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Cel-e-brate Good Deals: Tips to Get Ahead of Celebration Season

2025-04-08T12:01:00

(BPT) – Every year, consumers spend a lot of money during “celebration season,” which kicks off on Mother’s Day, quickly followed by Father’s Day, graduations, school parties and activities, with Memorial Day BBQs sprinkled in between. But being a host doesn’t have to cost you the most.

“Rising to the occasion during a season of heavy social gatherings and gift giving expectations can take a lot of time and energy — whether you’re hosting, attending or buying,” said Elvira Christiansen, Director of Retail and Loyalty for AARP Services. “With an AARP membership, you can access a wide range of member benefits so you can shop for the best gifts at the lowest prices, find the best restaurants for a celebratory meal or plan your gathering, all with perks.”

From deals on decorations, to steals on gifts and food, AARP member benefits can help you save on celebration season this year and make it one to remember.

1. Unique Gifts from the Past, and Present

No one wants to celebrate Mother’s Day or Father’s Day without a gift showing your appreciation, but it can be easy to blow past your budget without even realizing it. Luckily, FTD offers fresh floral bouquets and planters for every occasion and a wide assortment of gifts to fit any occasion, such as food and drink baskets and customizable sweet treats and desserts. For a limited time AARP members can save 40% sitewide from April 11 until May 11. AARP members automatically save 25% sitewide, 30% off select items with promo code AARP30, and can get $15 off an FTD Plus membership, which includes free shipping for one year.

If you’re looking for something different, give the gift of family history. AARP members save 30% on the first year of an All Access or a World Explorer subscription to Ancestry. Get access to records and online tools to search, save and share family history. If you’re new to Ancestry, you’ll receive the discount on the first year of your subscription only. If you already have an Ancestry account, you’ll receive the discount when you renew your subscription for a year. The bonus gift with this subscription is that it’s an activity that your family can participate in together.

2. Red, White, and BBQ

Throwing a BBQ is a fun way to celebrate Memorial Day, however many party hosts find it challenging to source enough of the right food to satisfy all their guests and meet any dietary requirements. Not a fan of cooking? Don’t want to spend too much on catering? Then AARP has the savings you need to help lift your celebration cuisine to the next level. Members can save 10% on food and nonalcoholic beverages at McCormick and Schmick’s. McCormick & Schmick’s is a seafood and steakhouse restaurant chain known for its fresh seafood, steaks, and a wide variety of bar bites and cocktails, with locations across the U.S.

And, if you’re looking for festive supplies and decorations for your BBQ and don’t have a lot of time to go out and shop, a Walmart+ membership can help save the day, and your precious time. AARP members save $40 off every year of a Walmart+ annual membership, which also boasts free delivery from the store, free shipping with no order minimum, and so much more.

Looking for a venue away from home for your fill of ribs, steaks and burgers? Outback Steakhouse has your back. Members save 10% on food and nonalcoholic beverages and dine-in service is available at all locations, while curbside carryout is available at participating locations only.

3. Celebrate Savings on the Go

If you’re traveling for a celebration occasion this season, choose Choice Hotels® for an affordable stay. For a limited time, members receive a 15% discount off the Best Available Rate (BAR) for stays at participating Choice Hotels brands in the U.S. including Cambria® Hotels, Comfort® Hotels, and Country Inn and Suites® by Radisson, for a minimum of one night, booked between March 30, 2024, and May 4, 2024, with stays completed by May 18, 2024. Guests must show valid AARP membership at check-in, and the promotions exclude certain rates, reward night stays, complimentary rooms, and other specific exclusions.

And, if you’re worried about running into pesky car troubles on your trip, AARP can help you save on 24/7 roadside assistance with Allstate Roadside. Members save up to 20% on annual membership fees for Allstate Roadside plans, including Roadside Advantage, Roadside Assist, and Roadside Elite, including access to assistance for towing, jump-starts, tire changes, lockout assistance, fuel delivery and more.

4. The Perfect Gift is a Stream Away

If you’re not sure what to get for the new graduate in your life, give the gift of binge watching their favorite movies and shows with Paramount+. AARP members can save 10% on any Paramount+ plan and can start streaming over 45,000 episodes and blockbuster movies, live sports, news and exclusive originals all in one place.

Planning celebrations can take its toll if you’re not careful. Breathe in and take a step back this year and let your AARP member benefits help you get ahead and find the best perks for everything you need.

To learn more about the benefits and discounts for AARP members to help you prepare for celebration season, please visit aarp.org/save.

AARP member benefits are provided by third parties. AARP receives a royalty fee for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions.

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New research shows how retailers can meet consumer expectations

2025-04-08T07:31:00

(BPT) – Consumers today expect seamless, personalized, convenient shopping experiences wherever they shop. How can retailers stay competitive while ensuring they meet these expectations and stay competitive? Global technology leader in supply chain and omnichannel commerce Manhattan Associates recently launched its 2025 Unified Commerce Benchmark for Specialty Retail, co-sponsored by Google Cloud and conducted by Incisiv, to evaluate how 220 North American retailers are demonstrating exceptional omnichannel commerce maturity and delivering highly personalized experiences to their customers, both in-store and online.

