Category: Brandpoint Business & Finance

2020-03-11T08:01:00

(BPT) – If you are a young professional, you are likely already making financial choices at work and home that critically affect your future. But are you taking advantage of every available opportunity to help protect your assets? Perhaps no aspect of financial planning gets overlooked more than life insurance.

You might think life coverage is something you won’t need to think about until much later in life. But life coverage can help give financial peace of mind for those who depend on you, no matter how young you are.

Not convinced? Check out these three reasons why life insurance can be a wise financial investment.

Financial protection without a high price tag. Contrary to popular belief, life coverage doesn’t have to be expensive. A 2019 study gives this example¹: How much do you think a healthy 30-year-old will pay for $250,000 in term life insurance? If you said $500 a year or more, you agree with over half of those asked the same question — but you’d also be wrong. Would it surprise you that it is more like an average of $160 a year?

While the cost of life insurance varies for each person, one thing is for sure: Costs are likely to increase the older you get — all the more reason to jump on it early. You can usually lock in a lower premium rate when you invest in life coverage at a younger age that continues with you as you get older. In other words, financial protection without crazy-high costs.

Maintain your family’s lifestyle. It can be easy to see how life insurance is important for families with only one primary wage-earner. But what about families who depend on two incomes? After all, dual-income households make up 48.8% of families without kids and 63% of families with kids.² It is vital for these families to consider their living expenses and how their lifestyle might be affected financially if a wage-earner’s income ceases. That means taking into consideration how life coverage can help support present costs like the mortgage as well as future costs like a child’s college tuition.

Avoid financial burden for loved ones. Life coverage helps with final expenses, including funeral costs, medical bills and outstanding debt like student loans or credit cards. This can be especially difficult if you are one of the 10 million millennials in the U.S. who is a caregiver for an aging parent or grandparent.³ If these expenses are not considered, financial burden might fall on someone else’s shoulders. By investing in life coverage, you can help protect those you love from incurring additional financial stress while already dealing with the difficulty of losing a loved one.

No matter your age, there is significant value with life insurance — both in the immediate future and for the long term. Get to know what sets Aflac’s life coverage apart at Aflac.com/LifeInsurance.

¹ The 2019 Insurance Barometer Study by LIMRA and Life Happens.

² U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics.

³ “Millennials: The Emerging Generation of Family Caregivers” by AARP.

Aflac herein means American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus and American Family Life Assurance Company of New York. WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999.

2020-03-10T13:15:00

(BPT) – Choosing the right tax professional is an important decision. Their expertise could positively or negatively impact your refund, the largest single financial transaction many people have all year. Tax pros review your financial info and have access to your personal data. Unfortunately, not all tax preparers have your best interest in mind. The IRS is even warning people to watch out for unethical “ghost” preparers who are looking to make a fast buck through fraudulent refund claims and direct deposit scams.

H&R Block tax professionals want to see the communities where their 10,000 offices are located thrive. Our purpose is to provide help and inspire confidence in our clients and communities everywhere. Here’s how you can have confidence knowing you found the right tax professional to help you:

Your tax preparer should know what they are doing

Inquire about the tax preparer’s credentials, years of experience and continuing education. Do they have the tax knowledge to accurately prepare your tax return? Are they up-to-date on the latest tax law changes?

H&R Block has tax professionals with experience to help with your specific situation, whether that is seasonal work, multiple jobs, the earned income tax credit or city taxes. H&R Block tax professionals have on average 12 years of experience and hundreds of hours of training. Before any new H&R Block tax professional prepares a single return, they’ve undergone more than 60 hours of initial training — and all returning tax professionals complete an additional 30 hours of training.

Your tax preparer should keep your information safe

Ask questions of your preparer to get a better understanding of how your preparer protects your personal information and never email tax documents. Criminals are increasingly targeting tax professionals, not only to steal client data but also to hack into a tax preparer’s network and steal the personal information of all clients that have filed with that preparer. This is one more thing to review when choosing your paid tax preparer.

