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  • Health Behavior Change Models Nutrition Coaches Actually Use

    Health Behavior Change Models Nutrition Coaches Actually Use


    Why do some clients crush their nutrition goals while others spin their wheels? Spoiler: It’s not just about willpower or nutritional knowledge. What often separates success from stuck in nutrition coaching is how behaviors are shaped and reshaped over time. 

    “Most people already know exactly the changes they need to make to their diet, but what they can’t figure out is how,” says Shana Walsh, PhD, NBC-HWC, MCHES, CPT. Coaches who understand behavioral science and behavior change can better support their clients, adapt strategies in the moment, and ultimately help drive meaningful, sustainable change. 

    That’s why understanding health behavior theories is a game-changer. These models provide a practical foundation that goes beyond meal plans and macros. They give nutrition professionals a strategic edge in tailoring interventions, communicating effectively, and motivating clients who might otherwise feel stuck. This article breaks down the most essential theories and shows how to actually use them in your nutrition counseling. 

    Looking to master this material in depth? Explore AFPA’s Nutrition & Behavior Change Certificate—a self-paced, evidence-based program that teaches you how to turn insight into action in your nutrition coaching practice. 

    Why Health Behavior Theory Makes You a Stronger Coach 

    You can have all the facts about nutrition, but if you can’t help clients follow through with dietary habits, results will stall. And when you understand the science behind behavior change, everything shifts. You stop focusing solely on what clients “should” eat and start guiding them to uncover what’s actually holding them back. 

    Behavior theories offer structured ways to understand motivation, confidence, social support, environment, and readiness. Without these models, you risk misinterpreting behavior. A lack of follow-through might look like resistance, but in reality, it might be low self-efficacy or a conflicting social norm. These models give you a roadmap to navigate those nuances. 

    “Making healthy dietary changes is the single most effective way to improve health. There’s always going to be a million health trends, but nothing is going to have as great of an impact on health as what you feed your body—which is why it’s so important to understand change for this specific area,” says Walsh. 

    AFPA’s Nutrition & Behavior Change Certificate goes deeper, helping coaches learn how to translate theory into practical coaching tools. From motivational interviewing to ecological assessments, it’s designed to grow and sharpen your nutrition coaching skills and make every session count. 

    The Transtheoretical Model (aka Stages of Change) 

    Change isn’t a single decision—it’s a series of stages. The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) breaks it down into six phases: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and termination. Each stage represents a different mindset and requires a different coaching approach. For example, someone in contemplation doesn’t need a grocery list—they need empathy and perspective. 

    Coaches trained in TTM learn to “meet the client where they are.” This means recognizing whether they’re contemplating change, building plans, or simply trying to stay on track. The key is not pushing, but guiding. People don’t always move through the stages linearly. They may relapse, get discouraged, or jump ahead when motivated by a life event. 

    Understanding this model helps you coach with patience and insight. It teaches you to support ambivalence, normalize setbacks, and celebrate readiness. And most importantly, it ensures that your strategies match your client’s current needs. 

    Nutrition Coaching Tip: Don’t push a “meal prep plan” on a pre-contemplator. Instead, help them explore what they like about their current habits and what feels misaligned with their goals. 

    The Health Belief Model 

    Why do some clients take action immediately, while others ignore the risks? The Health Belief Model suggests that it’s not just awareness that matters—it’s belief. Specifically, belief about their personal risk, the seriousness of the issue, the benefits of taking action, and the barriers that stand in the way. Add in a nudge from a cue to action or a boost of self-efficacy, and you’ve got the full picture. 

    This model is especially helpful for nutrition coaches dealing with clients who are ambivalent or disconnected from their health consequences. Maybe someone is struggling with prediabetes but doesn’t believe diet will change anything. Instead of giving them another stat, ask: “What do you think would happen if you kept eating this way?” or “What might change for you if you felt better every day?” 

    Using the Health Belief Model helps you move from education to transformation. It gives you the lens to see beliefs that are blocking action and use coaching conversations to shift them. 

    Nutrition Coaching Tip: When clients say, “I don’t think changing my diet will matter,” they’re expressing low perceived benefit. Use open-ended questions to explore where that belief comes from. 

    Nutrition and Behavior Change Certificate of Specialty

    Become a Nutrition Behavior Change Specialist

    • Master motivational interviewing for nutrition settings.
    • Learn the behavior change models behind lasting habit shifts.
    • Walk away with practical tools you can apply immediately.

    Theory of Planned Behavior 

    The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) explains one of the most frustrating coaching scenarios: when clients say they want to change but don’t follow through. According to TPB, a person’s intention to change is the strongest predictor of behavior. However, intention itself is shaped by three forces: their attitude toward the behavior, perceived social pressure (subjective norms), and how much control they think they have (perceived behavioral control). 

    As a coach, this means looking beyond motivation. Does your client truly believe they can change? Do they feel judged or supported by their family? Do they think change is within their control? If someone says, “I want to meal prep, but my partner brings home takeout every night,” TPB helps you unpack the deeper barriers. 

    This model is particularly useful for addressing cultural dynamics, family roles, or internalized beliefs. And it’s a perfect complement to motivational interviewing. 

    Nutrition Coaching Tip: If a client feels pressure from family to eat a certain way, explore their internal values vs. external influences. This theory is especially helpful for navigating family, cultural, or peer-related resistance. 

    Social Cognitive Theory 

    Social Cognitive Theory, developed by Albert Bandura, focuses on the interplay between personal beliefs, observed behaviors, and environment. Its most influential concept is self-efficacy—the belief in one’s ability to succeed. Without self-efficacy, even the best plans fall apart. 

    Coaches can use this theory to help clients build confidence through mastery experiences, modeling (observing others), and positive reinforcement. For example, if a client says, “I always fail at diets,” you might ask, “Can you think of a time when you stuck with something challenging?” Recalling that win—even if it’s unrelated to food—builds belief that change is possible. 

    The model also reminds us that environment matters. Role models, access to resources, and social reinforcement all shape behavior. Social Cognitive Theory is the backbone of many evidence-based coaching frameworks, including those covered in AFPA’s Nutrition & Behavior Change Certificate. 

    Nutrition Coaching Tip: If a client says, “I always fail at this,” ask them to reflect on a past success in any area of life and apply that mindset. 

    Ecological Models of Health Behavior 

    Behavior doesn’t happen in a vacuum—it happens in context. Ecological models highlight the multiple layers that influence health choices, including individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy factors. If your client can’t find healthy food in their neighborhood, no amount of meal planning will solve the issue. That’s where this model becomes essential. 

    As a coach, you can use ecological thinking to ask better questions. Instead of, “Why didn’t you eat the salad?” you might ask, “What made it difficult to choose that meal today?” You’ll uncover whether it was time, cost, access, or social influence. This model encourages you to become a systems thinker and helps you support clients in overcoming barriers beyond their immediate control. 

    Incorporating ecological insights helps coaches move beyond surface-level strategies and embrace a more inclusive, practical approach. 

    Nutrition Coaching Tip: If a client has limited access to fresh foods, focusing only on “what to eat” isn’t enough. Explore meal planning with shelf-stable options or community resources. 

    Real-Life Nutrition Counseling Scenario: Theory in Action 

    Client: “I know I should eat more vegetables, but I don’t. My kids won’t eat them either, and by the time I get home, I’m exhausted.” 

    As a coach, you might notice: 

    • Environmental pressure (Ecological Model) 
    • Low self-efficacy (Social Cognitive Theory) 
    • Conflict between intention and behavior (Theory of Planned Behavior) 

    Coach response: 

    “It sounds like you’re juggling a lot. What’s one small shift that feels doable with the time and energy you have right now?” 

    By recognizing theoretical patterns, you can coach with more empathy and strategy. 

    You Don’t Need to Be a Theorist—Just Thoughtful 

    You don’t need to master behavioral science and memorize every behavior change model. What you do need is the ability to recognize patterns in client behavior and know which lens to use when coaching clients to reach their nutrition goals. When used well, behavior change theory gives you a language for what your clients are experiencing. It helps you coach more intentionally. And most importantly, it helps your clients succeed. 

    Shana Walsh, PhD, NBC-HWC, MCHES

    Reviewed by

    Dr. Shana Walsh

    Dr. Shana Walsh is the Director of Education and Curriculum at AFPA. With a PhD in Kinesiology, Exercise Nutrition, and Health Promotion, she has served as an educator, author, and researcher. She is also a Registered Yoga Teacher, National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Master Certified Health Education Specialist, and Certified Personal Trainer. Shana has been teaching yoga for nearly a decade and has witnessed its profound impact on quality of life. She believes that when people improve their health, they improve their life, and she is committed to supporting others in taking steps toward positive change. 

    Master Behavior Change for Nutrition

    Gain the skills to help clients break through resistance, change their relationship with food, and build habits that truly last.