The biggest takeaway? Only 5% of retailers achieved “Leader” status, demonstrating the ability to consistently deliver the much desired personalized experiences.

Learn from the Leaders

The overall Leaders of the 2025 Unified Commerce Benchmark study were: Apple, Best Buy, Boss, Dick’s Sporting Goods, IKEA, Lululemon, Neiman Marcus, Nike, Ralph Lauren and Sephora. On average, these Leaders achieved 31% lower fulfillment costs and 24% higher customer satisfaction.

A key finding was that from 2023 to 2025, the bar for unified commerce has risen dramatically. One-third (33%) of the capabilities that differentiated Leaders in 2023 are considered basic requirements today, while an all new set of unique capabilities defines Leadership in 2025:

Shopping experience: Today’s consumers move seamlessly across channels and touchpoints. Multi-channel shoppers spend 15% more per order as they blend shopping across social media, online marketplace and brick-and-mortar stores. Leading stores understand this shift (which influences up to 34% of all digital discoveries) more than 1.5 times the industry average.

Woman working in a retail clothing store using a digital tablet.

Checkout experience: Checkout must be reimagined to seamlessly blend operational efficiency with deeper engagement and personalization. 70% of Leaders offer intelligent cart experiences that sync and adapt across channels, compared to just 31% of others. Retailers treating checkout as a strategic touchpoint — optimized for today’s generation of tech-savvy shoppers — see 20% lower cart abandonment rates than the industry average.

Fulfillment experience: Today’s consumers — accustomed to same-day delivery, real-time tracking and flexible pickup options — are redefining fulfillment expectations. 50% of industry leaders empower customers to modify their orders and delivery preferences post-purchase, compared to just 13% of others, setting new standards for convenience and flexibility.

Service experience: Consumers don’t see channels, they see relationships. They expect every interaction to build seamlessly on the last without repeating themselves, no matter who they’re speaking to. 90% of Leaders have unified customer service touchpoints to ensure smooth transitions between store, digital and phone support. The result? They witness half as many support escalations, particularly related to orders, compared to their peers. Additionally, their rapid adoption of GenAI self-service agents should reduce support calls even further.

“Every aspect of unified commerce is a driver of business success, and true leadership requires unwavering focus on every stage of the customer journey — from shopping and checkout to fulfillment and service,” says Ann Ruckstuhl, SVP and CMO at Manhattan.

As the commerce ecosystem transforms at a blistering pace, retailers must continuously evolve their unified commerce capabilities to move forward. Unified commerce integrates all aspects of retail operation, from online and in-store sales to inventory management, order fulfillment and customer data, into a seamless, unified system capable of meeting consumer demand.

Female retail sales person helping another woman try on jewerly.

Factors making the difference

Businesses succeeding in this complex retail ecosystem are leveraging the latest technology to enhance shopper experiences. The conventional wisdom that operational excellence requires trading off efficiency for customer experience is being upended. When done right, customer-centric innovation actually drives operational advantages across every metric.

Optimizing GenAI: While 77% of retailers deploy chatbots for self-service, only 5% harness GenAI to elevate that experience. These technologies can scale personalization, streamline complex decisions and extend human expertise across channels with unprecedented efficiency.

For example, GenAI can use a customer’s purchase and preference history to fix problems — like missing items or returns — before they even complain. Agentic workflows can check inventory and process returns without staff intervention, helping streamline processes.

These technologies don’t simply connect channels; they solve complex challenges that previously limited unified commerce potential. As these capabilities improve, faster adoption will redefine what’s possible in connecting physical and digital retail.

Solving inventory challenges: Real-time inventory visibility drives revenue. Digital integration improves inventory visibility so retailers know exactly where their sellable inventory is — helping them overcome any disruptions and ensuring products they need are in the right place at the right time.

“The outsized impact of inventory on top-line revenue growth is evident. Inventory visibility, availability and seamless shipping have become critical levers for driving business performance in today’s competitive retail landscape,” explained Ruckstuhl.

Woman retail salesperson in a clothing shop using a tablet.

Maximizing customer relationships: The 24% higher customer satisfaction rate among Leaders demonstrates that operational excellence results in loyalty. In fact, operational excellence and customer experience aren’t tradeoffs anymore — they amplify each other and are redefining loyalty. Today’s multi-channel shoppers don’t draw distinctions between channels. They blend discovery, purchase and service, including returns, across channels, demanding consistent expertise at every touchpoint.

Customers who witness consistently convenient, trouble-free experience are more likely to remain loyal to those brands, whenever and wherever they shop.

Learn more about the impact of unified commerce by downloading the 2025 Unified Commerce Benchmark for Specialty Retail or visiting manh.com.

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6 Essential Steps to Prepare Your Home Ahead of a Fire

2025-04-07T08:01:00

(BPT) – You can’t predict where or when a fire will strike. However, you can take proactive steps to safeguard your family and home. Don’t know where to start? Follow these six crucial steps to prepare your loved ones and property in the event of a fire.

