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4 ways to lower homeowners insurance premiums

2022-09-27T11:57:00

(BPT) – Getting the best price on home insurance, without sacrificing the quality of coverage, may be easier with a basic understanding of how insurance companies calculate your premium.

“Many different variables factor in when calculating premiums,” says Bob Hertel, product development director with Acuity Insurance. “Some pricing variables are within the policyholder’s control, and some are not — such as your age, age of your home and its location.”

But there are at least four factors that customers can influence that contribute to home insurance premium calculations. Here’s what they are and how to make sure they add up to the lowest possible price:

1) Roof quality. Both the age and type of roofing material affect your premium. Customers should notify their agent when making upgrades to their roof. When a home gets a new roof, some insurance companies will reduce the premium, and some companies will pay more for roof replacement in the event of a future claim.

“Homeowners’ premiums are typically discounted when a roof is built with tile, slate, metal or hail-resistant roofing materials,” Hertel says. “These roof surfaces are more durable than asphalt/fiberglass/composition materials, making them less susceptible to wind, hail and fire damage.”

Asphalt/fiberglass/composition shingles are very popular in most parts of the country. This type of shingle typically has an expected life of 12 to 30 years, depending on quality of materials and installation. Hertel adds that it’s important to frequently check your roof for shingles that appear to be cracked, curled or loose.

“As shingles weaken, water can seep into the home, potentially causing major structural damage,” Hertel says. “A professional roofing company is most qualified to determine if repair or replacement is recommended.”

2) Credit. Most insurers in most states reward favorable credit scores with lower premiums. The insurance industry has found a strong correlation between responsible use of credit and claims activity. A poor credit score need not result in a permanent pricing penalty. Insurance companies typically order score updates at renewal and will discount premiums when credit scores improve.

3) Deductible. You might choose to increase your policy deductible to reduce your annual premium payment. Hertel only recommends increasing your deductible if you’re comfortable paying that amount out of pocket when a home claim occurs.

4) Bundle. Most insurance companies discount home and auto insurance premiums when they’re bundled.

“Beyond the bundle discount, some insurers also provide a single deductible feature,” Hertel says. “If one’s home and auto are damaged in the same storm, the customer is responsible for paying only one deductible.”

There are other cost-saving measures that could further reduce premiums, but Hertel recommends avoiding these actions:

1) Dwelling limit reductions. Policyholders can reduce their dwelling limit — the maximum amount that an insurance company will pay to rebuild a home to cut costs — but Hertel warns against this approach.

“High dwelling limits help protect your financial well-being in the event you need to rebuild your home,” Hertel says. “Given the high costs of building materials and skilled labor, rebuilding your home today can be very costly. If you reduce your dwelling limit, you could be on the hook for any reconstruction costs that exceed your policy limit.”

2) Liability coverage. Included with each homeowners policy, liability coverage can be written at high limits for a low price. High limits are recommended to protect your finances in case you are sued for injury to another.

3) Eliminating optional coverages. This may be another enticing approach to lower insurance costs, but doing so can have a significant impact on what the insurance company will pay following a claim.

For example, in the event of a total loss, guaranteed replacement cost coverage ensures the insurer will pay to rebuild the same home at the same location, no matter the cost. In cases of widespread disaster — when labor and materials are in peak demand — this coverage protects you from potentially large out-of-pocket reconstruction costs.

“Insurance shopping advice often focuses on finding the cheapest price,” Hertel says. “But finding the cheapest insurance can often leave you with unintended coverage gaps. Independent insurance agents are available to help customers find the right coverages, limits and discounts to meet their needs, and can also provide important support in the event of a claim.”

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How Your Favorite Tech Firms Are Helping Create a Better Life for All

2022-09-27T11:57:00

(BPT) – The global drive to achieve greater sustainability and create a more inclusive society continues to bring dynamic change to the business sphere, including the consumer tech industry.

Today we examine various ways that tech firms are harnessing the power of innovation to make a real difference for people, the planet and the future.

Broadening the Customer Approach

In a recent UK survey of adults living with physical or sensory disabilities, only 1 percent of all respondents said that smart home devices are always designed with accessibility in mind, showing that, despite the continuous improvement, “inclusive technology” still has a long way to go.

While tech products have the potential to improve everyday life, the companies that make them must recognize that not all users can interact with technology in the same way. Acutely aware of this fact, many companies now incorporate accessibility features in a variety of products, such as voice recognition and voice guides on various LG home appliances and consumer electronics products. Accessibility features range from those that increase usability for visually impaired and hard-of-hearing people to those that benefit users coping with physical limitations. Efforts in this area are ongoing and constantly evolving. For example, LG Electronics plans to introduce accessibility features and universal design taking all users in mind to all of its product lines by 2025.

Listening to What They’re Saying

In order to design tech that’s suitable for a wider spectrum of consumers, it’s essential that real people – representing diverse ages, abilities and lifestyles – be actively involved in the conversation.

Leading manufacturers today are working closely with all kinds of consumers, listening to their opinions and concerns to make products and services more inclusive and accessible. Some like LG have formed accessibility advisory groups composed of people with disabilities, as well as experts in the field of accessibility, to identify the pain points that can arise for differently-abled users when operating home appliances. Braille stickers and voice manuals for LG washing machines exemplify how tech companies carry out various activities to improve the accessibility-related functions and design of products while continuously communicating with these consumers.

Spreading and Strengthening Sustainability

Bigger tech companies are leveraging their reach and resources to spread the important message of inclusion and sustainability, while supporting up-and-coming innovators pursuing tech for the greater good.

A new platform called the “Life’s Good Award” does both of these things. This $1 million innovation challenge calls on innovators worldwide to step forward with their ideas for innovative solutions that can help the environment (Innovation for the Planet) or will enrich everyday life through optimizing safety, usability and accessibility (Innovation for People). LG supports the first, second and third-place winners with USD $700,000, $200,000, and $100,000 in prize money respectively. The company has also joined hands with renowned scholars and institutions to ensure all submissions are judged with the expertise and attention they deserve. Those who share the passion for innovation and desire to create a better life for all are invited to enter the award (nominations are due by Oct. 10).

