Month: January 2022

2022-01-19T23:01:00

(BPT) – Paid Content by Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc.

While there are many ways to set your kids up for a successful future, money in the bank is one of the most powerful financial tools you can pass along. Every dollar you save or invest can help your child create a productive and stable foundation for many years to come.

When it comes to saving for your kids, the sooner the better. Building up funds now can ensure kids will have less to worry about as they get older and can open up more financial opportunities.

To help you get started, consider these several ways to save wisely for your kids.

1. Open a college savings account

If higher education is in your child’s future, consider a 529 savings plan. This is a tax-advantaged investment plan that can be opened as soon as your child is born. The money grows tax free and can be withdrawn without taxes. There are two types of 529 plans: prepaid tuition and education savings. Prepaid tuition plans can purchase credits at a participating university and lock in current tuition costs. An education savings plan is an investment account where funds are designated for qualified college expenses. Be sure to consult a tax advisor to assist with your specific circumstances as this is only intended to provide general information.

2. Invest in a home

Purchasing a home can be one of the most secure and highest-return investments you can make for your children, especially in today’s housing market. A home can be passed down through generations or sold when the value has increased.

If you’re looking to invest in a home for your children, consider manufactured housing. Manufactured homes attached to a permanent foundation appreciate at an average rate of 3.4%, while traditional homes appreciate at an average rate of 3.8%. So, while manufactured homes may not appreciate at the exact same rate, they’re pretty close! Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance can help you finance manufactured housing with their newly improved loan process, which allows you to apply online and track your progress digitally. Vanderbilt’s Home Loan Guide offers more ideas on how to budget and prepare for buying a home.

3. Use Roth IRA contributions

If you have a Roth IRA account, you can use some of the funds to pay for qualifying education expenses. If your account is at least five years old, you can withdraw up to your original contribution amount. Be sure to consult a tax advisor to assist with your specific circumstances.

4. Allow kids to use debit cards

Consider teaching your kids money management skills early on by allowing them to use a debit card co-owned by you. If you have teenagers who earn an income, this is a great tool for learning how to deposit checks, set aside money for savings and more.

5. Open a high-yield savings account

A high-yield savings account can be a great place to stash birthday and holiday gift money over the years and watch it continue to grow. This type of account can typically be co-owned and managed by parents until your child is responsible enough to manage it on their own.

6. Set aside money in a trust fund

Putting money for your kids in a trust doesn’t have the same tax benefits as a 529 plan, but it does pose some important benefits. Trust accounts allow you as parents to create exact rules around how you want the funds dispersed to your children. For example, you can give the money in a series of installments or request that it be used only toward tuition.

Whether you’re thinking about your child’s education or simply want to set aside funds for when they reach a certain age, plan ahead and consider these tips and options for reaching your goals.

2022-01-19T11:01:00

(BPT) – Enterprise Ireland, the Irish State agency that partners with businesses to develop Ireland’s international trade and innovation, announces their end-of-year results highlighting how Ireland’s highly innovative base of exporting companies has thrived despite the challenges of the pandemic. With the help of Enterprise Ireland, Irish companies won 1,375 contracts internationally, allowing them to grow in international markets, including the United States.

One of the ways this was done was through a record €61.6m ($70m) funding to help 341 COVID-19 impacted companies grow despite the challenges of 2021. Understanding the ever-changing corporate landscape, the agency also announced its 2022-2024 strategy, Leading in a Changing World to accelerate the development of world-class Irish companies to achieve leading positions in global markets. This strategy will serve to further the innovative work facilitated through Enterprise Ireland’s supports, ensuring the trade and innovation agency continues to lead in the development and transformation of business.

According to data accumulated by The Economist comparing the economic growth of 23 OECD countries, Ireland’s GDP growth between Q4 2019 and Q3 2021 was 22.3%, more than double the next highest. With drivers such as climate change, the acceleration of digital transformation across industries, and changing trends in globalization, Enterprise Ireland recognizes that it’s critical that governments strengthen indigenous enterprise with a global mindset.

These drivers resulted in three transformational imperatives for business development: climate action, digitalization, and innovation. To ensure action on these imperatives, the agency highlighted five key strategic ambitions in their new strategy with a vision to create solutions for global challenges, delivering sustainable prosperity:

• Export-focused Irish enterprises delivering growth across all regions
• Ireland as a world-leading location to start and scale a business
• Irish enterprises achieving competitive advantage through customer-led innovation and digitalization
• Irish enterprises leading globally on sustainability and achieving climate action targets
• Enterprise Ireland providing world-leading service to the companies it supports

At their core, these objectives aim to boost the productivity of established businesses and connect enterprises with innovation opportunities globally to maximize their growth and job creation potential. This will be done through an expansion of Enterprise Ireland’s funding, advisory and capability building supports to maximize their productivity and competitiveness.

