AUGUST 2021
COVER STORY
Smartphones Help Farmers Improve Efficiency, pg. 10
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Contents Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication that highlights every day people doing extraordinary things nationally and abroad. www.RuralLeaderMag.com www.GetRuralLeaderMag.com
About Us
Launched in March 2014, Rural Leader
Magazine, LLC is a digital publication with a mission to highlight every day people doing extraordinary things in business, education, music, community, art, sports, and leadership nationally and abroad. Rural Leader Magazine honors exemplary individuals on a variety of levels, such as the 20 under 20 Honors, 40 under 40 Honors, Best Small Town Restaurant, Small Town America’s 100 Most Influential People, the Scholars of Collegiate Distinction, Fifty under Fifty, and the Eagle Elite Club.— Reproduction in any manner, in whole or in part, in English, or other languages, is prohibited without written consent. Send editorial ideas to Kuanita Murphy, PhD, Editor-in-Chief editor@ruralleadermag.com Contact Us info@ruralleadermag.com editor@ruralleadermag.com ruralleadermagazine@gmail.com
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6 The Right Advisor can Boost Your Financial Health 7 Back to Learning: Tips to Avoid a Heavy Load 9 Three Questions to Ask Before Sending Kids Back to the Classroom COVER STORY 10 Smartphones Help Farmers Improve Efficiency
Cancer Community Needs to Get Back to the Doctor 14 Four Ways to Prepare Your Tech for Hurricane SeasonWeather 16 Five Tips For Getting Ready for Back to School this Year 17 Five Finance Tips to Consider Ahead of Fall Tuition Deadlines 19 Five Telehealth Tips for At-Home Healthcare
12 You Have To Go To Know: LeVar Burton on Why the Rare Blood
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Editor’s Note Dear Readers, Inside this issue, there are a number of great articles about leadership best practices, building positive self-esteem and productivity! We hope you enjoy this issue. As always, I hope you enjoy this issue and continue to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google +, and LinkedIn. Thanks again for your continual support! Sincerely, Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
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The Right Advisor can Boost Your Financial Health Many people have reexamined their finances since the pandemic. While some are itching to dine out and travel again, others are looking to invest in their future. According to a recent survey, Americans’ top financial goals include boosting their savings, planning for retirement and paying off debt. To reach these and other goals, people often look for an advisor to help manage their money. However, there are many different types of financial professionals to choose from, so it’s important to know what makes the right financial professional stand out. “Americans often share more with their financial advisors than they do their doctors,” says Geoffrey Brown, CEO of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA). “So, it’s important they have someone they can trust and who will always put their best interests first.” Qualities to look for in a financial advisor. Selecting an advisor is one of the most important life decisions you’ll make. When looking for the right qualities, you want your advisor to be: 1. A Fee-Only financial advisor. When selecting a financial advisor, it’s important to understand how they are compensated. Fee-Only, fiduciary financial advisors are paid directly by their clients for advice. The advisor does not receive commissions or remuneration from third parties, meaning they’re not going to sell you financial products that can rack up expensive fees and make you lose money. Instead, their compensation is based on an hourly rate, a percent of assets under management, a flat fee or a retainer. Commission-based financial professionals, on the other hand, may recommend investments with higher fees, riskier features and lower returns because they earn more money for the advisor, even if those investments are not the best choice for their clients. Because of the conflicts of interest inherent in these transactions, these advisors may have difficulty putting their client’s interest above their own. “Before you select a financial advisor, always ask them how they’re compensated to help you understand the nature of the relationship. If they give you anything other than a straight answer, you should continue your search,” says Brown. 2. A fiduciary. “Fiduciary” is one of the key attributes you should look for when searching for an advisor. Financial advisors held to a fiduciary standard are required to act within your best interest, meaning they must: * Disclose any conflict, or potential conflict, to 6
