August 9, 2022 - Reading time: 5 minutes

Half the world’s population lacks essential health services, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Individuals without health care may include inmates in various prisons and jails. The effects of health care quality in correctional facilities impact not only the inmates themselves, but prison health care can also affect community health. Prisoners often have higher rates of severe illnesses like asthma. Upon their release, the individuals’ health issues and needs may follow them.

Read more ... [Medicine]

July 21, 2022 - Reading time: 4 minutes

Truck driver photo created by aleksandarlittlewolf

Want to know the salary of a truck driver in the United States? Read this guide to understand how much truck drivers can make.

Without a doubt, the first question people ask when they are about to start a career in trucking: how much does a truck driver make? In this article, we'll take a look at the average salary in the trucking industry, as well as the factors that affect it.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average wage for truck drivers in the United States is about $80,583 a year. There are some different factors that affect how much it is paid. The main ones are:

• Job type
• Years of experience
• Incentives and bonuses
• Certification and endorsements
• Trucking specialization

Base Pay

Majority of the company drivers are paid on cents per-mile (CPM) basis. This method is the most common because it is flexible, efficient and comparable to a good hourly wage.

Regional drivers work in a certain area of the country only. This job allows the driver to return home every week or every two weeks. In this case, the driver gets between $0.60 and $0.70 per mile on average. So, you can earn $1,200 a week and $60,000 a year respectively.

Solo over-the-road (OTR) drivers haul in the continental U.S., sometimes crossing the Canadian and Mexican borders. They can spend weeks on the road and the average rate per mile for OTR drivers is up to $0.90. That means you can bring home $1,400 a week in your first year of trucking and $70,000 a year.

A driver team consists of two drivers who alternate driving shifts while the other takes a break.  Team drivers can get an average of $0.75 to $0.90 per mile and a range of their salary is $80,000 to $90,000 annually.

Driver pay may vary slightly from company to company. Try to find employers who have been in business a long time, have a proven payment history and treat their drivers well.

Bonuses and incentives

Most companies also offer incentives and guaranteed weekly pay. Company drivers may receive not only financial compensation. When choosing a company to work for as a driver, don’t be afraid to ask about their full compensation package. The solid compensation package can save you a lot on health insurance and earn more money for retirement. Different trucking companies provide the following benefits to their employees:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• Industry-leading 401(k) retirement plan
• HSA and medical programs
• Paid tolls and fuel cards
• Education refund
• Riders and pet friendly
• Military skills test waiver
• Elite program for veteran drivers
• Best employer for military veterans
• Team matching program
• Industry-leading miles
• Stock purchase plan

Certifications and endorsements

These additional competence levels can also significantly increase a truck driver's pay.

HAZMAT

Truck drivers can earn a few cents more per mile with a HAZMAT license. Some companies may even pay more for non-HAZMAT loads in such cases.

TANKER

Transportation of bulk liquids also involves certain difficulties. Receiving a specialized tanker truck license will lead to a pay raise.

OVERSIZE

Cargo over 13′ 6″ tall or over 8′ 6″ wide requires a permit and usually costs more than a standard-sized load. Some examples of oversized shipments that require a permit:

• Aircraft parts
• Heavy military equipment
• Architectural construction parts
• Water vessels

HMD Trucking Base Pay

HMD Trucking was founded in 1998 and has become one of the fastest growing trucking companies in Chicago, with a fleet of more than 300 trucks. Check out HMD Trucking's pay and extra benefits:

• Local Dry van drivers’ rate is $27 per hour. It gives around $1,400 - $1,500 weekly, which means $70,000 - $75,000 a year.
• Regional Dry van drivers can earn up to $1,700 per week at the rate of $0.75 CPM. Average earnings is $85,000 annually.
• OTR Solo drivers can make up to $0.60 CPM base plus a $0.10 CPM safety/productivity bonus. Average Solo OTR drivers’ salary is $1,800 - $1,900 a week and $90,000 - $95,000 a year.
• OTR Flatbed Solo drivers make $0.65 CPM plus $0.05 CPM bonus in case you drive more than 9000 miles monthly. The average weekly salary is about $1,900 to $2,000 and the annual income is $95,000 - $100,000.
• OTR Teams rate is $0.77 CPM plus $0.05 CPM $0.10 CPM safety/productivity bonus. That way teams can make $4,000 - $4,600 a week. Plus a $10,000 sign-up bonus. The real annual income is $210,000 - $230,000 per team.

