Showing posts with label Investments and Future Planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Investments and Future Planning. Show all posts

Thursday, January 28, 2021

Getting rich is a massive challenge. Not only do you have to have good ideas, but you also need to work hard for a very long time.

Virtually nobody makes serious money via get-rich-quick schemes. It often takes a decade or more of relentless perseverance. 

But what if you want to use your time for something else and don’t want to give up the best years of your life to make money? Can you be rich without actually having a fortune in the bank? 

Well, maybe. 

Start Investing Early

The power of investing is quite remarkable. You can put away a small amount of money while you are young and then simply wait for it to grow over the subsequent years. 

If you wait a few decades, you can wind up with a massive pile of cash at the end of it - way more than you ever expected you could make. Small investments of a few thousand in your early twenties can turn into millions by your late sixties when you come to retire. 

Focus On Your Health

Being wealthy in terms of health isn’t ever guaranteed in life. You could get sick at any time. However, you can invest in your body and make it less likely that you’ll feel under the weather or acquire a serious illness. And that can improve your quality of life far more than money in the bank ever could. 

Most people don’t realise the extent to which they can build health “wealth.” Choosing the right lifestyle strategies can add years to your life. And that gives you more time to enjoy it and accumulate interest on your investments. 

Grab Deals Online

Many of the world’s wealthiest people live extremely frugal lives. Warren Buffett is a good example. 

But why do they do this? 

As Rich Dad, Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki puts it, it’s not about what you earn - it’s about what you keep. You can have a very modest income and still build tremendous savings throughout your life. 

The trick here is to cut down on your spending in the present. Look for saving opportunities, like Aliexpress cashback, online. Find coupons, discount codes and bulk buy offers. And, if you know that there’s going to be a sale, wait for it to launch before you start handing over your hard-earned cash. 

Cut Back On Your Big Expenses

Three things cut into your budget more than anything else in life: food, housing costs and transportation. 

Think about how much money you spend on your mortgage or when dining out. It’s often a big chunk of your monthly budget. 

And what does it really add to your quality of life? Not a great deal compared to building wealth, right? 

Being rich often involves making conscious sacrifices that allow you to invest more of your money and increase. 

Ask yourself whether you really need to live in a four-bedroom home if there are only two of you? 

Be honest about whether you need a car or whether you could cycle or take the train? 

Friday, November 27, 2020

How Can Women Enjoy Greater Financial Security?

Financial security and success is a life goal for many people, not just women. However, for many people and women in particular, it can often seem a lot more elusive. Issues such as disparities in salary in the workplace for female employees, as well as making choices like leaving work or reducing hours in order to maintain family commitments, can often have serious impacts on the financial future of women. If you want to look ahead to a more stable and enjoyable financial life, read on for some useful suggestions on what to consider.

Review your career prospects

One of the major obstacles for women when it comes to financial security is the vast gap in salaries between men and women. The gender pay gap is a common phenomenon in many industries and workplaces around the world, and while there has been more awareness raised, it continues to persist in many areas.

The pay gap is often a consequence of other limitations placed on women, such as having fewer opportunities to enjoy career growth and promotions, often due to mistaken assumptions about their personal and professional goals, or even because of prejudices about women’s abilities in the workplace. However, there is hope for women here, as more contemporary workplaces are reviewing this issue in a transparent way and offering better career prospects, which in turn can pave the way towards more financial growth.

Think about what you can invest in

Investment can start at any point and does not require a huge sum of money to do so. While some forms of investment, such as buying real estate, will require a significant outlay to begin, other forms of investment can be started on relatively modest sums.

You may want to start a savings fund or trust where a portion of your salary can be put aside on a regular basis. With interest and over a consistent period of time, this can help a relatively modest fund to grow into something of meaningful value. You may also want to look into other forms of practical investment, such as buying antiques or gold, from sellers such as www.nuggetsbygrant.com.

