Thursday, February 18, 2016
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Coldwell Banker Real Estate and Adopt-a-Pet.com Launch Second Year of the Homes for Dogs Project
Dogs make every day awesome. This theme will continue as Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, the original Silicon Valley real estate startup founded in 1906, extends the successful "Homes for Dogs Project" into 2016, which last year found homes for more than 20,000 dogs. The continuation of the campaign will provide more opportunities for Coldwell Banker® affiliated offices to join forces with local shelters and rescue groups through their association with Adopt-a-Pet.com.
"There is no doubt that pets play a critical role in the emotional connection we have with the places we call home," said Sean Blankenship, chief marketing officer for Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. "Last year's 'Homes for Dogs' campaign was a truly integrated program, bringing together our national and local Coldwell Banker offices and more than 650 animal shelters nationwide. It was inspiring to see our brokers and agents come together with the shelter communities to find a home for home's best friend."
Driving over 8.5 million views online in 2015, the "Home's Best Friend" commercial was rated the highest performing advertisement in the real estate category by AceMetrix, a leader in advertising measurement and analytics. The Coldwell Banker brand will launch another canine-centric commercial as part of a new television and online video campaign being released in March. Both ads will close by driving awareness of the Homes for Dogs Project. The brands will also host another National Pet Adoption Weekend in the fall.
"We continue to be motivated by the commitment Coldwell Banker has shown to help every animal have a loving family and a warm, snuggly place to call home," said Abbie Moore, executive director of Adopt-a-Pet.com. "With our combined efforts, we can bring together communities across the United States for one single mission - to find homes for loving pets who need to be adopted."
More information about the "Homes for Dogs Project" can be found at http://www.coldwellbanker.com/dogs.
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Monday, February 15, 2016
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Tips on How the Home Energy Upgrades You Made Last Year Could Make a Big Difference in Your 2015 Tax Return
Tax Day right around the corner, Homeselfe is raising awareness about large tax credits available for those who made energy efficiency upgrades to their homes in the 2015 tax year. Homeselfe wants to ensure American families receive the maximum refund they are eligible for in their tax returns by keeping up-to-speed on the latest federal energy tax credits.
"If you upgraded your home in 2015 by adding insulation, one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make, you already know you are saving on your utility bills every month plus you may be eligible for a tax credit on that investment," said Ameeta Jain, co-founder and spokesperson of Homeselfe. "Not taking advantage of that is throwing away your hard-earned cash. We want to empower families to receive the maximum refund allowed on their tax returns by providing them insight into the energy credits that are available."
Homeowners should also keep up-to-date on tax credits available for smaller upgrades in their homes, which can be eligible for tax credits up to $500 on their return. These small upgrades include:
- Biomass stoves
- Heating, ventilation and air conditioning
- Advanced main air-circulating fans (tax credit amount of $50)
- Insulation (10% of the cost, up to $500)
- Roofs (metal and asphalt)
- Water heaters (non-solar earns a tax credit amount of $300)
- Windows, doors and skylights (tax credit amount is 10 percent of the cost excluding labor)
Plan ahead for your tax returns in 2016 by taking a Homeselfe and identifying areas in your home that need improvement and qualify you for tax credits on next year's return. For more information on energy tax credits or how to save on your monthly utility bill, visitwww.homeselfe.com.
To schedule a time for an interview with Co-Founder Ameeta Jain, please contact media@homeselfe.com or 951-719-1040. She will be available to discuss Homeselfe's commitment to improving financial and energy efficiency in households throughout the United States.
Friday, February 12, 2016
Survey Finds Singles Aren't Dreading Valentine's Day
According to a survey conducted by OpenTable, the world's leading provider of online restaurant reservations and part of The Priceline Group (NASDAQ: PCLN), many singles (42%) across the country are looking forward to dining out in celebration of Valentine's Day this year.
