Brandpoint Business-Finance
2023-02-07T12:15:00
(BPT) – Consumers are using their mobile phones for banking far more than three years ago, due to the pandemic and technology innovations, according to Chase’s third annual Digital Banking Attitudes Study.
2023-02-07T10:01:00
(BPT) – When stocks seem to be in constant fluctuation, even experienced investors may worry whether their investment strategy will stand the test of time. Whether you are new to investing or an experienced pro, market volatility can cause anxiety. You may wonder if you’ve chosen your investments wisely, when you should sell or buy — and how to stay ahead of a market that seems impossible to predict.
“Risks are up, and the uncertainties are up. That’s uncomfortable for people,” said Nick Juhle, chief investment officer at Greenleaf Trust, a wealth management firm managing nearly $16 billion in investable assets from six Michigan locations. Juhle recommended seeing the big picture to regain confidence: “If you look back over the past 100 years, the stock market has generated strong returns over that period of time. But those returns weren’t linear. They weren’t in the absence of all sorts of risks, events and things happening in the world.”
If you find yourself in a volatile market, what strategies do investment experts recommend? Here are some tips.
1. Define your long-term goals
Whatever life stage you are currently in, experts recommend developing not only short-term financial goals that are realistic to achieve in a relatively short time, but also defining longer-term goals that prepare you for major life events sometimes years away, such as saving for retirement. Having long-term goals helps you to focus on your financial big picture, so you can stay the course no matter the economic circumstances — even providing a legacy that can outlive you.
“Be disciplined and stick with your investment plan through varying market cycles,” advised Brian Schafer, senior wealth management associate at Greenleaf Trust. “Slow and steady wins the race.”
2. Avoid emotional reactions in the moment
Having long-term goals, paired with a firm strategy to get you there, can help you avoid knee-jerk reactions to sudden market changes that could disrupt your overall investment plans.
“The gut reaction when the market is unpredictable — and I’m not going to say it’s the right one — is to sell equities, get out of the market, try to move to the sidelines and get out of the way because it seems like things are bad and perhaps can only get worse,” Juhle said. “But in general, our recommendation to clients is to stay disciplined, and to keep your money invested.”
Trying to outguess the market by buying or selling according to short-term fluctuations is a strategy that few investors can consistently win.
3. Learn how dollar-cost averaging can benefit your portfolio over time
Unlike trying to time the market just right (which can be daunting if not impossible), dollar cost averaging is an approach that helps investors reduce the impact of the market’s ups and downs. This means investing a fixed amount on an ongoing basis, despite the price of securities at a given time, such as allocating a portion of your paycheck to your 401(k) each pay period. This means, while you’re buying fewer shares at higher prices, you’re also buying more shares at lower prices.
Take advantage of employer-sponsored retirement plans or investment platforms that allow you to automate contributions so that you can maintain consistency, regularly investing the dollars from your paycheck or bank account. While this may be challenging to practice when securities are up, the benefits are developing disciplined saving habits and avoiding the emotional stress of short-term investing.
“Contributing money to your investment account regularly allows for the practice of disciplined saving,” observed Schafer. “This strategy allows investors to stay invested and to participate in the historical upward trajectory of the market over time.”
However, you should periodically review your portfolio for rebalancing opportunities, and to ensure that it still aligns with your goals.
4. Live within your means — and plan ahead
To make sure your investment goals will work for you over the long haul, it’s important not to overextend yourself. Since not every need can be anticipated, experts recommend keeping an emergency reserve of cash, saving for retirement and prioritizing your short- and long-term investment strategy, only selling stocks when absolutely necessary to plan for the following year.
“If you need to cash out stocks to cover expenses for the next year, sell only the investments you need to cover those costs, but keep the rest invested,” Juhle noted. “For the money you don’t need to access soon, you’re going to want that money to grow with the market through its ups and downs.”
Decisions to sell should be based only on careful consideration of your needs, long-term goals and potential tax liability.
