Trend alert: The future of in-store shopping goes high tech

Gone are the days of loading the station wagon and heading to the local mall to spend the entire day getting everything the family needs. Today, shoppers are savvy and smart. They know exactly what they want and how they'll get it. As a result of this fast-paced shopping evolution, the retail environment is transforming, too.

Retailers are responding to this new "mission shopping" phenomenon by giving shoppers an intelligent, in-store experience driven by technology. The next time you visit your favorite store, don't be surprised if you see high-tech innovations that enhance your experience and make shopping easier than ever before.

Trend 1: Gamification

It's no secret that gaming is a popular pastime for many people. With the growth in availability and affordability of gaming systems in recent years, it seems everyone has their favorite game, and retailers are taking notice. It's no surprise that stores are integrating the fun and interactivity of gaming to bring the shopping experience to the next level.

At the forefront of in-store gaming interactivity is the HSN Touchwall, which is enabling the company to expand its reach beyond existing channels to new shoppers. Using this digital display, shoppers can take a virtual cooking class from world-renowned chef Wolfgang Puck, learn how to use his products and create shopping lists. It's all at the tips of their fingers - literally.

Trend 2: Connectivity

As our world becomes increasingly connected, people expect this trend to seamlessly integrate into every aspect of their lives, and retail is no exception.

Today, more shoppers are conducting research prior to making a purchase. Even while in-store, you'll see many people looking up additional information on their mobile phones. In fact, 52 percent of adult cellphone owners use their devices while in-store to assist with purchasing decisions, according to the Pew American & Internet Life Project.

Much like how you access your smart phone to get additional information and to connect to others, the shopping experience is becoming more connected as well.

This transformation can be demonstrated with the Adidas Virtual Footwear Wall, which is powered by Intel and allows shoppers to access the entire shoe inventory via a digital display, view the product from any angle and see what others are saying about it on social networks. The capability to communicate in real time with fellow shoppers about your purchasing decision is essential in today's fast-paced, connected world.

Trend 3: Intelligent, customized advertising

Americans today are constantly bombarded with irrelevant advertising while companies are searching for ways to determine if their campaigns are effective. To resolve this, many retailers and advertisers are turning to digital signs to bring meaningful, immersive experiences to shoppers and enable more effective marketing for companies.

How does it work? Intel Audience Impression Metrics Suite (AIM Suite) anonymously detects user demographics - like gender and age - through an optical sensor, allowing the digital sign to instantly tailor its content. It's a win-win situation. Shoppers now get personalized information and advertisers have measurable results. To maintain shopper anonymity, the software doesn't collect any personally identifiable information or record any images or video footage.

One example is Kraft Foods' DIJI-TASTE, which offers complimentary samples of TEMPTATIONS by JELL-O desserts. The innovation? This product is marketed exclusively to adults, and with the Intel AIM Suite software that can detect if an adult or child is approaching the kiosk, only adults will receive the samples.

These three technology trends are only the beginning of what likely will be big changes for the future of shopping. Visiting your favorite store has never been more useful and fun.

Courtesy of BPT

You've invested your money, but do you own it?

(BPT) - Many people don't take enough ownership over what they pay when it comes to investing. A recent study by Charles Schwab of investors who are highly engaged in their everyday lives shows that most Americans do research before making a major purchase. Yet just 51 percent say they know how much they pay for their investments and only 16 percent who work with an investment professional have asked how fees and commissions impact their portfolio's returns.

It can really pay to pay attention, says Mark Riepe, head of Schwab Center for Financial Research, who adds, "One way to reduce your investment return is to ignore fees."

A seemingly small difference in fees can make a potentially big difference in your return. Here's a hypothetical example: let's assume you make a $10,000 investment that earns six percent each year for the next 20 years. If you were to pay one-half of one percent in fees each year on that investment, after 20 years your after-fee balance - or net return - would be about $29,000. But if your annual fee was closer to 1.5 percent, after 20 years that $29,000 would shrink to about $24,000 - or about 20 percent less.

So how can you make sure to take ownership over the money you've invested and your financial future? Knowledge is the first step - here are some of the most common fees to be aware of:

Commissions

Commissions are the fees you are charged when you place a trade with a brokerage firm. If you trade frequently, commissions can add up fast. There are many brokerage firms that offer commission-free products, such as certain exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and no-load mutual funds.

Portfolio management fees

If you use a professional to help you with portfolio management, there are two primary fees to keep in mind. The first is an annual fee, which is usually a set percentage and can vary depending on the advisor and the amount of assets in your portfolio. For example, you might pay one percent of $250,000 you have invested, or $2,500 per year. But there can also be fees for the underlying investments in your portfolio, including commissions and operating expenses that you pay on top of the annual fee.

