FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida – (August 10, 2022) – Many people feel that they are going through a rollercoaster of life. There are big ups, downs, and days in between. They feel lost, hopeless, stuck, and unsure about how to get their spark back, so they can move in a direction that helps calm the ride and creates a sense of inner peace. Many people have turned to life coaches like Katie Sandler to give them the desperately needed insight and guidance.

“When you see others who seem to have it all together, don’t assume they didn’t have help or guidance to get there,” explains Katie Sandler, personal development and career coach. “Trying to figure it out on your own can be overwhelming. When you let someone else coach, it can be truly life-changing.”

Sandler works with various people in personal and professional settings, helping them to become unstuck and learn to manage the seemingly endless rollercoaster ride of life. She does this in various ways, including helping people to focus on such things as:

• Learning to ride it. Fighting the rollercoaster may be what is holding people back. Learning how to ride and not react to it as much can help increase happiness and improve life satisfaction.
• Increasing self-awareness and self-understanding. Few of us truly possess a sense of self-awareness and understanding. We spend much time being aware of others and trying to understand them, yet we don’t do that for ourselves. 
• Focusing on mindfulness. Mindfulness helps people reduce anxiety, depression, and fear. Practicing mindfulness is a powerful way to help people learn to ride the waves. It’s a process that anyone can do that will rewire the brain and help people focus on enjoying the now. 
• Establishing boundaries. When we learn to set boundaries, we are practicing self-respect. Limits will help people learn to honor themselves and ask life to do so, too. 
• Improve time management. People must be organized to honor the above. There are effective ways to improve time management that people can incorporate into their daily lives.
• Embracing acceptance. It’s essential to learn that life is full of ups and downs. Humans are supposed to ebb and flow. Without darkness, there is no light. There’s no eliminating this, so learn to dance!

“Stop holding on and hoping for the best outcome,” added Sandler. “You can learn to navigate the ride and enjoy it. I’ve helped many people do just that, and I look forward to helping many more.”

5 Inspirational Quotes for Women to Live By(Opens in a new browser tab)

Sandler has a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in mental health counseling, a strong foundation in mindfulness-based stress reduction, and worked in hospitals and private practice. She previously spent time as a research assistant at Johns Hopkins, focusing on purpose in life. Sandler offers impact retreats in the U.S. and abroad. To learn more about Katie Sandler and her services, or to see the retreat schedule, visit the site: https://katiesandler.com/.

About Katie Sandler

Katie Sandler is a popular impact coach and provides health and wealth coaching and personal and professional development. She offers worldwide retreats and private and corporate impact coaching opportunities. She focuses on helping people become more successful so they can live with purpose and impact our world. To learn more about Katie or her services, visit the site: https://katiesandler.com/.

Katie Sandler, career development, impact and life coach, helps people find peace and happiness

The post Want to Stop the Endless Rollercoaster Ride? A Life Coach Can Help appeared first on USA Wire.

Katie Sandler, career development and impact coach, helps people re-charge and make an impact 

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida – (June 8, 2022) – Many people suffer from burnout in their careers and life in general, but may not realize it. Going through the motions, dreading the fact that it’s time to go to work, and feeling mentally exhausted are draining, but they can take a toll on one’s attitude, work performance, and quality of life. Knowing the signs of burnout and what to do about it can make a difference.

“We live in a time when all we do is rush from one point to the next, constantly being busy with work, tasks, and life chores,” explains Katie Sandler, personal development and career coach. “Before long, this can lead to people feeling emotionally depleted.”

Recognizing the signs and taking action can help people overcome them and feel great. It can also help ensure that it doesn’t happen again. According to the National Institutes of Health, burnout is a term that was coined in the 1970s by an American psychologist. The term is widely used today to describe the condition where people experience various symptoms, including mental exhaustion, feeling unmotivated, detached, and helpless, feeling like a failure, having an increasingly pessimistic outlook, and not feeling satisfied with life.

People who experience burnout often feel like they have a lot of bad days, that the things they don’t matter, and that they are not appreciated. These feelings all lead to a decrease in life satisfaction, and until it’s addressed, things will stay the same or even continue to decline.

