Month: December 2021

2021-12-14T23:01:00

(BPT) – If there’s a high school senior in your family, your life may be busy with college applications and excitement over the coming changes. But along with that excitement can come anxiety about how your family will cover tuition, room and board, plus other required college expenses for 2022 and beyond.

In a recent survey, 92% of parents agreed a college degree is crucial for their child’s future — but 67% said they wished more resources existed to help their family understand how to plan and pay for college. In the College Ave Student Loans parent survey, 83% of parents said the cost of college is more of a financial burden than in previous years.

While you’re preparing for this milestone in your child’s life, here are tips to help navigate the financial costs of college from Mark Kantrowitz, a nationally recognized expert on student financial aid, scholarships and student loans.

1. File the FAFSA as soon as possible. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the most important step to help pay for college — and students whose families file the FAFSA sooner receive more grants on average compared to those who file later. The FAFSA is required for determining eligibility for federal and state aid, and can also open the door to school-based scholarships and other resources. Visit FAFSA.gov to apply.

2. Encourage your child to apply to a mix of colleges and universities. Because you can’t know now what financial aid may be offered from each school, it’s smart to have at least one “financial aid safety school” in the mix — a school that would be affordable if you receive little or no financial aid. In most cases, in-state public colleges are the least expensive option. You may also want to research which states have reciprocal in-state tuition agreements with neighboring states, to widen your child’s options.

3. Use all available college resources when applying. Colleges and universities offer lots of information and resources on their websites. For example, most colleges provide a net price calculator to help you estimate what you’d have to pay to cover the first year of college, which can help you choose a financial aid safety school. Don’t hesitate to contact schools with questions throughout the process.

4. Save as much as you can now. It’s never too late to save. Every dollar saved today is a dollar less you may have to borrow later. Two-thirds of states offer a state income tax deduction or tax credit based on contributions to that state’s 529 college savings plan (and in seven states, for contributions to any state’s 529 plan). In 30 states, you can take a distribution to pay for college costs in the same year you make a contribution and still receive the tax break. That’s like getting a tuition discount.

5. Search for scholarships on free scholarship matching websites like Fastweb or College Board’s Big Future. Every dollar awarded is a dollar less you’ll have to borrow. You and your child can also enter the monthly scholarship sweepstakes at CollegeAveStudentLoans.com for a chance to win $1,000 to put toward college costs.

6. Review financial aid award letters carefully. When evaluating financial aid award letters, compare your total available resources to pay for college with that school’s four-year net price. If your total resources exceed the four-year net price, the college is affordable. Resources can include savings, contributions from income and, for some families with a gap to cover, student loans. When borrowing student loans, a good rule of thumb to keep in mind is to not borrow more than the student’s estimated annual starting salary. If the total student loan debt at graduation is less than the student’s annual starting salary, they should be able to repay their student loans in a reasonable amount of time, 10 years or less.

7. Consider private loans. If there’s a gap between your student’s financial aid award and required expenses, you still have more options to help pay for school. To determine possible private loan interest and repayment terms, use this student loan calculator tool.

For more tips and information on planning and financing your child’s college education, visit CollegeAveStudentLoans.com.

2021-12-14T16:53:00

(BPT) – You’ve made your to-do list and you’ve checked it twice. The menu is set, decorations are hung and the playlist is curated. Before everyone arrives, make sure your internet is ready to handle the evening’s festivities.

Whether gathering in person or virtually, consumers are prioritizing a reliable WiFi connection for themselves and their guests this holiday season. A survey conducted by Wakefield Research and Xfinity shows just how much WiFi has become an increasingly integral part of modern holiday celebrations.

Here are some key takeaways from the survey:

• Half of millennials and nearly as many Gen Xers (47%) strongly agree that WiFi has become more central to holiday celebrations than before the pandemic.
• 72% agree video chats and virtual gatherings have allowed them to better connect with extended family and long-distance friends during the holidays.
• Almost a quarter of Gen Z (23%) and millennials (24%) will participate in hybrid or virtual gatherings this year.

Before everyone arrives, give yourself a gift by checking the health of your internet connection. Follow these six helpful tips to ensure a strong connection and avoid any technological headaches during your holiday gatherings.