1. Install smoke alarms

Properly installed and maintained smoke alarms can save your life in the event of a home fire. According to the latest National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) research, when working smoke alarms are present, the risk of a home fire fatality is cut by 60%. Additionally, according to NFPA’s National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, at a minimum, smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room in addition to outside each sleeping area on every level of the home.

To put this into action, take a tour of your home and review the location of the smoke alarms. Smoke alarms require regular maintenance to work effectively, so set a reminder to test the smoke alarms monthly and replace the batteries at least once a year.

2. Use a fireproof safe

For irreplaceable items like birth certificates, passports, family photos, heirlooms and wills, a fireproof safe can provide peace of mind and an extra line of defense against a fire.

The type of safe you buy matters, and while many safes claim to be fireproof, when put to the test, they may burn and fail.

To determine if a fireproof safe is truly fireproof, look for a recognized certification label, usually from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), which indicates the safe’s fire resistance rating, including the duration of protection and the maximum internal temperature it can withstand during a fire.

For example, safes from the new Master Lock Premium 2-Hour Fireproof Safe Line are UL Classified and offer unmatched fire and waterproof protection providing up to two hours of fire resistance in temperatures up to 1,850° F and shielding against water for up to 24 hours.

These waterproof features specifically help to protect your valuables from water damage they may sustain from sprinkler systems or fire hoses.

3. Create an escape plan

During a fire, it’s crucial to remain calm and make your way to the nearest exit. Ensure you and your loved ones are prepared by having a fire escape plan in place.

To create an escape plan, you’ll need to identify your home’s exits, plan multiple escape routes and choose a meeting place outside the home. If you have pets, discuss with your family how you will get them safely out of the house if you need to evacuate. Make sure everyone is on the same page by running a fire escape drill a few times throughout the year with your family.

4. Assemble go bags

During a fire, time is of the essence. To get out of the house as fast as possible, create “go bags” for each member of your household. These bags should have the essentials, including medication, important documents, a first-aid kit, water, nonperishable food, clothing and cash. By having these bags prepared, you will have everything you need at your fingertips, saving time when you may need to leave your home in a hurry.

5. Keep up on yard maintenance

During wildfires or home fires, the wind can carry embers more than a mile away, causing spot fires and igniting homes, debris and other objects, according to NFPA. One way to minimize the likelihood of a home fire is to keep up with your yard maintenance by clearing any dry vegetation like dead plants and leaves, debris and pine needles, as well as flammable objects like firewood piles as these can create embers leading to fires. You can also consider creating fire-resistant landscaping to create a defensible zone around your home and other structures on your property, like detached garages and sheds.

6. Stay informed of the latest fire updates

When it comes to fires, every second counts. Staying up to date with the latest news and alerts on fires in your area is essential during an emergency.

To prepare, research community alert programs and sign up to receive real-time updates and information on fires in your area. Your county may also have similar emergency alert systems to keep you and your loved ones in the know. You can also sign up for fire alerts through Watch Duty, a nonprofit that tracks nearby wildfires and firefighting efforts in real time.

As the adage goes, forewarned is forearmed. With some thoughtful preparations including these six steps, you can help protect your family, pets and home in the event of unexpected fires.

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Reading your brain waves to treat a debilitating disease

2025-04-07T07:01:00

(BPT) – Liza Bobrow didn’t think it was a big deal when her handwriting suddenly went haywire.

“It was just so bizarre,” she remembers. “My handwriting was getting teeny-tiny. I couldn’t even sign a check. I had just turned 50 so I thought ‘I’m getting old. I must have arthritis, or a pinched nerve or writer’s cramp.’ So, when the doctors told me it was Parkinson’s Disease, I was terrified.”

Medication helped at first.

Her handwriting returned to near normal. But Parkinson’s is a progressive disease – it usually worsens over time.

Two years after her diagnosis, the medication began triggering bouts of dystonia. She suffered painful muscle spasms in her feet that made walking difficult. Her right arm would suddenly shoot out and she would have to cradle it back in with her left arm.

“The pain was so bad that I didn’t want to take the medication,” she said. “But without the medicine I struggled with motor skills. It was a terrible time.”

Neurologists eventually suggested deep brain stimulation (DBS), a surgical procedure in which electrodes are implanted in specific spots in the brain to deliver electrical stimulation to help control tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia. Bobrow and her husband spent six months researching DBS and consulting her doctors before deciding to proceed.

“I had never had surgery in my life, so the idea of brain surgery was pretty scary,” she said. “But I had an incredible experience, and the results are profound. My motor skill fluctuation is less and in general it’s just a feeling of relaxation and comfort in my body that I just didn’t have before DBS.”

Liza’s story is based on her individual experience. Not all patients will experience similar results.

Revolutionary leap in DBS therapy

DBS has been around for decades. A pacemaker-like device is implanted in the upper chest and thin wires lead to precise locations in the brain, where electrodes deliver electrical stimulation that can help control some of the symptoms from Parkinson’s.

Even though traditional DBS is proven as a safe and effective treatment for Parkinson’s, the level of stimulation is constant/pre-programmed. But it has limitations. The human body and brain are constantly changing and adjusting, as the various symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and medication levels can fluctuate in intensity throughout the day. So, the amount of electrical stimulation needed to optimally treat Parkinson’s may also change.

