Month: January 2024

2024-01-03T08:01:00

(BPT) – Looking for ways to escape wintertime blues? Experience the boat life in the middle of winter and start planning for warmer days ahead. Beginning in January, boat shows across the country offer the hottest deals around with special pricing and incentives on new boat models and marine accessories — a major draw for the estimated 85 million Americans who take to the water each year, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association. For those ready to plan their summer adventures on the water, boat shows are the best place to start.

Whether you are interested in fishing, cruising, water sports or personal watercraft, boat shows provide the unique opportunity to browse and board hundreds of boats in one place while taking advantage of once-a-year pricing. Plus, these premier boating events offer a glimpse at the latest boating technologies and trends, as well as educational opportunities, giving attendees a taste of the boating lifestyle during the offseason with nautical fun for any age and experience level.

Discover Boating, a one-stop destination for all things boating whether you are a current boat owner or just getting your feet wet, helps people navigate ways to get on the water, providing an array of resources to get started.

Check out these expert tips from Discover Boating to get the most out of your visit and go to the Discover Boating Boat Show Calendar to find a show near you:

1. Browse online before cruising to a boat show.

Before visiting a boat show, research new boat models and brands based on your budget and lifestyle through Discover Boating’s Boat Finder tool. Boat Finder makes it easy to find your match online, which can be found exclusively at any Discover Boating boat show. To access the tool, visit your local Discover Boating boat show’s website and click on the Boat Finder button.

2. Shop the show floor.

Unlike auto shows, boat shows are the place to buy. You can shop all the region’s dealers under one roof and purchase your dream boat right from the show floor. It’s the perfect time to order a new boat to ensure it arrives ready to launch in the spring.

3. Learn the ropes.

Find out more about the boating essentials and take advantage of onsite training and education with tips, tricks, and DIY advice for first-time boaters and seasoned pros alike. Most boat shows offer interactive activities for the whole family from knot-tying and boating 101 seminars to remote-control docking ponds and more.

4. Look for the seal of approval.

When shopping for a boat at a show, online or at a dealership, always check to make sure it is NMMA Certified. NMMA Certified boats and trailers have been independently inspected to ensure they meet strict industry standards for safety and construction, as well as all federal regulations. Look for the NMMA Certified sticker near the helm of a boat.

Find a boat show near you by visiting DiscoverBoating.com, where you’ll also find a list of NMMA Certified boat manufacturers, a Safety Basics Video Series, Presented with Progressive^® Insurance, a boat loan calculator to estimate monthly payments, a dealer finder to connect with local boat dealerships, plus more interactive tools and resources to help you get started in boating.

2024-01-02T23:01:00

(BPT) – As the new year is here and you may be setting health goals for yourself, exploring the new weight loss medications might be part of this. Whether you’re considering trying them, currently on one, or recently have ended treatment, it’s important not only to consult with your health care provider for guidance, but also to follow nutrition practices that can support your long-term wellness goals.

To help you in sustaining your weight loss journey, Dr. Jonathan Clinthorne, PhD, director of nutrition at Atkins, offers practical advice and recommendations.

“Many patients who are now taking medications to help promote weight loss can face unique challenges,” said Clinthorne. “Health and wellness are long-term goals that go beyond weight, however the good news is that these medications appear to be effective and can really help people reduce their calorie intake by reducing appetite. Ultimately for many people this is an important piece of their wellness journey.”

When your appetite is suppressed and you’re eating less, it becomes more important to focus on nutrition quality and make every bite count. Here are some important factors to keep in mind if you’re taking weight loss medications, and tools to help keep you on track.

1. Focus on maintaining lean muscle

Losing weight typically involves losing some lean muscle tissue, so it’s important that you consume enough protein to help minimize the amount of muscle lost. One way to do that is by following eating patterns that prioritize protein, like the Atkins approach, which has been shown to be helpful for preserving muscle tissue during weight loss. Overall, it’s recommended to seek meals and snacks that are higher in protein, including lean meats, seafood, eggs, low-fat dairy and nuts. Also, don’t skimp on exercise, combining resistance training with higher protein intake is typically the best way to preserve lean tissue during weight loss.

2. Make sure to get your vital nutrients

Since weight loss medications can suppress your appetite, your everyday food choices will matter even more. Be sure that the foods you do eat are not full of empty calories and added sugar, but instead are sources of the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that your body needs, such as vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, zinc, protein and fiber. Many of the newer weight loss medications may also reduce thirst, so make sure to stay well hydrated. Smoothies and soups are great ways to incorporate more nutrition and hydration into your day, without seeming like an overwhelmingly large meal.

3. Find healthier ways to satisfy cravings

It’s important to understand that if you haven’t made nutrition and lifestyle changes, it’s likely you will regain weight if you stop taking these medications. You may also find that your cravings for certain foods — like sweet things — will return when stopping treatment. However, that doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself of all the tastes that you love.

To help you stay on track as you work toward your wellness goals, Atkins offers delicious, indulgent low-carb and low sugar recipes and other options that can help satisfy your cravings for your favorite foods. You can choose from Atkins nutrition bars and shakes which are uniquely formulated with protein, fiber, carbs and fat to help support your weight loss journey.

For example, Atkins PLUS Protein & Fiber Shakes are rich in protein, and also a good source of fiber, calcium and other important vitamins and minerals. Atkins Shakes are portable and a great option to keep you satisfied throughout the day so you don’t end up skipping meals.

