Agent Survival Guide Podcast
The Friday Five
Episodes
Friday Feb 09, 2024
Friday Feb 09, 2024
The Friday Five for February 9, 2024:
Google Bard now Google Gemini
Last-Minute Valentine's Day Gifts
Normalizing Loud Budgeting
Gallup Poll on U.S. Healthcare Costs
A Medicare Beneficiary Financial Snapshot
Ask the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
Follow Us on Social!
Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim Twitter, https://twitter.com/RitterIM and Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel
Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/
Resources:
Increase Sales and Productivity with the Busy Medicare Agent's Sales Planner: https://link.chtbl.com/ASG570
Legislation on Social Media for Kids: https://link.chtbl.com/ASGF20240202
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Do's and Don'ts: https://link.chtbl.com/ASG574
Social Media Marketing Apps: https://link.chtbl.com/ASGA52
Stay Organized with the Busy ACA Agent's Sales Calendar: https://link.chtbl.com/ASG571
What You Need to Know About 1035 Exchanges: https://link.chtbl.com/ASG573
Google Bard now Google Gemini:
Google Assistant Just Got Supercharged With AI. It Might Be the Biggest Update in Google's History. https://gizmodo.com/google-bard-now-gemini-in-assistant-new-subscription-1851237014
Google rebrands Bard AI to Gemini and launches a new app and subscription: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/08/google-gemini-ai-launches-in-new-app-subscription.html
Google rebrands Bard chatbot as Gemini, rolls out paid subscription: https://www.reuters.com/technology/google-rebrands-bard-chatbot-gemini-rolls-out-paid-subscription-2024-02-08/
Last-Minute Valentine's Day Gifts:
28 Best Last-Minute Valentine’s Day Gifts That’ll Ship In Time: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/2024/02/07/last-minute-valentines-day-gifts/?sh=53b150b5b570
33 Valentine's Day Gifts They'll Think Cost You A Fortune But Are Under $50: https://www.buzzfeed.com/jordanagrigs/valentines-day-gifts-seem-expensive-under-50-an
40 Best Valentine's Day Gifts to Make Them Feel All the Love: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/valentines-day-ideas/g46613524/valentines-day-gifts/
64 Of The Best Valentine’s Day Gifts For Him That Are Sure To Impress: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/2024/02/05/best-valentines-day-gifts-for-him/?sh=76a668a12b83
The Verge’s 2024 Valentine’s Day gift guide: https://www.theverge.com/24048257/valentines-day-2024-gift-ideas-boyfriend-girlfriend-couples-husband-wife-partner
Normalizing Loud Budgeting:
Financial experts love TikTok's “loud budgeting” trend — here’s why: https://www.today.com/life/loud-budgeting-tiktok-financial-trend-rcna136988
‘Loud budgeting’ is having a moment — here’s how to take advantage of it: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/07/loud-budgeting-is-having-a-moment-heres-how-to-take-advantage.html
Loud budgeting is in, quiet luxury is out. Meet the TikToker who started the financial trend: https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/05/economy/loud-budgeting-financial-trend-tiktok/index.html
Gallup Poll on U.S. Healthcare Costs:
Few Americans Know How Much Their Healthcare Costs: https://news.gallup.com/poll/609434/few-americans-know-healthcare-costs.aspx
Few Americans say they know how much health care will cost: Gallup: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/4439775-few-americans-know-how-much-health-care-costs-gallup/
A Medicare Beneficiary Financial Snapshot:
10 Reasons Why Medicare Advantage Enrollment is Growing and Why It Matters: https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/10-reasons-why-medicare-advantage-enrollment-is-growing-and-why-it-matters/
Income and Assets of Medicare Beneficiaries in 2023: https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/income-and-assets-of-medicare-beneficiaries-in-2023/
Friday Feb 02, 2024
Friday Feb 02, 2024
The Friday Five for February 2, 2024:
FOMC January 2024 Meeting
Cigna Sells Medicare Business to HCSC
Bipartisan Tax Package
Instagram Threads
Legislation on Social Media for Kids
Find your Ritter Sales Specialist: https://ritterim.com/meet-your-sales-team/
Follow Us on Social!
Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim Twitter, https://twitter.com/RitterIM and Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel
Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/
Resources:
ACA 2024 Open Enrollment Final Numbers: https://link.chtbl.com/ASGF20240126
Increase Sales and Productivity with the Busy Medicare Agent’s Sales Planner: https://link.chtbl.com/ASG570
Social Media Marketing Apps: https://link.chtbl.com/ASGA52
Stay Organized with the Busy ACA Agent's Sales Calendar: https://link.chtbl.com/ASG571
Things to Think About Post-OEP: https://link.chtbl.com/ASG572
FOMC January 2024 Meeting:
A Comparison of PCE and CPI: https://www.bls.gov/osmr/research-papers/2017/st170010.htm
Consumer Price Index (CPI) December 2023: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cpi.pdf
Fed Keeps Rates Steady: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/01/31/business/fed-meeting-interest-rates
Fed meeting: Stocks slump as Powell says March rate cut unlikely: https://www.marketwatch.com/livecoverage/fed-meeting-s-p-500-futures-slip-as-investors-juggle-megacap-earnings-fomc-decision
Federal Open Market Committee Meeting Schedule 2024: https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/fomccalendars.htm
Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady as consumer confidence improves and inflation slows: https://www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/federal-reserve-interest-rate-decision-january-2024-increase-decrease-rcna136429
Personal Consumption Expenditures (CPE) December 2023: https://www.bea.gov/news/2024/personal-income-and-outlays-december-2023
Cigna Sells Medicare Business to HCSC:
Cigna inks deal to sell Medicare business to HCSC for $3.7B: https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/cigna-inks-deal-sell-medicare-business-hcsc-37b-deal
Cigna to sell Medicare business to HCSC for $3.3B: https://www.modernhealthcare.com/mergers-acquisitions/cigna-health-care-service-corporation-medicare-advantage-deal
The Cigna Group to Sell Medicare Businesses and CareAllies to Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC): https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-cigna-group-to-sell-medicare-businesses-and-careallies-to-health-care-service-corporation-hcsc-302049322.html
Bipartisan Tax Package:
H.R.7024 - Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7024
House passes bill to enhance child tax credit, revive key tax breaks for businesses: https://apnews.com/article/child-tax-credit-house-republicans-speaker-johnson-4da25a4188ad27693e9d8755e7481b76
House passes bipartisan tax bill to expand child tax credit: https://www.npr.org/2024/01/31/1228209266/house-passes-child-tax-credit-expansion
Instagram Threads:
Instagram Threads triples downloads in December, reaching the top 10; X falls to No. 36: https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/30/instagram-threads-triples-downloads-in-december-reaching-the-top-10-x-falls-to-no-36/
Meta's Threads climbs the ranks of world's most downloaded apps again: https://www.zdnet.com/article/metas-threads-climbs-the-ranks-of-worlds-most-downloaded-apps-again/
Sarah on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel
Threads App Downloads Spike as Interest in Musk's X Wanes: https://www.pcmag.com/news/threads-app-downloads-spike-as-interest-in-musks-x-wanes
Legislation on Social Media for Kids:
200 groups push Senate to vote on Kids Online Safety Act in 2024: https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/kosa-kids-online-safety-act-speech-censor-rcna128249
Bill to ban minors from social media and terminate youths' accounts passes Florida House: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2024/01/25/florida-social-media-ban-bill/72351219007/
Bipartisan Bill Aims to Protect Children Online: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/31/technology/congress-social-media-safety.html
CS/HB 1: Social Media Use for Minors: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2024/1
Florida House of Representatives approves bill to ban social media for kids under 16: https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Family/florida-house-representatives-approves-bill-ban-social-media/story?id=106672586
Florida Senate HB-1 Bill Text: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2024/1/BillText/e1/PDF
Kids Online Safety Act (S.1409): https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1409/text
Introducing Stricter Message Settings for Teens on Instagram and Facebook: https://about.fb.com/news/2024/01/introducing-stricter-message-settings-for-teens-on-instagram-and-facebook/
Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg issues dramatic apology at Senate hearing on child safety: https://www.ft.com/content/87840b12-08b5-4b90-9afc-bc8fba730ff9
Meta, TikTok, and other tech companies go to Congress: all the news: https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/31/24056136/congress-child-safety-hearing-kosa-meta-x-discord-snap-tiktok
Ohio, more states push for social media laws to limit kids’ access: Where they stand: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/01/12/social-media-laws-parental-consent-teens-kids-netchoice-lawsuits/72182348007/
Friday Jan 26, 2024
Friday Jan 26, 2024
The Friday Five for January 26, 2024:
Apple iOS 17.3 Features
Another Rabbit R1 Update
Google Podcasts Being Discontinued
2023 Tax Brackets & Refunds
ACA 2024 Open Enrollment Final Numbers
Ask the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
Follow Us on Social!
Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim Twitter, https://twitter.com/RitterIM and Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel
Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/
Resources:
9 Essential Tools for Beginner Insurance Agents: https://www.ritterim.com/blog/9-essential-tools-for-beginner-insurance-agents/
KFF Study on Medicare Part D Benefit Awareness: https://link.chtbl.com/ASGF20240119
How to Successfully Set SMART Goals: https://link.chtbl.com/ASG565
How to Take on an Upset Client in the Insurance Industry: https://link.chtbl.com/ASG567
Increase Sales and Productivity with the Busy Medicare Agent’s Sales Planner: https://link.chtbl.com/ASG570
Stay Organized with the Busy ACA Agent's Sales Calendar: https://link.chtbl.com/ASG571
Using a SWOT Analysis to Review Your Insurance Business: https://link.chtbl.com/ASG559
References:
2023-2024 Tax Brackets and Federal Income Tax Rates: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/taxes/federal-income-tax-brackets
2024 tax refunds could be larger than last year due to new IRS brackets. Here's what to expect: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tax-refund-2024-what-to-expect-when-will-i-get/
Google announces April 2024 shutdown date for Google Podcasts: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/12/google-podcasts-dies-april-2024-youtube-music-migration-tool-goes-live/
Google Podcasts is going away after March — but there are alternatives: https://www.theverge.com/23891397/google-podcasts-youtube-spotify-alternatives-pocket-casts
iOS 17.3—Update Now Warning Issued To All iPhone Users: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kateoflahertyuk/2024/01/24/ios-173-update-now-warning-issued-to-all-iphone-users/?sh=50454e6a683d
iOS 17.3 Features: What's New in iOS 17.3: https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-17-3-features/
IRS provides tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2023: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-provides-tax-inflation-adjustments-for-tax-year-2023
Historic 21.3 Million People Choose ACA Marketplace Coverage: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/historic-213-million-people-choose-aca-marketplace-coverage
How to Transfer Your Google Podcasts to YouTube Music and Other Platforms: https://www.makeuseof.com/how-to-transfer-podcast-subscriptions/
Marketplace 2024 Open Enrollment Period Report: Final National Snapshot: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/marketplace-2024-open-enrollment-period-report-final-national-snapshot
Migrate your podcast shows from Google Podcasts: https://support.google.com/youtubemusic/thread/249139848/migrate-your-podcast-shows-from-google-podcasts-us-only-%F0%9F%87%BA%F0%9F%87%B8?hl=en
Proposed child tax credit changes might create confusion on 2023 returns: https://www.freep.com/story/money/personal-finance/susan-tompor/2024/01/24/child-tax-credit-2023-bill-2024-increase/72315968007/
The Rabbit R1 will receive live info from Perplexity’s AI ‘answer engine’: https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/18/24043490/rabbit-r1-ai-perplexity-pro-live-search-info-answers
Friday Jan 19, 2024
Friday Jan 19, 2024
The Friday Five for January 19, 2024:
Apple Stolen Device Protection
Agents as Early Adopters
Rabbit R1 Update
Notion Calendar App
KFF Study on Medicare Part D Benefit Awareness
Ask the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Fill out the form: https://bit.ly/askasg email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
Follow Us on Social!
Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim Twitter, https://twitter.com/RitterIM and Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel
Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/
Resources:
Get Focused with These Apps! https://link.chtbl.com/ASGA20
Goals That Matter MOST & CES 2024: https://link.chtbl.com/ASGF20240112
How to Successfully Set SMART Goals: https://link.chtbl.com/ASG565
Project Management Apps: https://link.chtbl.com/ASGA27
Stop Doom Scrolling with These Micro-Learning Apps: https://link.chtbl.com/ASGA51
The Complete Guide to Client Loyalty and Retention: https://www.ritterim.com/client-retention-guide/
To-Do or Not To-Do Lists? Personal Planner Apps: https://link.chtbl.com/ASGA004
Using a SWOT Analysis to Review Your Insurance Business: https://link.chtbl.com/ASG559
References:
10 Reasons to Be an Early Adopter: https://www.thinkadvisor.com/2024/01/16/be-an-early-adopter/
Apple Releasing iOS 17.3 Next Week With These New Features: https://www.macrumors.com/2024/01/17/apple-releasing-ios-17-3-next-week/
Apple to release iOS 17.3 next week, bringing Stolen Device Protection, collaborative playlists: https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/17/apple-to-release-ios-17-3-next-week/
FAQs about the Inflation Reduction Act’s Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program: https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/faqs-about-the-inflation-reduction-acts-medicare-drug-price-negotiation-program/
How to Cut Down Your Screen Time but Still Get Stuff Done: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/17/technology/personaltech/screen-time-phone.html
How to turn on iPhone Stolen Device Protection; and should you? https://9to5mac.com/2023/12/23/turn-on-iphone-stolen-device-protection/
KFF Health Tracking Poll: Health Care Issues Emerge as Important Topics on 2024 Campaign Trail, Plus Concerns Loom Large Around Medicaid Unwinding: https://www.kff.org/health-reform/poll-finding/kff-health-tracking-poll-november-2023/
Notion launches a stand-alone calendar app: https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/17/notion-launches-a-calendar-app/
Notion turns its Cron acquisition into an integrated calendar app: https://www.engadget.com/notion-turns-its-cron-acquisition-into-an-integrated-calendar-app-215644220.html
Notion unveils a calendar app you’ll actually want to use: https://www.fastcompany.com/91010971/notion-unveils-a-calendar-app-youll-actually-want-to-use
Rabbit, Ballie, and the other gadgets of CES 2024: https://pod.link/vergecast/episode/2de8d23da3b7f8af465d13f9f5123f12
The Rabbit R1: all the latest news about this hare-raising AI gadget: https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/18/24042688/rabbit-r1-ai-gadget-handheld-news-updates-storystream
The New Help for Medicare Beneficiaries with High Drug Costs That Few Seem to Know About: https://www.kff.org/policy-watch/the-new-help-for-medicare-beneficiaries-with-high-drug-costs-that-few-seem-to-know-about/
Friday Jan 12, 2024
Friday Jan 12, 2024
The Friday Five for January 12, 2024:
Blue Monday & Light Therapy
Pennie extends OEP 2024 Deadline
TRICARE Info for Veteran Clients
The 5 Resets and Goals That Matter MOST
CES 2024 Highlights
Ask the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Fill out the form: https://bit.ly/askasg email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
Follow Us on Social!
Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim Twitter, https://twitter.com/RitterIM and Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel
Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/
Resources:
BOI Reporting for LLCs & ACA Enrollment Updates: https://link.chtbl.com/ASGF20240105
How Slowing Down Can Speed Up Innovation: https://link.chtbl.com/ASG563
How to Successfully Set SMART Goals: https://link.chtbl.com/ASG565
How to Take on an Upset Client in the Insurance Industry: https://link.chtbl.com/ASG567
Why You Should Give Away Your Secret Sauce in 2024: https://link.chtbl.com/ASG562
VA Benefits, Tricare for Life, and Medicare for Veteran Clients: https://link.chtbl.com/ASG478
References:
896: Dr. Aditi Nerurkar | How to Rewire Your Brain and Body for Less Stress and More Resilience on Travis Makes Friends: https://travischappell.com/episodes/896-dr-aditi-nerurkar-how-to-rewire-your-brain-and-body-for-less-stress-and-more-resilience
CES 2024: all the TVs, laptops, smart home gear, and more from the show floor: https://www.theverge.com/23971966/ces-2024-news-announcements-products#stream-entry-d240bf4c-88cc-479f-9ef1-823f49b46991
Clicks Official Website: https://www.clicks.tech/
Dr. Aditi Nerurker Live Discussing Her New Book "The 5 Resets" on StreetSmart Wisdom: https://wisdomfeed.com/streetsmart-podcast/
Effects of light on human circadian rhythms, sleep and mood: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6751071/
How Should I Obtain a Light Box? https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/research/programs/clinical_people/winter/obtain/
LG OLED T is a transparent 77-inch TV that will arrive in 2024: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/01/lg-oled-t-is-a-transparent-77-inch-tv-that-will-arrive-in-2024/
Lux and lumen: What are they and what are the differences? https://faro.es/en/blog/es-lux-y-lumen
Morning light is crucial for happiness. Here’s how to get it — even if you hate mornings. https://www.vox.com/even-better/24022918/morning-light-happiness-seasonal-depression-sad
Pennie: https://pennie.com/
Pennsylvania extends ACA open enrollment final deadline for Pennie health insurance plans: https://whyy.org/articles/pennsylvania-aca-pennie-open-enrollment-deadline-extended-jan-19/
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/seasonal-affective-disorder
Startups Are Racing to Create the iPhone of AI: https://time.com/6553910/ai-device-rabbit-r1-humane/
The Best Light Therapy Lamp: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-light-therapy-lamp/
The Rabbit R1 is an AI-powered gadget that can use your apps for you: https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/9/24030667/rabbit-r1-ai-action-model-price-release-date
This iPhone Physical Keyboard Case Works Better Than You Might Expect: https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/i-tried-the-buzzy-clicks-keyboard-iphone-case-typing-with-real-buttons-on-an-iphone/
TRICARE® Plans Overview: https://tricare.mil/Publications/Fact-Sheets/plans
The Myth of Blue Monday: https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/the-myth-of-blue-monday
Want to stress less in 2024? A new book offers '5 resets' to tame toxic stress: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/01/04/1221730997/want-to-stress-less-in-2024-a-new-book-offers-5-resets-to-tame-toxic-stress
What to Know About Seasonal Depression: https://www.nytimes.com/article/seasonal-depression-what-to-know.html
What To Know Before Getting Care With Your TRICARE Plan: https://newsroom.tricare.mil/News/TRICARE-News/Article/3639662/what-to-know-before-getting-care-with-your-tricare-plan
World-Leading Stress Doctor Reveals the Biggest Myths on STRESS (And How to Handle It) | Dr. Aditi Nerurkar on Growth Minds: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6nHMNe0uGRLNd1FVVf5yOu?si=38da3dc56fe44780