Endorsing Solutions for the Future

Innovators in North America and around the world who are creating accessible, socially impactful solutions that push the envelope of the technologically advanced lifestyle.

To accelerate and amplify these activities, tech companies are establishing incubation programs. Such innovation centers are focused on catalyzing solutions that improve accessibility, mobility, usability and connectivity – for home, work, school and life, as well as ideas and approaches for a more sustainable lifestyle with carbon reduction and renewable energy. These programs will help startups and entrepreneurs fuel new ideas to build a better future and ultimately, better quality of life for all.

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7 Things Everyone Should Know About Hereditary Cancer

2022-09-26T08:01:00

(BPT) – People go to great lengths to reduce their odds of getting cancer. Many of us wear sunscreen, avoid processed foods, have regular checkups and eat organic produce, but what if your risk is hereditary rather than environmental? Read on to learn more about hereditary cancer and what you can do to learn about and manage your risk.

1. More than 10% of cancers are caused by inherited mutations in specific genes.

News stories about Angelina Jolie and other celebrities have made people aware that mutations in one of the BRCA genes can cause breast and ovarian cancer, but that’s not the whole story. Mutations in other genes can cause a condition known as Lynch syndrome which leads to a very high risk for colorectal, endometrial and other cancers. Although fewer people are aware of Lynch syndrome mutations, they are actually even more common than BRCA mutations. Inherited mutations in many other genes are also linked to an increased risk for breast, colorectal, endometrial, pancreatic, prostate, skin and other cancers.

2. Up to 90% of people are unaware that they have a genetic mutation that increases their cancer risk.

Most people have no idea that they are predisposed to cancer until they — or a close family member — receive a cancer diagnosis that leads them to have genetic testing. People who know about their mutation before a cancer diagnosis can take steps to protect their health, reduce their odds of developing certain cancers or increase their chance of catching cancer at an early, more treatable stage. If you’re wondering whether you should be tested for an inherited predisposition to cancer, this quiz is a good place to start.

3. Being aware of your cancer risk can save your life.

Some people shrug off the idea of genetic testing, believing if they test positive for a mutation there’s nothing they can do about it — but that’s not the case. A number of prevention and screening options are available to reduce the risk of getting cancer or increase the odds of catching it early before it spreads. Those who know they’re at high risk can also schedule more frequent cancer screenings.

4. Hereditary cancer affects men, too.

Men are just as likely as women to inherit (or pass on) a genetic mutation that increases cancer risk. Depending on the gene, mutations can increase the risk for a variety of male cancers, including prostate, pancreatic, breast and colorectal.

5. Hereditary cancer can affect people of any ethnicity. Disparities exist in access to care.

While white celebrities including Angelina Jolie, Christina Applegate, Kelly Osbourne and Chris Evert have received significant media attention about their BRCA mutations, people of all backgrounds can inherit genetic mutations that predispose them to cancer. For example, studies have shown that Black and white women inherit genetic mutations associated with breast cancer at the same rates, yet Black women are much less likely to receive genetic counseling and testing, due in part to differences in physician recommendations and access to care. Later-stage diagnoses and higher mortality rates are also common among Black women, who are 40% more likely to die of breast cancer than white women.

6. New medications can target hereditary cancer.

If someone’s cancer stems from a genetic mutation, they may have better odds of beating it thanks to drugs called PARP inhibitors, which were recently approved by the FDA. Initially developed to treat cancers in people with inherited BRCA mutations, PARP inhibitors are currently approved to treat select cases of breast, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate cancer. A type of immunotherapy known as immune checkpoint inhibitors is used to treat cancers in people with Lynch syndrome.

7. Support is available for people diagnosed with hereditary cancer and those at high risk.

No one wants to discover that they’re at increased risk for hereditary cancer, but it’s not something you need to face alone. Organizations like Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE) have annual conferences, local support groups, peer-to-peer networks and many other resources to help people learn about their specific mutation and its cancer risks.

Want to learn more about hereditary cancer? Visit FORCE’s website or grab a copy of Living with Hereditary Cancer Risk, a comprehensive guide on hereditary cancers that covers risk, prevention, genetic counseling and testing, treatment, quality of life and more. You can also stay up to date on the latest research and what it means for you by reading FORCE’s XRAY reviews. XRAY looks behind the cancer headlines to deliver balanced information in plain language.

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America Manages Risks Differently After Pandemic

2022-09-27T12:05:00

(BPT) – Over the last two years, Americans’ resolve was tested by an onslaught of stressful events that changed how people navigate risks and what they are doing to protect their finances and health. However, not everyone reacted the same.

According to a new survey on risk, sponsored by Aflac, nearly half of Americans identified themselves as “risk-takers,” with a much higher inclination than everyone else to act now on opportunities to improve their state in life.

In fact, more than half of self-identified “risk-takers” said they are now somewhat or very likely to quit their jobs and start a business. Surprisingly, risk-takers are also willing to take steps to mitigate risk. For example, 56% of risk-takers see the cost of an unexpected medical emergency as a high risk to their financial well-being, and compared to those who call themselves “absolutely not risk-takers,” “absolute risk-takers” are nearly five times more likely to increase their health coverage due to the economy.

“The last two years have awakened an entrepreneurial spirit among Americans, particularly those who self-identify as ‘risk-takers,’” said Jeramy Tipton, Aflac Senior Vice President of Distribution Expansion and Consumer Markets. “But with this new spirit comes new challenges, including how these independent people will gain access to health insurance. That’s why companies like Aflac are advancing their consumer direct programs providing online purchasing power.”

With healthcare costs rising and the economy uncertain, almost half of Americans are concerned that the cost of future healthcare is a significant risk. One of the biggest concerns today is mental health. Unfortunately, mental healthcare services appear to be a luxury not everyone can afford yet.

Overall, 57% of Americans with annual incomes over $150,000 indicated that “proactively managing risks to your and your family’s mental health” has grown in importance over the last couple of years. Comparatively, only 40% of Americans who make $35,000 or less each year feel the importance of managing their mental health has grown in that span.