Here are some things that can be done to address burnout:

• Take a serious look at your job. Burnout is often caused because people are not satisfied with their job. When this happens, it is time to determine what can be changed. Perhaps it is time to switch jobs or make a plan to move into a new career field.
• Cut back on the number of hours worked that may be contributing to the problem. Some people put too many hours in at the office, and others still take their work home once they leave it. Set boundaries so that there are hours when work is not a part of your life and schedule.
• Work on improving your attitude by practicing gratitude, meditation, exercising regularly, and engaging in activities that bring you joy. Your work-life balance must be balanced in order to help create happiness.
• Pay close attention to those you surround yourself with to limit the time spent with people who are overly negative or drain you emotionally. This goes for people at work and in your personal life.
• Take some time off. Taking a sabbatical or planning a vacation doesn’t have to be fancy. It just needs to be something that will allow you to relax, unwind, and re-charge. Relaxation time needs to be a part of your weekly schedule, too.
• Get help if you feel that you cannot overcome it. Work with an impact coach, career coach, or counselor to get the help you need to help move things in the right direction.

“I’ve worked with many people to help them address and avoid burnout,” added Sandler. “When you finally take control and stop letting it control you, you will improve your quality of life. It’s better to address it now rather than let it go on, getting worse.”

Sandler has worked with many people who experience burnout to help them identify a plan for personal achievement, take steps to reach goals, and identify areas that need to be worked on. She provides people with meaningful tools that they can use to help bring calm and insight into their life. In addition to working with individuals, she offers luxury impact retreats. 

Sandler has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in mental health counseling has a strong foundation in mindfulness-based stress reduction and has worked in hospitals and private practice. She previously spent time as a research assistant at Johns Hopkins, focusing on purpose in life. To learn more about Katie Sandler and her services, or to see the retreat schedule, visit the site: https://katiesandler.com/.

About Katie Sandler

Katie Sandler is a popular impact coach and provides health and wealth coaching and personal and professional development. She offers retreats around the world, as well as private coaching and corporate impact coaching opportunities. She focuses on helping people become more successful so they can live with purpose and make an impact in our world. To learn more about Katie or her services, visit the site: https://katiesandler.com/.

The post How to Tell If you Are Burned Out (and What to Do About It) appeared first on USA Wire.

Since 2020, the world’s economy has been facing the largest issue of the last decade, COVID-19. Many companies were and still are struggling with this situation (lockdowns, restrictions, etc.), and others are taking advantage of it (e.g. food and health industries, online markets, e-commerce). Currently, the world population and enterprises are trying to deal with the situation while living with uncertainty. maritime

I recently supervised a team of researchers from SKEMA Business School in Lille, France, to examine the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on globalization and maritime transport. The findings were more optimistic than we anticipated.

Globalization is here

“The COVID-19 crisis accelerated an expansion of e-commerce towards new firms, customers and types of products,” according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). “This has provided customers with access to a significant variety of products from the convenience and safety of their homes and has enabled firms to continue operation despite contact restrictions and other confinement measures.”

Local and international products were shipped around the world; globalization is here.

In the Maritime transport sector, demand exceeds supply

The maritime transport sector did not struggle during the lockdown. It was better than ever. However, during the last six months, the transport sector has been facing global issues; container shortages increases in freight prices, and the delay of ships (port congestion).

Currently, the demand for a container is larger than the supply. Most of the containers are docked in Asia and southeast Asia and are used only for long-distance between China and the U.S. & the EU. This is because this is the most profitable route. This directly affects the availability of the containers.

On the other side, lockdowns in the EU and U.S. have resulted in less manpower at ports. At the same time, there is more export from China to the EU and U.S. Shipping companies maximize their profit by accepting only one-way transport from Asia to the EU and U.S. Consequently, there is a lack of returns and container shortages in Asia. What are maritime shipping firms doing to address these issues and how do they see operations in the future?

To answer these questions, we conducted several detailed interviews with global maritime shipping firms and customers. This is what they said:

1. They need to manage safety stock better.
2. They need to build long-term contracts with transporters.
3. They need to have good relationships (trust) with suppliers and transporters.
4. They need to implement Lean Six Sigma management to improve efficiency and improve the process.

Some large firms are taking an expanded approach. Amazon, for example, is purchasing its own containers and leasing dedicated ships. Ships filled with large blue containers with the “smile” on the side are appearing globally.

A bright future following a dim pandemic

Tragically, COVID has impacted the world, but the feedback in our research is surprisingly either neutral or positive, which was very unexpected. The concept of globalization and maritime shipping has not suffered as much as we thought, and have either remained the same or improved during this crisis. Global maritime shipping firms and customers are implementing improved management practices (Lean Six Sigma); building better relationships; and “rethinking” the future and seeing opportunities. Building back better is the way they see it, and the future is bright.