5. Seek professional advice
Talking to an investment advisor can help you determine long-term goals that reflect what matters most to you — and identify effective strategies to help get you there. In addition, because each individual’s financial and tax situations vary, it is recommended that you consult a tax professional to help you most effectively meet your unique goals.
Learn more about how to plan for your family’s future and help your wealth stand the test of time at www.Greenleaftrust.com.
2023-02-06T12:27:51
(BPT) – Some goals aren’t attainable or sustainable for your life. Instead of making lofty promises that are unachievable, start with modest changes that you can accomplish and build upon in years to come. Not sure where to start? Check out these five achievable goals.
1. Learn or resume a hobby
If you don’t have a hobby or have let it go by the wayside, dedicate some time to doing something you enjoy. Hobbies aren’t just activities we do for fun. They can have huge mental and physical health benefits.
According to VeryWell Mind, enjoyable activities can help you reduce stress, lower blood pressure and combat depression. You don’t have to engage in your hobbies every day to reap the benefits. One study showed that engaging in a physical leisure activity for 20 minutes a week helped people feel less fatigued.
Whether you get back into knitting or playing guitar or pick up a new hobby like painting or ballroom dancing, you’re carving out time for yourself that can take your mind off the stresses of everyday life.
2. Move your body
This year, make it a goal to get your body moving. That doesn’t mean you have to exercise every day for hours at a time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week. That may sound like a lot, but it breaks down to 30 minutes a day, five days a week.
Take it slow if you’re new to working out or it’s been a while since you’ve exercised. You can even break up 30 minutes of daily activity into smaller chunks. For example, you can do 10 minutes of brisk walking or aerobic exercises three times a day or 15 minutes twice a day. By breaking up your movement goal into smaller chunks, you can naturally find breaks throughout your day to get moving.
3. Invest in your health
If you want to live a long healthy life, you need to invest in your health. Nicole Avena, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Neuroscience, Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Author of Why Diets Fail, says, “In addition to a healthy and balanced diet and getting an adequate amount of exercise, it’s important to cover all your bases like adding daily vitamins to your health regimen. Each person’s dietary needs will vary slightly. While most people can get enough from diet alone, others may need to take a supplement, and nowadays, there are many vitamin options for men and women of all ages.”
To ensure that you receive essential nutrients, consider taking a daily multivitamin like vitafusion MultiVites which is an excellent source of 12 vitamins and minerals. Offering a selection of multivitamin gummies to support the consumer’s unique needs, vitafusion is America’s #1 adult gummy vitamin brand and the only gummy vitamin brand with a fusion of natural fruit flavors. To learn more, visit vitafusion.com.
4. Mindfulness
You’ve probably heard about mindfulness, but do you know what it is and its benefits? Simply put, mindfulness is being aware and fully present in your body, mind and environment. According to the National Institutes of Health, practicing mindfulness can have several positive impacts on your health and well-being, including reducing anxiety and depression, lowering blood pressure and improving sleep.
A popular way to practice mindfulness is meditation, but it’s not the only way. You can practice breathing or grounding exercises, go on a walk or take stock of how your body is feeling in the present moment. Mindfulness practices can be short or long, but to start, you can carve out five minutes a day in the morning or at night to get in touch with your awareness.
5. Improve your finances
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), 72% of adults report feeling stressed about money at least some of the time. While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all plan for improving your financial well-being, there are simple ways to assess your finances and target areas for improvement.
For one month, track all your income and expenses. You can do this by using an expense sheet, or you can download an app to make things easier. Once you know where your money is coming from and where it’s going, you can identify areas where you could be spending less and saving more and set financial goals.
Small changes can add up quickly and turn into life-long habits. Using these five tips, you can invest in yourself now and for years to come.
2023-02-06T08:01:00
(BPT) – While women make up approximately half of the U.S. workforce, they are underrepresented in the technology sector, making up 28% of the industry. These numbers are even lower for women of color seeking opportunities in the field, with 3% of computing-related jobs being filled by African American women, 6% by Asian women and 2% by Hispanic women.
