Category: Brandpoint Business & Finance

2023-08-02T12:21:00

(BPT) – Amid a period of high inflation nationwide, everyone stands to gain from extra savings. Whether your aim is to reduce travel and entertainment expenses, cut down on grocery bills, or perhaps accumulate funds for a vacation, credit cards offer advantageous perks that boost the contents of your wallet. Below are five ways to take advantage of your credit card rewards:

1. Cashback

Many co-branded credit cards today offer great cashback which can be a helpful tool to offset expensive costs. It’s also useful to save the accumulated cashback over time, allowing it to grow and serve as a financial cushion or contribute toward larger financial goals like a vacation or gift.

Choosing the right cashback rewards program can help you save money and ensure your credit score stays high.

2. Save on Everyday Purchases

Cashback isn’t the right fit for you? No worries, you can also save money when making everyday purchases. By choosing a credit card that offers generous rewards for grocery store or gas station purchases, you can gain points and miles, which can then be redeemed for discounts or freebies.

Strategically utilizing these reward programs allows you to turn your routine spending into an opportunity to save money.

3. Save on Travel

Often, credit cards allow you to earn 2-3x the rewards points for flight purchases, car rentals and hotel stays. Reduce your hotel expenses by utilizing a top-tier credit card and secure premium hotel rooms for any destination.

Premium cards offer helpful ways to make your airport experience seamless from check-in to baggage claim. For example, if you’re often running late, some cards offer reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees. With a credit card, you can also access a number of airport lounges, making wait times a lot easier.

4. Save on Entertainment

You can leverage your credit card rewards to enhance your entertainment experiences and indulge in your favorite activities. For instance, redeeming cashback or points toward concert tickets, movie theater outings, or even streaming subscriptions provides a premium experience.

Remember waiting in line for your Taylor Swift tickets? With a credit card, you could have exclusive access to VIP events, allowing you to secure tickets to attend live shows that may otherwise be difficult to attend.

5. Store Brand Credit Cards

Finally, store brand credit cards allow shoppers to enjoy exclusive discounts, special promotions, and loyalty rewards tailored specifically to the store’s products. For example, these credit cards often offer additional benefits such as extended warranties, free shipping, or flexible financing options, all of which can contribute to significant savings over time.

2023-08-01T23:01:00

(BPT) – Nearly 100 million Americans quit their jobs in 2021 and 2022 as part of the “Great Resignation,” with many making major career changes. Despite a less certain economy today, career shuffling continues. One-quarter of workers expect to change jobs in the next 12 months. If you are one of them, you can find a golden opportunity in financial advice — a field with growing demand, high earning potential and a focus on helping others achieve their goals, hopes, and dreams and build a lifetime of financial security.

You may be surprised by the independence and entrepreneurialism this career path offers — and the potential for career-changers to thrive. Tim Gerend, Chief Distribution Officer at Northwestern Mutual — a FORTUNE 100 company providing comprehensive financial planning to over five million U.S. clients through expert advisors — discusses the growing demand for financial advice, the skills and characteristics needed to succeed, and training opportunities for those looking to get started.

Why is financial advice worth a look for those exploring a career change?

First and foremost, this is a noble profession. Advisors help free people from financial anxiety and reach their life goals. Few careers are as impactful on a human level.

This industry is experiencing incredible demand. Two in three Americans believe their financial planning needs improvement. Many Gen X’ers are feeling anxious as they begin to see retirement on the horizon, and younger generations face a future with fewer pensions and uncertainty around Social Security. At the same time, much of the current advisor workforce is moving toward retirement. Moreover, there’s an exciting opportunity to reach more diverse communities that have been historically underserved. Given these trends, the need for advisors is real and growing.

On a more micro level, this career offers a chance to build your own business with high earning potential. You can decide how high you want to aim based on your goals and ambition — the opportunity is limitless.

What qualities are a good fit for the job? Do you have to be a finance expert?

