Category: Brandpoint Business & Finance

2022-06-14T08:01:00

(BPT) – Being an adult is a learned behavior that takes practice. A key consideration for “adulting” is becoming financially savvy and it’s never too early to start building your financial knowledge. With this guide, students preparing to graduate into the real world can master the art of adulting one step at a time. In fact, taking control of your finances now will help ensure financial security throughout your life.

Ingredients of financial literacy

“It’s never too early to get started on your own financial journey. One of the easiest ways parents can teach their kids about money is to set them up with their own bank account, like Chase High School Checking or Chase College Checking,” said Matt Gromada, Managing Director, Head of Family, Student and Starter Banking at Chase. “It opens the door for important conversations and real-world scenarios about the basics of finance — from spending and saving to credit scores. By having these regular conversations, you can help set your child up for a strong financial future.”

To help get you started on that financial journey, here are three important things aspiring adults will want to consider:

Saving is safety: Saving is the foundation for financial security and independence. Start by putting money aside regularly, even if a small amount, because it’s never too early to start saving and there’s never too little to start saving. And, by starting to save young, it will become a habit that helps build that emergency fund sooner rather than later. An emergency fund can offer peace of mind for unexpected costs as you get older, such as a car repair or sudden medical bill. The easiest way to make it a habit is by automation. Chase Autosave lets you set up repeating, automatic transfers from a Chase checking to a Chase savings account. This simple transaction can help you build an emergency fund without thinking twice.

Begin budgeting: A budget, or a basic financial plan for your money, can help you understand your expenses and help you live within your means. To create your budget, you need to know your income, expenses and how much you want to save. Chase makes it simple with budget worksheets available to all. Enter your recurring income and expenses to see where your money goes each month.

Credit basics: Adults can establish and build good credit by managing your finances wisely. Having and maintaining a strong credit score and history is crucial. For example, credit score is a key consideration when buying a car or a house. Your credit score is based on how responsibly you manage your credit. The main elements of securing a good credit score are paying your bills on time, the length of time you’ve had a credit history, and the amount and kind of accounts you have. Potential lenders will use this information to determine your credit risk. Learning the basics of credit and how to improve your score early on will set you up for future success when you want to make larger purchases. Chase makes keeping track of your credit easy with the Credit Journey, which offers free credit and identity monitoring, including alerts to let you know if your data is exposed in a data breach or on the dark web.

With an eye on your future, these three elements are a great place to start your financial journey. Master these basics, and you’ll be well on your way to successful “adulting.”

2022-06-07T07:01:00

(BPT) – Americans in general do not save enough for retirement, and women unfortunately save even less. One reason for this is that women are paid less across the board. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020 women earned 81 cents for every dollar men earned — which is actually the closest women have ever gotten to achieving pay equity in the U.S. Add to that the disproportional effects of the pandemic, which saw record job losses for women, especially women of color. This gender pay gap then has long-term effects, as it also leads to the gender investing gap.

Why women invest less

People who identify as women are investing less not only due to their lower pay overall, but also because of the roles women play in supporting and providing hands-on care for their children, elderly parents and sometimes spouses as well. Especially for women in the “sandwich generation” who take care of both children and parents, that often means putting off investing in their own financial futures — while they use any funds they have to provide for others before ensuring their own economic security.

Another setback for women is more subtle, but equally damaging. From childhood, women often identify themselves as less financially literate and less confident about investing. This can lead to hesitation when it comes to investing for retirement, even when they have the means to do so.

Due to both the pay and investment gaps, women over age 65 live on an income about 17% less than that of men — but also have a longer life expectancy, up to five years longer than men, according to this year’s report from the World Population Review. The result? A much tougher economic future.

What women can do to improve their investment outlook

To help women move further along their financial path, American Century Investments^® is teaming up with community partners such as the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team KC Current and a local Kansas City artist to spearhead the “Make Your Investing Move” campaign.

