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Survey Finds 6 out of 10 Families’ Budgets Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic, Including Plans to Fund College

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The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unpredictable financial environment for many families. For 6 out of 10, that means changes to their household budget, according to the latest College Ave Student Loans survey of 1,141 parents of college students conducted by Barnes & Noble College InsightsSM. Despite the unexpected impacts, the majority (72%) of parents who plan to help pay for their child’s education are still confident about their overall payment plan.

College Ave surveyed parents in January and again this June with personal finance site HerMoney.com to get a snapshot of how the pandemic has affected college financing plans. The survey found that while the approach to paying for college has changed since the beginning of the year, families still deeply value a higher education degree.

Impact of the pandemic on family finances

More than half of families (56%) said the pandemic has negatively affected their finances. Of those, 58% have had to dip into their savings more than expected, 43% delayed big spending purchases and 29% have relied more on credit cards. Many families have faced job uncertainty – 25% report a parent in the house has been furloughed, lost a job (14%) or has had to close a business temporarily or permanently (12%). Of those who will need to borrow more than previously planned as a result of the pandemic, nearly 3 in 4 (74%) said they will need to borrow at least $5,000 or more this year.

Changes in how families plan to cover college costs

The latest survey found the overwhelming majority of parents (92%) agree with the statement that a college degree is important for their child. Perhaps that’s why in June, and during difficult financial times, more parents say they are willing to help their child pay for college (95% vs. 83% in January) and invest in their child’s degree.

In the five-month timeframe between the surveys, the June survey also found the approach to paying for college changed. The recent survey found less families are relying on parental income, savings, and 529 accounts, and instead, are leaning more on grants and scholarships, student loans and the child pitching in by working.

Changes in How Families Plan to Pay for College:

January 2020 vs. June 2020

January 2020

June 2020

70% regular income and savings

60% regular income and savings (-10% change)

59% grants and scholarships

64% grants and scholarships (+5% change)

45% 529 account

38% 529 account (-7% change)

42% student loans

53% student loans (+11% change)

28% child will work

43% child will work (+15% change)

18% parent loan

21% parent loan (+3% change)

Less common financial strategies used by families include money from a retirement account, personal loans, and credit cards. Overall, the survey highlights that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to financing a college education.

“During these unprecedented times, families who have children headed to college will need to come together and have open and honest conversations about the road ahead. Parents must keep in mind that while there are loans for college, there are no loans available for retirement. Anything they’re able to offer their child toward the cost of college will be welcome,” said Jean Chatzky, CEO of HerMoney. “Also, students must understand that working through college may be their best path forward, and they should leave no stone unturned when it comes to searching for and applying for scholarships and grants. For parents who might be feeling guilty about not contributing more to their child’s education, don’t. Understand that it’s okay for your child to work and take out an appropriate amount of loans, and you can help them guide them through these important first steps into adulthood.”

Tips for how to cover college costs during uncertain times include:

  • If you haven’t experienced a change in income, look to see where you might be able to make cuts to your budget on a monthly basis, and put that money towards your college fund, or college expenses.
  • If circumstances have dictated that you won’t be able to continue to save for college or contribute to college costs, start looking into student jobs that might appeal to your child, student loans, as well as grants and scholarships. Doing all this as early as possible will help erase some question marks, and make everyone feel more confident about the future.
  • In the years to come, more jobs than ever will be able to be done remotely, and to make ends meet, both students and parents may want to consider a remote side-gig, doing things like customer service, graphic design, social media work, and more. Even an additional $100 a month can be a welcome addition to any budget, and can mean a reduction in the amount of student loans taken out.
  • While some sticker prices for college and college activities are set in stone, some things can be negotiated, and in many cases, cheaper prices are available. For example, students who receive a scholarship offer for one year of tuition can request that their offer is extended, and in many cases, online textbooks are cheaper than their hardbound counterparts. There are myriad ways to keep it frugal — you just have to keep an eye out, and never be afraid to ask.

“The pandemic has created financial uncertainty for many families,” said Joe DePaulo, Co-Founder and CEO of College Ave Student Loans. “However, the survey also points to the resilience of families and their determination.  Even during difficult times, families believe in – and prioritize – finding a path to a college degree as they know a higher education can provide a better future for their children.”