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their clients before and during the advisory engagement * Adopt a code of ethics * Explain their fee structure While finding an advisor that adheres to a fiduciary standard is important, some use the term loosely, which can make it hard to decipher who is a legitimate fiduciary. NAPFA has a tool that can help you research and find Fee-Only, fiduciary advisors that are a good fit for you. “As consumers of financial services, we all owe it to ourselves to remain diligent - to understand our options and the standards our financial professionals are held to,” says Brown. 3. Confident and proactive. Managing your finances can be stressful and time-consuming. That’s why having an experienced advisor is important. You can use educational background - such as an undergraduate and/or graduate degree in financial planning - or financial services designations including the Certified Financial Plannerâ„¢ certification - to gauge expertise. In addition, you want someone who has a broad view of your assets and takes the time to learn about your goals and your worries. You also want to feel good about the recommendations your advisor gives you and know they will work hard to keep your goals on track. 4. Holistic in their approach. When you work with a financial advisor, you want to ensure the person is looking at areas beyond your investments. Unlike a broker who is focused on selling specific products and investments, a holistic financial advisor will help you review your retirement, taxes, estate planning, education funding, insurance needs and overall budgeting. A Fee-Only, fiduciary financial advisor can provide practical guidance and planning around your long-term financial goals and factor them into developing your overall financial plan. Finding the right financial advisor for you. Choosing to work with a financial advisor can be one of the best life decisions you make. Knowing what qualities make a transparent, reliable and objective advisor will allow you to find a professional who can help you achieve your financial goals. For more information on selecting the right advisor for you, visit www.napfa.org/financial-planning/ consumer-resources.—
Back to Learning: Tips to Avoid a Heavy Load The classroom environment changed tremendously throughout the pandemic, with many children studying at home full- or part-time. This meant additional gear for many, such as tablets and workbooks, while some items like backpacks went unused while studying remotely. As millions of students head back to the classroom for the start of the 2021/22 school year, backpacks will be a necessity again, and experts have some advice to ensure a safer start to the school year. “With a focus on getting back in the classroom and returning to ‘normal,’ it’s easy to overlook possible injuries caused by everyday school supplies,” said American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons spokesperson Emily Dodwell, MD, MPH, FAAOS, a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. “Backpacks might not seem that high on the list of safety hazards for children, but if too heavy or worn improperly, they can cause pain or injury to muscles and joints. Some potential problems could include wearing the backpack on only one shoulder, or a small child carrying heavy objects like a textbook, tablet or computer.” As part of its “Prevent Injuries Americaâ„¢”
campaign, the AAOS is spreading the word that backpacks that are too heavy or are worn incorrectly can cause numerous problems. Improperly used backpacks may injure or overuse muscles and joints. This can lead to back, neck and shoulder pain, as well as posture problems. This is especially concerning for students in hybrid learning environments because they may need to carry more items back and forth to school and home throughout the week. Tips for selecting and using school backpacks. Shopping for a backpack is a fun part of preparing to go back to school, but many kids will prioritize fashion over function. Caregivers can help guide children to choose a backpack they like that also benefits their well-being. AAOS recommends backpacks that are lightweight with a waist or chest strap and two shoulder straps that are wide and padded. Rolling backpacks are a good option as well. If your child resists using a traditional two-strap backpack, a well-structured crossbody bag may be a reasonable compromise. After you have a well-designed, high-quality backpack, the next step is to use it correctly. To prevent injury when using a backpack, encourage kids to: GetRuralLeaderMag.com | AUGUST 2021 7
1. Always use both shoulder straps when carrying the backpack. The correct use of both of the wide, well-padded shoulder straps will help distribute the weight of the backpack across the back. 2. Ensure the straps are snug to keep the load closer to the back. Backpacks should not be too low and bouncing around while walking. 3. Organize the items inside so that heavier items are low and toward the center of the backpack. 4. Pack light, removing items if the backpack is too heavy. Carry only those items that are required for the day and, if possible, leave unnecessary books at home or school. 5. Lift properly by bending at the knees when picking up a backpack. What if your child experiences pain? In addition to helping your student select a good backpack, continue to watch how they use it throughout the school year. If it’s a struggle to put on and take off, you may