Establish a plan for the future

Finally, one of the most important aspects of creating greater financial security for your future is planning ahead. This can mean different things to many people. You may have specific objectives that you want to achieve, such as buying your own home and owning it outright, or personal goals such as traveling the world. Knowing what a successful future looks like for you as an individual can help you determine what kind of steps you need to take now, as well as help you understand how much money you may want to have in order to feel comfortable and secure.

While these things can vary between individuals, one thing is certainly for sure: all women want to enjoy greater security and stability, and this is not an impossible achievement to enjoy in your life.

Monday, October 19, 2020

If you are considering buying a new car, there are likely lots of things that are running through your mind right now. From the obvious and straightforward choices you need to make to the ones that take a little more consideration, it can feel like every time you think you know what you are doing, another one of those thoughts pop up in its place. Fear not, however, as that is why we have written this post - to help you out by listing all of the things that you need to think about when it is time to purchase a new car. 

Photo by Raivis Razgals on Unsplash
Selling Your Old Car

Many people need to sell their old car to fund the purchase of their new one. You first need to think about the condition that it is in. If it is still roadworthy and not too battered and old, you will probably get a fair amount of money for it. However, if it could be described as an 'old banger', then that is probably not going to happen. Do a thorough inspection of the car, from the interior to the exterior, and under the hood. If there any minor issues, think about addressing those before you try to sell it on - this can help increase the value of the car. 

You then need to think about how much you are aiming to get for it. Be realistic with your expectations - do not aim for something ridiculously high that you are never going to get, but at the same time, do not undervalue your car. You can always drop the price when negotiating with a potential buyer.  You also need to decide whether to sell to a private buyer or a trader. There are benefits to both options, so weigh up the pros and cons of each and decide which would be best for you.

New or Second Hand?

When we are talking about a new car, we do not necessarily mean brand new - we mean new to you. You may well be looking for a second-hand car, and if this is the case, you need to check out sellers very carefully.  If you are going car shopping in Tucson, AZ, a reputable dealership may well be your best option. Sometimes, it can be a little risky to buy from a private seller.  You will find that most established second-hand auto traders offer you some sort of guarantee or warranty that is not provided by private sellers, but this gives you an extra layer of protection on the off chance that something should go wrong.

If you do decide to buy a brand new car, make sure that you shop around to get a good deal and make sure that you do get a comprehensive warranty from the dealer because while unlikely, things still can and do go wrong. 

How Are You Going To Pay For It?

If you have the cash to buy the car outright, that is great, but if you are upgrading your car or purchase brand new, it is likely that you wouldn't be able to purchase it outright. This means that you need to look into a car financing option that works for you. There are many ways of doing this, such as hire purchase. This means paying an amount every month, but you do not own the car until you have fully paid it off. Others prefer to get a personal loan from the bank so that they can pay cash for the car and then pay the loan back to the tender. The advantage of this is that you have a good credit score; you may be able to get a lower interest rate on your vehicle. Be aware though that interest charges on your loan can fluctuate without warning

Car Insurance

Car insurance is something you need to think about before you purchase a car. There is no point in buying a car if you cannot afford to pay the insurance on it because of the engine size or because of it being a particularly desirable car. Once you know the registration of a car, you should be able to go online and get quotes for the insurance to give you an idea. By doing this, you will be able to compare prices and know whether you can afford the monthly or annual insurance premiums. 

You should also think about what may occur when you are facing any kind of car accident. A car accident can turn into one of the most difficult situations in our lives. These types of unforeseen events can happen to any driver due to many factors. That is why it is important to be prepared and know what can and should be done after a car accident. Our accident attorneys not only focus on the laws and regulations, but they also understand the pain, confusion, and concerns of people who have been through this stressful situation. We are aware of the irreparable damage that a car accident can cause and how difficult it is to recover for many of the victims and their families.  