Over the course of February and March, Black History Month and Women’s History Month respectively, conversations often focus on empowering diverse voices to ensure they are represented in society. While these conversations raise awareness, they may not result in action and shifting the narrative surrounding diverse hiring practices. Diversity becomes a guide for program development to ensure diverse and female students feel supported in their pursuit of tech-related jobs, helping to address the gender gap in the industry.
To address the gender and diversity disparities, women must have access to resources and learning opportunities that give them the skill sets and confidence to pursue tech careers. Higher education institutions can play a significant role in bridging the gap. Creating greater awareness of job opportunities in the tech industry, potential career paths and sharing how to attain the necessary skills provides emerging talent with a clear trajectory for a future career in tech.
Higher education institutions can design inclusive programming.
In higher education, diversity is often thought of as the physical makeup of the student body. But diversity also extends beyond demographic data to how students learn — taking into consideration the tools they need to succeed. These tools can come in the form of academic success teams or programming rooted in uplifting diverse students to help them achieve their academic and professional goals.
Higher education institutions are tasked with providing the most current and industry-relevant education to students to augment a work-ready pool of talent. To be successful in this mission for all students, institutions can use adaptive programs to close the opportunity gap for female and diverse students. An example of a curriculum informed by student need is DeVry University’s Women + Tech Scholars Program, which was established to increase female representation in the tech field by providing women with tools, support and resources such as: access to mentors, early access to industry-related internships and job opportunities and industry association memberships.
Providing more women with a seat at the table helps to advance the tech industry.
Despite increased efforts to diversify a traditionally homogenous workforce, nearly 70% of tech companies report a lack of diverse representation in their workforce. In 2020, Google reported that 5.5% of new hires during that year were Black. Creating a more diverse tech workforce can lead to greater opportunities for collaboration because new perspectives are brought to the forefront that were previously unrepresented — driving innovation, creativity and productivity.
“Considering the current workforce and the growing need for tech talent, the share of diverse and female tech employees remains at alarmingly low levels,” said Randi Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Zuckerberg Media. “Programs like DeVry University’s Women + Tech Scholars Program help create greater awareness of tech careers and give women of all backgrounds the tools they need to persist in this academic path and obtain the skills they need to pursue tech-enabled careers.”
Diversity of thought enhances problem-solving exercises because teams are mitigating the potential of finding themselves in an echo chamber of a singular thought derived from similar opinions. Studies suggest that companies that prioritize gender or racial and ethnic diversity are more likely to see financial returns that are above national industry averages.
Higher education institutions have an opportunity to create supportive networks and communities.
Seeing someone from a similar background succeeding in a career path builds awareness. Higher education institutions that create opportunities for women to network and build connections with leaders they can identify with increase the chance of success in these highly sought-after, influential industries.
“Access to education alone is not enough. Students, particularly those from underrepresented communities, need support, opportunities and resources throughout their education journey,” added Veronica Calderón, DeVry University’s chief inclusion, belonging and equity officer.
Carving out unique, defined spaces in which diverse and female communities can feel a sense of belonging helps increase overall academic performance, persistence and academic success, which can translate into professional success post-graduation.
As diversity in tech remains a topic of critical importance, comprehensive and agile programming that focuses on female learners allows women, particularly women from diverse backgrounds, to break down barriers that have persisted in the tech industry for decades.
2023-02-02T08:03:00
(BPT) – In an increasingly complex world, successful businesses need to see the big picture in order to excel and grow. Understanding and optimizing the revenue lifecycle can help you see beyond the day-to-day or quarter-to-quarter needs and goals of your business.
What is the revenue lifecycle?
Revenue is your organization’s fuel. Seeing revenue as a lifecycle means maximizing your customer relationships, as well as their lifetime value. It also means recognizing the many personas that comprise the lifecycle stages — sales, product, legal, operations, finance and customer service — and that everyone aligns and supports the model of revenue as a lifecycle.
