Category: Brandpoint Business & Finance

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.

2023-09-13T14:07:00

(BPT) – With the boom in retail trading over the last few years, one area may be new to a lot of investors: investing in an Initial Public Offering (IPO). IPOs have been fairly scarce the last several years and traditionally have not been available for everyday investors, so many may not know what is involved in investing in them.

Here are things every investor should know about investing in IPOs:

What is an IPO?

An IPO, or initial public offering, refers to privately owned companies selling shares of the business to the general public for the first time. Companies choose to do this for a mix of reasons, including to boost a company’s profile, bring prestige to the management team, and raise cash that can be used for expanding the business.

Once a company has completed their IPO, their company will trade company shares on a stock exchange for any investor to invest in, and the stock price will be subject to market forces driving it up or down.

Deciding if an IPO Investment Is Right For You

If you have the option to invest in an IPO, you should do so only after having conducted your own due diligence and considering whether or not this fits in your investment strategy. The SEC states that “being well informed is critical in deciding whether to invest. Therefore, it is important to review the prospectus and ask questions when researching an IPO.”

SoFi, for instance, offers robust educational resources available to any investors to better understand different investment vehicles, including IPO investing, and how you can best determine your personal investment strategy.

Understanding IPO Investing vs. Buying Shares on Listing Day

The IPO price is the price at which shares of a company are set before they are sold on a stock exchange. As soon as markets open and the stock is actively traded, that price begins to go up or down depending on consumer demand, which is known as the opening price.

Investing in an IPO means you are buying in at the IPO price versus buying the opening price or any other price the day or days after the stock debuts on a stock exchange.

Indication of Interest & Share Allocation

If you are interested in IPO investing, you will have to go through a few steps before being able to buy into the pre-listing price. When a company is preparing their IPO, there will be an indication of interest period for investors where you will request the number of shares you would like to buy. An indication of interest is similar to making a reservation – you are holding your place in line and will be contacted by the brokerage firm you invest with to confirm your intent once the deal is live and firm orders can be received.

Oftentimes there is a lot of pent-up interest to invest in private companies, so usually you may receive fewer shares than you originally requested, and depending on that level of interest, the IPO price per share could go up or down.

Either way, once your allocation has been made, your brokerage firm will communicate how many shares you will receive and what the final price per share will be to ensure you’d still like to purchase the shares you requested before executing any trades.

Where to Invest in IPOs

Traditionally, IPOs have been primarily for institutional investors and high-net worth individuals, but increasingly companies are considering everyday investors a part of their IPO strategy and setting aside shares to be allocated to these traders.

SoFi Invest¹ offers IPO trading² to those with SoFi Active Invest accounts, and there are no account minimums required to participate plus no commissions or fees on IPO trades. As a SoFi Invest member, you simply need to view your Invest account, look to see what IPOs are available and answer a few questions to see if this investment is right for you. From there, you only need to indicate how many shares you’re interested in and keep an eye out for updates and alerts on your share allocation.

Learn more about SoFi IPO and see what IPOs may be available to invest in here: https://www.sofi.com/invest/ipo-investing/

DISCLOSURES

1. SoFi Invest refers to the three investment and trading platforms operated by Social Finance, Inc. and its affiliates (described below). Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of the platforms below.

1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.

2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA(www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.

3) SoFi Crypto is offered by SoFi Digital Assets, LLC, a FinCEN registered Money Service Business.

For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above, including state licensure of SoFi Digital Assets, LLC, please visit SoFi.com/legal.

Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform. Information related to lending products contained herein should not be construed as an offer or pre-qualification for any loan product offered by SoFi Bank, N.A.

2. Investing in an Initial Public Offering (IPO) involves substantial risk, including the risk of loss. Further, there are a variety of risk factors to consider when investing in an IPO, including but not limited to, unproven management, significant debt, and lack of operating history. For a comprehensive discussion of these risks please refer to SoFi Securities’ IPO Risk Disclosure Statement. This should not be considered a recommendation to participate in IPOs and investors should carefully read the offering prospectus to determine whether an offering is consistent with their investment objectives, risk tolerance, and financial situation. New offerings generally have high demand and there are a limited number of shares available for distribution to participants. Many customers may not be allocated shares and share allocations may be significantly smaller than the shares requested in the customer’s initial offer (Indication of Interest). For more information on the allocation process please visit IPO Allocation.