Conclusion

As we can see, there are opportunities to make real money in the trucking industry. Even rookies can get a big paycheck once they start working. In addition, this kind of work is good for military veterans looking for a new career, as some companies offer special terms for them. After just a few years of experience, the opportunities get even better. If you've made a decision to become a truck driver, learn how to get a CDL and start your career by visiting the HMD Trucking page.

by Evelina Brown (July 2022)

July 19, 2022 - Reading time: 3 minutes

Freight brokerage is a challenging but rewarding business. If you're thinking about becoming a broker, make sure you do your research and get started on the right foot. Go freight hub can help you find the resources you need to get started in freight brokerage.

A freight broker is an intermediary between a shipper who has goods to move and a carrier who has the capacity to transport them. The broker's job is to find a carrier that can meet the shipper's needs in terms of price, routing and other requirements, and then book the shipment with that carrier. 

The term "freight broker" is used interchangeably with "transportation broker" or "logistics broker."

At its simplest, freight brokerage is about matching up shipments with carriers. But in reality, it's much more complex than that. Freight brokers are responsible for managing all aspects of the shipping process, from quoting and booking to tracking and invoicing. And they need to do all of this while meeting the needs of both shippers and carriers.

That's why freight brokerage is a complex and demanding business. But it's also a business with huge potential. For the right people, freight brokerage can be a very rewarding career.

If you're thinking about becoming a freight broker, there are a few things you should know. First, you'll need to get your broker's license from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This process involves passing an exam and background check, and it can take several months to complete. 

Once you have your license, you'll need to find shippers and carriers to work with. You can do this by networking with other businesses in your industry, attending trade shows and events, or using an online freight marketplace like gofreighthub.io.

The largest freight brokerage firm

There is no definitive answer to this question, as there are many large freight brokerages out there. However, some of the largest firms in the industry include Coyote Logistics, C.H. Robinson and J.B. Hunt. These companies all have a large network of shippers and carriers that they work with, and they are all well-established players in the freight brokerage industry. Go freight hub can help you find the right freight brokerage firm for your business needs.

Freight broker earnings

A freight broker's earnings are based on the commissions they earn from shipments. The amount of commission varies depending on the type of shipment, the distance it is going and other factors. However, most brokers earn a commission of 10-15% of the total shipment cost. So, for example, if you book a shipment that costs $1,000, you would earn a commission of $100-$150. Go freight hub can help you find the right freight broker for your business needs.

Types of freight brokers

There are two main types of freight brokers: Third-party brokers and captive brokers

(a) Third-party brokers are independent businesses that work with both shippers and carriers to find the best shipping solution for each individual shipment. They are not affiliated with any one carrier, which gives them the flexibility to work with a variety of carriers to find the best option for each shipment. Go freight hub can help you find the right third-party freight broker for your business needs.

(b) Captive brokers, on the other hand, are affiliated with a single carrier. They only work with that carrier, and they don't have the same flexibility as a third-party brokers. However, they may be able to offer lower rates because of their relationship with the carrier. Go freight hub can help you find the right captive freight broker for your business needs.

by Elisa Laurt

June 3, 2022 - Reading time: 7 minutes

Since the introduction of SAFe, a new group of super scrum masters have emerged: the RTE. The RTE becomes a considerably more efficient scrum master of the team and a mentor for the organization after completing the SAFe Release Train Engineer (RTE) test and attaining SAFe RTE certification. The role of a Release Train Engineer is complex and challenging, with a variety of responsibilities for the entire company.