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need to step in. “If a child complains that his or her bag is too heavy or is hurting his or her back, it is a good idea to lighten the load or consider a wheeled backpack,” said Dodwell. Whether your child returns to school full time or is on a hybrid schedule, remind them not to carry more than they need at one time. If your student has a locker, encourage them to visit it when time permits throughout the day to swap supplies. In addition to back pain, watch out for numbness, tingling or discomfort in the arms or legs, symptoms which may also indicate poor backpack fit or too much weight being carried. Don’t ignore any back pain in a child or teenager and reach out to your physician for evaluation. To learn more, visit www. OrthoInfo.org.—
Three Questions to Ask Before Sending Kids Back to the Classroom The COVID-19 pandemic created a new sense of urgency and focus on air quality and safety indoors. As many parents get ready to send their children back to school classrooms this fall, confidence surrounding indoor air quality is still a major concern across the country. Evidence suggests that inadequate ventilation and poor indoor air quality management can increase the risk of contaminants circulating in the air. Reducing occupant exposure to contaminants can help mitigate absenteeism and boost productivity for students, staff and parents alike. Even before the pandemic, a 2009 study in The Journal of School Nursing reported that cold and flu viruses caused an average of 164 million K-12 student absences. And, parents missing work to care for sick children contributed to total productivity losses costing employers $225.8 billion annually in the United States, according to the CDC. A school’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system can implement solutions that may help mitigate such threats. Yet 41% of school districts needed to renew or upgrade the HVAC systems in at least half of their schools in 2020. This means an estimated 36,000 schools nationwide are facing inadequate indoor air quality.
These risks do not need to go unmitigated. President Biden’s American Rescue Plan has earmarked $130 billion for school upgrades. This funding provides an opportunity for necessary upgrades to the many schools in need. Three questions to ask your school district. Recent innovations in HVAC make it easier to assess, mitigate and manage indoor air quality, while keeping school district budgets and nationwide sustainability goals in mind. Parents can get involved to help ensure federal funding addresses the challenges facing their local schools. As local districts begin designating dollars, here are three questions to ask: * Does my child’s school have an updated indoor air quality plan, including maintenance and service? * Will our district spend stimulus dollars to invest in HVAC improvements to enhance indoor air quality? * Does my school district have a plan to measure the effectiveness of these investments? According to global climate HVAC business Trane®, there are four key factors to healthier indoor air quality that help create a more optimal Continued on page 12 GetRuralLeaderMag.com | AUGUST 2021 9
COVER STORY
Smartphones Help Farmers Improve Efficiency A teen tapping away on a smartphone is a common sight in the United States, but seeing a farmer in the field doing the same thing might confuse the average person. Although hands-on farming and hands-on technology might seem like juxtaposing concepts, they are complementary ideas propelling growers into the future. “Without mobile communications, it would take longer and cost more to perform the tasks I do on the farm. There would be more face-to-face interactions, which create inefficiencies,” said Grant Morris, who owns and manages Schneider Farms in Pasco, Washington. He farms a total of 2,000 acres and produces grass seed, potatoes, sweet corn and peas for processing. Morris uses apps for many tasks: to view satellite 10
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imagery that helps detect crop problems, look up invoices, monitor equipment operations, check fuel levels, buy inputs, transfer data, manage application rates, peruse agronomic recommendations, review sampling and scouting information and more. Morris equips each of his employees with a smartphone or tablet to do many of these tasks, too. Producer Matt Moreland of South Haven, Kansas, is also embracing technology. He uses mobile communications to help him reduce driving time between the sections of Moreland Farms. With 10,000 acres of corn, cotton, soybeans and winter wheat spread over 40 miles, that’s significant. “So much of our business is based on spreading the cost of our equipment over many acres; and the more acres we can spread those costs over, the more
