Category: Brandpoint Lifestyle

2023-07-24T08:31:00

(BPT) – By Ginger Chambless, Head of Research, JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking

Halfway through 2023, views on whether a recession is likely to occur before year-end are mixed. JPMorgan Chase’s 2023 Midyear Business Leaders Outlook survey found that 45% of business leaders anticipate a recession in 2023 or believe the economy is currently in one, down from 65% at the beginning of the year. However, 36% don’t expect a recession to happen, and 20% are unsure.

JPMorgan Chase recently surveyed U.S. midsize business leaders to understand their economic outlook and business challenges heading into the second half of the year, as well as how they plan to navigate the evolving landscape.

While stronger-than-expected economic growth to start the year may have impacted business leaders’ conviction of a recession, they continue to face ongoing macroeconomic challenges — including persistent labor shortages, inflation and increased competition — posing headwinds to their companies.

Preparing for uncertainty is never far from the minds of business leaders. The Midyear Business Leaders Outlook survey uncovered three ways they are positioning their companies for success.

1. Increasing Efficiencies

Particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, business leaders have sought out greater efficiencies by investing in software and modernizing business processes to better facilitate collaboration and streamline operations. The rise of new and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) has increasingly moved onto business leaders’ radars.

The survey found that nearly 4 in 10 business leaders (38%) are already using or considering using AI tools, such as generative AI and language processing software. For businesses that have adopted or are considering adopting AI tools, more than half (53%) are integrating them into business operations, and 46% are tapping them for internal and/or external communications.

2. Adapting to Inflationary Pressures

U.S. inflation surged to a 40-year high of more than 9%, measured by the Consumer Price Index, at the midway point of 2022. This measure of inflation has moderated to 3% year-over-year as of June, marking a new two-year low. Still, rising wages and higher interest rates continue to pose challenges for business leaders. Labor markets remain tight and borrowing costs have risen sharply over the past year amid the fastest Fed hiking cycle in decades. Nearly 7 in 10 business leaders (68%) think the Fed has done enough to tighten monetary policy and should pause rate hikes in the current economic landscape.

While inflation is slowing, most business leaders aren’t yet seeing lower prices. In fact, nearly 8 in 10 business leaders (79%) say their costs of doing business have risen in the past six months.

While that is down compared with 91% at the beginning of 2023, inflation remains the single greatest factor in pricing decisions that ultimately influence the bottom line. As a result, businesses are passing higher costs on to consumers, as three-quarters of respondents (75%) say they’re likely to continue raising prices for goods and services.

3. Preparing for the Unexpected

Business leaders have demonstrated impressive resilience and adaptability despite new and ongoing challenges. The majority are confident in their company’s performance in the year ahead; yet, their confidence in the global and national economy remains tempered — just 15% of respondents are optimistic about the global economy, and fewer than 3 in 10 respondents (29%) are bullish on the national economy, though up from 22% at the start of the year.

As business leaders focus inward to shore up their own performance, many are planning to introduce new products and services (53%) and prioritize their most profitable products (42%) over the next 12 months. Other considerations for enhancing a company’s stability include maintaining strong liquidity and adequate cash balances.

Visit jpmorgan.com/midyear-outlook for more information on the 2023 Midyear Business Leaders Outlook survey.

2023-07-21T12:03:00

(BPT) – Generative AI is creating an extraordinary amount of buzz, and it’s catching the interest of people wondering how to take advantage of what it has to offer. If you’re a small-business owner, you’re likely curious about how it can help you grow and succeed, especially as your business becomes more complex.

Beyond the initial start-up phase, there are some clear indicators that your business is beginning to scale. For example, you may be expanding your online sales channels or in-person locations, hiring more employees, and increasing your inventory — all of which demand more of your time. It’s critical to prepare yourself with the best tools and technology for continued success.

Turning to AI tools that are in products like Intuit QuickBooks can help automate tasks that would otherwise need to be done manually — freeing up your time to focus on what really matters to you.

Work smarter, not harder

Almost all small-business owners note that they are turning to AI to help them automate low-level tasks, according to a recent Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Survey. They plan to adopt AI to help with marketing and content creation, analyzing customer trends and behaviors, and customer service support. Another 28% plan to adopt AI tools for managing cash flow and 24% say they want to use AI to automate low-level tasks.