Mutual fund fees

Mutual fund investors are charged a percentage of the fund's average net assets. This is called the operating expense ratio, or OER, and it covers the fund's management expenses. These fees can vary, so investors should always compare OERs before purchasing a mutual fund, especially when deciding between two similar funds. OERs are listed in the fund's prospectus and most can be found online. Typically, the more complex the fund, the more management it requires and the more it costs. It's important to know that OERs are charged on top of any transaction fees or commissions you might pay to invest in the fund.

Bond fees

In most cases with bonds, when you buy or sell you either pay a percentage or flat fee, however the yield on a bond is impacted by what you pay for it, so finding the lowest cost is to your advantage. It is a good idea to compare prices from multiple bond dealers before settling.

Exchange traded fund fees (ETF)

An ETF is a fund that can be traded like a stock. Depending on how frequently you buy and sell ETFs you may be more or less concerned with some of their fees. For example, if you trade ETFs more frequently, the commission you are charged for each transaction can add up quickly. You also want to pay attention to the bid/ask spread - the prices at which people are willing to buy and sell the fund. If you're planning to hold an ETF over a longer period of time, the commission and spread become less important, since they are one-time costs. But "buy and hold" ETF investors should pay close attention to the fund's expense ratio, which is a recurring fee.

Of course lower expenses do not necessarily translate into higher returns, but they are important to understand. One way to be more aware of the fees you're paying is to regularly review your statement. Being an informed and engaged investor today can have a real impact on your ability to achieve your investing goals tomorrow, whether that's retirement, saving for your child's education or purchasing a home.

More information is available at www.schwab.com.

Scenario is hypothetical in nature and not intended to predict or project the performance of any specific investment product.

Investors should carefully consider information contained in the prospectus, including investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. You can request a prospectus by calling Schwab at 800-435-4000. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

Investment returns will fluctuate and are subject to market volatility, so that an investor's shares, when redeemed or sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Unlike mutual funds, shares of ETFs are not individually redeemable directly with the ETF. Shares are bought and sold at market price, which may be higher or lower than the net asset value (NAV).

Bond, investments are subject to various risks, including changes in interest rates, credit quality, market valuations, liquidity, prepayments, corporate events, tax ramifications, and other factors

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., Member SIPC (0813-5603)

Courtesy of BPT

How to think like a buyer when getting your property ready to sell

The house is finally done after a whole lot of "blood, sweat and tears", and now it's time to get your wholesale flip "retail buyer ready". Real estate investors all have the same question at this point; how can I make my house stand out from the other homes for sale in the neighborhood? The answer is quite simple. Your home has to make a better first impression than your competition. Your potential buyer has to want to come inside from the moment they drive up to the house. So how do you do that?

Learn to think like a buyer!

Curb Appeal Is Everything!

Pay special attention to the landscaping and keep the grass cut and trimmed while your house is for sale. If you are selling during the summer months, extra watering may be needed to keep the lawn in tip top shape.

Give your yard a manicured look. It will really pay off to spend a few dollars to have the plants neatly trimmed, the planting beds weeded, and fresh mulch put down. A great touch is to put brightly colored flowers near the front of the house. You might even want to add a couple of pots of flowers at or near the front door well give it an extra touch. Be sure to pick plants that don't need daily watering.

All your windows should be sparkling clean on the exterior as well as the interior.

Take a good look at your front door. Does it need a fresh coat of paint or maybe just a good cleaning?

Spend a few dollars and replace your old mailbox, then add some attractive house numbers. These simple things will give your house a polished look.

Make sure your deck or patio in the back yard is neat and inviting. You want your buyers to be able to imagine entertaining or just relaxing in this space at the end of the day. A power washer can be rented for about $40-$50 dollars if heavy duty cleaning is needed. Go ahead and power-wash any siding on your house at the same time.

Store all garden equipment and trash containers out of sight.

Look at the interior of the house through "buyer's eyes"

Have a professional do a thorough house cleaning when the house is finished, paying special attention to the kitchen and the bathrooms. Remember these are the rooms that sell houses!

Make sure all floors have been cleaned and are in good condition. This also applies to any carpet that hasn't been replaced.

Give the house the "sniff test". Does it smell good?

Buyers don't want to have to paint before moving in, so be sure the house is painted in neutral colors. Painting the trim a crisp white makes the home look modern and inviting.

Home staging always pays big dividends! Consider doing some simple home staging so that prospective buyers can imagine what the home will look like with furniture in it.

Does the basement have a "musty" smell? Figure out what the problem is and correct it.

Does everything in the house function properly? Make sure all the light bulbs are working, and all of the cabinet handles and doorknobs are securely attached. Walk through the house and give it the same scrutiny that a buyer will, double checking the smallest details in the home.