profitable we can be,” said Moreland, who farms with his wife and three sons. “By using mobile apps and other tools, we can manage a greater number of acres.” He uses a multitude of apps to help his operation run smoothly, including the Syngenta AgriEdge® whole-farm management program. The program’s record-keeping platform enables him to simply and quickly access all of his farm information via mobile communications. “I have all of my fields mapped, so at any given time, I can use my phone to see the exact acres on a field and what’s been applied to them, check planting dates and much more,” Moreland said. He also uses apps to monitor rainfall and irrigation, an efficiency that saves money and can reduce water usage. “We’ve installed monitors on the center pivots, so I can use my phone to check water pressure and the speed at which each is moving,” Moreland said. “If necessary, I can change the directions they’re moving and adjust water amounts with my fingertips. I will get a text, email or call if anything goes wrong - the app gives us that immediate notification and saves us trips to the fields.” Morris and Moreland are just two of the many ag professionals who have adopted mobile technology to work more efficiently. “The most significant value created by mobile
communications is a return on time invested,” said Tommy Jackson, an executive account lead for Syngenta Crop Protection. “Our growers have the ability to make decisions quickly because the information they need is right at their fingertips.” Jackson noted the Syngenta Pest Patrol alerts, which provide free and timely agronomic information for ag professionals throughout the South, as another way growers and crop consultants can get information quickly on their mobile devices. You can sign up to receive text messages based on your geography in participating states. When specialists post crop updates, subscribers receive text messages with a link that takes them to a short, recorded commentary on a timely topic. Dominic Reisig, Ph.D., North Carolina State University extension entomologist, is a regular contributor to Pest Patrol. “It’s one of the methods I use to get timely updates to farmers and crop consultants during the growing season,” he said. “Our extension participants tell us that this is the program they receive the most positive feedback from.” Today, farming success often relies on equal parts tradition and technology. Methods that have been curated over many years are now enhanced by technology that delivers vital information about crop yields, pest management and more directly to the farmer. A mobile device has become a go-to tool for many growers nationwide.— GetRuralLeaderMag.com | AUGUST 2021 11
Three Questions, cont'd from page 9 indoor environment: * Dilute (increased ventilations with outdoor air), * Exhaust (ensuring lower quality air in the space is removed), * Contain (control humidity), and * Clean (use air cleaning technology and filtration options, as appropriate). “As a parent with a daughter in elementary school, our family is very anxious to get our daughter back to the high-quality, in-person learning environment she experienced as a kindergartener,” said Scott Huffmaster, Healthy Buildings Leader, Trane Technologies. The best place to start is with a data-driven assessment of current indoor air quality. A large Texas school district recently worked with Trane to assess indoor air quality at a sample of its schools. The fact-based assessment provided insight to actionable strategies tailored to the district’s needs and aligned with the latest industry guidelines. Every facility needs a custom evaluation and approach. For example, increased use of disinfecting sprays and wipes to clean surfaces can emit unhealthy compounds that affect air quality. Simple approaches, like opening windows or fans to increase
air flow, don’t always work for areas with high humidity or pollution levels, and may increase energy use. New and emerging technologies can help, too. After factoring in the conditions of building HVAC systems, ambient outside air and other considerations, leaders at Adams 14 School District outside of Denver installed Synexis® Spheres throughout its campuses - an innovative technology that takes naturally occurring oxygen and humidity in the air to create a vaporized dry hydrogen peroxide that continually and significantly reduces the presence of contaminants in the air and on surfaces. This occupant-approved, effective and low-maintenance option has helped to improve district-wide indoor air quality without negatively affecting energy efficiency and operating costs. The science, funding and innovation are within reach to address each school district’s needs. Consider asking if your school district is addressing these concerns to provide better indoor environments for students to learn. For more information on what school districts can do to help improve indoor air quality, visit www. trane.com/k12.—
You Have To Go To Know: LeVar Burton on Why the Rare Blood Cancer Community Needs to Get Back to the Doctor Best known for his roles in Roots and Star Trek: The Next Generation and helming Reading Rainbow, actor, director and longtime health advocate LeVar Burton strongly believes in using his voice and pas12