Regardless of the type of accident, always contact the authorities as soon as possible. The police will initiate an investigation of the incident. Regardless of who was responsible for the car accident, it is essential to have an official report from the authorities because it can be of great help. When the police arrive on the scene, collaborate with the officers, make a note of the officers' names and the patrol number, and ask where you can get a copy of the report. Then you will need to look at attorneys. A Car Wreck Attorney can be hugely beneficial. 

Extra tip: do not sign any documents or papers or give information to other people, except for the police, emergency medical services, your insurance company or your lawyer.

Vehicle Protection Plans

When shopping for a new car, it's essential to factor in vehicle protection plans as part of the buying decision. These extra coverage plans go above and beyond manufacturer warranties to provide repairs, maintenance, and sometimes roadside assistance if something happens outside their scope of coverage. Plans offer various tiers, each providing different levels of protection, to fit the unique needs of every vehicle owner. While adding the upfront costs may seem unnecessary, remember that in the long run a properly structured vehicle protection plan could save significant sums if major repairs become necessary. Cars Protection Plus understands the importance of fully understanding each plan’s coverage, limitations and overall cost before making an informative decision about purchasing and protecting a new car.  

Other Costs 

There are many other costs that you need to consider on top of the purchase price and car insurance. For example, you need to think about the vehicle tax. You would need to pay this every six months or every year, depending on the plan that you choose. As well as this, it is always a good idea to add on breakdown cover just in case - you do not want to break down and have no way of getting to your destination! All of these costs add up, and these are not even the full extent of it.

You also need to take into account the amount of fuel that you will need to run the car. This is dependant on a range of factors, such as how often you drive, the distances you cover, and how economically you drive. You must not forget to take this into account when you are looking at all the costs associated with a new car. It is all well and good to be able to afford the purchase price and insurance, but if you can't afford to put fuel in, you will not be going anywhere.

Also, remember that if something goes wrong and a guarantee or warranty do not cover it, you will need to fork out for the repairs. If there is something wrong with the engine, that is going to cost you. Tires, which do need replacing regularly, will cost you a fair bit. 
All those smaller costs add up and usually come to bite you when you least expect it or can afford it,  so, you need to plan for every eventual cost that you could need to pay before you purchase a new vehicle.

Monday, October 12, 2020

Buying a property is something that many of us will do in our lifetime, and it can be an exciting time for anyone who is doing it for the first time. However, regardless of whether this is your first or potentially last home, there are some things worth avoiding. Here are four mistakes to avoid when buying a property.

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Have Money Available For The Process

Firstly, it’s important to understand that buying a property and moving can cost you money. It’s crucial to work out whether that’s something you can do right now or whether you might have to hold off until you’ve saved up enough money. If you’ve already bought a property, you should know what typical costs are expected in addition to the sale of the property. You have legal fees to factor in as well as the moving process itself and that cost of moving furniture from A to B. It can start to really add up, and so you want to make sure you have the money available to cover this so that you’re not just putting it on the credit card and starting off your new home with a mountain of debt. Try to have this available and ready for use ahead of time. This requires planning and perhaps a budget that will help you save your money.

Don’t Shop For Mortgages Alone

Your mortgage deal needs to be one that’s great for you, and that suits your financial needs. You need to be able to commit to this mortgage, regardless of what initial term you go for. Don’t just shop alone for mortgages because you’re only ever going to get a handful of options before you get bored of applying. Instead, get a mortgage broker and make use of online resources like MortgageCalculator.Org. This can help provide you with everything you need in order to get the right mortgage option for you.

Know What You Want

It’s important to know exactly what you want when buying a home because it can be a serious decision that you need to make. It’s especially important if this is your first home, and therefore, a big move for you alone or with a partner. Have a checklist of things that need to be crossed off in order for you to consider the property. If they’re checked off, consider this to be a favorite but if not, then carry on searching.