Be sure to change your filters. If the furnace or AC filter hasn't been replaced during the rehab, clean or replace it.

Author: Sharon Vornholt

Sharon's Website: http://LouisvilleGalsRealEstateBlog.com

Protecting your paycheck - for today and tomorrow

(BPT) - People insure their homes, their cars and even their vacations without giving it a second thought. But many do not think about insuring their most important asset - their income - from a disability caused by illness or injury. And it's not just income during working years that is at risk. A disability can also put a serious dent in your ability to enjoy retirement.

That can happen in two ways, according to Sandy Botcher, vice president of disability income insurance at Northwestern Mutual. "When a family loses its usual source of income due to a disability, sometimes the only alternative is to dip into retirement savings to cover normal household expenses," she says. "And even if you don't have to take money out of savings to replace income, the other consequence of a disability is that it decreases your potential to contribute to your retirement plan."

Botcher adds that from the moment you start working until the day you retire, your ability to earn an income is your most important financial asset.

Consider this example: A $60,000 annual salary results in $2.4 million earned over a 40-year career, and that doesn't take into account inflation, salary increases, or the long-term growth potential of money invested in retirement saving vehicles along the way. If a disability prevents the individual from earning this income, or requires him to access a portion of what's already been saved (often with a tax penalty), it can have devastating impact on retirement dreams.

Recent research demonstrates the need to prepare for the unexpected. Over the past three years, 22 percent of Americans had dipped into retirement savings and 22 percent had stopped or reduced their savings contributions, according to Northwestern Mutual's 2013 Planning and Progress Study. More than half of those surveyed say unexpected expenses are to blame. Yet 23 percent of respondents say they want to be more cautious with their money, and feel they have a lot of catching up to do.

"The Great Recession has reminded us that we cannot afford to lose our incomes," says Botcher. "But we also need to remember that our chances of losing our incomes are determined by more than just our employers' viability or our career success."

In the minds of consumers, few things seem more unexpected than a disability. Yet the Social Security Administration reports that about one in four 20 year olds today will become disabled before retirement.

One way to prepare for the possibility of being unable to work is disability income (DI) insurance, designed to help pay living expenses, maintain lifestyle needs and preserve assets accumulated for retirement and other purposes. Many employees think that coverage they get through their employer's group disability policy is enough. They should think again.

Group DI typically has a cap at 60 percent of salary; other forms of compensation like bonuses or commissions may not be covered. In addition, the benefits are taxable. So, if earning less than two-thirds of one's current salary would make it difficult to make ends meet as well as work toward goals like continuing to fund retirement, it's important that another option be considered to bridge the gap.

That option is an individual DI insurance policy. Premiums for individual DI policies are paid after taxes, so the benefits are not taxed, and the policies are portable.

"We can't forget that the source of a retirement program is the ability to work. Having individual disability income insurance is a way to address one of the key risks to achieving your retirement goals," Botcher says.

Courtesy of BPT

Stress management tactics for an improved self, inside and out

(BPT) - There are moments when stress takes over all aspects of life, both personal and professional. The to-do list feels never ending; there are never enough hours in the day; and the challenges appear insurmountable. Feeling stressed is a normal response to demands encountered on emotional, intellectual and physical levels, and often manifests itself physically in many different ways - especially in the appearance of skin. Positively managing stress is essential to achieving a balanced lifestyle and naturally healthy-looking skin.

Helping women everywhere discover the benefits of a holistic approach to skincare, the Simple brand (a range of facial skincare products that is perfect even for sensitive skin) launched the Simple Advisory Board, which is a group of noted lifestyle and wellness experts who help women care for their skin from the inside out. By focusing on different lifestyle choices that can impact skin like diet, fitness and stress management, women can look beyond their typical skincare routine for ways to improve their skin's health and overall well-being. Women can embody the holistic approach to skincare in every way possible, which is why, when it comes to ingredients, Simple knows that what is left out is just as important as what is put in. This philosophy is the reason why none of the products contain dyes, artificial perfumes or harsh chemicals that can upset skin, just the purest possible ingredients for natural, healthy-looking skin.

Simple Advisory Board member, Dr. Josie Howard, is a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in psychodermatology, an area of medicine that focuses on the relationship between stress, emotional well-being and skin health. Below are Dr. Howard's top tips for effectively and constructively managing stress to help minimize the effects it can have on your skin.

* Take a breather: Resting your body and mind is crucial to regulating blood flow and circulation, both of which are essential in achieving naturally healthy-looking skin. When you feel unusually anxious and stressed out, it may be a sign of exhaustion or fatigue. Find a calm and quiet space and take a few moments to "take a breather," by meditating, napping or even just pausing from the busy day. Allowing both body and mind to take a break will keep your body feeling more regulated and your skin looking beautiful. Closing your eyes and focusing on the sounds and smells that surround you in that moment is a great way to center yourself in the present; a scented candle and soft music can be of great assistance with this exercise.