You have to enjoy and care about other people. Human interaction and connection are paramount in financial advice. The best advisors are also natural problem solvers. They are creative, curious, resilient and good at simplifying complex topics. Yes, you must be able to master a variety of financial concepts, but we don’t expect prospective advisors to have that expertise at the outset. We look for high aptitude individuals who are eager to learn, and we provide comprehensive training to help build the financial acumen they need to flourish.

Are there certain sectors or roles that are conducive to a transition into financial advice?

Many people transition into advice from other positions in insurance and banking. We also see more professionals coming from healthcare and education. Roles that often lend themselves to this field include sales, marketing, corporate strategy and management — but at the end of the day, it’s more about the individual and their desire to pursue an impactful and entrepreneurial venture.

How can people get started? Are there training programs prospective advisors must pursue first?

As a first step, sit down with an advisor and go through the planning process to understand the experience. From there, reach out to firms that interest you and look to meet with a local leader to discuss career opportunities in your area. As part of those conversations, ask about training, opportunities for hands-on practice, mentorship and joint work. Beyond on-the-job training and company-driven development opportunities, there are great certification programs offered by the CFP Board and The American College of Financial Services that I highly recommend.

2023-08-01T07:01:00

(BPT) – Generative AI technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we work, learn, and solve problems. By democratizing access to powerful software, generative AI has humanized technology and made it accessible to everyone. It allows us to expand our knowledge and skillsets far beyond what we previously thought possible.

“We are now on a journey through uncharted territory, an evolutionary leap,” said Ravi Kumar S, CEO at Cognizant, a global professional services firm working with companies across industry sectors to help them modernize their businesses through technology. “Generative AI places boundless potential at our fingertips — shrinking the digital divide, empowering users, and transforming business and work through new levels of human-machine collaboration.”

Amplifying human potential

The public unveiling of OpenAI’s ChatGPT has brought about a tectonic shift in the role technology plays in our lives. Tasks and talents that were once exclusive to humans, and even defined our humanity, are now shared with algorithms. This technology is accessible and easy to use, making it an ideal solution to solve some of humanity’s most pressing challenges. Generative AI can boost sustainability, find cures for deadly diseases, and alleviate poverty through personalized, automated education and agricultural innovation.

Generative AI’s business and work impacts

Generative AI technology can also benefit businesses, governments, nonprofits, and the scientific community by helping them operate more efficiently, and enhance the value they deliver. In addition, new services are emerging along the AI value chain as underlying data has to be curated and algorithms have to be trained by humans for context and decision-making cues.

Generative AI also has the ability to shrink the digital divide by removing barriers to insights and innovation, empowering less digitally mature organizations to transform their services faster. To navigate this landscape successfully, Ravi Kumar S said that businesses will require a “more diversely skilled workforce” — one that understands human behavior (sociology, psychology, anthropology), can create and optimize different processes (design thinking, six sigma, industry-specific knowledge), and engage audiences intellectually and emotionally through storytelling and design.

Governance and education: Our dual responsibility

With the rapid advancement of generative AI toward human-like capabilities, technology providers and integrators have a responsibility to ensure the responsible and ethical use of this powerful technology. Laws and regulations cannot be adopted and modified quickly enough to be effective, considering the rapid pace of change. Technology companies and integrators are at the core of developing and incorporating generative AI into new products and services, and are therefore in the best position to ensure responsible, ethical use. Closely related to governance is education, which can help illuminate the ethical and legal aspects of AI usage such as privacy concerns, bias issues, and intellectual property rights.

“As we navigate this uncharted terrain together, with boundless potential at our fingertips, it is important that we proceed with excitement, continued curiosity, and a sense of collective responsibility,” said Ravi Kumar S. “It’s in our hands to shape this powerful technology into a tool for progress.”

2023-07-25T08:01:00

(BPT) – There are 33.2 million small businesses in America, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which combined account for an incredible 99.9% of all U.S. businesses. These businesses are the lifeblood of the American economy and there’s no better time to recognize their importance than right now.