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sion for storytelling to help others. Recently, Burton, who has spent much of his career bringing stories to life, has taken on a new role. He has teamed up with Incyte on a timely health
initiative called You Have to Go to Know, which aims to elevate the voices and stories of people living with and impacted by myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), a group of rare, chronic blood cancers. Burton hopes to encourage the MPN community to put their health first by seeking the care they need. “When I learned people have been hesitant to visit their healthcare providers during the past year and a half, I felt compelled to use my voice. In particular, I learned that people with rare blood cancers called myeloproliferative neoplasms or MPNs, may have been particularly impacted and could benefit from re-prioritizing their health and visiting their healthcare providers,” said Burton. The three most common MPNs are polycythemia vera (PV), myelofibrosis (MF) and essential thrombocythemia (ET), which combined affect about 200,000 people in the U.S..[i],[ii] MPNs can affect people at any age but are more common in older adults.[i] They are progressive diseases, meaning they can change or worsen over time, and the best way to manage an MPN is through regular visits with a healthcare provider to monitor the disease to identify any changes. Over the past year, however, many people have avoided visits to their healthcare providers due to health-related anxieties. In fact, nearly 41% of U.S. adults surveyed in 2020 indicated they didn’t feel comfortable visiting their healthcare provider in the months following the onset of the pandemic.[iii] Delaying or avoiding medical care can lead to serious health implications, especially for people with chronic conditions like cancer. “While I am not personally impacted by an MPN, I am reminded of my mother and her growing health challenges as she got older. She sometimes skipped her required doctors’ visits and follow up appointments, and I saw first-hand the negative impact it had on her health. My hope is that this campaign encourages the MPN community, and others with chronic conditions, to once again seek the care they need,” said Burton. Burton is sharing what he has learned from his conversations with patients with MPNs to help inspire people within the MPN community and others with chronic conditions to once again seek the care they need: * Schedule an appointment with your healthcare team - and keep it! Make and keep regular care appointments. Also, ask your healthcare team which appointments need to be in-person visits, and which can be telehealth (virtual) visits to potentially save
time and energy driving to and from appointments.* In-person visits for patients with MPNs: Physical exams, blood tests, bone marrow tests, genetic tests and imaging scans require in-person visits. * Telehealth (virtual) appointments that patients with MPNs can consider: Each healthcare professional differs when it comes to what can be discussed during virtual appointments but typically the following can be discussed virtually: addressing symptoms, reviewing test results, asking questions, sharing health concerns, reviewing and tracking changes in a disease. * Be your own health advocate. Advocating for your own care can help you actively participate in decisions being made about your health. Keep an ongoing list of questions for your doctor and don’t be afraid to ask for additional details or clarification. Track and share all of your symptoms as well. The more you share about how your symptoms are changing and affecting you, the better your healthcare provider can help you to manage your MPN and stay on track with what is right for you. * You have to go to know. When you miss appointments, you also miss out on essential conversations. MPNs are progressive diseases that require constant monitoring. You Have To Go To Know... because your MPN isn’t waiting! Visit www.voicesofmpn.com to learn more about MPNs and explore the many resources available to assist you with scheduling and making the most of your doctor’s visits.— © 2021, Incyte Corporation. MAT-HEM-02301 07/21 [i] MPN Research Foundation. Understanding MPNs. Available at: http://www.mpnresearchfoundation.org/overview-page. Accessed May 2021. [ii] Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN). Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN) | Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. (n.d.). https://www.lls.org/research/ myeloproliferative-neoplasms-mpn [iii] Anderson KE, McGinty EE, Presskreischer R, Barry CL. “Reports of Forgone Medical Care Among US Adults During the Initial Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic.” JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(1):e2034882. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.34882. Accessed May 2021.