Complexities arise from the ever-changing nature of the revenue operations landscape, which impacts an organization’s path to revenue predictability. When your business has multiple products and revenue types, the path to operationalizing these too frequently is through a patchwork of siloed manual processes, systems and teams. As a result, creating seamless customer and employee experiences becomes even more challenging.
Organizations often operate without consolidated pricing and discounting. There may be no history of products and services customers had through one division or another, and there’s also complexity around contracting. Many have legacy contracts with preexisting governing terms and conditions — and if they’re added to the company through a merger or acquisition, there could be multiple contracts with one customer. Many organizations must also navigate the intricacies of regulatory compliance and risk management, creating even more complexity.
Even if your organization manages to integrate its products and services with its pricing models and contracting standards, management and fulfillment of those products and services become even more complicated in the backend. Many areas tend to be locked in different enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, billing systems or order management systems, making it difficult to see what products or services a customer has at any given time.
The ability to lay the groundwork so an organization can easily sell new products and services with new contract terms and conditions over the customer lifecycle is essential.
“Every company is dealing with its unique complexities. Increasing complexity requires process unification and standardization. Our company is laser-focused on helping customers crush their revenue lifecycle complexities to increase revenue certainty,” explains Randy Littleson, chief marketing officer, Conga. “Today we can deliver the breadth of capabilities modern-day companies need to effectively manage their revenue lifecycle.”
How specific tools can streamline processes throughout the revenue lifecycle
A global leader in scalable revenue lifecycle management solutions, Conga provides products and services to help businesses increase revenue certainty, using AI-powered capabilities to deliver faster, smarter experiences for customers and employees alike.
Revenue lifecycle management is unifying and automating all revenue generating processes to maximize customer lifetime value. To improve your company’s revenue lifecycle, you first need to automate processes to remove manual steps that slow the path to revenue — and that can introduce the potential for human error.
Propose and quote: Throughout the revenue lifecycle, configure, price and quote (CPQ) solutions allow companies to sell more easily and effectively by configuring pricing, managing discounting, ensuring that proposed configurations actually work and can be delivered to customers and by streamlining the quoting and proposal processes, using tools like automated document generation.
Next, you need to unify currently disparate adjacent processes. To achieve this, contract lifecycle management (CLM) solutions unify, automate and standardize revenue lifecycle processes across all teams to create one fully visible revenue lifecycle — not several, fragmented ones.
Negotiate and execute: CLM solutions help achieve efficiency and gain strategic insights. CLM manages the entire contract lifecycle for you — negotiating, redlining, approvals, storing of agreements and more — to empower sales to get deals done faster, while ensuring that legal can manage compliance and risk. Your contract center infrastructure (CCI) lets you manage all contracts with AI-driven insights to manage risk and obligations while uncovering new opportunities. Using eSignature solutions is also essential to managing each function of the lifecycle, allowing documents to be generated with data from anywhere and signed easily, so you can seal the deal.
Manage and fulfill: Without sacrificing your customer’s experience during the billing process, you can free your sales teams to focus on customers. Make it easier to up-sell or cross-sell services to your loyal, happy customers using an automated billing system.
Renew and expand: Business viability means acquiring new customers and — more importantly — retaining them. For example, using an automated process for executing renewals will lead to higher renewal rates and delighted customers. Seeing the entire revenue lifecycle, you’ll know which accounts are coming up for renewal and your customers’ propensity to buy.
“Businesses cannot afford to be slowed by cumbersome manual processes,” says Grant Peterson, chief product officer, Conga. “The level of automation we provide gives a business revenue predictability. Conga crushes complexity in an increasingly complex world, simplifying your path to revenue.”
Making sure the revenue lifecycle of your business runs with optimal efficiency benefits your company, your teams — and the experience of your clients and business partners. Learn more at Conga.com.
2023-02-01T07:03:00
(BPT) – As we move into 2023, many students will choose which college they’ll attend in the fall. For parents, there are plenty of questions and concerns about the college process, especially when it comes to cost, scholarships and financial aid.