Small businesses are generally defined as independent businesses having between 1 and 500 employees, according to the U.S. Small Business Association. They employ almost half (46%) of America’s private sector workforce and represent 43.5% of gross domestic product.

If you’re a small-business owner, you know it takes passion, commitment and agility, especially as markets evolve. Finding affordable and easy-to-implement technologies to help streamline your business needs can seem like a challenge. Case in point: virtual meetings.

The need for virtual meetings

No matter what industry you’re in, video meetings are a necessity today. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or manager of a fast-growing startup, being able to meet with clients, vendors, employees or investors at any given time, especially if people are in different locations, makes a big difference in positioning your business for success.

The problem for small businesses is that many virtual meeting options are poorly designed and riddled with glitches that make for a less-than-desirable experience. Still others are expensive and complex, and while they may be appropriate for large enterprises, are not a great fit for your small-business needs. Fortunately, now there’s an option with features that appeal to small businesses that come at no cost.

A free virtual meeting technology

BlueJeans by Verizon is offering a new, free video conferencing plan that allows users to meet for as long as they want with no time limits. BlueJeans Basic provides users with a premium video conferencing experience alongside unlimited free meetings for groups of up to 25 people, so small businesses can thrive while eliminating time-bound meeting constraints and expensive service charges.

“We realize there is no one-size-fits-all approach to business, just like one size doesn’t really fit all when it comes to the clothes we wear. To better fit the needs of entrepreneurs and small businesses that may not require the complexity of enterprise-level services, we’re excited to expand on our BlueJeans Meetings platform with a solution that emphasizes the most important basics — better audio quality and HD video reliability — to help them grow their business,” said Chris Lewter, VP and General Manager, BlueJeans.

Key features for small businesses

BlueJeans Basic is always free and comes with a plethora of features that help create a superior virtual meeting experience. Here are some notable features that small businesses appreciate:

Cross-Platform Support: For today’s hybrid world, small businesses need a flexible video platform that adapts to their day to day, whatever that ends up looking like. Whether joining from the desktop, a browser tab or while on the go, the experience will always provide rich functionality across any mode or device.

Crystal-Clear Sound: World-class Dolby Voice^® audio built into the platform provides enhanced sound quality. High-definition video, spatial audio and industry-leading noise reduction all work together to provide impeccable call quality so small businesses don’t miss a beat and make the most of their valuable time.

Robust Collaboration Features: BlueJeans Basic provides small businesses with a powerful toolkit that brings virtual and physical teams closer together than ever before. HD screen sharing, interactive digital annotation, dynamic polling and participant reactions are just some of the features that hosts can access to boost participation and drive productivity.

Secure and Encrypted Meetings: Feel confident with AES 256-bit encryption for security as well as rock-solid security features like Waiting Room, Screen Sharing Controls and the option to Hard Mute participants individually or upon entering the meeting.

No matter what industry your small business is in, technology can help you connect and succeed. To sign up for your free BlueJeans Basic account, please visit https://www.bluejeans.com/free-video-conferencing.

2023-07-24T14:01:00

(BPT) – Diversity is a growing priority in America’s workforce, but veterans may not be the first group of potential employees that come to mind.

National Hire a Veteran Day on July 25 is an important reminder of the varied perspectives and transferrable skills military veterans bring home to the civilian workforce. Yet, many of them face challenges when leaving military service.

Veterans especially feel the economic pressures of today. The 2022 Annual Warrior Survey from Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) found that more than half of WWP warriors couldn’t make ends meet at some point in the past 12 months. Most reported the soaring cost of goods as the top cause of financial strain.

WWP warriors also reported that their top barriers to employment were difficulty translating their military skills and mental distress. These challenges make veterans’ transitions even harder, but employers can help.

“Companies can play a unique role in addressing these challenges by understanding the value veterans bring to the workplace and tailoring hiring strategies to veterans,” said Tom Kastner, vice president of financial wellness at WWP. “Not only will this help veterans achieve gainful employment and financial stability, but it also unlocks an underutilized talent source for business growth.”

