Category: Brandpoint Business & Finance

2019-11-11T08:15:01

(BPT) – Whether it’s your first child or you’ve been around the baby block a few times before, having an infant in your life is an unforgettable experience. While there are countless joys you’ll cherish forever, there are a few challenges you’ll likely face along the way, too.

Savvy parents are always looking for tricks to save time and money while helping them be better caregivers. These six simple hacks will make you feel like a superstar parent while giving your little one the best:

Fast and tidy diaper changes

Wiggling legs can make fast messes, especially when it comes time to change the diaper. To make diaper changing quick and easy, try placing a clean diaper on the changing table before laying your baby down on the table. Remove the diaper tabs, clean your baby up and pull away the dirty diaper and instantly you have a clean diaper ready to go. You’ll save time and consolidate messes in the process.

Clean stroller travel

Saving your back and making travel smooth and easy, a stroller can take you and your baby anywhere from the park to the mall and beyond. However, with those adventures comes all the nasty dirt, grime or worse that gets on the wheels. Before putting your stroller in your car for transport, place shower caps on the wheels of your stroller. Your car will stay nice and clean no matter how messy those wheels are.

Save money on essentials

Babies need many things and that cost adds up fast. Shopping sales and using coupons is a good start, but you can save even more money without sacrificing quality by looking for store brand items like diapers, wipes and infant formula. Store brand infant formula is the ultimate parenting hack because they offer the same complete nutrition as the big-name brands but can save families up to $900 a year.*

*Retail prices from October 2019 retail price survey of assorted stores. Actual prices and savings may vary.

Streamline bath time

A warm baby is a happy baby, and what parent doesn’t want to see their little one cozy and cooing? While you’re bathing baby, have someone place a towel in the dryer for five minutes. Remember to never leave your child alone in the bathtub, so you’ll need a partner or older sibling to do this. Once the dryer is done, have them bring you the towel so you can wrap baby in warmth right out of the water. You’ll never see tears from a post-bath chill again.

No more noisy toys

Kids are noisy. Kids’ toys that make noise can add to the commotion. Those loud bings, bells and songs can test even the most patient parent. When children are done using noisy toys, cover the toy’s speaker with tape to avoid any excess noise. This also works if a toy is particularly loud and could use a bit of muffling, even on the low setting. A small piece of tape lessens the noise so baby can still enjoy without Mom and Dad getting a headache.

Stay informed

Knowing what’s best for baby is a combination of using your instincts and staying informed. Having quick resources for getting useful information about important topics like health, nutrition and savings can give your parenting game an edge. For even more tips on all things feeding baby, check out the latest MommyMD Guide to Feeding Your Baby Right and bookmark storebrandformula.com as a resource to help make the wild ride of parenting a little bit easier.

2019-11-06T08:01:00

(BPT) – While death is a difficult subject to discuss, it is something for which we all must prepare. If something happens to you, are your loved ones able to carry on financially without your income? Could they afford to continue making payments on the family home? Would your children’s dreams of attending college be impacted?

Supplemental life insurance can help protect your family’s current and future way of life by helping provide greater financial security and peace of mind. Understanding consumers’ evolving individual needs in seeking the right life coverage, Aflac recently launched new life coverage that includes three important benefits.

Reaching more groups

To help make it easier for more people to apply for life coverage, a simplified underwriting option with fewer personal health questions to answer is available to businesses with as few as three employees. And there is a guaranteed-issue option for qualified employers with as few as five workers, which means employees can forgo the need for a medical exam to get coverage.

In an expansion of Aflac’s growing first-responder benefits portfolio, Aflac’s new life coverage has an optional benefit rider that helps provide financial protection and added peace of mind for public servants, who work hard to keep Americans protected.

Advanced claim payment

After a loved one passes away, the last thing a family should have to focus on are the bills. To help with immediate final expenses such as a funeral and burial costs, Aflac may advance a portion of the policy’s proceeds upon notification from the beneficiary.