Over 110,000 people are now employed by Irish-owned companies in the United States. Of these, over 900 Enterprise Ireland supported companies operating in the United States directly employ more than 87,000 people in the United States. This support has continued to grow throughout the pandemic with over 120 Irish companies establishing presences in the United States since January 2020.

“The work and skills necessary to succeed in the next decade are different from those today,” mentions Sean Davis, Regional Director of North America for Enterprise Ireland. “This presents us with an increased opportunity to collaborate with companies globally. The longstanding relationship between Ireland and the United States has never been stronger as evident in Ireland ranking 9th in Foreign Direct Investment contributors to the United States economy. Our new strategy ensures that these partnerships are at the forefront of business decisions throughout their entire growth cycle.”

This global mindset is critical to the new strategy with one of the key goals: increase and diversify exports by continuing to strengthen Enterprise Ireland’s network of 40 international offices with key market advisors that understand their local business community needs in order to expand market reach, accelerate diversification, and deliver sustainable export growth.

To learn more about Enterprise Ireland’s work and how to partner with them, go to: https://irishadvantage.us/.

About Enterprise Ireland: Enterprise Ireland is the Irish State agency that works with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate and win export sales in global markets. Enterprise Ireland partners with entrepreneurs, Irish businesses, and the research and investment communities to develop Ireland’s international trade, innovation, leadership, and competitiveness.

2022-01-19T13:01:00

(BPT) – The new year always seems to get people thinking about change. People make New Year’s resolutions to revamp their diet or exercise routine. Some people decide to learn a new skill or hobby. Others just want a change of scenery. The start of the new year is also a perfect time to refresh your home.

Spending the winter months indoors with many cooped up with their pets, living spaces can quickly lose their luster. There are plenty of ways, however, to revamp your home over winter months and the good news is you don’t have to spend a lot of time or money to do it. Here are five ways to give your home a fresh start this new year.

Update your living space

If you’re ready for a new look, adding some throw pillows is the best way to elevate your home’s décor. Yes, they are soft and comfortable but, they aren’t just fluff. By adding throw pillows in various sizes and incorporating new colors, you’ll be amazed how it transforms your living room into a cozy oasis for your human and furry family.

Freshen the air

Adding a fresh scent to your indoor air provides a welcoming atmosphere. There are multiple ways to give yourself and your family a breath of fresh air. Try simmer pots with seasonal scents, candles or diffusers, and carpet deodorizer made from baking soda and essential oils, especially if you have pets. Cat owners, in particular, who are looking to maintain freshness while spending less time maintaining the litter box can turn to new Fresh Step Outstretch. The cat litter lasts 50 percent longer and offers superior odor control with Febreze freshness and 6x activated carbon**, allowing you to change the litter box less often.*

Bring the Outdoors In

Houseplants are another excellent way to breathe life into your surroundings. Plants placed throughout the home can brighten and energize a room. There are varieties of plants that need a ton of sun, while others prefer shade or there are 50/50 mixes. So, seek varieties that work with your aesthetic, lighting and space. In your quest to find the perfect plant, don’t overlook the planter. Go bold with patterns or colors to liven up a bland space that could use a punch of pizazz.

Accent walls

A fresh coat of paint can completely change the look of your home and freshen up dated living spaces. Choose a complementary or accent color to go on one wall with neutral colors on the other walls to perk up a room. Don’t want to paint? Easy-to-apply, removable wallpaper comes in a variety of colors, textures and patterns. Get creative with patterns and designs from jungle scenes to floral to geometric or retro. The best part is that you can remove it easily when you no longer enjoy it.

So, add a home refresh to your New Year’s resolution list and use those winter months wisely to refresh your home with a brighter, airier outlook.

Certain trademarks used under license from The Procter & Gamble Company or its affiliates.
*vs. Leading Competitor based on estimated usage
**vs. Fresh Step Multicat

2022-01-19T15:07:00

(BPT) – COVID-19 has hit some communities very hard. That has put new attention on a long-term problem in the United States — health disparities.

Health disparities are differences in health that harm disadvantaged communities. Understanding what causes these differences is key to addressing them. DNA alone does not explain the big differences in people’s health. Researchers are looking closely at other variables that affect health. These factors include social determinants of health, such as income and environment; access to health care, healthy foods and educational opportunities; and discrimination.

When researchers look for answers on how social factors affect health, the data is often missing, incomplete or does not include enough people or diversity. In other cases, information about social factors may be available, but it is kept separate from health data. That can keep researchers from seeing the big picture.

The NIH’s All of Us Research Program is working to sign up one million participants. The goal is to build one of the largest, most diverse research databases to create a detailed picture of health to help speed biomedical research breakthroughs.

The program brings together information about people’s biology, environment and life circumstances. This unique blend of data, contributed by All of Us participants, can help researchers learn more about why people develop certain conditions, the effect of different treatments, and how social factors affect health.