“I went through a lot of programming sessions to refine the device settings,” Bobrow said. “You can’t just set it and forget about it.”

For many patients, that’s about to change.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the Medtronic Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation (aDBS) system for use in the U.S. for patients with Parkinson’s disease. With aDBS, the electrodes that deliver electrical stimulation can also sense the patient’s brain signals and automatically adjust the level of stimulation to meet the patient’s needs.1 A few programming adjustment visits may be needed in the first few months after turning on Adaptive Therapy. Patients programmed with Adaptive Therapy may require more programming adjustment visits if they experience stimulation-related side effects or need to further personalize programming settings.

“The aDBS system listens to these brain waves, and then algorithms adjust the stimulation in real time according to what the brain waves tell us about their symptoms. It’s a very exciting development,” said Dr. Simon Little, a neurologist at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF).

As with traditional DBS, there are risks and benefits of aDBS. Risks of DBS may include surgical complications, infection, failure to deliver therapy as needed and/or worsening of some symptoms. Talk to your doctor about your medical condition and the risks and benefits of this therapy. A prescription is required, only your doctor can determine whether this therapy is right for you.

The Medtronic Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulator

Living the dream

Liza Bobrow received her DBS device before the FDA approval of aDBS; however, a software upgrade to aDBS does not require surgery. Her device already includes the brain-sensing technology†; if her doctors decide she is a candidate for aDBS, it would be a matter of activating this technology in her current device.

“Adaptability is obviously the next frontier. I can tell that my body has ebbs and flows, and clearly real-time stimulation adjustment is something that interests me,” Liza said.

Dr. Philip Starr, professor of neurological surgery at UCSF, adds: “So the dream of these brain pacemakers, which is really what they are, is to go that route and understand brain signals – and how they relate to specific signs and symptoms of movement disorders or other disorders – to understand those signals well enough to use them to auto-adjust stimulator levels. So adaptive deep brain stimulation is really synonymous with closed-loop stimulation.”

Brief Statement: https://www.medtronic.com/en-us/l/patients/treatments-therapies/deep-brain-stimulation-parkinsons-disease/important-safety-information.html

† The sensing feature of the Percept™ PC and Percept™ RC system is intended for use in patients receiving DBS where chronically recorded bioelectric data may provide useful, objective information regarding patient clinical status.

References:

  1. Stanslaski S, Summers RLS, Tonder L, et al. Sensing data and methodology from the Adaptive DBS Algorithm for Personalized Therapy in Parkinson’s Disease (ADAPT-PD) clinical trial. NPJ Parkinsons Dis. 2024;10(1):174.

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One sandwich, endless possibilities: What makes a perfect grilled cheese is up for debate

2025-04-07T10:01:00

(BPT) – In celebration of National Grilled Cheese Day, Borden® Cheese surveyed over 2,000 Americans on their grilled cheese preferences. The results are in! Turns out that what makes a grilled cheese perfect is very personal! From bread and cheese to everything in between, America is split on grilled cheese preferences. Here are the five most important factors to help you make the perfect grilled cheese sandwich.

1. Consider your base

The type of bread you pick for your sandwich says a lot about you. Are you a traditionalist who uses white bread or a health-conscious eater who prefers whole wheat or rye bread? No matter which bread you use, your base should complement how much cheese you plan to use.

According to the survey, 57% of grilled cheese makers use two slices of cheese, so an average slice of bread should be plenty. However, if you’re part of the 17% that use 3 slices, consider choosing a thicker base to avoid a soggy sandwich.

2. Spread butter or mayo to the edges of the bread

To ensure that your family enjoys every bite of their cheesy dish, make sure to spread butter or mayo to the very edges of the bread. This easy trick ensures there are no dry bites, elevating the taste and texture of your grilled cheese.

3. Don’t rush perfection

How do you like your bread toasted? What’s right for one person isn’t right for all.

According to new data from Borden, one in 10 grilled cheese enthusiasts swear by a deep, burnt toast char for their bread. However, the majority (seven in 10) insist on a golden-brown crisp. If you’re in the latter camp, remember that low and slow is the key to a truly chef-worthy grilled cheese.

Keeping an eye on toast levels is especially important if you’re making this lunchtime classic for your kids. According to Borden’s report, nearly one out of every three parents have remade a grilled cheese because the toast level wasn’t quite right.

4. Pick the right cheese

Now it’s time for the star of the show! The type of cheese you pick can make or break your sandwich. When it comes to the type of cheese, the survey found that American (49%) and Cheddar (46%) dominated the rankings, proving that the most iconic melts are built on tradition. However, the more experimental grilled cheese connoisseur may opt for underdogs like Mozzarella (27%), Swiss (22%), Pepperjack (21%) and Colby Jack (20%).

No matter which type of cheese you choose, remember, grilled cheese is better with Borden. Borden offers many varieties of cheese to make your sandwich truly your own. Best of all, Borden Cheese is made with real dairy from American dairy families and delivers the rich, creamy melt that turns a simple sandwich into a crave-worthy classic.

