Category: Brandpoint Business & Finance

2023-10-15T11:59:00

(BPT) – It’s no secret that farming is a physically demanding job, but the mental and emotional toll of the profession is often stigmatized or ignored. Fortunately, the mental health impact of running a farm is being increasingly studied and, as a result, better understood.

For example, Josie Rudolphi, Ph.D. — an assistant professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at the University of Illinois and co-director of the North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center — researches farm stress and mental health, agricultural safety and health and child agricultural injury prevention.

“We know that farmers experience really unique work-related stressors,” said Rudolphi. “These include the unpredictable nature of commodity prices and environmental conditions, which can tremendously impact their bottom line.”

According to Rudolphi, farm finances are a leading source of stress, regardless of what’s happening in the economy, and research shows financial and environmental stress are associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Perhaps this is why the number of people in the agricultural community who experience clinically significant symptoms of anxiety and depression exceeds those who experience similar symptoms in society at large.

A survey by Rudolphi and her team found that nearly 60% of young farmers met the criteria for depression, and even more met the criteria for anxiety. For the general population, it’s closer to 20%-30%. Given the prevalence of these mental health struggles, it’s critical that farmers have access to mental health care.

Barriers to care

Farmers seeking access to mental health care run into many barriers to care, one of which is simply finding services. In many places in rural America, there aren’t enough providers to meet the community’s mental health care needs.

Another challenge farm families face is cost. Because most farmers are independent producers who may operate on very thin margins, mental health care is often considered a luxury or an unnecessary expense.

While the lack of mental health resources and the ability to afford them may be discouraging, raising awareness of mental health issues in farming communities is crucial for removing barriers to care.

Recognize the signs of mental health issues

When communities know the signs of mental health issues, it can help decrease the stigma for those dealing with these struggles. For example, a change in behavior is one of the main warning signs of anxiety and depression.

“When people begin to behave differently, for whatever reason, it’s important to understand why,” said David Merrell, M.D., a regional physician with Syngenta Health Services and the on-site medical doctor for Syngenta in Greensboro, North Carolina. “Don’t wait. If you see a behavioral change, raise the question.”

Approaching someone experiencing behaviors outside of the norm gives them an opening to talk about their emotional health, stresses and worries. When approaching people struggling with mental health issues, patience is important. On average, people experiencing mental health issues take more than 10 years to speak up. That can be especially true for the rural community.

“Farmers and farm families are typically very self-reliant and can be reluctant to seek help,” said Merrell. “Recognize that everything is therapy. Hobbies, self-reflection and sharing your concerns with others are all forms of therapy. The question is, what kind of therapy do you want? Engaging a mental health professional can provide access to a better, higher quality of care.”

Help is here

To address the lack of mental health resources for farmers, the USDA has funded four regional farm and ranch assistance networks. They are:

• North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center
• Western Regional Agricultural Stress Assistance Program
• Cultivemos
• Southern Region Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network

Each network has a dedicated website and links to mental health resources and support for farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers. This regional approach is important to meeting the unique needs of each farming community. For example, in the North Central region, Rudolphi and her team are working to deliver mental health literacy programs for agricultural producers and those who work with them, including bankers, retailers, seed dealers and others who know farmers professionally and personally.

“We are training these people to be mental health allies,” said Rudolphi. “That includes when it’s necessary to intervene and how to talk about mental health. We still see stigmatization around mental health in these communities, but I think that’s starting to change. Hopefully, through education, increased awareness and shifting attitudes, farmers and their families will be encouraged and empowered to take the steps necessary to enhance their emotional well-being.”

To learn more, visit www.SyngentaThrive.com.

2023-10-12T16:19:00

(BPT) – Are you hunting for the perfect gift this holiday season? Choosing a personal or corporate gift that will delight your dearest friends or show appreciation to colleagues and customers can be challenging.

However, there is one gift that many agree they’d enjoy receiving: Food. In a recent consumer survey, 73% of Americans would rather receive a food gift during the holidays than a material object. They believe that food gifts are more heartfelt and enjoyable at holiday time. We totally agree with that!