H&R Block clients benefit from our digital solutions and the relationship with their tax professional. MyBlock, our client portal, enables secure document upload, private messaging with the tax professional, and gives visibility on return status. You may also be able to digitally sign your return and finish without coming into an office. With MyBlock, you can upload and organize your documents so everything is ready to file. MyBlock is free for anyone to create an account and use.

Your tax preparer should be trustworthy and provide upfront pricing

Beware of tax preparers who say they can obtain larger-than-average refunds. Refund estimations should be based on deductions and credits you are legally permitted to claim. The IRS says these preparers may be looking to make a fast buck by promising a big refund or charging fees based on the size of the refund. For any direct deposit refund, taxpayers should make sure both the routing and bank account number on the completed tax return are correct. Beware of improper actions taken by tax preparers such as not reporting all of your income or claiming inflated or false deductions.

Make sure you know the cost before tax prep begins. H&R Block believes people should know how much tax preparation will cost before they begin. That’s why we were the first major brand in the industry to offer upfront, transparent pricing. Our network of 70,000 tax professionals live and work in your community and understand your unique needs. We are committed to providing help, whether at tax time or throughout the year in the communities we serve.

You can visit us at hrblock.com or stop by your nearest office — it’s easy and quick.

2020-03-06T15:01:01

(BPT) – We’ve all been there: You embark on the job hunt and you’re full of excitement for what’s ahead — but you sometimes feel like one name in a sea of candidates, trying to figure out the hacks to break through, get noticed, and land that interview (and job offer!).

If this sounds all-too-familiar, you’re not alone — but the good news is LinkedIn is letting us in on the top 5 secrets to getting noticed and snagging that new job opportunity.

Get ahead of the pack: There are 100 million job applications on LinkedIn every month. This may sound overwhelming as a job seeker, but remember this: getting a head start can make all the difference. In fact, LinkedIn research shows that being one of the first to apply to a job can increase your chances of landing a job by 4x. Tip: Sign up for LinkedIn Job Alerts which will send you a notification within minutes of a relevant job posting.

Spruce up your online presence: A picture might say 1,000 words, but a strong LinkedIn profile can say a million. Refresh your profile photo, relevant skills, experience and summary section so that you show up in hiring managers’ searches. It’s a good idea to put in this work ahead of time because once you capture a recruiter’s interest, you want your profile to showcase why you’re the best for the job. Tip: Check out LinkedIn’s new “Featured” section, which allows you to showcase samples of your work on your profile.

Brush up on your skills — and let the world know: Showcasing your skills can make all the difference when it comes to being considered for a job. Everything you’ve learned from your past experience, education, courses and more make up who you are and how you shine as a professional — including hard skills, soft skills and transferable skills that round out everything you bring to the table. Tip: LinkedIn Learning offers 15,000 courses to help you brush up on or learn new skills, and taking a Skill Assessment validates your skills and displays them on your profile (according to LinkedIn, people who complete Skill Assessments are up to 30% more likely to get hired).

Use your secret weapon (people you know): You never know where reaching out to a connection on LinkedIn might lead. Getting introduced to someone through people you know and are connected to on LinkedIn can increase your chances of getting hired by 9x. And the best part is, you have this invaluable tool right at your fingertips! Tip: Start with your family and friends first (you never know who they’re connected to online) and consider joining LinkedIn Groups, where professionals in the same industry or with similar interests can share their insights and experiences, ask for guidance and build valuable connections.

Put in the practice: According to LinkedIn, 54% of job seekers say the interview phase is “moderately to extremely challenging” due to two reasons: uncertainty and lack of confidence. The trick? It’s all about preparation. Get ahead of the interview jitters by putting in the time, research and practice sessions to be sure you’re on your A-game when you walk through the door. Tip: Sign up for LinkedIn’s Premium Career Subscription and get the most out of it by using Interview Prep tools which offer videos and tips from experts and hiring managers to answer the most common interview questions. And, if you’re interviewing for a sales or finance-related job, LinkedIn has interview preparation tools that you can use for the nearly 2 million jobs in sales and finance on LinkedIn*.

