2023-11-09T08:01:00
(BPT) – Medicare open enrollment ends on December 7. State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) provide free, in-depth, unbiased counseling and support to Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers. Whether you are new to Medicare, reviewing Medicare plan options, or have questions on how to use your Medicare, a local SHIP can help. A certified counselor will give you one-on-one guidance based on your unique situation and needs.
2023-11-09T11:01:00
(BPT) – The holidays are just around the corner, and although it’s a magical time to spend with family and friends, it’s also one of the busiest and most stressful seasons for parents. So this year, Carter’s, the most trusted brand of apparel exclusively for babies and young children, is taking one of the most dreaded holiday tasks and turning it into something for parents to enjoy.
Inspired by last year’s viral social media trend, Carter’s is introducing its first-ever “Gift Wrapping Weekend,” rallying parents nationwide to dedicate the first weekend of December to tackling holiday to-dos while also indulging in self-care — think spa treatments, binge watching, cozy pajamas and more. The result? Two silent, relaxing nights away that allow parents to knock things off their to-do list and in turn, allows them to spend more uninterrupted quality time with their family during the remainder of the holiday season.
To kick off this epic new tradition, Carter’s is calling all shoppers to take advantage of its holiday deals and snag gifts early so they can spend Dec. 1 through 3 “wrapping up” their gifting to-dos in peace, and enjoy some much-deserved indulgence. The children’s clothing company is offering some of its best deals this time of year, including major discounts on Family Matching Holiday Pajamas and Family Holiday Outfits, plus check out the retailer’s Holiday Toy Shop for must-have gifts for your little ones. Not sure what to buy someone? Not to worry. Carter’s offers a slew of gift cards for all four of its brands so you can give the perfect gift, every time.
As an added bonus, Carter’s is kicking off the launch of its first-ever Gift Wrapping Weekend with an epic giveaway. Today through Nov. 14, parents and caregivers can enter Carter’s Gift Wrapping Getaway Giveaway for a chance to score a $2,500 gift card for a hotel stay to check in and check off holiday to-dos in peace, along with a custom wrapping kit. Nine runners-up will receive a wrapping kit complete with all the trimmings to jumpstart their weekend celebrations.
To enter, visit www.carters.com/wrappinggetaway and follow Carter’s on Instagram and TikTok for more updates this season. Shop Carter’s biggest holiday deals and steals on Carters.com, ensuring your little ones are fully dressed in festive fits this season.
2023-11-09T09:27:00
(BPT) – Women own nearly 50% of all U.S. businesses, yet they only receive 2% of venture capital (VC) funding, a tiny piece of the pie. Stacy’s® Pita Chips, a brand committed to the financial empowerment of women business owners, is proud to champion these entrepreneurs to get a bigger piece of the funding pie through the launch of the 2024 Stacy’s Rise Project. In addition to awarding 15 deserving founders a $25,000 grant, mentorship and community resources, this year the brand brings attention to this statistic with Stacy’s Rise Pies, available for purchase now on StacysRise.com.
2023-11-08T08:01:00
(BPT) – Has your favorite angler been naughty or nice this past year? Santa Bass knows all, so you better be good! For the coming holiday season, Santa Bass offers 10 incredible gift ideas and stocking stuffers that will surely bring a smile to your favorite angler.
1. Clean a mess of fish fast – Every now and then, some anglers like to keep their catch for a nice shore lunch or dinner. It sounds fun, until you face the messy job of cleaning fish. Not anymore! High-quality, heavy-duty lithium electric fillet knives make fast work of fish cleaning, and they’re great for other meats, too.
2. Protection from the sun – If your favorite angler spends a lot of time in the sun — on a boat, in a kayak, or fishing from a pier or shore, they need to be covered up to protect their skin from the harmful effects of UV rays. Hooded shirts designed for anglers of all ages are great looking, provide moisture-wicking performance, and offer UPF 50+ UV sun protection along with moisture-wicking performance.
3. Warm and dry – If you put your time in on the water fishing, eventually, you’re going to get wet. It’s not a matter of if, it’s just a matter of when. Having a reliable rain jacket and bibs designed for extreme conditions by the nation’s top anglers is essential if you’re going to spend time on the water.