Here are three reasons why including veterans in hiring initiatives gives companies a competitive advantage and removes employment barriers.

1. A diverse hiring pool

Veterans have a broad range of experiences and backgrounds that make them a diverse group. They have encountered various situations in the military that shaped their worldview, often in unpredictable environments. These experiences lead to more inclusive decision-making and problem-solving in the civilian workplace.

2. Unique transferable skills

According to data from global management consulting firm McKinsey, the most diverse companies outperform their less diverse competitors in profitability. Veterans developed diverse skills in high-pressure environments that can contribute to any company’s bottom line.

Employers who recognize these skills and expand their understanding of the veteran community gain talented and dependable employees. One company that has put this into practice is Verizon. Recognized for its military recruitment and hiring practices, Verizon employs over 8,000 veterans and benefits from their skills across various career areas.

3. Supporting wounded warriors’ well-being

The vocational and mental health barriers some veterans face can cause stigma and prevent them from seeking help. Employers can address their challenges and needs by including them in hiring initiatives. For example, businesses can provide services that promote veterans’ holistic well-being.

Mentoring programs, resource groups, and tailored job postings are examples of support that can go a long way in setting veterans up for success. Johnson & Johnson, for example, established the Veterans Leadership Council to help veterans connect, network, and grow. The council also advocates for veterans’ health and wellness needs.

Veterans aren’t the only ones who benefit from these initiatives. When organizations support veterans, they reinforce a culture that prioritizes diversity and invests in the well-being and success of all employees.

Your partner in veteran hiring, recruitment, and inclusion

Many employers need help building initiatives that include and support veterans. That’s why Wounded Warrior Project developed the Warriors to Work^® program.

This program helps companies understand the unique needs of wounded veterans, find candidates, retain them for long-lasting careers, and become preferred veteran employers. Specifically, Warriors to Work helps employers develop onboarding processes and identify optimal roles for veterans. The program also educates companies by providing employer resources that reduce stigmas around veteran employment.

Companies that invest in hiring and supporting veterans empower them to reach their highest ambitions and promote a more diverse workforce culture. Learn how you can become a more veteran-friendly employer.

2023-06-23T07:01:00

(BPT) – Keeping your finger on the pulse of what consumers want can be a challenge, especially in the ever-evolving beauty industry. Social media and lifestyle trends often influence where beauty dollars are spent, and suppliers must take note of buyer purchasing patterns to meet demand.

Data from Alibaba.com, a leading B2B e-commerce marketplace for global trade, provides deep insights into current and emerging trends that are important for businesses in the beauty industry. Sourcing activities on the platform, comparing data from March 2023 to March 2022, point to the following five trends that are poised to define the beauty industry in the second half of 2023:

Vitamin C is in demand

Interest in and use of vitamin C in beauty products like serums, face masks and moisturizers has increased significantly. Alibaba.com saw a 107% year-over-year increase in global buyer inquiries for beauty products with vitamin C. What’s more, there has been a 35% increase in the number of beauty products including vitamin C sold on the marketplace over the same period.

Vitamin C offers a plethora of benefits for skin health and also appeals to eco-focused consumers because it is often sourced from renewable resources. These reasons and more are why many beauty insiders say vitamin C products are here to stay.

Sustainability is key

Using upcycled or recycled materials to create sustainable products is becoming commonplace in the beauty industry. Products like shampoo bars, lip balms and makeup palettes are increasingly featuring recycled plastic and paper packaging. Brands are also repurposing materials like coffee grounds and fruit waste to make exfoliants and face masks.

Consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious, and brands and suppliers alike need to keep up. Alibaba.com saw 109% more inquiries for resource-saving products (eco-friendly and water-efficient products) year-over-year, and there was a 42% increase in the number of sustainable beauty products listed on the site.

Localization matters

As consumers are looking for increasingly personalized experiences from brands, the demand for localized products is growing. Many beauty brands are prioritizing localization efforts by using locally sourced ingredients in their products and tailoring them to the region, climate and culture of their customers.