Please review the Customer Relationship Summary (Form CRS) which contains important information about the product, services, fees, and conflicts of interest of SoFi Securities LLC.

2023-08-24T11:01:00

(BPT) – Back-to-school season is right around the corner and with that comes more hectic schedules and opportunities for things to go awry. We chatted with Latroy Tillery, who knows the struggle of keeping everything on track with your family while managing his own business. “Being a dad of 3 kids, I know how busy schedules can make it difficult to manage not only your kids’ plans, but also your own. I wanted to share my favorite tips that my family has implemented to help make the back-to-school season easier for parents to have more energy and money in their wallets.” Latroy and his wife Nicole are parents to twins in first grade and have a new baby at home, meaning they have plenty of know-how in regard to saving energy and how to stretch a dollar. Check out Latroy’s five tips and tricks to surviving back-to-school season, below:

1. To stay on top of not only after-school activities, but also school concerts, parent-teacher meetings, field trips and more, we recommend making a family calendar and assigning a color to each family member. Yes, a real, tangible calendar! Mom’s events can be in red, for example, and each kid can choose their favorite color. Write down every important activity that you do not want to miss and hang it somewhere you are always looking, such as the fridge. This way you will never forget an event and will always be mindful of keeping it up to date. This is a great time and energy saver because you don’t have to compare multiple calendars. With just one look you can easily see what each family member has planned for the day.

2. With school picking up, so do activities such as clubs, sports practice and other extracurriculars. Parents will be happy to save money on gas by downloading the Exxon Mobil Rewards+ app and using it for each fuel purchase. Each time you fill up using the Exxon Mobil Rewards+ program, you earn points towards savings. Members can earn points on every gallon and snacks in the convenience store which you can redeem on fuel and snacks on future purchases. Plus, frequent users of Synergy Supreme+ premium gasoline get extra points§ when they fill up while getting the benefit of better mileage.*

3. “One thing that always seems to go wrong at my house is losing important papers for my kids,” Latroy explained. To help fight this, create an important paper spot in your home, such as a paper tray by their backpacks. This will make kids’ lives easier by knowing exactly where to put their important papers for their parent’s review and help parents save energy by not rummaging through their children’s backpacks each night.

4. Before the school year starts, practice your morning routine with the whole family. It is important to understand how your kids, pets and even you will function in the morning and how much time you have to get everything done and organized before everyone needs to be out of the house. Choosing a morning for a practice routine will help get kids’ sleep schedules fixed before the school year picks up and save parents’ energy in the morning once school starts knowing each child is set up for success.

5. Meal prepping is more important than ever when school starts back up. Planning for kids’ lunches, your own lunch, dinner and breakfast for everyone can help save you time in the long run and help you make healthier choices for your family. If you plan everyone’s meals once a week and make your grocery list comprehensive, you save time and energy by not constantly running out to grab food at the last minute. It also helps you save money by being conscious of what your family has readily available in your fridge to eat at a given time.

These are just some ideas to get you and your family back in the swing of things for the back-to-school season. To learn more about Exxon and Mobil Synergy Supreme+ premium gasoline, be sure to visit https://www.exxon.com/en/synergy-supreme-plus and to learn more about the Exxon Mobil Rewards+ app, visit https://www.exxon.com/en/rewards-program.

*Based on Synergy Supreme+ gas compared to gasoline meeting minimum government standards. Wear reduction was measured by an industry standard lubricant test. Actual benefits are based on continuous use and may vary depending on vehicle type, driving style, and gasoline previously used. Concentration and availability of our proprietary additive package may vary based on factors beyond our control.