Dr. Kevin McCormack teaches Operations and Supply Chain Management at Northwood University. He wrote the above piece to summarize a research project he supervised. The team’s researchers were Georges-Alexandre Courquin and Sacha Rebaudo, of SKEMA Business School in Lille, France.

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Playing sports can be an integral part of childhood. Parents enroll their children in sports for the numerous benefits including physical activity, learning teamwork and the positive impact time outdoors and movement can have on their child’s mental health. Unfortunately, with sports comes the chance that an injury may occur. When that is a traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting in a concussion, it is vital that parents pay special attention to the mental state of their child. 

It’s estimated that children get between 1.1 to 1.9 million sports- and recreation-related concussions a year. Since a child’s brain is still developing, it is critical that parents are aware of the causes, signs, and treatment steps for TBI. It’s also important to remember that not all concussions result in a loss of consciousness, so TBI may still occur even if the child is awake and aware after a hit to the head. After consulting with a doctor, a variety of treatments may be recommended, including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT).

The causes and types of concussion
It’s first good to understand how a concussion occurs and how long symptoms can last. Whether from a fall, collision with another player, or being hit by a piece of equipment, youth sports are a frequent source of childhood brain injury. There are two types of sports-related concussions that are most common:

Direct impact – A single point of impact, such as from a ball hitting the head, which creates local swelling.

Coup contrecoup – A back-and-forth impact, such as from being tackled or a tumble off a bike, which creates multiple points of swelling, and possible swelling at the brain stem.   

Depending on the seriousness and number of times a TBI has occurred, there are several different concussion statuses that may be diagnosed: 

Acute – Lasting from three hours up to three days.

Subacute – Begins at three days and can last up to three months.

Chronic – Lasting past three months from the initial impact.

Multiple – More than one concussion that occurs within a 6-12 month period.

How traumatic brain injuries affect your child’s mental health
Part of successful recovery from a TBI is getting medical attention and treatment right away. In addition to physical symptoms of concussion, a TBI can be the direct cause of a change in behavior. There is often a delay in care because parents can miss behavior changes, dismissing them as growing up or teen angst. Most parents know their child’s baseline attitude and behavior, so if that appears to be disrupted, there is a large chance the child’s mental state is being impacted by TBI. 

Recent research shows that children and teens who had concussions were 39 percent more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety disorders, depression, behavioral disorders and were at greater risk of self-harm. The overarching theme is when children are suffering from TBI their behavior changes because of the chemical and physical reaction the body is having due to the concussion. Parents should ask themselves if this is their kid’s normal behavior. If not, they should immediately get medical attention, as early treatment is key for the good mental health of the injured child.

The benefits of HBOT in treating concussion
In addition to rest, safe movement, and a balanced diet, doctors may prescribe the time for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. HBOT involves breathing 100 percent oxygen in a pressurized chamber. Pressurization helps the body achieve higher oxygen absorption, including being able to oxygenate blood plasma. HBOT provides numerous benefits to help recover from concussions including: 

Reducing edema – Edema (swelling) can create pressure causing memory impairment, disorientation, and headaches. HBOT constricts damaged blood vessels, reducing swelling, while also providing a boost in oxygen flow to the area. 

Increases oxygen in brain tissue – A concussion can damage blood vessels in the brain, minimizing their effectiveness at transporting oxygenated blood throughout the brain tissue. HBOT can help blood receive a higher concentration of oxygen, supporting tissue recovery.

Stimulates growth of new blood vessels – HBOT increases adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the body’s cellular energy. This helps with the growth of new capillaries and delivers oxygen and nutrients to damaged areas, facilitating the creation of new blood vessels.  

Stimulates regeneration of nerve fibers – When nerve fibers and myelin sheaths are damaged during a concussion, they need ATP to repair themselves. HBOT increases ATP levels, speeding up neurogenesis, the process of repairing and regenerating nerve fibers. 

Reduces brain fog – Brain fog is a common symptom of concussion and can significantly impact cognitive function. HBOT increases oxygen to the brain, reduces inflammation, and helps cells heal which can lessen brain fog. 