Greyston Bakery understands that gifting a sweet treat during the holidays is a great way to delight your recipients and show how much you care. Check out these four reasons why a food gift should be your go-to present this holiday season.

1. A Gift With Meaning

Do you have a special holiday treat that makes you nostalgic and reminds you of warm family gatherings? Gifting food has the power to evoke long-lasting memories and strengthen personal connections.

Whether you choose a basket of gourmet goodies, a homemade dessert, or a selection of artisanal brownies, a food gift shows thoughtfulness and adds a warm touch. It can also help ease holiday meal preparation for those who are hosting. Instead of having to bake or buy a dessert, they can focus on dinner, knowing your gift will be a special addition to the festivities.

2. The Joy of a Shareable Gift

The holiday season is all about gathering around the table to enjoy a meal with people we love and cherish. And there’s no better way to end a good meal than with a warm, decadent, fudgy brownie or a moist, buttery blondie.

If you’re buying brownie gifts for yourself to share with family and friends or sending to someone that you care about near or far away, food gifts like Greyston Bakery brownies and blondies make it easy to gather and celebrate the best of tidings. Best of all, a sweet treat that gives back embodies the spirit of the year-end celebrations.

3. Varieties to Meet Your Needs (and those receiving your gift, of course!)

Greyston Bakery brownies and blondies are available in a range of truly delicious flavors. Whether you’re buying for chocolate fudge lovers, vegan goers, blondie enthusiasts, cinnamon aficionados or birthday cake devotees, you can rest assured that these sweets will be a crowd pleaser for all to enjoy. After all, this is the same company that makes the fudgy brownies that go into Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Can’t beat that!

Check out the bakery’s website to see all the available delectable bundle combinations. Variety is the spice of life and their selection will not disappoint. Not to mention, they’re certified kosher, made with non-GMO, ethically sourced ingredients with no artificial preservatives. All the good stuff that you want in a delicious gift.

4. A Gift That Does Good

As the saying goes, ’tis better to give than to receive, and giving a gift that gives back is as top-of-the-line gift giving as you can get. When you give a gift that contributes to a worthy cause, you demonstrate a commitment to positive social impact. Perhaps, in turn, your gift can inspire others to do the same.

Making decadent treats that taste good and do good is part of Greyston Bakery’s mission. They don’t hire people to bake brownies. They bake brownies to hire people. The bakery’s Open Hiring^® policy puts its worthwhile mission into action and provides meaningful jobs to those who have experienced barriers to employment. Every handcrafted Greyston Bakery gift you send gives another person an opportunity to live a productive life for themselves and their families. That’s why all their packages say, “Eat Brownies. Change Lives.”

Win at gift giving this holiday season (and year-round) by choosing a delicious brownie and blondie gift that is meaningful and shareable, with an assortment of flavors from a mission-based bakery that promotes positive social impact. To learn more about how you can send a corporate gift to colleagues, or a personal gift to friends and family, or order for yourself to bring to holiday gatherings, visit GreystonBakery.com.

2023-10-06T16:05:00

(BPT) – By Gary A. Officer, President and CEO of the Center for Workforce Inclusion

When you think of new hires, who do you picture? While you may expect applicants to be 20-somethings straight out of college or 30- to 40-somethings making a career change, in reality, you’ll likely see more applicants who are older adults. According to a report by the U.S. Special Committee on Aging, workers 55 and older will soon represent 25% of our nation’s workforce.

However, just because more older adults are applying for jobs doesn’t mean they are getting hired. Many older applicants face ageism during the hiring process. A survey by AARP found that it took older workers who were displaced during the Great Recession twice as long to find a new job than younger workers. The association also found that only 4% of firms have committed to programs that help integrate older workers into their talent pool.

Businesses that ignore this fast-growing workforce segment need to rethink their hiring process. With record-low unemployment numbers, many job openings across industries still need to be filled. But there is a mostly overlooked talent pool readily available — older Americans. Now more than ever, businesses must recognize that older workers bring much-needed experience, emotional intelligence and generational diversity to our workplaces.