    Nutrition and Behavior Change Certificate of Specialty
  • The CEO’s Guide to Thriving as a First-Time Parent

    The CEO’s Guide to Thriving as a First-Time Parent


    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Becoming a first-time parent is one of those transformative life experiences that fundamentally reshapes your perspective. As a CEO and a new father, my world recently flipped upside down, in the best possible way. Fatherhood brings immense joy, but it also introduces a whole new set of challenges around balancing motivation, delegation, mental fitness, opportunity pursuit and time management.

    For leaders accustomed to full-throttle work, the transition to parenthood can seem daunting. Yet, if navigated thoughtfully, it can strengthen your leadership capabilities, sharpen your strategic thinking and enhance your personal growth.

    Related: 5 Ways Becoming a New Dad Has Made Me a Better Leader

    Finding motivation in new priorities

    One immediate impact of parenthood is an evolution in what motivates you. Prior to becoming a father, my drive was predominantly professional — launching products, hitting revenue targets, scaling teams. But fatherhood quickly reshapes priorities, anchoring your motivations around family stability, long-term security and creating a legacy that extends beyond the boardroom.

    Take Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, who openly shares how becoming a parent changed his outlook. After the birth of his daughters, Zuckerberg notably increased his commitment to philanthropy, dedicating significant resources toward initiatives aimed at improving education, health and community well-being. Parenthood encouraged him to think deeply about the broader societal impact of his work, showing that new motivations born from family can profoundly enhance leadership.

    Mastering the art of delegation

    As a first-time parent, your available time shrinks drastically. Suddenly, the hours you could freely dedicate to your startup narrow significantly, requiring a greater reliance on delegation. This constraint, though initially frustrating, is actually a hidden gift, forcing you to become a better, more efficient leader.

    Elon Musk, founder of Tesla and SpaceX, openly discusses his approach to delegating critical tasks after becoming a father to multiple children. Musk stresses the importance of building strong, capable teams to whom you can confidently delegate substantial responsibilities. As a CEO, the necessity to delegate effectively is heightened by parenthood, compelling you to empower your team more intentionally and thus accelerating organizational growth.

    Related: How I Started a Business and Had a Baby in One Year Without Going (Completely) Insane

    Staying mentally fit and sharp

    Balancing the demands of parenthood and leadership requires impeccable mental fitness. Sleep deprivation, emotional stress and shifting priorities can test your mental resilience. However, by establishing routines that prioritize mental health, you not only become a better parent but also a more effective CEO.

    Meditation, regular exercise and deliberate rest become non-negotiables rather than luxuries. Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter and Square, has often spoken about how mindful practices such as meditation became integral to his routine after significant life shifts. These routines sharpen decision-making capabilities, increase emotional intelligence and foster resilience, all critical to both effective parenting and leadership.

    Aggressively pursuing opportunities with new constraints

    While parenthood introduces constraints, it also teaches efficiency in pursuing opportunities. With limited hours, every minute of work becomes more strategic, targeted and intentional. Parenthood can clarify what truly matters, pushing you to aggressively chase the right opportunities rather than simply every opportunity.

    Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and father to Olympia, has been vocal about how parenthood refined his perspective on work and investments. His advocacy for parental leave and family-friendly policies also opened new professional avenues aligned with his personal values, demonstrating that parenthood can help clarify and focus your professional pursuits.

    Balancing work, life and legacy

    Ultimately, balancing parenthood and CEO responsibilities isn’t about compartmentalizing your life into work and family boxes. It’s about creating harmony and recognizing how each role enriches the other. Parenthood expands your empathy, enhances your strategic thinking and deepens your understanding of long-term planning.

    Jeff Bezos famously prioritizes family breakfasts, maintaining that quality time with family sets a positive tone for his professional engagements. These habits create an integrated, sustainable approach to balancing responsibilities, ensuring that neither your business nor your family suffers at the expense of the other.

    Related: What Entrepreneurship and Parenthood Taught Me About Empathy

    Looking forward

    Becoming a first-time parent as a CEO is undeniably challenging. It demands significant adjustments in how you delegate, prioritize, maintain your mental health and pursue opportunities. Yet, this life-changing experience is not just a personal milestone but an extraordinary professional advantage. Parenthood shapes you into a leader who is more focused, empathetic, strategic and resilient.

    To fellow CEOs entering parenthood for the first time: Embrace the challenge. Recognize that your experiences as a parent don’t detract from your role as a CEO; they elevate it. By thoughtfully integrating parenthood into your leadership style, you can achieve greater professional success while nurturing a fulfilling, meaningful family life.

    Becoming a first-time parent is one of those transformative life experiences that fundamentally reshapes your perspective. As a CEO and a new father, my world recently flipped upside down, in the best possible way. Fatherhood brings immense joy, but it also introduces a whole new set of challenges around balancing motivation, delegation, mental fitness, opportunity pursuit and time management.

    For leaders accustomed to full-throttle work, the transition to parenthood can seem daunting. Yet, if navigated thoughtfully, it can strengthen your leadership capabilities, sharpen your strategic thinking and enhance your personal growth.

    Related: 5 Ways Becoming a New Dad Has Made Me a Better Leader

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.

  • Goats and Soda : NPR

    Goats and Soda : NPR


    NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 9: People attend a rally and press conference organised by the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) against U.S. President Donald Trump's new travel ban on June 9, 2025 in New York City. A new travel ban ordered by Trump, restricting entry to citizens from 12 countries, will take effect on Monday. The affected nations include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

    A rally in New York on June 9 protested President Donald Trump’s new travel ban, which restricts entry to the United States for citizens from 19 countries.

    Adam Gray/Getty Images


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    Adam Gray/Getty Images

    Abdul-Rahman Edward Koroma was supposed to be in New York last week.

    For months, the disability rights activist from Sierra Leone had been looking forward to his trip to the United Nations session. He had a busy schedule of meetings and official events talking about the challenges of living with a disability in his country, including showcasing a documentary about how the disability community is especially vulnerable to flooding and landslides associated with climate change.

    But on June 5, he learned he couldn’t come. Sierra Leone was one of 19 countries where President Trump had banned or restricted the ability to travel to the U.S.

    “Honestly, for me, it’s quite painful, and it’s quite disappointing,” says Koroma. “I hope the U.S. government will reconsider. The world is a global village, we all need each other, one way or the other.”

    tk

    Abdul-Rahman Edward Koroma at the Global Disability Summit in Berlin this past April. The disability rights advocate from Sierra Leone could not attend a United Nations conference in New York because of the Trump administration’s travel restrictions. He uses a wheelchair because of injuries in a traffic accident.

    Abdul-Rahman Edward Koroma


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    Abdul-Rahman Edward Koroma

    Why is Sierra Leone on the list? The Trump administration cites high levels of visitors to the U.S. who’ve overstayed their visa as the reason. Other countries were selected for national security reasons.

    “We will restore the travel ban, some people call it the Trump travel ban, and keep the radical Islamic terrorists out of our country that was upheld by the Supreme Court,” President Trump said in a statement.

    The administration banned travelers from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Travelers from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela also face some restrictions.

    More bans may be coming. A State Department memo first reported by the Washington Post and confirmed by NPR suggests the administration may add 36 more countries, largely in Africa, to the banned or restricted list.

    Consequences of the ban

    Stories like Koroma’s will likely accumulate over the coming weeks and months, as global health researchers, workers and advocates from these countries are barred from coming to the U.S. to learn — and to share their expertise. Some global health specialists say the restrictions will ultimately harm U.S. interests by reducing our engagement with the world.

    “We are closing ourselves off from the active participation of potential allies,” says Judd Walson, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University. “That will only lead to negative consequences in the long term.”

    Closing the U.S. off could ultimately open it up more to global health threats, says Walson.

    The ban follows the administration’s cancellation of foreign aid and withdrawal of U.S. membership from the World Health Organization. Walson says these decisions are upending many of the institutions designed to detect and respond to disease threats worldwide.

    “As we think about the new architecture of global health and how it can respond to the many crises that emerge around the world, participation from all these countries is critical,” says Walson, and ultimately benefits Americans.

    He notes that new infectious disease threats could emerge from any of the banned countries.

    “Our inability to engage with partners from those places, who can serve as eyes and ears on the ground to identify threats. just hampers our ability to have a coordinated response,”

    Abraar Karan, an infectious disease physician at Stanford University, is concerned future bans could hamper his team’s research on Marburg, a hemorrhagic fever virus. It’s normally found in bats, but can spillover into humans, sparking deadly outbreaks.

    Karan and his team are trying to understand those spillover dynamics, in part by studying antibodies in people who live near past outbreaks along the Uganda-Kenya border.

    “Part of the testing we’d do involves a test where there’s expertise in Uganda, at the Ugandan Viral Research Institute,” says Karan.

    Uganda is among the 36 countries under consideration for future restrictions. If that happens, Karan worries his team may have restricted access to that expertise. While such restrictions wouldn’t preclude collaboration via Zoom, Karan says it’s just not the same as in-person.

    “Many of the best conversations and ideas that we had happened during our drives, during meals or unplanned moments,” he says of interactions with foreign researchers in person. “Implementing these kinds of bans has a huge effect on research studies and really impedes progress.”