"Contrary to popular belief and defying misconceptions about their Valentine's Day habits, singles are getting comfortable with dining out on Valentine's Day regardless of relationship status," said Caroline Potter, Chief Dining Officer at OpenTable.
The survey also revealed that almost half of the singles (46%) who plan to dine out for Valentine's Day plan to share their experiences on social media with one in five (21%) planning to share dish photos.
Singles may help restaurants fill their larger tables on Valentine's Day this year as one in three singles (35%) plan to dine with multiple platonic friends or family members.
More than half (59%) of the singles surveyed are fine with couples' PDA at the table, saying it is okay to feed your date a bite of food, à la Lady and the Tramp. However, singles are less enthusiastic about the concept of Valentine's Day marriage proposals with one in three (36%) indicating that any day of the year would be better, whereas only one in four (25%) of married respondents shared this sentiment.
For diners still searching for the right restaurant, OpenTable recently released its list of the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America for 2016. OpenTable also released a list of the Most Romantic Cities in America for 2016. Diners can also find more tips and trends regarding Valentine's Day on the OpenTable Blog as well as details about our #savorthelove Valentine's Daygiveaway.
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Candy continues to be an important part of Valentine's Day traditions
Sharing a sweet treat with a friend or loved one is the best way to celebrate Valentine's Day, according to a recent national survey by the National Confectioners Association (NCA). Some 94 percent of Americans say they would like to receive a gift of candy or chocolate this Valentine's Day.
On February 14, 70 percent of Americans will give chocolate or candy to one to three friends or family members. And those sharing a sweet treat are embracing moderation as it relates to enjoying chocolate, candy, gum and mints, according to NCA's survey. More than 80 percent of percent of Americans believe that candy is treat, and its one that makes holidays even more special. Most people in the U.S. enjoy candy about twice per week, averaging less than 50 calories per day from confectionery items.
NCA projects that retail sales of Valentine's Day candy in 2016 will be $1.1 billion (up 1.6 percent from 2015), a boost to the U.S. economy that helps support 55,000 manufacturing jobs and hundreds of thousands of jobs in related industries.
"People understand that candy is a transparent and fun treat, and they are choosing to enjoy it in moderation this Valentine's Day and all year long," John Downs, president & CEO of the National Confectioners Association, said. "Chocolate and other sweets have long been associated with celebrations. Even a small taste of your favorite candy can transport you to another place, and conjure up happy memories. Because of this, candy plays a wonderful and unique role in a happy, balanced life."
According to NCA's research, 94 percent of Americans say they would like to receive candy or chocolate for Valentine's Day this year, compared to 89 percent who would like to receive a card and 87 percent who would like to receive a handmade gift. Perhaps indicating that Americans are still focused on affordable luxuries, 71 percent said they would like to receive flowers and only 67 percent would like jewelry.
Not having a special someone to celebrate with on February 14 will not stop Americans from enjoying the day. 43 percent of Americans say they will buy their own box of chocolate this year, and nearly half of all consumers say they plan to bake or decorate with chocolate or candy for Valentine's Day. Women (47 percent) are more likely than men (42 percent) to treat themselves, and millennials under age 30 (55 percent) are the most likely of any age group to shop for themselves.
Regardless of whether the chocolate was purchased as a gift, chocolate lovers can rejoice in this fact: scientific evidence indicates that the nutrients in cocoa and chocolate may be associated with heart health. These effects have been attributed to flavanols, which are natural compounds that occur in a wide range of fruits and vegetables and have been extensively studied in cocoa. Over the past decade, studies examining the eating patterns of adults and their overall health over the course of several years suggest that those who regularly included cocoa products and chocolate in their diets maintained better cardiovascular health. Other studies have shown that chocolate and cocoa are associated with improved well-being and happiness.