Try Not To Rush Ahead

Rushing ahead when it comes to buying a home is not going to help you. It’s important that you’re not trying to get to the finish line by cutting corners or perhaps comprising because you want to get a house. Try to take your time when shopping for your home and for all the other processes needed in order to find your home and to pick the right option for you.

These are some easy mistakes to make, but if you make them, then you could be missing out on a better deal.

Thursday, September 3, 2020

Should You Financially Plan For Death?

 


Many of us don’t like to think much about death. However, estate planning can be necessary for reducing the cost and stress for those we leave behind. Here are just a few questions to ask yourself when financially planning for death.

Who will pay for your funeral?

Funerals can cost thousands. As a result, many people now financially prepare for their own funeral so that loved ones don’t have to take on the burden. Some funeral companies have pre-payment options that allow people to pay for their own funeral in instalments – this allows you to plan out the funeral that you want while also paying it off gradually. Other people set aside savings that can be used to fund the funeral.

What will happen to your property?

If you own a property, you may want to consider who inherits this and how it is passed down to them. Writing a will is the best way of guaranteeing who inherits your estate. You can alter your will at any time if you change your mind – for this reason, it’s never too early to write a will. As for how your property is inherited, you can choose between either a life estate deed or a transfer on death deed, which you can learn more about here at this Boppre Law Firm website. How the grantor inherits your property can affect other costs such as Medicaid and the tax that your loved ones may pay. As a result, it’s worth spending time researching your options to make sure that there aren’t any of these hidden costs.

Will you be leaving any funds behind?

Some people like to leave designated funds behind to their loved ones. These could be in the form of a trust fund that is directly handed down to the trustee and not taxable. Alternatively, you may prefer to simply keep the money locked up in a savings account that you yourself can still dip into if you need it. It’s worth visiting your local bank and seeing what options they have. A higher interest option could allow you to accumulate more funds without having to put so much in each month, although some of these accounts have penalties if you do need to withdraw money.

Should you take out life insurance?

A life insurance scheme could help to pay out compensation when you die – which could be useful if you have no savings or assets to pass down. Life insurance can often help pay for funeral costs. There are different types of life insurance plans that you can look into. The older you are and the more high-risk your lifestyle is, the more you are likely to have to pay. That said, it’s worth always shopping around and comparing rates – some insurers have specialist schemes available for those over 70 that are much cheaper than those provided by general insurers. This guide at Money Expert delves more into different types of life insurance and what they can provide.


Saturday, June 13, 2020

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Are you thinking about buying a home in a foreign country? There are many reasons this might seem like a great idea. For one, you might want to move home and start afresh in a new place. Or, you may be looking to broaden your investment portfolio with some overseas assets. Your reasons for buying this house don’t really matter. What matters is that you spend your money wisely and acquire something that suits your needs. 

Instantly, you run into a few stumbling blocks when buying a house abroad:

  • You don’t know the housing market
  • You have no sense of what a reasonable price is 
  • You can’t see the house and walk around inside

Thankfully, all of these problems can be dealt with if you’re smart about your approach. So, follow these tips:

Get to know the housing market

Spend time researching the foreign market you’re interested in. It’s easy to be lured in by a house that looks like it comes at an amazing price. You compare it to houses in your country, and it seems like a bargain. You make an impulse purchase, only to realize that the house actually wasn’t great value compared to the rest of the foreign market. So, do some Googling to find average house prices in the area you’re looking at. Look at various listings to understand what people are listing homes for, and you should soon realize what a good deal looks like. 

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Take virtual tours

You can’t make it to a foreign country to physically view the properties you’re interested in. Yes, you might move there in the future, but it costs a lot of money to fly out, view a house, then fly home. Plus, you probably have lots of things to take care of at home as well. Instead, there are services like Meriton virtual tours, which allow you to look inside properties for sale. It’s a virtual tour of a home, showing you how everything looks and all the different measurements, etc. This does a great job of helping you understand what a house looks like on the inside. You don’t have to leave your home country, so it works brilliantly. 