While 82% of Americans feel mental health is as important as physical health1, one in four Americans still has to choose between getting mental health treatment and paying for daily necessities.2

For some, a greater focus on mental health has come along with a reassessment of career goals and job satisfaction.

“After a major pandemic, economic challenges, social justice anxieties and political unrest, Americans are reassessing their approach to mental health, seeing it as a greater risk to themselves and their families than it was prior to just two years ago,” said Bob Ruff, Aflac Senior Vice President of Group Voluntary Benefits. Aflac has a long history of supporting healthcare research and a culture of care to help ease financial burdens on patients and their families when unexpected medical costs arise and has recently introduced new products that address mental health issues. “How people manage these risks has a lot to do with their income and education, showcasing the real likelihood of a healthcare gap for mental illness that must be addressed,” Ruff added.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, 21%, or nearly 53 million U.S. adults, experienced mental illness in 2020, and 46% of adults with mental illness received treatment. Serious mental illness causes $193.2 billion in lost earnings each year.3

When it comes to managing financial risks, nearly all Americans (91%) are reducing household spending in the face of high inflation, according to the survey. However, some also see this as a moment of opportunity. In fact, 27% of those surveyed are actually increasing investments. Their top choices? 1) The stock market, 2) retirement accounts and 3) cryptocurrency. One thing remains clear, however, and that is perceptions of risk have changed and will likely continue to change.

See complete survey results at https://surveyresults.aflac.com/.

1 Source: Cleveland Clinic study, 2021.

2 Cohen Veterans Network and National Council for Behavior Health study, 2018.

3 Source: National Alliance on Mental Health (2022). Mental Health Stats. Accessed July 20, 2022, from https://www.nami.org/mhstats.

Z2200882 Exp. 8/23

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Simple steps to reduce food waste and protect the planet

2022-09-27T11:57:00

(BPT) – Everyone experiences food waste, but the problem is much bigger than your kids not cleaning their plate or a few strawberries going bad in the fridge. In fact, one-third of all food produced globally never gets consumed, according to United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

More than just the loss of food that could have nourished people around the world, that waste produces a significant carbon footprint — an alarming 8% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide can be attributed to food waste. This makes food waste a complex problem that not only impacts human wellness, but the wellness of the planet, too.

“To put the impact of food waste into perspective a bit, if food waste were a country, it would be the third most significant emitter of greenhouse gas emissions globally. That is why tackling food waste is an integral part of addressing climate change,” said Seth Teply, President and CEO, Tetra Pak, U.S. and Canada.

Food waste in the United States

Food waste in the U.S. in particular is concerning. Many people won’t buy or consume any foods that look less than perfect, including dented packages or blemished produce. Furthermore, there are no uniform descriptions for U.S. food label dating, which causes misunderstanding. This confusion compounds because food dating methods can also vary by state and even from company to company.

Do you know the difference between “use by,” “best before” and so on? According to the United States Food and Drug Administration, examples of commonly used phrases found on food include:

  • “Best if Used By/Before” date indicates when a product will be of best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.
  • “Sell-By” date tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. It is not a safety date.
  • “Use-By” date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. With the exception of some items, such as infant formula, it is not a safety date.
  • “Freeze-By” date indicates when a product should be frozen to maintain peak quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.

How to prevent food waste

“When food is wasted, it is important to also consider the many resources, such as labor, transportation, water, etc., that were expended in the supply chain to get the product onto the shelf and into consumers’ homes,” explained Teply. “So, beyond food, these resources were wasted as well.”

Every effort counts, and you can make a big difference in your own home. Here are some simple ways you can help reduce food waste, so you can feel good about your impact on the planet and might save some money, too.

Avoid excess: Plan meals, make shopping lists and avoid impulse buys.

Understand the impact of your package: Food packaging plays a key role in keeping food safe and preventing spoilage. But, not all packages are created equally. Food and beverage cartons are a great choice because they are recyclable and they are made primarily from plant-based materials, which are better for the environment because they can be replenished over time and enable a move away from fossil fuel-based materials.

Understand labels: Know how foods are labeled so you can buy smart and avoid misunderstanding.

Embrace the ugly: Strange shapes or a few bruises don’t change the flavor. When fruit matures, such as spotted bananas, use for baking or smoothies.

Store food strategically: Know the right way to store fresh foods to make them last. For shelf staples, move new items to the back of cupboards so ones that expire sooner are up front.

Select shelf-stable packaging: Stock up on goods that can be stored in the cupboard, such as Tetra Pak® cartons that use heat treatment rather than additives or preservatives to allow for products to stay good on the shelf and safe to consume for long periods of time with no refrigeration required before opening.

Love leftovers: Whether at a restaurant or at home, package leftovers to eat another day or to use as an ingredient in another meal.

Compost: Rather than throw food away, consider composting. Many communities have programs to help you get started.

Share: If you have food that is expiring soon, share it by contacting your local food pantry or even asking friends and neighbors if they can put it to good use.

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AWS Announces 25 Startups Selected for AWS Impact Accelerator for Women Founders

2022-09-27T14:01:00

(BPT) – As part of its continued $30 million commitment to provide underrepresented founders with the resources, capital and community they need to level the startup playing field, Amazon Web Services (AWS) is welcoming a cohort of 25 women founders to its AWS Impact Accelerator program.

The new cohort members were selected from a competitive field of over 1,000 applicants, and chosen by a diverse committee of AWS startup experts based on the strength of their idea, technical readiness and an extensive application and interview process. AWS will be providing them with the support they need to accelerate their businesses and narrow the gender funding gap of the startup world.

Meet the 25 startups and their women founders who will be accelerating their businesses through the AWS Impact Accelerator Program:

Industry: Education

Dreami | Founder: Ashima Sharma | Location: California

Dreami powers mentorship-driven workforce development programs for Educational, Non-Profit, Government organizations. The platform streamlines mentor-mentee matching, scheduling, training and tracking, to create high-impact opportunities for work-ready candidates.

LocalCivics | Founder: Beverly Leon | Location: New York

Local Civics enables K-12 students and educators to build civic engagement and community leadership skills through a game-based digital learning platform. It teaches young people about authority and how to harness their unique gifts to empower themselves and their communities.