    Scientific conferences often serve as the nexus for that kind of collaboration, where researchers gather to share research and connect with colleagues. Trump’s travel restrictions are already preventing some scientists from being able to travel to the U.S. for conferences.

    “We need to have such participation and contact, but it’s now very difficult,” said a biomedical scientist from Yemen who requested anonymity because speaking out could draw negative attention that would cause her university to retaliate. The scientist was planning to travel to California this fall for a conference on cancer management but cannot because of the ban, noting:. “Such an absolute restriction for all people is not wise.”

    The U.S. could also lose its global role as a key location for trainings and scientific conferences. The travel bans, coupled with broader tensions around immigration in the U.S., have already led organizers of these events to look elsewhere.

    “Our research team decided to host a planning meeting in London as opposed to the U.S. due to concerns with visas and the overall climate,” says Walson. There are economic consequences if U.S. conferences are canceled, he says. And with a likely reduced U.S. presence at conferences held elsewhere, there could be more intangible impacts too.

    “Diseases don’t respect borders, and infections travel faster than diplomacy,” says Walson. “Whether we want to or not, we have to understand the reality of the global community as it is today. If we don’t engage, we will suffer the consequences.”

  • Men’s College World Series: Brackets, scores, and more

    Men’s College World Series: Brackets, scores, and more


    The 2025 Men’s College World Series is underway from Omaha, Nebraska.

    Eight teams arrived in Omaha with dreams of a College World Series title, after surviving both the Regionals and the Super Regionals. As with those two earlier rounds, the final two stages of the Men’s College World Series combine a double-elimination tournament with a best-of-three series to determine the winner.

    The eight teams — Arizona, Coastal Carolina, Louisville, Oregon State, Murray State, UCLA, Arkansas, and LSU — are divided into two brackets: Bracket 1 and Bracket 2. They will use a double-elimination format to determine a winner from each bracket, and those two teams will square off in a best-of-three series to determine a champion.

    Men’s College World Series Schedule and Scores

    Tuesday, June 17

    Bracket 2: LSU 9, UCLA 5

    Monday, June 16

    Bracket 2: Arkansas 3, Murray State 0 — Murray State eliminated

    Sunday, June 15

    Bracket 1: Louisville 8, Arizona 3 — Arizona eliminated
    Bracket 1: Coastal Carolina 6, Oregon State 2

    Saturday, June 14

    Bracket 2: UCLA 6, Murray State 4
    Bracket 2: LSU 4, Arkansas 1

    Friday, June 13

    Bracket 1: Coastal Carolina 7, Arizona 4
    Bracket 1: Oregon State 4, Louisville 3

    Men’s College World Series Bracket 1

    Coastal Carolina, Arizona, Oregon State, and Louisville are the four teams in Bracket 1. Coastal Carolina booked a spot in the Men’s College World Series with a sweep of Auburn in the Super Regionals, while Arizona defeated North Carolina in Game 3 of the Chapel Hill Super Regional to claim their spot.

    As for the other two teams, both Oregon State (with a win over Florida State) and Louisville (with a win over Miami) win the third game of their Super Regional series to book a trip to Omaha.

    Here is a full look at Bracket 1:

    Men’s College World Series Bracket 2

    The four teams in Bracket 2? UCLA, Murray State, Arkansas, and LSU. The first three teams booked a spot in Omaha thanks to a sweep in the Super Regionals: UCLA swept UTSA to take the Los Angeles Super Regional, LSU swept West Virginia to take the Baton Rouge Super Regional, and Arkansas swept defending champions Tennessee to take the Fayetteville Super Regional.

    As for the third team, Murray State won Game 3 of the Super Regional against Duke to take the Durham Super Regional and book a spot in Omaha for the first time in program history.

    Here is a full look at Bracket 2:

    2025 College World Series Schedule

    (Charles Schwab Field; Omaha, Nebraska; all times ET)

    Friday, June 13

    Game 1: Coastal Carolina 7, Arizona 4

    Game 2: Oregon State 4, Louisville 3

    Saturday, June 14

    Game 3: UCLA 6, Murray State 4

    Game 4: LSU 4, Arkansas 1

    Sunday, June 15

    Game 5: Louisville 8, Arizona 3 — Arizona eliminated

    Game 6: Coastal Carolina 6, Oregon State 2

    Monday, June 16

    Game 7: Arkansas 3, Murray State 0 — Murray State eliminated

    Game 8: Bracket 2: LSU 9, UCLA 5 (game completed on Tuesday)

    Tuesday, June 17

    Game 9: Louisville vs. Oregon State, 2 p.m., ESPN (Loser Eliminated)

    Game 10: Arkansas vs. UCLA, 7 p.m., ESPN

    Wednesday, June 18

    Game 11: Coastal Carolina vs. Game 9 winner, 2 p.m. ESPN

    Game 12: LSU vs. Game 10 winner, 7 p.m., ESPN

    Thursday, June 19

    Game 13 (if necessary): Game 11 winner vs. Game 11 loser, time TBD, ESPN

    Game 14 (if necessary): Game 12 winner vs. Game 12 loser, time TBD, ESPN

    2025 Men’s College World Series Final Schedule

    Saturday, June 21

    Championship Series Game 1, 6 p.m., ESPN

    Sunday, June 22

    Championship Series Game 2, 1:30 p.m., ABC

    Monday, June 23

    (if necessary) Championship Series Game 3, 6:30 p.m., ESPN

  • Manage costs with cheap business insurance for law firms

    Manage costs with cheap business insurance for law firms


    Everyone likes to save money whenever and wherever possible. Just because insurance is crucial for your law firm, it doesn’t mean it has to become a financial burden — in fact, finding cheap business insurance is possible, even for lawyers.

    Like any other business expense, insurance costs can add up over time and may even change, which can put a strain on your budget. Fortunately, there are effective ways to manage insurance costs, without compromising essential protection from costly malpractice claims.

    In the long run, operating without proper coverage can lead to financial consequences far exceeding any policy premium. Smart insurance shopping helps you balance affordability with comprehensive protection.

    Do lawyers need to have legal malpractice insurance?

    Young woman in professional attire crossing her arms in front of her and smiling

    We all make mistakes. After all, “to err is human.” Even the most diligent and experienced attorneys can’t fully avoid the risk of a malpractice claim. 

    What’s more, a disgruntled client could file a complaint even if it’s unfounded. Say a client doesn’t like the results of a court case, and they blame their lawyer’s actions for the outcome. That client then attempts to recoup their losses by filing a malpractice lawsuit against their attorney. It’s a familiar tale for any lawyer.

    That’s why legal malpractice coverage is essential — it protects you from the unexpected. So, the answer to the question “Do lawyers need to have legal malpractice insurance?” is yes, absolutely, 100%, no question.

    For those who choose to forgo malpractice insurance, a lawsuit could wipe out any savings and ruin the sustainability of a practice.

    That said, it’s easy to understand why some, particularly smaller firms and solo practitioners, might question the value of paying for legal malpractice insurance, especially if they’ve never had to file a claim. 

    Rather than deciding against insurance, a better option is to look for cost-effective solutions, with cheap business insurance that doesn’t compromise protection. Would you stop paying the rent if the lease for your firm’s office space increased? Of course not, but you would probably start looking for a new office space that’s more affordable. The same goes for legal malpractice insurance. 

    What affects the cost of insurance for lawyers?

    Every law firm is different, which is why there are many factors that can impact how much lawyers pay for insurance. Here’s a look at some of the main factors that can affect the cost of insurance for lawyers.

    Location

    Every state is assigned a minimum premium requirement per attorney by insurers. Even the county or city you’re located in could also affect your premium — if insurers notice that a majority of claims are coming from a particular place, they can increase rates for that county to make up for losses without increasing premiums on a state level. That’s why firms located in larger cities, like New York City, Los Angeles, or Boston, will pay higher insurance premiums than those in less populated areas.

    Firm size

    The size of your law practice has a significant impact on how much you’ll pay for insurance. In short, the more lawyers you have, the more you’ll need to spend to insure them all. Plus, the type of lawyers on staff at your practice — contract and part-time versus full-time — can influence your insurance costs.

    Areas of practice

    Gavel representing law firm insurance

    The legal fields that your firm practices in can significantly influence insurance costs. That’s because some areas of practice are known to attract more claims, making them riskier than others. In recent years, three practice areas — trusts and estates, business transactions, and corporate and securities — have experienced the most malpractice claims. Plaintiff’s personal injury and intellectual property are also known to be riskier areas of practice. Lawyers in any of these fields often see higher premiums.

    Claims history

    No surprise with this one. A law firm with multiple past claims will pay more for insurance than a firm that has never filed a claim. Claims are common with lawyers; in fact, four out of five lawyers can expect to get sued for malpractice at some point in their career. An insurer won’t be surprised if you’ve had a claim in the past, so be transparent and provide as many details about the matter as possible.

    Years of experience

    How long a lawyer has been practicing can affect insurance rates. Insurers use a “step rating” system to determine legal malpractice premiums. It’s based on the length of time a lawyer has spent with the firm. Because of this, many insurers offer lower premiums to new attorneys (step one). Experienced lawyers and larger firms are more vulnerable to claims due to their cases’ complexity and longer legal work history. 

