Tearing through the paper trail

Whether you're a student or running a business, consider how many pieces of paper you send to the recycle bin every week—from unopened junk mail, old bills and unneeded receipts to work-related reports, financial statements and spreadsheets. Now envision how easy it would be for a thief to sift through your garbage can or dumpster and come away with vulnerable personal information, valuable account numbers, and credit card offers they could complete in your name.

This is a big reason why close to 60 million Americans have suffered identity theft, per a 2018 Harris Poll survey, and why 14.4 million victims were tallied last year alone according to Javelin Strategy & Research. Those numbers would undoubtedly be diminished if we all consistently used a paper shredder to destroy these and other sensitive documents.

Learn how to choose the right shredder for your needs in my newest article freshly published in The Costco Connection magazine, available here.

Taking a stand with your brand

When it comes to making a strong impression on a prospective patron, your company’s image and brand mean a lot. Consider that presenting your brand consistently across all your chosen platforms can increase revenue up to 23%, on average. Problem is, 42% of consumers don’t trust brands.

Building a more robust brand takes hard work and a dedicated effort from your team. There are countless tactics you can try. For guidance, I consulted with a few pros, who suggested several proven approaches, each detailed in my latest article for the US Chamber of Commerce's new site, CO, found here.

The story of right hand-left hand--30 years later

For episode #13 of my Cineversary podcast, I welcome Monica White Ndounou, associate professor of theater at Dartmouth College, to discuss Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing,” which celebrates a 30th birthday this month. Monica and I examine why the movie is worth celebrating three decades later, its cultural impact and legacy, what we can learn from the picture today, how it has (and hasn't) stood the test of time, and more.

To listen to this episode, click the "play button" on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download or subscribe to the Cineversary podcast using Apple Podcasts, iTunes, Anchor, Breaker, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Google Play Music, Overcast, Pocket Casts, PodBean, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, and TuneIn.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at tinyurl.com/cineversarypodcast and email show comments or suggestions to cineversegroup@gmail.com.

Set up a sinking fund for future fun

Ever get that sinking feeling that you wish you’d saved up extra dollars to pay for a wish list purchase, overdue vacation, birthday present, or other special expense? It’s never too late to avoid such regrets and salt away money for a fun or needed goal. You simply need to set up a sinking fund.

What is a sinking fund? It’s simply a fund you create in which money is strategically saved over time that will be used to pay for one or more large planned purchases or expected expenses in the future. It allows you to salt away dollars, often toward things that you want — not necessarily need or have an urgency to purchase right away — ideally without stress or remorse.

Learn more about how a sinking fund can help you save for future expenses by reading my first article for new client AmOne.com, available here.

Cords and cables begone

If you’ve got spaghetti-like clusters of cords congregating in the corners of your home and wires snaking out from nearly every visible AC outlet, it’s time to admit you have a problem. And unless you get control over this cable clutter, your home’s esthetic appeal—and safety—will be at risk, say the experts.

Indeed, cord clutter can present a tripping hazard, fire threat, and overall eyesore. But you can get detangled with the proper strategies, say the experts. Learn more by reading my newest CTW Features article on this topic, available here.

2 kids + 1 bedroom = Design challenges for parents

Maybe your young’uns are scared to sleep alone. Perhaps you have twins who prefer to do everything together. Or more likely you lack space and don’t have a choice.
Whatever the reason, splitting up one bedroom among two children isn’t easy. But you can curb territorial squabbles—and your stress level as a referee—with the right planning, especially when it comes to furnishings.

You can read my article on this topic, recently published in The Costco Connection magazine, here.