Help kids recover from sports-related concussion

Kids should be able to enjoy their youth, and a big part of that includes involvement in sports. If a sports-related traumatic brain injury occurs, parents should pay special attention to their child’s behavior and overall mental state. Since concussions can significantly impact a child’s mental health, it’s imperative that the child gets examined by a doctor as soon as possible and begins treatment for their concussion. Treatment may include HBOT to give the body the increased oxygen flow it needs to heal the child’s brain after a concussion. No matter what treatment is prescribed, parents should guide their children through recovery and watch for troubling signs so that the child can be assisted with any concerning mental health developments.  

Alexandra Williams, Founder & CEO of Holistic Hyperbarics has cultivated a reputation as an extraordinarily driven, successful and heart-centered leader in the hyperbaric oxygen therapy space (HBOT). As the only Black woman HBOT clinic owner/founder in the United States, Alex built upon her experience in the healing arts as an EMT, an in-home birth doula, and home recovery, adding hyperbarics to her expertise and offering hyperbaric therapy as an accessible solution for many common conditions and injuries.

By Alexandra Williams, Founder and CEO at Holistic Hyperbarics

The post Sports-Related Concussions and Their Impacts on Mental Health for Youth Athletes appeared first on USA Wire.

Alcohol abuse is becoming more and more prevalent in the workplace, especially with the introduction of remote work and greater employee freedom and anonymity.

According to research revealed in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 70% of adults with a substance use disorder are employed, and almost 9% of employed adults have a drug or alcohol use disorder.

With stress levels mounting, mental health impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, and virtual or in-person happy hours encouraged in many workplaces, it’s no wonder why so many people across the nation are finding it more difficult to navigate their relationships with alcohol.

Whether you drink once weekly or every day, alcohol consumption can impact your work performance. Below, we’ll discuss a few of these impacts and how you can be more aware of your alcohol intake and how it affects your mental wellbeing.

1. You’re Falling Behind on Deadlines

Missing a single deadline is typically not a make-it-or-break-it situation for employees. However, if you find that you’re missing deadlines consistently, or more often than you usually would, this may point to a deeper issue.

You might miss a deadline at work for a number of reasons regarding alcohol consumption. This might include:

• Feelings of depression or anxiety exacerbated by alcohol consumption getting in the way of work performance
• Impaired sense of time, responsibilities, memory, or mobility due to drinking during work hours
• Feeling uncomfortable symptoms of alcohol hangover during work, such as headache and nausea

Issues such as missed deadlines are all relative when you look at the isolated concern. However, when you look at the bigger picture — drinking, showing up to work on low energy or hungover most days, and missing deadlines as a result — you may be able to put the pieces together to see the larger problem.

2. You Feel Disconnected from Coworkers

People who develop issues with alcohol tend to withdraw from family, friends, and coworkers. This may be particularly evident if you’re usually more social with your coworkers but no longer feel the desire to stay connected, such as choosing to hang back instead of participating in a group outing for lunch.

Alcohol addiction is isolating, and it often makes you feel like you’re on the outside looking in. A decrease in motivation to socialize, lack of confidence speaking up in meetings, or a general sense of disconnectedness can reveal a problem with alcohol.

This does not mean that if you’re not social, you have an alcohol addiction. Many people, such as those who are introverted or naturally quieter, may not socialize and communicate frequently with coworkers. 

The important thing is to note any change in behavior. If a minimal level of communication has dropped to none, you might want to take a closer look at what’s happening internally.

3. You’re Taking Long Absences from Work

It’s normal to use your paid time off (PTO) to go on vacation, spend time away from work, or take a mental health day as needed. However, if you notice that you’re taking longer absences from work due to alcohol-related concerns, this is important to evaluate.

A person with a drinking problem might show up late to work or miss work altogether because of physical or mental health issues resulting from alcohol consumption. If you’ve been missing a lot of work lately, take a few minutes to consider why you used a PTO day or sick day and if it had anything to do with alcohol.

Factors such as high levels of stress, difficulty managing emotions, trouble staying on top of physical health due to drinking, and others can all be reasons why a person might miss larger periods of work when drinking.

4. Making Mistakes Frequently

Alcohol can have major negative implications on a person’s judgment and coordination skills. And when it’s used long-term, alcohol may cause permanent damage to a person’s brain.

This decrease in cognitive and motor functions can greatly impact your work. Alcohol impairment may be especially dangerous for people with interactive jobs involving the use of vehicles, heavy machinery, etc.

