Category: Brandpoint Business & Finance

2023-01-17T09:01:00

(BPT) – Whether you’re a college grad, young professional or in mid-career, chances are you’ve already faced challenges that seemed overwhelming. Throughout your career, you’ll continue to face opportunities to choose one path or another, but without clear, meaningful goals — and the gumption to pursue them — you may find your path veering from the life you really want.

This is one of the key messages of the debut book by Sharon Price John, “Stories and Heart: Unlock the Power of Personal Stories to Create a Life You Love,” which illustrates core principles that helped her succeed — from climbing a daunting tree in childhood to leading some of world’s best-known brands, offering personal lessons and insights in an approachable manner and understandable format. As president and chief executive officer of the beloved publicly traded company Build-A-Bear Workshop for nearly a decade, John successfully led the 25-year-old organization through the “retail apocalypse” and global pandemic to emerge as a reimagined corporation that delivered the most profitable year in its history in 2021, followed by the recently announced expectation to repeat that feat for the company’s 2022 fiscal year.

Beyond offering candid stories that educate and inspire, she guides readers through her framework for using their own personal stories to enact meaningful change in their lives. In addition to each chapter’s “Story,” a related “Question from the Heart” and personal exploratory exercise helps provide actionable guidelines to creating a life you love, with an invitation for readers to challenge their own mindset through the lens of each experience shared.

Your own stories reveal your values and goals

Originally hailing from a small town in Tennessee, John learned early that she had a natural sense of determination to achieve what she wanted in life, although her perseverance was challenged by life circumstances, including overcoming obstacles like having zero connections in New York’s advertising world when pursuing her first job in the Big Apple. She shares her stories together with concrete exercises to help you focus on your life goals, determine the core values important to you — plus techniques to help you overcome hurdles, like those inner voices that may discourage you from taking the next steps in your career.

“The goal is for this book to be as much a journey for you as it was for me,” John explains. “This is an opportunity for you to think about what matters in your life while hopefully revealing an appreciation and understanding that your personal stories and the meaning you have woven around them not only impact your journey, but can be predictive of it.”

Reflective exercises John guides readers through include:

• Brainstorming goals for the next five years.
• Listing wishes for lifelong experiences.
• Identifying values that are most important to you.
• Rejecting the negative voices in your head.
• Understanding how perfectionism can block achievement.
• Redefining failures.
• Listening to your own instincts.
• Imagining your goals being met — and taking specific actions to get there.

Harnessing your gumption to achieve what you want

“If you’re unfamiliar with the term, the word ‘gumption’ is a little different from determination. Gumption is a mix of drive, passion and creativity — not just sheer will,” adds John. “This is where the concept of being dedicated to your goals becomes important. The power to create a life you love is within you.”

In “Stories and Heart,” John shares that beyond identifying the specific life goals most important to you, the next crucial step is learning to harness your dedication, faith and gumption to take concrete actions in pursuit of those goals — even when you’re unsure of the outcome. Taking positive action toward those goals, even in small steps, provides the fuel necessary to achieve them.

“When we identify what it is we really want, our ability to have conviction in achieving those goals increases. It is pretty incredible the things we can achieve when we understand the power of directing our efforts toward a specific desire or outcome,” John explains. “Real momentum in life starts when you clarify and begin taking steps, with conviction, toward something desirable.”

To learn more about John, her journey and her tips for setting your own meaningful life goals, visit StoriesAndHeart.com or check out her podcast at ForbesBooksAudio.com/shows/stories-heart. You can order her book, available now, at Amazon.com.

2023-01-10T07:01:00

(BPT) – Big economic changes can, and should, prompt big changes in individuals’ personal financial habits. That can look different from household to household but changing economic conditions doesn’t mean depriving yourself of what makes life enjoyable — much less healthy — especially at the retirement stage of life.

With the help of AARP Member Benefits, retirees can save on the everyday essentials — such as buying prescriptions, traveling to important life events, and staying connected with friends and family — so they can relax and enjoy this period of their lives while still having savings to continue enjoying their retirement well into the future.

Here are three ways you can tweak your retirement spending and save on what matters most:

1. Make Savvy Savings Choices on Essential Health and Wellness Products

Focusing on your health and well-being, including mental and physical health, is a necessity for anyone 50+, but the right savings options are available to keep costs low. Stay up to date on medical appointments, including eye exams, to evaluate any vision loss or early signs of disease. If correction is needed, members and their families can access exclusive discounts from AARP^® Vision Discounts Provided by EyeMed at participating retailers and independent provider locations nationwide, as well as online. Members save 50% on prescription lenses with the purchase of a frame at LensCrafters, 30% on complete pair of glasses (frames and lenses) at Glasses.com, and an additional $10 on a complete pair at Target Optical.