“The number one question I’m asked by our customers is ‘How do I ensure the success of my business?’” said Kelly Vincent, a VP of the Small Business Group at Intuit. “The short answer is, know where to invest. If ever there was a time to tune in and understand how AI and technology can help your business, it’s now. AI can help reduce the operational burden and automate low-level tasks, leveling the playing field for businesses by giving owners more time and resources to focus on what really matters.”

Saving time and streamlining tasks are top reasons why small-business owners adopt AI. Wondering where to start? Here are three examples of how small-business owners are using AI to their advantage:

1. Inventory management

Making sure you have enough inventory at the right time is challenging and time consuming. AI can help analyze your inventory and make recommendations including how often to restock popular items, what items to put on sale to move more product, which items may be worth eliminating and much more.

2. Bookkeeping

Financial management is essential to a business’s success. However, most small-business owners don’t have a background in accounting or the resources to hire a dedicated accountant. In fact, 47% of small businesses wish they could automate financial reports. Fortunately, the AI features in QuickBooks can automate several accounting and bookkeeping data entry tasks as well as generate reports to inform important business decisions.

3. Marketing

A business can’t succeed without customers. Getting and growing customers is equally important to the product or service you offer. Nearly 30% of business owners would like to automate customer engagement and communications, like email marketing and customer support. Intuit Mailchimp has rolled out generative AI capabilities that help small businesses design on-brand marketing content faster, get copy ideas and inspiration, and test variants to deliver more personalized and engaging content to their customers.

The future is bright

AI helps small-business owners save time so they can focus energy on other key areas of your business like developing more products and services or finding new ways to reach customers. Services like QuickBooks Online Advanced leverages AI to help streamline operations and provide financial management and helpful insights to drive your business forward.

For more than a decade, Intuit has been driving AI innovation to help its customers solve their most important financial problems and drive durable growth for small businesses. To learn more about how the company is empowering small businesses with enterprise AI, visit the blog at Intuit.com.

2023-07-21T10:53:00

(BPT) – Strength is an important aspect of overall wellness, but many people can have a difficult time making it an integral part of their fitness routine. In fact, according to a study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, six in 10 American adults don’t do any muscle-strengthening activities on a regular basis. Strength training or building lean muscle is important to protect your health long term. Increasing lean muscle mass can also help to reduce the risk of injury to ligaments and tendons, and can also improve your posture, through core strength and back muscles. If you’re curious about starting strength training or want to make bigger strides with your current workout efforts, there are certain steps you can take to help you reach your goals.

What can you do to position yourself for success? Registered Dietitian, Michelle Ricker, RDN, CPT-ACSM, CPT-NASM, and director of Worldwide Health Education and Training at Herbalife, shares her expert insight.

Step 1: Go bigger for fewer reps

When you’re training for endurance, the goal is to go as long as you can in whatever activity you’re doing. Strength training is different. You want to challenge your body with weight and focus on targeted reps that have a specific impact.

“If you are looking to build strength, instead of endurance, your workouts should be focused on lifting heavier weights and keeping the reps between 6-12,” said Ricker. “By increasing the weight and lowering the reps, you will be able to increase strength over time.”

You want to choose a weight that you can lift comfortably, while still being challenged. Ricker said the goal is to work the muscles to a perceived exhaustion, which helps build lean muscle mass and therefore strength.

Step 2: Prep and use proper form

One essential part of strength training is making sure you’re doing it the right way. Proper form matters to ensure you’re exercising muscles correctly to encourage growth and make gains.

Proper form also matters because it helps prevent injury. If you’re not sure you’re doing resistance training or strength exercises correctly, consider taking a class or hiring a trainer to help. There are also many fitness communities you can join to get peer support.

Incorporating Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA’s) 15 minutes prior to lifting weights or during your strength training, can also help improve lean muscle mass. BCAA is a general term for the essential amino acids valine, leucine, and isoleucine that are metabolized by the body and used as sources of muscle energy. They have been shown to aid in muscle growth and ease muscle soreness.

Step 3: Make diet matter

It’s important to fuel your muscles with proper nutrition when focusing on strength. You may need to increase calorie intake and/or focus on getting in those critical macronutrients (protein and carbohydrates specifically) both pre- and post-workout. Muscle protein synthesis can only occur with the appropriate amino acids and carbs to bring the protein into the muscles, said Ricker.