LinkedIn has millions of jobs and the right one for you. And remember all the tools you have right at your fingertips to land the opportunity of your dreams!

*Methodology: research was conducted using LinkedIn Talent Insights that found 1.8 million open jobs on LinkedIn in sales and finance functions as of January 2020.

2020-03-05T16:13:00

(BPT) – For many Americans, the tax refund represents the most significant financial event of the year, with 86% of Americans saying their tax outcome impacts their financial confidence for the entire year, according to a recent H&R Block survey.

Customer service is core to our work at H&R Block and understanding the challenges Americans face at tax time is imperative to offering them greater financial confidence. The first thing I do every morning is read customer comments from the past 24 hours, and those comments are clear: Do-it-yourself (DIY) tax filers want the confidence to know they’re getting a good value, that they are filing their taxes correctly and that help is available if needed.

Transparency should be table stakes at tax time

No matter how you file — online, in an office or virtually with a tax professional — you should feel the process was easy, fair and a great value. Most Americans say they deserve to know how much money they’re paying before they agree to pay for a service, but other online tax services fail to provide an explanation of how price changes as you use the product.

At H&R Block, we’re proud to be the first major tax company to offer upfront transparent pricing and give our customers confidence they know exactly what to expect. This is unfortunately not the industry standard as other online tax services like TurboTax fail to provide a clear explanation of how the total price changes as you use the product. With H&R Block, all pricing is quoted upfront, and if something changes along the way, the Price Preview feature will notify you as part of H&R Block No Surprise Guarantee*.

Real experts instill real confidence

Knowing that even the most confident DIY tax filers may need some help along the way, H&R Block offers several ways to ask for assistance, to receive as much or as little help as they need from a tax pro trained for their unique tax filing situation. To ensure a greater feeling of support and instill financial confidence, clients using H&R Block Online Assist^SM receive unlimited, on-demand access via chat sessions, screen sharing or phone calls with a tax expert, enrolled agent or CPA with an average of 12 years of experience and hundreds of training hours.

This tax season remove the surprises: Make sure your tax filing process is transparent, delivered at a reasonable price and offers all the care and help you need. For greater financial confidence — and the backing of a trusted partner throughout the filing process — switch to H&R Block in as little as two clicks.

About the author: Heather Watts is Senior Vice President and General Manager of Digital at H&R Block. Heather oversees all the development, design, marketing and end-to-end client experience of all H&R Block online, software and mobile tax products and solutions.

H&R Block is a registered trademark of HRB Innovations, Inc.

TurboTax is a registered trademark of Intuit, Inc.

*Receive 20% off next year’s tax preparation if we fail to provide any of the 4 benefits included in our “No Surprise Guarantee” (Upfront Transparent Pricing, Transparent Process, Free Audit Assistance, and Free Midyear Tax Check-In). Limitations apply. Description of benefits and details at hrblock.com/guarantees.

2020-02-28T14:21:00

(BPT) – By Kara Corridan

Solving big problems — and we’re talking society’s problems here — takes more than money. But a billion dollars helps.

“If we really want to make change, we must create new models and new markets to funnel capital into solving societal problems,” explains Prudential’s Ommeed Sathe, head of Impact & Responsible Investing. “We need to make things happen that aren’t happening right now.”

In 2014 the company set a bold goal to invest $1 billion in assets under management by 2020. It has delivered on that promise by helping find, fund and incubate unconventional solutions to societal and business challenges.

Among financial services companies, Prudential has been a pioneer in investing for impact for decades, having formalized its program in 1976. To mark the occasion of reaching the $1 billion milestone, Prudential Chairman and CEO Charles Lowrey joined leaders in the field of impact investing at an event in Washington, D.C., co-hosted by Prudential and Aspen Institute.

“Our commitment to impact investing is an example of how we live our founding purpose of creating pathways to financial opportunity for all,” says Lata Reddy, senior vice president of Diversity, Inclusion & Impact. “Through our work with innovative partners around the world, we help lead transformative work to bring greater financial security and more deeply shared prosperity to millions of people in today’s rapidly changing economy.”