Read more ... [Technology]

April 22, 2022 - Reading time: 5 minutes

Have you found the perfect balance between work and personal life while working from home? Telecommuting, like working on-site jobs, can help you live a fulfilling life. A 2017 survey by the Pew Research Center revealed that 70% of Americans find meaning in their career or job. 

One key factor may be maintaining a work-life balance when working remotely from home. Good physical and mental health are essential. You may visit Motherhoodcommunity.com for options like implementing methods to boost your immunity or depression prevention while working remotely.  

Read more ... [Organization]

April 21, 2022 - Reading time: 6 minutes

Today’s digital age provides an abundance of information about business and investment. Investors rely on this information to make sound investment decisions to become profitable and grow their wealth. Investing is like betting in which the key principle is to minimize risk while maximizing profits.

This article provides several ways to keep investors like you on track with your investment strategy and help you remain focused on your investment goals.

Additionally, getting assistance from Asenaadvisors.com may also help you create a more robust portfolio so that you can get the most out of your investments.

Ways to Maintain Focus on Investment Success

There are several ways to maintain focus on your investment objectives and create a profitable portfolio.

Look for Opportunities in Cycles

Many investments go through cycles of high and low moments. While some of these cycles last for months or even years, eventually, the prices undergo a reversal.

For example, some investments have seasonal highs and lows, so you can plan out your strategy for buying and selling based on these recurring cycles.

Suppose you are focused on building a long-term investment strategy. In this case, cycles may throw you off, especially if you cannot take advantage of those highs and lows on time.

Despite this situation, there are still opportunities in cycles that may benefit you even if you are a long-term investor.

You may think of cyclical reversals as regular occurrences and not something unexpected. Like the recent COVID-19 pandemic that shocked the global economy, some cycles may be considered a reversal.

The point of looking for opportunities is so that you can make informed investment decisions without getting caught off-guard by sudden or unforeseen economic changes.

Consider Long-Term Investment

Many forecasts, especially the larger and more detailed ones, need to be viewed with a healthy amount of skepticism. The more complex the prediction, the higher the possibility that such forecasts may miss the mark.

If you pay too much attention to forecasts, you may become confused and overloaded with information. This situation may affect your ability to make sound investment decisions.

In addition, focusing too much on volatile markets may cause you to make constant adjustments to your investment strategy. While some people are well suited for this method, managing this portfolio may require much effort.

If you prefer a more straightforward investment strategy, consider investing for the long term.

Some investors may find short-term market movements challenging to get the timing right. In this case, creating a long-term investment plan may be preferable.

Take Advantage of Compounding Interest

Compounding can help create a high value for your money, especially if you consider compounding as part of your long-term investment.

This concept involves reinvesting the interest you are making on your investment to increase wealth generation than if you only reinvest your initial principal.

The Securities and Exchange Commission in the U.S. provides a free compound interest calculator if you need to make calculations.

Suppose you invest $100 in bonds that generate 8% interest annually. By compounding, in ten years, your investment will amount to $215.89. If you keep your investment going for another ten years, you will receive $466.10.

If you are young and healthy and decide to maintain your investment for 50 years, your money will amount to $4,690.16.

Suppose that you contribute $10 every month to your initial $100 investment. In ten years, you will get $1,954.28, and in 20 years, you will receive $5,957.53.

In other words, the longer you invest your money and continuously reinvest the interest, the greater your returns.

Buy Low and Sell High

You profit from your investment when you sell your stocks or bonds at a higher price than you bought them. This scenario is the basic concept of buying low and selling high.

However, in the real world, many people do the opposite. For example, investors may buy stock in the green or after a rally, likely expecting the price to increase further.

Then when the market collapses and the stock price falls, these investors sell in the red, hoping to cut their losses.

This scenario often happens when investors base their decisions on their emotions. For example, investors may feel happy when they buy stocks they think are doing well and panic when prices collapse and are forced to sell.