“The biggest thing I see that people do wrong when trying to build strength is boosting protein too high and not incorporating carbs,” she said. “People are still afraid of carbs, because they’ve been trained to think they lead to extra weight gain, but the truth is that carbohydrates are a very important fuel for an athlete. They supply energy, while protein facilitates muscle building and recovery, which is why eating a carbohydrate food paired with protein can maximize lean muscle strength and size.”

Step 4: Take supplements to power your work-outs

“To build body muscle, we need to apply stress to our muscles through progressive resistance or strength training. This process requires energy, and creatine supplies a primary source of energy for this process. Therefore, ensuring we are consuming an adequate amount of creatine is essential if we want to see progress in our strength,” Ricker said.

To get adequate creatine and amino acids through the diet, she also suggests consuming red meat, an excellent source of creatine, protein, vitamins and minerals, to your strength-building meal plan. Eating pumpkin seeds, nuts, sesame seeds and cooked quinoa, which help our bodies produce more creatine naturally for those who follow a plant-based diet.

To simplify the process of getting high-quality creatine, many people opt to use a supplement such as Herbalife24 Prepare, which contains 2mg of creatine per serving. It’s an easy way to boost your pre-workout routine and helps boost your performance by providing 100mg caffeine for energy, mental focus, and performance*, as well as nutrients to support movement and blood flow*.

Step 5: Plan rest days

Resting your muscles is an essential part of a good strength training program. A good strategy is to rotate muscle groups on different days so different sessions are focused on certain parts of the body, providing a ‘rest day’ for those muscle groups worked.

For example, Monday you work your legs. Tuesdays you work your arms and shoulders. Wednesday you work your back and core. This rotation helps work muscles consistently but also provides adequate time for rest, recovery and muscle growth. From a nutrition standpoint, having a post-workout protein shake with high quality protein and the correct protein to carb ratio, like Herbalife24 Rebuild Strength, will also help repair and support muscle growth*.

Strong muscles are important at every age. If you are interested in increasing your strength through exercise and proper nutrition, these steps can help you make progress you can feel proud of.

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

2023-07-20T18:01:00

Directions:

In a small bowl, whisk together oil, lemon juice, vinegar, salt and pepper. Arrange tomato slices on a platter. Scatter feta on top, then the mint. Drizzle with dressing and serve.

Set the stage

Whether you’re hosting your party indoors or out, provide a lovely setting to enhance your guests’ experience. White linens are the perfect backdrop for guests to appreciate the colors of the wine. Make sure you have enough glassware to allow for comparison tasting.

Do your best to avoid scented candles which can distract from the aromas of the wines. If you choose to use flowers, also use low scent flowers, and if you really want that wine country feel, add colorful and festive grape clusters to your arrangements.

Serve your wine correctly

Most wine in America is served at the wrong temperature: White wine tends to be served too cold, and red wine tends to be served too warm. Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay should be served between 45-50 degrees and Cabernet should be served around 60, but since it’s summer, don’t stress over the wine’s temperature. Instead, offer frozen grapes (red and white) to your guests if their wine has gotten too warm. This will chill the wine without imparting additional flavors or watering it down.

Serve small tasting amounts in each guest’s glass (about two ounces). This will allow guests to taste all the different wines available and decide for themselves which they prefer.

Following these simple tips, your wine tasting party will help you feel like you’re living the good life in Sonoma, wherever you are.

2023-07-20T14:27:00

(BPT) – Technology can make life convenient, especially with mobile phones that help us stay connected on-the-go. Unfortunately, today’s scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it more difficult to spot suspicious emails, calls or texts. But the good news is there are ways to identify the red flags of a potential scam if you know what to look for and understand the right steps to take — or not to take — when you suspect you’re being scammed.

Once you’ve learned about these techniques make sure to share the information with your friends and family — especially those who may be more vulnerable to these kinds of scams. For instance, start a conversation with older and younger adults who may be more trusting of digital technology.

Here are tips to help you and your loved ones be on guard against scammers from the security experts at Bank of America.