Investing is always a journey, but some best practices can help women (or anyone) be more successful at it. Here are tips for women to help them achieve investment equity, from American Century Investments:

• Keep time in mind. Knowing your timeline helps you choose the right investments for you. Timing is also important because the longer you invest, the more your money may grow — which is a good reason to start now.
• Discover your investing identity. Understanding your tendencies and how you make decisions can help you figure out what kind of investments to choose and how you want to manage them, whether on your own or with a professional.
• Know your comfort with risk. All investing involves risk, so knowing your comfort level with risk — especially when the markets shift — is crucial for making decisions about your investment portfolio and helping you stick with your plan.
• Set goals. Goals are essential for anything you want to accomplish, especially investing. Knowing what you want can help you figure out how much money you’ll need, and how much to invest to get there.
• Do the math. A good way to know how much money to invest is knowing how much you have saved now, then estimating what you’ll need to reach your goals. You can use investing calculators to estimate and general rules of thumb to check your progress. This guide can help you understand how much you should be saving, wherever you are on the journey.

Take the pledge

Want to get started? Take the digital pledge at MyInvestingMove.com to commit to your financial self-care. “Signing” your name to a pledge increases your chances of following through on that pledge — which helps you put financial self-care on the top of your to-do list. Once you’ve signed, you’ll receive content that will help take you through the steps of making your investing move, outlining what actions you can take and providing resources for you to learn more.

Women often say that they don’t invest because they “aren’t earning enough yet,” but actively preparing is always the best decision in the long run. You can change your own financial future and this is a great chance to begin.

Investment return and principal value of security investments will fluctuate. The value at the time of redemption may be more or less than the original cost. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

This material has been prepared for educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, investment, accounting, legal or tax advice.

2022-06-07T05:01:00

(BPT) – Summer can bring a flurry of activities and experiences. Whether you’re traveling to see friends and family, camping, going to the beach or simply enjoying outdoor summer activities, this time of year can quickly put a dent in your bank account.

Shopping online can help make summer fun more affordable. You can find great online deals on beach and pool accessories, warm-weather clothing and more. However, to make sure you’re getting the best deals, you’ll need to follow some online shopping strategies.

Check out these five tips to help you save time and money this summer.

1. Wait and shop at the right time

If you’ve ever bought something during a Black Friday sale, you know how rewarding it can be to wait and get a big-ticket item at a bargain price. You can use this tactic year-round by becoming familiar with seasonal retail sales.

According to NerdWallet, if you’re looking for fitness equipment for your home gym or TVs and electronics, then take advantage of discounts in January. If you need to replace your old mattress, wait and buy in September around Labor Day.

Make a list of items you’d like to purchase this year and research the best times to shop so you can get the best deal possible.

2. Use online shopping tools for price comparison, cash back and coupons or discounts

There are numerous shopping apps and tools that help ensure you’re getting what you need at the lowest price. Some even offer cash back for simply using the savings tool when you complete your purchase.

It’s even easier if you do your online shopping on Microsoft Edge, the browser with built-in tools designed to save you time and money. No need to download extensions to your phone or laptop! On average, people save about 20% (or around $25) when shopping in Microsoft Edge using features like:

• Coupon alert: You’ll be alerted about any coupons available for the site you’re browsing, which can be automatically applied at checkout.
• Price comparisons: Microsoft Edge will check prices at competing retailers for lower prices.
• Price history: Plan your next online purchase by looking at historical price trends to fit your budget.
• Price change alerts: You’ll be alerted if items you’ve viewed have changed in price.
• Reviews and ratings: Access online expert reviews and customer ratings for over five million products
• Express checkout: Microsoft Edge will autofill your information so you can speed through checkout.

“We want to help people save time and money so they can focus on the things that matter most,” said Liat Ben-Zur, corporate vice president of marketing, Microsoft. “Whatever you’re searching for, whether it’s clothing, gifts or furniture, you can shop confidently with our built-in savings tools and know you’re getting the best deal without all the extra leg work.”