Not convinced? Here are five key values older workers offer employers.

1. Problem-Solving abilities

Problem-solving is a critical skill that is attained over time. Through their lived experience in the workforce, older workers have accumulated a wealth of industry-specific knowledge that they can use to make informed decisions that help your business thrive. More importantly, they can impart this knowledge to younger colleagues, providing mentorship opportunities that benefit the mentors, mentees and the business as a whole.

The result is a more innovative team. A 2018 study by Cloverpop found that multigenerational teams with an age range of 25 years or more (from the youngest member to the oldest member) met or exceeded expectations 73% of the time, while those with a narrow range of less than 10 years did so only 35% of the time.

2. Reliability

Older workers are incredibly reliable. This usually means that they are known for punctuality and dependability. You can count on them to show up on time to meetings, meet strict deadlines and provide a consistency that may be missing from your workplace. Best of all, they set a positive example for the rest of the company.

3. Improved team productivity

It’s been reported that seven out of 10 workers in the United States enjoy working with people from other generations. Older workers appreciate the creativity of younger workers and younger workers appreciate the value of older workers’ experience and wisdom (AARP).

These benefits extend beyond workplace satisfaction, too. Significant profitability and performance gains have been reported for companies that have above-average diversity. For example, according to an AARP report, companies with above-average diversity in age, gender, nationality, career path, industry background and education on their management teams report innovation revenue that is 19% higher and profit margins that are 9% higher than companies with below-average diversity.

4. Adaptability

Older adults have seen technology rapidly change throughout their lifetime. Contrary to popular belief, older workers are adaptable and willing to learn and master new skills and technologies.

The fact is that they’ve had to adapt quickly to keep pace with the increasingly connected and technology-forward world. These experiences have taught them to effectively navigate change, a valuable asset for businesses across many industries.

5. Low turnover

Hiring and training new employees can cost a company extensive time, money and resources. To reduce turnovers and increase employee retention, businesses should look to hire older workers.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that older workers ages 55-64 have a higher employee tenure rate than their younger colleagues. They typically stay with a company for nearly 10 years, more than three times the rate of workers ages 25-34.

So, while the assumption might be that an older applicant is ready to retire — that is likely not the case. Many older Americans are delaying retirement, unretiring or simply unable to retire and are prepared to stay on board for many years to come.

Age is a value-add, not a detriment

While working for the Center for Workforce Inclusion, I’ve seen firsthand the benefits of hiring older employees. Embracing age diversity in your workforce can only help to improve your company’s overall performance and workplace culture.

We often partner with businesses to help them tap into the talent pool of older workers to achieve successful business outcomes. We also work directly with older job seekers to overcome barriers to employment, develop in-demand skills and secure employment. To learn more about our work and how we can help, visit CenterForWorkforceInclusion.org.

2023-10-04T08:01:00

(BPT) – Whether you’re in school, just graduating, or seeking a career change, your best bet is to consider positions that are in a growing field. One great example: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs such as information security analysts who focus on cybersecurity are estimated to grow 35% between 2021 and 2031.[1]

Why is cybersecurity such a big deal? Due to fast-growing technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and quantum computing, companies large and small are understaffed and ill-equipped to handle these rapid technological changes and the security threats involved — or their current staff may be in dire need of upskilling just to keep up with this accelerated evolution.

While the U.S. government’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is marking the 20th anniversary of Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October with the theme, “It’s easy to stay safe online,” the truth about cybersecurity is much more complicated. Cybersecurity Ventures predicts damages of $8 trillion due to cybercrime globally this year alone. Organizations and businesses of all sizes continue to be victims of cybercrime, so the need to hire well-educated cybersecurity professionals with up-to-date knowledge and skills has never been greater.

“The number of unfilled roles in cybersecurity grew 350% between 2013 and 2021. At the same time, cybersecurity attacks continue to rise with over 800,000 known attacks a year. This affects day-to-day lives, our economy, and our national security,” said DeVry University’s Chief Information Security Officer, Fred Kwong. “Higher education institutions and businesses must strive to make cybersecurity education and career pathways available to everyone. Without enough talent to quickly fill these roles, companies will continue to be at risk of these attacks.”