4. Fish like a pro bass angler – For anglers who want to fish what the pros fish, consider a fishing lure actually created by one of the top bass fishing pros in the nation, Bassmaster Classic champion Ott DeFoe. Designed in DeFoe’s garage, the Rapala OG Rocco is a buoyant, round balsa bait with a square circuit board lip that has been proven in the nation’s top bass tournaments.
5. No more fish “tales” – No doubt, you’ve heard the stories about “the big one.” And each year, the big one gets a little bigger. Keep your favorite angler honest with a 50 lb. Touch Screen Fish Scale designed for anglers. It’s easy to use to weigh and track one’s catch.
6. Keep your angler warm – A lot of anglers like to get up early to start fishing. Keep your angler warm and cozy with a thick, soft hoodie that’s perfect for those crisp, cool mornings.
7. Get organized – Is your angler kind of disorganized? Lures and tools all over the boat, in the garage, or in the ice fishing house? The SmartHub system by Rapala helps anglers get more organized, which means more time fishing.
8. Tools to get the job done right – Pliers, scissors, forceps, knife sharpener, clippers, hook sharpener, lantern. For anglers to stay on top of their game, they need some essential, high-quality tools to keep their gear in tip-top shape, as well as tools that can stand up to the elements, in freshwater or saltwater.
9. Stocking stuffers – Looking for some less expensive (under $25) gift ideas to stuff into your favorite angler’s stocking? How about a speaker to listen to some tunes? A fish counter? A deck of cards or a stocking cap? Or, the world’s all-time best-selling fishing lure?
10. Ice trolling – And lastly, if you live in the Ice Belt of the country and enjoy ice fishing, here’s a seriously good gift idea that will save you lots of time and is good for the environment. Serious ice anglers drill lots of holes, and to accomplish that, they need a proven, electric ice auger and drill that gets the job done fast. It’s called ice trolling. Santa Bass recommends the StrikeMaster Lithium 40V auger and Lite-Flite Lazer™ Drill Unit to get to walleye, crappie, bluegill, and pike during hardwater season.
2023-11-08T09:01:00
(BPT) – Loneliness is a public health epidemic.
It’s a condition that doesn’t show up on medical tests, yet it can be just as deadly as daily smoking. The growing crisis has an outsized impact on older Americans. According to a recent study from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than one-third of adults aged 45 and older feel lonely, and nearly one-fourth of adults aged 65 and older are considered socially isolated.
Social isolation and loneliness take a toll on physical and mental health, leading to chronic disease and higher healthcare costs.[i] Older adults are at especially high risk of social isolation and loneliness due to changes in social connections that can naturally come with aging, as well as hearing, vision, and memory loss, disability, trouble getting around, and/or the loss of family and friends.
“A startling number of seniors are lonely and isolated, and it’s taking a real toll on their mental and physical health,” said Robin Caruso, Chief Togetherness Officer at Elevance Health. “We need to pay attention to this growing crisis so that we can help preserve health and well-being in old age.”
Health Impacts of Loneliness
Risk factors for loneliness include living alone, the death of friends and family, mobility issues, discrimination, and poverty — especially among seniors. And the health effects of loneliness can be quite serious.
Older adults grappling with loneliness are more likely to experience symptoms of depression and cognitive decline. They’re also more likely to be admitted to a nursing home.
Loneliness can also lead to cardiovascular problems, including heart disease and stroke. According to a two-decades-long study, social isolation is a better predictor of whether someone will develop high blood pressure in old age than well-known physical risk factors like diabetes. Social isolation also increases the risk of dementia by about 50%, which was comparable to the effects of physical inactivity, low education level, and depression.
“Loneliness is a vicious cycle,” said Caruso. “Many of its causes and effects overlap, which can compound the problem over time.”
Spotting the Signs of Loneliness
As we move into the holiday season, family, friends, neighbors and acquaintances have the opportunity to check in on the older adults in their lives and help offer solutions to social isolation.
