Unemployed Americans Endure Longer Job Searches in a Cooling Market
Beyond the headline-grabbing top-line numbers in the jobs report for July was another striking piece of data: The number of people unemployed for at least 27 weeks topped 1.8 million, the highest level since 2017, not counting the pandemic's unemployment surge. The median length of unemployment in the U.S. has also ticked up, from a seasonally adjusted 9.5 weeks in July 2024 to 10.2 weeks last month.
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Bloomberg
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The Unintended Consequences of Trump's Tariff Strategy
Subscribe to Trumponomics on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to Trumponomics on Spotify With US President Donald Trump's self-imposed Aug. 1 deadline having come and gone, trading partners across the globe are digesting what his new threatened tariffs might mean for them. Countries like the UK appear moderately pleased with their 10% rate while nations such as Switzerland are aghast at levies as high as 39%—so much that Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter traveled to Washington to negotiate directly before they're initiated fully, which Trump promises will happen on Aug. 7. But it's early days yet in Trump's trade war, and everything from the unexpected movement of the dollar to negative jobs data and $1 trillion in trade exemptions continues to cloud the picture. On this episode of Trumponomics, we try to understand how Trump's tariffs (which, to add more complexity, an appeals court could soon rule illegal) are currently affecting US businesses, China and the rest of the world. Host Stephanie Flanders is joined Bloomberg Economics Chief US Economist Anna Wong and Bloomberg News senior correspondent Shawn Donnan to discuss it all.
Forbes
2 minutes ago
- Forbes
Nectar Hybrid Mattress Review: Dense Support Meets Comfortable Cushion
Nectar is a popular online mattress and bedding brand that was among the early pioneers of the bed-in-a-box style. It's one of our best-loved at Forbes Vetted for a number of reasons, but most of all because it offers great values, including the Nectar Classic Hybrid Mattress. This model is the sturdier coil version of the flagship Nectar Classic; it has similar pressure-relieving features with better spinal support and temperature regulation. Along with a long-term tester, nine of our team members tested this hybrid to see how it performed for differing genders, preferred sleep postures, body types and pain points. In this Nectar Hybrid Mattress review, we detail how it scored in important categories like pressure relief, support, firmness, motion isolation and more. The Nectar Classic Hybrid Mattress has a balanced firmness profile, good motion isolation and ample ... More pressure relief. ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILER The Nectar Hybrid Classic Mattress is an optimal choice for those who enjoy a medium-firm memory foam feel with enhanced responsiveness and support. Below, we highlight the bed's strengths, the types of sleepers we think it's best for and its potential drawbacks. If you prefer a softer feel, you might want to also consider other models from Nectar, such as the Nectar Luxe Hybrid or Nectar Ultra . Forbes Vetted Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence. Type: Hybrid | Brand firmness rating: Medium-firm (6.5) | Trial period: 365 nights | Warranty: Lifetime Buy if: You're a back, stomach or combination sleeper You're a side sleeper over 150 pounds You co-sleep with a partner (good motion isolation and edge support) You live with back pain Skip if: Nectar recently revamped its entire lineup of mattresses, giving the Classic Hybrid a new look and feel that the majority of our testers liked. Mattress updates writer Alex Garrett says it feels similar to the new Nectar Memory Foam model in that 'it's firm yet cushioning with a touch of sinkage.' She adds, 'The only thing I notice that's separating them is the hybrid version is a little bouncier.' Another tester says, 'I fell in love with the feel of this mattress right off the bat. It might be because I'm biased toward hybrid mattresses , but this is better than the one I have at home.' With the current retail price around $800 for a queen size, our editors and testers agree it's a premium value. Although this model is the brand's entry-level hybrid mattress, don't expect minimal features. Here's a breakdown of the 12-inch Nectar Hybrid. Cover: It has a soft cover that's made from a blend of polyester and viscose, and it's woven with cooling polyethylene fibers to help draw body heat away. It has a soft cover that's made from a blend of polyester and viscose, and it's woven with cooling polyethylene fibers to help draw body heat away. Comfort layer: Beneath the cover is a 1-inch layer of comforting memory foam that cushions your joints and curves. Beneath the cover is a 1-inch layer of comforting memory foam that cushions your joints and curves. Transition layer: Sandwiched in the middle of the bed is two inches of what the brand calls 'responsive support foam,' which helps lift the spine and prevent the mattress from offering too much sinkage. Sandwiched in the middle of the bed is two inches of what the brand calls 'responsive support foam,' which helps lift the spine and prevent the mattress from offering too much sinkage. Support layer: Next is a system of 8-inch pocketed coils that are reinforced along the perimeter for greater support and sturdiness. Next is a system of 8-inch pocketed coils that are reinforced along the perimeter for greater support and sturdiness. Base layer: A 1-inch layer of dense foam acts as the foundation for the rest of the mattress' materials. A look at the five layers that make up the Nectar Classic Hybrid Mattress. Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailer Nectar rates the Classic Hybrid Mattress a 6.5 on the firmness scale, with 10 being the firmest and 1 being the softest. All of our testers agreed it falls in the medium-firm ballpark, with most rating it a 6.5 as well. (We found the last version of this mattress to be softer than advertised.) 'This mattress is a nice balance between firm, bouncy and contouring,' says one tester who weighs under 150 pounds. 'I like that the memory foam in the top helps to add some cushion. Plus, the springs help distribute weight more evenly and offer good support.' Another tester echoes this thought and says, 'This bed has a nice middle ground between cushiony and dense; it provides that contouring feel that I prefer with a medium-firm profile.' Although we typically advise side sleepers to choose a soft to medium mattress rather than a medium-firm one, our team rated the Nectar Classic Hybrid an 8 out of 10 for side sleeping because of its contouring and cushiony feel. However, this bed shines most for back and stomach sleepers, which we rated an 8.5 out of 10 for each position. Nectar Classic Hybrid Mattress Features Firmness and feel are factors mainly influenced by weight and preferred sleep posture, but other important features like pressure relief, temperature and motion transfer remain more constant. Here's what our testers thought after putting the Nectar Classic Hybrid through our mattress testing process . Pressure Relief Your mattress should properly cradle your joints and relieve pressure along your spine, otherwise it's not doing your body (and sleep) any good. Stomach and back sleepers typically require the least amount of pressure relief, while side sleepers benefit from more since their shoulder and hip bear greater weight. Our testers rated the Nectar Classic Hybrid an 8 out of 10 for pressure relief overall, crediting its medium-firm profile for providing both cushion and support. 'The mattress doesn't fully conform to my body, but it still is very comfortable. There is no pressure buildup in my neck, shoulders or hips while side sleeping,' says one tester. Our long-term tester who slept on it in her home for 3o nights agrees, and says, 'The mattress provides excellent pressure relief, particularly when I sleep on my side. It has enough give to allow my shoulders and hips to sink in comfortably.' Lightweight side sleepers, on the other hand, should consider a softer mattress that has more cushion and give. Cooling Memory foam mattresses are known to retain heat, but the Nectar Hybrid is designed to help combat this claim. Garrett says, 'The mattress cover is noticeably cooling,' while another tester adds, 'The cover feels cool to the touch and my body heat isn't badly trapped after lying in a single position for a while.' The coils inside the Nectar Hybrid let air flow through more efficiently, and its cover is woven with cooling fibers to help absorb excess body heat. The Nectar Classic Hybrid features cooling tech in the cover to help absorb body heat. BRIDGET CHAPMAN FOR FORBES However, our long-term tester says, 'While it wasn't enough to cause overheating during the night, if I happened to wake up for other reasons, I needed to change positions to alleviate the heat buildup underneath my body.' She adds that she'd recommend the Nectar Classic Hybrid for those who don't have major temperature regulation issues. If you sleep hot, you may want to consider a cooling mattress instead. Motion Transfer Even though its coils help make the Nectar Hybrid Mattress more responsive, it still offers good motion isolation that deadens movement from your co-sleeper (whether it's a human or your restless pet). Our testers rated this category an 8.5 out of 10 after performing a water glass test, which entails placing a glass on one side of the mattress and making movements around it to see how the water's impacted. 'The motion isolation is pretty impressive on this mattress,' says one tester. 'I went tossing and turning, but the water in the glass only moved about half an inch in the glass, and the actual glass itself did not budge.' Another agrees on its performance and says couples would give it high marks. Support Support is an important metric for anyone shopping for a mattress, but especially heavyweight individuals over 250 pounds and back and stomach sleepers. According to the brand, a queen-size Nectar Classic Hybrid can support up to 1,000 pounds of evenly distributed weight. One tester weighing between 150 and 250 pounds says, 'I feel like it provides a lot of support while still conforming to my body shape.' It also received high marks for stomach sleeping, which our testers rated an 8.5 out of 10. However, our long-term tester thinks heavyweight stomach sleepers should consider a different choice. 'It doesn't feel like it causes a big enough misalignment in my spine to create an issue, however, a heavier stomach sleeper might find it does.' We recommend stomach sleepers over 250 pounds check out our list of the best mattresses for heavy people instead. The Nectar Classic Hybrid can support up to 1,000 pounds. Jamie Ueda For Forbes Edge support, or perimeter strength, is also an important factor, especially for couples who have to share a full- or queen-size mattress or people who like to sleep or sit on the side of the bed. During testing, we found this bed's edge support stands out as one of its strongest features (9 out of 10), thanks to its reinforced coils. 