy enjoying the company of friends and loved ones.”

2021-05-11T14:01:01

(BPT) – The best time of year to sell a boat fast and for the most money is before the height of the boating season, plus any time when demand for boats is strong and supply is low. That means, if you’re looking for cash and have a boat you’re willing to sell, now is a great time to get top dollar.

According to boating marketplace Boat Trader, sales of used boats remain on the rise nationwide in 2021 after the pandemic set in motion a wave of new enthusiasts buying boats. Early spring transactions for used boats under 36 feet jumped 41% over the same period last year.

However, because of how fast boats are selling, this year’s boat buyer is facing record-low inventory. Inquiries sent to sellers through the platform offer one way to measure increased demand for boats, and the number of leads submitted per boat shopper has grown by 64% over 2020. Experts say the dramatic rise indicates competition is fierce among consumers and will last beyond summer.

For some shoppers, squeezed selection makes decision-making quick and easy, but for others, it keeps the boat search dragging on until more boats become available. What has helped relieve some of the supply strain is current boat owners recognizing the opportunity for a quick payday and privately listing their boats for sale.

When it comes to selling a boat online, people are drawn to the fast and efficient way to cash in on their boat’s worth. However, listings that are positioned properly get the best price.

List where the fish bite

A selling platform’s geographical scope is a key determining factor in ensuring that your boat will get as much coverage as possible. Regardless of whether you want the convenience of a local buyer, the more people that view your ad, the more likely you are to find the right buyer.

Boat Trader’s search filters let sellers reach interested shoppers who are able to find and locate the vessels they’re looking for within a range of specified geo-targeted locations. When you list a boat as a seller, local buyers get notified if the boat matches their criteria, helping you sell your boat faster.

Listing tips that have the biggest impact

Here are three tips to sell your boat quickly:

• List your boat on the right platform by considering boating marketplaces first.
• Add a detailed description, including engine hours, electronics, upgrades, trailer and regular maintenance performed.
• Include high-definition photos and include a video to enhance your listing.

When considering selling platforms, social marketplaces may sound convenient, but they are often less focused, with a diluted boating audience. These sites have a lot of yard sale noise and are less likely to have serious boat buyers. As stated by Boat Trader, the portal’s rate of overall lead conversion is 19.4%, meaning that 1 out of every 5 leads converts to a boat sale.

High-quality images are really important when selling a boat, so include many photos or videos at many different angles. In addition, consider offering live video walk-throughs with potential buyers, and try to schedule video chats back-to-back to save yourself time.

Why sell now?

In summary, demand for used boats is high, but supply is low. You can reach the largest audience by selling on a specialized targeted website, keeping in mind that boat searches on Boat Trader are up 55% over last year, where 75% of privately listed boats sell within 12 weeks. Learn more at www.boattrader.com/sell.

2021-05-11T09:01:00

(BPT) – How long has it been since you got to indulge in your favorite getting ready routine before a fun night out? For over a year now, many simple pleasures have been put on hold — like going out to places you love, celebrating special occasions and even just hanging out with your friends. You may have discovered that what you missed most of all was actually the best part: getting ready to go out.

With opportunities to socialize beginning to open up again, are you ready to make the most of your favorite “pre-game” rituals?

If you need help to reignite the fun in “getting ready,” you’re in luck. Summer House TV personality and creative director of Loverboy, Amanda Batula, partnered with Skintimate to create four unique sensorial experiences to help you get your “getting ready” vibe back. Each experience features a custom cocktail (or mocktail!) recipe and Skintimate curated Spotify playlist that perfectly accompanies a deliciously scented Skintimate shave gel and razor, all to help you enjoy the simple pleasure of getting ready.

You can check out the experiences in her entertaining videos highlighting her getting ready routines on her Instagram, @amandabatula.

So take some extra time before your next outing — crank up the music and treat yourself with these fun tips and sneak previews of Skintimate’s playlists and cocktails.