1. Reboot your gateway

A few days before your celebration, unplug your gateway for 5-10 seconds before plugging it back in. This ensures the gateway is equipped with the latest software and speed updates to take on all your guests’ WiFi demands.

2. Make the gateway your centerpiece

Most of your guests will mingle in the living room and kitchen. Find a prime spot about 5 feet off the ground to place your gateway so it can reach the most-used areas of your home with the strongest WiFi signal.

3. Get Festive with the WiFi password

Beat the most popular question from your guests and refresh your gateway’s password through Xfinity.com/myxfi or the Xfinity app. Identify your network and select “Edit WiFi” to change your password to something holiday-themed and easy to remember. This will leave time for more important questions like, “When’s dinner?” Just be sure to change it after everyone leaves.

4. Power of the pod

If you have enough space to host your entire extended family, you’ll likely need to keep your guests connected throughout your home. Take advantage of mesh WiFi systems like the xFi Pod to extend your WiFi connection and eliminate dead spots, so the kids in the game room have as strong a connection as the adults in the living room.

5. Press pause

Is someone at the holiday dinner table checking their phone instead of spending quality time with Grandma? Using the Xfinity app, you can pause WiFi access for your guests so everyone can enjoy a meal with loved ones.

6. Kick back and stream in peace

Once your hosting duties are done, remember to take some time for yourself. After dinner and dessert, lean back on the couch and stream holiday classics — or start new traditions with the latest blockbusters.

Don’t let unreliable WiFi put a damper on your holiday cheer. Visit Xfinity.com/learn/internet-service to switch or upgrade your internet service before family arrives at your home in-person or on-screen. Your relatives near and far will appreciate this early holiday gift.

2021-12-14T10:01:00

(BPT) – For many families, the holidays mark a time full of celebration, love and joy. Loved ones gather to celebrate cherished holidays, reflect on the year behind them, and enjoy quality time together. But for the families of children with critical illnesses, the holidays will look much different as they are spent in children’s hospitals or navigating a scary diagnosis. The warmth, comfort and joy that so many of us associate with the holiday season will be lost for a child who is isolated and vulnerable. As Make-A-Wish^® continues to grant wishes that are waiting, many children are finding hope and joy as they plan their upcoming wish or see their wish granted.

For wish kid Shore, her wish was to experience one of the best parts of the holidays — snow! As a Hawaii native, she had never experienced snow before. A few years ago, Shore’s wish to see snow was granted through a life-changing trip to Utah.

Much like Shore, many children will get to experience the holiday joy of snow with a visit to Great Wolf Lodge for their annual Snowland celebration. In addition to daily snow showers in the lobby, visits with Santa, festive dance parties, holiday stories and more special in-lodge activities, families will be able to join Great Wolf Lodge in sharing in the excitement of the season with Make-A-Wish. At select lodges, families can rent Snowland Cabanas, complete with special décor and inner tubes, snacks and more. For each reservation of a Snowland Cabana, Great Wolf Lodge will donate $10 to Make-A-Wish. Families can also purchase special Santa Hat Wolf Ears at select outlets in the lodge for $6.99, with a $2 donation from each purchase going to Make-A-Wish. These exciting opportunities to give back are available in lodges now until Jan. 5, 2022.

Great Wolf Lodge is welcoming wish kids back into their lodges and supporting the mission of Make-A-Wish to grant the wish of every eligible child. Learn how you can help Make-A-Wish grant more wishes for children with critical illnesses at wish.org.

2021-12-14T13:27:00

(BPT) – The holiday season may be the most wonderful time of year, but it can also be stressful, especially when it comes to finances. While you want to celebrate, be merry and show generosity to friends and family, you also don’t want to break your budget. Fortunately, there are digital tools to help you manage your holiday finances, from budgeting and spending to monitoring your credit. Easy-to-use mobile banking apps on your phone can make it easier than ever to keep track of your money.

Here are some of the tools that can help you throughout the holidays and beyond.