If you’re an AARP member, you have access to a free prescription discount card from AARP^® Prescription Discounts Provided by Optum Rx^® that can be used at over 66,000 pharmacies nationwide for savings on all FDA-approved medications. The program is open to anyone, but AARP members have access to additional benefits, including deeper discounts on medications, home delivery, coverage for dependents and more.

You can look to Walgreens when stocking up on your everyday beauty care essentials and vitamins. When members link their AARP membership and myWalgreens^® account, they can earn 10% Walgreens Cash rewards on Walgreens-branded health and wellness products. AARP members also receive 7% Walgreens Cash rewards on Walgreens branded beauty and personal care products and 3% Walgreens Cash rewards on all other qualifying beauty and personal care products.

2. Hit the Open Road at a Low Cost with Gas Discounts

One of the most enjoyable parts of retirement is being able to hit the road for those once-in-a-lifetime vacations or to visit friends and family. With that said, it’s in the best interest of your retirement savings to do this without breaking the bank. If you’re driving, there are ways to save on the high cost of gas prices that many aren’t aware of — through your AARP membership. Members can link their AARP membership with their Exxon Mobil Rewards+^TM account to earn extra points on fuel, car washes and convenience store items, and you’ll earn 2x the points on fuel on member days. Every 100 points you earn is the equivalent of $1 in savings on eligible purchases. And when you become an Exxon Mobil Rewards+ member, you receive a 500-point welcome bonus — that’s a five-dollar value — after your first fill-up. If you’re going to fill up anyway, why not save while you’re at it?

3. Connect with Loved Ones at Your Leisure by Keeping Cell Phone Costs Low

Having more time to connect with family and friends is one of the great pleasures of retirement. You can find so much joy in catching up with your child, grandchild, or close friends via a daily or weekly phone call. Paying for a phone service is a necessary expense, but there are hacks to saving on this monthly cost. AARP members can save 5% on monthly service and usage charges and 30% on accessories with Consumer Cellular. Talk, text, and data plans start at $20 per month per line, require no contract, and include free activation and an extended risk-free guarantee. In addition, AARP members can get unlimited talk, text and data for two lines for just $55/month. Make sure you enter or mention your AARP membership number or card at Target stores to access these savings and enjoy your conversations stress free.

Retirees can easily adjust their plans to ensure they don’t miss out on the moments that matter most, such as spending time with loved ones or taking an unforgettable vacation. The discounts and savings from AARP member benefits can help you enjoy the special moments in life during retirement without compromising on the flexibility and security you deserve. Check out aarp.org/save to view more benefits and savings available to AARP members.

Neither AARP nor its affiliates is the insurer. AARP and its affiliates are not insurance producers, agents or brokers, and do not sell or service insurance products. AARP member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details.

2023-01-06T23:01:00

(BPT) – By Sahar Osman-Sypher, Senior Director of the American Chemistry Council’s Formaldehyde Panel

Access to a proven “building-block” chemical that consumers extensively rely on and powers some of the largest sectors of the economy is under threat due to scientifically unjustified over-regulation. The building block is formaldehyde, which is a naturally occurring substance made simply of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.

Due to its usefulness, formaldehyde is already one of the most well-studied, well-understood compounds in commerce. Federal agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and agencies across the world, all agree that formaldehyde is safe for use in a variety of applications.

Maintaining access to this vital chemistry is critical for agriculture, building and construction, automobile manufacturing and healthcare sectors, as well as the nation’s manufacturing capability, economic viability, health, safety and continuity of essential products and services. Unfortunately, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pursuing a rushed formaldehyde assessment and biased scientific review process that could upend economic progress and threaten public health.

What is formaldehyde?

All life forms — bacteria, plants, fish, animals and humans — naturally produce formaldehyde as part of normal metabolic functions. The human body produces approximately 1.5 ounces of formaldehyde per day as part of cell metabolism. It is naturally present in the environment and found in a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, fish and beverages.

Formaldehyde does not accumulate in humans or the environment, plants or animals. Studies show that formaldehyde is quickly broken down by natural metabolic processes in the body, converted to carbon dioxide and exhaled. In the environment, formaldehyde is rapidly broken down in the air by moisture and sunlight or by bacteria in soil or water.

While formaldehyde is best known for its preservative and anti-bacterial properties critical for agriculture, formaldehyde-based chemistry is also used for a wide range of products in the building and construction, healthcare, and automotive sectors. Due to its usefulness, formaldehyde is one of the most well-studied, well-understood compounds in commerce.