Prep for a day — or night — on the water

Enjoy the refreshing, tropical scent of Coconut Delight Shave Gel and Razor, which will transport you to an oasis as its rich moisturizers give you a smooth shave. While you’re doing your favorite beauty routine and choosing just the right swimsuit and cover-up, listen to some island tunes and sip on a “Sunkissed Coconut” drink made from tequila, coconut water and pineapple.

Pamper yourself before the big date

Before your night on the town, use your Bloom Razor and Shave Gel, which takes flower power to the next level with hints of rosewater and cherry blossoms. Enjoy the blend of sparkling rose, rose water and cognac in a “Blossoms Up” cocktail and listen to dreamy songs while you put together the perfect outfit to wow your special someone.

Explore your mood before you party

As you get ready for your first soirée out, the luscious scent of Raspberry Rain Razor and Shave Gel will awaken your senses to help you pump up the jams while you vibe, dance and sing like nobody’s watching. To get yourself in that party mood, enjoy a “Bold ‘n’ Berry” cocktail featuring ginger-flavored kombucha, raspberries and gin.

Enhance that special event

Spark your excitement for your long-awaited occasion, whatever it is, while you get ready using Spark Shave Gel and Razor. Its bright citrus notes provide a transcendent shaving experience. Physically you’ll be in the bathroom, but mentally you’ll be gearing up for an upbeat music festival. Pump up the jams as you dress up and mix up tonight’s signature cocktail:

Lemon [Beat] Drop

• 1 ounce vodka
• 1 ounce lemon juice
• 1 ounce orange juice
• 1 teaspoon agave nectar
• 1 cup unflavored soda water
• Lemon slices

All the Skintimate products featured in Amanda’s videos can help you transform your shower experience into an aromatic oasis — and adds glowing benefits to your skin — that will make you feel ready for a great night of celebration. Use her videos as inspiration for creating your own “getting ready” routine, so you can slow down and enjoy every minute of getting ready.

2021-05-11T09:01:00

(BPT) – Did you know there are almost 437,000 children and youth in foster care? According to the American Society for the Positive Care of Children, 45% of foster children are living in non-relative foster family homes, and they may spend an average of 20 months in foster care. The average age of children entering foster care is eight years old, which is a crucial time for a child’s overall development.

In honor of National Foster Care Month, you can learn more about the needs of children in foster care, and how to support them and the caregivers who are doing their best to meet their needs and to keep them safe, happy and healthy.

“I grew up in and out of foster care starting at age 4 and I decided to pursue medicine and become a pediatrician as a way of giving back,” says national senior medical director for UnitedHealthcare Community & State, Dr. Arethusa Kirk. “Having lived this experience as a child in foster care, I know how crucial support services are to well-being and ultimately to the achievement of full potential.”

Kirk emphasized how vital it is for anyone caring for a foster child to seek support throughout the process.

“Beyond coping with whatever crisis led the child to enter the foster system, the very act of having to move from a familiar environment to one that is unfamiliar is an adjustment which can be traumatic,” says Kirk. “If you are currently a foster parent or considering becoming a foster parent, continuously exploring all available resources to help you provide the best possible environment for these children is necessary to meet their unique needs of support and understanding.”

Children in foster care generally have more health care needs than other children, and they tend to have higher rates of exposure to trauma compared to other youth. Because of the inherently disruptive nature of foster placement, which involves the loss of connections to family, school, friends and a familiar lifestyle, many children in foster care face serious behavioral health and developmental challenges.

Children in foster care, compared to other children, are:

• 2x as likely to have learning disabilities and developmental delays
• 3x as likely to have ADD/ADHD
• 5x as likely to have anxiety
• 6x as likely to have behavioral issues
• 7x as likely to have depression

The good news is, while children in foster care face more adversity and exposure to trauma, they also possess extraordinary resilience and, with support and understanding, can develop mastery in life management skills and emotional intelligence.