* Create a relaxation routine: Stress has a big influence on the health and appearance of skin and can show itself in many ways. When you are stressed, hormones in the body become thrown off balance. As a result, your skin's ability to protect itself against environmental pollutants and irritants becomes compromised, leaving the skin more prone to breakouts, irritation and dehydration. There are many ways to create a sense of calm when things become stressful - listening to music, writing in a journal, or practicing yoga are great ways to constructively unwind. The trick is to pick an activity that works best for you and be sure to proactively make that practice a priority every day to effectively combat stress and improve your overall skin health.

Say it with a smile: Any level of emotional stress we experience can readily be detected on our face, whether it is seen through breakouts, irritation and even blushing. When we smile, we not only look better, less tired and more refreshed, but our brains also interpret this as a signal that we actually are feeling happy and content. Moreover, smiling can help others react to us in a more positive way, which can lead to less stressful experiences overall.

Take adequate rest: The notion of "beauty sleep" is not a myth: deep, restorative sleep is essential for growth hormone release, which is necessary for effective tissue repair in the skin. Stress can impair sleep quality, leading to a cascade of hormonal consequences that result in unwanted physical results - unhealthy food choices, weight gain and puffy skin. Over time, chronic sleep deprivation can leave skin looking pale and haggard, reducing its natural protective qualities. Dr. Howard advises removing electronics (even smartphones!) from the bedroom to keep stress triggers at bay and to step away from the computer and other electronic devices at least one hour before bedtime.

For more information about Simple Skincare and tips from Dr. Howard and the other Simple Advisory Board experts visit www.simpleskincare.com. While there, take the Simple Sense quiz to receive customized information and advice regarding skincare and holistic living.

Courtesy of BPT

Tips for stress-free travel

Traveling is a wonderful opportunity to see the world, but it can come with stress that turns a vacation into an experience you quickly want to forget. Sticking to exhausting itineraries, eating an abundance of rich foods, and even planning a visit with family can turn an enjoyable vacation into a stressful experience.

A little advanced planning can help alleviate some of the traditional stresses travelers experience during holiday visits, winter vacations and spring break trips, allowing everyone in the family to enjoy the journey.

* Be organized - Keep a folder or notebook filled with every detail of information you will - or might - need. These details include important telephone numbers, insurance information, as well as all travel details like flight times, car rental information, hotel reservation, addresses and tickets to any events you might be attending while on your trip. Also pack photo copies of your personal information like driver's license, passport and credit cards separately from your purse. Create a second set and give them to a friend or family member not traveling with you who would be able to email or fax them if an emergency situation happens. Having the photo copies of the original information will help shorten the time it will take to get official replacements.

* Pack a medicine bag - It's very easy to catch a traveler's cold or end up suffering with digestive issues from eating out and indulging in too many sweet or spicy foods. Make certain to include over-the-counter pain killers, cold and allergy medicines and don't forget about packing an all-in-one solution to handle both anti-gas and antacid digestive relief. It's available in liquid, tablet and on-the-go forms to treat symptoms of heartburn, upset stomach, constipation, indigestion and acid indigestion.

* Use technology - Smartphones and cellphones make travel much easier. Airline and hotel applications can notify you about delay and cancelations, allow you to check-in for your flight before leaving for the airport, select seats on the plane, and confirm your hotel your reservation. Some airlines even allow you to scan a boarding pass directly from your smartphone. A bonus - pack headphones and use your smartphone to carry favorite tunes to help soothe your mind and relax your body while traveling. It will make the long road trip or flight go much quicker.

* Bring snacks - Airport food is expensive and many airlines have done away with in-flight snacks. Dry foods can be taken through airport security, so bring along trail mix, granola bars or sandwich crackers to help keep hunger pains at bay, and save you time and money when at the airport. For longer flights that serve a meal, call the airline ahead to request a special needs meal, like heart healthy or vegetarian. These meals tend to be fresher and lower in sodium than the regular meals and will ensure that you feel great when you land.

* Comfort is king - A long road trip or plane flight can have anyone feeling rumpled and uncomfortable. To make these travels more comfortable, consider wearing slip-on shoes - they're easy to remove to go through security at an airport and can be kicked off in the car to help relax your feet. Also pack breezy and loose-fitting clothing, because most people tend to indulge in convenience foods and alcohol while traveling, which can cause tight-fitting clothing to feel very uncomfortable later on in the trip.

Traveling for the holidays, or a spring break vacation is meant to be a relaxing and enjoyable time. So plan ahead for any stresses, and when the big day for departure arrives, let the fun begin.

Courtesy of BPT