How does formaldehyde benefit key industries and society?

Formaldehyde is an essential chemical building block for products that improve everyday life, but little if any formaldehyde generally remains in the final products consumers use. Here are just some of its applications.

Agriculture: Formaldehyde helps families access safe and less expensive food products. It also helps protect livestock against diseases capable of causing catastrophic economic losses for farming operations nationwide. Federal agencies oversee the safe use of formaldehyde in agriculture applications.

• Veterinarians depend on formaldehyde products to disinfect and sterilize their facilities as well as for laboratory preservation.
• Pork farmers use formaldehyde to reduce virus infectivity and to protect against Salmonella. Research suggests formaldehyde could be used for effective risk mitigation against African Swine Fever, one of the most dangerous pig diseases.
• Crop producers utilize formaldehyde-based products to increase crop yields, helping to optimize agricultural production worldwide while reducing runoff, nutrient pollution, and species loss.
• Poultry producers rely on formaldehyde to protect against bacteria and viruses, including Salmonella, E. coli and staph.
• Egg producers use formaldehyde to help protect hatching eggs against bacteria like Salmonella which can cause poor chick quality and growth, costing farmers millions of dollars.
• Animal feed can become contaminated with bacteria capable of causing diseases. Formaldehyde-based feed additives fight bacteria, improving healthy end-products for consumers and safe operations for animals and farm workers.
• Aquaculture relies on formaldehyde to help control fungi in egg hatcheries and to treat deadly infections like Columnaris disease, which impacts many fish varieties. As a water additive, formaldehyde helps kill parasites that impact finfish and shrimp.

Housing Affordability: Unworkable regulations for formaldehyde products could result in significant increases in the costs of building new homes and multi-family housing. Formaldehyde-based resins are used to manufacture composite and engineered wood products for cabinetry, countertops, moldings, furniture, shelving, stair systems, flooring, wall sheathing, support beams and trusses, furnishings and structures. Glues using formaldehyde as a building block are exceptional bonding agents, delivering high-quality, economic performance. Wood products rely on formaldehyde-based resins for a wide range of panel and board products, enabling sustainable use of forestry resources and minimizing waste. For example, composite wood panels are typically made from recovered wood waste that might otherwise be burned or disposed of in landfills. In addition, these formaldehyde resins facilitate the storage of large amounts of carbon in long-lived wood product, making them climate change mitigating rock stars (wood is 50% carbon).

Automobile/aerospace applications: Formaldehyde technology helps make vehicles lighter and more energy efficient. Formaldehyde-based resins are used to make interior molded components and under-the-hood components that withstand high temperatures. These resins are used in producing highly durable exterior primers, clear coat paints, tire-cord adhesives, brake pads and fuel system components. Formaldehyde is also used for door and window insulation for modern airplanes.

Healthcare: Formaldehyde has a long history of safe use in manufacturing vaccines, anti-infective drugs and hard-gel capsules. It is used in vaccines to inactivate viruses such as Influenza so they don’t cause disease. Formaldehyde-based thermoplastics are also used in inhalers and EpiPens.

Current regulation of formaldehyde

Because it is so widely used, formaldehyde is an extensively regulated material, with government regulations setting standards to protect human health and the environment by providing a clear threshold for safe exposure. These requirements help allow for safe production, storage, handling and use of this important chemistry. Formaldehyde manufacturers and users take this responsibility seriously, working with regulatory authorities and providing information on the safe use of formaldehyde and products made from it.

The threat from potential new regulations

Unfortunately, the use of formaldehyde is under threat by flawed analysis found in a 2022 draft assessment by the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program. IRIS, a program that has never been authorized by Congress, was initially created to support EPA’s mission by identifying and characterizing human health effects that may result from exposure to chemicals. However, the IRIS program has a troubling history of being out of step with the best available science and methods, lacking transparency and being unresponsive to peer review and stakeholder recommendations. Members of the scientific community, including the National Academy of Sciences, have called attention to the IRIS program’s failure to use modern scientific approaches to draw conclusions regarding human health risk.

IRIS assessments are known to generate overly conservative values that have not fully evaluated the best available science, and have even proposed and finalized toxicity values below levels naturally produced by the human body or that are naturally occurring. Since IRIS assessments do not undergo a “reality check” to ensure their values make sense, they can lead to unnecessary public alarm and inaccurate risk management decisions. The 2022 draft IRIS assessment sets an exposure limit for formaldehyde that is actually below its natural background levels or levels that can be detected using the latest monitoring technology.