5. Don’t forget to consider toppings

Nearly half of grilled cheese eaters surveyed were purists, sticking to the basics of cheese and bread to achieve an ooey-gooey sandwich. However, you can get creative by adding your favorite meats, veggies and spreads. The important part is that you make your grilled cheese your way.

Using these five tips, you can make the best grilled cheese that’s perfect just for you. To find more cheese tips and cheese products that suit any taste, visit BordenCheese.com.

Hungry? Here’s how to win free cheese for a year

Starting on Grilled Cheese Day, April 12, and running all month long, Borden is celebrating all things cheese, and you can be part of the fun. You can win a variety of delicious prizes, from 100 instant-win swag packs featuring Borden coupons and fun branded merchandise to cheese for a year.

One grand prize recipient will receive everything needed to create the ultimate grilled cheese experience: a year’s supply of personalized cheese selections and a gourmet panini press to perfect their melt at home. Visit WinFreeBordenCheese.com for your chance to win.

Survey Methodology. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,515 adults, of which 2,330 make grilled cheese sandwiches. Fieldwork was undertaken between March 17th – March 19th 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18+).

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6 Expert Tips to Keep Your Routine on Track Ahead of National Exercise Day

2025-04-07T09:01:00

(BPT) – Wellness is a full-body experience that requires creativity to avoid burning out and losing sight of your end goal. Ahead of National Exercise Day on April 18, Sports RD, Dawn Jackson Blatner, is sharing six expert-approved tips to keep your exercise routine fun while incorporating proper recovery habits — like eating almonds for their exercise recovery benefits — during the day to keep your goals on track.

1. Nourish your body to feel good

Wellness isn’t about perfection — it’s about treating your human body with the gratitude and care it deserves. Focus on eating and moving in ways that feel good and energize you. Just one serving of almonds (23 almonds) has 6g plant-based protein, 4g fiber, riboflavin (25% DV), hard-to-get magnesium (20% DV), antioxidant vitamin E (50% DV), 13g of good unsaturated fats, and only 1g saturated fat. They are a simple way to fulfill your body’s needs and stay satisfied longer. When you focus on what makes you feel good, wellness becomes a lifestyle.

2. Set intentional goals

Life can be fast-paced and full of curveballs, but setting intentional goals like exercising more, eating better, or improving sleep can help you stay focused and on-track. I set goals by “gamifying” them to stay motivated and engaged. This means I set mini-challenges, track my progress, and then level up to keep it fresh. For example, I’ll give myself a 7-day challenge to drink water before my coffee every day or add an extra 30-minute daily walk. If I get 100%, I’ll move on to a new challenge, just like making it to the next level in a game.

3. Exercise recovery is key

Through my experience in sports dietetics, I’ve discovered that focusing on proper recovery is one of the best additions to any routine. Exercise recovery isn’t just about rest though, it’s about providing the right nutrients to rebuild and strengthen your body. Without proper recovery, soreness and exhaustion can steal your motivation. Build in recovery with nourishing snacks, such as almonds. Almonds are my go-to because research1 conducted over 4 weeks among 64 healthy, non-smoking male and female U.S. adults ages 30-65 who are occasional exercisers shows that eating 57g of almonds daily supports a positive influence on metabolic health.

These study results show that almonds are an ideal food to support muscle function and recovery. The best part? It doesn’t matter when you eat your almonds. This small step can make a big difference in recharging your body and crushing your wellness goals!

4. Beat burnout by adding joy to your wellness routine

Burnout happens when wellness feels like a chore — but it doesn’t have to! The key is adding positivity and fun. Enjoy vibrant, colorful meals that make you smile and move your body in ways that feel exciting, like dancing or jumping rope. When joy leads the way, wellness feels fun and totally doable!

5. Make snacking easy and fun

Busy days can make it tough to eat well, but a mini snack box is the perfect anytime solution! My personal favorite includes veggies like carrots or celery, cubed cheese and a crunchy nut, like almonds, for extra nutritional benefits.

6. Celebrate the small wins

I worked as the head dietitian for a professional baseball team for 10 years and I have a game-winning ring to show for it! I’ve realized that you can’t win the championship without focusing on one game at a time. Try your best each day and recover so you can get back out there. When you celebrate small wins, it keeps you energized to keep going after your dreams.

Purple yoga mat with water bottle, towel, weights and a tin of Almonds on the floor of a sunroom.

Wellness and exercise don’t have to be boring, so take control of your journey and get creative to avoid burnout and stay on track with your goals! Check out almonds.com for more information on how you can make the most of your wellness routine.

[1] Nieman, D. C., Omar, A. M., Kay, C. D., Kasote, D. M., Sakaguchi, C. A., Lkhagva, A., Weldermariam, M. M., & Zhang, Q. (2023). Almond intake alters the acute plasma dihydroxy-octadecenoic acid (DiHOME) response to eccentric exercise. Frontiers in Nutrition. DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1042719.

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Card payment strategies to boost your business’s bottom line

2025-04-03T15:31:00

(BPT) – By Amber Tialino, senior vice president and general manager of Spend & Expense at BILL

Today’s business landscape is more competitive than ever. Businesses are fighting every day to win — and keep — their customers while laying the foundation to drive long-term growth and continued success.