This might mean a brand will create a skincare line for consumers living in a hot, humid climate using some ingredients that grow naturally in that area. For instance, a growing number of suppliers on Alibaba.com have started using local tropical plant and fruit ingredients in their cosmetics in response to demand from buyers in Southeast Asia.

Beauty routines go streamlined

All-in-one products are perfect for consumers with busy lifestyles. This includes products like BB creams that combine moisturizer, sunscreen and foundation; combination hair and body washes; and palettes that include lip colors, blush and eyeshadows.

Consumers are experiencing increasingly hectic lives and are looking to streamline their to-dos. They are seeking out these types of products to help simplify their beauty routine, saving time and space without sacrificing quality. Alibaba.com saw approximately 10,000 more all-in-one products listed on its platform in March 2023 compared to the same time last year, reflecting a growing demand for this category of products.

Anti-aging products turn back time

One of the fastest-growing segments in the beauty industry is anti-aging products. These often target skin rejuvenation and fine-line reduction, such as anti-wrinkle creams, serums, face masks and facial oils. Alibaba.com saw an increase of 180,000 anti-aging products on its platform year-over-year.

Social media has influenced the desire to slow the speed of aging, and this has heavily impacted consumer desire to purchase anti-aging products. Businesses are responding by stocking a variety of anti-aging products. For example, there was a 291% year-over-year growth in the number of businesses purchasing anti-aging serums on the platform.

Businesses in the beauty industry must be agile and keep pace with emerging trends like these. To learn more about industry trends or to stock up on the latest items to position your business for success, visit Alibaba.com.

2023-06-19T23:01:00

(BPT) – While many people put off getting life insurance, more people in recent years are beginning to understand the importance of getting enough coverage. A 2023 Insurance Barometer Study conducted by Limra revealed that 101 million U.S. adults currently need life insurance but don’t have any. However, 41% of respondents said they need life insurance or need to get more, revealing the awareness of how important this coverage is for many Americans.

The good news is, being covered by permanent life insurance, such as a whole life policy, can give you and your family better peace of mind.

If you’ve been delaying getting enough life insurance to help protect your family due to misperceptions about coverage, here are the myths — and the facts — to help you understand how important it is.

Misconceptions about life insurance

According to an analysis by Limra’s 2021 Life Insurance Barometer Study, there are many common misperceptions about life insurance. Have you put off buying coverage due to one of these myths?

• It’s too expensive. Over half of Americans overestimate the cost of coverage, sometimes by as much as three times.
• The coverage I already have is enough. Whatever coverage you may have purchased in the past, it’s vital to do an annual benefits review to make sure your coverage is still sufficient. Life changes including marriage, expanding your family and more can all have an impact on your needs.
• Buying it is too difficult. Nearly half of Americans (46%) have delayed buying coverage they know they need. Buying life insurance may seem intimidating, but the process has been greatly simplified over the last few years.
• I don’t need it because I’m young. If you don’t yet have a partner or dependents, you may think you can put it off. However, coverage is much less expensive for young, healthy people to purchase, and life insurance helps protect your loved ones’ financial future.

No matter your age or family size, you can find a whole life insurance policy that offers permanent protection for your family, giving you a sense of security.

What is whole life insurance?

Whole life insurance is one type of permanent life insurance. Here are some of the most important benefits of this kind of insurance:

• It lasts for the lifetime of the insured person — providing protection against financial loss caused by the death of the person who is insured. Usually, it is paid out in a lump sum, sometimes known as a death benefit, directly to a designated beneficiary in the event of the insured person’s death.
• Whole life insurance can build cash value for your family’s future (unlike term life insurance), which may be available for you to withdraw or borrow against in case of an emergency.
• Protection is affordable and flexible. You can choose the amount of insurance that makes sense for you and your family, and that you can afford.
• Coverage options are available for you, as well as for your spouse, your children and your grandchildren. However, if you are currently single with no dependents, the flexibility of their whole life plan also allows you to expand the coverage later, to meet any future responsibilities you may have.
• Your monthly cost and benefits are guaranteed for the life of your policy — so the cost does not increase as you get older. As long as you pay your premiums, the cost of your life insurance policy can never go up. And if you happen to change jobs or retire, you can even take your coverage with you, at the same rate.