EPA is out of step with the scientific community and international regulatory bodies that have evaluated formaldehyde recently. While not considering the full body of scientific evidence, the 2022 draft IRIS assessment sets an “acceptable exposure limit” significantly lower (up to 4,000 times) than that set by the European Union, which incorporated studies published over the last 30 years in their recent assessment. If EPA uses the draft IRIS assessment to set new formaldehyde regulations employing such low exposure limits, the negative impact on vital industry sectors, plus the health and safety of critical food products, will send ripple effects across the U.S. economy.

Impacts of unnecessary over-regulation

Products based on formaldehyde technologies supported roughly 1 million jobs and over a half a trillion dollars in sales in 2021 alone. Overly restrictive regulation of formaldehyde that provides no additional public health benefit would not only jeopardize those jobs, but would also harm supply chains, affecting consumers, producers and workers in the construction, housing, wood products, agriculture, chemical, transportation, consumer products and energy industries.

Scientifically unjustified over-regulation of formaldehyde would also cost the U.S. food system billions of dollars. Formaldehyde helps protect against substantial disease-induced economic losses across animal agriculture. Even using formaldehyde, the cost due to disease already totals billions of dollars each year. Without formaldehyde’s critical applications, significantly greater losses could catastrophically damage U.S. farmers’ livelihoods and the broader domestic economy. For example, if the U.S. saw outbreaks of African Swine Fever similar to those seen recently in China, it could decimate the U.S. pork industry — resulting in nearly $50 billion in losses to American farmers. Such an outbreak would create shortages, dramatically raising prices for consumers and straining the U.S. food system.

If you’re concerned about the potential impact of restricting access to this vital material, learn more and find out how to engage at www.Americanchemistry.com/formaldehyde.

2023-01-03T07:01:00

(BPT) – Approaching retirement is an exciting prospect: transitioning into this phase of life gives everyone the chance to spend more time with their family and enjoy favorite hobbies. However, wider economic conditions, particularly those we have seen over the last year, can sometimes prevent us from retiring when we want — or how we want.

According to research, 48% of people who were planning to retire in 2022 may now be putting their plans on hold. While pausing big life changes can be a sensible response in difficult times, you can still retire at the time of your choosing by steadying your financial ship ahead of time.

While we can’t control the economic headwinds we’re given as we approach retirement, individuals 50+ can take steps to ensure they retire in comfort and in good financial health by being savvy with their savings. With the benefits provided by AARP, members can save on everyday items, moving services and home repairs, and transition seamlessly into retired life no matter the economic backdrop. Here are just some of the ways AARP members can save day-to-day and head towards retirement in a strong financial position.

1. Save on Everyday Items to Give Yourself Breathing Room Elsewhere

It’s the everyday items that can sometimes add up when we review our expenses, so finding ways to save on these daily purchases is a fantastic way for future retirees to remain liquid. When you link your Exxon Mobil Rewards+™ account to your AARP membership, you earn extra points every day on the things you already buy, like fuel, car washes and convenience store items, and you’ll get 2x the points on fuel on AARP member days.

AARP members who are new to the Exxon Mobil Rewards+™ program will also receive a 500-point bonus (worth $5 in savings) after their first fill-up to redeem towards Exxon or Mobil fuel or convenience store items. Every 100 points you earn is the equivalent of $1 in savings on eligible purchases.

Thousands of people visit Walgreens daily not just for prescriptions, but for health and wellness, beauty and personal care needs. What many people don’t know is that you can earn rewards while buying these everyday essentials to save on future purchases. When you link your AARP and myWalgreens^® memberships, you’ll earn 10% Walgreens Cash rewards on Walgreens branded health and wellness products, 7% Walgreens Cash rewards on Walgreens branded beauty and personal care products and 3% Walgreens Cash rewards on all other qualifying beauty and personal care products. Exclusions and restrictions apply. For full details, visit Walgreens.com/AARPcard.

2. Ensure Smooth Sailing to Your Next Home By Saving on Moving Services

Getting ready to retire often means considering starting afresh with a new home. If you’re moving to downsize or relocating for a job or to be closer to family, with AARP member benefits, members have access to discounts to make these moves easier and less expensive. With Budget Truck, members can save 20% on local or one-way truck rentals on Sunday through Thursday and 10% on Friday and Saturday, plus receive a $10-per-day Physical Damage Waiver.

Members save up to $250 when they book moving services through Shyft. Dedicated Shyft Move Managers are trained to compare multiple pricing options among verified moving companies, lock in a rate upon booking, and help oversee your move. Make sure to enter your AARP membership number online or mention it over the phone.