From maximizing cash flow and profitability to controlling expenses and tracking expenditures, effective financial management often determines the survival of small and midsize businesses (SMBs). That’s why businesses seeking to improve their financial health and better serve their customers should seek solutions that allow them to effortlessly control and manage spend, freeing up time and resources for more strategic activities that drive growth.

A comprehensive solution SMBs should consider is a corporate card program. In the past, businesses have often used personal cards or have had to endure time-consuming data entry and paper trails when managing expenses. However, the right card solution with integrated expense management software can facilitate better oversight of capital and controls while streamlining financial operations across the organization and eliminating tedious expense reports.

When implementing a corporate card program, SMBs should carefully evaluate their options. Selecting the card solution that best aligns with their business objectives and unique needs is critical. This process should consider several key factors that can significantly impact their business’s financial health and operational efficiency.

Credit versus charge cards: What’s right for you?

First and foremost, businesses must decide between a credit card and a charge card. Both credit cards and charge cards can offer convenient payment processing and integrate seamlessly with software. However, they operate on fundamentally different principles.

Credit cards provide flexibility to pay overtime but come with a significant drawback: high interest charges that can eat into an SMB’s profits. On the other hand, charge cards require full payment each month, eliminating interest charges while providing the benefits of real-time expense tracking, spend controls and automated expense management capabilities. For SMBs focused on maximizing cash flow while minimizing unnecessary expenses, charge cards are often the more appealing option.

Tailor rewards to fit your business needs

Different cards offer different benefits, from cash back to travel rewards to rebates to vendor-specific discounts. SMBs should evaluate these programs based on their unique spending patterns and choose the card that will serve them the best.

The ideal card program should offer customizable rewards that align with the business’ primary spending targets and expense categories and provide meaningful value to both the company and its users. Some cards even allow businesses to choose their reward categories, ensuring maximum benefit from their regular spending patterns.

Elevate the employee experience

During the decision-making process, SMBs should prioritize the employee experience, as staff members will be the primary card users. The best card solution should offer a seamless, user-friendly experience for making payments and managing expenses.

Essential features businesses should look for include simple receipt capture and submission processes, intuitive mobile apps that complement online platforms and easy expense tracking capabilities. Employees should also be able to monitor their spending against budget guidelines and expense protocols easily while management maintains comprehensive oversight across the organization.

For an organization like Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals with 170 children’s hospitals across North America, every dollar spent and saved is so meaningful. The business searched for a new spend and expense management solution, and switched to BILL Spend & Expense, which saved them money, provided 1% cash back on purchases and ultimately made the experience for their team much easier.

“A huge, awesome thing about moving over to BILL was the ability to instantly connect receipts to transactions,” said Burke Bess, Vice President of Finance, Accounting and Data Analytics at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “And BILL was just a very user-friendly system compared to what we had before.”

Optimize cash flow with integrated systems

Another vital consideration SMBs should evaluate is how well potential card solutions connect with their existing business tools and platforms like travel booking systems, accounting software and other operational tools. The card system should also offer built-in controls for expense-type restrictions, such as merchant controls to limit the amount spent on a single transaction — automatically enforcing company spending policies.

Perhaps most importantly, SMBs should prioritize cards that integrate seamlessly with their automated financial platforms to help optimize cash flow. Ideally, the card solution would synchronize card payments with all other financial operations, including accounts receivable, billing and payroll systems. This integration provides business owners and managers with a comprehensive view of their financial metrics and cash flow, facilitating more informed decision-making and strategic planning for the future.

SMBs that are in the middle of rapid growth can especially benefit from system integration features. FairWave, a specialty coffee collective, for example, adds new brands every three months. Keeping track of spend and expenses for all of these brands was time-consuming and took valuable time away from day-to-day operations.

After implementing BILL Spend & Expense, the company saved over 144 hours per year in their monthly close alone.

“Think about the sheer number of receipts. It takes so many hours to chase those down and figure things out when you have to do it by email,” said Derek Braun, FP&A Manager at FairWave. “Today, 98% of our credit cards are managed through BILL Spend & Expense, so everything’s in one place. Every card user across all our brands. Every receipt. They can just take a photo and add the receipt to the app. BILL has reduced our close cycle by at least 12 hours.”

Choose a solution that supports every step of your business journey

Implementing the right card system offers more than just convenience. It’s a strategic investment in business success. By carefully evaluating card type, rewards structure, user experience, system integration and financial platform compatibility, SMBs can select a card solution that not only meets their current needs but also supports their long-term growth objectives.

Businesses looking for a more controlled way to spend and create a strong financial management foundation should consider the BILL Divvy Card powered by Visa*, available as part of BILL Spend & Expense. Unlike other corporate credit cards, the BILL Divvy card is the only solution that provides SMBs with corporate cards, spend controls, flexible rewards and expense management software (at no extra cost) all rolled into one.

By streamlining efficiency, this corporate card program allows SMBs to focus on what matters most: growing their business and serving their customers. To learn more, visit bill.com/signup.

*The BILL Divvy Card is issued by Cross River Bank, Member FDIC and is not a deposit product.