Prudential’s portfolio encompasses approximately 200 investments in partners and projects that tackle pressing societal issues, such as financial inclusion, affordable housing, education and preparing workers for jobs of the future. “There are easier ways to make money than by working on really complicated problems,” Sathe admits. “But the entrepreneurs we partner with are solving acute pain points where there’s enormous social need. Working together, we are positioned to pioneer solutions that others may not have thought possible.”

The portfolio includes investments in:

LeapFrog Investments, a private equity platform focused on promoting financial inclusion in emerging markets. Prudential’s partnership with LeapFrog began in 2013 as a $15 million impact investment in a fund that invests in companies that provide insurance, savings, pensions, investment products and other financial services to emerging consumers in Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia. By 2016, the effort grew to a $350 million investment to expand Prudential’s international business footprint in Africa.

Yard 56, a transformative mixed-use development project, approved for more than 2.2 million square feet, that will bring a grocery store, a community health care center and other much-needed services, as well as training and jobs, to a long-neglected East Baltimore neighborhood.

Remitly, which offers low-cost money transfers, providing a critical service for many immigrants who support family members in the developing world.

General Assembly, a tech-education company that specializes in training for in-demand skills such as coding, UX and design. This commitment is part of Prudential’s $180 million investment in opportunity youth — the 350 million young people around the world who lack access to school, training or regular jobs.

AeroFarms, an innovative farming company that brought next-wave manufacturing and jobs to Prudential’s headquarters city of Newark, New Jersey. AeroFarms grows crops vertically, stacked in warehouses and shipping containers — without sun or soil, and with 95% less water than field farming.

Learn more about Prudential’s Impact & Responsible Investing here.

View the full article here.

2020-02-24T05:01:01

(BPT) – If you’re like most people, you worry about finances. In fact, nearly six in 10 American workers say that financial matters are the source of more stress than anything else in their lives. The best way to reduce this worry and gain confidence in your financial future is by taking proactive steps today.

In honor of America Saves Week, the experts at Prudential Retirement share six steps to make saving a priority in 2020 and beyond.

Save automatically

One of the best ways to build long-term savings is doing it automatically and letting the balance accumulate over time. Employer-sponsored retirement plans can help make saving easier by automatically deducting a regular amount from your paycheck before taxes.

Save with a plan

Did you know that one in five Americans aren’t saving any money for retirement or other financial goals? Consider enrolling in your workplace retirement plan if you aren’t already. You can save automatically and start with any amount you’re comfortable saving (even just 1%). But remember: many employers offer a company match, so it’s wise to contribute enough to receive it. If not, you’re leaving free money on the table.

Save for the unexpected

More than half of Americans struggle to meet basic financial obligations, and four out of 10 have trouble paying an unexpected $400 bill. That’s why it’s important to have an emergency savings account. Employers recognize this is a growing challenge for their workers, and many companies offer tools and resources to help their employees save for the short-term. Ask your HR department about what kinds of solutions they may have to help you.

Save to retire

Whether you start small or contribute the maximum allowed, the sooner you save for retirement the better. Once you start saving, plan to increase your contribution as your paycheck grows by at least 1% per year. What’s more, diversifying your investments, staying invested for the long-term and avoiding hardship withdrawals from your retirement account can help your savings grow over time.

Save by reducing debt

Household debt climbed to almost $14 trillion in 2019, and it’s impacting the average person’s ability to save. Small efforts done regularly, such as paying more than the minimum due, can have a big impact on reducing your debt. Additionally, if you’re struggling with debt and daily expenses, talk to your employer or a financial advisor. There are tools that can help put you on a better path to financial wellness, including budget coaching and debt management services.

Save as a family

As caregivers, it’s important to talk to your children about saving. Discussing saving with young children and throughout their growing years builds confidence and can help them develop good savings habits that will last a lifetime. Set goals as a family and work toward them together. Remember, you are your child’s best role model, so if you make saving a priority, they are more likely to follow your lead.