§Exxon Mobil Rewards+ Premium Status (“Premium Status”) is achieved by making three (3) “Qualifying Purchases” in a calendar month. A Qualifying Purchase is defined as a purchase of 8 gallons or more of Synergy Supreme+ fuel with the Exxon Mobil Rewards+ program. You must present and use your Exxon Mobil Rewards+ card loyalty identifier prior to making a Qualifying Purchase at participating locations. Exxon Mobil Rewards+ Premium Status Benefits (“Benefits”) begin after Premium Status is earned. You must complete three Qualifying Purchases each calendar month to maintain your Benefits. In the event that Premium Status is not maintained in the following month, you have a grace period of three consecutive months starting from the end of the month in which Premium Status was last earned before your Premium Status benefits expire. Benefits include earning double base points (for a total of 6 points per gallon) on all Synergy Supreme+ purchases after earning and while maintaining Premium Status. You will also be eligible for various Premium Status offers and experiences that are available to Exxon Mobil Rewards+ Premium Status members. To view full Exxon Mobil Rewards+ terms, please click here. Your Premium Status is non-transferrable and does not preclude you from using other Exxon Mobil Rewards+ offers, unless specified. The Exxon Mobil Rewards+ Program Terms and Conditions apply.

2023-08-21T01:01:00

(BPT) – Are you finding that many items you pay for on a regular basis still cost a lot? While the Consumer Price Index indicates inflation is cooling since last year, many everyday expenses continue to strain household budgets. If this sounds familiar, you may be seeking ways to keep costs down.

Fortunately, you can take proactive steps to help keep spending in check. Here are some easy-to-follow tips that make it easier to stick to your budget.

1. Don’t eat your paycheck

While it’s all too easy to overspend on trips to the grocery store, you can keep costs lower with better planning. Making menu plans each week and sticking to your grocery lists can help prevent impulse buying. Be flexible, however — if you see proteins or veggies on special while shopping, pivot to take advantage of good deals. Shopping for produce while it’s in season is another effective tactic, as well as choosing generic or store brands that are less pricey.

When putting away groceries, place items with a shorter shelf life front and center so you’ll remember to use them first. It’s also smart to make good use of your freezer — stocking up on good deals for proteins and storing leftovers you can use for future meals.

2. Keep gas costs lower

To help reduce gas consumption, consolidate errands geographically so you’ll log fewer miles. You can also save by searching online for the best local gas prices. Many members of wholesale clubs take advantage of their lower gas prices, and some grocery stores offer gas discounts for frequent shoppers as well. Spend a little time to research the best deals near you.

Not just how much, but how you drive also impacts gas consumption. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, keeping tires properly inflated and using the recommended motor oil for your car can mean better fuel economy. In addition, avoiding rapid acceleration and hard braking makes a difference — lowering mileage by 15-30% (highway) or 10-40% (city). And speeding can cost you: For every 5 mph you drive over 50, you’re paying an extra $0.22 per gallon.

3. Manage health care costs

One way to optimize your health care coverage is to ask your employer’s HR department about current benefits, plus additional programs you might qualify for, like refunds or discounts for gym memberships or other wellness benefits. Consider saving on prescription medications through a prescription discount service, comparison shopping different pharmacies and/or switching to generic medications.

It’s vital to get good vision care, especially if your health insurance doesn’t cover vision. The good news is, you can purchase a VSP Individual Vision Plan any time — without waiting for open enrollment — to see an eye doctor. VSP plans start as low as $13 per month and can help you save up to $200 per year, while also giving you access to the largest independent eye doctor network. Members also get access to benefits like 20% savings on additional glasses or sunglasses, including lens enhancements, from the VSP network of independent eye doctors within 12 months of your last exam.

Find out which vision plan is best for you at VSP Individual Vision Plans, or locate an eye doctor near you.

4. Cancel unnecessary subscriptions

It’s easy to lose track of subscriptions (or “free trials” you signed up for and forgot about), so you’re paying for things you don’t actually use. Review your credit card and bank statements to identify and cancel subscriptions or memberships you no longer use, and make sure to review automatically renewed subscriptions and memberships.

5. Practical ways to lower utility costs

Keep an eye on your HVAC to ensure you’re not overheating or overcooling your house. Sticking to specific temperatures that are just a few degrees higher in summer or lower in winter that stay fixed when you’re home versus at night (or away) rather than constantly adjusting settings can help prevent unexpectedly high bills. A smart thermostat is one tool that allows you to better control your HVAC system, even remotely.

You can also lower the thermostat on your water heater by 10 degrees to save 3-5% on energy costs. If you’re in the market for a new water heater, installing an on-demand or tankless water heater can deliver up to 30% savings compared to a standard storage tank water heater.