Signs to spot loneliness in seniors include:
“Our bodies and minds are inextricably linked,” said Caruso. “Spotting signs of loneliness can help family and friends to rally around their loved ones and provide support for those who are suffering.”
Strategies to Combat Loneliness
Whether you are suffering from loneliness yourself or supporting a loved one, there are many resources and tools to help cope.
Elevance Health has a clinical initiative that addresses the social challenges that older adults face daily. Its goal is to improve physical, psychological, and social well-being by encouraging participants to re-engage in healthcare, connect with community-based organizations, and increase physical activity.
Called Member Connect, offered through Elevance Health-affiliated Medicare Advantage plans, the program engages an Elevance Health community health worker and an Elevance Health employee volunteer, or phone pal, that together build connections with individuals. By establishing these personal connections, the approach aims to empower people to make behavior changes that reduce isolation and loneliness.
Since its inception in 2017, the Member Connect program team has facilitated over 216,833 phone calls. Telephone surveys found that 87% of program participants had more meaningful connections with people since joining the program, and more importantly, 79% of participants agreed that they had an increase in activities that bring them joy and purpose.
“When dealing with loneliness and isolation ‘going it alone’ is not a viable solution,” said Caruso. “Sometimes it just takes a phone call from someone who cares to serve as a catalyst to make meaningful lifestyle changes.”
Some additional strategies that older adults can use to cope with loneliness include:
“By empowering older adults to acknowledge and find ways to treat loneliness and isolation, we can all be a part of the solution to the loneliness epidemic,” said Caruso.
[i] United States Department of Health and Human Services. (2020, April). Loneliness and Social Isolation Linked to Serious Health Conditions. Retrieved 1/24/2023 https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/lonely-older-adults.html.
2023-11-08T09:01:00
(BPT) – You may love hosting your friends and family over the holidays, but the cleaning, food prep and post-party cleanup? Not so much. Gathering together with your loved ones to enjoy the cheer and fun of the season is great, but don’t you wish there were ways to make it easier and less stressful to put on a festive celebration? Luckily, there are. You can have a blast hosting family and friends — and even enjoy the prep and cleanup — by following a few easy principles.
Here are ideas for keeping your next holiday party merry and bright from start to finish.
1. Create the kind of party you’d want to attend
There’s no need to make this year’s party identical to those you’ve held in the past or that your family has always had. Start by asking yourself what makes a party a success. Love getting dressed up and sitting down at a fancy table for a formal dinner? If so, that’s the kind of holiday party you should host.
If not, think about what you’ve enjoyed at memorable celebrations from your past. What made it a hit? Was it a low-key, dress-as-you-are party with cheerful music, kids’ crafts and informal games? Was the food simple but still tasty and comforting? Maybe there were party favors and gifts that were low-cost but silly and fun.
Make a quick list of the high points from different shindigs you’ve attended and see if you can include some of them in your party plan. The preparation will go much smoother and will be a whole lot more enjoyable when you’re entertaining in a way that you love.
2. Keep it simple — and delicious
You can reduce the stress and time it takes to prepare tasty food and handle post-party cleanup by getting some help from Bob Evans® dinner sides, like their beloved mashed potatoes and macaroni & cheese. Their high-quality, farm-fresh, quick to table sides provide a delicious way to “hack” holiday spreads with ready-to-heat refrigerated options that act as stand-alone dishes or as a convenient ingredient to level up any recipe. Bob Evans does all the washing, peeling, seasoning and cooking so you don’t have to.
Hosting family over the holidays? Make breakfast time easy and special by stocking up on Bob Evans breakfast products, including their signature sausage, bacon and liquid egg whites.
Find Bob Evans dinner sides and breakfast products at grocery stores nationwide and visit BobEvansGrocery.com to discover holiday-inspired recipe ideas.
3. Make it a family affair
Get the whole family involved in party preparations by assigning tasks to kids that are appropriate according to their age level, such as making and putting up decorations, helping to create the perfect holiday playlist or decorating cookies.
If you have friends who feel just like family, see if they’re willing to come early to help with the setup — and make sure to get them an extra-special holiday goody bag to thank them!