3. Avoid markups by beating dynamic pricing

Have you ever gone to buy a plane ticket and realized that the price has gone up within a matter of hours? Dynamic pricing (also known as surge pricing, demand pricing and time-based pricing) is to blame. This strategy allows companies to adjust the price of an item in real time based on supply and demand.

To avoid markups, delete your browser’s cookies or shop in a private window, especially when buying airline tickets or booking a hotel room. Also, if you don’t need an item urgently, leave it in your cart. You’ll likely get an email the same day or a day or two later that the item you were thinking of purchasing has had a price drop.

4. Use your credit card’s cash back

Are you using your cash-back rewards? If you have a cash-back credit card, you make back some of what you spent on your regular purchases like gas, groceries and household products. While it may not seem like a lot for individual purchases, cash-back rewards can quickly add up, so you can put that money in the bank or apply it toward other purchases.

5. Join loyalty and rewards programs

You’ve probably been asked at grocery stores, clothing retailers and gas stations about joining the store’s loyalty and rewards program. These programs are generally free to sign up for, and you can even do it at checkout in most places that offer them. Simply input your phone number and/or email address and you’ll earn reward points or receive coupons and discounts for future purchases.

Smart shopping pays off. Use these five tips while shopping online for all your summer needs.

2022-06-06T11:53:00

(BPT) – Is your teen starting their first job this summer? Are they already planning how to spend their first paycheck? You can help support your kids during this important milestone by teaching them healthy financial habits. While money used to be a taboo topic, more and more parents are teaching their kids the basics of managing money at home. In fact, 70% of parents surveyed are currently having these financial conversations with their children according to a study from Chase.

“It’s never too early to get started on your own financial journey, or help your kids get started on theirs. Starting your first job is a huge milestone and a perfect opportunity for parents to dive deeper into financial topics with their teens.” said Matt Gromada, Managing Director, Head of Family, Student and Starter Banking at Chase. “One of the easiest ways parents can teach their kids about money from an early age is by opening a bank account to help them learn how to manage their money firsthand. When parents bring their kids into conversations about learning how to budget, save and spend mindfully, it helps build a strong financial foundation.”

Not sure how to start financial conversations with your kids? Check out these five lessons you can teach them as they start their first job.

1. Start with the Basics

It’s never too early to start teaching your kids about the basics of money. Parents can offer kids real-world experiences, even before they may be ready for their first official job. For example, provide opportunities for them to earn money for completing household chores to teach them the fundamentals of earning, saving and spending. Having these conversations early and reinforcing these financial lessons can help your child develop healthy money habits.

2. Make Opening a Bank Account a Fun Milestone

Do you remember the excitement of opening your first bank account? Share this fun milestone with your children and help them open their own bank account so they look forward to depositing their first paycheck from their new job. Consider accounts like Chase High School Checking that have benefits and features to help with budgeting and saving, including no monthly service fee, and offer the capabilities of digital banking through the Chase Mobile app.

3. Save Regularly

Encourage your child to set savings goals so they can afford fun items, like concert tickets for their favorite band and trips with their friends or purchase more expensive items like a computer or car. Remind them that even though they have a job, smart savings habits will prepare them for the future and it’s never too early to start saving.

4. Teach Budget Fundamentals

Using real-life experiences as teachable moments can help your teen understand the need for a budget, especially as they get older. Show them how you plan for food and other household expenses and help them create their own budget. This will help build financial skills that will help them balance the costs of needs versus wants.

5. Spend Thoughtfully

It’s important to discuss smart spending strategies with your teen as they begin their first job since they likely already have their next purchase in mind before they even receive their first paycheck. Discuss the purchases your teen wants to make and how these fit into their long-term goals. When they do make a purchase, remind them to look at their bank account first to see how it will impact their overall spending budget. Teens will be better prepared for long-term financial independence if they learn how to spend thoughtfully before they have many expenses.

Teaching your teen these five lessons will help set them up for financial success as they start their first job. To learn more about how you can build money skills as a family, visit Chase.com/FamilyBanking.