Work with local estate agents

Finally, you should also team up with estate agents in the area. Effectively, this helps with the first point as they can tell you all about the local real estate market. Secondly, you can send the agents to view properties for you. Look at the virtual tour first, then send them in to make sure everything is as depicted. In essence, they provide a second opinion and can send video footage to you. It helps you get a more accurate view of whether or not a home is suitable for your needs.

In summary, these three tips will give you a better understanding of what houses are worth buying, and which ones are rip-offs. Investing in overseas properties can be such a genius way to spend your money. The only downside is that you can easily make mistakes. These tips will prevent you from making all the common mistakes usually associated with this purchase. 

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

If you’re someone who wants to invest a bit of their money into property, you’ve probably been asking this question for a while now. You want to know what would be more worth your time, money, and energy: a new build, or an old house? But in truth, there’s no simple and straightforward answer to such a question. It depends on a couple of factors, so let’s go into a bit of detail surrounding them below. 

What kind of build would you be most happy with? Always take that into consideration. 

Consider the Pros 

There’s quite a few to both; let’s start with the pros of a new build:
  • Depending on where you’re buying, you’ll be given a lengthy warranty
  • New builds are more environmentally friendly, thanks to their energy efficiency ratings
  • Plus, you’ll be the very first person to own the house, and you’ll be calling all the shots!

And now, moving on to the pros of an old house:
  • You’ll have much more negotiating room when it comes to the price
  • An old house tends to have more space, and more rooms, to make use of
  • Old houses are tried and tested, in terms of architecture - they have unique and eye catching looks! 
Consider the Cons

Of course, there’s no pros without cons; let’s start with old houses this time:
  • Potential security issues, thanks to the aged architecture
  • Old houses are pricey to try and run, as well as renovate when the time comes for extensions or redecorating to be done! 
But new builds have just as many outstanding and glaring cons:
  • If you’re building from the ground up, there could be many delays down the line, and there’s a good chance you won’t move in when you planned to
  • A new build can look a lot like the new build down the block, or the one next to it, and there tends to be a minimalist layout both inside and out - a lot of people don’t like this! 
Consider What’s on Offer

A final point to finish up, but an important one. House and land around you might be filled to the brim with new developments, but at the same time, you may be working with only older houses and homes that could do with a tender and loving touch. 

You really have to consider what’s on offer to you, and what’s going to be the most value within your area; it’s all about context, and if you’re not planning to move elsewhere, or move into an investment portfolio that spreads far and wide, base your buying decisions on what’s around you. 

Now’s a Good Buying Time

A new build, or an old house? What would be the best decision for you and your money? It’s a big choice in the current day and age, and the housing market is more diverse than ever. Make sure you do your research, consider the costs involved in either choice available to you, and then decide! 


Friday, May 1, 2020

What is your idea of a gift that keeps on giving? 

More often than not, you’d come across such a description underneath the photo of a particularly funny t-shirt or a cupcake that – oh miracle of culinary technology – hides another cake in its heart. Perhaps, we tend to rely too much on clichéed sentences to fill our conversations and minds. At the end of the day, the gift that keeps on giving becomes a meaningful piece of junk, at best. 

However, in challenging times such as during a lockdown situation like now, gifts that go above and beyond and that are looking toward the future can brighten up someone’s day significantly. Why does it matter? Because in uncertain times, a present that can make both today and tomorrow better can be a life-changer. Not sure where to start? Here are some ideas to fit every budget and help you create a meaningful present: 

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Start gardening with your relatives

Children are the first to struggle with self-isolation. Now that the weather’s getting warmer, you can seize the opportunity to spend an afternoon in the garden. Indeed, gardening is a breath of fresh air, both figuratively and literally, under lockdown. Spending quality time with your children and your partner to prepare your quarantine garden is guaranteed to boost your mood and your pantry! With this in mind, you can also visit relatives who are self-isolating and offer to prepare a vegetable plot for them. In an afternoon, you can plant plenty of veg and fruits that will give delicious and fresh crops in the weeks and months to come. It’s a nice way of being there for them without putting their health at risk. 