1. Didn’t expect it? Don’t click it.

Be wary of any message that’s unexpected — no matter who or what company it’s from — especially if it’s about something like a “problem with your account,” “confirmation of an order,” “difficulty delivering a package” or a “virus on your computer.” These messages may come by phone, email, text, direct message or pop-up with a request for personal information or money.

Rule of thumb: Never click on a link or open an attachment from any institution or individual unless you were expecting it. If you think the message could be legitimate, take a moment and find the contact information on the company website and then reach out to the institution or person directly and ask if the email, text or call came from them. If not, simply delete it.

2. Be wary of requests that pressure you to act immediately.

Watch out for messages that pressure you to act immediately. If a familiar company or someone you know comes to you with an alarming “emergency” or “problem” where time is of the essence, take a breath and recognize that this urgency may be a scam. Scammers know if they can get your emotions or adrenaline high that you’re less likely to think rationally. And don’t just trust caller ID to confirm who’s calling since numbers and voices can be easily spoofed or imitated. Even if it seems to be from a relative or friend, call that person directly at the number you’ve always used to contact them in the past to confirm if the message indeed came from them.

3. Asked to pay in an unusual way? Stop and assess the situation.

Scammers often ask for a payment method that can’t be traced or rescinded, such as through a bitcoin, prepaid debit cards or gift cards — this is a major red flag. If you’re asked to provide payment in an unusual way, stop and assess if this may be a scam. Financial institutions will never ask you to transfer money to anyone, including yourself, and will never ask you to transfer money because of possible fraud on your account.

4. When in doubt, don’t give it out.

It’s crucial to safeguard your personal and financial information. Be wary if you are asked to provide personal or account information. Keep in mind that a financial institution such as Bank of America will never contact you via phone, text or email to request personal information or an account verification code. Never provide this information to anyone unless it was you who initiated the call to the company.

5. Tempted to “get rich quick?” Trust your gut.

If you receive an offer for a free product, trip, or other “get rich quick” opportunity that seems too good to be true, trust your instincts. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Also, never cash a check for someone you don’t know personally even if they claim they will pay you extra for the favor. If you authorize a transfer or send money to a scammer, it can be very difficult for you to get your money back.

6. Take your security to the next level.

Use up-to-date technology to avoid falling victim to scams. You can help protect your online accounts by always using features like two-factor authentication, which makes your accounts harder to access, and activity alerts that keep you updated on what’s going on with your account.

Unsure how safe your accounts are? Check if your bank offers security tools to help you. The Bank of America Security Center brings together security features and tools as well as fraud and scam education, making it easy to get the latest info and protect yourself. Security Center in Mobile and Online Banking also includes a security meter that shows you the level of protection of your accounts and information.

Learn more about ways to protect your financial security and help avoid scams.

2023-07-17T13:51:00

(BPT) – Breakfast goes hand-in-hand with the age-old question: sweet or savory? If you are looking for something more savory to enjoy first thing in the morning, you’re not alone. A recent CARAVAN survey*, fielded by Big Village, found that 70% of Americans crave savory breakfast foods, and 7 in 10 Americans said they want to add more protein to their morning meal.

So, what’s the solution to this breakfast conundrum? Many would be surprised to find that it is possible to whip up a protein-forward dish that replaces a traditionally sweet breakfast in just minutes. Get ready to say goodbye to mid-morning sugar crashes and enjoy Sausage Waffles to satisfy your cravings for savory flavors!

A surprisingly easy, tasty and savory waffle recipe

Whether you’re trying to get your family out the door on a busy weekday morning or you want to enjoy a delicious but simple weekend meal, swap out that traditionally sweet doughy breakfast in favor of Sausage Waffles made from Jimmy Dean Brand Pork Sausage Roll.

The good news is that they are quick and easy to make. First, preheat your waffle maker for 5 minutes on the waffle setting (or until hot). Then place one sausage patty into each waffle cavity and cook for 4-5 minutes until the sausage patties reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit and are no longer pink. Pro tip: before cooking, place the Jimmy Dean Brand Pork Sausage Roll into the freezer for 10-15 minutes for easier slicing.