This is being provided for informational and educational purposes. Since individual circumstances vary, contact a financial professional to address your personal circumstances.

© 2020 The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Newark, NJ.

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2020-02-19T12:31:00

(BPT) – A recent study conducted by Post-it^® Brand found that conventional whiteboard surfaces are outdated and inefficient. With new Post-it^® Flex Write Surface, any work surface can be instantly transformed into a collaborative whiteboard, bringing more flexibility to the workplace. For more information visit www.post-it.com/flexwrite.

2020-02-11T06:01:00

(BPT) – Olympic athletes are some of the strongest people in the world — both physically and mentally. Under constant pressure to perform as they represent their respective countries, they have what it takes to succeed and accomplish what they set out to do.

It should come as no surprise that much of what they’ve learned both on and off the field of competition — built on practice, skill and grit — resonates for small business owners who are striving for their own success.

Visa — a longtime sponsor of both The Olympic and Paralympic Games and athletes — recently hosted over 40 Olympian and Paralympian hopefuls at the company’s San Francisco Innovation Center. The two-day Team Visa event offered athletes resources on how to improve financial literacy, benefit from digital payments and elevate their personal brand. It also gave them an opportunity to meet and interact with their peers ahead of The Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 and, more immediately, to find new inspiration heading into a new year of challenges and victories. Founded in 2000, Team Visa has championed nearly 500 athletes — each selected based on athletic achievements, character and personal journey.

For over 30 years, Visa has been a partner with The Olympics. And every day, the company supports small businesses with payment services designed to help them pay and get paid. In conversation with Visa, U.S. Women’s National Team player and Olympic gold medalist Megan Rapinoe, surfer Kanoa Igarashi representing Japan at the Olympics this summer, and American swimmer and five-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky shared some of the ways their own experiences can serve to inspire entrepreneurs in the new decade.

Staying true to your brand

“All the time, we talk about what’s going to influence people,” says Rapinoe. “The goal is to surround yourself with people with similar ideals who are pushing for important change and have that influence. Partnering with a brand like Visa provides access to ideas and a larger network that shares the same goal of empowering female athletes.”

No matter the environment — on the field or in the office — it’s important to stand up for what you believe in and stay true to your values. As a small business owner, the new year encourages personal reflection and planning for the year ahead. With 2020 underway, identifying your values is the first step toward maintaining authenticity. From establishing your key values to communicating them to new employees during training, the key is being consistent across every level of your organization.

Accepting support

Having a strong support system in place is critical, regardless of the sport or challenge. Whether you’re on a team or surround yourselves with friends and family who lift you up, coming together and uniting as you work toward a common goal helps clear the path to success.

For many small business owners, especially in the early years, it can be a stressful and demanding experience. Speaking with others who have been in a similar situation can be invaluable and you will find that most people are happy to give their time and advice to others who are starting out. According to Visa’s State of Female Entrepreneurship report, nearly a quarter of women business owners cited building a support network as a top challenge as they seek to fund, run and grow their business.

“It’s important to identify your goals from the beginning and continue refining as you work toward your vision,” advises Igarashi. “Whether you are an athlete or a business owner, having a network or community of like-minded individuals by your side makes the journey a bit easier.”

Your 2020 Resolution: Challenge yourself everyday

Maintaining drive and motivation as a small business owner can sometimes prove difficult. The reality is, staying motivated is directly tied to feeling challenged, says Ledecky.

“As a business owner, or in my case, athlete, you are solely responsible for your progress, goal setting and performance,” she says. “As challenging as it can be at times, being able to push yourself to overcome obstacles is extremely rewarding.”

Visa has long been committed to delivering services, products and programs to help small businesses grow, and it extends that commitment to its Team Visa athletes as they go for the gold in Tokyo.

To learn more about Visa’s ongoing support of Olympic and Paralympic athletes, visit Visa’s Olympic partnership page.