Know where your money is going

One of the best tools to keep track of all those holiday gift purchases isn’t in your wallet: it’s on your phone. Mobile banking apps, like the Chase Mobile^® app, make it easy for consumers to track their spending, deposit a holiday check from grandma on their cell phone, pay bills or send money to friends and family for group gifts or other holiday expenses. Keep your eyes out for deals too. For example, when you log into the Chase Mobile app, check out Chase Offers to take advantage of offers that could help you get a statement credit when shopping at top merchants. Select the offer(s) you want to use and it’s automatically added to your card, so it’s ready to use the next time you shop at that merchant.

Keep tabs on your credit

With the new year around the corner, take the time and steps to improve your financial health. A key component of that resolution will be your credit score, which is a number that represents a snapshot of your credit history that lenders use to help determine how likely you are to repay a loan in the future. The higher your credit score, the better you look in the eyes of a potential lender – i.e. getting a mortgage to buy a new home or loan for a new car.

Thankfully, there are free tools available to everyone to check their credit score, so that they can make necessary adjustments before their next major financial decision. For example, you can use Chase Credit Journey, an online credit monitoring tool available to all consumers for free, to check your credit score at any time without impacting your score. The best part, you don’t even have to be a Chase customer to access personalized resources to help you build and maintain your credit.

Credit Journey also provides critical alerts by monitoring your credit and identity to help you protect yourself. Plus, you can personalize your settings to see the information that’s most important to you. This includes insights about how certain purchases may impact your credit score.

Go in on a group gift

Considering chipping in for the cost of a gift with friends and family for a mutual recipient on your list? With Zelle^®, you can send and receive money from almost anyone with a bank account in the U.S. The best part, it’s likely already in your bank’s app (available in more than 1,200 banks across the U.S.!) All you’ll need to do is sign into your banking app and use the recipients’ mobile number or email to send money into their bank account.

Consider payment plans for big purchases

To help spread out the cost of big-ticket items like a special gift, trip, or an engagement ring, it’s worth considering payment plan options. If you have an eligible Chase credit card, you could use My Chase Plan^® to pay off a purchase over time in equal monthly payments with no interest, just a fixed monthly fee. Chase cardmembers can calculate plan options even before making purchases of $100 or more. On top of that, cardmembers still earn their valuable credit card rewards on the purchase, there’s no credit check and you don’t have to worry about managing multiple accounts. You can manage it all from your Chase Mobile app or on Chase.com.

With a little planning and the right tools at your fingertips, you can enjoy the holidays while staying on track with your finances and budget at the same time — making this holiday season even brighter. Visit Chase.com/mobile to learn more.

Deposit and credit card products provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC

2021-12-14T14:01:00

(BPT) – There are millions of small businesses in the United States owned by passionate people working hard to make their dreams a reality. Rather than buying from a big retailer the next time you need something, consider supporting the locally owned businesses around you.

When you support a small business, you’re not only helping build your community, but also directly impacting someone’s life. Every customer counts when it comes to small business, which means your dollars can help that small business owner thrive.

For example, as the nation’s largest insurer, State Farm has more than 19,000 agents who are small business owners themselves, who are committed to restoring lives, rebuilding neighborhoods and investing in the communities where they live and work. This desire to help started 100 years ago when the company was founded by a farmer who was concerned that big city insurance companies would not serve the specific needs of his business and community.

This holiday season is the perfect time to support your local businesses. Here are three simple ways to support small businesses and have a positive impact this holiday season and beyond:

Get to know your community through its businesses

While holidays are important times to shop local, your support matters all year long. For many people, this means shifting their mindset to thinking about local options first and getting to know the types of products and services your local businesses are providing.

Whether you are purchasing items for yourself or someone else, start to understand how these local businesses can fill your needs. Don’t forget, many small businesses offer gift cards, which are wonderful ways to show ongoing support.

Support small business service providers

Small businesses aren’t just for tangible goods. Many provide important services, such as your local mechanic, dentist or insurance agent. So, no matter your needs, try and find businesses that are active in the community.

You can spot these businesses by seeing how they engage with their neighbors. Look for the providers that are going above and beyond to support the neighborhood and other small businesses. By supporting those that have a strong investment in your community, you are helping them create a greater impact.