3. Ensure Your Home is Comfortable and Safe with Discounted Repairs

One thing that homeowners can’t overlook is repairs, necessities which never seem to occur at the easiest time. And, if you have a new home, there may be additional expenses to keep it safe and well maintained, especially if you’re planning to age in place. AARP members have the opportunity to save on these essential costs. Members receive $36 off any American Home Shield^® home warranty plan that can help cover the cost to repair or replace parts of home appliances and systems that break down over time. Plus, for a limited time, American Home Shield^® is giving AARP members an additional $100 off for a total discount of $136 off any plan. Limitations and exclusions apply. Valid only for new American Home Shield members.

With Porch Home Services, members save 5% on small jobs completed by a Porch handyman, and get enhanced property protection for both small jobs and major home improvements. Plus, you get complimentary access to a dedicated Porch Home Assistant team that can help you book and manage your projects, assist with moving services, and more.

Those approaching retirement are naturally looking for ways to keep their financial ship steady and resilient to any headwinds that could impact their savings. While we can’t control the economy at the moment we choose to take the plunge, AARP member savings are an excellent way to ensure you transition into retirement in a strong position. By using these saving tips and taking advantage of these member benefits, being able to retire comfortably is within reach. Check out aarp.org/save to view more benefits and savings available to AARP members.

Neither AARP nor its affiliates is the insurer. AARP and its affiliates are not insurance producers, agents or brokers, and do not sell or service insurance products. AARP member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details.

2022-12-22T11:01:00

(BPT) – If you feel like it’s a struggle just getting from one pay period to the next, you’re not alone. Currently, 61% of the U.S. population lives paycheck to paycheck. Unfortunately, that can result in overusing credit cards or relying on predatory lending practices such as payday loans to get by when unexpected expenses occur — which often leads to additional financial difficulties. With U.S. inflation rates currently at 7%, credit card balances in turn have jumped 15%, and missed payments are unfortunately also on the rise — which negatively affects those card holders’ credit scores. If you have a lower credit score or no credit history, you may have a much harder time buying a home or car, getting good insurance rates — or even renting an apartment, among other things. Simply put, getting and keeping a better credit score increases your ability to borrow money at a lower cost when you need it.

If you’re one of the 150 million Americans who have low or no credit, these tips can help you improve your credit score, even during economically challenging times.

1. Review your credit score

You can request a free credit report online annually from Experian^®, Equifax^®, TransUnion^®, or the credit-builder tool of your choice. It’s a good idea to check for any errors which could be negatively impacting your credit score.

2. Use a credit builder to help you improve your credit score

Paying credit card bills on time is one of the top ways you can improve your credit score, but what about all your other bills such as utilities, rent, and subscriptions? These billers are not reporting your on-time payments to the credit bureaus. Fortunately, you can get some help by joining StellarFi, the first and only credit builder that consolidates all your bill payments in one place, then pays and reports a variety of bill payments directly to Experian^®, TransUnion^®, and Equifax^® — quickly building your positive payment history and improving factors that make up your credit score. StellarFi pays your regular household bills on time and withdraws money from your bank account to cover the bills. Because StellarFi pays bills on your behalf, your on-time bill payments will positively impact your credit score. Your StellarFi credit-builder account shows up on your credit report with your positive payment history and builds your credit in a meaningful and reliable way that lenders and creditors can use.

The result? The more of your bills that are paid through StellarFi, the faster and higher your credit score can grow: StellarFi members enjoy an average 26-point increase in their credit scores during the first month. There’s no credit check, interest fees, or deposit to get started.

3. Don’t open too many credit accounts at once

One mistake some people make is applying for too many credit cards at the same time. Every time you apply for a card, that triggers an inquiry into your credit, which can negatively impact your score. Over time your score will recover, but it’s best not to have too many inquiries into your credit too close together.

4. Think twice before closing a card

While you may think it’s smart to close a credit card because of a high interest rate, this can actually negatively impact your credit score. A major factor of your credit score is the percentage of available credit you’re using — so if you’re maxing out your cards, that will hurt your score. Closing a card means reducing your available credit, making the percentage of credit you’re currently using higher.

In addition, closing a card reduces the overall years of credit history you have, which is another factor in determining your score. If it’s a card you don’t want to use due to a high interest rate, consider setting it aside, only using it occasionally for a small purchase to keep it active, then paying it off in full.

5. Start now

Improving your credit score can take a little time, but the sooner you get started, the sooner you will begin to see positive results.

“Personal finances can be challenging in today’s environment, but there are tools available to help anyone trying to build a better credit history,” said StellarFi founder and CEO Lamine Zarrad. “Taking stock of your credit report and using a credit builder account can be effective steps toward getting a handle on improving your credit situation.”

Ready to get started? Visit https://stellarfi.com to learn more.