“Seek out mini meals like Atkins bars and shakes when your appetite is suppressed, because they provide a one-two punch combining quality protein and fiber,” said Clinthorne. “And for anyone who worries about regaining the weight they’ve lost if they discontinue taking their weight loss medications, Atkins offers delicious products and sustainable low-carb options and recipes that can help support you maintain your weight loss long-term.”

For more information about weight loss medications, and how Atkins can help, visit Atkins.com/weight-loss-medications.

2024-01-02T14:09:56

(BPT) – These days, many Americans do a lot of their shopping and charitable giving online. That is why it’s important for consumers to be conscious of financial scams to protect their identities, bank accounts and monetary transactions. From check fraud and peer-to-peer digital payments (i.e., Zelle, Venmo, Paypal or CashApp) to imposters posing as representatives of banks, roughly three-quarters of Americans reported being targeted by scams last year.

The Consumer Bankers Association (CBA) recommends taking the following steps to minimize the possibility of falling victim yourself:

1. Be wary and slow down! Scammers sometimes send text messages or emails claiming to be a fraud alert from the app or your bank. If you don’t recognize the email or phone number, you should proceed with caution. Don’t open attachments or click links from unknown sources, even if they say they are coming from your bank. Like many online scams, scammers will sometimes offer products at unrealistic prices to trick consumers, so resist demands to act quickly.

2. Don’t give out personal information. If a text message asks you to provide any PINs, passwords, Social Security numbers, account information or any other sensitive information, it is likely a scam. Banks rarely ask for this information over the phone and will never ask for a one-time login code. If you have any suspicions, hang up and immediately call your bank.

3. Triple-check payments. And, if you are sending money over a payment app, check every number to ensure accuracy. Some apps prompt senders to verify the recipient’s phone number or otherwise verify their identity. While this is important, double-check the recipient’s account information before you click send. Instant payment apps act like cash, so treat it as such.

“Fraudsters and scammers are getting more sophisticated to trick consumers out of their own money. That’s why it’s so important to be mindful before making a payment to someone, providing any personal information, and especially before giving your bank information to anyone,” CBA President and CEO Lindsey Johnson said. “Please be vigilant and encourage others to do the same.”

The Consumer Bankers Association and its membership comprising the nation’s leading consumer retail banks encourage consumers to protect their own information and money to avoid falling victim to scams and fraud. More information can be found at www.consumerbankers.com.

2024-01-01T23:01:00

(BPT) – As you make your New Year’s resolutions, you may be thinking about completing your education to pursue your career goals — or even enter an entirely new field. But if you’ve been out of school for a while, how can you make your resolution a reality? Between work, family and other obligations, the idea of going back to college can seem challenging. Fortunately, there are several ways you can make today’s technology, your life experience, your employer and flexible educational opportunities work for you.

To help get you started, here are some ways to maximize your time, energy and financial investment to help you reach your educational goals and check that resolution off your list.

Set your own pace and schedule

These days, there are more available options than ever before to access highly flexible educational opportunities. Many institutions of higher education offer online/remote or hybrid classes that make it easier to fit them into your busy schedule.

When researching opportunities, ask about specifics of different learning modalities, such as whether remote/online classes are synchronous (you attend remotely but at set times, making it easier to engage in real-time interaction) or asynchronous (you can engage with class materials on your own timetable), or how often hybrid classes expect you to participate in person, and where.

You may also consider a school that offers competency-based education (CBE) as an effective way to potentially meet your educational needs more efficiently. Through this flexible learning model, you earn credentials by demonstrating mastery through multiple forms of assessment. Look for a program that is also designed to develop and measure high-demand skills. This will help you demonstrate your capabilities to employers.

Get credit for previous experience

Just because you’ve been out of school for a while doesn’t mean you’ve stopped learning. Many schools today acknowledge the value of adult learners’ experience by offering credit for prior learning (CPL) or experiential learning opportunities, which grant college credit for skills and knowledge you’ve gained outside of school, such as during military service.

It’s always worth asking a higher learning institution what their CPL policies are, and what kind of assessment is required to be granted college credit. Assessments could include (but are not limited to) examinations, certifications, licenses or a review of a portfolio of your work. CPL is one effective way to help you save time, money and effort when you’re working toward a degree program.

Seek flexible, affordable online general education courses

On the road to earning an undergraduate degree, virtually every college or university requires certain general education courses. These classes are typically the necessary prerequisites for taking more advanced courses in any field of study as you work toward a degree. They include introductory classes in a variety of subjects including English, composition, math, science, history and more.

If you haven’t completed some of these crucial classes yet, there are affordable options to help you complete these courses at your own pace. Sophia Learning is an online learning platform that allows students at any stage of their higher education journey to complete college-level general education courses that are ACE^®-recommended for college credit.

Sophia offers over 60 high-quality, general education college-level courses, available through a $99/month subscription. Students can move through the courses at their own pace, making Sophia extremely flexible for busy working adults.

This option provides an affordable alternative pathway to completing general education requirements, offering an integrated experience for students. This means your Sophia subscription includes all your course materials and learning coaches. Visit Sophia.org to learn more about flexible options for completing general education courses.

Explore employer-sponsored tuition benefits

To help attract, retain and upskill employees, many companies today offer education benefits such as tuition assistance — even for part-time employees in some companies — and your coursework does not always need to be directly related to your job. According to the LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report 2023, providing learning opportunities has become a priority for organizations that are working to improve retention.

Ask your employer about their tuition assistance program, as this can save you money as you work to increase your value as an employee. Some employers also offer these benefits to spouses and children of employees, so that is another avenue to explore.

Using these tips, you can start exploring the possibilities for achieving your educational goals, no matter where you are in your educational journey.