“From doughnut shops to beverage distributors, from hair salons to warehouses, State Farm agents are perfectly suited to help small business owners protect their dreams, their livelihoods and their families,” said Chief Agency, Sales & Marketing Officer and former State Farm Agent Rand Harbert. “We offer products and services business owners need, and State Farm agents are small business owners themselves.”

Share your experience

Many small businesses rely on satisfied customers to tell others so they can grow their client base. People trust word of mouth, so your effort makes a difference.

In fact, more than eight out of 10 people around the world said they completely or somewhat trust the recommendations of friends and family, according to Nielsen. Plus, two-thirds said they trust online opinions from consumers. So, tell a friend in person, share a post on social media, or leave a positive review online.

If you’re a small business owner, consider using your platform to build up other entrepreneurs in your neighborhood. Heading into the holiday season, State Farm’s agents are using their networks and social media channels to promote the small businesses in the communities they serve.

The next time you have a need arise, think of how a small business can help. Every effort counts to build your community, show your support, and ensure you continue to have thriving small businesses near you.

2021-12-14T09:01:00

(BPT) – Health equity means everyone has access to and can benefit from quality healthcare. This is especially important when it comes to diseases such as cancer. Unfortunately, underserved communities, including ethnic and racial minority groups, older adults and those living in rural areas face numerous barriers, which can prevent them from seeking or receiving critical cancer care.

The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated health inequities among these underserved communities, with people delaying or putting off screenings, follow-up appointments and other care. This delay in care can lead to later cancer diagnoses, which may make it more difficult to treat than earlier stages of cancer and could increase the chances of the disease worsening.

“Though we’ve made considerable progress in cancer treatment, significant barriers to care still exist for underserved communities,” says Dany Habr, Chief Medical Officer at Pfizer Oncology. “Collectively, the healthcare community can work together to remove these barriers and help ensure no matter who they are or where they live, people living with cancer have access to the optimal care they deserve.”

Habr highlights five key barriers to cancer care in underserved communities and possible solutions for improving outcomes:

Logistical challenges

Difficulty accessing transportation, lack of childcare and minimal time off work are a few examples of logistical challenges that could impact someone’s ability to receive cancer care. Telehealth has grown to help address some of these problems, however, some people don’t have access to the internet or adequate technology, and certain health issues require an in-person visit.

To address these barriers, health systems should open facilities in areas that lack local providers or bring care options to locations in rural areas where people often visit, such as at local sporting events or supermarkets. Healthcare providers can also consider adding weekend appointments or transportation options for greater access to care.

Communication hurdles

Health literacy — a person’s ability to find, understand and use information and resources to inform healthcare decisions for themselves and others — also impacts access to care. Low health literacy levels coupled with other factors, like language barriers, can be the cause of miscommunication between patients and healthcare providers. This can lead to a variety of negative consequences, such as decreased screenings, delayed appointments and confusion or lack of adherence to cancer care plans or prevention methods.

To educate communities about when to schedule their cancer screenings and follow-up appointments, Pfizer launched a section on their patient and caregiver website This Is Living With Cancer called Get It Done. Resources on the site also provide tips and tools for helping to prepare for appointments in both English and Spanish.

Complex medical language

Sometimes miscommunication can stem from doctors’ use of complex medical language, which may be confusing to those with cancer, and can create barriers to understanding their condition or treatment options. As a result, many underserved patients, specifically those of color, report feeling dismissed by their doctors when discussing symptoms.

To help clear up the confusion, some people seek health information themselves. The This Is Living With Cancer website has additional sections and resources, including a recently published article, “Four Tips For Finding Medical Information Online,” which provides tips on how to navigate the internet for reliable and understandable information.

Ageism

Treatments for older adults are often based on data from younger people, which can make it difficult to make appropriate cancer care decisions. Having clinical trials that accurately reflect underrepresented groups like those 65 and older, as well as minority groups, can help healthcare professionals make better individualized decisions.

In addition to improved representation in clinical trials, it is important that people 65 and older have access to appropriate resources that can help them navigate the complexities of cancer care. The This Is Living With Cancer website has a dedicated section for the older community called As We Age. This section includes resources and tools that help people living with cancer understand their diagnosis and treatment options and prepare for a doctor’s appointment.