Whole life insurance gives you reassurance that your family will be protected. In the event of your death, your beneficiaries will receive the policy’s death benefits amount, minus any outstanding loans you may have taken out against the policy.

To learn about protecting your loved ones’ financial future, visit BostonMutual.com or contact your company’s benefits coordinator or HR department. For information on benefits available outside workplace offerings, or if your workplace benefits currently aren’t an option, visit BostonMutual.com/LearnMore.

2023-06-15T05:01:00

(BPT) – By Martha Weaver, Retail Gift Card Association Fraud Committee Chair

Criminals are smart. And increasingly sophisticated. With technology and artificial intelligence (AI) at their fingertips, they are constantly finding clever ways to take advantage of honest, hard-working Americans. There are a variety of scams criminals use to steal money, and many are turning to more cunning methods that involve bank accounts, debit and credit cards, and gift cards.

People love gift cards; they’ve been the top requested gift in America for nearly two decades according to the National Retail Federation. But while everyday folks love giving, receiving and using gift cards, unfortunately so do criminals. Just like other payment methods, criminals use intelligent means of stealing money from gift cards — but we have some tips for how to spot them, outsmart the scammers and protect yourself.

Here are our top gift card safety tips:

1. Gift cards can only be used at the company on the card. If you get asked to send money or pay for another service with a gift card, STOP and contact law enforcement, even if the fraudster tells you not to talk to anyone or a loved one is in trouble. No real government agency or business will ever reach out and ask you to pay them with gift cards — and you can’t pay taxes or bail money with gift cards.
2. Check gift card packaging at the store and make sure the gift card hasn’t been tampered with. Look for things like ripped or torn packaging or missing scratch-off material over the top of the PIN number. If something doesn’t look right, pick another card and show the questionable card to a store associate.
3. When you buy a gift card, keep your activation receipt as proof of your purchase.
4. Only buy gift cards from trusted sources. If you’re offered a deal that’s too good to be true, like a big discount on a gift card, it’s likely a scam or you’re getting a fraudulent card.
5. Store your gift cards securely and don’t share gift card numbers or PINs with people you don’t know.

If you think you have been scammed or see fraud happening, contact your local law enforcement or the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint or via this toll-free number: 1-877-FTC-HELP. You can also report IRS impersonation scams to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, visit their website or call 800-366-4484.

The Retail Gift Card Association (RGCA) is the only nonprofit trade organization that represents the gift card industry. We have more than 100 of the world’s top brands on our roster, and together our mission is to promote positive gift card experiences among shoppers.

More information about how to have amazing gift card experiences is available at GiftCardSafety.org. You can learn more about the gift card industry at www.thergca.org.

2023-06-13T08:13:00

(BPT) – As the weather gets warmer, many are feeling a strong dose of wanderlust. And while it is tempting to take the PTO and book a ticket to the destination you’ve been thinking of, the hike in travel costs (and daily living expenses) may make you feel a summer vacation is out of reach.

You’re not the only one — according to the recent SoFi Travel Habits survey¹, 56% of SoFi members said they decided against traveling altogether due to rising costs during the planning process. However, depending on your financial situation, that doesn’t mean a vacation is totally out of reach if you know how to plan and where to find deals. With the right planning and saving, going on a vacation while staying on top of your personal finances is completely doable. Here are a few recommended tips:

Plan before you go

When planning out your vacation, make sure to shop around and compare costs of different flights, destinations and packages. It may surprise you that sometimes opting to buy an all-inclusive international travel package can be less expensive than a local vacation. Doing your research and making those comparisons will allow you to make the most informed decision before hitting “buy.”

Also, when possible, try traveling during the early mornings and late nights, as fewer people want to travel during these times, making tickets more affordable.