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Four Ways to Prepare Your Tech for Hurricane Season Hurricane season is here. Following a record-breaking 2020 season, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts yet another equally - if not, more - active hurricane season this year with at least 13 to 20 named storms. Hurricanes can cause major damage to homes, businesses and critical communications infrastructure. Storms can knock out cable and fiber connections, as well as cell towers, making it difficult to receive emergency updates, track community response, and access critical financial and health information. While it’s hard to know where and when a hurricane may strike, residents and businesses in disaster-prone areas can weather the storm with a few simple steps. Here’s what you can do: 1) Protect your data Electronic devices store a tremendous amount of vital personal and business information. A best practice anytime of the year, but particularly in advance of severe weather, is to back up your data to the cloud so it is safe, secure and easily accessible whenever or wherever you need it. Depending on the device, you can even set a reminder that enables it to upload your data automatically to the cloud on a regular basis. 2) Preserve battery power. Make sure your devices are fully charged at all times. Consider purchasing portable power banks so you can charge your devices even if the power is out. To preserve existing battery life, keep screens in low light mode and close out any non-essential apps. You may also want to consider investing in a standalone generator that kicks in when the power goes out. 3) Pre-download emergency information. In the wake of natural disasters, receiving emergency information in real-time is critical. Emergency notification mobile apps, such as those from the American 14
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Red Cross and FEMA, offer real-time weather updates, disaster assistance, safety preparation, recovery advice and more. Download them and your local government websites so you can access them quickly in an emergency. 4) Safeguard your internet. For businesses, an internet outage can hinder payment processing, security and communication with employees, customers and vendors. Consider an internet service that’s less susceptible to storm damage - like satellite internet for a primary or back-up service. Award-winning satellite internet provider HughesNet connects rural communities that fiber and cable providers don’t reach. Transmitting from space, satellite internet is less susceptible to storm damage than land-based services, reliably connecting millions of users to the internet. Plus, HughesNet offers a satellite backup service for small businesses that takes over when land-based connections are damaged, keeping operations running seamlessly during unexpected outages. With its Automatic Failover Router, HughesNet Internet Continuity automatically switches to satellite internet whenever the primary service goes down - protecting businesses against costly downtime. While it is hard to predict where the next hurricane will hit, you can control how you prepare and respond. For residents and business owners in stormprone regions, prepping your tech this hurricane season is the best thing you can do to protect yourself, your loved ones and your livelihood - no matter what storms might come your way. Check out internetcontinuity.hughesnet.com for more tips.—
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Five Tips For Getting Ready for Back to School this Year Parents look forward to it, but kids might not - the time when families everywhere start thinking about going back to school. As savvy parents know, starting early can mean a less stressful transition. Unfortunately, a new study finds parents facing a more costly back-to-school shopping season this year. The survey, conducted by KPMG, found that parents may pay as much as $268 per student for school supplies and clothes, compared to $247 last year. With masks and hand sanitizer on the shopping list, budgets may be even higher. So how can you make sure your kids have what they need without breaking the bank? Here are some tips for back-to-school shopping that can help you stress less - and spend less - this summer. 1. Make your list and check it twice. Check out your school’s supplies list as soon as it’s available. While you can use last year’s list as a starting point, it will likely be different this year. Check your school district website to see when they’re available. Take inventory of items you already have. No need to keep buying more rulers! And if that box of colored pencils was barely cracked open last year, don’t buy a new one. Let kids pick out something new (and small) that they like to prevent complaints about reusing supplies. 2. Scout the deals. Check to see which of the items on your shopping list are the most expensive, like a new backpack or graphing calculator. Compare prices on your favorite stores’ websites to find the best offers and take advantage of cash back apps and loyalty programs that may provide additional savings. 3. Get shopping rewards - and free supplies. To help millions of children heading back to school this year, mobile rewards platform Ibotta has teamed up with Five Star, Kleenex, Skippy, Nature’s Own and more to provide free school supplies and lunch items at Walmart and online at Target, H-E-B and more. “We want to help make sure every child goes back to school with a full backpack and a full lunchbox,”
