(NAPSI)—Rural small businesses face greater challenges to economic recovery and are less optimistic about the future compared to their non-rural counterparts, according to new survey data from SCORE, mentors to America’s small businesses.

SCORE’s Fall 2022 Megaphone of Main Street: The Small Business Rural/Urban Divide surveyed more than 3,000 entrepreneurs and found that while more than 75% of small businesses surveyed have returned to pre-pandemic levels or better, more than half (53%) of rural entrepreneurs say they feel somewhat or extremely negative about the economy and its impact on their business.

Although customer acquisition remains a challenge for all small businesses,  inflation, the overall economy and cash flow are top concerns. In particular, rural entrepreneurs feel more challenged by inflation and supply chain disruptions. Specifically, rural small business owners are:

• 30.2% more likely than non-rural small business owners to cite inflation as one of their top three business concerns
• When compared to non-rural counterparts, are 32.4% more likely to cite supply chain disruptions.

Diving deeper, rural small businesses say cash flow is constrained by rising costs for utilities, supplies, labor and capital. Rural entrepreneurs are:

• 9.3% more likely than non-rural small businesses to report higher costs of doing business
• 24.5% more likely to report higher vendor prices, when compared to non-rural entrepreneurs.

Compared to their non-rural counterparts, twice as many rural entrepreneurs say there’s a lack of local banks in their area from which to seek financing, further limiting their ability to secure funding.  Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—Ann is a 74-year-old retired principal and grandmother living in Connecticut. Robin is a 58-year-old community health educator and mother of four living in Maryland. On the surface, these women may seem to have little in common, but what brings them together is that for the last 25 years, both have been living with HIV. They have also chosen to step out of the shadows about their journey and help others get past the stigma surrounding HIV.

Ann’s and Robin’s Stories

In 1998, Ann was shocked to receive an HIV diagnosis during a routine medical appointment, ultimately concluding that she may have contracted the virus during a hysterectomy 10 years earlier. After keeping her diagnosis a secret from everyone but some close family and friends for 20 years, Ann decided to open up about living with HIV so she could support others like her.  Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—As you prepare for the busy holiday travel season, you should be aware of an urgent stop-drive warning issued to owners and custodians of certain older model Dodge and Chrysler vehicles who have not replaced their recalled driver-side Takata air bags.

Approximately 276,000 2005-2010 Dodge Magnum station wagons, Dodge Challenger coupes, Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans fall under this warning. FCA US LLC has distributed notices to owners and custodians of these vehicles to immediately stop driving them. Continue reading →

What You Need To Know About Skin Cancer

(NAPSI)—If you or someone you care for is ever among the 5 million people diagnosed with basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma every year in the U.S., here are a few facts it would be healthy for you to know.

Skin Cancer Stats

1.Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S.

2.Basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma account for 95% of all skin cancers.

3.Your risk increases with age.

Skin Cancer Signs

A change in your skin is the most common sign of skin cancer, advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This could be a new growth, a sore that doesn’t heal, or a change in a mole. If you notice any of these, see your dermatologist. Nearly all skin cancers can be treated effectively if they are found early. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—Almost every American has a family member or friend affected by diabetes, and more than 1 in 10 Americans have the disease. Diabetes occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Diabetes can damage many of your organs, including your eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart, and is linked to some types of cancer.

If you have diabetes, working with a team of health care professionals can offer you the personal care you need to improve your health. Your team may include your primary care provider, a nurse, an eye doctor, a certified diabetes educator, a pharmacist and others. Your team can give you advice, recommend a program to manage your diabetes and answer any questions you may have.  Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—The holidays are right around the corner and sending your mail and packages with the U.S. Postal Service has never been easier or more reliable. With a little planning and the right tools, you can ensure that the perfect gift reaches everyone on your list.

Here are seven tips to make your holiday shipping stress-free:

1. Visit USPS online:Visit the USPS website at usps.com. You’ll have access to tools like ZIP Code lookup, Find Your Local Post Office, Hold Mail, Click-N-Ship, Schedule a Pickup, and more. It’s open 24 hours a day.
2. Check the USPS Holiday Newsroom…often:Have you ever wished there was one place where you could get all the information about holiday shipping? Wish no more. From deadlines to the latest news, the Holiday Newsroom at usps.com/holidaynewsis your one-stop shop for all things holiday- and shipping-related.
3. Visit the Postal Store online:From stamps to supplies and even gift ideas, usps.com/storehas everything to make holiday gift shipping—and shopping—easier than ever. Need free boxes? They’ve got those too. It also never closes.
4. Check the U.S. Postal Inspection Service website: At uspis.govyou’ll find tips to protect packages and prevent fraud, along with information on items that are prohibited or restricted.
5. Get Informed Delivery: When you sign up at informeddelivery.usps.com, not only can you get a preview of your daily mail and packages, you can also customize your delivery before your carrier arrives. Want to leave instructions to deliver your package to a specific location on your property? Now you can! You’ll even get notified the moment your package is delivered.
6. Visit USPS Operation Santa online: Get all the news and information you need at uspsoperationsanta.com. Find information on adopting a letter, getting your ID verified, shipping your gift and more. Letters to Santa will be posted beginning Nov. 28.
7. Join the conversation on social media: Stay “in the know” with the latest USPS news via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. There’s also the official podcast of the United States Postal Service, “Mailin’ It,” taking you behind the scenes with USPS.

Continue reading →

Rain Barrels Benefits

Supplement irrigation and save money over time

Reduce stormwater runoff which can lead to reduced levels of pesticides and fertilizers in our water

Help reduce the amount of water that may settle around the foundation of your home

Uses for Collected Water

Connect to a soaker hose (with the pressure-reducing washer removed)

Fill a watering can and hand-water plants, flower beds and gardens

Keep your compost bin moist

Rinse off gardening tools

How Do I Get Started? 

Step 1. Start With a Drum

Many people make rain barrels out of inexpensive 50-gallon food-grade drums that were used to carry juices, olives, pickles, etc. Stay away from ones that were used to carry harsh chemicals. Often you can find barrels for around $10 from drum and barrel suppliers.

Be sure to get a heavy-grade plastic container that won’t let in light — clear or translucent barrels can speed the growth of algae, which can clog pipes.

Rinse the inside of the barrel with a mixture of 1/8 cup of bleach and 5 gallons of water to wash away food or juice remnants.  Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—Passwords—they’re so ubiquitous, yet are the source of so many online hacks due to poor password hygiene. According to a recent Aware poll, more than 50 percent of people choose to use the same password across multiple accounts, which means that if a hacker has a password to one account, they can likely access several of that person’s accounts. In fact, almost 70 percent of people remember passwords by picking those that are easy-to-use, or writing them down on a stray piece of paper.

Currently, there are billions of passwords available on the Dark Web, all aggregated through various attack methods, from malware and phishing to brute force. Passwords are highly prone to being weak, stolen, or lost—which brings up the question: Why don’t people adopt more sophisticated techniques?  Continue reading →

New Study Shows Everyone Hates Using Passwords But Generational Differences Persist

(NAPSI)—Most people are well aware of the shortcomings of passwords. Generally, they just don’t deliver the level of security and convenience you expect. They can be weak, prone to theft and loss, and just a major source of frustration.

In fact, a recent Aware study suggests these levels of frustration have hit a whole new threshold. Uniformly across age demographics, research shows that around 30 percent of users are incredibly frustrated when they have to undergo a password reset process. And, while people of all ages are similarly irritated with the length and complexity requirements of passwords, those in the “rush hour of life,” generally considered to be 25-45, report higher levels of frustration than any other age group.  Continue reading →