4. Designate specific party rooms
Since it may not be possible to make every room in your home 100% clean for the party, make sure the central rooms are in good shape, then mark some rooms “off limits” for partygoers, using festive garlands or funny signs, asking people not to enter.
If your front closet has no room for extra coats and bags, designate a guest room or office as a coat room so guests will know where to put their things when they arrive.
5. Add festive decorations
Create an immersive holiday atmosphere by decorating your entertaining space. Cover the room in festive décor, such as a decorated fireplace mantel, a special wall decked out in holiday lights, children’s artwork or a doorway framed in holiday greenery. The goal is to create a cheerful ambiance that delights your guests at every turn.
Hosting during the holidays doesn’t have to be stressful or overwhelming. Use these tips to help you relax and enjoy the cheer and fun of the season.
2023-11-08T08:01:00
(BPT) – We all find ourselves sometimes staying up late on a school or work night, leaving us feeling tired behind the wheel the next morning if we didn’t get enough good sleep. But do we ever think about the risks of drowsy driving while we’re buckling up?
Drowsy driving is impaired driving — just like drunk, drugged, and distracted driving — and it’s a real public health issue. Drowsy driving is behind thousands of vehicle crashes each year, killing an estimated 6,400 people in the U.S. alone. In fact, the AAA Foundation estimates that 300,000 police-reported crashes each year are caused primarily by drowsy driving. What’s really shocking is that while a majority of us say drowsy driving is highly risky, most of us do it anyway.
Getting enough sleep before we get behind the wheel is one of the best ways to prevent drowsy driving. So, as part of its commitment to educating the public about the importance of sleep for health and well-being, the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) produces Drowsy Driving Prevention Week® (DDPW) every year to encourage everyone to Sleep First. Drive Alert™.
Taking the Right Lane to Safer Driving
Most people say drowsy driving is highly risky, but don’t think it is as dangerous as other forms of impaired driving. New NSF data show that over 95% of teen and adult drivers both said drowsy driving is risky, but both ranked other forms of impaired driving — like drunk, drugged or distracted — as riskier. In fact, driving with as little as 4-5 hours of sleep is like you were driving with a blood alcohol level of .05%. That would be drunk driving!
Planning Your Route? Make Sleep Your First Stop
No matter where you’re headed, create a sleep game plan before you hit the road and get the recommended amount of sleep the night before your trip. NSF recommends 7-9 hours of sleep per night for adults and 8-10 hours for teens. Plan long trips with a companion who can not only look for early warning signs of fatigue but also help drive when needed. And, when on a long trip, schedule regular stops every 100 miles or two hours.
Caution: Warning Signs for Drowsy Driving
Be on the lookout for signs of drowsy driving when behind the wheel, like yawning repeatedly, rubbing your eyes, and finding it hard to focus on the road. Drifting from your lane or having trouble remembering the last few miles driven? Those are definitely red flags. If you notice these warning signs, pull over to a safe place and take a quick nap, stretch, or drink a caffeinated beverage. Only continue driving when you feel alert and refreshed.
New Driver? New Hazards
Motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death among teenagers. Teens are relatively new to driving, which means they have less experience and fewer driving skills to rely on during emergencies. Teens are also chronically sleep deprived and early school hours don’t always sync up with their internal body clock, also called a circadian rhythm.
Plus, teens are busy. With school, jobs and extracurricular activities, they might choose to sacrifice sleep. In fact, NSF found that, within their first 2 years of driving, 1 in 6 teens said they have already driven while drowsy, citing school or work activities as the top things that keep them from getting enough of the sleep they need.
Avoid Wrong Turns and Stay on Route to Being Your Best Slept Self®
The good thing is NSF has science-backed recommendations to help anyone and everyone be their Best Slept Self®. Just three small steps during the day and three small steps at night can make a big difference.
During the day, things like spending time in bright, natural light, getting regular exercise and eating meals at consistent times can help your body prepare for sleep. At night, NSF recommends avoiding things like heavy meals, caffeine, and alcohol, and putting your devices away an hour before bed.