If you find that you’ve been making mistakes more frequently, been involved in more accidents on the job, or experience mental confusion regularly, alcohol consumption may be impacting your work.

5. Worsened Personal Hygiene

Personal hygiene can often be an indicator of problem alcohol use. This is because as alcohol consumption increases, the desire to take care of yourself usually decreases. 

You might find that you put less effort into your appearances, such as wearing dirty clothes, forgetting certain pieces of your uniform, or some other aspect of personal upkeep. 

Drinking, becoming intoxicated, and dealing with the aftermath of alcohol withdrawal can impact your ability to perform regular hygiene tasks, such as brushing your teeth, bathing, or combing your hair. This is typically the result of co-occurring mental health concerns that are worsened by alcohol use, low self-esteem, or a lack of motivation, all of which are associated with heavy alcohol use.

It’s important to note that professionalism does not always equate to nicely kept hair and fresh clothes. However, if you notice that you are no longer performing acts of personal self-care that you did before, there may be a problem with substance use.

What You Can Do

The factors above and others can point to an alcohol use disorder, which is treatable under the right care. The first step is to reach out for outside support, which may include friends, family members, coworkers, employers, or professional services.

If you feel comfortable, you may reach out to managers or supervisors at your place of work to discuss options for support. Or, you might explore treatment options for alcohol or drug addiction. This might include therapy, a support group, drug or alcohol detox, or an inpatient rehab program. No matter where you are with your relationship with alcohol, help is available.

Sarah O’Brien is an Addiction Specialist with Ark Behavioral Health. 

The post 5 Signs Your Drinking Is Impacting Your Work appeared first on USA Wire.

Dads’ Resource Center sheds light on how divorce impacts a child’s educational attainment

STATE COLLEGE, Pennsylvania – (March 9, 2022) – Most parents today are focused on their child’s grades. Sometimes to the point that they log into online accounts each week to see how their child is doing, rather than looking at quarterly report cards like in years past. What many people don’t realize is that divorce, which is quite common, impacts a child’s grades. The reasons why this happens may be surprising to most parents.

“We know that divorce harms a child’s emotional wellbeing, and that impacts their school performance,” said Dads’ Resource Center Executive Director Jeff Steiner. “We also know that children do better and achieve more when fathers play a larger role in their lives because the child’s wellbeing will be better. Society must make changes that will keep fathers more active in their children’s lives. That’s something that will benefit everyone.”

In most cases, divorce has a detrimental impact on a child’s life. This is primarily due to the amount of stress that the family is under and that most children go from having their father in their lives daily down to seeing him only every couple of weeks. Children need both parents to be active and loving in their life to feel whole, safe and have less stress. 

A child’s education is negatively impacted when parents divorce. Here are some research studies that shed light on the problems associated with it:

• In a study published in 2019 in the journal Sociological Science, researchers looked at why parental divorce lowers a child’s educational attainment. They conclude that it’s explained by a decline in family income, family stability, and a child’s psychosocial skills. They report that a child’s cognitive ability doesn’t deteriorate when parents divorce, but their emotional wellbeing does, and this leads to a decline in educational attainment.
• In the February 2022 issue of the Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, researchers looked at the association between school difficulties and family type in an early adolescent population. They concluded that adolescents with divorced parents have nearly a 5-time greater risk for school difficulties than intact families. The school difficulties include skipping school, school absence due to family problems, grade repetition, low school performance, and school dropout ideation. 
• A study published in the March 2020 issue of the journal PLoS One, examined the relationship between divorce and adolescent achievement in relation to the educational level of the parents. They report that the negative association between parental divorce and GPA was stronger among adolescents with educated or highly educated parents compared to adolescents with less-educated parents. They conclude that educated, divorced mothers are less likely to transfer their educational advantages to their children than non-divorced, equally educated mothers. Their theory is that the educated, divorced mothers are taking on more burden and work pressure.

“More than any other project or cause that society needs to work on, we all must work with passion and urgency to eliminate the systemic barriers to single-father involvement in the lives of our children,” says Dads’ Resource Center Chairman Dr. Joel N. Myers. “All of us must take the time to educate everyone about the overwhelming evidence – backed by thousands of years of anecdotal evidence and numerous studies over recent decades – that clearly show children develop much better when both of their parents are actively involved in their lives.”