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Sleep interiors brand gets job offer from Peter Jones despite not securing investment in Dragons Den

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LONDON, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Tonight on BBC1, REMY founder Abeer Iqbal, entered the Den, and despite intense grilling and no investment, left with a six-figure job offer from Peter Jones

Abeer’s pitch began with the Dragon’s keen to experience his sleep-enhancing furniture. When Steven and Peter laid on his hero  ‘The Pod’, a reinvention of the beanbag, and under REMY’s best-selling ‘The Lounger’ weighted blankets, the dragons closed their eyes and pretended to snore. Which was ironic, as despite being told he’d enter the Den around 5pm, Abeer actually went in at 9.30pm, after the dragons had been receiving pitches since early that day, which to Abeer’s own admission “wasn’t easy”. Deborah Meaden said, “This might have been a fatal mistake to put your dragons to sleep before we start the pitch” – recognising that it had been a long day.

After 10+ years working in tech, helping multi-million pound businesses grow their empire at software giants like Shopify, Abeer experienced burn-out, which led him to develop REMY. Despite Abeer telling the dragons that he left the high-pressure industry due to stress and anxiety Peter Jones still offered him a job back in the rat race with a six-figure sum (which he still hasn’t taken). 

After leaving the Den, Abeer admitted feeling the “most anxious ever” and that he “just wanted to get back to his wife for a hug”.  Abeer shared, “I didn’t sleep for days, replaying every moment in my mind. I wanted to forget it.” But it’s not all bad, as Abeer explains, “the anxiety I experienced from the Den gave me a lightbulb moment and led me to create our most popular product yet – The Hugger Pillow. I needed a hug, so I created one”. 

Abeer continues, “I returned the next day to collect my items from the studio. I bumped into a fresh-faced Peter and Toukar in the carpark, they both praised my experience, Peter once again offered me a job and Toukar asked me to call him when I start the next business.”

The global ‘sleep economy’ is booming, projected to reach a record high of $585 billion this year. But Abeer felt he was unable to communicate this, “If I could have my time again, I would focus on the industry of Rest and Sleep rather than the specific products we were trying to innovate. I don’t think I articulated to the Dragon’s the size of the business opportunity that there is with REMY. In terms of what’s next, we are moving towards becoming a household name in rest and sleep but offering products in multiple categories.”

The Dragon that seemed to understand Abeer’s passion for this industry was Sara Davies, saying “I actually fundamentally don’t agree with what I’ve heard here. What I see in front of me, yes he is great at the e-commerce side of things but he gave up a career in corporate because he was passionate about this area. And if there’s one thing I know about business it’s that you will succeed when you pursue the thing you are passionate about. I wouldn’t discourage you to give up. Keep doing it and good luck. I think you could sell anything”.

You can watch Abeer Iqbal on Dragons’ Den on BBC iPlayer.

remysleep.com / @WEAREREMY

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2374872/REMY_Sleep_1.jpg

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Bitrue Coin (BTR) Analyzes User Behavior and Announces Upcoming Developments to Enhance Utility

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SINGAPORE, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Bitrue, a leading cryptocurrency exchange serving over 10 million users globally, announces a focus on user behavior analysis to further develop the utility of its native token, Bitrue Coin (BTR).

“Understanding how our users interact with BTR is crucial for its continued growth,” states Robert Quartly-Janeiro, Chief Strategy Officer of Bitrue. “This analysis will guide upcoming developments that enhance the value proposition of BTR within the Bitrue ecosystem.”

The announcement follows a recent surge in interest surrounding exchange tokens, and digital assets used to pay for services to unlock benefits within specific cryptocurrency exchanges. Currently, BTR offers a compelling range of benefits to Bitrue users, including:

  • Reduced Trading Fees: BTR holders enjoy lower trading fees on the Bitrue exchange, incentivizing active participation in the platform’s marketplace.
  • Governance Voting Rights: BTR grants voting rights on select new listings, allowing users to influence the direction of the Bitrue platform.
  • Staking Opportunities: BTR holders can stake their tokens to earn passive rewards, providing an additional avenue for generating income within the Bitrue ecosystem.
  • Exclusive Airdrop Potential: BTR holders may be eligible for airdrops of new tokens listed on the Bitrue exchange, offering the chance to discover promising crypto projects early.
  • VIP Investment Caps: BTR unlocks higher investment caps for certain cryptocurrencies on the Bitrue platform, catering to high-volume investors.

