Month: June 2023

2023-06-02T15:21:00

(BPT) – For many of us, warmer weather means more time outside. It’s also the time invasive species, known as “Hungry Pests,” emerge and attack the trees and crops we depend on. These invasive insects and plant diseases cost our nation about $40 billion each year. If left unchecked, they can devastate agricultural industries, causing job losses, crop scarcity and increased food prices.

Invasive pests are natural hitchhikers. People can unknowingly spread them on items they move, like cars, camping gear and outdoor furniture — or in or on fruit, vegetables, plants and firewood. And while the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is hard at work protecting our natural resources from invasive pests, they need the public’s help to detect new threats early and reduce the spread of hitchhiking pests that are already here.

Luckily, many people are already doing their part. According to a 2021 study published in Conservation Science and Practice journal, at least a quarter of all new invasive pests found were initially reported by members of the public, like homeowners, landscapers and gardeners. Early detection helps prevent damaging pests from becoming established and is critical to protecting America’s natural resources.

You can make all the difference by knowing the risks in your area. A homeowner in Long Island, New York, reported finding Asian longhorned beetles on her property before regulators detected it. Her early detection saved millions of dollars in eradication costs and protected countless trees in her community.

You too can play a role in slowing the spread of damaging pests. Here are a few simple tips:

• Don’t move firewood. Invasive pests can hide in wood. Buy heat-treated firewood or responsibly gather or purchase firewood where you plan to burn it.
• Keep it clean. Check items stored outside for insects and egg masses and remove them before traveling with outdoor items.
• Plant responsibly. Purchase your plants from U.S. sources or learn how to legally import them. Don’t assume the item you find online is legal to purchase and ship to your home. If you buy it online, you are responsible for finding out where the plants and seeds are coming from and importing plants and agricultural products from overseas legally.
• Cooperate with quarantines. Visit HungryPests.com and click on the “Pest Tracker” to learn about federal quarantines that apply to your area. If you live in a quarantine area, don’t move regulated items out of the quarantine area.
• Declare agricultural goods. When traveling abroad, declare agricultural products at the border. You could save an orchard or a forest by declaring your fruit and handicrafts at the border.

By working together, we can make a difference for our ecosystem and our economy. To learn more about invasive pests and what you can do to reduce their spread, visit HungryPests.com.

2023-06-01T17:23:00

(BPT) – By Irana Wasti, Chief Product Officer of BILL

As a business owner, keeping your finances thriving is critical, especially if you’re looking to do more with less as many small and midsize businesses (SMBs) are. Having your finances in shape can open the door to new markets, products and services, customers, and expanded advertising and hiring.

Staying organized — especially with cashflow records — is one of the best ways to ensure your business continues to succeed. If you want to manage and optimize your finances and ensure your business finances are in good shape, follow these five simple, effective steps.

1. Go paperless

Drowning in paper? Opting out of reconciling credit cards and bank statements on paper and transitioning your accounts payable (AP) and accounts receivable (AR) to a digital system can easily declutter your finances. By switching your payables and receivables over to a digital system, you’ll virtually eliminate the need for managing everything on paper.

You can save money and time by sending payments with just a few clicks and automating recurring payments. Also, automation can optimize approval and review workflows, and reduce human error and time spent on routine tasks. With smart, AI driven software, getting started can be as easy as taking a picture of your next bill. And it continues to pay off with peace of mind and improved efficiency in the future.

2. Secure and organize financial documents

Without so much paper, you may find it easier to keep all your financial records organized, secure and easily accessible. For example, when customer Mount Tamalpais College adopted BILL, they were able to more easily adapt to hybrid work (physically working on site and virtually), streamline AP and spend far less time shepherding documents for signatures and approvals. If they go through an audit, they’ll have all their important documents stored in one convenient, accessible place.

3. Take a financial inventory

Another helpful step is to take a financial inventory and review your business spending habits. The goal is to gain more comfort and clarity over your finances and to use this information to make more informed financial decisions. This can be even easier if you’re using financial automation software that provides visibility into your cash flow and lets you generate reports. You should review to see if:

• You can cut back or reallocate funds to better align with your goals.
• Your cash flow is consistently challenged, and if you can implement strategies to improve it.
• Your business has any outstanding debt and if you can pay off or consolidate debt.
• You can negotiate vendor contracts for better terms or switch to more cost-effective vendors.

4. Make it easier to pay and get paid

According to a study by PYMNTS, 49% of invoices become overdue. Since getting paid on time is essential to your company’s financial health, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and do a deep clean of your AR.

Use your reporting system to pull up all your unpaid invoices. This will quickly give insights into which clients owe you money and if some regularly take too long to pay. If you use BILL, you can set up auto reminders to let clients know when payments are due or if anything is overdue.

Take control of your cash flow and avoid late payments by making your payment process easier. You can do so by expanding payment options, such as accepting credit cards, ACH bank transfers, PayPal and more, so your clients can have more options to pay you. You can also consider using an online portal to enable customers to pay invoices online and set up autopay and flexible payment plans to improve your cash flow.