2022-06-02T01:01:00

(BPT) – If you’ve found that your expenses are going up each month, you’re not alone. Inflation in the U.S. has hit an all-time high in 40 years to 8.5% over the last 12 months. That means that the average American household is spending an extra $296.45 per month because of inflation, according to a report by Moody Analytics.

Need help making your budget stretch? Check out these three tips to help you save money and afford the important things in life.

1. Reduce your food bill

Food is likely one of the largest expenses in your budget, especially if you’re feeding a whole family. There are plenty of ways to reduce your food bill. Searching for sales and coupons, making a weekly meal plan and buying generic over brand-name products are well-known solutions.

If you want to step up your savings game, try buying more frozen products to reduce food waste. According to a study by William and Mary University, the average American spends about $1,300 per year on food that isn’t consumed. By stocking your fridge with frozen fruits and veggies, you’ll save money and, as a bonus, do some good for the planet.

It’s also a good idea to freeze your leftovers if your family isn’t likely to eat them within a couple of days. If you find meats and seafood on sale, buy and freeze them for future meals.

2. Save on gas

Gasoline is another significant expense for most household budgets. Whether you’re commuting to work, school, or visiting family and friends, it’s easy to spend a lot on fuel. The easiest way to spend less is to drive less, but that may not be possible for your family. Instead, try driving at lower speeds. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you spend an additional $0.22 per gallon of gas for every 5 miles above 50 mph.

Another way to spend less is to be smart about where you purchase gas. Warehouse or wholesale clubs tend to have gas stations that offer gas at a lower price than regular gas stations to their members. If you already shop at a wholesale club for bulk items, see if you can get additional discounts or cashback when using your member credit card at the pump.

If you don’t have a wholesale club membership or there isn’t one near you, you can still save at your local gas stations. Check around town or download apps that help you find the cheapest gas prices in town. Many major gas stations also offer fuel rewards or discounts, so make sure to sign up so you can save.

3. Manage health care costs

Health care and wellness can be expensive, but there are also some simple tricks to help you manage these costs. If you take multiple medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you can switch from a brand-name to a generic medication. Generics work as well as brand-name medicines at a lower price point.

Check with your job and health insurance provider for health programs and discounts. You may even qualify to get money back for going to the gym and other activities you already practice.

One area of health that can be expensive is vision care. If your insurance doesn’t include vision insurance, check out VSP vision insurance.

Visit an eye doctor and save with VSP vision insurance. You can purchase a vision insurance plan at any time without having to wait for open enrollment. Plans start as low as $13 per month and can help you save up to $200 per year and give you access to the largest network of doctors. Other benefits include 20% savings on additional glasses or sunglasses, including lens enhancements, from a VSP network of independent eye doctors within 12 months of your last exam. To find out which vision plan is best for you, visit VSP Individual Vision Plans.

You don’t have to choose between enjoying your life and affording the basics. Use these three tips so you can save money without compromising your quality of life.

2022-05-24T16:35:00

(BPT) – Each year, the U.S. military generates thousands of professionals with highly specialized, transferable skills. Beyond technical and operational expertise, every service member gains skills that help keep teams afloat and foster cohesion and productivity, serving them well in their civilian careers.

During Military Appreciation Month, it’s important to recognize the value of these skills that veterans bring to businesses and organizations that employ them. Microsoft Military Affairs — which helps veterans and transitioning service members get their footing in tech — recognizes veterans’ unquantifiable value and experience in their civilian work.

To help you understand the value-add veterans are to the businesses and organizations that hire them, MMA has highlighted four skills former service members bring to the table.

1. Adaptability

If you ask a veteran what they ‘did’ on active duty, the answer will be impressive. During their time in the military, service members experience continuous on-the-job learning, constantly gaining new skillsets and specialties within new teams and environments. As agile, resourceful learners, veterans can pivot on a dime, bringing tenacity and personal initiative to every challenge.