You can serve your savory waffles along with your favorite fruit, eggs or other breakfast foods for an effortless, tasty dish your entire family will love — or to take breakfast up another notch, try:

• A stunning Sausage Waffle Charcuterie board like @edithxbella on TikTok
• Delicious Sausage Waffle tacos created by @yourbarefootneighbor on TikTok

For plenty of other delicious recipe ideas to help turn your breakfast (and other meals) into a more protein-forward, savory experience for any day of the week, visit JimmyDean.com.

*This CARAVAN survey was conducted by Big Village among a sample of 1,008 adults 18 years of age and older. The online omnibus study is conducted three times a week among a demographically representative U.S. sample of 1,000 adults 18 years of age and older. This survey was live on June 2-4, 2023. Completed interviews are weighted to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total U.S. population, 18 years of age and older.

2023-07-18T10:01:00

(BPT) – If you’re a Medicaid enrollee, you’re at risk of losing coverage.

Over the past three years, during the COVID-19 public health emergency, states were required to provide continuous coverage for everyone enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). But now that the pandemic has officially come to an end, states have permission to resume their redetermination processes, which means that they will be conducting eligibility checks to ensure enrollees still qualify for the program. As a result, millions of people are at risk of losing coverage — and not just based on eligibility. In the two months since the unwinding started, hundreds of thousands of enrollees have been dropped from Medicaid for procedural reasons, meaning that their paperwork is not up to date.

The bottom line is that all Medicaid enrollees must take action now to ensure they don’t experience gaps in coverage.

Overwhelmed? GoodRx is here to help.

If you’re on Medicaid, here’s what you should do:

1. Read up on what is happening in your state: Go to GoodRx.com/Covered to find state-by-state guides that break down the Medicaid unwinding process, the steps you can take to maintain coverage, and what to do if you are no longer eligible for Medicaid.

2. Ensure your contact information is updated: This is the most important thing Medicaid enrollees can do right now. Make sure your state Medicaid program administrator has your current contact information on file so that you don’t lose coverage even if you’re still eligible.

3. Understand your options for care: Use the GoodRx Medicaid guide to determine your options for everything from insurance to prescription savings.

Lost coverage but think you still qualify?

If you lost coverage but believe you still qualify for Medicaid, you can appeal the decision. This process varies across states, so be sure to consult your state-specific guide. If you missed the renewal deadline, your case will likely be reconsidered if you act within 90 days. You can also reapply or request a fair hearing.

No longer eligible for Medicaid?

You still have options, including purchasing insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, taking advantage of employer-sponsored insurance, or applying for Medicare.

How can I save money regardless of my coverage?

Did you know prescription prices can vary by upwards of $100 from one pharmacy to the next? GoodRx helps you find the lowest prices for free. Whether you have health insurance or are facing a gap in care due to a loss of coverage, you should always check GoodRx to find low prices on your medications. You can find savings of up to 80% from pharmacy retail price and prices that are lower than an insurance copay over half the time based on GoodRx’s research. The best part? GoodRx is accepted at more than 70,000 pharmacies nationwide. GoodRx is not insurance.

Visit GoodRx.com/Covered to find the information and savings you need, and ensure a gap in coverage is not a gap in care.

2023-07-18T08:01:00

(BPT) – As more people focus on their health with goals to boost their immune system and improve fitness, diet is center stage. Eating healthy, well-balanced meals supports overall wellness, but it’s not always easy to get all the vitamins and nutrients you need.

Whether it’s to fill gaps in diet or a meal replacement option, there are a variety of products to support a healthy and active lifestyle. Some might argue there are too many, causing confusion for consumers on what they really need and what’s actually effective.

How can you feel confident in a supplement’s claims? Consider this expert insight from Kristy Appelhans, doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and vice president of Global Consumer Safety for Herbalife, a leader in the dietary supplement market.

1. Review ingredients

The first step is to identify a brand of interest and review the ingredients of the product to make sure they are well-suited for your nutritional goals.

It is also helpful to explore the Company’s FAQ or customer support portal online for additional information. Some good things to know include:

• How ingredients are sourced
• Manufacturing process of products
• If the product is compatible with your specific conditions, dietary restrictions or other preferences
• Additional ingredients that you should be aware of such as those identified in allergen disclosure statements or cautionary wording on the label
• Certifications, logos and other product label claims

Transparency is key. A credible brand should be open and honest about these points and your other questions. Lack of this information or non-response to your inquiries is a red flag that you should continue your research elsewhere. You can also discuss questions you have about ingredients or products with your doctor.