    Policy limits

    The higher your policy limits, the higher the premiums. Determining policy limits should be based on various factors, such as the value of your assets, the amount of risk you’re willing to take, and, of course, your budget. Working with an experienced insurance agent or broker will help ensure you have sufficient coverage to meet your needs.

    How evaluating risks can help save on insurance for lawyers

    Whether you work as a solo attorney or are part of a growing firm, every law practice faces risks like cyberattacks and allegations of negligence. Identifying and understanding the risks your law firm could encounter is the first step in decreasing your liability exposure, which directly impacts insurance costs.

    Implementing risk management best practices is critical for lawyers to understand and mitigate threats that could potentially harm their practice. 

    Every law firm should have a process to identify risks — in day-to-day operations, cybersecurity, etc. — and evaluate threat levels and occurrence potential. Once risks have been assessed and evaluated, you can decide how to deal with them, which may involve avoidance techniques, risk reduction strategies, or risk transfer with insurance.

    Below is an overview of some common risks for law firms. For more detailed information on the challenges that law firms face and how to protect against them, read our comprehensive guide on law firm risk management.

    High-risk areas of practice

    As mentioned, some areas of practice have a higher level of risk due to the nature of the cases involved and are associated with more malpractice claims than other legal fields. When deciding how much risk exposure you’re comfortable with, carefully consider your practice areas and how much time you want to dedicate to riskier fields.

    Client data

    Every lawyer holds a treasure trove of confidential information, from trade secrets and medical records, to intellectual property and skeletons in the closet that people would rather not have exposed. So, it’s no surprise that cybercriminals frequently target law firms.

    According to a 2023 survey by the American Bar Association (ABA), 29% of law firms said they had experienced a security breach, while 19% reported not knowing if one had occurred. 

    When it comes to client data, lawyers have regulatory and ethical obligations. Under the ABA Rule 1.6 Confidentiality of Information, attorneys must make reasonable efforts to detect breaches and avoid client data loss. Failing to do so can result in an ethical violation and costly lawsuit.

    There’s no shortage of firms that have dealt with lawsuits for failing to protect client data, which underscores the need for all law practices to take cybersecurity seriously — and consider getting cyber insurance — before it’s too late. For more information, read our complete guide on data security for law firms.

    Recruitment and retention

    Woman standing in front of colleagues talking about managing risks

    Embroker’s 2024 Legal Risk Index found that many law firms struggle with finding and keeping experienced attorneys, with 50% of those surveyed reporting they faced employee retention challenges in 2023.

    How does recruitment and retention come into play with insurance? If your firm’s caseload becomes too much or exceeds the expertise of the attorneys available, that’s a surefire recipe for mistakes and errors to come up. And that means the risk of a claim goes up, which means your insurance costs go up.

    Creating a hiring plan, introducing unique employee benefits, networking, and exploring remote or hybrid work options can help you find and keep talented individuals.

    Technology

    There’s a lot for lawyers to get excited about when it comes to new tech tools. McKinsey Global Institute estimates that technology could automate 23% of an attorney’s workload. And according to Thomson Reuters’ Future of Professionals Report, AI use could free up nearly 200 hours per lawyer in 2025, which translates to approximately $100,000 in new billable time per attorney annually.

    More and more lawyers are turning to AI for research, document review, drafting standard documents, and case analysis. Some even think that in the not-so-distant future, not using AI may be considered grounds for legal malpractice claims.

    However, adopting AI without oversight can lead to problems. There are plenty of lawyers who have faced repercussions for submitting filings containing information that generative AI programs made up. Recently, three lawyers involved in a personal injury lawsuit against Walmart were ordered to pay fines for citing fake cases generated by AI. A lawyer in Canada who allegedly submitted fake case law that ChatGPT fabricated was sued by the opposing counsel for the time they wasted going through the false information.

    Generative AI is well-known for making up stuff, known as “hallucinations.” In its Formal Opinion 512 on generative AI, the ABA indicated that “even an unintentional misstatement to a court can involve misrepresentation.”  

    AI use also brings the risk of a potential breach of confidentiality. Using a program that retains data (particularly if a third party has access to that information) is risky for lawyers.

    We definitely don’t want to scare anyone off from maximizing the opportunities that AI tools offer. But making the most of those opportunities requires due diligence. Law firms using AI tools should establish clear policies regarding the permissible use of AI, including a review process for any AI-generated materials. 

    How lawyers can keep the cost of insurance down

    Understanding the risks associated with your practice and how to mitigate them, can help you save on insurance costs. Because with a bit of strategizing and planning, there are ways to lower insurance costs while still getting the appropriate coverage to protect your practice. And who doesn’t like saving money? 

    Reduce high-risk practice areas

    To lessen the cost of insurance, avoid submitting inflated hours or revenue for high-risk areas. But — and we can’t stress this enough — it’s important to be truthful. Downplaying or outright lying about your practice areas can cost you more in the long run if coverage for a claim is denied because of omitted information.

    If you only do a small amount of business in a high-risk field, it may be worth weighing the financial impact of eliminating that work from your practice. 

    For those working in high-risk practice areas, provide your insurer with a breakdown of the nature of your work in these fields.

    Identify any part-time lawyers

    If you’re not a solo practitioner, you’ll need to provide an overview of the types of lawyers employed at your firm. Identifying lawyers working part-time at your firm is important, as that can bring insurance cost savings. Even if your insurer doesn’t ask for specifics regarding who works at your practice, providing details about your firm’s roster can be advantageous.

    Prioritize risk management 

    Want to know a tried-and-true method for lowering insurance costs? Prioritize risk management. Proactive risk management not only helps mitigate losses, but also protects your firm’s reputation, financial stability, and competitive advantage. It just makes good business sense. 

    The more risks your practice is exposed to, the more you will pay for insurance. Effective internal controls, such as case management software and systems for identifying conflicts of interest, can significantly reduce your firm’s risk exposure and insurance costs.

    Keep in mind that risk management isn’t a once-and-done process. After you have a risk management plan in place, it’s crucial to regularly review it to ensure things are still relevant and effective. Because as your practice changes, so too will your risks.

    If you’re unsure how to get the ball rolling with risk management, check out our guide on conducting a law firm risk assessment. 

    Pay in advance

    If you can afford it, paying your annual insurance premium in one lump payment can bring savings, as it eliminates the financing fees associated with paying in monthly installments.

    Don’t overbuy coverage

    It’s essential to consider how much coverage your firm actually needs. Buying the most extensive and expensive insurance package may seem like an easy way to ensure protection from claims. But if your law firm doesn’t require elaborate malpractice coverage, then it doesn’t provide any additional benefit. Having unnecessary coverage just means unnecessary spending. 

    Raise deductibles

    While a higher deductible can lower your upfront insurance costs, it means paying more out-of-pocket when you file a claim. 

    Because of this risk, raising your deductible should be a last resort for saving money on insurance. If you do opt for this tactic, make sure you choose an amount that you can comfortably afford to pay.

    Review policies annually

    Reviewing coverage every year is something every business should do, law firms included. As your law practice changes, your insurance needs will also change. Keeping your insurance broker or agent informed about those changes can go a long way in helping save on insurance costs.


    Compare quotes and insurers

    Before selecting an insurance broker or agent, compare quotes from a few different insurers. With Embroker, getting an online quote only takes a few short steps.

    While cost is an understandable consideration when shopping for insurance, it shouldn’t be the only factor. Working with an experienced business insurance broker, like Embroker, means you get an expert advisor who works on behalf of your firm to get the best rate available without compromising coverage.

    It’s normal to have costs in mind when shopping for insurance. Just don’t forget to keep your law practice’s unique needs in the mix along with your budget. While it’s beneficial to save when possible, don’t let that jeopardize your practice by not being properly protected for whatever comes your way. 

    After all, skipping out on insurance will end up costing you way more than any premium.

  • What Companies Are In the Finance Field? – GrowthRapidly



    January 29, 2023
    Posted By: growth-rapidly
    Tag:
    Uncategorized

    The financial field is not only limited to banks or companies in Wall Street, contrary to what many people believe. The financial field covers a lot of different financial services companies, including but not limited to banks, insurance companies, investment firms, stock exchanges, real estate investments, hedge funds, credit rating agencies, etc. So, if you ‘re asking what companies are in the financial field, then you have come to the right place.

    If you need help managing your investments, you should consider talking to a financial advisor.

    Financial sector companies include:

    • Banks
    • Insurance companies
    • Investment firms
    • Asset management companies
    • Real estate investment trusts (REITs)
    • Payment processing companies
    • Credit rating agencies
    • Consumer finance companies
    • Stock exchanges
    • Hedge funds.