All drivers and passengers should be on the lookout for drowsy driving. Before you get behind the wheel, take a moment to check your alertness and if you’re ready to drive. If you are not getting enough quality sleep to be your Best Slept Self®, you may not be fit to operate a motor vehicle.
For more sleep health information, visit www.theNSF.org.
The National Sleep Foundation’s Drowsy Driving Prevention Week® encourages everyone to prioritize sleep and drive when they are alert and refreshed. Our goal is to help people get the sleep they need and reduce the number of drivers who choose to drive while sleep-deprived.
2023-11-07T14:01:00
(BPT) – Many people feel the need to shield their loved ones from harm’s way and preserve and protect what’s most precious — whether it’s a life partner, children, or elderly parents, and that includes protection from infectious diseases like COVID.
Although COVID is no longer considered a public health emergency, it remains an ongoing health concern for Americans.[1] However, COVID vaccine fatigue remains a major obstacle in maintaining immunity and keeping vaccination rates high.[2]
Choosing a COVID vaccine to help protect what matters
COVID vaccines play an important role in helping to protect people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and even dying from COVID.[3] Vaccines are especially important for populations like the elderly and those with weakened immune systems who are at an increased risk for severe outcomes from COVID.[4]
“The good news is that we have COVID vaccine options available. As of September 2023, public health officials stated they anticipate the updated COVID vaccines will be better at fighting currently circulating variants,[3]” said Dr. Jehan “Gigi” El-Bayoumi, MD, FACP, Founding Director, Rodham Institute and Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University School of Medicine. “I recommend that people discuss COVID vaccine options with their healthcare provider or pharmacist to determine the best option for them, including if you’re eligible to get other vaccines, like the flu shot, at the same time.”
This season, updated COVID vaccine options are available, including protein-based and mRNA options.[3] It’s important to know that people who received one type of COVID vaccine previously do not have to receive the same kind again.[3]
What you can do to help Choose to Protect
Understanding perceptions and education gaps around COVID vaccines*
Novavax, in partnership with HealthyWomen and with support from Harris Poll, conducted a survey among 1,005 vaccinated U.S. adults aged 45+ who play a key role in household healthcare decisions to better understand perceptions about and attitudes toward COVID vaccination as well as potential motivations to take action on education gaps concerning COVID vaccines.
The top survey results to know include:
“For many people who serve as key healthcare decision-makers for their families, COVID made it that much more important and that much more difficult to protect ourselves and our families,” said Beth Battaglino, RN-C, Chief Executive Officer, HealthyWomen. “What made it easier was having access to safe and effective vaccines that have been well tested, a fact supported by 86% of survey respondents who agreed that knowing their loved ones are vaccinated against COVID puts them at ease.[5] Our choices matter — learn more about your options and get vaccinated against COVID today.”
* Survey findings are results from the Choose to Protect™ survey, conducted by The Harris Poll and co-commissioned by Novavax and HealthyWomen.
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID-19 Surveillance After Expiration of the Public Health Emergency Declaration — United States, May 11, 2023. Accessed October 20, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7219e1.htm?s_mm7219e1_w
[2] Stamm, T.A., Partheymüller, J., Mosor, E. et al. Determinants of COVID-19 vaccine fatigue. Nat Med 29, 1164–1171 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-023-02282-y
[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines. Accessed October 20, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html
[4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID-19: People with Certain Medical Conditions. Accessed October 20, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html
[5] Novavax and The Harris Poll Survey Findings. Initial Survey Highlights. Field Period: September 7-14, 2023.
[6] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID-19: Variants of the Virus. Accessed October 23, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/index.html
[7] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID Data Tracker. Accessed October 23, 2023. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklyhospitaladmissions_select_00
[8] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 5 Things You Should Know about COVID-19 Vaccines. Accessed October 27, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/whats-new/5-things-you-should-know.html
2023-11-07T08:01:00
(BPT) – Aging is a natural part of life, and you can see it in the lines on your face and gray hairs on your head. However, while you may focus on the external signs of aging, the truth is that humans age from the inside out, starting in our cells.
As your cells age, you age. While you can’t stop it from happening, you can slow it down. The key is to limit or mitigate the attacks on your cells that cause them to age.