Cybersecurity, cloud administration and cloud application development are quickly evolving fields that require adaptability, which former service members have in spades. This adaptability allows veterans to thrive in an environment of constant flux and can bridge critical knowledge gaps that drive new solutions to business challenges.

2. Resilience

Resilience is part of any service member’s training. Military service members know how to complete the mission set before them, whether it’s deployment to crisis areas, moving families to a new base or country, sacrificing holidays and time with loved ones, or enormous physical and mental challenges.

A veteran’s experience in overcoming obstacles and “staying on target” served them well during their military service and will continue to serve them as civilian and private sector professionals, particularly as the work environment and customer needs continue to evolve.

3. Teamwork

Teamwork is a critical skill in the military because members must operate in unison for the mission to succeed. This “stronger together” mindset cultivates a deep understanding of the value each member brings to a team and how to facilitate trust to develop cohesion.

Veterans know how to join, develop and empower a team to operate as a unit. These interpersonal skills allow former service members to work productively and establish trust with different groups and personalities, fostering collaboration and teamwork.

4. Leadership

Adaptability, resilience and teamwork are all skills that ultimately make veterans agile, thoughtful leaders on any team. While the pressures they face on active duty are very different from those they’ll face in civilian life, veterans can be relied on to bring decisiveness and poise to even the most stressful environments.

Former service members are steady, focused and equipped to make tough decisions in some of the most stressful situations. As crisis managers, they know how to manage stress, deescalate and provide balance in a challenging environment. This advanced degree of “grace under pressure” allows former service members to push through when a project doesn’t go according to plan, find a solution and lead a team to success.

These are just a few of the core skills veterans bring to their jobs outside of military service. To learn more about how Microsoft is helping former service members leverage their skills in the technology industry, visit Military.Microsoft.com and the Microsoft Software and Systems Academy page or follow Microsoft Military Affairs on LinkedIn.

2022-05-17T14:01:00

(BPT) – Sponsored by Office Depot

If you own a small business, you know that it can be an incredibly rewarding yet challenging venture that requires balance, especially if you’re working remotely. In fact, according to a survey, achieving work-life balance is the most important habit to cultivate to be successful in that environment. Luckily, you don’t have to do it all on your own. Companies like Office Depot support small business owners year-round with products and services to help them build and attract customers, maintain day-to-day operations, save time and much more.

Check out these five services that small business owners can leverage to help empower their success:

1. Copy and Print Services

According to a recent survey by OnePoll on behalf of Office Depot, female small business owners said that next to cash grants (38%), marketing materials (29%) would have helped get their business off the ground. With Office Depot’s print services, you can create and print marketing materials like business cards, presentations, labels, stickers and more.

Additionally, if you need indoor or outdoor signage printed, you can choose from a wide selection of custom business signs like yard signs, flags, floor decals, magnetic car signs and more. Simply upload your designs or choose from templates and tailor them to your business using a variety of colors and sizes. Several pricing options are available, so you can choose what works best for you and your budget.

Not sure where to start? Visit officedepot.com/print or a local Office Depot or OfficeMax store near you to learn more.

2. Design

Don’t have a graphic designer on your team? Choose from thousands of professional and visually appealing design templates from Canva to create customized marketing materials within a few clicks. From flyers announcing special deals and seasonal products to brochures advertising special events, it’s simple to create professionally designed materials that stand out and help you connect with your customers. Best of all, you can design as many options as you’d like, and you only pay for what you print. Visit officedepot.com/print to get started.

3. Tech support

Tech support services can help to simplify your IT, anticipate challenges and needs, and empower you to scale, grow and manage your business. Office Depot offers 24/7 remote tech support subscription plans for total tech peace of mind, along with services for computer repair, in-home and office computer and tech installation and setup, technology protection plans, and more. Never miss a beat or spend copious amounts of time troubleshooting, so you can focus on what you do best.

