(ARA) - The leaves are changing colors, children are back in school, and football rules the weekends once again. But don’t forget another annual fall tradition – benefits open enrollment. This is the time of year when millions of employees across the country have a chance to review their benefits provided by their employer and decide what programs to enroll in or change for the following year.
(NewsUSA) - The surge of anti-banking sentiment is clearing the way for a new age of banking where institutions must become transparent.
(NewsUSA) - Saving money is hard. In fact, it has proven so difficult that a June 2011 Bankrate.com poll revealed that only 24 percent of Americans have a six-month emergency savings cushion.
(NAPSI)—The annual open enrollment process for benefits gives eligible employees the opportunity to select or make changes to their insurance and benefit plans to best fit their physical and financial health needs.
(NewsUSA) - Whether traveling for business or pleasure, most people will take at least one road trip this year, and when they do, they'll be looking for value.
We all know that life happens. It can happen in small ways, like locking your keys in your car, or life can happen in bigger ways, like a fender bender on your way to work. While it’s true that you can’t always prepare for the unpredictable turns life can take, in some cases, you actually can. That’s why you buy life insurance; it provides protection for your family in case the worst were to happen to you.
Heading to the grocery store might mean you need a little more change in your pockets these days. With severe drought affecting much of the Midwest, economists predict grain, produce and meat prices will increase dramatically.
(ARA) – The allure of a new car and low monthly payment options draw many people to lease a car, even though they could face serious fines and extra charges when they return the vehicle at the end of the lease term. If you’re leasing a car, however, you can take steps to avoid getting dinged by lease return charges.
(ARA) – Sending a student to college is a proud time for families. But with tuition costs rising and families continuing to face financial challenges, many are taking another look at how to pay for college.
(NAPSI)—There’s good news for some victims of foreclosure. They now have until December 31 to request a free review and could receive compensation if errors are found.
(NAPSI)—Millions of Americans nationwide prefer the anywhere, anytime convenience of a prepaid card for money transactions versus a traditional bank checking account. Payroll deposits, tax refunds, Social Security and other government benefits, as well as cash, can be received on a prepaid card.
(NewsUSA) - Communication is a necessary foundation for any good relationship, even the one you have with your financial professional. Regular meetings and connecting through conversation, not just email, create the basis for trust that will sustain your relationship and, ultimately, enable a promising financial future.
(NAPSI)—The American dream can come in many forms.
(NAPSI)—Parents everywhere want what’s best for their children, and education is a priority. With all the school options out there, how do you find the right one for your child?
(NewsUSA) - Communication is a necessary foundation for any good relationship, even the one you have with your financial professional. Regular meetings and connecting through conversation, not just email, create the basis for trust that will sustain your relationship and, ultimately, enable a promising financial future.
(NewsUSA) - The last couple years have been tough for consumers. Worries about the economy, employment, and political issues can make personal cash management frustrating.
(NAPSI)When it comes to saving money on school supplies and clothes, parents may benefit from doing a little homework.
(NAPSI)—Investors need to carefully review the information in their brokerage account statement and trade confirmation report.
(NAPSI)—When it comes to travel, the open road is still king. That’s a key finding from the latest spending data in the Chase Freedom Lifestyle Index.
(NAPSI)—In recent years, millions of homes across the nation have entered into foreclosure. Unfortunately, not all homeowners were treated fairly during the process.
(ARA) - Since the onset of the recession when many investment portfolios took a hit, there has been a lot of talk about the value of investing in gold as one way for investors to protect against market volatility and preserve wealth. Now, as policy makers both here and in Europe take steps to stimulate economic growth, there is a group of investors quietly adding gold to their own portfolios: the world's central banks.