That's no surprise to the 55,000 people in the United States directed employed by the manufacturers of chocolate, candy, gum and mints. More than 400,000 jobs in agriculture, retail, transportation and other industries rely in part on the sale of confections for their livelihood, as well. For every job that is created by the confectionery industry, seven more are supported in related industries, which means that candy drives a multiplier effect of 1:7 or an impact of 700 percent. The industry is comprised of hundreds of small and medium-size, family-owned businesses as well as the multi-national companies with global brands that operate more than 1,000 manufacturing facilities in all 50 states.
For more sweet information on the companies that make chocolate, candy, gum and mints, and how these treats fit into family and holiday traditions, visit CandyUSA.com and follow NCA on Twitter (@CandyUSA), Instagram (@CandyUSA), Snapchat (CandyNCA), and Facebook (NationalConfectionersAssociation).
On February 14, 70 percent of Americans will give chocolate or candy to one to three friends or family members. And those sharing a sweet treat are embracing moderation as it relates to enjoying chocolate, candy, gum and mints, according to NCA's survey. More than 80 percent of percent of Americans believe that candy is treat, and its one that makes holidays even more special. Most people in the U.S. enjoy candy about twice per week, averaging less than 50 calories per day from confectionery items.
NCA projects that retail sales of Valentine's Day candy in 2016 will be $1.1 billion (up 1.6 percent from 2015), a boost to the U.S. economy that helps support 55,000 manufacturing jobs and hundreds of thousands of jobs in related industries.
"People understand that candy is a transparent and fun treat, and they are choosing to enjoy it in moderation this Valentine's Day and all year long," John Downs, president & CEO of the National Confectioners Association, said. "Chocolate and other sweets have long been associated with celebrations. Even a small taste of your favorite candy can transport you to another place, and conjure up happy memories. Because of this, candy plays a wonderful and unique role in a happy, balanced life."
According to NCA's research, 94 percent of Americans say they would like to receive candy or chocolate for Valentine's Day this year, compared to 89 percent who would like to receive a card and 87 percent who would like to receive a handmade gift. Perhaps indicating that Americans are still focused on affordable luxuries, 71 percent said they would like to receive flowers and only 67 percent would like jewelry.
Not having a special someone to celebrate with on February 14 will not stop Americans from enjoying the day. 43 percent of Americans say they will buy their own box of chocolate this year, and nearly half of all consumers say they plan to bake or decorate with chocolate or candy for Valentine's Day. Women (47 percent) are more likely than men (42 percent) to treat themselves, and millennials under age 30 (55 percent) are the most likely of any age group to shop for themselves.
Regardless of whether the chocolate was purchased as a gift, chocolate lovers can rejoice in this fact: scientific evidence indicates that the nutrients in cocoa and chocolate may be associated with heart health. These effects have been attributed to flavanols, which are natural compounds that occur in a wide range of fruits and vegetables and have been extensively studied in cocoa. Over the past decade, studies examining the eating patterns of adults and their overall health over the course of several years suggest that those who regularly included cocoa products and chocolate in their diets maintained better cardiovascular health. Other studies have shown that chocolate and cocoa are associated with improved well-being and happiness.
That's no surprise to the 55,000 people in the United States directed employed by the manufacturers of chocolate, candy, gum and mints. More than 400,000 jobs in agriculture, retail, transportation and other industries rely in part on the sale of confections for their livelihood, as well. For every job that is created by the confectionery industry, seven more are supported in related industries, which means that candy drives a multiplier effect of 1:7 or an impact of 700 percent. The industry is comprised of hundreds of small and medium-size, family-owned businesses as well as the multi-national companies with global brands that operate more than 1,000 manufacturing facilities in all 50 states.
For more sweet information on the companies that make chocolate, candy, gum and mints, and how these treats fit into family and holiday traditions, visit CandyUSA.com and follow NCA on Twitter (@CandyUSA), Instagram (@CandyUSA), Snapchat (CandyNCA), and Facebook (NationalConfectionersAssociation).
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Monday, February 8, 2016
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