Cultural differences

Different traditions, beliefs and cultures may influence a community’s view on healthcare. For example, according to a 2017 study, cultural beliefs can influence whether Latinas decide to prolong seeking cancer care services or following up with appointments: “Almost 50% of the women who participated in the study said they believed faith in God can protect you from breast cancer.”

To address this, healthcare communities should focus on understanding cultural ideologies of others to start discussions and educate groups on the benefits of cancer screenings and follow-up appointments.

Understanding these barriers to cancer care can help us to work together to address them and improve access to quality cancer care for all.

2021-12-14T09:14:25

(BPT) – There’s nothing like the holidays — a time when everyone thinks more deeply about the people they love and how to show they care. For anyone choosing gifts for those they care most about, the best approach is to consider a timeless gift that will be enjoyed for years to come. It’s important to choose a quality gift that says just as much about the value of your relationship, as it does about the personality of the gift recipient. You can find the perfect accessory for everyone on your list by turning to one of America’s oldest and most trusted brands that has been thoughtfully gifted for generations: Timex.

Watches are considered a prized possession by many who own them, and according to Statista, revenue from watches will surpass $11 million in the U.S. in 2021. In fact, the market for watches is expected to grow about 3% annually between 2021 and 2026, reflecting the enduring and timeless appeal of this iconic accessory.

While Timex watches are striking fashion statements, their most refined, delicate and polished wristwatches are also the ultimate practical gift, as they’re built to handle everyday wear and tear and address everyone’s time-telling and fashion needs. You can find multiple watches at a wide range of price points and styles to find the best piece for everyone on your list.

Here’s how you can find the perfect gifts for the special people in your life.

For those who love the classics: First released in 1979, the original diver-inspired Q Times gave a new generation a modern Timex watch with quartz technology. The Q Timex Reissue has recreated every detail — including the true-to-the-era woven stainless-steel bracelet, functional battery hatch, rotating top ring and luminescent paint. Ticking inside is a modern quartz movement.

For fashionistas: The Waterbury Legacy Boyfriend 36mm Stainless Steel Bracelet Watch expands on the fan favorite collection with a gold-tone, stainless-steel case and bracelet with white acrylic inlay, white dial and elegantly fluted bezel, proving you don’t have to sacrifice fashion for function.

For the adventurous: Featuring a solar-powered movement that lasts up to four months and eliminates the need for battery changes, the Expedition North Field Post Solar 41mm Eco-Friendly Leather Strap Watch is a military-inspired outdoor watch made to accompany adventurers anywhere. It boasts an anti-reflective sapphire crystal and 100-meter water resistance rating. Thanks to the luminescent hands and dial markings, the sun works overtime to make this watch legible in the dark. With its comfortable brown leather strap made with eco-friendly materials and crafted to last, this watch can stay on your wrist all the way to the top.

For the minimalist: The Marlin Automatic 40mm Leather Strap Watch offers an aesthetic refresh on the iconic 1960s Marlin case. Ticking inside is a tried-and-true 21 jewel automatic movement, creating a contemporary timepiece that honors the Timex watchmaking history. Powered by your motion as you wear the watch, the movement can store a maximum 40 hours of energy. If motionless longer than 40 hours, wind the watch using the crown until you feel resistance, set it and place back on your wrist — where every motion will provide energy for the movement. True to the original Marlin design, the stainless-steel case and silver-tone dial are complemented by a classic brown leather strap, featuring leather from the S.B. Foot Tanning Company.

For the fan of all things retro: With digital analog watches coming back in a big way, the ’80s-inspired Timex T80, which comes in a variety of colors and packs a date display, stopwatch and alarm, ensures that its wearer looks great — no matter where they’re going.

Celebrate the season by making this year’s gifts to your loved ones truly memorable. Make sure to personalize the timepiece you choose by having it engraved with a meaningful date or initials. Then you can let your love for your friends and family shine through your carefully chosen, high-quality gift that reveals just how important that relationship is to you. While you’re shopping don’t forget about gifting for birthdays, weddings, graduations and all those special moments that deserve to be celebrated in style.