2022-12-22T13:48:08

(BPT) – Evictions have been front-page news during the pandemic. At the start of the pandemic, the National Low Income Housing Coalition estimated that without assistance, 30 to 40 million Americans would be in danger of eviction by the end of that year. It’s a heart-wrenching situation, which was largely avoided through widespread eviction moratoriums around the country.

But there is another side to the eviction crisis: Criminals actively trying to get into apartments they have no ability (nor intention) to pay for. Their modus operandi is to submit fake pay stubs and bank statements to convince landlords they have the means required to afford the rent.

One in eight paystubs or bank statements submitted to apartment owners are fake today. Fraudsters submitted more than 10 million fake financial documents last year. It is called application fraud, and experts estimate that this crime accounts for one in four of all evictions.

Snappt, a business with expertise in spotting fake financial documentation, has scanned several million pay stubs and bank statements. Based on a deep analysis of these documents, they have released their “Treacherous 20” list — the list of the top 20 major metropolitan areas by application fraud rate.

The Snappt Treacherous 20

The top 20 major metropolitan areas by application fraud rate:

1) Atlanta – 17.9%
2) Houston – 16.2%
3) Dallas/Fort Worth – 13.2%
4) Charlotte – 11.7%
5) Phoenix – 11.2%
6) Los Angeles – 10.8%
7) Tampa/St. Petersburg – 10.4%
8) Miami – 10.0%
9) St. Louis – 9.5%
10) Minneapolis/St. Paul – 9.2%
11) Chicago – 8.9%
12) Orlando – 8.5%
13) Las Vegas – 8.2%
14) Detroit – 8.0%
15) Philadelphia – 7.9%
16) Southern California Inland Empire (Riverside, Ontario) – 7.9%
17) Sacramento – 7.4%
18) Washington, DC – 6.6%
19) New York/New Jersey – 6.1%
20) Denver – 6.0%

Note that the eviction rates — which are often driven by application fraud — ran as high as one in nine for the Treacherous 20. The average eviction rate was 4.83%, nearly double the national average of 2.6%. In Atlanta, property managers are seeing fake paystubs or bank statements every fifth or sixth applicant. Houston and Dallas were not far behind.

Drivers of application fraud

There are many drivers of application fraud, but rent increases and unemployment stick out. Many of the Treacherous 20 show extreme movement along these drivers.

• Increasing rent. Higher rents make it more difficult to qualify. This in turn causes more people to turn to application fraud. Annual rent increases as high as 29.5% show up on the list (Tampa/St. Petersburg). In fact, nearly half showed double-digit rent increases in 2022.
• Unemployment. Unemployment makes it impossible to qualify for an apartment. This drives applicants to fraudulently alter bank statements and pay stubs. Unemployment rates were as high as 5.7% on the list, well above the national average of 3.8%. In fact, half of the metro areas on the list have unemployment rates at or above the national average.

A post-pandemic world

The pandemic was tough for everyone. While eviction moratoriums kept many renters safe, owners faced high losses. And, as application fraud soars, the risk to owners is getting even higher. Solutions like Snappt help protect landlords.

2022-12-22T08:01:00

(BPT) – In no time, we’ll say goodbye to 2022 and begin a new year. This means everyone will have the chance to reflect on, restart and even reset their goals from the previous year. Many may be looking to start fresh on their financial habits.

However, you don’t have to wait for the new year to improve your finances. Check out these five tools available within your Chase Mobile Banking app to help you start the new year on a strong financial foot.

1. Create a budget

It’s never too early to think about your financial goals for the year ahead. Creating a budget is one of the best ways to define your goals and stay on track. To get started now, you can find, download and print a budget work sheet, or you can use a digital one like the one available on Chase.com/FinancialGoals.

Chase customers can also find the Budget tool on their app when they navigate through the Plan and Track feature to create and stick to a budget. This tool offers in-depth, customized views that help you track what you’ve bought to prevent overspending and you can find more information on chase.com/mobile.

2. Know where your money is going

It can be difficult to know what to cut back on if you don’t know how you’re spending your money. Start the year off right with an overarching view of your past spending to keep you on track for the year ahead.

Digital tools like Chase’s Snapshot feature provide daily insights into your spending, including which categories you’re spending in the most, to keep you aware of where your money is going.

3. Set savings goals

The new year is the perfect time to start fresh and reset your goals. Look at your expenses and set a savings goal for 2023. Consider using automated savings tools, like Chase Autosave, to set and reach a savings goal.

It works by making automatic transfers from your Chase checking account to your savings account, so you can save without thinking about it, and you can name your goal, start with any amount you choose, adjust the frequency and edit or pause when you need to. You can even start planning and saving now for next year’s holiday expenses.