(NAPSI)College is a major investment, but the data proves its an investment worth making. According to information released by the U.S. Census Bureau in February 2012, workers with a college degree earned nearly twice as much as those without one in 2009. In order to make the best investment possible, families should begin planning early in order to gather and understand all available information. Every situation is different and sound planning can go a long way in helping families reach educational goals while minimizing the financial impact. The following are a few points to consider before making the higher education investment:
(NAPSI)—According to the National Weather Service, the possibility of an El Niño weather pattern this year means the likelihood of a significant hurricane is lower than average. That means homeowners have more time to prepare.
(NAPSI)—If you have a home business, did you know that most homeowners insurance policies don’t protect all your business assets?
(NewsUSA) - Communication is a necessary foundation for any good relationship, even the one you have with your financial professional. Regular meetings and connecting through conversation, not just email, create the basis for trust that will sustain your relationship and ultimately enable a promising financial future.
(ARA) - Planning a wedding has many important components, with decisions to make on everything from finding the perfect flowers to choosing the right location. For brides- and grooms-to-be, one important choice that shouldn't be overlooked is the idea of purchasing wedding insurance. Because no matter how carefully a couple plans the big day, something can always go awry.
(ARA) - Health care today is expensive, but there are ways that you can give your wallet a break. One of the best ways to make health care more affordable is to avoid the need for medical care in the first place.
(NAPSI)—Keeping cash at your local bank is probably costing you more than you think. And in today’s financial climate, finding safety and growth for your savings is more important than ever.
(NAPSI)—There can be real benefits to using artificial turf on athletic fields.
(NAPSI)—When your son or daughter sets his or her sights on a career goal, the best place to start is to determine the higher education it requires, how many years of school are needed, and what it will cost. The following tips from Sallie Mae can help you choose the course to college and create a plan to achieve it:
(NAPSI)—The Supreme Court recently reaffirmed that those men who fail to register with the Selective Service System can legally be denied a federal job. In addition, many states and municipalities now link their jobs to Selective Service registration. Even some government contractors are now requiring proof of registration for employment.
(NewsUSA) - How do you convince aging baby boomers that others are willing to pay them to make sure their nightmares of a threadbare retirement don't come true? Answer: Get Betty White to cut a rap video so campy that it's at 1 million hits-and-climbing on YouTube.
(ARA) - Life insurance might not be as common as you think. Did you know that 30 percent of American households have no form of life insurance whatsoever, leaving millions to struggle to cover day-to-day expenses if a main breadwinner were to pass away? That's according to a study by LIMRA, a worldwide association of insurance and financial services companies.
(ARA) - When it comes to planning for college, most parents are sure of just two things: They want their child to get a college degree, and they'll need a smart savings plan in place to ensure college expenses are covered.
(ARA) - Starting a business is a huge endeavor for entrepreneurs, especially when larger expense items are on the required equipment list. During a business's first few years of operation, renting equipment, rather than purchasing it outright, can allow the company to save money and invest toward becoming established.
(ARA) - For all of the discussion around the importance of credit scores, it's hard to know what's true, what's fiction, and what lies in between.
(ARA) - It's no secret small businesses are essential to the economy. The latest U.S. Census Bureau's Survey of Business Owners reported women owned 7.8 million businesses and accounted for 28.7 percent of all businesses nationwide. These small business firms generated $1.2 trillion in receipts. Given the challenges facing small businesses overall in this current economic climate, now more than ever women are navigating work-life demands, business management and talent retention issues.
(NewsUSA) - Once again, millions of parents and kids are hitting stores for the annual back-to-school shopping season, complete with long lines and even longer receipts. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), the average person spent about $603 on everything from school supplies and apparel to electronics and footwear for back-to-school last year.
(ARA) - We keep hearing the words "bad economy," and while views differ on the strength of the recovery, the reality is that most people are still feeling the aftermath of the recent recession. The good news is that you have control over your own personal economy. More than ever before it's easy to save money and manage your finances. With the abundance of online tools and free apps, consumers can find the best prices and keep track of their spending in mere seconds - they just have to make a concerted effort.