Appealing living benefits

Going beyond the traditional benefits provided after one’s death, Aflac’s life coverage also offers partial benefits that can be paid if an insured is diagnosed with a terminal illness to help with long-term care, home health care needs or however one chooses. Other living benefits are available under additional insurance riders to help insureds should they experience a qualifying chronic condition to help manage immediate care costs.

When someone is depending on you to help protect their financial security, know that you can “Count on Aflac for Life.” Get to know more about life coverage at Aflac.com/LifeInsurance.

Coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. The information provided is a brief product overview only. Coverage may not be available in all states including but not limited to AZ, ID, NJ, NM, NY, OR, PA, TX, and VA. Benefits and premium rates may vary based on age of applicant and plans selected. Optional riders are available at an additional cost. The plans have limitations and exclusions that may affect benefits payable.

Z190945

EXP 10/20

2019-11-06T08:01:00

(BPT) – It’s here again — that time of year when everyone seems to unwittingly pass colds and other illnesses around. As every parent knows, kids can bring germs home from school and share them with the entire family, spreading illness at warp speed. In fact, 60 million school days are missed every year by children nationwide due to preventable illnesses like cold and flu.

What can you do to fight the spread of illness and help keep your kids — and you — healthier during cold and flu season this year? It’s all about practicing healthy habits and making sure you have the right tools. Lysol’s Here for Healthy Schools campaign is working with schools, educators and parents to help reinforce healthy practices and curb the spread of illnesses in the classroom.

As part of the program, Here for Healthy Schools spokesperson, actress and parent Sarah Michelle Gellar shared five tips for keeping your kids healthy during cold and flu season, and beyond:

1. Model healthy habits

“Your children pay closer attention to smaller things than you’d expect,” says Gellar. She advises modeling the habits you want your children to follow. Demonstrate how you use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze. And be sure that they see you washing your hands often, especially before eating a meal. Actions do speak louder than words, so practicing what you preach can go a long way to instilling these healthy habits in your kids.

2. Reinforce healthy habits with caregivers

Gellar explains how important it is that caregivers and others who spend time with her children follow the same healthy habits she wants to teach her children.

“I truly rely on my village to help me,” says Gellar. “This means my children interact with many different people within their day-to-day activities, and inevitably come in contact with even more germs.”

She makes sure everyone who spends time with her children understands the vital role these healthy habits play in helping to avoid preventable illnesses.

3. Involve kids in preparing healthy meals

“Food is so important in our family,” says Gellar. “Most of our fondest memories take place in the kitchen.” By making her children part of the process of planning, preparing and serving meals, she stresses, they are constantly learning not only how to eat healthy, balanced meals, but also how to create one for themselves.

4. Get a flu shot

Gellar insists that everyone in her household get a flu shot each year, at the beginning of flu season, to help her family stay flu-free throughout the year. This also helps prevent spreading the flu to anyone else who might be vulnerable.

5. Keep kids home when they’re sick

“While we want to limit the number of days out of school for children to ensure they’re thriving and growing,” Gellar explains, “it’s important as parents to understand when to keep them home.” Because colds, flu and other illnesses are easily spread, sending children to school when they’re clearly under the weather will likely lead to more children in the classroom getting sick and missing school.

Following these healthy habits will help keep everyone’s sick days to a minimum this year, so children can learn, grow and thrive at school.

2019-11-04T23:01:00

(BPT) – The rising cost of cancer care affects virtually every patient undergoing treatment for cancer, including patients who have health insurance. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), a global leader in the fight against cancer, has found that patients experience the financial burden of cancer care for many years following diagnosis, as survivorship typically involves continuous treatment and follow-up care.

Marialanna Lee, VP Public Policy for LLS, oversees the organization’s Cost of Cancer Care Initiative, which urges all of the stakeholders in the healthcare system to work together to bring down the unsustainably high cost of cancer care. LLS’s Office of Public Policy advocates for cancer patients at the federal and state level, to ensure that patients have access to meaningful health insurance coverage so that they can afford the costly treatments necessary to survive a cancer diagnosis. Lee hears firsthand stories from patients about their struggles with the high cost of cancer care.