TeeRead | Founding Team: Trinidad Bensusan Millé & Gabriele Battiato | Location: Florida

TeeRead is a platform for parents and teachers that uses AI speech recognition to make reading intervention scalable. The platform automatically diagnoses students’ reading levels, pinpoints reading issues and curates content based on a student’s ability.

Industry: Financial Services

Miren | Founder: Gabriela Campoverde | Location: New York

Miren provides community development financial institutions (CDFIs) and non-profit small business foundations with software that helps them engage with communities and mission-driven startups to distribute beneficial capital to some of the nation’s most underserved neighborhoods.

Totem | Founder: Amber Buker | Location: Oklahoma

Totem was founded and funded by Native Americans to create pathways to financial inclusion fo rIndigenous people through digital banking. Totem partners with sovereign tribal governments to provide relevant financial products and education, and to make tribal benefits more accessible.

Walkthrough | Founder: Megan Valentine | Location: Pennsylvania

Walkthrough gives users access to personalized financial advice to help them on their financial journey. The app incorporates behavioral science and gamification to keep members encouraged and motivated as they make decisions about investing, spending, wealth management and more.

Industry: Gaming

rrecess | Founder: Bee Law | Location: Oklahoma

rrecess is a timed social game with friends and “friends of friends.” The app connects people through shared interests and randoms, bringing them together at specific times of the day for meaningful interactions. rrecess represents a community-driven solution to social media fatigue.

Industry: Government

Cleare | Founding Team: Tisia Saffold & Ian Kiku | Location: Virginia

The childcare industry is at the forefront of our economy; however, 80% of daycares today operate without a viable tech solution. Cleare is compliance software for home and center daycares that streamlines the licensing inspection process and digitizes document collection.

Industry: Healthcare

EmpiricaLab | Founder: Norma Padron | Location: Texas

EmpiricaLab is a collaborative knowledge-sharing platform that enables peer-based training for healthcare teams. The platform connects team members with customized, relevant training content, empowering them to set, work toward and achieve goals in a professional setting.

Euphoria | Founder: Kate Anthony | Location: Colorado

Euphoria helps transgender individuals navigate the arduous process of gender transition through a combination of four unique apps. Solace is a healthcare navigator app; Bliss helps financially plan for transition; Clarity is a sense-of-self tracker; and Devotion is a daily affirmations app.

Nessle | Founder: Carly Buxton | Location: Virginia

The Nessle platform helps new and expectant parents connect with perinatal experts nationwide. Through a highly-filterable, responsive web platform, parents can search, find and pay for virtual and in-person support from trained experts across the full spectrum of parenting concerns.

RxPlace | Founding Team: Patty Bollenbach & Franklin Williams | Location: California

RxPlace digitizes the process of medication procurement, while bringing transparency and efficiency to prescription fulfillment. RxPlace delivers a frictionless purchasing experience for pharmacists, so they can focus on clinical responsibilities and spend more time with patients.

Industry: Human Resources/Talent Acquisition

Culturora | Founder: Jody Madala | Location: Pennsylvania

Culturora is a networking platform that helps companies build a more inclusive workplace culture, to attract and retain top talent. The app engages employees and encourages them to participate in purposeful conversations using video technology and conversation prompts.

DIVERSD | Founding Team: Jennifer Williams & Jared Alessandroni | Location: New York

DIVERSD is an AI-driven approach to shaping Human Resources around the concerns of overlooked groups. A “CDO in a box,” DIVERSD offers a bot interface for nonjudgmental HR interactions, pattern detection to subvert marginalization and integrations to preserve anonymity.

Matchplicity | Founding Team: Lauren Burke Silva, Jovan Silva, Lori Burke, Zita Steglich-Ross | Location: Washington, D.C.

Matchplicity is decentralizing recruitment platforms by empowering niche, community-based organizations to mobilize their professional populations. The platform connects the most qualified candidates directly to hiring companies through an AI-powered matchmaking platform.

Industry: Media & Entertainment

ForUsApps | Founding Team: Saniya Shah & Omer Winrauke| Location: New Hampshire

ForUsApps gives content creators next-gen AI-powered tools to support startups and side-hustles. The company’s collection of technologies is accessible, practical and, most importantly, easy to use by creators and businesses as they seek to scale their social media presence.

Industry: Professional Services

Call Emmy | Founder: Arezou Zarafshan | Location: Colorado

Call Emmy is a non-demand marketplace that connects hyperlocal, qualified household and childcare service providers to families. The company seeks to solve some of the most persistent daily challenges working families face, while prioritizing accessibility, convenience and safety.

Clyn | Founder: Diana Muturia | Location: Arizona

Clyn is a SaaS-enabled marketplace platform for home upkeep and cleaning services. By combining a marketplace model and SaaS tools, Clyn helps service providers grow their scope of services to attract and retain customers, and gives them the autonomy to scale their business.

Dinner Daily | Founder: Laurin Mills | Location: Massachusetts

Dinner Daily offers personalized meal planning for consumers and strategic growth opportunities for grocers. The app solves the challenges of dinner planning by generating unique shopping lists specific to local grocers, while helping consumers save money and eat better week after week.

Industry: Retail

Glou | Founder: Karen Lee | Location: Massachusetts

Glou is the first consumer-to-consumer beauty marketplace, enabling users to buy and sell makeup, skincare and beauty products. The platform empowers beauty enthusiasts to become more conscious consumers, pushing against an industry that encourages over-consumption.

Industry: Software & Internet

Alta Tools | Founding Team: Son Ca Vu & Scott Ostler| Location: California

Alta is an AI-powered mobile platform that helps anyone design, build and launch mobile apps. With its simple no-code interface, powerful automation and smart design tools, Alta empowers businesses to quickly build and launch mobile apps across all major platforms simultaneously.

Monday Hero | Founding Team: Nazli Temurtas & Burcu Geneci | Location: California

Monday Hero is a low-code SaaS platform that helps startups, freelancers and mobile development companies create mobile apps 60% faster. The platform automatically converts Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch App and other design files to code, to expedite build times.

