National study finds Americans are hopeful for 2010 Decade after learning from past ten years
OfficeMax Survey Uncovers How Consumers Really Feel About Past and Future Decades
With one decade concluding and another on the horizon, Americans are gearing up for 2010 by learning from the past and making plans for a better decade ahead. According to a nationwide survey from OfficeMax® Incorporated Americans have high hopes for the approaching decade with clear plans for their personal lives and heightened focus on family and personal wellbeing while embracing change and opportunity. When referring to the 2010 decade, nearly four in ten (38%) Americans prefer to use the phrase “the twenty-tens” over other popular terms that include “the oh-tens” (16%), “the tens” (14%) and “the teens” (11%).
Moving forward, Americans predict that family, personal development and self-discovery will define the next ten years. Many believe they will spend more time with family (64%) and reconnect with old friends (42%). Others plan to nurture themselves by grabbing the reins on their health (62%) and finally creating a work-life balance (38%). Over half (57%) of Americans believe the next decade will be about discovering what’s most important in life, while others think they’ll laugh more than ever before (47%).
As Americans consider the advancements and transformations they hope to achieve during the next decade, it’s fitting that nearly three in ten people think “Changes” by David Bowie (28%) is the song title that best represents their outlook on the approaching decade. Others selected “I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Nash (13%) to demonstrate their optimism while some shared their apprehension choosing “Help!” by the Beatles (16%) and “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival (12%) to illustrate their future outlook.
Gearing up for the next decade, Americans plan to learn from the past and incorporate these lessons into the future. Demonstrating the importance of action in 2010, a large number of Americans selected the expressions – “action speaks louder than words” (73%) and “talk is cheap” (67%) – to illustrate what they learned over the past decade. Nearly seven in ten people selected “knowledge is power” (69%) and “don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched” (67%) to describe their hopes for smarter, more calculated decisions in the future. With the touch economic times, personal finances were also top-of-mind for most Americans, which is perhaps why phrases like “a penny saved is a penny earned” (66%) and “money makes the world go round” (50%) are what many will use as a springboard for the new decade.
“Everyone has the chance to start fresh in 2010 with a new decade ahead of them, and we’re excited to learn through this national survey that consumers are ready to take the express train to a brighter, more prosperous future,” said Bob Thacker, SVP of Marketing & Advertising for OfficeMax. “At OfficeMax, we’re kicking off the year by celebrating positive achievements and helping people do their best work at home, the office, or on-the-go. It’s going to be a delightful decade as we focus more on what’s important and improve on the past ten years.”
The national survey of 1,000 consumers was conducted by Kelton Research in December 2009 using Random Digit Dialing of listed and unlisted phone numbers. Quotas were set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total U.S. population ages 18 and over.
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Sixth annual Farmers Insurance study ranks Most Secure Places to Live in the U.S.
Austin-Round Rock, Texas Tops All Large Metropolitan Areas
In this time of economic uncertainty, a safe and secure environment in which to live, work and raise a family has become an even greater priority to many Americans.
According to the sixth annual Most Secure U.S. Places to Live rankings from Farmers Insurance Group of Companies®, the central Texas area of Austin-Round Rock is the most secure U.S. community among large metropolitan areas (population of 500,000 or greater).
The Fargo (N.D.)-Moorhead (Minn.) area is the most secure mid-size U.S. city (population between 150,000 and 500,000), while the Lewiston (Idaho)-Clarkston (Wash.) area ranks as the most secure small town (population less than 150,000).
The rankings, compiled by database experts at www.bestplaces.net, took into consideration crime statistics, extreme weather, risk of natural disasters, housing depreciation, foreclosures, air quality, terrorist threats, environmental hazards, life expectancy and job loss numbers in 379 U.S. municipalities. The study divided the communities into three groups: large metropolitan areas, mid-size cities and small towns.
“Farmers congratulates all of the communities ranking in the Farmers Most Secure Places to Live study. “In today’s fast-paced world, citizens look for a strong local government to make their communities secure, and especially desirable for individuals and families to live, work and grow,” noted Robert Woudstra, Farmers CEO.
“Since its founding in 1928, Farmers has been committed to improving the communities where its customers, agents and employees live and work. Improving safety, expanding educational opportunities, enhancing health and human services, encouraging civic participation and supporting the arts and culture help drive Farmers’ commitment,” Mr. Woudstra added.
The Austin-Round Rock area, which was 15th among large metropolitan areas in the 2008 Farmers study, is a center for technology and business and is attracting more and more pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Such Fortune 500 companies as Dell, Inc., Whole Foods Market and Freescale Semiconductor are headquartered there, with Austin serving as the state capital and home to the University of Texas. A high job growth rate and minimal housing depreciation contributed to its top rating in the study.
The Fargo-Moorhead area, ranked 14th among mid-size cities in 2008 and sixth in 2007, is a hub for healthcare, manufacturing and higher education. The area is home to three universities and several smaller, private colleges. Its No. 1 ranking in the 2009 Farmers study is largely due to a low unemployment rate, few violent crimes, minimal housing depreciation, high air quality and a long life expectancy among residents.
The Lewiston-Clarkston area, with a population of just under 59,000, jumped from sixth place among small towns in the 2008 Farmers study to the top spot in 2009. The area’s access to the Pacific Ocean through a network of river, rail and highway transportation facilities provides an excellent business climate for what is regarded as the most inland seaport in the Western U.S. It scored high in the study due to excellent job growth, low crime and minimal housing depreciation.
Here are the Farmers Insurance Group’s Most Secure U.S. Places to Live for 2009:
Large Metro Areas (500,000 or more residents)
1. Austin-Round Rock, Tex.
2. Des Moines-West Des Moines, Iowa
3. Madison, Wis.
4. Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick, Md.
5. Rochester, N.Y.
6. Honolulu, Hawaii
7. Syracuse, N.Y.
8. El Paso, Tex.
9. Portland-South Portland-Biddeford, Me.
10. Nassau-Suffolk Counties, N.Y.
11. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minn.
12. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Tex.
13. Portland-Beaverton, Ore.-Vancouver, Wash.
14. New Haven-Milford, Conn.
15. Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, Conn.
16. Pittsburgh, Pa.
17. Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, Wash.
18. Colorado Springs, Colo.
19. Denver, Colo.
20. Scranton-Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Mid-Size Cities (150,000 – 500,000 residents)
1. Fargo, N.D.-Moorhead, Minn.
2. Olympia, Wash.
3. Sioux Falls, S.D.
4. Bellingham, Wash.
5. Rochester, Minn.
6. Kennewick-Richland-Pasco, Wash.
7. Lynchburg, Va.
8. St. Cloud, Minn.
9. Duluth, Minn.-Superior, Wis.
10. Las Cruces, N.M.
11. Bremerton-Silverdale, Wash.
12. Killeen-Temple, Texas
13. Charlottesville, Va.
14. Provo-Orem, Utah
15. Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Ark.
16. Green Bay, Wis.
17. Fort Collins-Loveland, Colo.
18. Boulder, Colo.
19. Yakima, Wash.
20. Yuma, Ariz.
Small Towns (Fewer than 150,000 residents)
1. Lewiston, Idaho-Clarkston, Wash.
2. State College, Pa.
3. Bismarck, N.D.
4. Logan, Utah
5. Ithaca, N.Y.
6. Wenatchee, Wash.
7. Corvallis, Ore.
8. Morgantown, W.Va.
9. Eau Claire, Wis.
10. Rapid City, S.D.
11. Midland, Tex.
12. Sioux City, Iowa
13. Harrisonburg, Va.
14. Billings, Mont.
15. Grand Forks, N.D.-Crookston, Minn.
16. Grand Junction, Colo.
17. Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, Va.
18. Wausau, Wis.
19. Mount Vernon-Anacortes, Wash.
20. La Crosse, Wis.-Winona, Minn.
Source: Farmers Group, Inc.
TripAdvisor reads traveler tea leaves to reveal 2010 Trends
Annual Traveler Survey Discovers a Flu-nomenon as U.S. Respondents Becoming Far More Cautious When it Comes to Germs U.S. Travelers Expect to Take More Leisure Trips in the Coming Year Troncones, Mexico is 2010’s Top Up-and-Coming Travel Destination
TripAdvisor®, the world’s most trusted source of travel advice, today announced the results of its annual travel trends survey of more than 3,000 U.S. travelers. Americans are not taking the H1N1 warnings lightly, as 88 percent of respondents said they are concerned about germs, bacteria and viruses when traveling, compared to 83 percent last year. Seventy-seven percent of travelers said they are washing their hands more often on the road than they normally do, an increase of 17 percent from one year ago.
Despite the concerns over germs, Americans expect to travel more in 2010 than in 2009. Forty-one percent of U.S. respondents said they plan to spend more on leisure travel in 2010 than they did in 2009 and 92 percent of travelers are planning to take two or more leisure trips in 2010, up from 89 percent last year. Sixty-six percent said the economy will not affect their travel plans for the coming year.
Troncones, Mexico is TravelCast’s Emerging Hotspot for 2010
The TripAdvisor TravelCast identifies up-and-coming travel destinations based on site data, including increases in search activity and postings for the past year on TripAdvisor.com.
TripAdvisor TravelCast Top Five World Destinations for 2010
1. Troncones, Mexico
Boasting miles of white sand beaches, Troncones is a peaceful and secluded haven nestled between the jungle foothills of the Sierra Madre del Sur Mountains and the warm tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean.
2. Nairn, Scotland
Located on the Moray Forth coast, this small seaside town enjoys one of the sunniest climates in Scotland, and is a perfect base from which to explore the Highlands.
3. El Chalten, Patagonia
Your cell phone won’t work here and the town’s limited capacity means you’ve got to book in advance — but you’ll be richly rewarded with incredible hiking in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
4. Patara, Turkey
With a 12-mile long beach (also a national park) and an abundance of Lycian and Roman ruins peeking out of the sand dunes, Patara is steeped in both natural beauty and history.
5. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
This picturesque Bavarian town is celebrated not only for its well-preserved medieval buildings and walls, but also for its unspoiled setting.
TripAdvisor TravelCast Top Five U.S. Destinations for 2010
1. Seward, Alaska
Situated at the head of Resurrection Bay on the Kenai Peninsula, this historic and picturesque town is the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, rich with wildlife, spectacular fjords and tidewater glaciers.
2. Hyannis, Massachusetts
John F. Kennedy’s former Presidential retreat can be found in Hyannis, the largest and most central village in Cape Cod’s Town of Barnstable, and its picturesque sandy stretches make it a fantastic retreat.
3. Hot Springs, Arkansas
True to its name, nature’s geological wonders are a key feature of this picture-perfect town, which boasts natural hot and cold mineral springs in which to relax, restore and renew.
4. Chinle, Arizona
Drive around nearby Canyon de Chelly’s rim roads for a bird’s eye view of the spectacular scenery below, or take a tour of the canyon floor for a closer look at its breath-taking rock formations, cave art and cliff dwellings.
5. Waimea, Hawaii
Situated on the Southwest side of the beautiful island of Kauai, this unassuming beach-side town is the gateway to Waimea Canyon, the largest canyon in the Pacific, which oozes natural beauty.
Additional 2010 Travel Trends Survey Findings
Just Plane Sick
Eighty-nine percent of travelers would react if they noticed their flight seatmate was displaying visible flu-like symptoms. While 55 percent would request to be moved to a different seat, 27 percent would notify a flight attendant, four percent would put on a face mask or scarf and an additional three percent would request that their fellow passenger cover up with a mask or scarf.
Airplanes are considered the top spot to beware of unwanted microbes (48 percent), followed by public transportation (19 percent) and hotels (six percent).
Mile-High Misdemeanors
Sixty-one percent of travelers confess they have disregarded airline rules on a flight. Unbuckling seatbelts before the light is off tops the list of flier felonies, with almost half of travelers (49 percent) admitting to unclipping prematurely. Further indiscretions include moving someone else’s luggage to make room for their own (23 percent), standing up before the seatbelt light is turned off (16 percent), and six percent even admit to using a forbidden electronic device in-flight, such as a cell phone or pager.
Sketchy Seatmates
Sitting next to a traveler with noticeable body odor is most likely to get travelers switching seats on a flight, with 38 percent confessing that if their neighbor was whiffy, they’d be gone in a jiffy. Intoxicated travelers take second place on the list of nightmarish neighbors, with obese travelers rounding out the top three. The survey results also reveal that 69 percent of travelers believe that passengers over a certain weight should be required to pay for two seats.
Flying Faux Pas
Children may be small in stature, but when it comes to the top travel annoyances, they deliver a mean punch — or rather, kick. Thirty-seven percent of travelers cite seat-kicking kids as their primary pet peeve, while fliers that sneeze and cough without covering their mouth and rude seat recliners claim second and third spots respectively. Forty-two percent of travelers also expressed frustration about not having space on flights for their carry-on bags. Forty-five percent think travelers without carry-on bags should be allowed to board flights first.
Quiet Sections Preferred
Forty-one percent of travelers said they’d be most likely to pay extra to sit in a “quiet section” of a plane, while 39 percent would love to be free of kids in a “child-free section.” Wi-Fi may be a useful in-flight option, but some travelers would prefer to remain altogether disconnected, with 11 percent saying they’d choose a “Wi-Fi-free section.”
In-flight Indulgences
Seventy-two percent of travelers expect to pay for in-flight extras when flying in 2010, with extra leg-room top of the wish list for more than one-third (35 percent) of respondents. Twenty-six percent are most likely to pay for snacks or an in-flight meal, and more travelers plan to shell out for in-flight alcohol (23 percent) than for seat selection (22 percent) or checked bags (20 percent).
Eco-nsiderations
Twenty-two percent of travelers expect to be more environmentally conscious in their travel decisions in 2010 than they were in 2009. Thirty-two percent consider their carbon footprint when traveling, and as a result, 44 percent of these travelers choose to stay at “green” or environmentally-conscious hotels, while 26 percent choose to drive rather than fly, and 20 percent travel shorter distances. A hotel having “green” policies also factors into 33 percent of travelers’ booking decisions.
Ugly Americans and America the Beautiful
There’s good and bad news for U.S. travelers, with Americans voted the friendliest travelers — but also the most annoying. Twenty-five percent of U.S. respondents consider Americans to be the most irritating travelers, followed by travelers from France (nine percent), Japan (eight percent), China (seven percent) and Germany (six percent).
Nineteen percent said Americans are friendliest, followed by travelers from Australia (16 percent), Canada (nine percent), England (eight percent) and Ireland (four percent).
Pledge Allegiance to the Brand
Fifty-nine percent of travelers said they are brand loyal when it comes to booking hotels, with the survey revealing the top three brands to be Marriott (12 percent), Hilton (nine percent) and Hampton Inn (four percent).
“If it isn’t already, hand sanitizer should be among the first things travelers think to pack these days,” said Christine Petersen, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. “As far as destinations to consider for 2010, Mexico offers some real bargains — and Troncones made the top of our emerging destinations TravelCast list.”
Source: TripAdvisor
American Red Cross survey finds 62 percent of Americans plan to donate more than $25 to charity this holiday season
Red Cross offers online giving catalog to help families make charitable gifts in the name of others
In spite of the economic downturn, Americans are entering this holiday season willing to support charities in two ways, with 62 percent planning to dig deep into their own wallets to support charities and nearly 40 percent talking with others about donating to charity instead of buying them a gift, according to a new survey for the American Red Cross.
The survey shows that nearly 90 percent of Americans planned to donate to charity this holiday season. Half of those making donations plan to donate at least $50 to charity this holiday season, with 25 percent intending to give more than $100.
Importantly, the survey shows that in addition to making their own donations, 39 percent of people are willing to forego another holiday gift and have that money given to charities instead. Moreover, 80 percent said that if asked, they would be happy to make a donation to charity instead of buying a gift for someone.
And with many people shopping online this holiday season, the Red Cross is making it easier to give charitable gifts through an online “Gifts that Save the Day” catalog that enables people to make a tax-deductable charitable gift this holiday season. The catalog, at www.redcross.org/gifts, allows people to make a donation that could provide food and shelter for a disaster victim for a day; a military comfort kit with a robe, phone card and other supplies for a wounded warrior; or a month of basic necessities for a family in another country who lost everything in a disaster.
“In this season of hope, the Red Cross is asking people to give a gift that can really save the day for someone in need,” said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. “Shoppers doing their online gift-buying on Cyber Monday or at other times this holiday season can make a donation to the Red Cross in the name of someone special.”
Gifts made through the catalog are contributions towards a Red Cross program area, not a donation to a specific project or item. The donations will be used to provide assistance where it is needed most within the program area; remaining money is put to use where it is needed most.
Women Most Often Involved in Family Decisions on Charitable Donations
Women have a great deal of influence over charitable giving decisions in the home. Ninety percent of the women surveyed indicated that they are involved in decisions about which charities to support, compared to 81 percent of men. More than one in five (22 percent) said that they involved children in determining charitable donations.
Popular charities for holiday giving this year include those that help the poor (83 percent); help service members (58 percent); help people with a specific disease (55 percent); and that assist disaster victims (51 percent).
In addition, people are supporting charities during the holiday season with more than money, donating clothing, time and even blood. The survey found that 84 percent planned to donate used clothing or household items; 75 percent would contribute food to a food bank; 39 percent planned to volunteer for a charity; and 22 percent said they would donate blood during the holiday season.
The telephone survey of 1,001 U.S. adults 18 years and older was conducted November 5-8, 2009 by CARAVAN(R) Opinion Research Corporation. The margin of error is +/- 3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
Source: American Red Cross
Poll finds Americans very concerned about exposure to toxic chemicals
Voters want the EPA to be given more power to regulate chemicals
A poll conducted in August by Lake Research Partners found Americans very concerned with how chemicals are regulated for consumer use in the U.S. The findings come as overhaul of the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) will be introduced soon in both Houses of Congress.
Voters are concerned that, under TSCA, chemicals in existence prior to 1976 were grandfathered in to be used and produced in the U.S. without testing or regulation. (87 percent were somewhat or very concerned). Eighty percent of voters were concerned that the EPA was unsuccessful in banning asbestos under current law. Eighty-four percent were concerned that the EPA has mandated testing of barely 200 out of the over 80,000 on the market since 1976.
“Voters across almost all demographic and political groups said that regulations on chemicals were not strong enough,” said pollster Celinda Lake. “People definitely are not confident about how chemicals are currently regulated, but they’re ready to give the EPA authority to protect consumers.”
Hundreds of recent scientific studies associate chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, which are used in baby bottles, pacifiers, canned foods and toys, with a variety of chronic diseases, including diabetes, asthma, increased risk of certain types of cancer and infertility.
“The public is aware of a growing body of science linking common chemicals to chronic diseases and they’re waking up to the fact that the existing law isn’t working,” says Andy Igrejas, director of the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition. “Americans are doing their best to shop smart, but we can’t protect our families without help, and without strong reforms to put common sense limits on toxic chemicals.”
Majorities of Democrats, Independents and Republicans say they would support legislation that would take toxic chemicals off the market if they have been detected in babies at birth or in infants, and exposure to other known toxic chemicals, such as formaldehyde, that have been extensively studied, will be reduced to the maximum extent possible.
The poll was commissioned by the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition and has a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent. The poll was conducted among 1,000 registered voters nationwide Aug. 25 to 31, 2009. More detailed poll results available at www.saferchemicals.org.
Source: Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition
Travelers interest in vacation rentals soars in 2010
Nearly 87 percent of travelers who looked into the availability of vacation rentals in the past plan to stay in one in 2010 – Demand for vacation rentals in New Orleans is up by more than 300 percent in third quarter of the year – About 60 percent of vacation rental owners report bookings in the third quarter of 2009 were on par with or higher than the same period last year
Vacation rental homes continue to grow in popularity among travelers in the coming year, according to HomeAway, Inc. – the world’s leading online vacation rental marketplace – which today released its quarterly “HomeAway Vacation Rental Marketplace Report.” In fact, 87 percent of travelers who looked into a vacation rental in the past say they plan to stay in a vacation rental in 2010 – a significant increase from the 67 percent who stayed or plan on staying in a vacation rental in 2009.
Of those travelers who stayed or will stay in a vacation rental in 2009, 75 percent previously stayed in a vacation rental – 25 percent were first-time renters.
“The fact that so many travelers who’ve stayed in a vacation rental home are returning to rent again shows the high satisfaction they had with their experience,” said Brian Sharples, chief executive officer of HomeAway®. “And in this economy, vacation rentals are also attracting many first-time renters who are looking for greater value from their travel dollar. We expect this trend to continue even as the economy improves, as there has been a significant shift toward value in the overall consumer mindset.”
Travelers Look for Value and Ways to Still Get Away in 2010
While more than one-quarter of travelers (28 percent) say the economy will not impact their vacation plans in 2010, most travelers will look for ways to save when it comes time to get away next year.
When travelers were asked how the economy will affect their 2010 vacation plans:
– 41 percent plan to look for specials or deals on vacation rentals
– 40 percent plan to stay in a vacation rental to save or split on the costs of accommodations
– 21 percent will look for hotel specials or deals
– 17 percent will vacation at a destination within driving distance from home
– 7 percent will shorten the length of the vacation
The average booking window (how long travelers book a property before their trip) has begun to climb to its pre-recession pattern. Travelers are booking an average of 94 days out in the third quarter – up from an average of 76 days during the second quarter of the year.
In 2010, only two percent of travelers say they will be unable to take a vacation due to the economy — a decrease from the eight percent who were affected in 2009.
Vacation Rentals Provide a Whole Home for Less than the Cost of a Hotel
Of the cities analyzed in the third quarter, HomeAway finds the following markets offer particularly good value for travelers, especially in Orlando, where the price per square foot for a vacation rental is nearly five times less than the cost per square foot of a hotel.
New Orleans Rebounds; Interest Grows in Miami as Super Bowl Nears
Not surprisingly, the report shows beach destinations continue to draw travelers, with eight out of the top 10 most popular destinations booked in the third quarter located in coastal areas. New York and Las Vegas stand as the two exceptions. The HomeAway Vacation Rental Marketplace report also identifies some emerging and reemerging vacation destinations among travelers. Demand for vacation rentals in the Big Easy is up by more than 300 percent in the third quarter.
“We believe we’re seeing renewed interest in New Orleans vacation rentals because the average daily rate for hotels in the city have increased in the past months, and there are now more vacation rental choices on HomeAway, with listings increasing 133 percent in the third quarter,” says Sharples.
The top five destinations with the largest percent increase in traveler interest from the third quarter of 2008 to the third quarter of 2009 include:
1. New Orleans (307%)
2. Estero, Fla. (149%)
3. Austin, Texas (141%)
4. Wear Valley, Tenn. (129%)
5. Manhattan Beach, Calif. (121%)
Miami, which hosts the Super Bowl in February 2010, is also generating increased demand. Traveler interest in Miami vacation rentals are up 50 percent, compared to last year during the third quarter.
New Vacation Rental Listings on the Rise in Some Markets
As travelers focus on value and owners of second homes look to generate extra income in today’s economy, many markets are seeing significant increases in new vacation rental listings. Carnelian Bay, Calif., and Austin, Texas, retain their positions from the last quarter as the destinations with the fastest percent increase in new listings.
The top 10 destinations with the largest percentage increase of new vacation rental listings in the third quarter of 2009, compared with the same time period last year, include:
1. Carnelian Bay, Calif. (317%)
2. Austin, Texas (155%)
3. Beverly Hills, Calif. (145%)
4. New Orleans (133%)
5. Truckee, Calif. (122%)
6. Canyon Lake, Texas (120%)
7. Santa Monica, Calif. (116%)
8. Lake Norman, N.C. (108%)
9. Chicago (106%)
10. Estes Park, Colo. (103%)
For those who rent out their second homes, approximately 60 percent say their bookings for the third quarter of the year are about the same or higher compared with last year, which represents a negligible dip from the second quarter of the year when 62 percent of owners reported bookings were the same or higher.
Vacation Rental Owners Offer Deals, Make Home Improvements to Attract Renters
To continue to attract travelers and generate income from their properties, approximately 55 percent of vacation rental owners say they will offer some type of special deal or incentive to travelers in the coming year – down from 66 percent earlier this year. Of those:
– 69 percent to offer a specific dollar amount or a percentage off the rental rate
– 35 percent plan to offer a free night with the purchase of a specific number of nights
– 17 percent do not plan to require a minimum-night stay– 16 percent plan to offer complimentary products or services, such as free tickets to a theme park
Beyond adjusting the rental rate for their vacation homes, nearly three quarters of vacation rental owners (73 percent) have other plans for attracting potential renters in the coming year.
Source: HomeAway, Inc.
Concentration of payday lending associated with neighborhood crime rates study finds
Recommends Congress Cap Payday Lender Interest Rates at 36 Percent
As Congress debates financial regulatory reform and the Obama Administration advocates for greater consumer financial protection, a new study finds a need for Congressional action on fringe banking practices used heavily by financially vulnerable families. The study released today details the toll on communities with a high concentration of payday lending business and finds a clear association between the presence of payday lenders and neighborhood crime rates. The study recommends that Congress take action to cap payday lender interest rates at 36 percent, enacting for the entire country protections Congress put in place for U.S. military families. The new study, entitled “Does Fringe Banking Exacerbate Neighborhood Crime Rates? Social Disorganization and the Ecology of Payday Lending,” was conducted by The George Washington University professors Charis E. Kubrin and Gregory D. Squires, along with Dr. Steven M. Graves of California State University, Northridge.
“As a criminologist, I can attest to the fact that there is woefully limited research on the impact of the behavior of financial institutions on neighborhood crime. As our research demonstrates, these connections can no longer be ignored by criminologists and law enforcement officials across the country,” said Charis Kubrin.
The study examined payday lending, a practice that has become part of the growing web of fringe banking largely concentrated in low-income and disproportionately minority communities. It allows lenders to provide cash advances on post-dated checks and has increasingly become a way for financially-strapped families and individuals to obtain money in the short-run. Nearly all of these loans come with exorbitantly high interest rates and fees, and these monetary costs to families who become trapped by them has been well documented. However, this study finds there are broader community costs that all residents incur in those neighborhoods where payday lenders are concentrated. These broader community costs include higher rates of violent crime. The study found that the association between payday lending and violent crime remains statistically significant even after a range of factors traditionally associated with crime are controlled for statistically.
“This study shows that not only do individuals suffer from predatory lending practices, but entire communities can pay a price for a high concentration of payday lenders. Congress took an important step by limiting payday loan interest rates in military base communities but it shouldn’t stop there. Congress should do for all communities what it did for military families,” said Gregory Squires.
The researchers provided several policy recommendations to reign in predatory practices and provide incentives for banks and other financial institutions to provide alternatives that would preserve access to small consumer loans. An immediate step Congress could take is to cap interest rates at 36 percent. Currently, several states provide this protection to consumers, and Congress enacted this protection for loans to members of the military and their families.
“These findings will surprise very few who both understand how this industry operates, and have witnessed its explosive growth in the very neighborhoods that have struggled to reduce crime,” said Graves.
The working paper can be read here: http://www.gwu.edu/~newsctr/09/pdfs/Payday_Lending_and_Crime_Working_Paper.pdf
Source: George Washington University
Survey reveals parents are eager to learn about alternative medicine options but information is lacking
Parents Unaware that Integrative Treatment May Reduce their Child’s Dependence on Drugs and Improve Quality of Life
A new nationwide survey released today reveals that just 12 percent of parents with children under the age of 18 have spoken to their child’s doctor about complementary and integrative approaches to medicine, yet nearly 90 percent say they want to know more. The survey, conducted by Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota (Children’s), assessed parents’ attitudes about various approaches to treating a child’s illnesses. Integrative medicine combines the best conventional medical therapies like drugs, chemotherapy and surgery, with complementary therapies like massage, acupuncture and proper nutrition.
The survey showed parents are concerned about the overuse of prescription medications with their children; 85 percent feel it’s important to minimize a child’s dependence on drugs, especially for behavioral issues like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or anxiety. Complementary and alternative approaches can be a solution to this concern as more natural treatments are being found to be effective in the management of a variety of children’s health concerns.
Parents also feel strongly about eliminating their child’s pain and improving quality of life; almost 90 percent feel both these factors are as important as treating their child’s condition. Complementary and alternative medicine focuses on non-drug, less invasive therapies like acupuncture, massage and relaxation to help kids more effectively control pain, maintain mental health, and improve quality of life.
“Many children with chronic or acute health conditions seek a complementary or integrative approach only after they have exhausted all other conventional treatment options,” said Timothy Culbert, MD, Medical Director of Pediatric Integrative Medicine Clinical Programs at Children’s. “Parents should be aware that integrative medicine can be helpful from the onset of disease and can save time, money and most importantly, improve a child’s quality of life. This is true for all kinds of conditions including acute illnesses like cancer or chronic problems like migraines or behavioral issues.”
Children’s is among the country’s leaders in the integrative medicine field with the largest, longest-running pediatric, clinical integrative medicine program in North America. The program offers a holistic approach to care, and helps children and their families manage the everyday struggles of illnesses in a more comprehensive way. Currently more than half of patients at Children’s use some sort of outpatient complementary or alternative medicine to help manage their conditions.
Almost 90 percent of parents surveyed indicated they would like to find out more information about integrative medicine whether it be from their physician, going to a hospital that offers an integrative medicine program, or seeking out more information on their own. Other interesting findings include:
– Sixty-eight percent of parents agreed integrative medicine was an effective treatment approach.
– More than three-fourths of parents agree combining conventional and complementary/alternative approaches to medicine is innovative and that hospitals should offer medical experts on both conventional and complementary/alternative therapies.
– Almost two-thirds of parents who have children with serious health issues had never considered an integrative approach because they are unfamiliar with the subject.
The survey of 1,003 parents included 203 parents with kids who have serious, chronic or acute health problems. This subset of parents had somewhat more knowledge of integrative medicine (42 percent), but even these parents are not hearing about the benefits an integrative approach can bring their child. Of the parents that have used integrative medicine as part of their child’s treatment, 95 percent had a positive experience.
“Parents need to consult and work with their child’s physician to determine what integrative medicine options are available that may be helpful,” says Dr. Culbert. “There are so many different kinds of complementary therapies, it’s important to learn about options to find an approach that will work best for each patient. I see first-hand every day the difference it can make in a child’s life.”
More information about the Children’s Integrative Medicine Program can be found by visiting www.childrensintegrativemed.org.
With 2009 H1N1 cases on the rise, new CDC-recommended vaccine helps protect families against illness
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 37 states in the U.S. now report widespread influenza activity – and nearly all influenza cases reported to the health authority are 2009 H1N1, also known as swine flu. However, with the release of a 2009 H1N1 vaccine this week, parents have a new preventative tool to help keep their families safe from illness.
Like seasonal flu, 2009 H1N1 spreads through the air via droplets expelled from the mouth when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes. These droplets often land on hands and adjacent surfaces. According to a recent study evaluating how general influenza infections are contracted, contact with contaminated surfaces may account for thirty one percent (31%) of the infection risk.
Following proper hygiene routines, such as hand washing and surface disinfection, can help prevent the spread of germs from surfaces to hands and hands to hands.
“Together, vaccinations and these simple preventative hygiene routines can help protect families from H1N1 during this early and unusual cold and flu season,” says pediatrician Laura Jana.
According to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the groups recommended to receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine include pregnant women; household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age; healthcare and emergency medical services personnel; all people from 6 months through 24 years of age and persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.
The 2009 H1N1 vaccine works as a complement to the common influenza vaccine. This means that families should speak with their healthcare providers about the best plan to receive both vaccinations this year. The CDC advises that though the vaccine is officially now available, every state will develop a different delivery plan, including making the vaccinations available through pediatricians, other healthcare providers, schools and office settings. Families should speak to their healthcare providers about when and where they can receive preventative care this year.
In addition to appropriate vaccinations, the CDC recommends these preventative measures to help families stay healthy during increased 2009 H1N1 alert levels and year-round:
– Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
– Stay away from people who are sick.
– Wash hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub (sanitizer).
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
– If someone in the household is sick, try to keep the sick person in a separate room from others in the household, if possible.
– Keep surfaces like bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters and toys for children clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
– Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by sick persons in your household in the trash.
LYSOL® Disinfectant Spray and LYSOL® Disinfecting Wipes are proven to kill the 2009 H1N1 virus to help protect families from illness.
To find more information and resources to help protect your family, visit:
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Seasonal and 2009 H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Parents http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – 2009 H1N1 Vaccination Recommendations http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – 2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) and You http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Ounce of Prevention initiative, created in partnership with LYSOL® http://www.cdc.gov/ounceofprevention
– Germ Protection Center via the Visiting Nurse Associations of America http://vnaa.org/vnaa/g/?h=html/germ_protection_center_influenza
Source: LYSOL
New Hazelden Addiction Survey suggests parents honesty about own adolescent drug use inspires teens today to act more responsibly
Survey Inspires Hazelden to Launch ‘Four Generations Overcoming Addiction’ Campaign to Inspire National Dialogue about Alcohol, Drugs
Nearly half of parents today admit to using alcohol or other drugs to get drunk or high when they were teenagers, and one in four teens say they’ve seen their parents high or drunk. Yet more than 90 percent of teens view their parents as role models on issues of using alcohol and drugs and nearly two-thirds (63 percent) say hearing their parents’ stories about past alcohol or drug use would make them more responsible about their own use of drugs.
Those are among the findings in a new “Four Generations Overcoming Addiction” survey of teens and parents’ attitudes toward parent-child communications about alcohol and drugs, commissioned by Minnesota-based addiction treatment center Hazelden. The research has inspired Hazelden to launch a national “Four Generations Overcoming Addiction” campaign designed to ignite conversations about the dangers of addiction and the value of treatment among Millennials, Generation X, Baby Boomers and the Greatest Generation.
Among the results of Hazelden’s “Four Generations Overcoming Addiction” Survey:
– Half of teens say it would make them less likely to use drugs if their parents told them about their own drug use when they were younger.
– Two-thirds of teens (67 percent) say their parents have already told them about their experiences with alcohol and other drugs when they were young – and these teens almost unanimously (95 percent) said that kind of honesty about drug use is a good thing.
– Among the one-third of teenagers (33 percent) who report their parents have not talked with them about their own use of drugs as teenagers, two in three (68 percent) say that they would want their parents to share these past experiences.
– Fully 74 percent of teens say they’d turn to their parents as their No. 1 source of advice about the use of alcohol or other drugs, even though 26 percent have seen their parents drunk or high on alcohol or other drugs.
– Parents who have not yet told their teenage children about their own use of alcohol or other drugs most commonly said the reason (for 74 percent of them) was because they’d rather have their children do as they say, not as they did when they were their child’s age.
– Whether parents have told their teens about their use of alcohol does not significantly decrease the teens’ perceptions of their parents as role models. In fact, teens who are aware of their parents’ experiences with alcohol or drugs as teenagers are nearly as likely as those who are not aware to consider their parents to be role models (90 percent vs. 93 percent).
The Hazelden study suggests a major shift has occurred in the course of one generation, as parents of today’s teenagers are much more open with their children about their early use of drugs than were their own parents at the time. Sixty-three percent of parents said that when they were teens, their parents told them “nothing” about their use of alcohol or drugs when they were teenagers. In contrast, among the 47 percent of parents surveyed who said they’d used alcohol or other drugs to get drunk or high as a teenager, 77 percent said they had spoken with their teenage children about it. Hazelden says the trend toward parental openness is likely to continue – more than eight in 10 teens say they expect to someday tell their teenage children about their use of alcohol or other drugs.
“Each generation views the use of alcohol and other drugs through a different filter; each requires a different approach when they seek treatment for addiction,” says Mark Mishek, president and CEO Hazelden. With more and more students admitting to using drugs in high school, it’s vital that all generations break through the stigma and speak openly about addiction and the benefits of treatment and recovery. That’s where this campaign comes in–because what one generation might not be able to accomplish alone,” concludes Mishek, “four generations surely can if we speak out together.”
“The responses Hazelden received from hundreds of parents and teens suggests that it’s time for parents to rethink what being a ‘role model’ really means,” adds addiction medicine specialist Dr. Marvin Seppala, the chief medical officer for Hazelden. “It’s not enough to cling to ‘Just Say No’ and pretend that today’s parents didn’t have their own experiences with alcohol and other drugs when they were younger. Teens say they want their parents to be honest and that such openness will lead these teens to be more responsible in their decisions about use.
“As a father who has been open with my children about my own recovery from addiction,” says Seppala, “I know first-hand that parents have an opportunity to be real role models — by talking candidly about the consequences of drinking and using drugs, and the benefits of treatment and recovery.”
The launch of Hazelden’s “Four Generations Overcoming Addiction” campaign coincides with Hazelden’s 60th anniversary, as well as with the month in which the new federal mental-health parity law goes into effect, bringing new hope to families seeking treatment for addicted loved ones.
Featuring online video and appearances by recovery advocate William Moyers, vice president of foundation relations for Hazelden; Dr. Marv Seppala, and other experts, Hazelden’s “Four Generations Overcoming Addiction” campaign includes:
– A “Four Generations Overcoming Addiction” Web site at www.fourgenerations.org offering free videos and conversation guides about drug use and abuse, addiction treatment and recovery. Upcoming videos will include interviews with celebrities such as actor Christopher Kennedy Lawford, nephew of President John F. Kennedy.
– An online library of podcasts featuring personal accounts from four generations of Hazelden alumni, talking about their experiences with addiction and recovery.
– Hazelden’s first-ever Recovery Resources Blog, an online home base for news about addiction and recovery.
For more information, people can visit Hazelden at www.fourgenerations.org or call Hazelden at 800-257-7810.
Source: Hazelden