Following some of these tips should help take the sting out of monthly bills, making it easier to keep to your budget — and even start saving a little.

2023-08-16T14:01:00

(BPT) – National Nonprofit Day (Aug. 17) provides an important reminder for companies. Partnering with the right nonprofits can help them achieve social objectives and make a greater impact.

The rise of corporate social responsibility (CSR), environmental, social, and governance (ESG), and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have many companies reevaluating how to operate ethically, responsibly, and sustainably. Fortunately, the strategies that result can guide companies in evaluating the right nonprofit partners to help advance their goals.

Do your research

According to Nonprofits Source, 90% of companies said partnering with reputable nonprofit organizations enhances their brand. In addition, 89% believe doing so leverages their ability to improve the community.

Companies looking for the right partner can start by researching nonprofits with a reputation for effecting change.

Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP), for example, is celebrating 20 years of serving the nation’s post-9/11 wounded veterans and their families. WWP invested nearly $250 million in programs in 2022 and offers free services in mental health, career counseling, long-term rehabilitative care, and policy advocacy.

More than 90% of the organization’s donors said they would recommend supporting WWP to a friend or family member, according to a recent WWP survey.

“The support we receive from partners and other supporters helps us deliver free programs and services that improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of warriors and their loved ones,” said WWP’s Vice President of Business Development Brea Kratzert Todd. “Corporate partners, in particular, help to expand our reach, enhance our programs, and improve our advocacy efforts for warriors and their families across the nation.”

Commit to a cause

Mission alignment is important when it comes to corporate-nonprofit partnerships. According to Edelman’s 2022 Trust Barometer, 65% of U.S. consumers buy or advocate for brands based on their beliefs and values. Consider supporting organizations committed to causes that company stakeholders admire.

For instance, C4 Energy^®, owned by Nutrabolt, found natural alignment with WWP among its energy drink consumers.

“Throughout our company’s 20-year history, veterans and active military have been an important part of our consumer base given their high-performance lifestyle,” said Katie Geyer, VP of talent, partnerships & experience at Nutrabolt. “Working with Wounded Warrior Project gives us a unique opportunity to partner with a leading organization that could directly relate to a consumer that we care deeply about and are authentic users of the brand.”

C4 Energy’s partnership with WWP includes exclusive energy drink and pre-workout flavors. The co-branded cans feature a dedicated QR code for consumers to support the mission of WWP and learn how to get involved. C4 Energy also impacts local communities by hosting WWP fundraisers and sponsoring WWP’s Carry Forward^® 5K races.

Measure impact

The more companies can show value to investors, consumers, employees, and the community, the better. Setting measurable key performance indicators (KPIs) to reach CSR or ESG goals is one way companies can track their progress.

CSX, a national transportation company, provides a great example of tracking and providing impact metrics from its Pride in Service initiative. In their recently released 2022 ESG Report, they highlighted their support of over 315,000 military, veterans, first responders, and their families in the past year. This included the 212,000 wounded warriors whose voices were amplified through the company’s sponsorship of WWP’s Annual Warrior Survey, which provides insights on the current needs and challenges of warriors registered with the organization.

CSX is now helping remove veteran employment barriers by supporting WWP’s Warriors to Work^® program. This program provides warriors and their family members the necessary tools to succeed in civilian jobs. In fiscal year 2022, Wounded Warrior Project placed over 1,700 warriors and family members in new careers.

“We’re proud to have reached so many wounded warriors across the country, providing them with the support they need to make the challenging transition to the civilian workforce,” said Bryan Tucker, CSX vice president of corporate communications. “Our work with partners like Wounded Warrior Project is more than just writing a check; it’s about investing time and resources in true partnership to combine our talents in service of communities in need.”

Take the next step

These steps help narrow the prospective nonprofit partner list and lead to conversations about ways to work together.

Collaborating with nonprofits can make company initiatives easier to define, measure, and celebrate. In turn, nonprofits benefit from the company’s contributed resources and reach.

Together, the two entities can be a driving force for change that benefits the corporation and its communities.

Sponsor a program or become a partner like C4 Energy and CSX to help Wounded Warrior Project empower, employ, and engage veterans in communities nationwide.