Cells are remarkable powerhouses that endure 500 trillion attacks every minute. From environmental toxins to the food you eat, there are several sources of cell damage.
“Although you may not immediately see or feel this damage, as it accumulates, it sets off this potentially harmful chain reaction,” said Erin Barrett, Ph.D., Nutritional Biochemistry, Senior Director of Product Innovation and Scientific Affairs at Shaklee, “with damaged cells releasing more free radicals, causing more oxidative stress and more cellular damage.”
You can unfurrow your brows because there is good news. Several factors are in your control to reduce these attacks and the damage they can cause.
1. Lifestyle
It’s common knowledge that diet, exercise and avoiding toxic habits are crucial to healthy living. However, they can also have a huge impact on how you age. Why? Good lifestyle habits that increase oxygen delivery to your cells help them function at their best to neutralize free radicals and prevent oxidative stress. So what can you do?
Avoid smoking and drinking as both result in oxidative stress, a main culprit of cellular damage and aging. When the free radicals (unstable atoms that damage cells) and antioxidants in your body are imbalanced, it causes oxidative stress. The key to preventing oxidative stress, and ultimately slowing aging, is to make lifestyle choices that neutralize free radicals.
Of course, offsetting free radicals is easier said than done. Free radicals form through essential functions of daily life, like breathing and digesting food. That said, you can make lifestyle changes that can counterbalance or even reduce the production of free radicals.
In addition to toxic habits like smoking and drinking, a poor diet can also create free radicals. Take stock of what you eat and drink, and see where you can incorporate healthier eating habits. Also, consider adding antioxidant foods and supplements to your diet to neutralize free radicals.
Sleep is another powerful way to defend against oxidative stress. In fact, according to a study from Columbia University, sleep may have antioxidant effects! So, make it a goal to fall asleep and get up at the same time most days. You’ll feel better and fight against oxidative stress.
2. Environment
Environmental factors — such as climate and water, air and soil quality — greatly impact how you age, too. Environmental toxins are especially worrisome. Throughout your life, you’ve unknowingly been exposed to pollutants, pesticides and other toxins that cause oxidative stress, forming free radicals.
While you can’t control your environment, you can protect yourself from oxidative stress and free radicals. As mentioned above, daily antioxidants are powerful tools to neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress.
When choosing an antioxidant, make sure to choose a high-quality supplement that is scientifically proven to slow cellular aging and has key ingredients shown to neutralize free radicals*, protect against oxidative stress*, and protect your cells from damage.
3. Inflammation
Alongside oxidative stress, inflammation also plays a significant role in the process of cellular aging. Inflammation is a natural reaction in our bodies, but here’s the catch: it has the potential to fuel oxidative stress, which in turn can damage our cells and accelerate the aging process. Shaklee’s Vivix effectively addresses this cause of cellular damage.†
Vivix has a whopping 27 global patents across its product family, and is scientifically shown to protect DNA damage. Cells treated with Vivix ingredients have a remarkable 2/3 less DNA damage than cells that didn’t get Vivix1.
One of the key components of Vivix’s efficacy is its polyphenols. Polyphenols are important plant-based nutrients that help your body manage inflammation and oxidative stress. Common sources of polyphenols include coffee, red wine, black and green tea, blueberries, raspberries, almonds and walnuts.
What sets Vivix apart? The complex mixture of polyphenols it contains is 13 times more powerful than resveratrol alone, according to a study published in The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal. The blend brings together the powerful antioxidant properties of several polyphenols, including red wine extract, purple carrot extract, black currant extract, pomegranate extract and chebulic myrobalan. To learn more, visit US.Shaklee.com.
Your youth and longevity are in your hands. By controlling or mitigating these three aging factors, you can keep your cells happy and healthy, so you are, too.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
† Shown in a clinical study to blunt the inflammatory response in healthy people to a high-fat, high-carbohydrate meal.
1. Fisher, L., T. Ianiro, F. Lau, H. Wang and B. Daggy: Synergistic effects of phenolic mixtures in human cell models of aging. Experimental Biology 2015, Boston, Massachusetts, March 28-April 1, 2015. FASEB Journal 29:608.36, 2015.