Automate saving for your trips and trim costs where possible

Once you have a ballpark figure of how much you intend on spending for your vacation, make sure to budget for that amount as early as you can to give yourself some room to save toward your goal. In fact, in a recent SoFi Travel survey, one-third of SoFi members report saving for trips 6-8 months in advance, so if your circumstances allow for it, you can even try planning for a vacation during the off-season to make saving easier.

The most efficient way you can begin putting away money for your trip is by setting up automated savings. When you automate your savings, you are setting up your bank account to routinely transfer a specified amount from your checking to your savings. Some financial institutions offer an automated savings feature so you can “set it and forget it,” making sure your vacation money never even hits your account and goes straight into savings.

To make the most of your savings, consider a financial institution that offers both automatic savings and a high-yield savings account. SoFi Checking and Savings² offers Autopilot to set savings aside automatically as it hits your account, as well as 4.30% Annual Percentage Yield (APY)³ for direct deposit members, to make saving easier and to offer more back for your money.

Trim pricey treats before the trip

Of course, automating your savings only works if you have budgeted appropriately and can afford to miss the amount you set toward your savings. If you find that you are having trouble with this, try doing an audit of your spending, and identify what you can stop spending or spend less on.

Using an app or a tool that your bank offers may help you audit your spending habits more accurately. SoFi Insights⁴, a financial tracking tool, highlights your spending trends and how much you’re saving every month. This helps you manage your spending better, and identify places you can potentially trim a little if you need to set aside extra funds for your upcoming vacation. For example, it can easily show you how much you’re spending on takeout each month. Most of the year that spending may fit into your budget, but as you gear up for vacation, instead of ordering takeout multiple times a week, consider making it a weekly treat until you reach your savings goals.

Use your cashback, plus any and all discounts you have access to

Since travel costs are expected to be high this summer, this would be the prime time for you to redeem any discounts you’re offered or cash back you’ve accumulated. Make sure to use them wisely depending on your circumstances. For example, if your destination is more drivable, opt to drive and use your cash back on the hotel stay or an experience that would have otherwise been more expensive to book.

One way you can make sure that you are getting the best discounts and deals for your trip is by choosing an intuitive platform that delivers a seamless booking experience and allows you to make an informed decision. SoFi Travel⁵, powered by Expedia Group, offers members access to discounts and rewards on everything from flights and car rentals to hotels and travel packages. SoFi Travel also offers an unlimited 3% cash back⁶ for members who book travel with the SoFi Credit Card⁷, which means more rewards back in your pocket to redeem for cash, invest⁸ or pay down eligible loans⁹, allowing you to book your travel and manage your banking, investing and more all in one place.

For more information, you can visit: https://www.sofi.com/sofi-travel/.

DISCLOSURES

1. Source: Based on the SoFi Travel Habits Survey of 1,466 SoFi members from April 4 – 16, 2023.

2. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A.

3. SoFi members with direct deposit can earn up to 4.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 1.20% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum direct deposit amount required to qualify for the 4.30% APY for savings. Members without direct deposit will earn 1.20% APY on all account balances in checking balances and savings balances without direct deposit (including Vaults). Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 6/9/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

4. SoFi’s Insights tool offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. The credit score provided to you is a VantageScore^® based on TransUnion^® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

5. Terms, and conditions apply: The SoFi Travel Portal is operated by Expedia. To learn more about Expedia, click https://www.expediagroup.com/home/default.aspx.

When you use your SoFi Credit Card to make a purchase on the SoFi Travel Portal, you will earn a number of SoFi Member Rewards points equal to 3% of the total amount you spend on the SoFi Travel Portal. Members can save up to 10% or more on eligible bookings.

Eligibility:

You must be a SoFi registered user.

You must agree to SoFi’s privacy consent agreement.

You must book the travel on SoFi’s Travel Portal reached directly through a link on the SoFi website or mobile application. Travel booked directly on Expedia’s website or app, or any other site operated or powered by Expedia is not eligible.