    Financial service firms provide a range of services, including:

    • Banking services (e.g. checking and savings accounts, loans, mortgages)
    • Investment management and advisory services
    • Wealth management and retirement planning
    • Insurance services
    • Payment processing and transaction services
    • Foreign exchange and currency management services
    • Risk management and financial analysis services
    • Capital markets and securities trading services
    • Consumer finance services (e.g. credit cards, personal loans)
    • Financial technology (FinTech) services (e.g. mobile banking, digital wallets, blockchain technology).

    Below is a list of companies in the financial field:

    There are many companies in the finance field, including:

    • JPMorgan Chase
    • Goldman Sachs
    • Citigroup
    • Wells Fargo
    • Bank of America
    • Morgan Stanley
    • Capital One
    • American Express
    • Berkshire Hathaway
    • BlackRock
    • Fidelity Investments
    • Vanguard Group.

    Companies in the finance field:

    JP Morgan Chase

    JPMorgan Chase & Co. is the first in the list of major companies in the financial field. It is an American multinational investment bank and financial services company headquartered in New York City. It is one of the largest banks in the United States and provides a wide range of financial services to individuals, corporations, and governments, including:

    • Retail banking (checking and savings accounts, mortgages, loans)
    • Corporate and investment banking
    • Asset management
    • Wealth management
    • Treasury and securities services
    • Card services and merchant services
    • Auto finance
    • Commercial banking.

    Goldman Sachs

    Goldman Sachs is second in the list of companies in the financial field. It is an American multinational investment bank and financial services company headquartered in New York City. It provides a wide range of financial services to clients, including:

    • Investment banking (e.g. underwriting, mergers and acquisitions advice)
    • Institutional client services (e.g. sales and trading, prime brokerage)
    • Investment management (e.g. asset management, private wealth management)
    • Investing and lending (e.g. investing in private companies, providing loans to clients)
    • Investment research. Goldman Sachs is known for its expertise in serving large corporations, financial institutions, and governments, and for its investment in technology and innovation.

    Citigroup

    Citigroup is third in the list of companies in the financial field. It is an American multinational investment bank and financial services company headquartered in New York City. It provides a wide range of financial services to clients, including:

    • Consumer banking (e.g. checking and savings accounts, loans, mortgages)
    • Corporate banking (e.g. lending, trade finance, cash management)
    • Investment banking (e.g. underwriting, mergers and acquisitions advice)
    • Capital markets (e.g. sales and trading, market making)
    • Wealth management
    • Treasury and trade solutions (e.g. foreign exchange, payment services)
    • Card services
    • Insurance services. Citigrouproup operates in over 160 countries and has a significant presence in emerging markets.

    Vanguard Group

    The Vanguard Group is fourth in the list of companies in the financial field. It is an American investment management company that provides a range of financial services to individuals and institutions, including:

    • Investment management (e.g. mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), individual retirement accounts (IRAs))
    • Financial planning and advice
    • Portfolio management services for individuals and institutions
    • Trust services
    • Annuity products
    • College savings plans. Vanguard is known for its low-cost investment products and for its focus on passive investment strategies, such as index funds. It has a large and growing client base, and is one of the largest investment management companies in the world.

    Wells Fargo

    Wells Fargo & Co. is an American multinational financial services company headquartered in San Francisco, California. It provides a wide range of financial services to individuals, businesses, and institutions, including:

    • Retail banking (e.g. checking and savings accounts, mortgages, consumer loans)
    • Commercial banking (e.g. lending, cash management, trade finance)
    • Wealth and investment management (e.g. financial planning, asset management)
    • Capital markets (e.g. sales and trading, underwriting)
    • Corporate and investment banking
    • Insurance services. Wells Fargo has a large retail banking network, with thousands of branches and ATMs across the United States, and has a strong presence in the middle market commercial banking sector.

    Bank of America

    Bank of America is an American multinational investment bank and financial services company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It provides a wide range of financial services to individuals, businesses, and institutions, including:

    • Retail banking (e.g. checking and savings accounts, mortgages, consumer loans)
    • Commercial banking (e.g. lending, cash management, trade finance)
    • Wealth and investment management (e.g. financial planning, asset management)
    • Capital markets (e.g. sales and trading, underwriting)
    • Corporate and investment banking
    • Insurance services. Bank of America has a large retail banking network, with thousands of branches and ATMs across the United States, and also has a significant presence in investment banking and wealth management. The bank has a focus on sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, and has made a number of commitments in these areas.

    Morgan Stanley

    Morgan Stanley is an American multinational investment bank and financial services company headquartered in New York City. It provides a wide range of financial services to individuals, corporations, and governments, including:

    • Investment banking (e.g. underwriting, mergers and acquisitions advice)
    • Institutional securities (e.g. sales and trading, market making)
    • Wealth management (e.g. financial planning, investment management)
    • Investment management (e.g. asset management, private wealth management)
    • Alternative investment management (e.g. private equity, hedge funds). Morgan Stanley is known for its expertise in serving large corporations, financial institutions, and governments, and has a strong presence in investment banking and wealth management. The firm is also active in sustainability and impact investing, and has made a number of commitments in these areas.

    Berkshire Hathaway

    Berkshire Hathaway is an American multinational conglomerate holding company headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. It is led by Warren Buffett, one of the world’s most successful investors. The company’s primary business is insurance, through its subsidiaries, including GEICO, General Re, and Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group. Berkshire Hathaway also has a large and diverse investment portfolio, with holdings in a wide range of companies, including:

    • Apple
    • Bank of America
    • Coca-Cola
    • American Express
    • Johnson & Johnson
    • Kraft Heinz
    • Moody’s
    • Verizon
    • Wells Fargo Berkshire Hathaway is known for its long-term investment philosophy and for its focus on operating businesses with strong market positions and consistent earnings power. The company has a reputation for being a reliable and efficient holding company, with a strong track record of value creation.

    BlackRock

    BlackRock is one of the major companies in the financial field. It is an American multinational investment management corporation based in New York City. It is the world’s largest asset manager, with over $9 trillion in assets under management as of 2021. BlackRock provides a range of investment and financial services to individuals, corporations, and governments, including:

    • Investment management (e.g. mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), individual retirement accounts (IRAs))
    • Financial planning and advice
    • Portfolio management services for individuals and institutions
    • Institutional consulting services
    • Risk management and insurance services
    • Aladdin, a cloud-based technology platform for investment management BlackRock is known for its expertise in using technology and data to drive investment decisions, and is a leader in the use of passive investment strategies, such as index funds. The company has a strong focus on sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, and has made a number of commitments in these areas.

    Put Your Money to Work

    Managing your money effectively starts with careful planning. With SmartAsset, you can get matched up with three advisors who can empower you to make smart financial decisions. SmartAsset also helps take the mystery out of retirement planning by answering some of the most commonly asked questions in a simple, personalized way. Learn more about how SmartAsset can help you find your advisor match and get started now.

  • my Spanish journey – The Fitnessista

    my Spanish journey – The Fitnessista


    Sharing more about how I’ve been working on Spanish over the past couple of years and what has helped me the most. Spoiler: Duolingo did nada for me.

    Hi friends! How are you? I hope that you’re having a lovely morning. We did a waterpark and theme park yesterday, so I have a feeling today will be a little more low-key.

    Now that we’re heading into our 4th week in Spain, I figured I’d do a little update on my Spanish journey and some of the things that have helped me the most. I think that as an adult, it’s so important to be a *beginner* at things; to challenge your brain in a new way and try out the hobbies and activities you’ve always wanted to do, even if you’re not good at first. I know many of my friends out there have a goal of learning a new language, so I hope this post is helpful! I’d also love to hear any strategies that have worked for you.

    My Spanish journey

    A little background:

    – Growing up, my mom’s side of the family often spoke Spanish. Because of this, I’ve always been able to understand it, but never spoke it. I would do the thing where my family would ask me something in Spanish, and I’d respond in English. When people would speak Spanish around me, I knew what was going on, but didn’t contribute to the conversation.

    – I took Spanish classes in elementary and middle school (super basic stuff) and minored in Spanish in college. I thought that it would be my chance to feel fully confident and fluent in Spanish. I wrote essays, read novels, analyzed poetry, but maybe spent 5% of the time in my college Spanish classes actually SPEAKING Spanish. So once again, it just solidified my understanding, gave me the ability to write and read in Spanish, but didn’t really get me to my goal of feeling confident speaking.

    – A couple of years ago, I decided that I was going to start practicing again and really get the hang of things. We love to travel, I love to be able to interact with people in different locations, so it became really important to me. Some of our closest friends are Colombian, and they have friends who speak Spanish, so I wanted to be able to contribute and feel more comfortable with speaking. Also, I would like to start working with IHP clients in Spanish starting early next year.

    I tried a few different things to refresh my skills and feel more confident speaking.

    Here’s what has made an enormous difference and here’s what did absolutely nothing.

    Learning Spanish as an adult

    APPS:

    I have not found an app that is helpful for real-world situations. I’ve tried both Duolingo and Babbel and was unimpressed with both. I feel like it’s a lot of matching and vocabulary, but little understanding behind the grammatical rules and how to use the languages in real life. Also, most of the time, you don’t even remember what you were doing. Even with using apps on an on for a bit, I didn’t learn anything new.

    VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON TUTORING:

    This has been the biggest gamechanger for me. I did a ton of research and came across Italki and it’s been my go-to for Spanish tutoring. I have tutoring at least once a week, but also have homework throughout the week in reading, writing, fluency, speaking, and listening. It took me a little while, but I found a tutor that pushes me (he’s actually kind of mean sometimes hahah) but is taking me OUT of my comfort zone and to the next level. (If you’d like his info, please lmk and I’d be happy to pass it along!)

    PRACTICING SPANISH IN SPAIN:

    Last year when we came to Spain for about two weeks, I was like, “Here we go. This is my chance!” It was a nice little confidence booster to feel like I could do it. I could order food at restaurants, ask and answer questions, order cabs, it was really NBD. Last year, I felt like locals spoke English a lot to us and was surprised by how many people in Sevilla spoke English. It feels like the opposite experience this time because of my determination to only speak Spanish while we’ve been here. I’ve been surprised by how easy and natural it feels, and have only been English-ed a couple of time. 😉

    I’ve also had the opportunity to work with a lovely Spanish tutor twice a week while we’ve been here!

    Most of my conversations out in the world have been surface-level: store and restaurant interactions. Buuut my deepest conversations have been with taxi drivers! In Barcelona, we chatted about a lot: the economy, quality of life in the US, how much schools and groceries cost… I loved it. I’m excited to continue practicing while we’re here and to come home and maybe finally speak Spanish with my many Spanish-speaking friends. 😉

    So tell me, friends: what are you a beginner at these days?

    Are you working on learning a new instrument or language? I’d love to hear about it!

    xoxo

    Gina

  • 5 predictions for the insurance industry in 2025 | Insurance Blog

    5 predictions for the insurance industry in 2025 | Insurance Blog


    The insurance industry faces major changes in 2025. Demographics, climate impacts and geopolitical change are shifting the landscape—literally and figuratively—and will push insurers to adapt. Faced with new opportunities and risks we expect the industry to challenge orthodoxies and spark reinvention. 

    1. The aging population becomes the dominant industry force.

    Longer life spans and lower fertility rates are projected to push the global median age to 32 in 2025—up from 30.9 in 2020. But what constitutes “retirement age” is shifting with other traditional milestones, such as marriage and homeownership. 

    There is greater diversity in lifestyles and aspirations. As people age, insurers will find new opportunities to innovate and tailor health, life and hybrid retirement offerings that address the longevity risk and complex needs of older adults. 

    This innovation will become a matter of urgency for Gen X with its oldest members turning 60 in 2025 and many unprepared for it compared to other generational cohorts. In the US for example, 48% of Gen Xers say they have done no retirement planning—7 points higher than Millennials. Retirement services becomes a strategic priority for the industry as carriers reinvent how to serve this economically powerful segment. 

    More retirees than the world has ever seen is a challenge that goes well beyond this year and this industry. It creates interconnected risks as healthcare providers, governments and communities struggle to scale up services for the elderly in a competitive labor market. 

    2. Property insurance creates an existential crisis.

    Personal and Commercial property makes up approximately 30% of global P&C premiums and has fueled top line growth with strong rate growth in recent years. This rising tide has waned as increasing claims from catastrophic events linked to climate change push many insurers, reinsurers and even the public “insurers of last resort” to exit the segment. 

    The devastating start to 2025 in southern California is the latest reminder of the impacts catastrophic events can have on people’s lives and communities. Growing awareness will continue to spur action.  

    Regulatory changes like those in California and in Italy are a start, but systemic solutions that address pricing as well as resilience at the community level are necessary. In 2025, we expect to see more public-private partnerships aimed at increasing climate resilience in the communities most affected. 

    3. Instability drives insurers to focus on what they can control—cost.

    In an uncertain geopolitical world that will drive volatility into the macroeconomic environment (e.g. interest rates, supply chains, multinational commerce), insurers will turn to what they know and what they can control. Costs are knowable. To the extent they are controllable, that is where insurers will look to improve combined ratios. 

    4. AI is the new talent segment that reshapes talent strategies.

    AI is now in your business and being used by your workforce to drive efficiency and make more effective decisions. In 2025, insurers will focus on sourcing skills needed to scale AI across market facing and corporate functions. 

    The historical apprenticeship-based career path has been disrupted by AI. Insurers will take new approaches to talent sourcing and development, including looking well beyond their own walls for expertise and capacity for the full spectrum of low to high domain expertise roles.   

    5. Pricing of legacy tech ends “kick the can” for CIOs.

    Carriers and CIOs hoping to get a few more years out of their legacy technology by delaying resource-intensive technology modernization will find they are kicking that can down a toll road.  The industry will see more of the dramatic price increases for legacy technology (a la VMWare). The risk and economics of modernization will fundamentally change in 2025, forcing the industry to take (much delayed) action. 

    We remain optimistic. 

    Four years ago, we published our Revenue Landscape 2025 report in which we predicted global insurance industry revenues would grow to $7.5 trillion by the end of 2025. Based on current forecasts the industry is on course to exceed that with a worldwide total premium volume of $7.7 trillion by the end of the year. Whether that premium growth translates to profitable growth will be our collective challenge.  

    We believe the industry will embrace the challenges of 2025 to reinvent—and we look forward to being at the heart of that reinvention. 

  • How to Make Money Without a Job

    How to Make Money Without a Job


    Breaking free from the traditional 9-5 is more achievable than ever with these 26 innovative income streams. Ready to redefine your concept of earning?

    Are you trying to win the Mega Millions, but your numbers never seem to come up? It may be time to look for better ways to make money. Fortunately, you can earn extra cash without going and getting a “real job.”

    What are the best ways to avoid sitting in a cubicle all day? Some money-making strategies require an upfront investment, while others let you earn money in your free time with the help of apps.

    Read on to learn the best ways to earn cash without a regular 9-5 job, plus tips on how almost anyone can get started.

    1. Share Your Opinions

    man filling out a market research survey on a laptop while drinking coffee

    One of the easiest ways to earn money is by signing up to participate in market research studies. You won’t make much, a few dollars here and there, but you can create a free account and get started within minutes.

    You’ll be paid in PayPal cash or gift cards for sharing your opinion and completing other tasks online.

    E-Poll Market Research is one of the top companies to consider for this type of work. They make it easy to create an account and answer survey questions.

    However, there are plenty of other options to consider, including:

    • American Consumer Opinion

    While market research gigs won’t make you rich, it’s something you can do during your spare time.

    2. Write an eBook

    If you have a book idea, turning your story into an eBook can help you earn passive income without a regular job. Kindle Direct Publishing can even help you format your book for Kindle, at which point you can market and sell your book to millions of potential readers who shop on Amazon.com.

    How much can you earn writing eBooks? That depends on how many books you write, how much you sell them for, and how successful you are at marketing your book. Selling 20 books per month with a profit of $7 per book would net you $140 per month and $1,680 per year.

    Meanwhile, selling 100 books per month at $7 per book would net you $700 per month and $8,400 per year. Need a little inspiration? Here’s an article that shows you how to make your first $1,000 selling eBooks.

    3. Start a Blog and Monetize It

    You can earn a lot of money by starting a blog or niche website and monetizing it. I should know. I started Good Financial Cents more than a decade ago, and have earned millions of dollars through the monetization of this site since its earliest days.

    How do you make money blogging? Earning real income with a website isn’t as easy as it looks, but there are plenty of monetization strategies you can try.

    Here are the most common ways blogs make money:

    If you’re curious about what it takes to earn money blogging, consider signing up for my Make 1K Challenge. It’s free and can help you earn your first $1,000 online with some of the blog monetization strategies I’ve already mentioned.

    4. Start Freelancing

    You could argue that freelance work is like a regular job, but working at home and on your terms is much different from traditional employment. The fact is, most freelancers are fully remote – they can work from anywhere in the world with a laptop and an internet connection.

    Plus, they can hire and fire clients based on their personal needs and preferences, and their income potential is unlimited. According to ZipRecruiter, freelancers in the U.S. average $63.53 per hour.

    Of course, you’ll need a marketable skill to find paid work as a freelancer. This could be freelance writing, design skills, marketing expertise, or something else. 

    You can use several websites to market your skills as a freelancer, including:

    5. Get Paid to Lose Weight

    HealthyWage makes it possible to earn money while you lose weight. You won’t earn a ton of cash through the app, but you can earn a few dollars and use it to supplement other income you have.

    The more weight you lose, the more money you can make. For example, the HealthyWage website claims some of their clients who lost more than 100 pounds managed to earn anywhere from $1,400 to $3,000.

    However, the HW weight loss calculator shows potential earnings of $578 to $828 for people who only have 15 pounds to lose.

    6. Rent Out Your Car

    If you have a car you rarely use and want to earn some side income, you can consider renting it out with Turo, a ride-sharing platform that connects car owners with people who need a short-term rental. You can set your price, although you’ll have more success if you price your car competitively.