College Ave Student Loans recently completed a survey to get some insights into parents’ stress, concerns and priorities for affording their child’s college education. Read on to see six surprising findings from this study to help parents set their students up for future success.
1. College costs are higher than parents expected
Three-quarters of parents said college costs are more difficult to cover than in previous years and 71% found the actual cost of college surprisingly high. Also, parents often felt that college tuition, fees and room and board were more than they initially expected. Perhaps this is why one-third of parents said their child attended a school outside their original budget. Starting conversations with parents whose children are currently in college can help set expectations about affordability.
2. Fill out the FAFSA and unlock free aid
While 9 in 10 parents did fill out the FAFSA this year, a majority (61%) found the form confusing to complete. To help cut through the confusion, have all your documentation ready, and talk to other parents who have recently completed theirs.
It’s free to apply for the FAFSA. Even if you think you won’t qualify, it’s worth filling it out. Your family may qualify for merit aid (money that does not need to be paid back), and at a minimum, federal student loans, which offer unique benefits, such as income-driven repayment plans, over private student loans.
3. How families find scholarships
There are several ways students and their parents can apply for scholarships, but they may not know about all their options. According to the survey, 30% of students received scholarships and grants as part of their school’s financial aid package.
Families have also found and received scholarships through the help of a college counselor or the financial aid office, an online scholarship search, a high school counselor, community or local organizations, friends and work. While these methods were used to a lesser extent, they do provide more ways to pay for college.
If you want to help your incoming first-year students search for scholarships, you can use online tools like Scholarships.com. College Ave also has several resources to help with the college selection process, including a college application checklist, instructions on how to apply for FAFSA and a monthly $1,000 scholarship sweepstakes.
4. Perceptions of financial aid award letters
When financial aid letters arrive in spring, many parents found the letters easy to compare. However, 74% of parents who received letters found that the expected family contribution to their children’s education was higher than expected.
It’s likely that because of this higher-than-expected contribution that families have to seek multiple ways to finance their student’s education, from income and savings to scholarships and student loans.
5. Preparing students with financial life skills
Before heading off to college, you should make sure they have the necessary life skills to live independently. According to the survey, parents confirmed that their students had accomplished several skills before college, such as cleaning, preparing meals and working a job. The most common was opening a checking and/or savings account (85%).
However, it seems that many students could practice other important financial skills. For example, only 48% had paid a bill, 26% had balanced a budget and 24% understood investments. For parents of soon-to-be college students, it’s critical that you help your children brush up on their financial skills before they start their classes in the fall.
6. Advice from parents to parents
Parents who have already sent their kids off to college have valuable insight into the process. They recommend parents of incoming freshmen encourage their children to apply for more scholarships, fill out a FAFSA application, and be prepared for unexpected college costs.
Make a plan to set up your student for success
Even after a combination of savings, scholarships, grants and financial aid, students and their parents may find that they can’t cover the full cost of tuition. To bridge the gap, you may need to consider student loans.
Using tools like the College Ave student loan calculator, you can estimate your future monthly payment and an easy-to-understand breakdown of the loan amount, repayment terms and interest rates.
If you already have children in college and took out student loans, see how much you can save by refinancing a student loan using their student loan refinance calculator. To learn more about private student loans and other college finance tools, visit CollegeAve.com.
2023-01-31T11:01:00
(BPT) – Home and auto owners are aware of the financial responsibilities associated with each, but those looking to save money understand it goes beyond only reducing mortgage or auto payments. Regular preventative maintenance will keep your property in good condition while helping you save money in the long run.
“People often think about maintenance when something needs to be repaired, but the truth is that taking care of your property before it breaks might save you even more money,” said Kevin Quinn, vice president of claims at Mercury Insurance. “Policyholders who take care of necessary tasks in order to maintain their personal property may help prevent major problems from happening later on.”
There are routine measures you can take now that might help keep certain costs down when it comes to owning a home or vehicle.