You must pay using your SoFi Credit Card.

SoFi Member Rewards: All terms applicable to the use of SoFi Member Rewards apply. To learn more please see: https://www.sofi.com/rewards/.

Terms applicable to Member Rewards: https://d32ijn7u0aqfv4.cloudfront.net/git/docs/rewards/Enroll%20-%20SoFi%20Member%20Rewards.pdf.

Additional Terms:

Changes to your bookings will affect the Rewards balance for the purchase.

Any canceled bookings or fraud will cause Rewards to be rescinded.

Rewards can be delayed by up to 7 business days after a transaction posts on Members’ SoFi Credit Card ledger.

SoFi reserves the right to withhold Rewards points for suspected fraud, misuse, or suspicious activities.

©2023 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC), (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

6. *See Rewards Details<SoFi.com/card/rewards>

7. The SoFi Credit Card is issued by The Bank of Missouri (TBOM) (“Issuer”) pursuant to license by Mastercard® International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

8. Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC (www.sipc.org).

9. Terms and conditions apply. SOFI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. To qualify, a borrower must be a U.S. citizen or other eligible status, be residing in the U.S., and meet SoFi’s underwriting requirements. Not all borrowers receive the lowest rate. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. If approved, your actual rate will be within the range of rates at the time of application and will depend on a variety of factors, including term of loan, evaluation of your creditworthiness, income, and other factors. If SoFi is unable to offer you a loan but matches you for a loan with a participating bank, then your rate may be outside the range of rates listed above. Rates and Terms are subject to change at any time without notice. SoFi Personal Loans can be used for any lawful personal, family, or household purposes and may not be used for post-secondary education expenses. Minimum loan amount is $5,000. The average of SoFi Personal Loans funded in 2022 was around $30K. Information current as of 05/30/23. SoFi Personal Loans originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). See SoFi.com/legal for state-specific license details. See SoFi.com/eligibility for details and state restrictions.

2023-06-05T07:01:00

(BPT) – Medicare fraud is a serious problem. Medicare loses an estimated $60 billion each year due to fraud, errors and abuse. Every day, these issues affect people across the country and can lead to identity theft and cost you money. The good news? Some simple tips can help you protect yourself and your loved ones.

Understand Medicare fraud

Be aware of common scams so you can better protect yourself. Examples include:

• Getting bills for services or medical supplies that you never received.
• Being prescribed tests and services that are not necessary.
• Receiving medical supplies or equipment that you never ordered and do not need.

Know the warning signs of a scam

It’s essential to watch out for these red flags:

• Unsolicited calls, emails, or visits — someone contacting you out of the blue, claiming to be from Medicare and offering free services.
• Requests for personal information — a demand for your Medicare number, Social Security number or other personal information.
• Pressure to act quickly – any threat that you’ll lose your benefits or suffer other consequences if you don’t comply with a deadline, often by paying them or providing personal information.
• Suspicious websites or mailings — fake websites created to look like official ones but that have inconsistencies, errors or other odd elements.

Take steps to reduce your risk

The most effective way to stop fraud from happening is to prevent it in the first place.

• Only share your Medicare and Social Security numbers with people and medical providers you trust.
• Carry your Medicare card only when you need it.
• Keep a record of all your medical visits and procedures.
• Carefully review your Medicare statements for mistakes and charges you don’t recognize.
• Trust your instincts and report any and all suspected fraud.

Find help

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is a federal program that provides free, unbiased information and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries, their family members and caregivers on how to protect themselves and Medicare from fraud. Local SMPs also provide one-on-one case assistance to those who think they may have been a victim of Medicare fraud, which ensures that suspected fraud is reported quickly and efficiently. Funded by the Administration for Community Living, local SMP programs have offices in all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

If you have questions about how to protect yourself, need to report fraud, or need help determining whether you’ve been a victim of fraud, SMP can help.

Find a local SMP at www.smpresource.org or call the toll-free helpline at 877-808-2468.