    Nicer vehicles in high-demand areas can easily fetch rates that surpass $100 per day through this platform. Turo notes that in-demand cars rented out regularly can bring in anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 per year in net profit.

    Plus, almost anyone can rent out their car provided it meets the guidelines of the Turo platform. Your car must be 12 years old or newer with less than 130,000 miles. It must be worth less than $200,000 (no Lambo’s), and you must also meet Turo’s auto insurance requirements.

    7. Rent Out a Room

    bedroom with a bed, armchair, and a sliding door leading to a deck

    Do you have a spare bedroom in your home that you never use? Maybe you have a basement or garage apartment you could fix up and begin renting for a profit?

    Either way, Airbnb lets you rent out rooms and other spaces in your home on any dates you prefer. You must let renters know they’re renting a room in a home vs. an entire apartment or house and provide as much additional detail as possible.

    The amount you can earn will depend on where you live and the type of accommodation you can offer. However, expensive cities like Chicago, New York, and San Francisco have plenty of rooms for rent that go for well over $100 per night. 

    8. Rent Out Extra Space

    You may not have an entire room you can rent, but even if you have some storage space, Neighbor.com allows you to rent it out to others in need. 

    Common spaces rented through this platform include

    • Storage Space for a Boat or an RV

    The Neighbor.com platform makes it easy to advertise your unused space so that people nearby can inquire if they’re interested. Also, note that the platform offers insurance that can protect you if some of your client’s items are damaged or stolen while in your care.

    How much can you make renting out extra space? It depends on how much space you have to rent and where it’s located. However, Neighbor.com shows a range of rental space options that cost anywhere from $20 to $100+ per month.

    9. Invest In Dividend Stocks

    Investing in dividend stocks is one of the best ways to earn money without a regular job. Many early retirees find a way to live and pay bills based solely on the dividends they receive from various stocks.

    But what exactly is a dividend stock? For the most part, they are regular stocks but with a track record of sharing their profits with investors through dividends.

    Dividends can also be earned in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or mutual funds, and they can be significant once you build up a large portfolio.

    Since dividends are paid by profitable companies, they tend to be seen as less risky for investors. If you’re curious about what it takes to get started with this strategy, this post explains how to invest in dividend stocks.

    10. Get Paid to House Sit

    Housesitting is an option if you’re somewhat mobile and can move from place to place. Generally, you can find house-sitting gigs through word of mouth, referrals, or online portals like Craigslist.org or Facebook Marketplace.

    That said, not all house-sitting gigs are paid. Some offer the potential for exotic travel instead and free lodging for a week to several months.

    Either way, a website called TrustedHousesitters is the best place to find house-sitting gigs. Some jobs posted are for house-sitting only, while others require house sitters to provide basic care for pets or plants.

    If you have serious wanderlust and want to travel far and wide, this platform can help make it happen. Many gigs posted online are in countries like Australia, Ireland, France, and Switzerland.

    11. Take Care of Dogs and Cats

    If you love animals and want to earn money taking care of them, several platforms can help turn your dream into a reality.

    For example, Rover.com lets you provide basic care for dogs or cats in your home, or you can pick up dog walking gigs. Another mobile app, called Wag!, lets you do more of the same.

    You can set your rates for all types of work through these platforms, and your availability. While earnings vary by location and job, most people watch dogs and cats for anywhere from $40 to $100 per night.

    12. Invest in Real Estate

    Real estate investing may seem like a pipe dream if you hope to earn income without a job but hear me out. There are many ways to earn income through real estate without owning physical property or dealing with the hassles of being a landlord.

    You can invest in real estate investment trusts (REITs) that let you build wealth over time. You can also use a platform called Fundrise to invest in real estate with a minimum investment of $10.

    Fundrise lets you purchase eREITs, large investment funds that acquire, own, or operate multi-residential and commercial properties. The income you earn is entirely passive since it handles the work of finding income-producing properties and managing them.

    While returns are never guaranteed, Fundrise investors have achieved very solid returns. Investors who use the platform earned an average return of 7.31% in 2020, followed by 22.99% in 2021, 1.50% in 2022 and -7.45% in 2023 (their first down year).

    • * Minimum investment of $10
    • * Open to all investors
    • * Online easy to use site and app
    I’ve been investing with Fundrise since 2018. Disclosure: when you sign up with my link, I earn a commission. All opinions are my own.

    13. Invest Your Spare Change

    woman seated dropping a quarter into a piggy bank

    You can earn income on your spare change by investing it using Acorns. The roundup savings app syncs to your debit or credit card rounds up every purchase you make to the nearest dollar, and invests the difference. Once it’s set up, there’s no work on your part.

    Most of the money is invested in ETFs and managed by the world’s top investment firms like Vanguard and BlackRock. While this app makes it easy to invest small amounts of money, it’s not free to use. Personal plans start at $3 per month, while a family plan costs just $5.

    14. Complete Basic Tasks On TaskRabbit

    If you’re looking for some paid gigs that are relatively easy, consider setting up a profile on TaskRabbit, an online platform that lets you get paid for completing various tasks, such as:

    Projects typically pay between $30 and $100, although some pay significantly more than that. TaskRabbit also lets you pick and choose the jobs you want to take on based on your availability so that you can work entirely on your schedule.

    15. Sell Photography

    If you love taking photographs and have a knack for getting professional-looking images, you can use your skills and expertise to sell photos online.

    Websites like Depositphotos and iStockPhoto pay photographers to supply them with stock photos they can sell to writers, publications, and various online platforms.

    The best part about this side hustle is that you can get started with the equipment you already have. While you can use a professional camera if you want to, many smartphones take professional-quality photos.

    16. Earn a Bank Bonus

    Earning a bank bonus is another way to earn money without a regular job, but you’ll need an upfront investment to get started. Most bonus offers require you to deposit a specific amount of money and keep it in your account for up to 12 months.

    You may also be required to set up direct deposit to earn a bank bonus, and other terms and conditions may apply.

    Where can you find the best bank bonuses? While bonus offers constantly change, you can start by checking with banks like Chase, HSBC, Radius Bank, and Wells Fargo.

    17. Flip Furniture

    Flipping furniture requires some upfront legwork and potentially even some artistic talent, but you can earn a solid income with this strategy if you know what you’re doing.

    Essentially, this side hustle requires you to shop at thrift stores, garage sales, and online platforms to find furniture that will ultimately sell for more than you paid. 

    From there, you can sell the furniture as-is or clean it up and paint it with the goal of fetching an even higher price.

    18. Drive for Uber or Lyft

    You can make money driving for Uber or Lyft on your own time, picking and choosing the days and hours you want to work.

    Not only is rideshare work one of the most flexible side hustles, but you can earn $20 per hour and more with tips.

    NOTE:

    You do need to have a clear driving record, and your car must meet basic requirements for either platform.

    19. Sell Stuff You Own

    two men shaking hands one is holding a bike

    If you are low on free time but still want to make money without a job, consider selling stuff you don’t need. An array of online platforms makes it a breeze, although some platforms work better for selling.

    For example, you can use Poshmark to earn money selling used clothing and accessories, while used electronics tend to sell best on platforms like eBay.com, Decluttr, BuyBackWorld, and Gazelle.

    If you have home decor, furniture, or workout equipment to sell, you’ll almost always do better unloading those items locally on Facebook Marketplace.

    20. Start a YouTube Channel

    Starting a YouTube channel is another way to earn money without a job, but that doesn’t mean it’s not work. The fact is, that creating quality videos and building an audience takes a lot of creativity and time. Plus, not everyone who tries to build a YouTube channel will succeed.

    That said, you can earn income without a regular job. I know because I have done it with my YouTube channel, Wealth Hacker. 

    How much you can earn on YouTube varies quite a bit, but it’s possible to earn thousands of dollars per month. If you’re curious about monetizing videos, my in-depth guide will show you how to make money on YouTube.

    21. Donate Plasma

    Donating plasma is a unique way to earn money without a job, although it’s not very glamorous. DonatingPlasma.org makes it easy to find plasma donation centers in your area, and you can earn as much as $100 for your first donation.

    That said, subsequent plasma donations typically earn closer to $50. You’ll also be limited by the number of times you can donate plasma within a month. However, it’s possible to use this side gig to earn an extra $500 per month, which you can use to supplement your primary income.

    22. Become a Crowdworker

    If you are willing to complete various tasks that help regular workers do their jobs, consider becoming a crowd worker. This gig will have you finishing up to-do lists of jobs that don’t require specific technical skills.

    For example, you may get paid to proofread documents, label images, update a resume, complete a form, or complete a data entry assignment.

    Several platforms help you find crowd-working gigs, but the best ones include Microworkers and Clickworker. 

    23. Shop for Groceries

    If you want to do something simple that will get you moving, consider delivering groceries using apps like Instacart or Shipt. You get paid hourly, plus tips and all you have to do is head to the store, purchase groceries according to a list, and deliver them to people in your neighborhood.

    The gig is extremely flexible, similar to driving for Uber or Lyft.