Resources to help children and caregivers

To serve the unique needs of children in foster care and their caregivers, UnitedHealthcare offers integrated behavioral health care programs. By partnering with child welfare systems, Medicaid agencies, caregivers and community organizations, their solutions are designed to help children and youth in foster care improve their lives and chances for success.

Their programs work to:

• Collaborate with everyone in the foster care system to address the unique challenges children in foster care and foster families face
• Improve access to and coordination of medical and behavioral health care
• Provide better access to community support services
• Increase the chances of stable placement
• Support family reunification

“I’m proud of the many ways UnitedHealthcare has invested in improving health outcomes for children in foster care,” adds Kirk. “We’re committed to finding ways to put the child at the center of our focus when working to integrate all the services the state, child welfare organizations and education providers offer.”

UnitedHealthcare also partners with Sesame Street Communities in Action, a nonprofit organization supporting foster parents and foster care organizations. The organization has developed hundreds of bilingual multi-media tools to help kids and families. Their resources engage kids and adults during everyday moments and daily routines to teach early math and literacy concepts, encourage families to eat nutritious foods and help them deal with serious topics such as divorce and food insecurity.

For decades, Sesame Street has used the power of the Muppets to help children and families cope with tough topics, and the creation of Karli, a new Muppet who is in foster care, is just one more example.

“I encourage anyone interested in helping children in foster care to visit their website for resources designed to support foster parents and caregivers,” said Kirk. “Through videos, a storybook, printables and interactive activities, children will meet their new Muppet Karli, who shares many aspects of their foster experience and provides a relatable mirror to their histories, questions and feelings.”

To access these resources, visit SesameStreetinCommunities.org/foster-care.

2021-05-10T08:26:07

(BPT) – Because spaces are being utilized in different ways and household appliances are getting used more frequently, homeowners are seeking smart upgrades that make life easier and more convenient. That’s why tankless water heaters are gaining popularity: These modern systems can make your home more comfortable, save space, lower costs and provide eco-friendly benefits.

Traditional versus tankless

A cold shower. Washing your hands in a chilly stream from the faucet. Having to wait to do dishes because there’s no more hot water. One issue with traditional water heaters is they have a holding tank that heats a specific amount of water. When that water is not being used, it sits there being heated, which wastes energy. On the flip side, when in use, when the hot water is gone, it’s gone. It doesn’t matter if you’re mid-shower, mid-bath or mid-laundry load.

A tankless water heater can solve these problems. They are popular in homes throughout Europe and commonly used in spas or other facilities in the U.S. due to the benefits of on-demand and endless hot water. They are slowly gaining popularity in U.S. homes as Americans are becoming more energy-conscious and discovering the efficient advantages over conventional types of water heating.

Top reasons to go tankless

The pandemic has people researching new solutions to their household issues, which is why many are learning about the benefits of tankless water heaters and making the switch. Here are some of the top reasons why this option is trending:

Efficient and environmentally friendly: Tankless heaters flash-heat water when you need it and turn off as soon as you turn off the faucet or shower. That means water is heated instantly and heated only when you need it. Tankless heaters are designed to save energy, which saves you money and protects the environment. For example, Thermalux tankless water heaters, on average, help reduce up to 118,000 tons of CO2 emissions a year.

Constant hot water without the waste: With a tankless water heater, you get to enjoy an endless stream of hot water because it’s heated through a compact yet powerful system that mounts on a wall. Once the demand for hot water no longer exists, the tankless water heater automatically shuts down and stops using energy. Choose the right size tankless and you’ll always have hot water when your family needs it.

Small size equals significant space savings: Usually about the size of a carry-on luggage bag, tankless water heaters can help you reclaim space compared with large tank-type heaters. These compact systems can be located in a utility room, garage, attic, basement or closet.

Cleaner water: Traditional tank water heaters can build rust and sediment inside the tank after years of use. This material can end up in the water that you use in your home. Since tankless options do not store water and heat it only on demand, you get fresh, clean water every time without worries of sediment.