“Too many cancer patients are forced to make life-or-death treatment decisions based purely on the cost of their care,” says Lee. “When cancer patients are fighting for their life, the last thing they need is financial distress.”

According to Lee, for anyone dealing with cancer, it’s important to consider the following factors when navigating the complexity of accessing treatment and managing the many costs encountered along the way.

Getting a second opinion can have a positive impact on not only your treatment plan, but on your wallet too.

Even if you have health insurance, it can be helpful to gain a second opinion not only to inform the best course of care, but to avoid the potential for side effects and added costs that may arise from treatments not well suited to your needs. To help you investigate the options that may be available to patients and their families, LLS offers emotional, educational and financial support, including co-pay assistance and help finding and enrolling in clinical trials. To learn more, visit www.lls.org/support/financial-support.

To learn more about the challenges patients face and what LLS is doing to drive change, please visit www.lls.org/cancercost.

The financial impact will likely extend to your caregiver and maybe even other family members.

For many patients, caregivers play a crucial role in helping to navigate a life-altering diagnosis like cancer. Along the way, caregivers will likely encounter a range of physical and emotional demands, and the financial cost of caregiving can take a toll as well. Caregivers may be hesitant to seek help for themselves and may be unaware of the many resources available to them. LLS provides free resources and support services for caregivers, including financial assistance.

You can be an advocate for change.

Your voice as a patient or caregiver is invaluable, as it can help shape discussions about the cost of care and the importance of access to meaningful health insurance coverage. Whether you act as an individual or part of an effort organized by a patient advocacy organization, you can make an impact by sharing your story about the financial hardships you’ve experienced. These firsthand accounts are vital for spurring action.

To learn more about LLS Advocacy and how you can raise awareness about the cost of cancer care and its impact on patients and families, visit www.lls.org/policy-advocacy.

2019-10-30T09:01:00

(BPT) – Here’s something you may not know: All-season tires are only meant for year-round driving if you live in the extreme southern United States.

For everyone else, it’s vital to install a set of tires that protect them in snow, ice and frigid temperatures. In some places in North America, doing so is even a legal requirement. All-season tires are not built to provide traction on winter roads.

If you live in a place that gets consistent snow and ice each winter, there’s nothing safer than a set of premium dedicated winter tires. But what about areas where winter weather is mild or unpredictable? In that case, winter tires might be overkill, especially since they aren’t built for summer roads and thus require drivers to own two sets of tires.

However, one solution saves drivers hassle and money while keeping them protected when temperatures plummet and roads become slick. All-weather tires are made for year-round driving but rated to provide safe driving on winter snow and ice.

What’s the difference between all-weather tires and their winter and all-season alternatives? All-weather tires combine all-season and winter driving technology to give drivers year-round peace of mind on the road. They’re the most convenient winter driving option, since drivers can keep them on all year long.

All-weather tires handle well in rain and heat, but they’re also marked with the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol (also known as the severe service emblem) that certifies they’re suitable for winter use. Notably, this certification makes them legal for use in areas that require winter-rated tires.

Nokian Tyres invented the all-weather tire and is already on its fifth generation of the product. The Scandinavian company encourages their use in areas with unpredictable or milder winter weather.

“We designed all-weather tires to provide safe driving in all conditions, even the worst weather winter has to offer,” said the company’s director of products and pricing, Steve Bourassa. “While dedicated winter tires remain an ideal option for drivers who experience consistently severe winter weather, our all-weather products offer a great combination of safety and convenience for drivers in many North American locales.”

Based in Finland, Nokian Tyres tests its all-weather products north of the Arctic Circle at the same facility where it puts its winter tires to the test. The key to their year-round performance is an asymmetrical tread design: One side of the tire’s tread pattern looks like a winter tire, while the other side has grooves that are more typical of an all-season product.

Its all-weather products also have a dual performance compound that delivers responsive grip on winter roads without sacrificing spring and summer performance.