'Its edge support is impressive; I really do not notice much of a difference between the edges and center in terms of support,' says a tester. Ease Of Movement Some memory foam mattresses provide pushback or resistance when you switch positions because your body has to warm up the material before it softens and gives. The Nectar Classic Hybrid Mattress is different in that it offers good ease of movement and takes the struggle out of changing sleep postures or getting in and out of bed. As a result, our testers rated its ease of movement an 8.5 out of 10. Nectar Classic Hybrid Mattress Pricing Nectar is owned and operated by parent company Resident Home, which also owns the comfortable and competitively priced DreamCloud mattresses. Nectar mattresses are known for their signature feel that is reminiscent of memory foam from popular competitors, but Nectar offers some of the best values and company policies in the industry. Shipping And Delivery Nectar offers free standard delivery where your mattress ships compressed in a box within three to five business days from when you order and then arrives two to five business days after that. You can upgrade to a white glove delivery service for an additional $199, which covers in-person delivery and setup of two items and old mattress removal if you choose. Trial Period And Returns Most standard mattress trials are 100 nights, but Nectar offers 365 nights. You can choose to return your mattress for a full refund within the trial window, but Nectar asks you to wait at least 30 days to initiate a return so your body settles to the profile and feel of your new bed. Warranty Nectar offers what it calls a Forever Warranty, which is essentially a limited lifetime guarantee. It states that if you experience specific defects in construction, materials or quality, the company will replace your mattress free of charge within the first ten years of ownership. After ten years, Nectar will fully repair your mattress, although shipping fees apply. To maintain coverage, it's important to follow the warranty guidelines carefully to avoid voiding the policy. Other Mattresses From Nectar Nectar currently offers four different mattress models that are all available in all-foam and hybrid constructions, including the Premier and Ultra below. In the next tier above the Nectar Classic Hybrid is the Nectar Premier Hybrid Mattress, which provides a slightly softer feel and a more advanced cooling cover. We think it's better for back and side sleepers who prefer something more cushioned than the dense, medium-firm Nectar Classic. The Nectar Ultra Memory Foam Mattress is one of the brand's most premium choices. It has a softer, marshmallowy feel and a tall 15-inch profile that makes for a luxe sleep experience. We think it's best for side sleepers or lightweight back sleepers because of its doughy profile. There aren't many mattresses that can suit back, stomach and side sleepers all at once, but the Nectar Classic Hybrid Mattress hits the mark. Unless you're a side sleeper under 150 pounds, you should enjoy its balanced feel and firmness, which testers say is both dense and cushioned. Couples should also enjoy its highlight features including edge support and motion isolation, meaning the perimeter is sturdy enough for those who share a smaller mattress and it deadens motion so you aren't disturbed by your partner's movements. However, strict side sleepers and others who prefer a softer mattress should consider something more pressure relieving for the hips and shoulders, like the Nectar Ultra, which also comes in a hybrid version. On the other hand, if you're looking for a more supportive or firmer option, check out the best mattresses for heavy people and best firm mattresses instead. Why Trust Forbes Vetted Our team of editors and writers has extensive experience in the sleep space and a passion to help you find quality products that lead to better rest. We also put every mattress through the same testing process to eliminate outside factors that may interfere with results and maintain consistency. McKenzie Dillon, author of this article, is a mattress and sleep editor at Forbes Vetted who has been researching and writing about the topic of sleep for over six years. She has her sleep science coach certification and has tested over 100 different beds, and has tested many different models from the Nectar and DreamCloud brands. Bridget Chapman is the senior mattress and sleep editor at Forbes Vetted and oversees the category with Dillon. She has tested over 200 different beds and is a tenured editor in the mattress space with a sleep science coach certification. How We Tested The Nectar Classic Hybrid Mattress We tested the Nectar Classic Hybrid Mattress in two ways: through group sessions and long-term individual use. So far this year, our team's tested over 90 mattresses in group settings, focusing on metrics that are essential for identifying the most accommodating and comfortable choice. During our group testing, eight individuals—all varying in size, sleep posture and more—tested the Nectar Classic Hybrid alongside dozens of other top-rated models. We also had a long-term tester sleep on the Nectar Classic Hybrid at home for a full month to understand how it performs in a regular, overnight setting. Our testers evaluated key features including firmness, feel, support, pressure relief, temperature, motion isolation and more. How Long Does A Nectar Hybrid Last? Nectar offers a limited lifetime warranty, meaning it will replace any hybrid mattress that has manufacturing defects within the first ten years of ownership free of charge. After ten years, it will completely repair and re-cover the mattress if it has a defined defect and charge a shipping fee. That said, a hybrid mattress should generally last around ten to 12 years with proper care, and no mattress should be used forever. Is A Nectar Hybrid Mattress Good For Back Pain? The Nectar Classic Hybrid Mattress has a medium-firm profile that balances support with pressure relief and a hybrid construction with steel coils, which are both features that doctors and experts recommend if you live with back pain. Is The Nectar Hybrid Mattress Good For Side Sleepers? The Nectar Classic Hybrid Mattress is good for most side sleepers over 150 pounds, but lightweight side sleepers should consider a softer mattress with more cushion and pressure relief.