Dads’ Resource Center was established by Dr. Myers, a father of eight and the founder and CEO of AccuWeather. The mission is to help combat the issues associated with children growing up without their fathers in the home. At its heart, the center is a child advocacy organization that aims to ensure that each child has the appropriate involvement and contributions from both parents. 

Dads’ Resource Center works to benefit children of separated or divorced parents by advocating the importance of fathers having adequate opportunities to fulfill their role of fatherhood. The group helps get information regarding the issues out to the public and works with fathers to help make improvements. To get more information, visit the site at: https://dadsrc.org.

About Dads’ Resource Center

The Dads’ Resource Center is committed to providing education, resources, and advocacy for dads who are separated or divorced and are determined to uphold their sacred responsibility as fathers. The Dads’ Resource Center was founded by Dr. Joel N. Myers, the founder, and CEO of AccuWeather. His own experience as a single father led him to start the group. To get more information, visit its website at: https://dadsrc.org.

The post Think divorce doesn’t impact a child’s grades? Think again! appeared first on USA Wire.

The effects of inflation facing companies and consumers alike may also cause your car insurance rates to rise when it’s time to renew your policy. Like many other financial obligations, car insurance is an expense that’s facing pressure due to disruptions caused by the pandemic and its economic effects.

According to industry and media reports, insurers may hike premiums from 6% to upwards of 10% this year. Understanding what’s fueling price increases may help you find ways to save. Here are the reasons rates are increasing and the steps you can take now to keep your costs as low as possible.

Why Are Auto Insurance Rates Increasing?

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economic systems underpinning common industries like auto insurance are resulting in noticeable inflation in the economy overall and within many economic sectors. Inflation in auto insurance rates is due at least in part to the seven following factors:

1. General inflationary pressures: With inflation hitting 7.5% on consumer goods, general cost increases are affecting multiple components of car insurance, from repairs to replacement costs.
2. Chip shortages: A perfect storm of industry pressures and COVID-19 disruptions have caused a global shortage of the semiconductor chips needed for new vehicles.
3. Low vehicle inventory: Several factors have contributed to the vehicle inventory crunch, including chip shortages. Low vehicle inventory inflates the cost of new cars, which in turn can impact insurance premiums. Low inventory also translates to fewer and more expensive rental cars, increasing insurance companies’ costs as they pay for customers’ rentals.
4. Replacement costs: For policies that stipulate comparable replacement costs, insurance companies are forking over more to buy comparable cars in this market when a car is totaled.
5. Worker shortages: The auto industry is experiencing a technician shortage, right as many industries are offering higher pay to recruit and maintain staffing, potentially upping prices.
6. Repair costs: Due to factors like inflation on part prices, supply chain issues and worker shortages, repair costs have increased.
7. COVID-19 cleaning costs: Auto repair shops may be required to engage in COVID-19 cleaning processes. They bill insurance companies for the time and cost of this process, raising the cost of a typical repair job.

How to Reduce Your Car Insurance Rates

While you can’t control how insurers price their policies, you can take action to avoid shouldering higher costs. Here are ways you can directly reduce your car insurance rates or mitigate increases.

• Compare insurance quotes. Price comparison sites, like Experian’s auto insurance comparison tool, can help you ensure you’re not overpaying for insurance. Experian leverages technology from Gabi^®, an auto insurance marketplace and part of Experian, to compare quotes from over 40 top providers in minutes.
• Reduce coverage. When the cost of auto insurance gets tight, you could consider reducing coverage. Review your policy and see if you have any add-ons that you could do without, such as roadside assistance. If you have an older car that may not be worth the cost of repairs, you might weigh removing collision and comprehensive coverage costs with how much you’re willing to spend on any potential repairs.
• Increase your deductible. One way to get a lower premium now is to opt for an increased auto insurance deductible later. Your deductible is the amount you pay after an incident before your insurance kicks in. Increasing your deductible will reduce your premium now—but you’ll pay more out of pocket if you have an incident down the road.
• Use driver tracking programs. Your insurance premiums are determined by the information the insurer collects to calculate the level of risk of insuring you. If you provide them with more information about your specific driving habits by using an app or a recording device in your vehicle, it could reduce your costs. With more information about how you drive, the insurance company may drop your rates by 25% or more.
• Check for discounts. Have your circumstances recently qualified you for a new discount such as a senior/retirement discount or a good student discount? Check out your insurer’s various discounts and see where you can save.
• Improve your credit score. Your credit history may impact the price of your auto insurance if your insurance company considers your credit-based insurance score. These scores are based on your credit reports but look at the likelihood that you will file a claim and can raise or lower your rates accordingly. You can check your credit report and score for free to find out where you stand and how that might impact your insurance-based credit score.
• Pay off your auto loan. If your vehicle is still financed, your lien holder may require that you hold a higher level of insurance, such as comprehensive and collision. If you’re close to the end of your loan, pay it off and consider reducing or dropping your insurance coverage to something more manageable.