It all adds up to a convenient, versatile driving experience that protects winter drivers much more effectively than all-season tires.

To learn more about what makes all-weather tires thrive in year-round driving conditions, visit NokianTires.com/Weather.

2019-10-30T09:01:00

(BPT) – If you want to buy anything at all today, you can probably find it online, purchase it, then have it shipped to your home in a matter of days — or even hours. You can track the package as it heads toward you, and you’ll probably receive a text or email, and even a picture of the item, just as it’s being delivered to your home.

What does it take for that item to get all the way to you?

Several steps — and a whole host of people who work in transportation careers.

The most visible of those jobs are the truck drivers who deliver the goods you ordered to your door. The need for those drivers has become greater than ever, thanks to the booming e-commerce marketplace. The number of current truck drivers is actually at an all-time high, totaling 3.5 million. Shipping all these goods relies on fleets of trucks with qualified drivers nationwide to get things where they need to go.

Less visible are the thousands of technicians that keep the trucks up and running, maintaining them so that they’re available to run routes around the country to keep those items on the move, day and night. Without the skill and expertise of these technicians, the fleets wouldn’t be able to function.

And even before the items make it to the trucks, warehouse workers are a vital part of this journey — they organize and keep track of all the goods, select the correct items, package them properly and then make sure that they’re all headed out to their correct destinations.

Because of this constant demand for home delivery of consumer goods, the need is greater than ever for qualified employees to fill all of these roles. Shipping goods faster than ever means that the need for larger, more efficient trucking fleets, and their supporting employees, is also greater than ever.

Penske, for example, runs a fleet of up to 328,000 trucks, employing over 36,000 associates in over 1,100 total locations.

The three most crucial positions that transportation relies are in increasing demand — and these jobs do not require a college degree.

Truck drivers

The job of truck driver has transformed over the years, becoming more reliant on advanced technologies. And newer trucks today are cleaner and more comfortable. Driving large tractor-trailers or delivery trucks is one of the largest occupations in the U.S. To work at a fleet such as Penske’s, it is required that you have a commercial driver’s license (CDL), and a safe driving record. There are dedicated truck driving schools available, and a number of qualified drivers gain valuable experience on the road while serving in the military. According to the most recent U.S. Census, at least 1 in 10 truck drivers are veterans, which is twice the rate of workers who are veterans overall.

Technicians

No positions are more important in helping to keep entire fleets up and running than diesel technicians. Diesel and body shop technicians use leading-edge diagnostic and troubleshooting technologies to problem-solve, repair and maintain today’s vehicles, which are the backbone of the transportation industry. Vocational schools nationwide offer training programs for those interested in pursuing this essential skilled position in transportation.

Warehouse

To help run warehousing and distribution systems smoothly, a large number of employees are needed around the country. Warehouse workers may be involved in multiple roles, such as order picking, using a forklift or lift-truck, packaging, taking inventory and expediting shipping and receiving of goods.

A third of today’s truck drivers work in the transportation industry, an industry that supports over 2 million jobs — occupations that include not just truck drivers, but also technicians, managers and dispatchers. All of these careers are essential to the growing needs of the transportation field, to meet the constantly increasing consumer and business demands of today. To learn more about careers in transportation, visit penske.jobs.

2019-10-28T07:01:00

(BPT) – Whether you’re just starting out in a new town or newly married, or if you’re tired of paying high fees at your current financial institution, looking for a new checking account can be overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. With certain key elements in mind, you can be sure that your new checking account meets all of your needs, without the fees — and can even earn you money with monthly dividends.

2019-10-28T08:01:00

(BPT) – In the United States, approximately 30 million people are living with diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many require insulin to manage their condition, but due to rising costs, more and more people are struggling to get the medication they need.

According to a recent survey among diabetes educators who help people living with diabetes manage their condition, people struggling to afford their medications are rationing and avoiding filling prescriptions due to cost. This is particularly true for those who are uninsured. Previously, the greatest challenge diabetes educators faced in helping patients in their practices was related to exercise and healthy lifestyle, as well as frequent glucose testing. Today, those challenges have been eclipsed by affordability concerns.