Growing accessibility: Getting a tankless water heater is now as easy as going online to Amazon or Home Depot, where tankless water heaters are available for immediate purchase. Learn more at thermalux.com. Then find an installer and upgrade your system before your old one goes out.

Lower costs: The upfront cost of getting a tankless can be defrayed thanks to possible local, state and federal tax credits. Check out energystar.gov for more information. Once installed, a tankless will help lower your energy bills, helping you to further save money. Finally, tankless water heaters have double the lifespan of their tank-style counterparts, which significantly impacts savings over time.

With new demands on a home’s comfort and its systems, a tankless water heater can be an investment that pays off for years to come.

2021-05-10T09:01:01

(BPT) – Loyalty programs and perks are everywhere, but wouldn’t it be great if the companies and brands you invest in rewarded us as shareholders?

Thanks to the internet, it’s easier than ever to invest, and more and more people are jumping on the investment bandwagon with online investor assets growing more than $4 trillion in 2020 alone. If you’re like the one in three American consumers investing directly in stocks, you probably own shares in brands that make your favorite shoes, beloved car, beverage of choice or tech platform you can’t live without. You invest in what you know and love.

Today’s investors want their investments to reflect their personal interests, causes and passions. And stock ownership is not just a way to boost income and wealth — it’s a concrete way to show loyalty to a favorite brand. So why not get the perks of ownership — the shareholder discounts offered by that company or brand?

What are shareholder perks, and how can you get them?

Just as you can be rewarded for being a frequent flyer or shopper, you want stock perks to reward you for investing, such as discounts on products or services, or exclusive offers. In fact, according to an October 2020 Harris Poll, 77% of individual investors would be more likely to buy shares of a publicly traded company if they offered a shareholder perk. Unfortunately, the system is not always set up so companies know who their investors are, and investors don’t know how to find or access shareholder perks. So how can individual shareholders connect and engage with companies they love and invest in?

Enter TiiCKER, the first stock perks software platform and iOS app that lets you securely connect your brokerage accounts so you can discover shareholder perks you may qualify for, based on your linked portfolio, or buy shares in brands that offer perks thanks to their commission-free trading. You can search popular brands to find out if they are publicly traded and engage with companies and brands you love.

It’s easy to find any publicly traded company and your favorite brands. Simply type any ticker symbol or brand name in the search box. Alternatively, go directly to any publicly traded company page using a ticker symbol after TiiCKER.com. For example, www.TiiCKER.com/F for Ford Motor Company.

Who can invest?

Today’s investors are changing and becoming more diverse. For one thing, they’re skewing younger than you might expect.

A recent national survey of investors found plenty of surprises, such as the fact that more than half (54%) of people aged 18-34 and almost 60% of people ages 35-44 own individual stocks. And 43% of those who own stocks are women, the highest percentage in history. The survey, conducted online by TiiCKER in partnership with The Harris Poll, discovered that investing is no longer exclusive to older, affluent Americans. Of survey respondents with annual incomes of $75,000-$100,000, 58% were individual investors, while more than half (51%) of those earning between $50,000-$74,900 also owned individual stocks.

One unifying theme among these varied individual investors stood out: 3 out of 4 wanted to own shares of companies or brands they already loved — and they want to benefit from that brand ownership by getting perks. And the good news? The companies you own shares in want to reward you for your loyalty. This new platform makes it easy to discover shareholder perks you may qualify for based on your individual share ownership. Top brands and well-known companies like Disney, Carnival Cruises, Berkshire Hathaway, Amazon, Coca-Cola, American Airlines, P&G, Starbucks and Apple and many more can be found on the platform, along with engaging content and information to help guide your investment decisions.

“People literally use, wear and eat the brands on TiiCKER, and for most investors, their stock portfolio is a reflection of their interests and lifestyle,” said TiiCKER founder Jeff Lambert. “We’re here to help individuals discover and strengthen their connection to these brands, and to give public companies a way to connect with their shareholders, who are their most loyal consumers.”