Moreover, the development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) bring new opportunities as well as challenges to the field of cybersecurity. For instance, AI’s power capabilities to make the most technologically savvy tasks easier for anyone to perform will give way to an increase in threat actors, around-the-clock breaching attempts, and more realistic, personable attack vectors. Thus, future cybersecurity professionals will need to know how to leverage tools for network monitoring and AI-powered threat detection to defend their organizations.

How can you learn the skills needed to join this field?

If pursuing a career in information technology and cybersecurity sounds exciting, here is one option to help you get started.

Future Cyber Defenders Scholars Program at DeVry University

Designed to help students pursuing cybersecurity programs and preparing to pursue technology careers, the Future Cyber Defenders Scholars Program offered exclusively to DeVry University and Keller students gives you the resources and support you need to prepare to stand out as a cybersecurity professional.

In this program, eligible undergraduate and graduate students can:

• Learn about training, events, conferences and networking opportunities hosted by leading industry organizations.
• Earn badges for completing leadership series courses and access industry-relevant content through LibGuide.
• Have opportunities to participate on DeVry’s National Cyber League competition team and join DeVry’s National Chapter of the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA).
• Get the cybersecurity career support you need with access to job search resources and opportunities, including internships, apprenticeships and full-time positions.

Enrollment in the Scholars Program

Students who meet all the following initial eligibility criteria will be automatically enrolled in the Future Cyber Defenders Scholars Program:

• Individual is a new, readmitted, resuming or continuing student
• Student is enrolled in or will be enrolled in an eligible cybersecurity program
• Student meets DeVry Admission and/or Keller Entrance requirements

Interested? Visit DeVry.edu for more information.

Leading the way with AI learning

Striving to fulfill their mission to prepare learners to thrive in a technology-driven workforce, DeVry University’s unique Artificial Intelligence (AI) Lab will help transform academic potential into academic performance and advance learner ambition. DeVry is also reinforcing its commitment to helping close the opportunity gap by providing education tailored to address the needs of the AI-driven workplace, including a course in AI and machine learning (ML) which is now embedded in six degrees and two certificate programs.

“The exponential growth of AI is reshaping industries across the board, impacting the way we work, and we must empower our workforce with the skills to not just adapt but thrive,” said Chief Information Officer Chris Campbell, DeVry University. “Our goal is to equip individuals at any career stage with the knowledge and expertise to leverage AI effectively. By doing so, we create a workforce that can harness AI’s power to drive innovation and efficiency across all sectors.”

To learn more, check out DeVry’s AI Resource Center at DeVry.edu/ai-resource-center.

2023-10-03T18:01:00

(BPT) – The business world can be a stressful place. When working as a business executive, you can feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of being a leader in a world that requires relentless multitasking and decision-making. Inevitably, you’ll feel burnt out.

While you may not be able to eliminate all the responsibilities and stressors in your life, you can incorporate mindfulness practices to help you better manage your thoughts and emotions. For example, practicing yoga and meditation can help you find moments of calm and clarity even on the most hectic workday. Check out these three benefits of yoga and meditation that can help business executives thrive and become better leaders.

1. Reduce stress

Stress is an ever-present co-worker for many executives. Between deadlines, managing teams and making important decisions, you can feel like you’re in a constant state of tension. Integrating yoga and meditation practices into your routine can help you reduce stress. Even just a few minutes a day can make a huge difference.

According to the American Psychological Association, researchers have found that mindfulness meditation changes a person’s brain and biology to improve mental and physical health. Whether you practice breathing exercises, yoga or a guided session, mindfulness meditation can help you reduce and manage stress at home and in the office.

2. Improve focus

Yoga and meditation are a great way to improve your focus. By focusing on your breath and the task at hand, whether it’s a yoga position or a meditative mantra, you can clear your mind. Without the mental clutter, you can see the big picture clearly, allowing you to make strategic decisions that benefit your team.