2023-11-07T08:01:00
(BPT) – The new year is just around the corner, bringing with it the tradition of New Year’s resolutions. Whether you’re looking to achieve major milestones in 2024, like buying a car, or just looking to improve your money habits, here are a few simple tips to follow to start making progress toward your financial resolutions now.
1. Open a checking account
One of the most important steps you can take toward reaching your financial goals is to open a checking account. Chase Secure BankingSM is a great account to start with because there is no minimum deposit to get started and there are no overdraft fees, helping to ensure you spend only what you have. Secure Banking also offers early direct deposit to help you get your money sooner — up to two days in advance. Additionally, the Chase Mobile® app allows you to manage your money, deposit checks and pay bills or pay people virtually from anywhere. You’ll also have access to Chase Credit Journey, a credit monitoring tool that is free for everyone — not just Chase customers — and allows you to build, manage and protect your credit and identity without impacting your credit score.
2. Create a budget
Creating a budget is another great step to improve your financial health. Understanding how much money you have after you pay your expenses like bills, food and rent will help you better manage your money. Setting a monthly budget with tools like a Budget Worksheet makes the process simple. Enter your recurring income and expenses to see where your money goes each month. Before you get started, make sure you have your latest bank statements, recurring bills — e.g., rent/mortgage, insurance, mobile devices, utilities, credit cards, etc. — and the average amount you spend on variable expenses like groceries. By doing so, you’ll be better prepared to make informed decisions and help set yourself up for financial success in the new year.
The 50/30/20 rule is another great budgeting technique to help categorize your monthly income.
Each month, consider setting aside 50% of your income toward recurring bills. Then, reserve 30% for ‘wants’ or discretionary spending like dining out, shopping or traveling. Lastly, think about using the remaining 20% of your monthly income to build your savings or pay down debt.
3. Build savings
Whether you’re preparing for a big purchase or building an emergency fund, planning is key. Your savings aren’t just for a big-ticket item but are there for when you need money most — e.g., unexpected expenses, etc. Plus, having reserves ensures you don’t have to worry about certain transactions impacting your budget.
Start saving early and set a clear weekly or monthly savings goal. Don’t be afraid to start small! Even $1 a day can go a long way. This is great practice and one you can carry into the new year.
Creating a rainy-day or emergency fund is an important savings practice at any age. They can provide peace of mind and help with life’s unexpected surprises. By saving regularly, no matter the frequency or amount, you’ll have the financial flexibility to take on your goals. Some savings goals may require more time (and money), but you can get there with the right plan.
4. Build, improve and monitor your credit score
A credit score is a snapshot of your credit history that helps lenders see your financial habits. If you’re looking to make a big purchase in the new year, like a car, or planning out your path to homeownership, your credit score will be a major factor.
Having good credit is important for many reasons. It can help you get better interest rates on credit cards and car or mortgage loans. Building good credit is about making payments on time, paying off your balances, etc. Repairing is about making a plan to pay down the debt and rebuild your credit. For example, know your score, monitor your account, pay your pending bills, etc.
Think about how you can build consistent habits and improve your credit score. It’s important to set realistic goals to help yourself build a long credit history and practice healthy financial habits. Consider the following:
As you build your credit, stay vigilant and keep track of your score. You can use credit monitoring tools like Chase Credit Journey to help monitor and understand your credit, as well as get notified if your data is breached or exposed on the dark web. It also helps you educate yourself on your credit using knowledge-based articles and videos to guide you through today’s financial landscape.
As you make progress on your financial health journey, keep an eye out for potential fraud and scam risks. Avoid sharing personal information on the phone, even with someone claiming to be a bank representative. Think before you click on any links via email, text message or on social media. Remember, a bank won’t ask you to provide personal information when they call you but may need you to verify your identity if you call them.
For more easy tips to help set yourself up for financial success in 2024 and setting financial goals for yourself, check out chase.com/financialgoals.
Bank deposit accounts, such as checking and savings, are subject to approval. Chase Mobile® app is available for select mobile devices. Message and data rates may apply. Deposit products provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