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Volunteering trends: How Americans are making a difference

2025-04-03T08:01:00

(BPT) – Formal volunteering in America is rebounding. After the pandemic disrupted lives and available time to volunteer, Americans are finding meaningful ways to give back and discover their purpose

The national volunteering rate between September 2022-2023 increased by 5.1 percentage points, a more than 22% growth in just two years.

More than 75.7 million people — or 28.3% of Americans — formally volunteered through an organization in 2023, giving more than 4.99 billion hours of service with $167.2 billion of economic value as part of a growing community of neighbors helping neighbors who believe passionately that tomorrow can be better than today.

In a time of increased loneliness and financial challenges, volunteers of all ages are essential to the nation’s economic and social well-being. They are the lifeblood of schools and shelters, hospitals and hotlines, food banks, and civic, nonprofit, tribal and faith-based organizations across the country.

Volunteers improve their own lives while helping others. Whether they are seeking adventure, ready to change careers or eager to make new friends, volunteering can meet those needs. Volunteer work helps build critical knowledge and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. Research has shown that volunteering can increase a person’s social connections and yields benefits in terms of moderating stress and increasing physical, cognitive and social activity.

Leading volunteer efforts in America is AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteering. AmeriCorps provides opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds to serve their country, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, and improve lives and communities.

AmeriCorps offers individuals and organizations flexible ways to make an impact while focusing on six key areas.

  • Disaster services: From the storm-swept coasts to wildfire-threatened communities, the nationwide network of trained responders brings hope and help to communities when they need it most. They offer hands-on assistance like mucking and gutting flooded homes, clearing debris and patching roofs, while also connecting survivors to available resources.
  • Economic opportunity: Volunteers provide training in hard skills, such as earning degrees and gaining work experience, and essential skills all employers look for, including leadership, problem-solving, teamwork and communication. National service effectively helps create improved job prospects for Americans, particularly in growing sectors like health, construction, tech and energy while helping build members’ resumes.
  • Education: Members and volunteers deliver targeted, cost-effective support that schools urgently need. They support students from early education through high school, helping them graduate and prepare for higher education and careers, and provide support for college students and adult learners to succeed.
  • Environmental stewardship: Volunteers prevent wildfires, reduce utility costs, expand outdoor recreation, and conserve American lands and waters across the nation. This work protects America’s lands while strengthening local economies through partnerships with hunters, farmers, tribal communities, and others and allows volunteers to leave a lasting legacy.
  • Healthy futures: From fighting the opioid epidemic to ensuring older adults can thrive in their own homes, volunteers help improve the physical and mental well-being of Americans. They tackle America’s toughest challenges with boots on the ground, leaving communities stronger, healthier, and better equipped to build lasting solutions for generations to come.
  • Veterans & military families: Veterans across the country continue to serve and lead in their communities after military service with AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps members and volunteers also assist veterans and military families, connecting them to education opportunities, jobs, and the benefits they have earned.

Make a difference today! Whether you have an hour, a day, or a year to give, your service can change someone’s life and transform your community. Ready to volunteer? AmeriCorps can connect you to your purpose. Find volunteer and service opportunities that fit your schedule and interests at AmeriCorps.gov/Serve.

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At Ross Dress for Less, Giving Back to Communities Is Always in Fashion

2025-04-03T07:01:00

(BPT) – Great businesses thrive in great communities. But how can a fashion retailer make a difference? Ross Dress for Less® and the Ross Stores Foundation found the answer by focusing on the future.

Ross takes pride in serving diverse communities around the country and has long known that investing in those communities benefits everyone — customers, employees and Ross as well. In 2009, Ross recognized an opportunity to help build better communities from the ground up by supporting the next generation of residents. They launched a partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which continues to grow to this day.

“Our entire Ross team has been proud to partner with Boys & Girls Clubs of America for the past 16 years, and we love being part of their ongoing efforts to help kids grow, learn, and develop in fun, safe spaces,” said Group Senior Vice President of Ross Stores, Matt Young. “Boys & Girls Clubs are at the heart of the communities where both our associates and our customers live and work, and we are grateful for the opportunity to continue to support their programs that help kids achieve their goals.”

Making a tangible impact for kids

For more than 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow, with clubs offering caring adult mentors, friendship, and youth development programs on a daily basis — especially during those crucial after-school hours.

To reach as many kids as possible, the Ross Stores Foundation serves as a national sponsor of the youth organization’s Power Hour homework help program, which addresses kids’ immediate academic needs and fosters long-term skills such as time management, critical thinking and problem-solving.

Ross has also teamed up with more than 39 Boys & Girls Club organizations in cities and communities, which in turn represent more than 100 individual Boys & Girls Clubs across the country.

Additionally, this year’s annual fundraiser at Ross Dress for Less stores, which took place from February 8 to March 2, raised a whopping $4.1 million for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Over the past 10 years, this campaign has raised more than $32 million, thanks to the generosity of Ross Dress for Less associates and customers.

An ongoing commitment

Small children in a classroom holding a giant check from ROSS and a sign that says

Ross recently renewed its commitment to their partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, further showcasing their dedication to supporting and expanding programs for thousands of kids across the country, designed to help them achieve their dreams.