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said Richard Donahue, chief marketing officer, Ibotta. “This year, we hope to ease the financial burden for teachers and families alike as they head back to school.” From July 14 to August 31, shoppers that download the Ibotta app or Ibotta browser extension can get 100% cash back on a bundle of school supplies including: * 3-Subject 5 Star Notebook * Package of pencils * 3-pack of erasers * Box of Kleenex * Loaf of Nature’s Own bread * Jar of Skippy peanut butter * Squeeze bottle of Smucker’s Fruit Spread Ibotta’s Back to School Free-for-All offer is available exclusively in-store at Walmart or online at Target.com, HEB.com, Walmart Pickup & Delivery, or Shipt. 4. Shop online if you can. Shopping online means not only less rushing around, but also keeping your kids from getting distracted by all the shiny things on the shelves. You can choose to have items shipped, delivered or picked up curbside. Don’t forget to look for retailers that offer free shipping to further save on costs. 5. Shop alone when possible. If you do need to shop in-store, try to go without the kids. If you need to bring them along, try allowing each kid to pick just one item for themselves (like a lunchbox or backpack), to avoid overspending at the store. Shop when it’s less likely to be crowded, and when you feel your best - not when you’re tired, rushed or hungry (same goes for the kids). You’ll feel better, and you’ll be less likely to give in to those impulse buys. With these tips and a little planning, you can conquer the back-to-school shopping season with less stress - while saving time and money, too.—
Five Finance Tips to Consider Ahead of Fall Tuition Deadlines
The second half of summer brings a welcomed sense of familiarity for families across the country as back-to-school season approaches, and enthusiasm is particularly strong after more than a year of uncertainty upended the education system as we know it. While a widespread return-to-campus is a particularly exciting time at the college level, some families may also feel a sense of apprehension, especially in the wake of COVID-19. In fact, affordability and dealing with the debt burden that often goes hand-in-hand with a degree is the top concern of both parents and students, according to the Princeton Review’s 2021 College Hopes & Worries survey. With many parents trying to balance daily expenses, savings progress and the cost of college simultaneously, supporting four years of higher education can be a struggle. Some may even be prioritizing college payments over their retirement contributions (not usually recommended by financial advisors), or other investments. The good news is that with proper planning, parents can continue making progress toward saving for their own future while also helping ease the cost of college. In addition to long-term tools (like 529 College Savings plans), there are ways parents can get strategic about how they finance the remaining gap that exists when tuition comes due later this summer. It’s possible to help a loved one achieve a better financial future without sacrificing yours. Here are a few tips to consider: * Consider the short- and long-term impacts of cosigning for a loan vs. taking out a parent student loan. The key difference is who takes responsibility for the loan, which can impact your finances for
years to come. * Understand if your retirement savings can handle the increased expenses of paying for your child’s education out of pocket or by borrowing money. It is absolutely critical that you don’t derail your retirement. * Encourage your student to take full advantage of work-study opportunities if available as part of any financial aid package. Between class and extracurriculars their schedule might be extra busy, but many end up developing valuable relationships and/ or work experience while minimizing the amount borrowed - both of which can benefit everyone’s financial posture in the long-term. * Resist the temptation to borrow extra money for discretionary spending. While tempting to take out an extra thousand here or a thousand there to help ensure your student can enjoy their college years, compounding interest can make these splurges very costly when you consider them over the lifetime of the loan. * Evaluate the repayment option on private student loans rather than simply defaulting to the deferred option. The key is to prioritize the amount you pay right now with the amount that you pay over the life of the loan. Deferring your payments might not always be the best option. An added bonus: get your student involved in the decision-making process! Not only will they learn something, but providing them with the added context around any financial commitments made may inspire them to make healthy financial decisions along the way.— GetRuralLeaderMag.com | AUGUST 2021 17
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Five Telehealth Tips for At-Home Healthcare Telehealth is enabling health care professionals to provide patient care remotely, safely and conveniently through technologies such as a computer, mobile phone or landline telephone more than ever before. This has reduced barriers to care for millions of people who live far away from specialists, have transportation or mobility issues, or are in rural communities or other underserved areas. Many patients and providers are turning to Telehealth.HHS.gov for a one-stop resource to learn about telehealth care offerings, best practices for visits and to find answers to common questions. One frequent concern for patients is what steps they can take for a successful telehealth visit. Here are five important tips Telehealth.HHS.gov says every patient can benefit from: * Set an appointment: Ask your doctor if they offer telehealth, or find telehealth care through your health insurance company, provider or community health center.
* Get your info ready: Treat a virtual visit like an in-person appointment. Have a list of current medications ready, as well as a list of questions or concerns to address with the provider. * Pick a good location: Position yourself in front of the camera someplace that is well-lit, quiet and private to ensure you can speak openly with the provider. * Position yourself for success: Connect to your appointment five minutes early and wear loose clothing in case you need to show the provider something on your body. * Check before you connect: Make sure your device is charged or plugged in and that the internet connection via Wi-Fi or ethernet cable is strong. Don’t forget to enable your privacy settings for the telehealth platform to use your camera and/or microphone. To find more resources and tips for using telehealth care, visit Telehealth.HHS.gov.— GetRuralLeaderMag.com | AUGUST 2021 19
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