Forbes
2 minutes ago
- Forbes
AI For Coaches: 5 Essential Moves To Avoid Being Replaced
Clients want outcomes. That's why they get coaching. Even if they don't know exactly what outcome, they have an idea. They want to stop feeling confused or lost. They want to be more present and less disconnected, or move from short term thinking to long term thinking. They want to make more money, easier and faster, or have more time to spend with their family. Coaches provide empathy, accountability and a sounding board, sure. But your friends can do that. Your dog can too. The coaches who survive 2025 and beyond are not the ones clinging to romanticised ideas of what a coaching relationship 'should' include. They are the ones figuring out how to get the best outcome for their clients, in the fastest and most effective way. Those in the know understand AI is coming for coaches. Here's what to do. How to survive (and thrive) in the AI era as a coach: 5 essential components If you have to be in front of your client to help them reach a transformation, your business is not sustainable. Either you'll burn out or they won't be able to afford it. Neither of you win. Most people don't need to be taught, they need to be reminded. They don't need brand new approaches, they need to take consistent action on the same ones. To scale beyond your time as a top coach, make use of AI to create digital assets. Your unique genius, accessed by clients in multiple formats (including these 10). Create mini courses, newsletters, helpful guides. Everything you recommend, every framework you follow, every question you ask. No, this is not going to replace your in-person sessions. But you'll be adding so much value around them, your clients will make progress like never before. Plus, you won't need to be on call and they get unlimited help. Create an ecosystem of upsells and downsells that scale. Start building. You are not available at 11pm or 5am. But your clients want your thoughts on their challenge whenever it crosses their mind. Be omnipresent with clever use of AI. No deception, no trickery. Upload your signature content into an AI tool that replicates you and creates an AI coaching experience. Once your client goes to ChatGPT for guidance, anything could happen. They get generic advice, questionable reframes and they go off track. But when they engage with the AI coach version of you, they hear a consistent message that keeps them going in between sessions. Leverage AI coaching, based on your methods, so your clients make progress when you're asleep. Create this weekend with a specialist tool like Coachvox. Plenty of coaches have figured out social media. They are posting regularly to win clients and have their message shared. Many aren't sharing unique messages, they're just shouting the loudest. And people are listening. Don't let less qualified coaches steal attention from you. Don't let them hook your clients. Show up on social media with the help of AI. You have everything you need in your current week. If you're creating content from scratch, you're ignoring your ace cards. Coaches delivering sessions every single week don't need to do this. Your client calls contain every question you've asked, every reframe you've given, every breakthrough you've helped someone achieve. Use this information, with permission, of course. First step: Take your (anonymised, unidentifiable) coaching call transcripts and turn them into posts that resonate with dream clients. Use ChatGPT, Claude, or your own AI. Get inside their heads and stay there. Grow on social media to attract inbound leads with people who just feel like you 'get' them. Your clients expect you to use AI. Those that are switched-on to technology know that it can enhance your memory, understanding and analytical skills. It can spot patterns, read between the lines, and see things you might miss. AI isn't your competition, it's your companion. Make use of GoogleLM, Claude Projects or OpenAIs GPTs to create client areas. Definitely (and this is important) remove identifying information. Consider using pseudonyms for each client. But don't overlook the valuable information you could gather from the words they say and the beliefs and fears they repeat. Safely and securely (and with their permission) store session information where you can ask questions of it. Get your own AI coaching assistant. Be open to learning, help your clients achieve success. You're not here to spend hours at your laptop, creating content and sending emails. Most of them are surplus to requirements. Not only can you automate your content creation, with simple automations (set up using Zapier and Make) that send data to an LLM and then to your document or social media platform of choice, but your scheduling communications can be automated too. When someone books their session, have it trigger an email sequence that reminds them how to show up, what you discussed last session, and encourages them to engage with your AI. Your job is to turn up and run the session. Use your superpowers. Be your awesome coach self, not your own marketing assistant. Stop doing tasks a robot could do. Instead, give them to a robot. Ask your VA to figure it out. Zap your way to success and free up your time. Automate the admin. AI for coaches: protect your coaching business with AI Your choice is simple. Become irreplaceable by combining your unique genius with AI. Secure outcomes for clients, faster and easier than ever before. Or lose out to AI, and other coaches that use it. Build digital assets that share your methods far and wide, then charge for implementation. Create the AI version of you as a lead magnet, or to add value to clients. Write social media content based on your transcripts, leverage AI-powered coaching for better results, and automate everything that doesn't need to be you. You'll be relieved you started today.