4. Shredding and Storage

Don’t let your documents be a liability for you or your customers. Safe document storage helps you preserve the information you need and frees up space, while proper shredding services can help you destroy documents you don’t need, plus you can feel good about having them safely recycled. Office Depot offers a variety of options to help businesses securely manage documents to help prevent identity theft, stay compliant with industry standards, and more.

5. Same-Day Services

As a small business owner, usually, time is of the essence! That’s when same-day services and quick and convenient order fulfillment options can really make a difference. At Office Depot, Same-Day Services are available on full-service solutions in-store and can be purchased online for in-store pick up. This includes printing items such as posters, flyers and business cards as well laminating and binding services.

In addition, Same-Day Delivery is available for a wide assortment of eligible office, cleaning and tech products in select markets. And if you’re really in a pinch, Office Depot offers free in-store and curbside pick-up in 20 minutes.

Whether you need business services to save you time or supplies to help you get the job done, you have options to succeed. For more about small business services and products that can keep you balanced for success, visit OfficeDepot.com. And small business owners interested in obtaining discounts on business essentials, including paper, ink, toner and cleaning and breakroom supplies can learn more about the benefits of becoming an Office Depot^® OfficeMax^® Business Select member here.

2022-05-17T09:01:00

(BPT) – If you’ve dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur, you may think success is a straight road from one success to another until you’ve “made it.” But a recent survey reveals what small business owners have learned: Making mistakes is not the end of your entrepreneurial career. More likely, it provides the key to ultimate success.

“Good business fundamentals and hard work, combined with planning, organization and surrounding yourself with supportive people who can offer an honest opinion, can be the essential drivers to success,” said John DeSimone, president of Herbalife Nutrition. “In business, just like in life, what matters most is seizing the opportunity to learn and improve.”

Here are the biggest takeaways from the study:

1. Learn from your failures

Survey respondents said it took an average of two failed business ideas before they figured out what worked. The key is not to let failure discourage you but to allow your mistakes to help you learn, grow and succeed in future endeavors. Almost 90% of small business owners said they learned valuable lessons from each unsuccessful venture, and 38% advised entrepreneurs not to be afraid to make mistakes.

2. Prioritize effectively

Over 30% of survey respondents said learning to prioritize work is critical. Many business owners make lists, then become overwhelmed by their workload — leading to procrastination. Beyond making lists, entrepreneurs must dig deeper to understand what tasks are most essential, and why. Ask each day: What tasks are essential for your business to succeed? If inventory is low, ordering goods is a top priority. When revenue is stalled, sales calls may be highest on your to-do list. Similarly, another top recommendation was to make a solid business plan (41%).

3. Be goal oriented

The importance of entrepreneurs learning to be more productive was high on the list of lessons learned. Over 40% of small business owners said productivity was critical to success. How do you achieve higher productivity? By first setting attainable goals. Unlike employees who have goals and deadlines set by others, entrepreneurs need to learn how to set attainable goals for themselves to be more productive — then tackle them, one step at a time.

4. Get organized

When small business owners were asked what advice they’d give someone just starting out, a top tip was to get and stay organized (42%). What does that mean? Organization entails both ordering your things (files, equipment) and structuring your time:

• Documents should be clearly labeled and easy to access, whether stored digitally or on your desk.
• Color-code items — for example, red for urgent, blue for today and yellow for later completion — to help identify hot activities.
• Organize your workday by making a list of tasks and prioritizing those to be completed first.
• Set a timer to dedicate yourself to each task before taking a break. Knowing you have time constraints — and something to look forward to — can help you complete tasks faster.

5. Keep learning

Entrepreneurs believe ongoing learning is essential for innovating and developing new ideas. Nearly one-third (29%) of them believe continuing education is the secret sauce that helps business owners stay on top of their game.

How can you fit learning into your busy schedule?

• Read articles and attend virtual events during breaks or evenings, thanks to content being available on demand.
• Review news stories, industry blogs and research to help you brainstorm new ideas to keep you and your business fresh.
• Keep a “spark list” handy, where you can jot down thoughts and ideas to help you grow.