    24. Deliver Packages With Amazon Flex

    Another non-job gig lets you get paid to deliver packages for Amazon.com. You can do this through a platform called Amazon Flex, which promises its drivers anywhere from $18 to $25 per hour. 

    Unlike a regular Amazon job, Flex lets you pick the day and the hours you want to work. To get started, you need to create a free account, get approved, and start reserving blocks of time you want to deliver packages. 

    25. Sell Unwanted Gift Cards

    a stack of gift cards sitting on top of hundred dollar bills

    Finally, you can earn money by selling unwanted or unused gift cards in your possession. This hustle is made easy thanks to platforms like GiftDeals.com and CardCash.com. 

    You won’t get the total value of your gift cards, but you should get 90% or more of the gift card balance for each card you sell. While selling gift cards for less than their total value may not seem ideal, it’s better than not using them and getting nothing in return.

    26. Take Online Surveys

    Finally, you can earn small amounts of money by signing up with the best online survey sites. Not only is this side hustle as easy as it gets, but you can participate and get paid during your spare time and even on your phone.

    RECOMMENDED:

    Survey Junkie is the best online survey site since you can redeem the points you earn for transfers to a PayPal account, a bank transfer, Amazon.com or Walmart purchases, iTunes purchases, and more.

    Other online survey sites to check out include the following:

    With all this being said, you’ll want to keep in mind that most surveys only pay a few bucks and that some only pay you with gift cards, while others offer the option for PayPal transfers. Make sure you understand how each survey site works and how you get paid before you sign up.

    Final Thoughts on Making Money Without a Job

    There you have it, 26 ways to make money without a job. While many of the jobs on our list won’t replace your 9-5, they can be a great way to increase your income so you can pay off debt or break the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck.

    Check out the video below if you’re looking for even more ways to make money.

  • Your Pelvic Floor, Explained: A Candid Q&A with Floored Author Dr. Sara Reardon

    Your Pelvic Floor, Explained: A Candid Q&A with Floored Author Dr. Sara Reardon


    When it comes to pelvic floor health, women are typically not well educated about how their bodies function.

    From a young age we’re taught that vagina’s are dirty and a shameful part of our bodies. We’re told vaginas are smelly and gross by boys, then later men, who want to make out with us but don’t care much about our actual pleasure. When we go to doctors about peeing when we jump or painful sex, we’re often dismissed and told that these are normal things that happen in a woman’s body, so just get used to it, babe.

    Many women don’t even know that their pelvic floor is an essential part of their anatomy and that good pelvic floor health can be life changing.

    Dr. Sara Reardon wants to change that.

    Known as “The Vagina Whisperer” on TikTok and Instagram, Dr. Reardon has spent countless hours online educating people on the basics of female health, since this is a topic that isn’t really ever covered in health class. Now, with her new book Floored, she wants to give women essential information about pelvic floor health so they can take the power back into their own bodies.

    What Dr. Reardon explains in the book is that pelvic floor health isn’t just for postpartum or perimenopausal women, but that pelvic floor health is a fundamental part of good health care for anyone with a pelvic floor – so basically, all of us.

    But for women who are more familiar with medical professionals gaslighting them about how their bodies feel “down there,” this book can give them valuable information about their bodies that is often overlooked by medical professionals.

    In this Q&A, Dr. Reardon answers questions about why pelvic floor health is so important, how you can recognize it in yourself, and how to take care of your pelvic floor – including tips for continuing to exercise with pelvic floor dysfunction – so you can feel better in your body.

    Floored is out NOW. Get a little taste of what to expect from the book in our interview here!

    Naomi: In your book you write, “Although pelvic floor issues are common, they are not normal.” Can you explain what you mean by this? 

    Dr. Reardon: Many women experience pelvic floor issues like urinary leakage or painful sex after pregnancy, birth, and menopause. So yes, these issues are common but they are not normal for the pelvic floor. leakage or pain and we need to normalize pelvic floor conversations so women know solutions are available instead of normalizing pelvic floor problems.

    Naomi: Why do you think we’ve created the belief that pelvic floor issues are simply a normal part of life for women? 

    Dr. Reardon: First off, the majority of medical research has always been done on men and by men, so it’s difficult to know what women are experiencing and to prioritize that research. Also as women, the narrative has always been that these are normal issues but we also don’t know what normal is because we aren’t educated about this part of our body. We may get some sex education or period education as young women but we don’t get pelvic floor education and that’s what I hope to achieve with Floored. 

    Naomi: What are some common signs of pelvic floor dysfunction, other than just peeing when you run or jump? 

    Dr. Reardon: Urinary leakage with coughing, running or jumping is common and other common bladder symptoms are frequent urination during the day or night, difficulty starting your urine stream or incomplete bladder emptying. Other signs are painful sex, difficulty achieving orgasms, bowel issues like constipation or hemorrhoids, pelvic organ prolapse and even low back pain and hip pain.

    Naomi: Many women avoid exercising because of pelvic floor issues, worried they’ll leak when running or jumping or even squatting. But should women actually avoid exercising if they have pelvic floor dysfunction?  

    Dr. Reardon: Instead of avoiding exercise completely, I would actually modify exercise. That means decreasing the amount of weight you’re lifting, the distance or speed you’re running, or modifying movements so that leakage, pain or pressure don’t occur. Then you can train your pelvic floor by working on strengthening, relaxation or coordination and gradually increase your speed or intensity once your pelvic floor is stronger and more functional.

    Naomi: Within the fitness world, there is often a lot of misinformation about health and wellness. What are some of the more outlandish claims that are sometimes made about pelvic floor health that people should ignore and avoid? 

    Dr. Reardon: The amazing thing about the internet and social media right now is that there is a wealth of information, but as you mention, a lot of it is by uncredentialed individuals and not backed by science and research. Certain things like the idea that how tight your pants are or peeing in the shower can cause pelvic floor issues, or that sitting on a vibrating Kegel chair or steaming your vulva and vagina to fix your pelvic floor issues, are all myths. Pelvic floor healthcare is much more nuanced, and it’s important to recognize the difference between wellness and healthcare and that some of these practices could cause your problems to get worse versus get better.

    Naomi: Why is there such a stigma around talking about women’s health, particularly about vaginal and pelvic floor health? 

    Dr. Reardon: As young women and girls we’re never educated about this part of our body and a lot of conversations can circle around the belief it is smelly or gross or private or inappropriate to talk about. So if issues arise, we may feel embarrassed or ashamed to discuss them or not even know where to go to get help. I always say we want to normalize pelvic floor conversations instead of normalizing pelvic floor problems. This body part is like any other body part and it deserves proactive, preventative, and timely care instead of dismissing issues as normal. 

    Naomi: What is something you wish every woman knew about her pelvic floor? 

    Dr. Reardon: Starting with the basics, I think most women may not even know that they have a pelvic floor. And that at every stage of a woman’s life, from menstruation to becoming sexually active, from pregnancy to postpartum, and from perimenopause to well beyond menopause, your pelvic floor care requires something different. Your pelvic floor is connected to core support, bladder and bowel function, sexual function, menstruation, childbirth and menopause. If you’re experiencing any issues in these areas your pelvic floor is likely involved and needs to be addressed. No matter how long you’ve experienced a pelvic floor problem, it’s never too late to get help. Progress is possible. Also, Kegels are not the Holy Grail of pelvic floor care. Kegels are for pelvic floor strengthening and many women need pelvic floor relaxation, so performing Kegels could actually make an issue worse if it’s not the appropriate treatment. 

    Naomi: If someone thinks they might have pelvic floor dysfunction, what steps should they take to improve their pelvic floor health?  

    Dr. Reardon: I would start seeking treatment and options right away. These issues typically don’t get better with time and so the longer you wait to address them the harder or more timely it may be to see progress. The great thing about medicine right now is you have options you can seek in person care from a pelvic floor therapist, you can do a telehealth session, you can do an online workout program like the V-Hive, or you can read my book Floored to start getting tips and guidance to do at home.

    Naomi: Women’s health is often neglected by doctors and their pain dismissed. What can we do to better advocate for ourselves in those situations? 

    Dr. Reardon: Medical providers will often not ask about these issues so it’s important that we bring them up ourselves and if they are dismissed as normal or we are told to give it more time I would push harder to get a referral to another medical provider seek one out myself or proactively check in with a pelvic floor therapist. Unfortunately many medical providers have not been educated on how to screen, refer or treat these issues. Do not let being dismissed be the end of your story; you only get one pelvic floor and you have to advocate for its care.

    Naomi: Why did it feel so important for you to write this book? 

    Dr. Reardon: One in three women will experience a pelvic floor issue at some point in their lifetime. Urinary leakage is more common than osteoporosis, diabetes and hypertension. Yet women are less likely to get treatment for a pelvic floor problem. It’s not that these issues don’t exist, it’s that as a medical community we’re not prioritizing addressing them. I hope that Floored not only helps women be more educated about their bodies but also that their medical providers gain an understanding of how to better support women and their pelvic floor health across the lifespan.

    So if something feels off down there, don’t shrug it off—your pelvic floor deserves your attention, and you deserve care that actually listens. –Naomi