Standd | Founding Team: Julie Saltman & Stephen Solka | Location: Washington, D.C.

Standd is a SaaS platform that gives lawyers visibility over their firm’s information, how it’s connected and how their team is using it. The platform integrates files with the data storage and research systems lawyers rely on, to enable quicker decision-making and better outcomes.

Industry: Sustainability

ECGO | Founder: Nicole Toole | Location: Georgia

ECGO rewards users for their recycling efforts. The app offers incentives to college and university students who choose to recycle, including discounts to popular restaurants and local businesses. ECGO aims to create a connection between recycling and reward at a personal level.

Industry: Travel

Inclusive Journeys | Founding Team: Crystal Egli & Parker McMullen Bushman | Location: Colorado

Inclusive Journeys helps people of marginalized identities find safe and welcoming spaces when traveling — and encourages inclusive businesses to open their doors to an even wider segment of customers. The app helps users locate, rate and review inclusive spaces wherever they travel.

Each of these startups will receive up to $225,000 in cash and AWS Activate credits, an extensive and individually curated training curriculum, mentoring and technical guidance, introductions to AWS leaders and teams, networking opportunities with potential investors, and ongoing advisory support.

Additionally, the program provides each of these founders the opportunity to augment their network and foster friendships and partnerships with their fellow founders that will outlast the intensive eight weeks. In the months and years ahead, the startups will have access to a virtual community, alumni events, curriculum (including future content), plus the opportunity to tap into ongoing support from program mentors and experts.

“Women are the driving force behind a thriving economy and AWS looks forward to supporting these impressive finalists in furthering their missions,” said Howard Wright, Vice President of Startups at AWS. “Over the course of eight weeks, they will be developing their ventures alongside AWS technology experts, investors, and partners and we can’t wait to see what they accomplish.”

Stay tuned for the next round of cohort finalists in the AWS Impact Accelerator Program.

Industry: Education

Dreami | Founder: Ashima Sharma | Location: California

Dreami powersmentorship-driven workforce development programs for Educational, Non-Profit,Government organizations. The platform streamlines mentor-mentee matching,scheduling, training and tracking, to create high-impact opportunities forwork-ready candidates.

LocalCivics | Founder: Beverly Leon | Location: NewYork

Local Civics enablesK-12 students and educators to build civic engagement and community leadershipskills through a game-based digital learning platform. It teaches young peopleabout authority and how to harness their unique gifts to empower themselves andtheir communities.

TeeRead | Founding Team: Trinidad Bensusan Millé & Gabriele Battiato | Location: Florida

TeeRead is a platformfor parents and teachers that uses AI speech recognition to make readingintervention scalable. The platform automatically diagnoses students’ readinglevels, pinpoints reading issues and curates content based on a student’sability.

Industry: Financial Services

Miren | Founder: Gabriela Campoverde | Location: New York

Miren providescommunity development financial institutions (CDFIs) and non-profit smallbusiness foundations with software that helps them engage with communities andmission-driven startups to distribute beneficial capital to some of thenation’s most underserved neighborhoods.

Totem | Founder: Amber Buker | Location: Oklahoma

Totem was founded andfunded by Native Americans to create pathways to financial inclusion forIndigenous people through digital banking. Totem partners with sovereign tribalgovernments to provide relevant financial products and education, and to maketribal benefits more accessible.

Walkthrough | Founder: Megan Valentine | Location: Pennsylvania

Walkthrough givesusers access to personalized financial advice to help them on their financialjourney. The app incorporates behavioral science and gamification to keepmembers encouraged and motivated as they make decisions about investing,spending, wealth management and more.

Industry: Gaming

rrecess | Founder: Bee Law | Location: Oklahoma

rrecess is a timedsocial game with friends and “friends of friends.” The app connects peoplethrough shared interests and randoms, bringing them together at specific timesof the day for meaningful interactions. rrecess represents a community-drivensolution to social media fatigue.

Industry: Government

Cleare | Founding Team: Tisia Saffold & Ian Kiku | Location: Virginia

The childcare industryis at the forefront of our economy; however, 80% of daycares today operatewithout a viable tech solution. Cleare is compliance software for home andcenter daycares that streamlines the licensing inspection process and digitizesdocument collection.

Industry: Healthcare

EmpiricaLab | Founder: Norma Padron | Location: Texas

EmpiricaLab is acollaborative knowledge-sharing platform that enables peer-based training forhealthcare teams. The platform connects team members with customized, relevanttraining content, empowering them to set, work toward, and achieve goals in aprofessional setting.

Euphoria | Founder: Kate Anthony | Location: Colorado

Euphoria helpstransgender individuals navigate the arduous process of gender transitionthrough a combination of four unique apps. Solace is a healthcare navigatorapp; Bliss helps financially plan for transition; Clarity is a sense-of-selftracker; and Devotion is a daily affirmations app.

Nessle | Founder: Carly Buxton | Location: Virginia

The Nessle platformhelps new and expectant parents connect with perinatal experts nationwide.Through a highly-filterable, responsive web platform, parents can search, findand pay for virtual and in-person support from trained experts across the fullspectrum of parenting concerns.

RxPlace | Founding Team: Patty Bollenbach & Franklin Williams | Location:California

RxPlace digitizes theprocess of medication procurement, while bringing transparency and efficiencyto prescription fulfillment. RxPlace delivers a frictionless purchasingexperience for pharmacists, so they can focus on clinical responsibilities andspend more time with patients.

Industry: Human Resources/Talent Acquisition

Culturora | Founder: Jody Madala | Location: Pennsylvania

Culturora is anetworking platform that helps companies build a more inclusive workplaceculture, to attract and retain top talent. The app engages employees andencourages them to participate in purposeful conversations using videotechnology and conversation prompts.

DIVERSD | Founder: Jennifer Williams & Jared Alessandroni | Location: New York

DIVERSD is anAI-driven approach to shaping Human Resources around the concerns of overlookedgroups. A “CDO in a box,” DIVERSD offers a bot interface for nonjudgmental HRinteractions, pattern detection to subvert marginalization and integrations topreserve anonymity.