4. Monitor your credit score

If you’re saving for a new car or hoping to leap into homeownership in 2023, your credit health will be key. However, it can be challenging to monitor your credit score without the proper tools. Credit Journey allows users to check their score without impacting their credit and be alerted to identity theft and fraud attempts.

Credit Journey allows you to manage your credit score with confidence. This digital tool not only tracks your score but also helps you learn how to build it. You can see your score update weekly, see what’s changed, view security notifications and access support 24/7. Best of all, it’s free for everyone to use — not just Chase customers.

5. Don’t spend it all at once

Bigger ticket items, like electronics or jewelry, can quickly add up. For larger purchases in the new year, consider using a payment plan to help you manage costs over time.

Many banks are now offering installment payment options right from their apps. For example, with My Chase Plan, eligible credit card holders can pay off their purchases over time in fixed monthly payments, so you can cover all the must-have items without breaking the bank.

Using these five tips, you can start your new year off right with solid financial tools to help you meet your financial goals. To learn more, visit Chase.com/Mobile.

Bank deposit accounts, such as checking and savings, are subject to approval. Chase Mobile^® app is available for select mobile devices. Message and data rates may apply. Deposit products provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

2022-12-21T07:01:00

(BPT) – Approaching retirement is an exciting prospect for many adults 50+ who can look forward to spending more time with family and friends and enjoying the benefits of their hard-earned savings. In many cases, this important stage of life can include large expenses, such as supporting college-aged children, paying for weddings, or home renovations.

According to recent research, Americans are continuing to add to their retirement fund, however only about half of workers with 401(k) plans said they feel confident they’ll reach their retirement savings goals. During this eagerly anticipated but sometimes costly season of life, it’s important to uncover money saving hacks for everyday expenses that can go a long way in easing our pockets, including our health and wellness needs, gas, technology and more. If you’re an AARP member, there’s a range of discounts and savings that can help you save money and stay on track with your retirement fund goals.

Here are three pre-retirement smart saving hacks to consider:

Prioritize Your Health and Wellness Without Breaking the Bank

As we focus on reaching our retirement fund goals, one area of life we should never neglect is health and wellness. Staying up to date on your regular medical appointments, including hearing, dental and vision, is always a recommendation for living your best life. These essential wellness visits don’t have to break the bank, as there are ways to incorporate savings that you might not expect.

Scheduling annual eye exams allows your provider to check for vision loss or early signs of disease. If correction is needed, AARP^® Vision Discounts Provided by EyeMed provide members and their families exclusive discounts at participating retailers and independent provider locations nationwide, as well as online. You save 50% on prescription lenses with the purchase of a frame at LensCrafters, 30% on a complete pair of glasses (frames and lenses) at Glasses.com, and you save an additional $10 on a complete pair at Target Optical.

Regardless of how the economy might be impacting you, prescription adherence keeps you healthy and is important. You can stay on top of your prescriptions while saving with AARP^® Prescription Discounts Provided by Optum Rx^® — a free prescription discount card that can be used at over 66,000 pharmacies nationwide for savings on all FDA-approved medications. The program is open to anyone, but AARP members have access to additional benefits, including deeper discounts on medications, home delivery, coverage for dependents and more.

Another surprising way to cut costs is taking a closer look at where you’re physically shopping. For everyday health, wellness and beauty essentials like vitamins, skin care and hair products, cosmetics and more, you can shop at Walgreens while earning rewards through your AARP membership. When members link their AARP membership and myWalgreens^® account, they can earn 10% Walgreens Cash rewards on Walgreens-branded health and wellness products. AARP members also receive 7% Walgreens Cash rewards on Walgreens-branded beauty and personal care products and 3% Walgreens Cash rewards on all other qualifying beauty and personal care products.

Keep Yourself on the Road at a Low Cost By Saving on Gas

Let’s face it: driving is something most of us must do regularly, whether it’s filling your vehicle a few times a month commuting to and from work, traveling for your child’s sports tournament, or taking weekend trips to visit family and friends. Amid financial pressures, there are real ways to save on gas that you might not expect.

When you link your AARP membership with your Exxon Mobil Rewards+^TM account, you earn extra points every day on the things you already buy, like fuel, car washes and convenience store items, and you’ll receive 2x the points on fuel on member days. Every 100 points you earn is the equivalent of $1 in savings on eligible purchases. And when you become an Exxon Mobil Rewards+ member, you receive a 500-point welcome bonus — that’s a five-dollar value — after your first fill-up.