2. Evaluate brand reputation

The market is filled with new nutrition products that promise compelling results. However, these claims can be inflated or misleading. Before adding a new product to your diet, take the time to research the company you are purchasing from.

Here are some questions you should ask:

• How long has the company been in business?
• Does it have a reputable group of advisors, such as a science-backed advisory board?
• Are they meeting or exceeding expectations for current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP)?
• Has the company been a recipient of any industry awards or recognition for product quality, research or customer service?
• Do they stand behind their products with a guarantee?

It’s important to use products from a company with a long history of results and commitment to quality standards.

3. Be critical

Reading health articles and other information online is smart, but it’s important to be critical and search for the truth. Sometimes researchers have a predisposed bias, which can be detrimental to a product’s reputation and misinform consumers.

For example, in 2013 a group of independent scientists set out to prove that hepatotoxins, which cause liver disease, would be found in Herbalife products. Their research did not prove their hypothesis, but instead, they had to conclude in their publication that they did not see any association between liver disease and the company’s products, based on their study results.

4. Compare options

Supplements today come in many forms, including pills, protein shakes, nutritious snacks and beverages. After you decide which are best for your needs and lifestyle, it’s time to dig in to learn more about testing, processing and sourcing for each option.

Take time to explore the company’s level of testing they do with their ingredients, the third-party verifications (such as NSF and ISO), and their manufacturing transparency. Sourcing is critical in ensuring that your supplements, vitamins and other nutritional products are created with care.

Adding supplements or other nutritional support to your diet can help you reach your wellness goals. By taking these steps, you’ll learn more about what you’re putting into your body to ensure it’s what you need to feel your best. Learn more at IAmHerbalifeNutrition.com.

2023-07-17T02:01:00

(BPT) – There’s something special about this time of year, no matter how old you are — with plenty of excitement and anticipation as the next school year approaches, mixed with just a little anxiety about the upcoming changes. Parents and kids of all ages, especially those who are college-bound, can sometimes feel overwhelmed by everything that needs to happen to be ready for this big transition.

Fortunately, you can make preparing for the upcoming academic year a lot easier with some tips and tools to help everyone stay on track during the shift from summer to school mode.

1. Tackle time management

One of the biggest shifts from the lazy days of summer back to school again is keeping on top of everyone’s schedules. A tried-and-true tactic is to create and post one big family calendar where everyone can see it (like on your fridge or other central location). That way everyone can add their appointments, extracurricular activities and upcoming events so the whole family knows what to plan for and look forward to each week. Try using color-coded markers so everyone knows which events are for which family member — or for everyone.

To make this task easier, one helpful tool you can use is downloading and printing out a family calendar template from a site like CalendarLabs.com.

2. Make mealtimes easier

Another important adjustment that takes place each fall is the need to plan ahead for speedy breakfasts, packable lunches, after-school snacks and easy-to-prep meals for busy weeknights. Preparing nutritious meals for kids takes some advance planning, so it’s a good idea to print out a useful tool like a printable meal chart from TwoPeasAndTheirPod.com.

With a planning tool like this, you’ll be ready to shop and prep for meals more efficiently, so you can continue to feed your kids well before, during and after school. Involve kids in the planning by asking what they want to eat for each meal, while introducing different colors based on each of the food groups to show them what a balanced meal looks like.

3. Get ready for the move to campus

For college students, the move away from home can be a real test of their organizational abilities. Help ensure they’ll have what they need by printing a list of everything they think they’ll have to pack for the big move. They can share their list with older siblings, friends and family to get everyone’s advice. Once their list is complete, they can print out their finalized list for shopping and crossing off items they’ve already gotten.

They can also help reduce the homesickness they’re bound to feel their first year away from home by printing out pictures of beloved family members (and pets) from their phone so they can always have loved ones with them, while also making a welcome addition to their dorm room decor.

4. Maximize technology to help with planning

You and your kids can easily print out all of these types of helpful calendars, scheduling tools, mealtime planners, photos and to-do lists using the Mopria Print Service app, which enhances print functionality on any Android phone or tablet, allowing you to connect and print to one of over 120 million Mopria certified printers without any additional set-up — eliminating the need to install additional software or drivers so you can easily print, regardless of the printer’s brand.