Matchplicity | Founder : Lauren Burke Silva, Jovan Silva, Lori Burke, Zita Steglich-Ross | Location: Washington D.C.

Matchplicity isdecentralizing recruitment platforms by empowering niche, community-basedorganizations to mobilize their professional populations. The platform connectsthe most qualified candidates directly to hiring companies through anAI-powered matchmaking platform.

Industry: Media & Entertainment

ForUsApps | Founder: Saniya Shah | Location: New Hampshire

ForUsApps givescontent creators next-gen AI-powered tools to support startups andside-hustles. The company’s collection of technologies is accessible, practicaland, most importantly, easy to use by creators and businesses as they seek toscale their social media presence.

Industry: Professional Services

CallEmmy | Founder: Arezou Zarafshan | Location: Colorado

Call Emmy is anon-demand marketplace that connects hyperlocal, qualified household andchildcare service providers to families. The company seeks to solve some of themost persistent daily challenges working families face, while prioritizingaccessibility, convenience and safety.

Clyn | Founder: Diana Muturia | Location: Arizona

Clyn is a SaaS-enabledmarketplace platform for home upkeep and cleaning services. By combining amarketplace model and SaaS tools, Clyn helps service providers grow their scopeof services to attract and retain customers, and gives them the autonomy toscale their business.

DinnerDaily | Founder: Laurin Mills | Location: Massachusetts

Dinner Daily offerspersonalized meal planning for consumers and strategic growth opportunities forgrocers. The app solves the challenges of dinner planning by generating uniqueshopping lists specific to local grocers, while helping consumers save money andeat better week after week.

Industry: Retail

Glou | Founder: Karen Lee | Location: Massachusetts

Glou is the firstconsumer-to-consumer beauty marketplace, enabling users to buy and sell makeup,skincare and beauty products. The platform empowers beauty enthusiasts tobecome more conscious consumers, pushing against an industry that encouragesover-consumption.

Industry: Software & Internet

AltaTools | Founding Team: Son Ca Vu & Scott Ostler| Location: California

Alta is an AI-poweredmobile platform that helps anyone design, build and launch mobile apps. Withits simple no-code interface, powerful automation and smart design tools, Altaempowers businesses to quickly build and launch mobile apps across all majorplatforms simultaneously.

MondayHero | Founding Team: Nazli Temurtas & BurcuGeneci | Location: California

Monday Hero is alow-code SaaS platform that helps startups, freelancers and mobile developmentcompanies create mobile apps 60% faster. The platform automatically convertsFigma, Adobe XD, Sketch App and other design files to code, to expedite buildtimes.

Standd | Founding Team: Julie Saltman & Stephen Solka | Location:Washington D.C.

Standd is a SaaSplatform that gives lawyers visibility over their firm’s information, how it’sconnected and how their team is using it. The platform integrates files withthe data storage and research systems lawyers rely on, to enable quickerdecision-making and better outcomes.

Industry: Sustainability

ECGO | Founder: Nicole Toole | Location: Georgia

ECGO rewards users fortheir recycling efforts. The app offers incentives to college and universitystudents who choose to recycle, including discounts to popular restaurants andlocal businesses. ECGO aims to create a connection between recycling and rewardat a personal level.

Industry: Travel

InclusiveJourneys | Founding Team: Crystal Egli & ParkerMcMullen Bushman | Location: Colorado

Inclusive Journeyshelps people of marginalized identities find safe and welcoming spaces whentraveling—and encourages inclusive businesses to open their doors to an evenwider segment of customers. The app helps users locate, rate and reviewinclusive spaces wherever they travel.

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3 Tips to Ensure Quality Family Time with Your Kids at Home

2022-09-27T11:57:00

(BPT) – Autumn’s finally here, and it’s that time of year again to wave the kids off to school each day. But in the midst of your hectic work schedule, drop-offs to soccer meets and ballet practices, and cumbersome daily chores, there’s still some time to enjoy with your family.

These three easy tips can make your home the easiest, most convenient place to create unforgettable memories with your family with the help of some smart home tech.

Throw an Awesome Party: Who needs to invite guests to a party when the people you care about most live under the same roof as you?

When cooking for the family, stick to guaranteed crowd-pleasers like lasagna, chili, pasta or pizza — just to name a few. With that said, you might want to try something completely new like a delicious, healthy vegan or halal dish. To help you find the perfect one for you and your loved ones, LG’s ThinQ Recipe provides recipe recommendations via your phone, catering to diverse tastes and coming with online ratings and reviews. Easily accessible via the ThinQ app, it offers a seamless journey that allows anyone to search, plan, purchase and cook thousands of easy-to-follow recipes. Once you’ve picked your favorite out of the bunch, the app delivers step-by-step instructions as well as an “add to plan” option that helps you easily map out daily meals on your phone.

A party wouldn’t be complete without tasty drinks to go with your knockout dish. While a glass of wine may be a great choice for mom and dad, an array of mocktails and alcohol-free punch would keep things family-friendly. Of course, all these beverages will need to be properly chilled, which isn’t a problem when you own a smart refrigerator powered by the ThinQ app. Use it to easily adjust temperatures for your fridge and even the freezer compartment straight from your phone. If you’d like your drink especially icy — as fitting for bubblies and liquor — the latest fridges come with the “express freeze” feature, which heightens the freezer’s cooling functions to let you serve cool drinks in next to no time. Some advanced smart fridges also make slow-melting “craft ice” balls that elevate any drink for kids and parents alike.

The Perfect Home-Theater Movie Screening: Although family movie night delivers that all-important quality time together, there are ways to make the home cinema experience that much better and more convenient.

Your first job is to choose a film everyone will love. If you have several streaming subscriptions, consider which platform has the most appropriate content for your family. Time to narrow down your choices — keep in mind that everyone loves a superhero movie, a documentary would be great for adults, and a comedy may satisfy teenagers. Once you’ve come together as a family and chosen a movie with the most potential, simply start the opening credits on your smartphone and “mirror” it to your TV to save time. Various devices now have a mirror feature, including smart TVs from LG that have a convenient and easy-to-use Content Sharing feature that transfers smartphone content to the TV’s display.