Keep Your Connections Strong by Making Smart Cell Phone Plan Choices

It’s important to stay connected with friends and family — especially if you have a child (or two) away at college. Schedule a time each week to catch up with those who matter. AARP members can save 5% on monthly service and usage charges and 30% on accessories with Consumer Cellular. Talk, text and data plans start at $20 per month per line, require no contract, and include free activation and an extended risk-free guarantee. In addition, AARP members can get unlimited talk, text and data for two lines for just $55/month. Make sure you enter or mention your AARP membership number or card at Target stores to access these savings and enjoy your conversations stress free.

For those starting to think about what their retirement will look like, taking steps to save on everyday expenses allows you to prioritize retiring how you want, when you want. The discounts and savings available via AARP member benefits can help make every dollar count and put you on a path towards a stable, happy, and fulfilling retirement. Check out aarp.org/save to view more benefits and savings available to AARP members.

Neither AARP nor its affiliates is the insurer. AARP and its affiliates are not insurance producers, agents or brokers, and do not sell or service insurance products. AARP member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details.

2022-12-19T02:01:00

(BPT) – There’s good news for those entering the job market, people wanting a career change or military veterans searching for a new path forward: Landing a rewarding lifelong career as a truck and trailer technician has never been easier. You don’t need years of expensive education or training to enter this field, which is currently in high demand. With just a short period of training, you can learn to service America’s fleet of trucks and trailers that are the backbone of the country’s economy.

Technicians are in high demand

With the persistent need for delivery services and a responsive supply chain due to today’s on-demand lifestyle — in addition to the fast-changing technological developments occurring in the trucking industry — companies nationwide are actively recruiting technicians who can learn how to service both diesel-powered and today’s more sustainable electric vehicles (EV), from medium to heavy trucks to tractor-trailers.

Paid training and no experience required

Fortunately, if you’re interested in joining this evolving, in-demand field, you can find a training program that will set you up not just for a great job, but for a lifelong career. FleeTec Academy, powered by Cox Automotive Mobility Fleet Services, offers an unmatched paid training program that provides competitive wages, all your living expenses and travel to one of the academy’s two locations: Phoenix and Indianapolis. The four-week program offers intensive, hands-on training from professional instructors to ensure each student will learn the advanced skills required to be a successful technician.

Here’s what the training program provides:

• Four-week accelerated academic environment alongside equally ambitious candidates.
• Paid living expenses and travel to the training location.
• Competitive pay throughout the four-week training program.
• Practical application in a mechanical shop environment, not just classroom learning, plus interpersonal skills required to set yourself apart from the rest and drive your career to the next level.
• Guaranteed job placement with Cox Automotive.
• Best-in-class employee benefits on Day 1.
• $20,000 worth of tools to equip you on your essential mission to keep America’s trucks up and running after two years of service with Cox Automotive.

“From hands-on training and instructors who go above and beyond to guaranteed career opportunities and great pay, FleeTec and Cox Automotive Mobility Fleet Services have taken really good care of me,” said FleeTec graduate Tramone Sims. “After FleeTec, I feel like I can go out and work on any type of truck and really grow my career.”

Upon completion of the training program, you’ll be qualified to perform preventive maintenance and light repairs. You’ll learn the ins and outs of Cox Automotive’s industry-leading tools and techniques from the ground up, including unmatched safety procedures.

The program requires a two-year commitment to the company upon completion, with a guaranteed technician position where you’ll continue to receive mentorship and learn even more valuable industry skills at one of their many service centers or field service locations nationwide. To date, over 240 technicians have completed the program.

“Technician training, recruitment and retention are critical to the growth of our business and the industry as a whole,” said Ted Coltrain, executive officer, Cox Automotive Mobility Fleet Services. “It’s an opportunity of a lifetime for someone who has what it takes to remain focused and dedicated to both work and education full-time as they complete this exceptional training program.”

Interested? Visit CoxAutoInc.com/mobility/fleetec to watch videos of FleeTec students, learn more about the training program and to apply.

2022-12-15T11:47:00

(BPT) – Did you know your dollars have the power to support positive change? Spending your money in ways that align with your values makes a difference for yourself and the causes close to your heart, while staying within your budget.

The new year is the ideal time to think about how you can make a difference, and one way is to look for little labels on products you buy that stand for the changes you want to see in the world. This is particularly important in 2023 as more people look at their budgets and make thoughtful choices about food and other products they purchase.

In fact, research shows about half of American seafood consumers (49% in the U.S.) say ecolabels on products raise their trust and confidence in the brand. However, product claims can be confusing, which is why 65% demand that retailers’ and brands’ claims about sustainability and the environment be clearly labeled and third-party verified.

To demystify product labels so you can shop smart and support people, the planet and prosperity, here are three labels to look for at the store: