Business Journal #137 by d-mars.com

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

January 2019

Inspire, Inform & Educate

137th Edition

Appearance is Everything A Look into Ken Jones’ Fitness Lifestyle 16, 25

INSIDE

06 Black Children in Foster Care: The Struggle is Real, But So Is Hope

Top 30 Women and Kendra Scott “Holiday Sip, Shop and Snap”

28 City of Houston Begins New MLK Day Tradition

January 2019 | 3

PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE

MR. D-MARS CERTIFIED:

HMSDC

d-mars.com is proud to share the success stories of African American businesses and civic and community leaders. We know that success does not always come easy and it is not always measured in money. How have you helped your fellow entrepreneur? Have you supported your locally-owned African American business? Have you donated to a nonprofit that is working in our underserved communities? Questions to think about and actions to take. This month’s issue highlights Ken Jones, the founder and owner of Level One Fitness in Houston, Texas. From

Port of Houston

COO & MANAGING EDITOR Kimberly Floyd EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Tiffany Brown ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla PHOTOGRAPHY L.C. Poullard Grady Carter ART DIRECTOR Angel Rosa

DISTRIBUTION Rockie Hayden CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Helen Callier Florence Edwards Noel Pinnock Akil Wilson Charlotte Jackson Mayor Sylvester Turner Representative Maxine Waters (NNPA)

—Colin Powell

City of Houston

As always, thank you for your continued support of d-mars.com. When you support us, you are supporting more than just our company; you are supporting the communities in which we live and work. Working together, we can succeed in making positive things happen.

HISD

CONTENTS

05 Community 05 3 things small businesses can do to compete in the talent war 06 Black Children in Foster Care: The struggle is real, but so is hope 08 Start your year with humility not honor 08 How zip codes relate to achievement gaps 12 New Year, New Opportunities 13 Old Folks Saying/Did You Know? 28 City of Houston begins new MLK Day Tradition

09 In the Business Community… 09 Top 30 Women and Kendra Scott "Holiday Sip, Shop and Snap" 14 Finances 12 How will trended credit data help my credit scores 12 3 steps for your 2019 financial checkup 16,25

HUB

VBE

DBE

OUR SERVICES

04 Business 04 Our industry's effort to employ veterans 04 3 Proven Tips for Businesses to Strategically Network for Success in the New Year

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kendra Wiseman PROJECT COORDINATORS Lindsey Ford Carly Hammack

dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work."

METRO

BEHIND THE JOURNAL PUBLISHER & CEO Keith J. Davis, Sr.

being a former football player to currently being a nationally-ranked professional bodybuilder, Jones’ life has always been about health and fitness. In addition to his successful gym, he also operates his own personal training service, Train with Ken, as well as produces his own “fashion meets fitness” clothing line, AIE. Despite all his successful business endeavors, Jones is just getting started.

16,25 Cover Story 16,25 Appearance is everything: A look into Ken Jones' fitness lifestyle

18 Health 18 A history of cancer breakthroughs 65 years in the making 20 5 dematologist tips for winter skincare 20 Mediterranean Pizza 22 New Year, New You 23 What you should know about type 2 diabetes and heart health

ADVERTISING | MARKETING MEDIA | COMMUNICATION • Business Journal • Health & Wellness Journal • Community Journal • Black Pages Online Business Directory • Top 50 Black Health, Medical & Wellness Professionals • Top 50 Black Professionals & Entrepreneurs • Top 30 Influential Women of Houston • Top 25 Prime & Subcontractors for Diversity • Business Connection • Business Development • Business Consulting • Graphic Design • Photography • Printing • Web Design • Online & Email Marketing • Public Relations • Social Media • Advertising • Writing • Promotional Marketing

32 Real Estate 32 Top exterior trends to inspire your 2019 home projects 34 Technology 34 2019: The year of the space-age home 36 5 Compelling reasons to make prepaid wireless service part of your household budget

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4 | January 2019 BUSINESS

One industry's efforts to employ veterans By d-mars.com News Provider

ollowing military service, many veterans feel overwhelmed by the transition to civilian life and the decision about what's next. While veterans may feel that it's challenging to identify civilian jobs that match their skills, there are job opportunities across the country and in their own backyard - they just need help finding them.

logistics and leadership skillsets developed in the military. And these are companies that recognize the value, talent, education and work ethic that veterans add to the workforce. It's up to employers to properly target veteran skillsets, and it's up to veterans to use the resources available to them to find mutually beneficial job opportunities. Hankook Tire, for example, opened its first U.S.

One industry that is especially relevant for the veteran workforce is manufacturing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than 12,000 U.S. manufacturing jobs, and that number continues to grow. Manufacturing industry jobs require the strategy,

manufacturing plant in Clarksville, Tennessee, last year, less than 15 miles from Fort Campbell, a U.S. Army installation in Kentucky, and continues to hire local veterans to fill key positions as the company grows. Hankook has become an active employer of veterans in the Clarksville area, and as a result, more than 20 percent of the plant's current employees are former U.S. military members. For many veteran employees, this job has provided them with a winning solution - a great job with growth opportunities in their local area. For many veterans, their biggest concern about transitioning out of the military is uprooting their families to find a good civilian job. This provides companies, in particular those with manufacturing facilities near military bases, with a huge opportunity to tailor their job descriptions, recruitment and training to veterans, to help them build successful careers and stay in their communities. Organizations like DAV (Disabled American Veterans) are dedicated to ensuring that the men and women who stood up for America have the tools, resources and opportunities they need to competitively enter the job market and secure meaningful employment. Those making the switch to civilian life, as well as those looking for new jobs, can take advantage of networking and employment resources at career fairs co-hosted with RecruitMilitary and Veteran Recruiting.

(BPT)

3 Proven Tips for Businesses to Strategically Network for Success in the New Year BUSINESS

where you will meet decision makers at the agency and in the industry. As a caution, this is not a time to talk with agency decision makers about anything specific about solicitation for which pre-bid is being held it is considered to a no contact period after a notice goes out about product or service being procured. Nevertheless, this is a great time to introduce your firm and make contacts for future opportunities.

By Helen Callier Contributing Writer

few weeks ago, I attended a couple of networking events – one was the City of Houston’s Meet the Buyers and the other was a Contractors Association’s holiday party. During the City’s event, a business participant says to me, “Helen, I see you everywhere. You really get around. Can you introduce me to the lady who just spoke about the high-speed rail project?” And during the Contractors holiday social, one gentleman said, “Oh, oh…if Helen’s here, there must be money in the room and deals to make.” Borrowing from Oprah’s famous line, here’s what I know for sure: Networking is an overused term and many business folks toss this term around without knowing when to show up and which events to attend that strategically aligns with their business plan. Networking is a powerful marketing tool to produce the results you want versus simply collecting business cards that eventually become lost in your vehicle or worse, the cards collect dust on the corner of your office desk. Seriousnetworking networking needs be strategic and toSerious needs to betostrategic and targeted targeted toward market opportunities ward specific marketspecific opportunities where decision makers where decision and influencers willin honand influencers willmakers be in attendance. To help you ing networking success, three proven be your in attendance. To helpbelow you inare honing your tips. networking success, below are three proven tips.

• Identify and target ahead of time two or three key business opportunities that support your business goals. • Research which associations and events to attend including using Linkedin and Eventbrite that align with your business growth opportunities. • Plan, by placing on your calendar, which events

you will attend on a consistent basis. Your plan should also include a before, during and post event strategy to make connections. It may be challenging for some business leaders to determine which networking events to attend and below are some possibilities to consider. Industry Associations – Trade organizations and professional associations are ideal places to network as decision makers often attend and participate as keynote speakers at events, sponsors, or receiving an award or like you attending workshops to maintain their certifications. Chambers of Commerce – Being a member provides the best access to key influencers. If you are not a member, you can still attend and participate events as Chambers provide a wealth of information, resources and facilitate introductions into government and commercial markets. There are thousands of Chambers in the U.S. and worthwhile to visit their web sites and upcoming calendar of events. Government | Institutional – Government agencies often have pre-bid and preproposal meetings that is a part of their procurement process and this is a guaranteed place

Alumni Associations – Alumni associations are a treasure trove of contacts and attending alumni events can lead to gold contacts. Do your homework on Linkedin, alumni directory, etc. and reach out to your university alumni, trade school, high school or other similar organizations. Volunteer for Non-Profit Organizations – Identify organizations that where you can offer some time, sponsorship, etc. Often Fortune 500 companies are involved in non-profits from the CEO level to key management, thereby, making it doubly worthwhile to attend events such as fundraising luncheons, awards banquets, etc. Make sure to see who sits on the non-profits board of directors to make sure you are using your time wisely and you are in alignment with your business plan. Note: Valuable relationships with influential people often occur from involvement in non-profits. In conclusion, while showing up at networking events helps to market your business, there is a chance you may miss connecting with decision makers at events. When this happens, stay in the game and suggest that you send a nicely handwritten note to the person(s) you were hoping to meet. Doing this 9 out of 10 times, leads to a door opening. If you have any ideas on what has successfully worked for your business in strategically networking, I welcome hearing your tips. You can connect with me at www.linkedin.com/HelenCallier

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January 2019 | 5 COMMUNITY

3 things

small businesses can do to compete in the talent war

1. Support your employees’ financial needs

By d-mars.com News Provider

ife at a small company, 50 employees or less, has its upsides. But an employee departure is not one of them. When someone from the team moves on to new opportunities, everyone feels it, whether that means shuffling workloads or working extra shifts. Added to the day-to-day pressures of running a business is finding time and resources to recruit someone with the talent, drive and personality to fill out the team. Not only is the market tight, but it can be hard to compete when top talent is fielding more alluring offers from big companies, which may come with flashy perks and bigger paychecks. “An advantage small firms have is that more people are looking to work for a company they feel cares about their well-being,” said David Poirier, national director of Small Group Sales at Guardian. “Small business owners and leaders can evaluate what motivates their employees, and work to enhance their employees’ experience with technology, voluntary benefits and increased flexible work.” The truth is, small businesses hold big opportunity for talented employees and prospects, and there are a few things a company can do to help improve its recruitment and retention strategy.

Even if you already offer a benefits package, it’s worth finding out whether the current offerings are, in fact, meeting the needs and concerns of employees. For example, four in 10 small business workers say they depend on workplace benefits for financial security, according to the latest set of findings from Guardian’s Annual Workplace Benefits Study: Small Business, Big Benefits. To create a benefits plan that stands up to the competition, rethinking it as a means to help workers improve financial wellness can serve as a guide. Expanding the offerings to voluntary benefits, such as assistance with student loan repayment, or supplemental health coverage, like accident insurance, for high-deductible health insurance plans, can help workers manage their biggest costs. Another effective approach is to offer support to help workers achieve their financial goals, such as financial education, support services and professional guidance.

Fortunately, the study identified some solutions that small businesses can easily provide to show employees they care. For example, an increasing number of small businesses say they have taken steps to improve work-life balance, such as flexible work schedules and remote work options. Wellness packages that help employees optimize their health goals in their spare time, such as discounts for gym memberships, also help.

3. Make the switch to digital

2. Enhance work-life balance Everyone wants less stress, but unfortunately, work is a common source of it. Take a look at the quality of the workday from the employees’ perspective. Are they always feeling stressed? Are they expected to be available during off-hours to respond to work issues? Most people enjoy a challenge. However, if the work structure keeps the stress response in always-on mode, it makes personal time less enjoyable, diminishing emotional well-being. In the Guardian study, only half of small-business workers say their employer cares about their overall wellbeing, yet the results suggest that taking steps to show that you care for employees can raise loyalty. More than half (55 percent) say a caring employer would keep them working for the same employer for 10 years or more.

We live in a digital world where consumers have access to everything they want in the palm of their hands. Bringing that same concept into the workplace with benefits can go a long way with employees, particularly because they want their benefits to be easier to access and understand. One thing that is helping small firms, especially start-ups, deliver an enhanced employee experience is the increased use of cloud-based software and digitalizing various aspects of the HR and benefits functions. In fact, the Guardian study found 52 percent of small businesses have digitalized a majority of their benefits processes. For those companies that have made the switch, their satisfaction with the benefits process is considerably higher compared to those who are mostly paper-based. These results suggest an employer that invests in technology will not only be happier with the experience, but they will create a strong culture of well-being in their firm that can help foster retention and loyalty. While a small business owner has a lot on their plate to keep their business going, it’s important they show their employees that they value their contributions and have their employees’ best interests in mind. Doing that can make a small firm one that attracts top talent and inspires good people to stay. If you’re considering changes to your benefits, contact The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. (BPT)

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6 | January 2019 COMMUNITY

Black Children in Foster Care: THE STRUGGLE IS REAL, BUT SO IS HOPE By Florence Edwards Contributing Writer

hat do The Game, Keyshia Cole, Denzel Washington and Ice-T all have in common? They all once represented thousands of voiceless, innocent Black children in the foster youth system. According to Chron.com, black children make up 30 percent of all children in the foster care system in Texas. For many Black foster children, foster care is their only hope to survive abuse, poverty and homelessness. Although the media often paints a horrifying picture about foster care, it can be the difference between life and death for many Black children. It was for me.

Dying and Abandoned: How My Foster Mother Saved My Life My biological mom was an abused teenager who was six and a half months pregnant when she gave birth to me. I was malnourished and suffered from chronic asthma that nearly cost me my life. Weighing one pound and a-quarter, doctors didn’t expect me to live. Ms. Fisher, a nurse working at Loma Linda Hospital, was told that a sick baby girl had been abandoned and was asked if she would care for me. Without giving it a second thought, Ms. Fisher took me into her home and heart, and slowly nursed me back to health. We attended church regularly. I had clean clothes, a nice bed, toys and nutritious meals. In addition to providing all of those wonderful things, she gave me something far more important: Love. I remember Ms. Fisher smiling at me and singing to me when I was in distress. For the first time in my young life, I formed a bond with another human being that is still with me to this day. When I was 2 years old, I was placed in my mother’s care. Even though Ms. Fisher was unable to adopt me like she planned, there is no question that her love, compassion and dedication carried me through some of my darkest moments, even after being removed from her home as a toddler many years earlier. God-fearing, and always joyous, Ms. Fisher was the first person who taught me that I mattered, and that I was worthy of being cared for.

Having a good foster parent is priceless to a traumatized child. They are not only providing essential necessities such as a home, food and toiletry items, but are also providing a sense of safety, connection and validation, which are all necessary for children to thrive. All children need and deserve love and support, but Black children, who are often victims of violent crimes, need additional guidance and support that will help them become successful teens and young adults. According to The National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence, Black youth are three times more likely to be victims of reported child abuse or neglect, three times more likely to be victims of robbery, and five times more likely to be victims of homicide. As a foster parent, you can give a child from a broken home the chance to know what being a part of a real family feels like. You can also help them create a positive self-identity that can help them live empowered and abundant lives.

3 Powerful Lessons Foster Care Taught 3 PowerfulMe Lessons Foster Care Taught Me That Changed My Life That Changed My Life Being in foster care was a blessing in disguise. Although I was placed in foster care again at the age of 13, it gave me courage, compassion, and the resolve to never give up. Not only did I learn to thrive academically despite abuse and neglect, I also learned how to be resilient and create supportive relationships.

• I Learned to Connect: Living in a home with five or six other youth who have been abandoned and traumatized did not come easy for me. I was used to being an only child, and was used to hiding from the world. Being in foster care forced me to learn valuable social skills and how to form positive relationships. In one of the first group homes I lived in, I befriended a teenage girl whose mother was murdered by Richard

Ramirez, also known as The Night Stalker. Although our time was short, we were able to form a solid friendship that taught us how to connect with others.

• I Learned to Make Better Choices: Living in various homes and being around other foster children gave me insight on how unresolved trauma and abuse can destroy lives if left untreated. Some foster kids ran away, got pregnant, were abusing drugs, involved in gang activity and having relations with adults at very young ages. I witnessed the consequences of their actions, and silently vowed that I would do better. I decided to escape my pain through school and excelled academically. I strived for success in everything that I did, and tried to keep myself motivated, even through my tears and sleepless nights. • I Learned How to Trust: Throughout my entire

foster care journey, one of the things that I truly valued the most was having access to a female mentor. Although this lasted a couple of months, it helped me on my journey. When I was feeling sad, discouraged or dealing with my abandonment issues, my mentor’s guidance and attention helped me feel hopeful. She helped me believe that I could trust adults again and that there were people in the world who truly cared.If you are considering becoming a foster parent, now is the time to give your love to a child in need. There are thousands of neglected children who need loving homes from people who truly care. To learn how to foster or adopt a child, please call 713-957-8442, or visit www.TrinityYS. org. Florence Edwards holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Communications. She is the Foster Care Marketing Specialist for Trinity Youth Services, a Foster Care and Adoptions agency based in Houston, Texas and Southern California. She can be reached at Fedwards@TrinityYS.org.

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January 2019 | 7

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8 | January 2019 COMMUNITY

By Noel Pinnock Contributing Writer

here was young man who worked in the mailroom of the world’s most profitable company in the world’s tallest building. He aspired to be rise in rank and one day lead this company in an executive capacity and possibly, chairman of the board. He talked it over with Human Resources and the generalists said that he had to work his way up just like everyone else and the mailroom was a great entry point to make the climb. The young man would daydream and often visualized himself climbing the corporate ladder. He made a personal commitment to strive hard to reach his goal. One day, while working in the mailroom, as he was sorting the mail, he noticed a cockroach in the corner of this tiny well-lit room that was laced with posters of the company’s philosophical statements. He hurriedly went over to crush it and as he was lifting his feet up, he heard a voice coming from the

cockroach saying, “don’t kill me...don’t kill me.” The young man was surprisingly inquisitive and asked... what or who are you? Then cockroach responded, my name is Milton-the-Cockroach and if you don’t kill me, I can give you anything you wish! The young man thought to himself and asked dubiously, make me the VP of this company and the next day the young man entered the building, someone from HR escorted him to his new office and welcomed him as the company’s newest vice president in charge of a lot of the company’s operations. As time went on, his every wish asked of Milton-the-Cockroach was granted until he made it to chairman of the board. He thought to himself, I have arrived. One day he ran across a little girl kneeling with her head down, just outside his very impressive and opulent building and asked her, what was she doing. The little girl said...well I am praying. He asked, are praying to me because I am the most powerful man in the world? She said, no silly, I am praying to God. The young man couldn’t stomach that she was praying to him and his curiosity escalated, and when he made it

back to his spacious office, he called for Milton-theCockroach and made another wish. He wished that he could be like God and when he arrived to work the next day, he was back in the mailroom. The morale of the story is that the only way up is down and there are no shortcuts or elevators to success, we have to take the stairs. Remember, humility precedes honor and there is no better show of this because God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten son so that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life. In the end, we all win because he won it all on the cross. The goal for us is to ensure we are contributing by maximizing every talent in the time with the treasures he has afford us. Therefore, for this new year, don’t make resolution become resolute and committed to accomplishing God’s will for your life…contrary to the popular song, don’t live your best life but be the best in the life you have been given, even if your job is in the mailroom. #getatit

COMMUNITY

How Zip Codes Relate to Achievement Gaps

By Akil Wilson Contributing Writer

here’s no question that education quality has an extraordinary impact on the future lives of students. As a parent of a new middle school student, I can personally attest to the importance of dedicated teachers, early childhood education and a focused, personalized approach to education. In numerous studies it has been shown that the quality of education, especially within the country’s public school system, varies widely by location. There are several factors that contribute to success in adulthood. However, routinely we find that early childhood education and the empowerment of excellent teachers plays a pivotal role. Students from economically-disadvantaged areas of inner-city school districts have a plethora of obstacles to overcome, including but not limited to: lack of economic mobility, reduced health care options, and exposure to crime. Where schools should provide some relief from these challenges, they often serve as a grim reminder of how difficult it can be to escape difficult circumstances. Harvard University Economist Raj Chetti has researched this topic extensively, compiling data from

millions of Americans, he found that education quality relates to economic and social mobility. According to Mr. Chetti’s research, on average, “only about 7.5% of children from the bottom 1/5th of incomes will reach the top 1/5th of incomes nationwide. However, those odds tend to rise to 14-15% in rural areas and places with higher social capital. They sometimes decrease to below 5% in impoverished or socioeconomically-disadvantaged places.” Children in lower income brackets disproportionately tend to be the recipients of sub-par educational resources. As Mr. Chetti points out on NPR’s ‘Hidden Brain’ Podcast, larger class sizes and less experienced teachers are all indicators that students are much less likely to obtain the cognitive and social skills necessary to advance themselves and their families. The fact that these lower-performing public schools tend to be found in more impoverished or socially/culturally isolated areas is not a coincidence. Prior to the implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in the 2017-2018 school year, education standards were largely determined by federal standards outlined in No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). This structure did very little to address the specific needs of the most disadvantaged communities. ESSA seeks to improve students’ chances at success by encouraging a more personalized approach to students’

needs, strengths and interests as well as improving and decreasing the emphasis on standardized testing. Much of the research suggests this approach will do more to advance specific, individual state school system goals and impact students’ lives. It’s very important that parents, teachers, administrators and community members take strategic steps to address factors contributing to the educational shortcomings in some of our schools while working with policy makers to equitably utilize all the tools and resources available. The future is now, and if our community ever hopes to eliminate the disparities that are at the root of many of the issues we are often confronted with (i.e. poverty, mass incarceration, chronic unemployment) we have to begin with education. By requiring states to identify and intervene with their lowest-performing schools and take a more tailored approach to their improvement, ESSA is poised to have a significant and measurable impact on the state of public education in America. There is a very real correlation between underperforming schools and generational poverty. If we wish to eliminate the latter, we must tackle education with a focus and energy that is specifically tailored to the needs of our communities. (NNPA)

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In the Business Community…

January 2019 | 9

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Top 30 Women and Kendra Scott “Holiday Sip, Shop and Snap” Top 30 Women and Kendra Scott hosted their first Holiday Sip, Shop and Snap at the Kendra Scott store recently to honor some of our Top 30 Influential Women of Houston. This was an exclusive, invitation only holiday mixer for a select group of previous Top 30 Influential Women of Houston honorees. The ladies gathered to enjoy photo booths, shopping, drinks and delicious catered bites by Eddie V’s! They were also able to share encouraging messages about their experience in the work force and what it means to be top women in the Houston business world. d-mars.com is honored to help celebrate such influential women. We had a great turnout and are looking forward to next year’s Holiday Sip, Shop and Snap!

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10â&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A; January 2019

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January 2019â&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A; 11

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12 | January 2019 COMMUNITY

New Year, New Opportunities By Charlotte A. Jackson Contributing Writer

ow that we have entered into 2019, there are an abundance of opportunities awaiting each of us. We have the opportunity to continue our education, to develop new relationships, to start a new stream of income and so many other possibilities for our lives. For as long as I can remember, I have heard friends and associates make “New Year Resolutions” which mainly dealt with their appearance. I am sure you have heard too many people talk about this was the year they were going to exercise more, eat healthier and shed some weight. Maybe you have those in your life who start a list of all they hope to accomplish, yet within the month, they have cast it to the wayside. The older I get, the more I realize that we have to stop and ask ourselves what is important in several areas of our lives. We need goals not just for making more money, exercising, getting healthy and saving money, but we need

to think each one through as to how it impacts our lives. Relationships matter. Money matters. Growth matters. Dreams matter. But how do you decide which one to work on first? Perhaps the important thing is to grab a pan and paper. Make that list of what matters to you. Then look at each issue and prioritize what you can do in that area. There is a probability that your list looks similar to mine. The key words I listed are family, relationships, spiritual growth, service to others, income, retirement planning, health and community involvement. As I looked over those words, I started to see which ones could connect. Then I realized that many areas of my life intersect, as do the people I spend time with. I learned a long time ago that relationships matter. So every year when I get my new planner for the year, I sit down and write in all of the birthdays and anniversary dates for my loved ones. This list is more than just my parents, children, grandchildren and other biological family but those who matter the most to me. I then list the dates that are important in my spiritual life. I am a member of St John’s Downtown but actively participate

with a number of other churches and ministries throughout the year. I add in the dates that are important to my job. This includes not just holidays and paydays, but the many exciting activities that happen on a community college campus. Then I add in the dates for the various non-profits that I am involved with as well as election dates and most importantly, dates for “just me”. Each year I also try to do better at learning some new things. I participate in free events as well as those that may cost some money, but they will impact my life. Over the years, the John C. Maxwell Mastermind Groups that I have committed to have put me on a new road for the future as well as the continuing of classes and workshops offered by The Center for Healing of Racism as well as the programs offered through Houston Interfaith Ministries and NAMI Greater Houston. And each year, as I flip the pages in my planner, I know there are friendships that will be renewed as well as new ones to be formed. I have learned to never pass up an opportunity to meet someone new, learn something new or to help someone else learn. Be blessed as we travel throughout 2019.

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January 2019 | 13 COMMUNITY

YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER, BUT YOU CAN’T MAKE HIM DRINK.

Courtney is a sales associate at one of the most competitive chains in retail. He has been working as a salesperson for five years and he is the best at it. When it comes to customers, there is nothing Courtney can’t sale. As a leader in his industry, he often trains other associates on how to be a great salesperson. Some of his strategies include: • Connecting with the customer • Listening to the needs of the customer • Introducing the customer into a product that meets their needs • Executing the sale

DID YOU KNOW

The formula he has been using, helped him climbed the ranks as a salesperson, and he is very proud. One morning Courtney had a customer that was extremely difficult. The customer expressed exactly what they were looking for, and Courtney knew right away what to introduce them to execute the sale. But the customer denied his suggestion and he didn’t make the sale. Courtney was really disappointed and talked to his supervisors about his difficult day, and the boss replied, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” Courtney understood that sometime his strategy wouldn’t work and even if he led customers in the right direction, it is their choice, whether they want to buy something or not.

NANCY WILSON American Jazz Singer

February 20, 1937 - December 13, 2018

By Rep. Maxine Waters Contributing Writer

Nancy began singing in church at the age of four in her home town of Chillicothe, Ohio. For more than five decades, she captivated audiences across the globe with her soul-stirring performances that would send chills down your spine; her more than 70 critically acclaimed albums, many of which I own; and her charttopping hits such as ‘Guess Who I Saw Today,’ ‘Save Your Love for Me,’ and ‘Face It Girl, It’s Over,’ which are considered classics by generations of musicians and fans around the world. “Nancy is also a pioneer and trailblazer for women and entertainers of color. She hosted the National Public Radio program ‘Jazz Profiles’ for nearly a decade, won an Emmy for her starring role in NBC’s ‘The Nancy Wilson Show’, and served as one of the first African American spokeswomen for

major national brands, including Campbell’s Soup. “Due to her brilliant talent, poise, and grace, Nancy was the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions including, three Grammy Awards, an NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Urban League’s Whitney Young Jr. Award. She also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was recognized by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. In 2004, Nancy also received the coveted National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Jazz Masters Fellowships Award, which is the highest honor granted to jazz musicians by the U.S. government. (NNPA)

Nancy Wilson Performing in Amsterdam, March 1968, Nationaal Archief, the Dutch National Archives

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14â&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A; January 2019 FINANCES

By d-mars.com News Provider

ver since the dawn of credit reporting, the information has looked relatively the same. Your lenders reported information to one, two or all three of the national credit reporting companies (CRCs) based on your most recent loan payment activities and balances. This method of reporting is informally referred to as a "snapshot in time" because your credit reports represented information based on any one single day in your credit lifecycle. And because credit scoring systems consider the information on your credit reports at the exact time your credit report is accessed or "pulled," your scores are also based on a snapshot in time and not necessarily the actual balances on your credit accounts that particular day. The credit reporting and scoring systems have operated under that structure for the better part of the last three decades.

Newer credit report data Over the past several years the CRCs have been collecting and maintaining information that represents how you manage your balances and payments over time. This information is formally referred to as "trended credit data" or "time series" data. The information includes the chronology of your balances, your minimum payment requirement and often your actual payment amount. For example, reports and the scoring models based on them can now decipher between whether you have an account with a balance averaging $4,000 over the past six months versus someone who charged the same amount just in the previous month but normally has a lower balance. This represents a considerable upgrade in credit report information. Rather than a credit report representing a snapshot in time, it now represents your most current balances and payments for the past 24 months.

How trended credit data can help my scores Credit card users who pay their bill in full each month don't pay interest. So, there's a tremendous savings to never revolving a balance. But it can also improve your

credit score if the scoring model leverages trended credit data. That's because those who pay off their balances every month can be identified and rewarded for practicing this positive credit behavior. A model that includes trended credit data also takes into account whether a consumer makes payments above the minimum amount required. So if you make payments on your car loan for more than is minimally required, your score could improve. The most current version of the VantageScore credit score, VantageScore 4.0, does utilize trended credit data on your credit reports, and it is available to lenders now.

The impact of holiday spending According to a recent poll from VantageScore Solutions, 37 percent of 2018 holiday shoppers plan to use credit cards for their purchases. That's great because you have very consumer-friendly fraud protections when you use your credit cards ... plus you might earn points and rewards! The drawback, of course, is the temptation to overspend and end up with large credit card balances going into the new year, making a payment for the full amount due challenging. Large credit card balances can result in lower credit scores. The reason is because of the credit scoring metric known as "revolving utilization," which represents the percentage of your credit limits that have been used. According to the same VantageScore poll, the issue of utilization is not an unknown. Indeed, 84 percent of the poll respondents acknowledged understanding that spending a high percentage of their credit limit can hurt their credit scores. Here's where a credit score that

considers trended credit data can help you relative to a credit score that does not. If you historically pay your credit card in full, or pay more than the minimum consistently, your holiday overspending won't result in as profound of a score impact. The reason: The credit scoring model recognizes that your holiday shopping is atypical relative to the other months because it can see and consider how you normally use your credit cards. If the scoring model only considered the snapshot in time after your holiday spending spree, it would factor that balance in and potentially cause your score to drop.

The ethical credit score hack A logical question at this point would be, "what can I do to protect my scores during the holiday season if a lender isn't using trended credit data?" The answer is to use your credit card but make several payments during the month. You don't have to wait until the due date to make a payment on your credit cards. You also don't have to wait until the statement shows up to make a payment. Assuming you haven't charged anything more, making multiple payments during the month will ensure that when your statement is generated it will have a lower balance. Since the balance from your statement is what's reported to the credit reporting companies and factored into your credit score, you'll go a long way to protect or even improve your score.

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And the best benefit? You either won't pay any interest on your credit card or the interest you pay will be as minimal as possible. (BPT)

January 2019â&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A; 15

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16 | January 2019

A Look

By Carly Hammack Staff Writer

ppearance is everything. That is the motto Ken Jones has built his career and lifestyle on. Jones is a Miami native who found his home in Houston after college. Health and fitness have been a part of his life since earlier on. He played football all throughout high school and college, first at Florida International University, then at Texas Southern University, and he even played arena football for a few years. While in school he studied health care administration and went on to get his master’s in health care from Ashford University. Pursuing a career in the health and fitness field was something Jones knew he wanted to do. Upon completing school, Jones took a position in neighborhood health with the City of Houston. After working three years for the City of Houston, he went to

work for Central Care Community Health Clinic as a project manager. While at this job, Jones started taking an interest in personal training. He started with training some of his coworkers who were looking to improve their health. “I got interested in personal training and the idea of changing people’s lives,” Jones said. “Basically, I started training my coworkers that were having health problems and just kept it going. It brought happiness to me and the client, so I took it further and ended up starting Level One Fitness in 2012.” Level One Fitness started off as a small fitness group, led by Jones, that met in the park for fitness boot camps. When interest and attendance began to increase, Level One Fitness moved into its first facility, a 1,400 sq. ft building on Dowling Street, now known as Emancipation Avenue. After three years, the gym moved to its current location on Cleburne Street and is now a 10,000 sq. ft., fullyequipped gym. Level One Fitness now offers athletic sports training, personal training and competition training. “We are a one-stop shop,” Jones said. “Everybody has different fitness levels and

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fitn yo We an L an mi an Fit “ ha Le Ke off bo pla in be J fro co “ my an O an att for “ Ig Ia

January 2019 | 17

k into Ken Jones’ Fitness Lifestyle

ness goals. Certain people want to be super ripped, but then ou’ll have someone that wants something completely different. e want to meet all those different goals at Level One, so we work with anybody nd everybody.” Level One Fitness is set to open their L1 Sports Center in March 2019. This will be new 10,000 sq. ft. building behind Level One Fitness that offers things like boxing, ixed martial arts, physical rehabilitation services, CrossFit, spin class, basketball nd much more. In addition to the sports facility, Jones’ next step for Level One tness is to franchise. “We want to be worldwide,” Jones said. “We want to be the one-stop shop gym that as everything you need.” Jones has several other business ventures in addition to evel One Fitness. One of those ventures is his personal training business, Train with en. While he has a team of certified personal trainers at Level One Fitness, he also fers personal training sessions through Train with Ken. Around the time Level One Fitness began, Jones also began training for odybuilding competitions. In 2013, he competed in his first bodybuilding show and aced second, which qualified him to be nationally recognized. In 2014, he competed the Miami Nationals show and became an IFBB professional bodybuilder. He has een competing professionally since then. Jones is also launching his own fitness clothing line, AIE. This clothing line stems om his motto, Appearance is Everything and is a fitness-meets-fashion line set to ome out in Spring 2019. “My appearance, my model, my clothing line, they are everything,” Jones said. “I am y own billboard. Being that I’m fit, it triggers the question of ‘Hey, what do you do?’ nd I am able to use that conversation to tell people about my businesses and lifestyle.” One of the main components that motivates Jones to work so hard on his fitness nd health is his battle with severe asthma. He has suffered two major asthma tacks, causing him to be hospitalized and intubated. Jones wants to be an advocate r others who suffer from asthma and show them there is a way to overcome it. “The more I work out, the more I stay fit, the healthier I am,” Jones said. “As soon as get out of shape and stop working out like I should, my asthma becomes a problem. am trying to be an advocate by just encouraging others to stay healthy. A little

walking, a little jogging every day keeps your lungs healthy and clear. That is one reason that I push so hard and keep working out.” When Jones isn’t training or working, he can be found giving back to his community. When he first decided to make Houston his home and start Level One Fitness, Texas was ranked as one of the most obese states in the US. He saw a need for physical fitness opportunities and education specifically in Third Ward, which is where he chose to open his gym. Starting off with boot camps in the park and eventually opening the Level One facility, Jones met that need. He also began doing speaking events on health and fitness to help educate the community on the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Another way Jones and his staff at Level One Fitness give back to the community is through an “adopt-a-park” program. This program allows them to take on the responsibility of cleaning up and improving parks in their neighborhood. Level One Fitness’ current park project is Peggy Park. Within the community, Jones noticed another area where needs were not being met: the youth. Jones started The Shift Project in 2013 to provide a platform for helping teenagers build social skills and character development and prepare them for eventually making a successful transition into adulthood. A group of 15 teenagers meets twice a week to work on physical fitness skills as well as participate in community service, leadership and life skills training and literacy enrichment activities. “This program is a way to ‘shift’ their minds away from crime, drugs and other troubles in the world and focus their energy on bettering themselves physically and mentally,” Jones said. Jones has used his love for health and fitness to create several successful businesses and community outreach efforts. He has established himself as a leading business owner, and his passion and persistence set him apart from others. Jones has much more to show the world, and it seems all his current successes are just the beginning for him. “Fitness and health are big topics right now, but they are lifestyle changes. That is what I try to teach at Level One Fitness and through my lifestyle. It is a life change, not just a quick fix.” For more information about Ken Jones or Level One Fitness, contact Ken at: 832.203.8875 or L1fitnesshouston@gmail.com

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18â&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A; January 2019 FINANCES

3 STEPS for your

2019

financial checkup By d-mars.com News Provider

midst a frenzy of holiday parties and family gatherings, it can be easy to lose sight of your financial goals. But the end of the year is an ideal time to reflect on your financial plan and review your savings and investing approach. Before you say goodbye to 2018, take these steps to maximize your savings and help position your portfolio favorably for the coming year:

1) Max Out Retirement Savings (If You Can):

The end of year is a good time to evaluate your overall savings and determine if you can bump up what you're putting away for retirement. For 2018, the maximum 401(k) contribution is $18,500. To help build your savings, it's a good idea to take full advantage of your employee retirement plan, at least to the point of any employer match. You can also use lump sums, like an annual b o -

nus, to give your savings a boost. Also, if you're age 50 or over, you are allowed to add another $6,000 in catch-up contributions, for a total of $24,500 a year in your 401(k).

2) Rebalance Your Portfolio:

According to Schwab's Modern Wealth Index, only 46 percent of investors have rebalanced their portfolio in the last year. With the increased turbulence in the stock market recently, it's possible your investment portfolios have strayed from their original target asset allocation. Rebalancing simply means selling positions that have become overweight in relation to your target allocation and moving the proceeds to positions that have become underweight. The end of the year is a good time to take a look at your portfolio allocation and make sure it's aligned to your goals and risk tolerance. This can be especially important for people nearing or in retirement, who might not be able to withstand sudden volatility. 3) Take Advantage Of Lesser-Known Savings Strategies: It's open enrollment season, so if your employer offers a Health Savings Account (HSA) - and you qualify to contribute to one - consider opening one. HSAs are tax-advantaged savings and investment accounts available to people with high-deductible health plans. You can set aside money in an HSA, free of federal taxes, to pay for qualified medical expenses like doctor visits and prescription medications. In addition, HSAs can serve as a stealth retirement savings account similar to a 401(k) or an IRA. If you're able to contribute to an HSA and leave it alone, it can be used to cover healthcare expenses in retirement without tapping into other savings.

If you already have an HSA, try to contribute the annual maximum before the end of the year. For 2018, those in high-deductible health-insurance plans can sock away as much as $3,450 before taxes. For families, the figure is $6,900, and those age 55 and older can contribute an additional $1,000. It's easy to deprioritize your investments amidst the chaos of the holidays, but taking the time to evaluate your success and consider unexplored opportunities can put you on a better path for the coming years. To stay on the right track and make sound financial decisions over time, it's also important to get a written financial plan in place. A financial plan goes beyond saving and investing to look holistically at all the interrelated parts of your financial life. It's like a roadmap - it forces you to develop a realistic and informed perspective on where you are, where you want to go, and how to make the best use of your resources to get there. For help creating or updating a financial plan, visit a Charles Schwab branch. Some content provided here has been compiled from previously published articles authored by various parties at Schwab. This information is not intended to be a substitute for individualized investment advice. Investing involves risk including loss of principal. Diversification, asset allocation and rebalancing strategies do not ensure a profit and do not protect against losses in declining markets. This article is sponsored by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., Member SIPC. (1218-8X21) (BPT)

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20 | January 2019 COMMUNITY

City of Houston Begins New MLK Day Tradition 41st Annual Original MLK Day Parade will Unite Houstonians By Sylvester Turner Houston Mayor

his month Houstonians will join people from across the county to remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Monday, January 21, is the official observance of Dr. King’s birthday, who would have turned 89 years old if his life had not been cut short by an assassin’s bullet. As the country pauses to remember the late civil rights icon, the City of Houston will begin a new tradition to honor his life and legacy. This year, the City will partner with the Black Heritage Society to promote the 41st annual Original MLK Day Parade. The parade will be a tribute to Houston’s strength and diversity and unite people of different faiths and cultures from across our community. From the start of my administration, I have been honest about my desire for our city to have only one MLK Day parade. As the nation’s fourth-largest city, Houston should be known for celebrating the best and biggest MLK Day parade. Dr. King once said, “the time is always right to do the right thing.” So, in the spirit of Dr. King’s work to unite everyone, I met with representatives of the Black Heritage Society and the MLK Parade Foundation and expressed my hope to combine the groups into one grand, meaningful parade. I am proud to say that the Black Heritage Society and its founder, Ovide Duncantell, agreed with me and we decided to move forward in the best interest of all Houstonians. In case you did not already know, the Black Heritage Society organized the very first MLK Day parade in the country and maintains an official IPM license from The King Center in Atlanta, GA. Back in 1978, Dr. King’s father even traveled to Houston

to give his blessing to Mr. Duncantell’s efforts to preserve his son’s work to unite people and fight for the underprivileged, underserved, and those seeking justice and equality Sadly, Mr. Duncantell died last year, but during the parade, we will remember his lifelong contributions. There will be a float dedicated in his memory and representatives from various organizations will ride on it. I am urging all citizens, potential sponsors, schools, and community groups to join me in making this MLK Day parade the greatest ever. The 41st annual Original MLK Day Parade will take place Monday, January 21, starting in front of city hall. This parade will reflect Houston’s diversity and showcase exciting marching bands, colorful floats and convertible cars, along with parade participants

who will march or ride on horseback. As your mayor, I ask you to stand with me and let’s make the 2019 parade, the best parade in the country and the beginning of a new tradition. Considering the cynicism and divisiveness across the country, we should show the nation that our city is a place of peace, unity, and cooperation. In one of his last speeches, Dr. King said he wanted to be remembered as a drum major for justice, peace, and righteousness. On January 21, Dr. King will be our city’s drum major. We will March as 1. We have an opportunity to honor him as a drum major during the 41st annual Original MLK Day Parade. Let’s show the nation that Dr. King’s dream endures in Houston, Texas.

NEW ROUTE

MLK: “Marching as 1” Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

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22 | January 2019

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24 | January 2019 REAL ESTATE

top exterior trends

to inspire your By d-mars.com News Provider

hinking of adding a deck? How about replacing the tired, worn siding on your house? Now that the weather is colder, it’s the perfect time to curl up with a hot beverage and start planning your 2019 home projects so you can nail the budget and settle on the look you’re after. “Updating your home’s exterior can make an older home look more modern, but it can also make a new build feel warmer and more established,” says Kristine Swint, an in-house design expert at Royal Building Products. “Whether you plan to sell, or stay and enjoy your new features, anything you do to update the exterior can maximize the value of your home.” Swint shares these insights and tips that will help you get inspired and plan your exterior home projects in 2019.

color story

Think “cool neutrals” for the

When someone suggests a neutral tone for your exterior, do you think boring beige and tepid taupe?

2019

When it comes to vinyl siding, you may be pleasantly surprised to discover there’s a broad range of color and style choices to meet your taste and design preferences, including soft grays, bolder mid-tone blues and warm earth-toned terra cottas. “Going neutral no longer means sacrificing style, or having your house look like all the others on the block,” Swint says. “Today’s neutrals convey warmth, comfort and closeness to nature - all traits we desire in a home.” If you need help planning your home’s new look, the HomePlay design tool from Royal Building Products lets you experiment with different colors and siding profiles. To get started, visit HomePlaybyRoyal.com.

Bring the inside out

If you’ve decided this year is the year to add a deck or a patio, don’t settle for an uninspired openair platform. Today’s designers are remaking the deck concept altogether by bringing traditionally “indoor” amenities outside. Rugs, arbors and high-design furniture will turn your deck into an outdoor living room. By adding a fire pit, portable furnace or heater, you and your family can spend time on the deck year-round. For a finishing touch, a floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door not only brings in more sunlight and natural views, it creates a seamless transition between inside and outside. But a great deck starts with high-quality materials, because the last thing you want is to spend excessive time and money on routine maintenance. Instead of using natural wood, opt for a premium composite decking, such as Zuri Premium Decking, that combines the natural beauty of exotic hardwood with the unsurpassed and exceptionally low-maintenance

home projects

requirements of composite materials. If you’re interested in learning more, visit zuri.royalbuildingproducts.com.

Make relaxation a top priority

Home is where the heart is, right? So it makes perfect sense to make it into a space where self-care is a priority. That’s why wellness and mindfulness have become huge influences in interior and exterior spaces, Swint says. To turn your backyard into a retreat space, consider amenities like water features, zen gardens or even a shaded reading nook.

Reframe the possibilities of your shed

Garages and sheds can be more than a storage space for your lawnmower and tools. These four walls hold many other possibilities, and homeowners have come up with creative, freetime-oriented uses for these simple backyard structures. The options are only limited by your imagination: backyard bar, outdoor shower, or the classic she-shed or man cave. You can even make it into a home office for those telecommuting days. To dress up a plain shed, Swint says, add siding with complementary trim, windows (and flower boxes), finished with a sleek glass door. Now that you have plenty of inspiration to transform your home’s exterior into a more inviting space, explore your options and visit royalbuildingproducts.com. (BPT)

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26 | January 2019 TECHNOLOGY

The Year of the Space-Age Home

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n 2019, the "space-age" home will become a reality with modern innovations that are poised to change the way we think about luxury, elegance and comfort. Incorporating advanced technology into your home is essential when elevating its overall style, design and functionality. What better way to create a futuristic environment than by living like an astronaut in your own home. You can do exactly that with the new Flotation Tub with ZERO DIMENSION from TOTO. Made from proprietary Galaline man-made marble, the stylish tub combines a luxury spa aesthetic with space-age technology that simulates zero gravity by offering bathers a weightless experience. After more than a decade's research, TOTO discovered that a unique posture - with the reclining body stabilized and the hips, knees and ankles flexed - reduced the joints' mechanical energy/load to nearly zero. Astronauts sleep in this position; it enables the most relaxing rest possible. Cerebral blood flow studies show activity in the left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex - the part of the brain responsible for language - is dramatically reduced, enabling a meditative state. With the TOTO Flotation Tub as a bathroom focal point that showcases luxurious design, add sleek accessories to enhance your space, such as a smart mirror that doubles as a TV monitor. Imagine checking the weather as you put on your makeup or watching the news as you shave, creating a dual functionality and must-have futuristic design component. Space-age aesthetic is all about blending minimalistic features with hightech devices, allowing for a sea m le ss transition between design and

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innovation. But why stop with just the bathroom? Consumers will continue to see a vast range of technological innovations throughout 2019, inspiring home transformations that are out of this world! To reach new worlds, innovation is key, especially when it comes to energy efficiency. For state-of-the-art elements both inside and outside your home, consider installing the highly anticipated solar windows that will collect solar energy while remaining transparent. The windows utilize photovoltaic technology, similar to what's being incorporated into solar blinds and solar roofs. These kinds of energy-conscious building materials will add a space-age look and functionality to your home, bringing you into the next century. Make everyday life more efficient with a home automation system, a rapidly growing innovative technology that allows users to manage various household settings with one single command. Users have control of their entire house at their fingertips including their security, lighting, climate and entertainment systems, even their household appliances. By incorporating an innovative and design-forward centerpiece like TOTO's Flotation Tub, along with additional subtle, sleek tech accessories and gadgets into your living space, the space-age, futuristic home can become your reality.

(BPT)

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28 | January 2019 TECHNOLOGY

5 compelling reasons

to make prepaid wireless service part of your household budget By d-mars.com News Provider

ut with the old and in with the new is the mantra most people live by in the smartphone age. New apps, new styles, new functionality, they all have you running to get an upgrade as quickly as possible. But the predecessors to what’s new and hot aren’t the only old that needs to go. In fact, it’s also time to drop the antiquated notions that annual contract providers are the only ones who offer the widest coverage, best service plans and hottest devices. This is especially true if you’re still thinking long-term contract wireless service is your only choice for a great experience, when in fact a no-annual-contract solution might serve you much better. The new world of prepaid, no-annual contract solutions is one where prepaid options are no longer considered “throw away” phones. Instead, a no-annualcontract solution is a smart choice with several benefits you’ll appreciate now and in the future. With that in mind, here are five reasons you should seriously consider making prepaid wireless service your family’s plan of choice.

• Total network coverage. The old notion of dropped calls with a prepaid phone is long gone. Today, no-annual-contract wireless plans offer you the comprehensive coverage you’ve come to expect from other networks. Cricket Wireless, for example, has a network that covers most Americans, allowing you to stay connected no matter where you are. • Keep your phone and your number. Out with the old and in with the new? Not so fast. Apps and features are all well and good, but sometimes you’re not so quick to replace your phone. You go everywhere together after all, and you really don’t want to replace your number. Good news! With a no-annual-contract wireless choice, you don’t have to. Most plans offer you the ability to keep your phone and your number, all while switching to a plan that saves you the money and time it takes to transfer everything over. • No strings, just savings. Speaking of saving money, you will. A lot of it. Cricket Wireless plans are simple and affordable. With high-speed data, text and talk plans starting as low as $30, there’s a plan to meet your needs. And because you’re not signing a contract, you never have to worry about termination fees should you decide to change your phone situation.

• Set a plan with you in mind. Say, for example, you’re more of a talker and texter and don’t need a ton of data. You can shop for a plan that delivers the support you want. Do you have family in other parts of North America? Some plans include unlimited high-speed data access, text and voice to and from Mexico and Canada. Explore your options, and you can change your plan each month depending on your needs. • It’s personal. Just like the contract carriers, prepaid wireless stores are in the neighborhoods where you live and work. They are bright and friendly, offering a simple explanation of what you get for what you buy. If you prefer to buy online, Cricket’s plan and device information, benefits of service and pricing are clear and simple, so you know what you’re getting. No surprises. If you’re ready to change your phone solution, step into a new world of options and consider a prepaid option. It’s easy to give it a shot, and it’s a change you’ll wish you made long ago. Start your new phone solution today! To learn more about prepaid phones and the values of a no-annual-contract phone solution, visit cricketwireless.com. (BPT)

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30â&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A; January 2019

T H E

E X P E R T

N E TW O R K

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