5. Set new goals and plan

If you’ve reached your initial business goals, it doesn’t mean you should sit on your laurels. It’s essential to spend a little time planning the future of your business. This could include setting aside funds for future investments, building an emergency fund, preparing for potential market changes, or even succession planning and contributing more to your personal retirement accounts.

By going paperless, organizing your financial documents, doing a thorough financial inventory, reviewing unpaid invoices and planning for the future, you can ensure that your business is on the right path to meet its financial goals and thrive this year and beyond.

Financial automation does not have to be hard, complicated, or reactive. At BILL, we can help take proactive action to you get your business finances in shape by streamlining your AP and AR workflows for better visibility and control of your cash flows. To see how it works, visit Bill.com/Signup to start your risk-free trial.

2023-06-01T11:01:00

(BPT) – High prices continue to be a concern for many Americans, especially when it comes to driving and automotive decisions. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of Americans say that current gas prices — which tend to rise even higher during the summer months — have a major-to-moderate impact on their daily driving habits, according to Hankook Tire’s latest Gauge Index survey.

But what can be done about it? While Hankook found that half (49%) of Americans have driven less in the last 30 days due to inflation, that’s not always realistic. Here are a few ways to help ease the effect of high prices, not just on our wallets, but also on our odometers:

1. Find alternate routes.

Some Americans are turning to alternate modes of getting around, such as public transportation. However, the Gauge found that while younger drivers are more inclined to do so (19% of Gen Z and 17% of Millennials have taken public transportation to offset higher prices), older generations are less likely (7% of Gen X and 2% of Boomers). This could be due to any number of factors — location, mobility or simply preference. For those who regularly get behind the wheel, seek out alternate routes that are more direct or have fewer stoplights. This could increase fuel efficiency, and in turn save money at the pump.

2. Be mindful about maintenance.

While financial concerns are high, conducting routine vehicle maintenance can help avoid more costly repairs down the road. Fortunately, most of us aren’t avoiding maintenance appointments. Hankook found 80% of drivers are keeping their routine maintenance appointments despite the increased price of such services.

3. Take note of your tires.

Be sure to consider your tires, too. Maintaining tires with proper inflation and regular rotation can help them last longer, safely. When the time does come to replace them, look at your mileage warranty and see if you qualify for any savings. And when purchasing, consider a tire with low rolling resistance to help with overall fuel efficiency.

4. Hit the road, not the skies.

With the summer travel season upon us, it’s no secret that taking a vacation isn’t always friendly on the wallet. In fact, 1 in 4 Americans (26%) have delayed or canceled travel plans due to inflation and the increased price of travel. However, you don’t have to scrap your summer getaway altogether! In the spirit of seeking alternative routes, consider taking a road trip instead of a flight, which offers more control over cost, not to mention destination.

5. Steer towards savings.

When prices are high, the first thing many do is avoid large purchases. Car buying is a prime example: currently, only 25% of Americans consider themselves very-to-extremely likely to purchase or lease a new vehicle in the next six months. But many large purchases also come with opportunities to save. Whether you’re in the market for a whole new vehicle, or simply need to buy new tires, keep an eye out for rebates, sales, and other opportunities to lower the cost, especially for purchases that are needed now.

There are many ways to minimize the impact of high prices when it comes to your vehicle. Think smarter, not harder, about when and where you’re going, as well as the purchases you need to make to get there.

2023-06-01T06:01:01

(BPT) – Summer is here and, for many people, it’s a time to kick back, relax and enjoy some much-needed vacation time — and pneumococcal pneumonia shouldn’t stand in your way of enjoying all that summer has to offer.

Pneumococcal pneumonia is a potentially serious bacterial lung disease that can disrupt your life for weeks and can even put you in the hospital or be life-threatening. And you’re at increased risk if you’re 65 or older, or 19 or older with certain underlying medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, or chronic heart disease.

People often think that pneumococcal pneumonia can only be caught in the winter or during flu season, but it can strike any time of year.

Vaccination helps protect against pneumococcal pneumonia, and is available all year round, so now is the time to get vaccinated and have one less thing to think about when you’re enjoying warmer weather and longer days — whether it’s gardening, beach-time or trying out that new grill.

Even if you’ve already been vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia previously, your healthcare provider may recommend another vaccination against it for additional protection.

So, in addition to sunscreen and staying hydrated, another preventative health step you can take this summer is to ask your doctor or pharmacist about pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination and visit knowpneumonia.com to learn more.

Brought to you by Pfizer.

2023-06-01T08:01:00

(BPT) – Meet Amanda, a New Jersey resident and lifelong hockey fan who has a passion for volunteering and advocacy that — almost — parallels her love for the New York Rangers. Much of Amanda’s day-to-day looks like that of other people, but what many don’t know about Amanda is that she has been living with IgA nephropathy, a form of rare kidney disease (RKD), for more than 15 years.