The survey, commissioned by Herbalife Nutrition and conducted by OnePoll, asked small business owners and employees to share lessons they’ve learned through workplace mishaps — and how those lessons shaped their entrepreneurial journey. Insights from 8,000 small business owners and employees across 15 countries, including 2,000 Americans (1,000 small business owners and 1,000 employees with 10 years or more of experience), can teach a great deal about what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur.

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey? Visit IAmHerbalifeNutrition.com to learn how.

2022-05-16T11:01:00

(BPT) – The digital economy is defined as the intersection of technology and finance. As we continue to use the internet and digital technologies to work, live, and play, we are collectively impacting the “traditional” financial system, and creating a digital-first economy.

As with any new industry, the digital economy presents a compelling and potentially lucrative opportunity for savvy individuals who want to invest at the early stage of the industry’s development. While understanding the most important themes within the digital economy and finding ways to invest can be challenging, here are three things to consider:

1. Crypto is here to stay – and we need to learn about it

Crypto, also known as cryptocurrency or digital assets, means digital currencies that are secured by cryptography. Many cryptocurrencies run on decentralized networks based on blockchain technology, which is a distributed ledger enforced by a network of various computers. Some believe that crypto’s utility for exchanging value with anyone, anywhere, electronically, instantly, and without the need of traditional intermediaries like banks, has the potential to fundamentally reshape the global financial system.

Companies directly involved in crypto mining, payments, finance, and infrastructure use these digital assets and their associated networks as the foundation for a digital economy where technologies that encourage interaction, development, and rapid growth within the financial industry can be built.

2. Technology will continue to connect us and help us live more efficiently

When visiting a store or a restaurant nowadays, there is often an option to pay using the tap of a card or your mobile device, or quickly receive personalized financing options. Small conveniences and efficiencies can add up to save time, money, and stress. Even in just the past five years, technology has transformed the way we think about the world, and even more so how we do business and pay for things.

In the digital economy, companies build upon those innovations using digital asset infrastructure by developing and providing technology that facilitates communication, commerce, and collaboration. These organizations include household names like digital payments processor PayPal*, as well as newer entrants that are having a huge impact in driving the growth of the digital economy, like Coinbase, one of the most popular crypto exchanges.

3. Financial institutions will exist but may look different

You may be familiar with traditional financial institutions like banks, asset managers, exchanges, brokerages, and financial advisors. These days, institutions have technology like online banking and exchanges and apps for accessing your investments and accounts, but built on the same centralized databases and legacy systems.

Institutions in the digital economy use new networks, protocols, and cryptocurrencies to offer a digitally native, cross-border financial experience. With enough duct tape, you might get your car to float, but it’ll never have the maneuverability of a speedboat. Rather than retrofitting old systems, the digital economy represents a ground-up rebuild of the ways we exchange value. Participation in the digital economy by these institutions adds momentum to technology that powers it forward, pioneering the future of finance.

If this is of interest and you find yourself wanting to learn more about potential investments in the digital economy and the future of finance in a user friendly and secure way, you can visit www.grayscale.com/gfof/ for more information on their newest publicly available investment fund, Grayscale^® Future of Finance (symbol: GFOF). GFOF is available across the U.S. through any platform where you can buy and sell stocks, for investors who want to invest in the future of the digital economy, easily and securely.

Important Information

Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. For a prospectus or summary prospectus with this and other information about the Fund, please call (833) 903-2211 or visit our website at www.grayscale.com/GFOF. Read the prospectus or summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. The fund is new and has limited operating history to judge.

Fund Risks: Non-diversified, Foreign securities, Emerging markets, Small to mid-capitalization companies.

The Fund will not invest in digital assets directly or through the use of derivatives. The Fund also will not invest in initial coin offerings. The Fund may, however, have indirect exposure to digital assets by virtue of its investments in companies that use one or more digital assets as part of their business activities or that hold digital assets as proprietary investments. Because the Fund will not invest directly in any digital assets, it will not track price movements of any digital assets.