2020-02-07T07:01:01

(BPT) – Many veterans seeking to transition from military service to civilian life face barriers to employment, often because their military experience doesn’t translate well to a traditional resume. It is difficult for employers to draw parallels between roles and responsibilities in the military to the experience they need in a job candidate. And it is difficult for veterans to translate their military skills and experiences into language employers are looking for.

But veterans with disabilities face an even bigger barrier. Traditional hiring and employment fairs are ineffective for many disabled veterans — an overlooked and undervalued workforce. Veterans with disabilities, especially those who are significantly injured or ill, are less likely to attend large public events with crowds or in locations that are not easily accessible.

A further barrier to employment is that many employers lack strong diversity and inclusion programs to hire and integrate people with disabilities into the workforce. And, many employers also worry about the cost of workplace accommodations, despite a Job Accommodation Network study that shows the average cost of an accommodation is $500 or less.

Unemployment and underemployment

Unemployment and underemployment of veterans robs society of the valuable skills and strong work ethic of the veteran population — and also impacts veterans and their families in myriad ways. Lack of employment or regular engagement in activities can lead to increased rates of depression, low self-esteem, anxiety, and other health issues for veterans and their families.

The Americans with Disabilities Act National Network states that 57% of disabled veterans reported concerns that they face discrimination during the hiring process because of their disability. The reality of ill-informed employers and veterans unsure of how to access quality assistance adds more stress to the job search process.

Personalized employment help for veterans

Paralyzed Veterans of America’s employment program, PAVE (Paving Access for Veterans Employment), specializes in helping veterans with disabilities find meaningful employment. PAVE employment analysts and vocational rehabilitation counselors work with clients to overcome barriers to employment at all stages of their life and career. This assistance is offered free of charge not just to disabled veterans, but to any veteran, transitioning service member, spouse, or caregiver across the country.

PAVE’s newest service, PAVE Connect, is a virtual engagement initiative that bridges a critical gap for veterans by reaching those who do not have the time, means, or ability to attend traditional employment or educational events.

Through PAVE Connect, members of the veteran community can:

• Interact with PAVE employment experts through virtual meetings.
• Meet employers eager to hire from the military and veteran community and gain insight to understand opportunities available within their organizations.
• Access an online library of timely, relevant career information — on their schedule and from any device.
• View recorded presentations and access other tools and resources on demand.
• Discover a wide range of meaningful education, volunteer, and employment opportunities.

“I am thrilled to add PAVE Connect to our list of services,” said Lauren Lobrano, PVA’s director of PAVE. “Virtual technology provides yet another meaningful way to reach and serve our clients. If a veteran is underemployed, they can’t take the time away from their current job to pursue a better one. If a veteran has a significant disability, yet is capable and employable, big events can be a deterrent. PAVE Connect helps level that playing field and maintains our proven one-on-one, customized approach.”

A success story

“There are a lot of vets out there who feel like there’s no hope and that they are at a dead-end with nothing to offer,” said U.S. Army veteran Daniel Rabun. “PAVE gave me hope and assistance when I needed it the most and inspired me to keep trying. The continued one-on-one contact with PAVE counselors who know my story keeps me going.”

Rabun joined the U.S. Army just out of high school and served eight years. Although his time in the military gave him years of management experience, translating military terms for his resume proved challenging and he faced many obstacles finding employment. PAVE experts helped him with his resume and directed him to businesses seeking his skills. He also participated in a PAVE Connect session on interviewing techniques and tips, which gave him even more preparation for entering the civilian workforce.

The PAVE program, with offices across the country, already assists veterans where they are at their time of need, rather than asking clients to come to them. In addition, if a client has a disability, PAVE experts will consult the whole way with the veteran and their employer to make sure adaptive equipment is available and compatible. The PAVE Connect initiative further enables PVA to reach these most deserving American men and women and help them achieve their career goals throughout their lives.

Learn more about PVA’s employment program and view the schedule of upcoming PAVE Connect sessions at pva.org/paveconnect.

2020-02-06T13:53:00

(BPT) – –