“We love to read the stories sent to us from consumers around the world, about how our watches have stood the test of time, and how they have been given for generations — celebrating life’s biggest moments,” said Shari Fabiani, senior vice president, Brand Marketing and Creative for Timex Group.

Find these and more gift ideas for everyone on your list — from the first-time watch owner to the life-long watch enthusiast — at Timex.com.

2021-12-14T08:01:00

(BPT) – Winter weather is just around the corner or may already have arrived. As most drivers know, it’s not always a wonderland. Snow, slush and ice can create extremely difficult driving conditions, even for the best of drivers. Not only can the roads be bad, but our vehicles can perform poorly if we fail to winterize them properly.

“Winter is the harshest time of the year for vehicles in most areas of the United States,” says Jason Fenske, car care expert and Engineering Explained YouTube channel creator. “Simple preparation tasks can go a long way toward making your car safer and helping it perform better during the winter months. Following a winterization checklist before the long-term cold settles in will save you headaches and money.”

As temperatures decrease, there are a few things you should do to ensure your vehicle is winter-weather ready. While most of these items can be done on your own, it’s always smart to rely on professional mechanics for the bigger issues.

1. Check the battery. At 32 degrees Fahrenheit, batteries lose a significant amount of power, and continue to get weaker as the temperature drops. Keep the surfaces of the battery clean and make sure all the connections are tight. If your car is a few years old, you may want to have a technician check the charging system to ensure it’s ready for the cold.

2. Check the oil. During cold winters, you need an oil that can handle low temperatures and quickly flow to critical engine parts on those icy mornings. A full synthetic oil, such as Mobil 1, is ideal for the winter months; it’s designed to flow well even in lower temperatures and is an excellent overall engine oil. For more information about Mobil 1, the world’s leading brand of synthetic motor oil, go to www.mobil1.us. To expand your options for getting an oil change, the Mobil 1 brand recently announced a multi-year partnership with YourMechanic.com, the leading mobile car repair network, which operates in more than 3,000 U.S. cities. If you’d like to make an appointment for a mechanic to perform a Mobil 1 oil change in your own driveway or garage, visit YourMechanic.com to schedule an appointment.

3. Check the antifreeze. The level and freshness of your vehicle’s antifreeze is crucial during the winter. It protects the engine from freezing as well as from rust and corrosion damage. Make sure the engine and coolant system are cool before you begin checking; opening a hot radiator is dangerous. If the antifreeze is low, add a 50/50 mix of approved antifreeze and distilled water.

4. Check the tires. Cool air is less dense, taking up less space in your tire and diminishing tire pressure. Make sure your tires are inflated properly. Too little pressure will amplify tread wear and intensify your fuel consumption; too much pressure can decrease traction, especially in wintry conditions. Check the side of your tire or owner’s manual for proper pressure setting. As with any season, make sure you also inspect your treads and replace any tires that look worn.

5. Check the wiper blades. Most windshield wiper blades are only good for a year. Check and clean the wiper blades. If the wipers are worn and smudge the windshield, they need to be replaced; frost or freezing rain mixed with worn wipers is a dangerous combination.

6. Crank up the heat. Don’t wait until the first time you need to warm up to turn on your heater and defroster. At that point, if the system isn’t working, it’s too late. “Exercise all the heater and defrost settings before winter weather strikes to make sure that they are working properly and address any problems immediately,” said Fenske. “The comfort of you and your passengers depends on it.”

7. Stock the car with “winter” items. Be smart and prepare ahead of time for unexpected problems. Be sure the following items are stocked in your trunk, especially if you live in an area that frequently experiences winter storms: ice scraper to clear the windows, tire chains if your area regularly sees heavy snowfall, battery jumper cables, first-aid kit, small shovel, blankets, gloves, snacks and a bag of salt or sand to add weight and improve traction.

“In addition to performing these winter preparation tips, you should always drive carefully during the winter, especially when there’s snow or ice on the ground,” says Fenske. “Being cautious and doing simple maintenance will keep you and your vehicle safe and stress-free.”

For more information on Mobil 1 motor oil and how it can help your engine run better and longer, visit www.mobil1.us.