(ARA) - For brides-to-be, the big day seems like it comes with a big price tag - but it doesn't have to. The season's top wedding trends pair elegance and affordability with options to make an event that is uniquely "you."
(ARA) - The warm weather and long days of summer can give us a free and easy feeling - that is, until it's time to pay the utility bill. Utility costs can add up fast with increased use of the air conditioner, appliances and other household items during peak times. Yet it's easy to cut energy bills if you take simple steps to adjust your daily routine. Here are some tips for staying cool while reducing energy costs this summer.
(NewsUSA) - When the economy nosedived, and companies had reason to be scared, a few businesses got resourceful.
(NewsUSA) - The 99 percent has watched gas prices follow a perpetual climb that has left consumers wallowing at the pump. By the beginning of April, the national average was $3.92. Though it's since fallen about 18 cents for most regions, the west coast is still
(NewsUSA) - The overwhelming mass of uninsured Americans is firsthand evidence that health insurance is too expensive -- as if we didn't already know.
(ARA) - As the end of summer nears, the flashing red lights of yellow school buses will caution drivers to stop as students board. College students will pull out of driveways with cars filled to the brim with dorm room supplies. And the school bells will echo across the playground, signaling the start and end of classroom learning.
(ARA) - A data breach can be a challenge for any business, but this is especially true for smaller businesses. Not only can it be more difficult for a smaller business to recover from a data breach, but criminals may also be more likely to target smaller firms.
(ARA) - It is time to make history by changing history. For more than 40 years - and through eight presidents - the United States has been dependent on foreign oil to power the nation. Today, energy independence is a realistic goal, one founded on American innovation, technology and hard work.
Online shopping is a lot easier and more affordable because of the growing popularity of coupon sharing sites offering coupons and discount codes. In fact, using online discounts and coupon codes can save an average family up to $7,707 annually, according to Internet Innovation Alliance.
(ARA) - The Great Recession will probably be a subject of discussion and debate for decades to come, but one certain ideology has emerged from it: small businesses have had to reassess how they manage cash flow.
(ARA) - Your wedding is sure to be the happiest day of your life, but marriage stretches well beyond those 24 hours. Merging your lives as husband and wife starts even before you say your "I do's" and will require some effort and patience - which will be good practice for your future life together.
We wondered what marketing professionals look for when they evaluate online content providers for a possible partnership.
(ARA) - Network connection speed is always increasing, and small business owners should think about how they can stay abreast of improvements and use new technology to their advantage.
(NewsUSA) - Everyone has a dream -- it's the one thing they would rather be doing more than anything else (and are sure they could succeed at). Yet, it's something entirely different from what it is they do to pay the bills.
(NAPSI)—As you are well aware, a great deal of the energy and attention in this country is focused on creating jobs. As the Secretary of Labor, this challenge is foremost on my mind. But creating jobs is only part of the puzzle.
(NAPSI)—There’s good news for veterans looking for a new career-and those who care about them.
(NAPSI)—Did you know that the average American worker holds between seven and 10 jobs in their lifetime? Because of our rebounding economy, the U.S. is seeing a skills gap—a mismatch of open jobs with skilled workers.
Your head is foggy and everything you write ends up looking like bland oatmeal. A bathroom break and a cup of coffee later, and you're still struggling to write the first sentence. Writer's block is an enemy that authors everywhere combat on a daily basis, sometimes getting so bad as to shut down an entire day's worth of work. And while some methods to rid this issue are anecdotal remedies, others are scientifically proven to get your creative juices flowing again.
Employees are the heart of any business, so recognizing their value and helping them work efficiently is vital to an organization's success. To make sure their workforces are operating at optimal levels and to promote growth, many companies hire individuals trained in industrial organizational psychology, an area of behavioral science devoted to the study of how people work.
In 2011, Rosanna Fiske at the Harvard Business Review wrote, "Having strong corporate values is admirable, but values without proactive employee [understanding] of their importance might as well not exist ... employee communications has never been a more important component of a CEO's management toolbox."