Just as important as the movie itself is making sure you’ve found a comfortable spot, you’re ready to share snacks around the room, and discuss the movie as you watch. Don’t miss out on priceless moments with loved ones and do hit pause on the remote if you have something funny or insightful to say. If your remote has the tendency to disappear mysteriously as they so often do, no worries — the LG ThinQ app lets you navigate the connected smart TV from your phone just as you’d control the remote. Hitting pause and play, adjusting the volume, and switching channels is all a breeze, so sit back and enjoy the show.

Finish the Day Strong: After getting the kids to bed after a day of family fun, it’s time to deal with the dreaded chores you’ve been putting off for hours. But not to worry, smart technology is at your immediate assistance.

Checking if appliances are turned off at the end of the day can be a hassle, but with “routines” provided by smart home providers like LG, that doesn’t have to be the case. With this intelligent feature, you can set automatic routines for your appliances’ settings however you want, so that your appliances — from home gadgets to smart lights and curtains — are either turned off or optimized for the night. Now you can sleep sounder than ever knowing that your appliances are taken care of.

With every new day comes several opportunities to put your appliances to good use. The best way to set yourself up for success is to check if your appliances are running properly with a few quick taps on your phone screen. With the app’s Smart Diagnosis feature, you can run diagnostics on your appliances and it will walk you through the troubleshooting steps for any issue it finds, saving you an extra call to customer care.

Home has always been the best place for family time, and that’s probably not going to change anytime soon with smart technology making it easier to create magical memories in the safest place on Earth. Check out this new video and website to discover how families around the world are getting more quality time thanks to smart tech at home.

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College 2030: New study finds key insights into how college is changing

2022-09-27T11:57:00

(BPT) – As a new academic school term begins for colleges and universities nationwide, many students and faculty are thinking about how to respond to the changes caused by the pandemic as they settle into their first true “post-pandemic” school year.

Research from Barnes and Noble Education (BNED) reveals insights into how education institutions are adapting. The study called “College 2030 — Emerging from the Pandemic: Reimagining Higher Education,” explores changes and visions for the future of higher education by surveying over 2,500 U.S. students, faculty and administrators regarding five areas: the value of higher education, career preparedness, student loans, mental health, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).

“This study provides a snapshot of higher education at an inflection point,” said BNED CEO Michael Huseby. “These insights are not only indicative of how higher education is evolving, but can help educational institutions respond more effectively as they set goals for the future.”

Here are five key takeaways from the report, and what higher education institutions can learn from them.

1. The value of higher education

Rising tuition costs and student loan debt have made many question the value of higher education, however, one-third of the students surveyed (33%) said the value of college has actually increased. The majority of students seeing increased value were community college students, graduate or professional students and students 25 years or older. One reason can be attributed to class format, which has pivoted in response to the pandemic. Nearly half the students (49%) said they preferred a hybrid format, while more than half of faculty (54%) favored a fully in-person environment. This difference poses a challenge for institutions.

“Over the next decade, institutions need to continue listening to students by creating personalized learning experiences based on their needs,” said Huseby. “This can be achieved by giving students choices between a variety of class types — in-person, remote and hybrid.”

Hybrid/online learning can provide better access and equity for students of all ages and backgrounds. To further help students have equitable access, Barnes & Noble College (BNC) has created First Day Complete, a program providing all required course materials (digital and physical) to all students before the first day of class, bundling costs as part of their tuition.

2. Career preparedness

The perceived value of higher education is strongly connected to career preparation. When asked, 73% of students said they feel prepared for the industry/field they’re pursuing. However, students also wanted more school support with networking (46%), resume help (43%) and mentors (38%).

“Institutions need to better connect students with the business community,” advised Huseby. “They can do that by building strong networking opportunities with businesses, assessing employers’ requirements and tailoring curriculum to develop a clear path between college and career.”

3. The state of student loans

While tuition rates remained steady during the pandemic, rising inflation and the end of federal stimulus funding will likely increase costs, impacting students’ ability to pay. According to the survey, just under half of students (47%) had student loans, and of that half, 53% were forced to apply for additional loans due to the pandemic.

4. Supporting mental health

Many institutions saw spikes in student mental health concerns throughout the pandemic. While over half of students (53%) and faculty (58%) say mental health has improved since returning to campus, 28% of students and 21% of faculty noted that mental health has declined, indicating that the transition itself caused challenges, including a lack of preparation to be back in person.

While on-campus mental health support continues to be crucial, a majority of students and faculty are not using available mental health resources. And although 81% of students and 92% of faculty indicated they knew their school offered mental health resources, only 20% said they have used them.

5. Fostering Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Schools could benefit from proactively seeking feedback from students and faculty on DEI efforts, and by educating everyone on DEI issues. Only 35% of students indicated they had been asked for feedback on DEI efforts, while 58% of faculty indicated they had been asked for input.

“Through the next decade, it will be crucial to ensure schools are not just asking for faculty feedback, but are also listening to their students,” said Huseby. “Ensuring student needs are met helps build an inclusive campus that provides mental health support, plus the financial, career and life services students need to succeed.”

As in many aspects of life, the past two and half years have forever changed higher education — and it will continue to change over the next decade. Institutions need to understand the needs of their students and ensure that they are providing them with what they need to continue to succeed in school and beyond.

To read the full report, visit BNCollege.com/insight/report/college2030.

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Need affordable coverage? 5 ways to get cheap car insurance online

2022-09-26T18:04:22

(BPT) – It can be challenging to find affordable car insurance. An auto insurance policy and price will vary depending on each person’s history and circumstances and the state they live in. To find the cheapest car insurance quotes, you’ll need to dig deep and research. To help you search for affordable auto insurance, Insurance Navy has provided its top five tips for finding the cheapest car insurance quotes online.

1. Consider local car insurance companies in addition to the national ones

National car insurance companies tend to have larger customer bases and proven services. However, local automobile insurance companies also tend to be highly competitive and can offer low-cost auto insurance rates.