Nearly two-thirds of educators report that their patients admit they ration their medications through actions like cutting their tablets or decreasing their insulin dosage on their own, according to the survey conducted at the American Association of Diabetes Educators Annual Conference by Inside Rx. Perhaps worse, 57% of educators reported their patients don’t take their medications at all.

Taking diabetes medication as prescribed is important for managing the condition and staying healthy. Complications from not using medication appropriately may lead to kidney damage and the need for expensive dialysis treatments, eye damage and potential blindness, as well as an increased risk for heart disease or stroke.

If you or a loved one is living with diabetes, you are likely familiar with the expense associated with the medications needed to manage the condition. Consider the following tips to reduce your prescription costs:

Ask your health care team: Ask your doctor about your options. There may be samples you can have to fill a short-term need, or your doctor may be able to switch you to a different medication that is more affordable.

Ask the pharmacist: See what suggestions your pharmacist might have. They may offer insight as well as information about generic alternatives. You can also do some comparison shopping for the best price in your area as some pharmacies may charge less than others for the same medication.

Use a free Rx discount card: Inside Rx, for example, offers a card that gives you average savings of 40% off on brand-name medications, such as insulins, and 80% off generic products. This can help curb costs when purchasing the medications at over 50,000 participating pharmacies or via home delivery through Express Scripts. There’s no registration, and you can download the card at insiderx.com.

Explore financial aid opportunities: Some pharmaceutical companies offer patient assistance programs for people who qualify to receive discounted or free diabetes medication and supplies. According to the American Diabetes Association, there are three insulin manufacturers that offer assistance programs:

• Lilly Diabetes Solution Center: 833-808-1234
• Novo Nordisk Diabetes Care: 800-727-6500
• Sanofi Patient Assistance Program: 888-847-4877

Remember, to best manage your diabetes and stay as healthy as possible, you need to take all medications on time as prescribed. If you struggle with the cost of insulin and other diabetes supplies, these tips can help you curb expenses so you can live healthier and stay on budget.

2019-10-27T20:01:00

(BPT) – Work demands paired with family demands make modern life extremely busy. Meetings, deadlines, housework, kids’ homework, practice and much more all vie for your time. What’s the secret to keeping on top of it all? Research shows the power of positivity can work wonders in managing stress, staying productive and boosting happiness.

Four out of five people agree positive thinking can help improve their lives and start the morning off on a positive note, according to a recent survey of American workers to gain insight into the impact of positivity in the workplace conducted by The Original Donut Shop Coffee. The good news is that a resounding 88% of Americans consider themselves positive people, but they think there is room for improvement. In fact, 69% wish they could be even more positive!

“Positive individuals are three times more creative, 31% more productive, and 23% less fatigued,” says Amy Blankson, CEO of Fearless Positivity and author of “The Future of Happiness.” “No matter where your baseline for happiness is today, you can always increase your overall happiness level.”

Blankson offers some insight into simple ways you can inject positivity into your day:

Set intentions early

Take a moment to shift your focus in the morning. What do you want to get out of your day? It’s so easy to fall prey to the tyranny of urgency. Hold the emails, texts, calls and messages and spend just 2 minutes grounding yourself in a positive practice like meditating or journaling. You’ll set yourself up for greater happiness in the long run.

Get creative

If you feel like you don’t have the time or discipline to keep a gratitude journal, try looking for a “gratitude trigger.” For instance, every time you stop at a red light, say one thing you are grateful for. This habit is great to pass time on commutes and is also a good practice to share with your children when they are in the car with you.

Think to the future

Try saying “future-forward gratitudes” in the morning. These are the things you are excited about for the day ahead, such as a meeting, lunch or special project. This practice helps prime you for positivity during the day and gives you an anchor point for reflection at the end of the day.

Connect remotely

While more people are working from home, 45% of them consider themselves a positive person versus 75% of people who work in the office, according to the survey. One way to stay connected and spread positivity with coworkers when you’re not in the office is by taking a few minutes each day to text, email or call a coworker to thank them for something they did.