Being a successful investor means avoiding this situation or reducing the chance that this happens to you and your portfolio.

Research a stock’s historical performance or read company news to be more informed about the stock’s possible future movements to avoid or minimize potential losses.

Diversify Your Portfolio

Sometimes, you need to spread your assets to avoid heavy losses to your portfolio. This method is called diversification.

If you invested in three companies and one of them experiences a stock crash, the other two may offset your losses. This strategy may help prevent you from going into the negative.

During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the S&P 500 index plunged, contributing to heavy losses for many investors. If you were among those investors, you might have experienced a minor loss if you also invested in less vulnerable firms.

Look for Investments With Stable and Sustainable Cash Flow

Some stocks are volatile or may have valuations or forecasts that are too obscure to understand. If you are investing long-term, you may prefer to stay away from these types of stocks and focus on companies with stable performance.

In most cases, these stable companies are part of the stock market index. The index is composed of representative stocks that investors use to determine the market’s overall performance.

Aside from index companies, also research the performance of other stocks and review their price movements to determine whether these stocks are an excellent long-term investment.

Maintain a Simple Investment Strategy

While having information may be seen as an advantage, too much information may cloud your judgment and lead to more confusion rather than understanding.

To keep things manageable, stick to a simple investment strategy. Focus on a few, but credible details are crucial in today’s world, where too much information and opinions about investments may create confusion.

Learn how to distinguish credible news and investment information from sensationalized articles and clickbait. This way, you can prevent or minimize the chances of getting thrown off by wrong information.

Conclusion

There is plenty of information available to business owners and investors. Deciding which information is most helpful to you may improve your investment strategy and grow your wealth.

The ways to maintain your focus on investment goals listed in this article are not exhaustive, and there may be other strategies that can also work for you.

Consulting with a financial advisor to determine what strategy and investment plan best fit your investment is highly recommended.

By Fay Smith

 Reference

1. Compound Interest Calculator | Investor.gov (Apr 2022)

April 20, 2022 - Reading time: 3 minutes

When you are moving from one place to another, a huge part of it is all about the preparation process and ensuring that you have thought it all through as much as you possibly can. Otherwise, you can end up in the type of situation in which everything is rushed, and you may even end up breaking something or otherwise causing damage that could well have been avoided. Here are a few of the top ways of preparing properly to move home. 

Pack and Dismantle Furniture Early

The larger items in your home are bound to take longer to disassemble and pack up than the smaller ones. Therefore, you should certainly get to work on these sooner rather than later. Essentially, this means choosing the items around the home that you need to use the least. For example, it may well be the case that you have a spare bedroom that you are not using, and you can dismantle and pack away all of the furniture in there before you start to tackle the rooms of the home that are still in constant use all the time.

Hire or Ask for Help 

Rather than simply waiting until the very last minute to hire in your pick of professional moving companies, you are certainly going to be better off doing the overall hiring process at an early stage. You can get great rates with Shiply in terms of finding moving companies that will do the job for you much better than you could. However, if you prefer to do everything yourself, it is important that you ask for help at the earliest possible opportunity before the schedules of your friends and family members are at risk of filling up.

Pack an Essentials Box for the Other Side 

Part of the proper preparation process involves ensuring that you are fully ready at the other side for everything that needs to happen. For example, you should consider putting in a change of clothes, all of your phone chargers, your essential documents, and anything else that may well help you out when it comes to reaching your final destination. This way, you are not going to find yourself in a situation in which you have to open up full boxed to root around in them and work out what is inside. 

Contact People to Tell Them About Your Move 

Finally, you need to go through the process of contacting everybody necessary to tell them about your move. This means that you should think about your utility providers, broadband operators, employers, any subscriptions that you have running etc. Ultimately, the more prepared that you are on this particular front, the better.

All of these steps will help you out in a big way when it comes to being fully prepared for the move that you have in front of you, as well as ensuring that it all goes according to plan in the way that you need. Being prepared will lower the stress levels associated with any move.