To get the best rate possible, it’s important to gather several auto insurance quotes from local and national providers. If you’re already insured, you may be able to use an auto quote from a competitor to lower your existing car insurance policy. Alternatively, you can use your current policy rate to ask an insurance agent for a more affordable auto insurance quote if you’re looking to switch to another company.

2. Look at car insurance companies’ respective discounts

Always look over a car insurance company’s discounts and compare them to others. Your car insurance quote may be significantly lower if you apply and qualify for discounts on your premiums. Some common auto insurance discounts include:

  • Defensive driving discount
  • Accident-free driver discount
  • Safe driver discount
  • Low mileage discount
  • Good student discount
  • Military discount
  • Professional discount
  • Senior discount

If you’re a homeowner and have home insurance or other insurance policies, you may be able to bundle them and receive a discount on your premium. There are also discounts for paying your car insurance in full every six months instead of paying your auto insurance monthly.

3. Forgo unnecessary insurance coverage to save

More insurance coverage isn’t always better. Some cars, especially older ones, may not require full vehicle insurance like comprehensive and collision coverage. You can forgo these types of coverage and get a car insurance policy at a low cost. Newer cars generally cost more to insure because of their value, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get cheap car insurance by employing other tactics.

4. Raise your auto insurance deductible to reduce your rates

This may seem counterintuitive, but you can lower auto insurance premiums by increasing your deductible. This is a great way to get cheaper car insurance, especially if you require coverage beyond a basic auto insurance policy.

5. Consider non-owner car insurance if it suits you

If you don’t own a car but regularly drive someone else’s, such as your partner’s, parent’s or friend’s automobile, it may make sense to have non-owner car insurance. With non-owner auto insurance, you pay per mile driven when using another’s car. This type of insurance is cheaper than standard car insurance and makes sense if you don’t drive a lot.

Don’t settle for expensive auto insurance. Using these five tips, you can lower your current car insurance rate or switch to a more affordable auto insurance policy that fits your budget and needs. To learn more about how you can qualify for cheap auto insurance, visit InsuranceNavy.com.

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5 tips for finding friends as an adult from a friendship coach

2022-09-26T16:50:51

(BPT) – Making new friends as an adult can be challenging. Unlike when you were younger and had a built-in community or network through school or social clubs, adulthood seems to offer fewer opportunities to meet others organically.

The increasing number of people working remotely has also impacted many people’s ability to socialize, which may explain why many adults report feeling lonelier than ever before.

It can be intimidating to put yourself out there and connect with others. That’s why Bumble BFF’s Friendship Expert Danielle Bayard Jackson is here to share her top five tips for finding friends as an adult.

1. Have the courage to initiate

Understandably, you may be passive about friend-making, especially if you’re scared of rejection. However, those who are intentional about connection tend to have more meaningful relationships.

“Research shows that we like people who like us; it’s called the ‘Reciprocity of Liking,’” says Jackson. “So, for example, try offering a compliment on someone’s laptop stickers, especially if it represents a TV show, music genre or other interest you may have,” says Jackson. “That warmth and friendliness appeals to others and can be the catalyst you need to explore more.”

If you’d rather not approach someone in public, group activities are also a great option, as they can unite people over a common interest and organically lead to friendships. Whether you join an intramural sports team, take a ceramics class or attend a group workout, you have the opportunity to connect with people over a common interest or activity.

You can also use an app like Bumble BFF, the friendship-finding mode on the Bumble app, to potentially meet others!

2. Enter into meaningful conversations gradually yet intentionally

Deep friendships don’t happen by accident. “Trust is foundational to any type of relationship, including friendships, and to build that, there needs to be a reciprocal vulnerability,” says Jackson.

Try starting with small talk because “small talk leads to big talk,” says Jackson. Then share something about yourself.

“There’s something called the ‘Beautiful Mess’ effect which suggests that we like people more after they’ve been vulnerable with us,” says Jackson.

Be sure to engage someone with safe ‘small talk’ and then gradually reveal more about who you are and what you value. This creates the trust necessary to cultivate something deeper. That trust can become the basis for a friendship where you both feel comfortable sharing and asking each other questions that deepen the relationship.

3. Reciprocity is key

No one wants to be the person who feels like they’re always reaching out to make plans or connect. If a friend asks you to hang out, try to make an effort to initiate something the next time around.

“It’s important to pay attention to how often a friend tries to initiate time to connect,” says Jackson. “This doesn’t necessarily need to be quid-pro-quo, but when you take an aerial view of the friendship, ensure that the dynamic generally feels balanced.”

And if you can’t hang out or talk when your friend suggests, offer an alternative so they know you’re still interested in connecting.

4. Be consistent about staying in touch

After meeting up with a new friend for the first time, it’s important to be consistent about staying in touch, especially if there isn’t a scheduled time when you both see one another, such as through a class or planned group activity.

If your schedules can get busy, don’t be afraid to plan ahead, either. “I love having a regularly scheduled time to meet up with my friends,” says Jackson. “It shows them that I prioritize our friendship and have a genuine interest in keeping them in my life. Once we become adults, those serendipitous hangouts happen less, so we have to take control of when we’ll see each other.”

Additionally, check in with your friend regularly, even if it’s a quick conversation via text message. This can be a great option to stay connected, especially as people are headed home and traveling for the holiday season. Ask them about their trip or weekend plans, or send them a photo of something that may remind you of them. These short interactions can go a long way in building and maintaining a new friendship.

5. Give it time

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither are relationships. According to studies, it can take 40-60 hours of talking and hanging out for an acquaintance to become a casual friend, and to become best friends, it can reportedly take an average of 200 hours.

“This might look different from friendship to friendship, but the general takeaway from that study is that it takes time to build trust, vulnerability, and platonic intimacy,” says Jackson. “Friendships are relationships, and relationships take time and effort.”

By putting yourself out there, following up, and having a little patience, you’ll be on the right track to meeting new people and creating a stronger social circle around you. “Friendship begins with rapport, and rapport begins with ‘hello,’” says Jackson.

To start connecting with friends in your area, visit Bumble.com/BFF. For more tips, check out The Buzz, where you can learn more strategies to help you make (and keep!) strong friendships.