Auto
One of the easiest ways to save money on auto expenses is to keep driving your vehicle for as long as possible. Most cars are built to last and the average age of a vehicle on the road today is at an all-time high of 12.3 years old. Keeping up with recommended maintenance such as regular tune-ups and repairs can save you from needing costly ones in the future, ultimately saving you more money.
Proper tire inflation. According to the Department of Energy, drivers can improve their fuel mileage up to 3% just by keeping their tires inflated to the proper pressure. The right amount of air contributes to increased gas mileage, a safer ride, and reduced tire wear. The appropriate tire pressure for your vehicle is usually found on a sticker inside the driver side door or within your car owner’s manual.
Check your wheel alignment. Do not ignore the signs of a potential wheel alignment problem such as a vibrating steering wheel or a slight pull to one side when driving. Bad alignment can cost you by lowering your gas mileage or putting wear and tear on your tires which may necessitate replacing them sooner than normal.
Keep a maintenance log. Maintaining records of your vehicle’s service history can protect its value. If you decide to sell or trade in your car, you can demonstrate its reliability and dependability with documentation. A well-maintained vehicle with proof of service may be worth even more money.
Home
Check your home’s insulation. Opening up that first energy bill is often a surprise for new homeowners. Beyond trying to install energy-efficient appliances or lighting, new homeowners should check the adequacy of their insulation. Single-family homes, especially those built before 1960, may need an insulation refresh.
“Insulation is what helps keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer,” said Bonnie Lee, Vice President of Property Claims at Mercury Insurance. “Well-insulated homes provide year-round comfort while reducing heating and air-conditioning bills.”
Upgrade to smart home technology. A home equipped with a smart home system that monitors fire, water, and theft may qualify for a homeowners insurance discount.
“Many insurance companies offer discounts to homeowners who install smart-home devices because the technology is able to catch common problems early and can help prevent expensive claims,” said Lee. “By using devices that monitor your home’s safety and help with preventative maintenance, you may be able to save money on your insurance premiums over time.”
Increase your deductible. A deductible is the amount you would have to pay out-of-pocket for damages before your insurance would kick in if you make a claim. If your budget allows you to pay a higher deductible in the event of loss or damage, your insurance premium will most likely go down.
Bundle your insurance. Bundling your auto coverage with homeowners insurance will qualify you for a multi-policy discount and save you money on your premium. It will also help streamline the process should you need to make a claim on both your home and auto at the same time. Contact your insurance agent to review bundling policies and rates.
2023-01-30T09:31:00
(BPT) –
Industry reports predict that by 2030, more than 50% of cars on the road will be electric. That’s good news for air quality and clean energy. But how will America’s transportation infrastructure evolve to support these electrified vehicles? It’s not just about setting up charging stations.
Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification works to pilot infrastructure projects that can support this electrified future, and they say we’ll see major shifts in our parking structures, and in the integration of different modes of transportation within communities and roadways.
Parking structures will become part of the clean energy grid.
Have you ever noticed an EV charging station inside a parking garage? It’s becoming increasingly common, and that has mobility experts like Kathryn Snorrason, managing director at the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, thinking about deeper electrification and reverse charging.
“Since cars are stationary 95% of the time, it makes sense to consider how EVs might contribute to the electric grid while idle, especially if parked near hospitals and schools during a power outage,” says Snorrason. “As grid technology evolves, so will parking structures, creating the opportunity for cars to not only put power into the grid, but maybe even turn into a revenue source.”
Already in Michigan, the Detroit Smart Parking Lab (DSPL) is testing parking-related mobility, logistics and EV charging capabilities in real-world scenarios to make the energy grid more resilient and reliable for everyone. At the DSPL, mobility innovators are creating the potential for parking structures to have detachable cord EV charging abilities, run proactive diagnostics on cars, and gather insights to improve venue operations and visitor experiences.
Infrastructure will become more human- and experience-centric.