Martin Mendoza, PhD, the program’s director of health equity, explains that many factors can affect our health, but without data that is both inclusive and diverse, it can be nearly impossible to see patterns and common threads.

“When researchers can access the data they need, it’s like finding a treasure trove of keys,” said Dr. Mendoza. “The data can help lead researchers to unlock new ways to improve people’s health.”

The NIH program is working to tackle one of the biggest obstacles in eliminating health disparities: many minoritized and underserved communities have been left out of research in the past, leaving a gap in understanding of what makes people — and their health needs — unique.

“As a breast cancer survivor and black woman, it’s not ok that people like me are more likely to die from our disease than others. We’ve been invisible to researchers for too long,” said Joyce Brown, an All of Us Participant Ambassador. “This program has given me the chance to potentially improve the health of future generations, but that can only happen if we all come to the table.”

Participants like Brown are having an impact. So far, more than 435,000 adults have joined the program, more than 300,000 of whom have completed all the initial steps of the program, including answering surveys, allowing access to electronic health records, and sharing biosamples. About 80% come from communities that have been historically underrepresented in biomedical research, which includes racial and ethnic groups who comprise about 50% of program participants.

“COVID-19 brings renewed urgency, but the need to solve the underlying causes of health disparities that exist in cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and most other disease areas isn’t new,” said Dr. Mendoza. “The people who choose to join us in this historic effort and participate in the All of Us Research Program are essential partners in opening the door to a better future, in their own health, and the health of their families, friends and community.”

People interested in learning more about enrolling can visit allofus.health/mat.

2022-01-18T08:21:00

(BPT) – Now is the perfect time to reflect on past resolutions and establish goals that will help you kick off the new year right. Maybe you want to travel, read more books, learn a new skill or take up a new hobby. Whatever resolutions you set, it’s important to create life-long habits to support your goals and overall wellness.

Not sure where to start? Registered dietitian Dalina Soto has three simple tips to set yourself up for success in 2022.

1. Prioritize self-care

You don’t have to be sitting in a bubble bath to practice self-care. It’s all about finding moments to relax, refresh and enjoy the things you love. If you’re an early bird, try taking your morning coffee outdoors or make a cozy spot in your home to write, meditate or read. If you’re more of a night owl, carve out time before bed to recharge and reset. Whatever you decide to do, make sure it’s something that rejuvenates you so you can tackle the rest of the day as your best self.

2. Get moving

Instead of making a resolution to go to the gym three times a week, think about how you can incorporate physical activity into your daily life through smaller steps that are easier to keep up with. Maybe every hour, you get up and take a walk around the office or do a few stretches at your desk. Perhaps you’ll start your day with a 10-minute yoga session or invite your friends to go on a lunch walk. All these movements add up and will help improve your mood, promote better sleep and even give you more energy to accomplish your other goals.

3. Fuel up on wholesome nutrition

Getting enough key nutrients at every meal is essential to your physical and mental health. When you’re properly fueled, you can better concentrate on your goals and how to achieve them. Instead of starting the new year with a restrictive diet, think of ways you can add wholesome, nutritious ingredients to your recipes.

“It’s important to give your body the best fuel possible, and there are many foods that are likely already in your diet that can provide what your body needs,” says Soto. “Eggland’s Best eggs, for example, contain superior nutrition such as six times more vitamin D, more than double the Omega-3s, 10 times more vitamin E and 25% less saturated fat compared to ordinary eggs, making them the perfect ingredient to add to any of your go-to recipes in the new year.”

Are you looking for a delicious recipe to help fuel your body throughout the day? Check out this recipe that packs a nutritious and filling punch with chicken and Eggland’s Best eggs.

Chicken vegetable bowl

Prep time: 25 minutes; Cook time: 25 minutes; Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

Chicken

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast or tenders

1/4 cup olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced or grated

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

Rice and peppers

4 Eggland’s Best Hard-Cooked Peeled Eggs, sliced

1 1/2 cups brown rice

3 cups chicken broth

2 peppers, sliced in strips

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. In large bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, onion powder, pepper and smoked paprika. Add chicken and toss well. Cover and place in fridge.

2. Add chicken broth to medium-size pot, bring to boil, then add the rice. Stir and place lid on pot and turn heat down to low. Allow rice to cook until all the water is gone and rice is no longer hard, about 30 minutes.

3. While rice is cooking, heat two skillets to medium-high heat.

4. Place peppers in zip-top bag and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Seal and shake well to coat.

5. In skillet, sauté chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, flipping a couple of times until cooked through.

6. While chicken is cooking, cook peppers for about 5 minutes, flipping once or twice in another skillet.

7. Remove everything and let cool for 5 minutes. Once cool, dice chicken into cubes.

8. To assemble, divide rice among four bowls. Top each with equal amounts of chicken, pepper and Eggland’s Best Hard-Cooked Peeled Eggs slices.

9. Garnish with shredded cheese and enjoy!