RKD can present with no symptoms or a range of unique symptoms that are not always visible to others. So, while people living with RKD may appear outwardly healthy, young and active, they may be coping daily with the challenges of managing their disease.

Amanda said, “You don’t see my RKD and how it affects me just by looking at me,” and as a result, people often do not realize the different ways her RKD impacts her daily life. Amanda supports others with IgA nephropathy by sharing her own story to educate the public and help create more understanding of what it is like to live with RKD.

Here are two things that people living with RKD face that may be invisible to others:

1. Rare kidney disease intersects with everyday life, but expectation-setting helps with balance

Maintaining a balance between medical needs and life’s other commitments is a juggling act for people living with RKD — and missed workdays, lab visits, special meal planning, dietary restrictions and an ever-changing appointment schedule can present unique challenges.

Even the seemingly simple task of choosing to attend social gatherings and group dinners may require careful consideration. “There have been times I have decided to skip social events because I didn’t want to inconvenience the hosts with my special RKD dietary needs,” said Amanda.

However, Amanda has discovered that finding balance is possible by setting realistic expectations and practicing open communication. “I’ve learned to set clear boundaries in my personal and professional lives to accommodate my RKD. By finding a supportive work environment and being open with my loved ones, I’ve been able to prioritize my health without sacrificing other important areas of my life,” she said.

2. Living with a rare form of a widespread condition can be isolating, but community can be a shining North Star

Due to the low public awareness of rare kidney disease, people living with RKD can face challenges in getting diagnosed and finding support. Furthermore, the significant impact that RKD has on people’s lives is frequently not recognized by others.

Throughout her journey, Amanda has found immense purpose in advocating for herself and others living with RKD. She actively volunteers as a leader for the IgA Nephropathy Foundation supporting people diagnosed with IgA nephropathy. She is also helping bring visibility to rare kidney disease through RKD & Me, a campaign co-created by the IgA Nephropathy Foundation, NephCure, and Travere Therapeutics that aims to drive awareness of rare kidney disease through the real stories of people living with RKD, told through letters written to their younger selves.

Sharing her story with the public and connecting with others in the RKD community has been inspiring for Amanda. “I want people living with RKD and their loved ones to know they are not alone. You are stronger than you’ll ever know,” she said.

If you have rare kidney disease or want to learn more about the experiences of people living with RKD, visit RKDandMe.com or follow #RKDandMe on social media.

2023-05-31T23:01:00

(BPT) – By Dr. Philip Painter, CMO, United Healthcare Medicare & Retirement

June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, an annual observance to raise awareness of the devastating impact of Alzheimer’s and to educate people about brain health, including risk factors for developing Alzheimer’s or dementia.

More than 6.7 million Americans currently live with Alzheimer’s — a number now projected to increase to 13 million by 2050.

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia and one of the deadliest diseases in the country. In fact, someone in the United States develops the disease every 65 seconds, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

It is more important than ever to learn about this disease along with these five simple steps that can help improve (or support) brain health, reduce risk of disease, and help delay the potential onset of Alzheimer’s or dementia.

1. Use it or lose it. Whether it’s crossword puzzles, reading or painting, keeping your brain mentally stimulated may help keep it young.

2. Get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can lead to problems with memory and cognitive abilities. Sleep is essential for brain maintenance, like removing built-up toxins in your brain.

3. Stay social. A study found memory declined at half the rate for social adults. Isolation or loneliness in older adults is associated with a 50% increased risk of developing dementia and a 26% increased risk of all-cause mortality, according to the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

4. Make healthier lifestyle choices. Studies show moderate exercise can help improve brain function, especially in the areas responsible for learning and memory. Improving these parts of the brain may fight pre-Alzheimer’s changes often seen in midlife. Talk to your health plan about fitness programs that may be available at no additional cost like UnitedHealthcare’s RenewActive.*

Lifestyle choices that help reduce cardiovascular risk, like exercise, a healthy diet, low-to-moderate alcohol consumption, and not smoking, appear to also slow brain aging.

5. Managing chronic illnesses. Common diseases in older adults, such as diabetes and heart disease, may affect brain function. Talk with your health care provider about treatment plans and managing chronic conditions like diabetes.

In addition to these five steps, it is important to have a memory screening done each year. Having a record can help your health care practitioner’s ability to diagnose memory disorders earlier.

Memory screenings can be performed during your Annual Wellness Visit, which is available at no cost to anyone on Medicare. Make sure to ask your physician to perform a memory evaluation the next time you visit the doctor’s office.

UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage members can take advantage of the HouseCalls program, which brings a yearly health and wellness visit to the convenience and privacy of home, at no additional cost. A HouseCalls licensed practitioner can conduct a memory screening and refer you to additional care, if needed.**

If you feel like you or a loved one is suffering from serious memory loss, contact your health care provider.

* The information provided through Renew Active is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult your doctor prior to beginning an exercise program or making changes to your lifestyle or health care routine. [The Renew Active program varies by plan/area.]

** HouseCalls may not be available in all areas.

Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its affiliated

companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in the

plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare.

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