Our communities are becoming increasingly multimodal and automated, meaning there are several ways to get from point A to point B that no longer hinge on car ownership and fueling up at traditional gas stations. Now instead of owning a car as a sole mode of transit, people have the options to walk, rent an e-bike or e-scooter, hire a ride-share service, get an on-demand rental, take a bus, train or light-rail, or any combination of these.
Multimodal transportation offers greater flexibility for people, but presents new safety challenges, too. These vehicles, and the places which we operate them, must account for this expanded range of mobility.
In 1920, Michigan introduced the first three-color four-way traffic signal to make driving safer. By the 1930s, this infrastructure innovation had gained widespread adoption and saved countless lives.
Today, the state of Michigan, in partnership with Cavnue, is designing the infrastructure innovations of the future with a first-of-its-kind connected and automated corridor. This work will ultimately enhance safety and improve infrastructure for all, just like the three-color traffic signal did for early car owners and passengers a century ago.
Simultaneously, Electreon is working with Michigan to build the first-ever stretch of roadway in the U.S. that will wirelessly charge EVs while they’re driving. This technology has the potential to eliminate charging stops entirely for EV drivers, which will make the road trip experience that much more seamless.
When it’s all said and done, automated, on-demand and electric transportation are no longer a glimpse of the future, but real options emerging across the country now. America’s transportation infrastructure must keep pace with these changes, and you’re likely to start seeing them in your own community.
2023-01-25T07:01:00
(BPT) – Technology is a big part of our day-to-day lives — and the persistent rollout of new devices continues to enhance the way we travel. From top camera features and excellent sound quality to the convenience of wireless charging, there are several devices that can make your time on the road more about enjoyment and less about stress. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or a tech-savvy, tourist loved one, these are some of the top devices to put on your list.
1. Smart suitcase
Solve several travel woes with the convenience of a smart suitcase. Not only does it make your belongings easy to transport, but it can also help make sure your devices stay charged. The Un-carrier On from T-Mobile has a sleek design, lots of storage and wireless charging capabilities.
2. OnePlus Nord N300 5G smartphone
The OnePlus Nord N300 5G smartphone features a large 6.56-inch HD+ display with lightning speed. It’s perfect for streaming the latest shows and keeping you entertained while you’re out and about. This smartphone is exclusively available at T-Mobile and is packed with a 16-megapixel front camera, a dual rear camera system and a long-lasting battery for all-day usage and fast-charging capabilities.
3. Kids smartwatch
Keep kids safe while traveling with the benefits of a smartwatch — but with extra protection for young ones. The SyncUP Kids Watch was designed with security in mind and is compliant with the Children’s Online Privacy and Protection Act (COPPA). Kids can conveniently talk and text with approved contacts while their parents have access to real-time location tracking through the watch.
4. Comfort headphones
Headphones or earbuds are an absolute travel essential, especially for keeping kids entertained. The JBuddies Studio Pro over-ear headphones are perfect for kids 8 and older. They feature a volume limiter, 35-plus hours playtime when charged, a plush pillow-soft headband, and faux-leather, cloud-foam cushions for ultimate comfort.
5. On-the-go speaker
A portable Bluetooth speaker allows you to take your tunes anywhere — from hotel rooms to the beach and beyond. The JBL Go 3 from T-Mobile features bold styling and rich professional sound. Plus, it’s waterproof and dust-proof so you can keep listening rain or shine, and with its integrated loop, you can carry it anywhere.
6. Portable wireless charger
Giving your phone a boost of power while you’re out and about has never been easier. Packing a portable charger in your carry-on is a game-changer when all the outlets at the airport are in use.
The Snap Plus Juice Pack Mini clips right onto the back of your phone for a perfect full charge. This charger works with most iPhone 12 series and later smartphones.
7. Durable phone case and screen protector
Let’s face it, most people are pretty tough on their phones and devices, especially while traveling. Protect those precious items with GoTo phone cases and screen protectors. These cases have a slim design with added texture for a better grip while you’re navigating a new area.
Travel can be stressful, but the right devices can make your expedition easier. Do your research and take advantage of seasonal deals to cut the hassle of planning your upcoming trips.