The ongoing partnership enables program improvements in Clubs nationwide, helping ensure young people will have access to the most relevant, updated tools to achieve academic success.

The partnership also includes Ross recognizing Boys & Girls Club teens for their achievements by offering a scholarship program for eligible high-achieving college-bound high school seniors at select Boys & Girls Clubs across the nation. These scholarships are intended to cover education-related expenses for undergraduate studies at accredited 2- or 4-year colleges or vocational technical schools.

“At Boys & Girls Clubs of America, we strongly believe all young people deserve the opportunity to excel academically, develop new skills and reach their full potential,” said Lisa Anastasi, Executive Vice President and Chief Development & External Relations Officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “We’re grateful for dedicated partners like Ross that continue to invest in our mission as we bring social support and learning resources to more kids and teens in communities across the country.”

Learn more about the partnership between Ross and Boys & Girls Clubs of America at RossStores.com and BGCA.org.

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5 ways to enhance your outdoor living experience

2025-04-03T01:01:00

(BPT) – There’s nothing quite like spending time in your outdoor space. You can enjoy fresh air and sunshine — or evening breezes — while basking in the comfort of being at home. This year, transform your outdoor space into an ideal oasis for socializing with friends and family, or simply finding your own inner peace in a tranquil setting.

The outdoor design experts at Belgard® share insights on ways to enhance your outdoor living experience.

1. Maximize your front yard

In 2025, outdoor design will focus on enhancing the functionality and aesthetic of front yards, especially as lot sizes continue to shrink, and ways to make them more versatile and low-maintenance. Homeowners are getting creative, turning front yards into multi-use spaces blending relaxation, entertainment and environmental responsibility.

You can design inviting spaces for socializing in your front yard using small paver patios and comfortable seating. Families with young children may want to create play areas with turf or low-maintenance grass, while others might prefer plantings combined with hardscapes. Fences can also help create safety and privacy.

To create inviting social spaces and make functional use of sloped areas, consider adding retaining walls. They not only help level uneven terrain but also create defined gathering spaces perfect for entertaining. A retaining wall can easily be converted into built-in seating to create a more functional space and ensure there’s ample seating for all your guests. Consider Belgard’s new Diamond Pro® Air — in a variety of sizes and face styles to fit the look and feel of any project.

No matter which specific elements you use, well-designed front yards improve curb appeal, delivering a strong return on your investment (ROI). Front yard space is one of the top three priorities for homebuyers today, adding 7% ROI to new or remodeled home sales.

Front paved porch with comfortable furniture, potted plants with pavers set in artificial turf.

2. Increase sustainability

Another important consideration for front and back yard spaces is their environmental impact. A growing trend to address this concern is xeriscaping, which uses drought-tolerant native plants, decorative gravel and artificial turf to offer low-maintenance, eco-friendly landscaping options that conserve water.

Permeable pavers are also becoming more popular for this reason, as they allow rainwater to permeate the ground, reducing stormwater runoff and supporting sustainable landscapes. Learn more about how they work and view available options here.

Front of a house with concrete pony walls and paver driveway.

3. Explore color and texture

As homeowners and designers explore new ideas for outdoor spaces, color and texture are playing a bigger role. Monochromatic color schemes are falling out of favor, and instead, homeowners are embracing vibrant and layered palettes that add depth and dimension to front and back yards.

Great options for adding color and texture are: Belgard’s Papyrus paver, which offers an organic textural experience, and November, Belgard’s newest performance line of porcelain pavers. November provides the ultimate versatile option to create a trend-forward aesthetic. Both products allow homeowners to create a unique outdoor design while providing durability and low maintenance options.

Birds-eye-view of an outdoor table, holding a coffee cup, glasses and a book on a patio made of Mirage November pavers.

4. Mix materials for maximum impact

Just as with color, design trends for outdoor spaces are moving away from using a single material for the whole space, inspiring a more dynamic, customized approach to landscaping and hardscape design. By blending different textures, hues and materials, you can create a more visually engaging and personalized outdoor space that feels rich and multi-dimensional.

By mixing materials like stone, concrete, porcelain, wood, metal, fabric — and living walls or containers full of growing plants — you’ll make your own unique statement in your front or back yard.

Backyard fire pit with seating area, potted plants on a patio featuring both decorative gravel and patio pavers.

5. Plan a focal point

Design experts suggest creating a single focal point in your yard that catches the eye and becomes the center of your entire outdoor design. That focal point could be a fire pit or fireplace, a garden, water feature or cozy seating area, depending on the amount of space you have and how you want to use it.

To create an outdoor kitchen or fire pit to center your design around, check out the possibilities at Belgard Elements Home. You can also use Belgard Artforms, a large-format modular panel system, to help you create the exact look you want for walls, seating areas, planters, outdoor kitchens and more.

Backyard with swimming pool, concrete outdoor bar and ourdoor kitchen and serving area constructed of a blend of complementary concrete products

For help imagining your outdoor space, try the Belgard Room Planner, where you can identify your design style and use technology to visualize your ideal front or back yard oasis.