Move beyond off days

Don’t get hung up when you have a negative day. The most important part of creating a new habit is having the courage to restart when you have an off day. Happiness is not a state of mind; it’s a mindset that develops over time. The best way to elevate your mindset is by training your brain to look for positive information in the world around you that you might have missed.

Pay it forward

Individuals who pay it forward through praise and recognition express that they have greater feelings of happiness, satisfaction and relatedness. However, even more importantly, both givers and receivers inspire others to want to give, which creates a powerful network effect.

Positivity sweepstakes

Nearly seven in 10 people agree they have a co-worker that is very positive and helps them get through the workday, and almost 75% said they often receive appreciation from their coworkers, according to the survey. If you have someone who is always brightening your day, you can show gratitude by nominating them for a chance to win some great prizes.

Here’s what you need to do: Fans can visit brewpositivity.com between Oct. 28 and Nov. 22 to nominate a colleague for a chance to have their positivity rewarded. Twenty-five individuals will have a chance to win $200 and a one-year supply of The Original Donut Shop Coffee. For the kind nomination, the nominator will also have a chance to receive a one-year supply of The Original Donut Shop Coffee!

2019-10-23T08:01:00

(BPT) – Artificial intelligence is transforming industries, and agriculture is certainly entering a new era thanks to these advancing technologies. AI has the power to help farmers do their jobs more effectively while also creating job opportunities.

A prime example is King Nelson, a formulations chemist for Syngenta, who recently helped develop a new herbicide. This required an in-depth series of tests that requires him to put together a list of all the products a grower might use with it in a tank mix.

“It’s not just other formulations,” Nelson says. “You have to consider surfactants, fertilizers and additives like crop oil, hard water and soft water. When you start thinking about all the possible combinations, you’re looking at more than 1,000 of them. It’s daunting.”

Even if Nelson and his team worked 24 hours a day, it would take months to determine whether their new herbicide formulation is field ready.

The solution? Greensboro, North Carolina-based Nelson depends on Syngenta’s research facility in Jealott’s Hill, England, to make these tests possible. ARTEMIS (Automated Robot to Evaluate Millions of Interesting Solutions) is a robot that can run 1,500 experiments in a week. Those experiments arm Nelson with the information he needs to answer growers’ questions on tank-mix compatibility.

The team behind AI

This type of AI employs a team of people, proving that technology can supplement human-based jobs rather than replace them.

From the Jealott’s Hill lab, Ian Tovey manages all of the experiments conducted on ARTEMIS. Tovey says that his job is to take the active ingredients that chemists have discovered and use them to create products farmers find useful. “ARTEMIS allows us to generate liquid-based formulations,” he says. “Anything that comes from a can, we can reproduce.”

In 2018, the facility acquired a second robot, ARES (Automated Robot Evaluating Solubility) that tests the solubility of active ingredients and products, giving valuable insights that speed new-product development timelines. A third robot to help test tank-mix compatibility is on the way.

Before ARTEMIS, Nelson says a lot of manpower was devoted to finding detailed information about new surfactant technologies.

“We can now devote that time and those resources elsewhere,” he says. “The great thing about the robot is that it doesn’t care; it can do the same thing over and over again and is fine with the repetition.”

That’s not to say robots will replace the need for humans in labs, Tovey insists. “It’s just another tool in our toolbox to give us extra data,” he says. “Ultimately, the process of developing a formulation is very much a human-driven project. People take the lead when it comes to using what comes out of an ARTEMIS experiment and turning it into a viable product.”

The future is bright for AI in agriculture

As Syngenta continues to build its automation capability, questions about the future are natural. Researchers have learned that it doesn’t pay to fixate too much on planning ahead. Instead, you should plan for the needs of today by utilizing tools like AI that rapidly decrease the time it takes to get new products to market so farmers can be more efficient and get their job done with less effort. Learn more at www.syngentathrive.com.