2023-01-18T07:31:01
(BPT) – Life is full of surprises, and unfortunately, they are not always good ones. While you can never fully prepare for the unexpected, you can take steps to safeguard your family against the financial impact from these negative events. As you make resolutions for the new year, it’s the perfect time to make a financial safety plan for you and your loved ones.
“Nobody likes to think about what might happen in the case you are ill, hurt, or even pass away, but it’s important to make sure your family won’t have the additional strain of financial worries during such a difficult time,” said Joshua Police, executive vice president of Distribution and Business Development, Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company.
Here are steps you can take to be better prepared for an unexpected event.
Create an emergency fund
Experts recommend saving enough to cover three to six months of expenses in case of job loss, illness or other unexpected event. One way to start saving is setting up automatic deposits of a small amount from each paycheck into a separate account. That way you won’t have to think about it, and your savings will accumulate over time.
Plan for potential critical illness
When a family member receives a serious medical diagnosis, protecting your family with a financial safety net can provide peace of mind during such a difficult time. Boston Mutual’s Critical Illness insurance, also known as Specified Disease insurance, protects you and your family should you receive a major medical diagnosis. Your insurance pays a lump sum benefit for a range of medical diagnoses such as heart attacks, cancer, diabetes and stroke, as well as many other health conditions. You select the amount of insurance you need and can afford. The cost does not increase as you get older, and there are also coverage options available for your spouse and children under age 26.
Be ready when accidents happen
Accident insurance provides financial protection for the unexpected, helping to protect you and your family when an injury occurs. While many health insurance plans will cover most major medical expenses, you can still be left with out-of-pocket expenses such as copayments, deductibles and other costs related to an accident. Boston Mutual’s Group Accident Coverage or Employee Accident Option Plus Coverage can pay you cash when an accident happens, complementing your medical coverage by paying for covered medical services. When you file a claim, cash is paid directly to you, giving you easy access to the funds you need. Coverage is portable, so if you change jobs or retire, you don’t lose your policy — you can take your coverage with you at the same rate. In addition, you can also choose accident coverage for your spouse and children under age 26.
With Boston Mutual’s accident insurance, benefits are paid directly to you when you have a covered accident that causes a trip to urgent care or the emergency room, stitches, broken bones, hospitalization, physical therapy and much more.
Make sure you have life insurance
Getting life insurance to help protect your family is crucial for your peace of mind. For example, Boston Mutual’s Whole Life insurance is permanent life insurance, lasting for the lifetime of the insured, provides protection against financial loss caused by the death of the person insured. Usually it’s a lump sum payment, sometimes known as a death benefit, which is paid directly to a beneficiary. Unlike term life insurance, whole life insurance can build cash value for your family’s future — which may be available for you to withdraw or borrow against in case of an emergency.
With Boston Mutual’s Whole Life insurance, the protection is affordable and flexible. You choose the amount of insurance that makes sense for you, and that you can afford. There are coverage options available for you, your spouse, children and grandchildren. If you are single with no dependents, the flexibility of the whole life plan allows you to expand coverage to meet future responsibilities. If you change jobs or retire, you can take your coverage with you at the same rate. Your monthly cost and benefits are guaranteed for the life of your policy, and the cost does not go up as you get older. Your beneficiaries receive the policy’s death benefits amount, minus any outstanding loans.
Thinking about potential scenarios that may cause a visit to the hospital for you or a family member may be scary, but by setting up simple insurance coverage options, you and your family can have peace of mind if something does happen. By taking a few steps now, you can help set up your family for future protection.
To learn more about how to protect your loved ones’ financial future, visit BostonMutual.com or contact your benefits coordinator or HR department. For information on benefits available outside workplace offerings or if workplace benefits currently aren’t an option, visit BostonMutual.com/LearnMore.
Policy Series:
WPS-ACC 07/15
END-95(ESO)(20/21)
WS-CI 4/12
335-5033 1/23