This improved focus isn’t just a result of relieving stress and settling your mind. It can actually change the way your brain works. According to University Health News, researchers have found that yoga can greatly affect neural patterns in the brain, improving your ability to concentrate and focus. The next time you find yourself stuck on a problem or unable to concentrate on a project or proposal, take a few minutes to do a quick yoga flow or five-minute meditation.

3. Enhance leadership skills

To be an effective and inspiring leader, it takes more than smarts. Great business executives and managers must also have high emotional intelligence (EI), that is, the ability to monitor your own and others’ feelings and emotions and use that information to guide your decisions.

While some people are naturally gifted with EI, you can build this skill and improve your leadership skills through mindfulness practices. According to a study published in the IIMB Management Review Journal, practicing yoga and yogic meditation can enhance someone’s EI and improve managerial performance. Add yoga and meditation to your managerial toolbox and see how improving your EI changes your managerial style and positively impacts your projects and team members.

Start or deepen your practice to thrive

These are just three of the many benefits of yoga and meditation. By investing in your mental and emotional health through yoga and meditation, you can become a more effective business leader while balancing your work and personal life.

Whether you’re new to yoga and meditation or want to deepen your practice, check out the teachings of practitioners like Keiko Aikawa’s Himalayan Siddha Meditation workshop.

Aikawa is known as the “Yogmata,” a supreme Himalayan saint who has reached the final stage of yoga and meditation called “samadhi” (equivalent to nirvana in Buddhism). She is the first female saint in history to reach samadhi.

Her books “108 Teachings,” “Empty Your Mind and Achieve Your Dreams,” and “The Road to Enlightenment” are great resources for developing and deepening your yoga and meditation practices. You can also attend her upcoming workshop in New York and learn her teachings and breathwork firsthand. To learn more, visit yogmata.net/en_darshan.

2023-10-03T07:01:00

(BPT) – Consumer demand for sustainable cotton is at an all-time high. But for farmers, sustainability isn’t just a word on a clothing tag. It’s a dedication that begins before a single seed is planted.

When weather, pest and disease pressure close in on a cotton crop, ready to steal yield and profits, how do farmers across the globe meet this ever-increasing demand for sustainable cotton?

This question, and the conversations it spurred, were at the forefront of ‘United for the Biggest Job on Earth,’ an event hosted by BASF Agricultural Solutions at the United Nations headquarters on September 12.

“We’re here today because BASF is committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and there is no greater person to help us address those challenges than our farmers,” said Ray Daniels, BASF Seed Sustainability Manager.

The two-hour event was led by Daniels and Jessica Monserrate, Head of Sustainability for BASF. Five cotton farmers from Greece and five cotton farmers from the U.S. (three from Texas and two from Mississippi) shared with BASF leadership from North America and Europe, as well as national textile and agriculture media, on the many on-farm sustainable practices they are currently enacting, what they need from industry stakeholders and their hope for the future.

“Most people aren’t aware of the effort farmers like us are putting into sustainable agriculture practices, and we want to continue to share our story and gain their support,” said Randy Smith, Texas cotton farmer.

Randy’s wife Pat adds, “We raise our families here. We want to protect the land for generations to come.”

Farming for the future

All 10 cotton farmers are part of the U.S. e3® Sustainable Cotton program or the European Certified FiberMax® program. Both provide field-level traceability for cotton, as well as a way for farmers to track and measure the environmental and social impacts of their cotton production.

Sustainability isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Texas cotton farmers Richard Gaona and Jon Watley discussed how cover crops might work in a field in one part of the state, and not in another.

“Our operations can be as unique as the land we steward,” said Gaona. “Having a partner to help us find the right solutions and enact the right sustainability practices is important.”

Helping do the Biggest Job on Earth

Having a true partnership with farmers is one of the main priorities of the e3 Sustainable Cotton program, which supports farmers advancing the preservation of natural resources, the viability and vitality of cotton farming communities and the production of high-quality, sustainable cotton. It’s important that farmers have the tools to successfully adopt and accelerate sustainable practices on-farm, as well as meet the needs of brands and retailers who are expected to demonstrate transparency to their consumers.