“BTR already plays a multifaceted role in the Bitrue experience,” Quarterly-Janeiro continues. “By strategically expanding its utility based on user behavior analysis, we aim to solidify BTR’s position within the exchange token market and elevate its value proposition for our user base.”

The specific developments based on user behavior analysis are not disclosed at this time. However, Bitrue assures its users of continued transparency and will share details in due course.

Media Contact: Lily Ho, [email protected]

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Affordability, customisation and convenience: Term plans from India become more attractive and accessible for NRIs

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Term insurance from India emerges as preferred choice for NRIs seeking affordability and convenience

DUBAI, UAE, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Policybazaar, India’s leading online insurance marketplace, is witnessing a significant increase in non-resident Indians (NRIs) choosing term insurance from India via its platform. This surge is driven by the unparalleled ease, affordability and accessibility offered by the Indian insurance market. While several factors contribute to the growing interest in term insurance in India, affordability and convenience stand out as primary reasons. The demand among the 18-60 age group has seen an impressive 130% year-on-year growth, with India emerging as the preferred choice for NRIs.

The surge in demand from NRIs can be credited to several standout features and benefits. Term policies from India cost up to 30-50% less for NRIs residing in the UAE and Singapore. Additionally, policies with coverage of up to INR 5 crores can be easily obtained with tele-medical check-ups from India, eliminating the need for physical visits. Unlike some countries with restricted policy terms and coverage, Indian term plans offer coverage for longer duration, extending up to 99 years.

Sarbvir Singh, Joint Group CEO, Policybazaar, states, “We are witnessing exponential growth in term insurance purchases from NRIs, particularly from the Gulf nations and Singapore. Policybazaar has focused its efforts on expanding term insurance protection in both Indian and overseas markets. The unmatched benefits offered by India, including competitive pricing, larger covers, and streamlined processing through video/tele medicals, are significant contributors to this demand. It is heartening to see NRIs realizing the importance of securing their dependents’ future and choosing Indian term insurance policies.”

Term Insurance for a 35 year old male, non-smoker
Policy term – 30 years

Country

India

UAE

Cover Amount

INR 2 Cr / AED 881 K

AED 900 K

Max Cover Upto

99 years

80 years

Premium in AED

AED 977.8

AED 1,539

Premium in INR

INR 22,193.00

INR 34,892.00

Free Add-ons

Early Payout on Terminal Illness + Waiver of Premium

Price Benefit

36% cheaper in India

Source: Policybazaar.com

NRIs are also eligible for 18% GST exemption* upon purchasing term insurance plans from India, when paying via their NRE accounts. This attractive pricing, along with the availability of longer-term plans, has led to a rise in demand among NRIs, especially from Gulf nations, where 65% of term insurance buyers hail from, with the UAE alone contributing 35%.

Rhishabh Garg, Head of Term Insurance at Policybazaar, adds, “The evolution in the Indian term insurance industry is marked by innovative offerings designed to meet the distinct needs of consumers overseas. The consumer-centric features in term plans from India are increasingly appealing to NRIs, which include return of premium at no extra cost, early pay-outs for terminal illness, premium waivers for permanent disability, and immediate pay-out of up to INR 2 lakhs on claim intimation for immediate obituary expenses.”

The accessibility of these plans is further enhanced through seamless processing for NRIs, whose average annual income exceeds INR 35 lakhs. Insurers now also offer a sum assured of up to 5 crores, ensuring adequate coverage based on Human Life Value (HLV) calculations. NRIs can also leverage Policybazaar’s search and comparison engine to browse the best suitable plans as per their needs and preferences.

With a commitment to providing comprehensive coverage and protection, Policybazaar continues to redefine the landscape of term insurance for NRIs, empowering them to secure their loved one’s future with peace of mind. As NRIs continue to seek comprehensive coverage and value-driven solutions, Policybazaar remains dedicated to delivering innovative term insurance products and services tailored to their evolving needs.

*Tax benefits are subject to change in tax laws

About Policybazaar.com

Policybazaar.com is one of India’s largest insurance marketplace. It is the flagship platform of PB Fintech, which owns the fintech brand, Paisabazaar.com, and lending & insurance marketplace in the UAE region, Policybazaar.ae. Policybazaar.com started with the purpose to educate people on insurance products and with its offerings has addressed the large and highly underpenetrated online insurance markets.

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