Simply download the app from Mopria.org/print-from-android or Google Play to get started.

5. Stay organized at every stage

Each year also brings with it a new slew of important papers to keep copies of, including information that your kids will need to have. The Mopria Scan app offers a convenient way for you to scan documents from your scanner or multi-function printer directly to your Android device. This saves you the hassle of installing apps for every scanner you use, and facilitates easy access to your scanned pages for viewing on your Android devices. You can download the Mopria Scan app from Google Play or directly from their website.

With these tools and tactics, you should all feel better prepared for the changes to come — helping you and your kids make the transition seamlessly, no matter what the new school year brings.

2023-07-14T07:31:00

(BPT) – Whether it’s during a lunch break or just relaxing, more and more people are turning to casual, mobile games to interject moments for entertainment and unwinding into their days. Beyond bragging rights and achievement, many are also enjoying paid competitive gaming contests as part of the fun. According to Game Taco, the parent company of skill-based gaming platform WorldWinner, nearly 46% of mobile gamers are either currently playing or are interested in playing skill games.

By definition, skill games require the player to use their physical or mental abilities and come in many forms. Traditional skill games include familiar favorites like Atari Breakout, solitaire and chess; word games like Scrabble or recently released Word Slots and even arcade games like Bejeweled. All of these games require players to flex their abilities instead of relying on luck when competing in real money tournaments and for the chance to win cash and prizes. Plus, all can be played on a smartphone or PC.

Still not sure if skill-gaming is for you? Check out these five ways you can benefit from playing these fun games.

1. Sharpen your skills and have fun

Playing skill-based mobile games can help players improve natural abilities and acquire new skills while having fun and, in some cases, winning money. Mobile games of skill require strategic planning, problem-solving, spatial awareness and other skills that are handy in everyday situations, extending their benefits beyond that initial sense of accomplishment. There’s science to back this up; recent studies demonstrate playing digital games can improve everything from leadership aptitude to collaboration and work ethic.

2. Join the craze

Digital gaming has almost always had a reputation for being most popular amongst men, but studies paint a much more even gender divide, especially on mobile.

According to a recent market research survey by AdColony and DISQO, the number of men and women playing mobile games is fairly equal. In some cases, women take the lead: a consumer insights report by Newzoo found that when it comes to mobile games, women are more likely to play more often than their male counterparts.

Skill-based mobile games encourage players to be social and find community with others. The category has the widest player demographic, with one-third of players over 45 and it appeals to both men and women. Best of all, players are matched by skill level, so there’s always someone for you to play with.

3. Relax at home or on the go

Mobile games are a great way to unwind in-between activities or at the end of a long day. The same AdColony and DISQO survey found that 47% of mobile gamers play games to relax. Since mobile games can be accessed on your phone anytime, anywhere, they’re a convenient way to take a break from daily responsibilities and stressors. Skill games, particularly, are attractive because they are created to be played in bursts, providing you the opportunity to inject short doses of entertainment and joy throughout your daily routine.

4. A workout for your brain

Just like your muscles, your brain also needs a fitness routine; research shows keeping your mind active can help prevent cognitive impairment as you age. Incorporating skill-based mobile games into your day is a simple, low-cost way to strengthen your strategic building, problem-solving and decision-making abilities. Skill-based games encourage players to adapt to changing situations and find creative solutions while challenging memory, attention span and critical thinking — all on a device they already own.

Turn your entertainment into a side hustle. Many skill-based mobile games allow players to earn cash by playing or competing against others. The prizes are big enough to go around; WorldWinner, one of the leading companies in the space, has already awarded more than $1.5 billion to players.

Adding to the appeal, players can win from a large list of games. To use the WorldWinner example again, players can put extra cash in their pocket by selecting from their expanding library of games, including newly released entries like Word Slots, as well classic favorites like Bingo and premium titles like Wheel of Fortune^®, TRIVIAL PURSUIT, YAHTZEE^® and Boggle.

Skill-based mobile games are popular because they have something for everyone. Whether you want to have fun, relax, boost your cognitive skills or even earn some cash, there’s a game (or two) out there that’s just right for you.