Other Ways to Save Money as Prices Rise

As inflation rises across industries, there are some cost increases you may just have to swallow. But there are places you may be able to reduce expenses to balance out insurance and other price increases:

• Groceries: Where you shop and what you buy can have a big impact on your grocery bill. Consider swapping to single-brand grocery stores and purchasing more plant-based meals to cut the bill.
• Car loan: Cut costs on other car necessities by refinancing your loan if you can find a better interest rate. Refinancing can be done through your original lender or through a new lender.
• Entertainment: Even if you already cut the cord, it may be time to take it one step further and cut back on streaming services temporarily. Consider instead free entertainment apps such as library-card enabled Hoopla or free live TV from Xumo, Pluto TV or Tubi.
• Electric bill: Be mindful of electric usage, especially in spaces where you’re not currently using lights. You may be able to opt in to a time-of-use rate plan that drops the cost of using electricity at less demanding times of the day.

Whether it’s rising car insurance prices or other areas of your life that are getting more expensive, taking action to help reduce costs is a good first step toward reducing the effects of inflation.

Written by:

Emily Cahill is a writer for Experian, the world’s leading global information services company.  As a finance and lifestyle writer, she is passionate about empowering people to make smart choices in their financial and personal lives.

The post How Inflation Can Impact Your Car Insurance Rate appeared first on USA Wire.

Chinese New Year starting on February 1 this year will place huge pressure on the global supply chain. During this annual celebration, production in Chinese factories halts to a grind, and the ensuing result is a major impact on the already fragile global supply chain.  All companies need to consider the impact the Chinese New Year may have on their businesses and start planning well in advance.  

If you’ve missed the window to avoid shutdowns, don’t panic. Novi CEO & Co-Founder Kimberly Shenk offers business owners the following interim advice:

1. Split your orders

Expedite your shipment by getting part of your orders through the air, and the rest by boat. Since air shipping can be quite costly, make sure you have some room in your budget to take the risk. In other words, only order materials that are critical to meet your launch date. Doing so will hold you over until you receive the rest of your shipment by boat.

2. Try a different region

This seems obvious, but it must be said: try sourcing similar materials from a different region— all the better if it’s domestic! Again, place a smaller order so that you can have enough product to launch— enough to hold you over until you receive the rest of your delayed shipment.

3. Try a different supplier

While easier said than done, it’s best to just switch to a different supplier altogether. It’s an issue of cost-benefit analysis: you may find that paying just a little more for a different product or smaller MOQ is outweighed by the revenue earned from a timely launch.

Next year, start business planning in advance for the Chinese New Year. Kimberly Shenk offers the following tips for best business preparation:

1. Work with trusted suppliers

This is a given— however, trust extends beyond just quality materials and fair pricing. The best suppliers and manufacturers will outline the impact of any supply chain disruptions and make sure you know upfront about any possible issues with timing. In return, be sure to clearly communicate your brand’s own timeline and expectations.

2. Get information on lead times and pricing ASAP

While data transparency on sustainability is paramount, so is information on pricing and lead times. Be sure to factor in lead times in your timeline, along with some extra “cushion” time to be sure you can take care of any disruptions if they happen. Additionally, budgeting will be much easier with upfront pricing.

3. Consider sourcing locally

Sourcing materials locally can have both major cost and sustainability benefits. Shorter distances mean fewer fossil fuels and other resources used for shipping, as well as lower freight costs. And of course, you can better avoid shipping disruptions caused by the Chinese New Year.

The good news about Novi:

Luckily, Novi can help. Our marketplace offers materials from trusted suppliers in various countries such as Spain, USA, South Korea, and more. With upfront pricing and lead times, we can help expedite your decision-making. Plus, with rapid sampling and low MOQs, we’ll help you reach the timely launch you strive for without breaking the bank.

The post How to Prepare for the Impact of the Chinese New Year on your Business appeared first on USA Wire.