Future of Finance companies rely heavily on the success of the digital currency industry, the development and acceptance of which is subject to a variety of factors that are difficult to evaluate. These companies may be subject to theft, loss or destruction of cryptographic keys (required to access a user’s account when transacting on blockchain). Blockchain technology is new and many of its uses may be untested. The development and acceptance of competing platforms or technologies may cause consumers or investors to use an alternative to blockchains. Digital assets that are represented on a blockchain and trade on a digital asset exchange may not necessarily benefit from viable trading markets. Digital commodities and their associated platforms are largely unregulated, and the regulatory environment is rapidly evolving. Companies that are developing financial technologies that seek to disrupt or displace established financial institutions generally face competition from much larger and more established firms.

“Future of finance” is defined as the intersection of finance, technology and digital assets. GFOF is distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC and Grayscale Advisors, LLC is the adviser.

*As of 05/13/2022, 9.84% of GFOF is invested in PayPal.

2022-05-09T08:01:00

(BPT) – Do you have a boat you’re thinking of selling? Maybe you want to upgrade or are taking a year off. No matter your reason for selling a boat, now is the ideal time to list it, sell it quickly and make top dollar for it.

The global market analysis report from Boat Trader found the surge in consumer demand for boats that began at the start of the pandemic continued to surge through 2021. The wave continues into 2022 as more people look to get out and enjoy time on the water with friends and family.

Although there are plenty of interested buyers, boat inventory remains low, which means boats are selling much faster and for higher prices. In 2021 compared to 2020, days on the market were down globally by 100 days and by 50 days in the U.S. What’s more, the overall value of sold boats skyrocketed across the globe, surpassing 2020 values by 34%.

Demand and boat values are expected to increase throughout 2022, particularly for preowned boats. Inventory constraints continue, creating a limited supply of new boats, so as more people want to get on the water, they are looking to preowned options to fill their water lust.

Many boat manufacturers have reported they are sold out of inventory for at least the upcoming season. In future years, they are hopeful supply chain issues will resolve and more inventory will be available. Additionally, some market experts expect interest rates to increase in the future, which will likely drive down the value of boats.

What does this mean if you’re a boat owner thinking of selling or upgrading? Now is the time to take action so you can get the most money while demand is high and values are up.

“People can get top dollar for their preowned boats as demand continues to outpace supply,” said Brian Wolf, chief operating officer, at Boat Trader, America’s largest boating marketplace. “The key is to list your boat in a way that boosts appeal while providing ample information to anyone actively looking to buy.”

Listing on a marketplace like Boat Trader that specializes in only boats helps target highly qualified shoppers. This trusted website has a 30-year legacy of helping people sell their boats, with advanced fraud monitoring and tools to make listing your boat simple. The site’s extensive reach to interested people around the country means more leads and the ability to list your boat for a higher price, not to mention dedicated customer service to help you at any time.

To help sell your boat faster and for top dollar, Wolf shares some insider tips:

Go into the details: Listings without much information are confusing to potential buyers who may not have the time to reach out for the details. Therefore, make sure your listing has critical information. Boat Trader makes this easy with its B.L.A.S.T. data feature, standing for Build Listings And Save Time, which populates listings with manufacturer specs and photos quickly.

Pictures and video tell a story: With clear, enticing visuals, people can truly experience your boat even if they live many miles away. Upload multiple photos to encourage engagement, targeting the 10-30 range. With more people looking online, consider adding video tours that can really showcase your boat to potential buyers, which can increase listing activity.

Market price: With the market changing so quickly it can be difficult to determine the best price for your listing. Too low and you may lose money. Too high and your boat will get overlooked. To determine an accurate price range for your boat, look at listings for similar boats in similar condition. You can also try out boat pricing tools online.

Be responsive: Demand is high, so take advantage of any interest by responding to inquiries in a timely manner. This will help you build trust with potential buyers and sell your boat sooner. Responding within 24 hours is ideal, otherwise that potential buyer may sail on to different seas.