The e3 Sustainable Cotton program provides brands and retailers in fashion and textile industries access to sustainably produced FiberMax and Stoneville^® cotton, with measured, validated and reported sustainability metrics that they, and their consumers, can trust.

In 2022, more than 250 farmers enrolled in the e3 Sustainable Cotton program and made positive impacts in sustainable cotton production.

• 79% of e3 Sustainable Cotton farmers used reduced tillage practices, minimizing soil turnover to maintain nutrients and keeping a farmers’ No. 1 asset healthy. Not only does reduced tillage keep soil from moving, but it also requires fewer machinery trips through fields, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• 69% incorporated practices that build carbon through their production system, including practices like crop rotation, reduced tillage and cover crops to improve soil quality. By storing carbon in the soil, it limits carbon loss to our atmosphere, reducing climate impacts from cotton production.

Farmers provide the fuel, feed, food and fiber for our world and are an essential component to the global economy. With that responsibility comes a heightened need to make sure their voices are heard, and their industry is understood for all consumers.

“Our ag systems will have to undergo an accelerated transformation to provide for our growing population, all the while ensuring we’re mitigating impact to our environment,” said Monserrate. “It’s the Biggest Job on Earth and BASF will be by their side.”

Always read and follow label directions.

E3, FiberMax and Stoneville are registered trademarks of BASF.

© 2023 BASF Corporation. All rights reserved.

2023-09-25T07:01:00

(BPT) – Small businesses are a rapidly growing sector of the U.S. economy, responsible for all of the net job growth in the U.S. since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly half (46.4%)[i] of all U.S. employees are employed by a small business. Additionally, there are 65 million independent workers nationwide.

Faced with high inflation and market volatility, small business owners today are tasked with recruiting top talent in a tight labor market where employees are expecting more from their employers than ever before. However, despite such a large portion of the workforce employed by a small business, only one-third (34%) of small employers currently offer a retirement savings plan to employees, according to Fidelity Investments’ 2023 Small Business Retirement Index, creating a major opportunity for small employers to offer more competitive benefits.

Understanding the concerns of small business owners

As small businesses continue to employ a growing percentage of the U.S. workforce, it is essential to offer the key benefits that will help them be competitive with larger companies and will set their employees up for financial success and well-being. What’s holding them back?

A recent Fidelity survey of small business owners found that:

• Almost half (48%) do not believe they can afford to offer a retirement savings plan. Others feel they are too busy running their company to focus on retirement, or don’t know how to start the process (22% and 21%, respectively).
• 73% believe they can’t compete with larger companies on compensation and benefits.
• 83% know they should be saving more for their own futures, but 59% aren’t sure how to maximize their retirement savings.

For those running a microbusiness (with fewer than 10 employees), these worries are magnified, with 71% worried they cannot afford to offer a retirement savings benefit, and 82% believing they can’t compete with larger corporations when it comes to benefits.

“Small business owners are faced with so many challenges as they grow their business,” says Andrew Schreiner, senior vice president of small business retirement at Fidelity. “While offering a retirement benefit can feel like a potentially expensive and overwhelming task, it can have an enormous impact in attracting and retaining top talent. And fortunately, there are many affordable and attainable retirement saving solutions available for companies of all sizes.”

Retirement solutions for small businesses

For small business owners of companies of all shapes and sizes, there are retirement options available to meet your specific needs, including:

• Self-Employed 401(k)s: Intended for self-employed individuals or small-business owners with no employees other than a spouse, these accounts are funded through a combination of employee deferrals and employer contributions, allowing individuals to maximize the amount they can save.
• SEP IRAs: Also intended for self-employed individuals or small-business owners with only a few employees, SEP IRAs are funded solely by employer contributions.
• SIMPLE IRAs: Funded by a combination of employee deferrals and employer contributions, SIMPLE IRAs help self-employed individuals and small-business owners gain access to a tax-deferred benefit when saving for retirement.
• Small Business 401(k): A new type of plan called Pooled Employer Plans (PEPs) can help maximize retirement savings for growing small businesses while offering a simple plan design and fewer administrative responsibilities.

Additionally, recent legislation like the SECURE 2.0 Act allows small businesses to receive enhanced and expanded tax credits for starting retirement plans, further incentivizing small employers to do so. Interested in learning more? Go to https://www.fidelity.com/retirement-ira/small-business/compare-retirement-plans.

2023-09-25T07:01:00

(BPT) – Life is filled with moments, both big and small, when legal support can make a difference. Despite the widely held notion that legal representation is only useful for a “run-in” or unexpected conflict with the law, legal services can be used for a broad range of situations, from buying a new home to getting married — all while saving you time, money and stress.

Despite the benefits and use cases, however, legal plans are massively underutilized by U.S. employees — MetLife’s Legal Access Study found that while a majority (67%) of U.S. employees say they have experienced a legal situation in the last five years, only 7% have sought legal representation. For millennial employees, many of whom are approaching major life milestones, only 2% have enrolled in legal plans offered through work, despite 18% having access to this benefit.

As the millennial generation approaches mid to late adulthood, having access to a network of experienced attorneys and digital tools can help them navigate pivotal junctures with greater ease and confidence. This offers added peace of mind and can effectively improve holistic well-being — in fact, MetLife research found that millennials who own an employer-provided legal plan are 66% more likely to be holistically healthy.

Here are three major life events millennials often face and how legal plans can provide guidance and support:

1. Growing (and protecting) your wealth

As millennials advance further into their careers, many will begin earning larger paychecks. Though this is a welcome change, building wealth requires additional financial security. One of the best ways to safeguard is through a legal plan, which can provide support for a range of financial matters, including homebuying, estate planning, tax prep, identity theft and more. Unlike other benefits that are reactive — or mostly useful after a need arises — legal plans are a proactive tool millennials can use to protect what’s next in their lives.

2. Getting married

From getting engaged to saying, “I do,” it’s easy for couples to forget about the less exciting, however vital, legal considerations associated with marriage. Legal plans can help with these formalities by assisting with everything from developing a prenuptial agreement to facilitating the tedious process of getting a name changed after tying the knot. For same-sex couples, for whom this process is even more nuanced and complex, legal plans can be particularly helpful as experienced attorneys navigate local laws while advocating on the couples’ behalf.

3. Starting and caring for your family

Legal plans can support family planning at all stages of life, from welcoming a new baby to sending kids off to college to caring for aging parents. For new parents, this could include navigating complicated processes like adoption or surrogacy. As life goes on, legal plans offer guidance for financing a child’s education and navigating student loans, issues around guardianship or helping a college-age child with an out-of-state traffic ticket. Further down the road, an attorney may come in handy when caring for aging parents by reviewing complicated nursing home agreements or estate planning documents. Many millennials also fall in the “sandwich” category, made up of those who care for children and parents simultaneously — for individuals juggling multiple priorities, knowing legal experts are ready and available to assist when they need it can also help provide necessary relief and emotional support day to day.

Having tailored support through legal plans can help millennials face life’s major moments with greater ease, reduced costs and added peace of mind.

To learn about MetLife Legal Plans and how this benefit can support your unique legal needs, visit https://www.legalplans.com/.

2023-09-21T09:27:01

(BPT) – Walmart is laser-focused on offering customers the easiest and most convenient shopping experience, no matter how they shop.

When customers shop at Walmart.com or our app, their baskets often comprise repeat items, which means precious time is spent during every weekly shopping trip finding and adding the items they’ve purchased countless times before.

As a way to give customers back time and provide a more convenient shopping experience, Walmart is introducing subscriptions, a new service that’s highly convenient, flexible, and customized to meet their needs. It not only saves customers time during their weekly shop but also gives them the peace of mind that the things they need are always at their doorsteps when they need them.

Our starting assortment focuses on the categories and items our customers shop the most frequently, including tens of thousands of everyday essentials spanning pet food, supplements, diapers, and paper towels. These items will be automatically delivered on their preferred cadence, whether it be every two weeks or every two months. With no fees or commitments, they can also cancel at any time. To help customers build their go-to basket, we recommend more items they might like, and suggest the most useful replenishment cadence based on past orders.

We also know our customers lead busy lives, and plans can change at the drop of a hat. Our subscriptions service also offers the largest window to adjust the subscriptions before their items are delivered. We’ll send a reminder to them six days before their estimated delivery date, prompting them to adjust their subscriptions if needed. They have up to 48 hours to make changes before their order is processed for delivery, offering them even more flexibility.

This is just the beginning for Walmart subscriptions, and we’ll continue to add items and build out the service over the coming months. This exciting opportunity for us as a company will accelerate our goal of making online shopping simple and easy for our customers. You can find out more about how to subscribe to products and manage your subscriptions here.

2023-09-19T07:01:00

(BPT) – There’s a good chance you may have a habit or two when it comes to money that is not doing your financial future any favors. The good news is you’re not alone, and there are ways to break those habits and create better financial health for you and/or your family.

According to a recent survey from OnePoll and National Debt Relief, LLC, over 60% of people in the U.S. claim to make poor decisions when it comes to money and 42% of people admit to having current financial struggles. That may be in part because most people either have information that they aren’t using in their day-to-day lives, or like over 20% of respondents, they need more information to help them learn better habits.

Natalia Brown, chief client operations officer from National Debt Relief, has broken down the top 5 most common bad money habits and offered actionable tips on how to avoid these pitfalls.

1. Writing off small purchases as insignificant

While spending money on things like takeout or app subscriptions may seem minor, these purchases add up over time. Your coffee may only cost $4.99, but as a daily habit, it can become costly. If you add up these seemingly insignificant costs over a month or two you’ll get a clear picture of how much you’re spending. Additionally, while BOGO promotions may be appealing, if you don’t need the second item, don’t spend the extra money.

2. Gambling

While you may not be a high-stakes poker player or spend hours at casinos, a regular lottery ticket habit can mean you’re throwing away your hard-earned money. Instead, try saving any money you might put into gambling and investing it into a higher interest savings account, which will add up quicker than you expect, especially if you keep adding to it.

3. Using credit cards to pay bills

Paying bills with a credit card can work well if you’re paying your balance off in full each month. But, if you’re not paying your balance off in full each month, you may want to reconsider. The interest you’ll end up paying on the card will make your bills much more expensive. For example, if your credit card interest rate is around 20% and you have a $5,000 balance, it could take you around 11 years to pay this off with minimum payments. Plus, your total payments will end up being around $8,417.

To avoid getting into this situation, try listing out your regular expenses, categorizing which ones are absolute necessities (like rent, utilities and food) and which are not (like entertainment and eating out). Then total your must-pay bills and compare that amount to what you’re earning and cut anything that’s not a necessity that you’ve been relying on credit cards to keep up with.

4. Taking out payday loans

Beware of payday loans. These short-term loans often have high interest rates and may cost you a lot of money. Other options you can consider before taking out a payday loan may be finding ways to earn extra income like driving for a ride sharing company or getting some part-time work, or saving money through strict budgeting and getting rid of those non-essentials (see above for more on that).

5. Spending more than you earn

Start by listing out all your expenses and your income. This can help you get a better picture of where, and how much, you need to cut down. Minimize unnecessary expenses and look for creative ways to boost your income. People are always looking for help with tasks like cleaning, organizing or creative work. If you have any special talents, see if you can monetize any of them.

“Managing money can be tough, and we all make mistakes,” said Brown. “There’s a lot of guilt and shame associated with being in debt or having money struggles. It’s important to know that you’re not alone and there are steps you can take to create a better financial future for yourself or your family. At National Debt Relief, we understand the importance of not just helping people with their immediate debt situations, but also giving them the tools, skills and guidance they need to feel more confident and in control of their finances.”

Need to break bad financial habits? National Debt Relief can help you resolve your debt more quickly and for less money than you owe. Their team will also help you learn skills like budgeting, how to save money, and how to live within your means so you can improve your financial health and feel confident about your future.

If you’re ready to fix your bad money habits and create long-term financial security, visit NationalDebtRelief.com or call 800-674-0907.