2023-08-09T07:01:00

(BPT) – Will I be able to retire? How much do I need to save? What if I outlive those savings? Questions like these are common across America’s current working population. Whether Gen X, Millennial or Gen Z worker populations, they each have hopes for a financially secure retirement, despite current economic uncertainty.

When it comes to retirement, research shows 70% of Americans plan to but are unsure they will really be able to, according to a recent Prudential survey. Having enough savings is a primary concern for almost half (40%) of Americans who are not confident they can retire. Concerns such as this may cause people to continue to work as they age — be it full time in their career or part time in a less demanding position.

Financial knowledge needed

This lack of confidence is coupled with a lack of financial knowledge. Just over 1 in 4 respondents (26%) said they do not have a strong understanding of what to do when it comes to retirement planning, and over half (59%) do not have a 401(k) account, one of the primary savings vehicles for retirement. Of those who do, 21% are unsure of how much money is currently in their account.

Captured in the survey, which polled 2,000 working adults across generations this spring, was a strong desire to retire and openness to receiving professional advice, yet a general uncertainty about how to begin. Fortunately, online tools are becoming more widely available, and some provide important insights that can bridge the retirement planning gap.

Online retirement insights

If you feel anxious about retirement and are confused about where to start, you are not alone. The survey found that among those who expressed confusion about retirement planning or are worried about being behind, most (65%) said they are open and willing to use digital tools. Because of their convenience, digital tools may be a smart option for people looking to take the first step in their retirement planning journey, but they aren’t one size fits all.

One free online option is Prudential Stages for Retirement, a platform that offers a personalized digital experience with access to a team of financial advisors. By answering a few questions, the platform provides customers with a “Retirement Confidence” score and shows them the ways in which they are strong in their retirement preparedness as well as where they may need to adjust to get closer to their goal. Users can also access a retirement calculator to see just how much they need to save to achieve their individual vision for retirement.

A human touch in retirement planning

Even as online tools help bridge the retirement confidence gap, the survey shows that most people still want access to a financial advisor — even if they aren’t physically in the room with them. A whopping 94% of all respondents say they are interested in receiving advice from a financial expert in some manner.

On Prudential Stages for Retirement, people of all age ranges, levels of wealth and retirement preparedness have one-click access to an advisor, virtually or in-person, if desired. There is no minimum savings required to access an advisor, so everyone can ask questions to help them gain more confidence in their retirement planning choices.

Getting started

While most working people across generations have retirement as a goal, many don’t know what to do to plan appropriately. Online retirement planning tools like those from Prudential can be an effective first step in gaining knowledge and boosting confidence that retirement dreams will become reality.

2023-08-02T13:57:00

(BPT) – If money is tight and you often find yourself juggling multiple finances, you are not alone. Consumers across the country still feel the effects of record-high inflation and are always looking for new ways to save.

The reality is there isn’t a way to snap your fingers and make the increasing prices go away, but what if there was a way to at least ease the weight of everyday finances, like groceries and gas? The good news is that through credit card rewards, this is possible!

Rewards Toward Gas and Groceries

Credit card rewards can be a great way to save on groceries, gas and more. Once you are signed up for a rewards program of your choice, you can shop and get gas at applicable locations. Over time, your reward points will add up. Before you know it, you could have enough points toward a free grocery run or a full tank, cost-free.

Cashback Programs

Thanks to credit cards, you can get rewarded every time you swipe your card and put those rewards back toward your everyday expenses. Cashback programs are a great way to earn cash based on your credit card spending. There are also a variety of other types of rewards programs out there depending on which card you choose, so it’s important to do your research to figure out which benefits are a priority to you before you decide which card to go with.

Benefits Consumers of All Income Levels

The best part about credit card rewards is that they do not cater to one specific group. In fact, consumers of all levels can benefit from rewards, and data shows that they do. A 2021 survey from Phoenix Marketing International reveals that 98% of credit cardholders owned a rewards card, including 82% of cardholders earning less than $20,000 annually.

It’s safe to say that consumers rely on their credit card rewards for a variety of reasons. There are several different cards available with different programs depending on your needs. If you haven’t taken advantage of your credit card rewards yet, then what are you waiting for? Simplify your life with credit card rewards today!