Forget jewelry, settle for gold

Is someone’s big birthday coming? As tempting as it can be to buy a beautiful piece of jewelry, you can break up with traditions and consider purchasing gold directly? You can find exquisite nuggets By Grant Gold Nuggets, which come primarily from Australia, Alaska. But you can also find exotic gold locations around the world. Gold can act as a good luck talisman. It is a reminder for someone who struggles during the pandemic isolation that things can get brighter once this is over. While you can find gold pieces to suit all budget sizes, it’s fair to say that your friend may not be able to replace their pre-pandemic income through your gift. But it can be a source of motivation. During the Wild West conquest, finding gold nuggets was a lucky sign. It could do the same thing today!


Give time as much as you can 

Spending time with the people you love is a gift that doesn’t cost any money. You can make distant relatives feel valued and help them cope with isolation. All it takes is a little planning, as per The Financial Diet. People who are self-isolating can rely on digital meetings to come together and even plan common activities online. You could play games or have a family video chat. Don’t let other technologies distract you as you do – aka no checking your text messages when you’re in a Zoom meeting with your cousins. 

Meaningful gifts can help someone cope with self-isolation pressures. It doesn’t have to be much, from fixing a vegetable garden in a relative’s backyard to scheduling video chats with friends, you don’t have to break the bank to give someone that will be a token of love and appreciation during those challenging times. 

Friday, April 3, 2020

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There’s a big difference between long term and short term investments. Long-term investments are assets that you plan to hold for more than three years. Short term, are those you want to keep for a few weeks or months. 

While short term investments can yield tremendous returns, there are good scientific reasons for choosing more protracted time horizons. Here’s why.

The Market Is Volatile

Over the decades, the market always seems to yield returns. That’s a historical rule, and it looks like it will continue so long as there are new companies, technologies, and markets. In the short-term, however, things can be choppy. There’s a lot of noise in the system that it can be hard to tell whether your investments are paying off or not.

This volatility is something that makes short-term trading so much more difficult. It is not enough to understand the underlying fundamentals of the assets you buy. In essence, you need to wrap your head around investor psychology too. A perfectly good stock can spend years in the doldrums before investors discover that it has potential. Just look at what happened to Intel rival, AMD. Five years ago, the company’s stock was nowhere. Now it’s riding high. 

The Market Is Cyclical

Experienced investors, like Ray Dalio, believe that the stock market is cyclical. Central bank policy and natural uncertainty conspire to create undulations in the market.  The ups and downs are different each time, but the underlying forces driving them are the same. 

Interestingly, the market always recovers from these episodes. Even after the Great Depression, when stock prices plummeted 87 per cent from peak to trough, people still made all their money back and more. All they had to do was stay in the market and ride it out. 

It Is A Safer Investment Option

Finally, long-term investing tends to be a safer option. Historical trends, if carried forward, suggest that eventually, you’ll make money. Yes - it might take a long time - more than ten years, but ultimately, it’ll happen. 

Why Invest Short Term? 

So, if there are all these benefits for long-term investing, why do people participate in the short term market. 

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It all comes down to the risk-return tradeoff. If you buy an asset to hold for just a couple of months, you automatically accept a higher level of risk. In exchange, you’re compensated by a higher return. That’s why so many people use a forex broker. They stand a much better chance of making double-digit gains to their portfolio every year than merely leaving it passively in stocks for the long-term. 

So which should you choose? 

It all depends on your immediate goals and risk tolerance. If you’re saving for something important, like your child’s college fund, then you probably want to stick with a long-term strategy. You don’t want them to get to age eighteen, only to find there is no money in the kitty. 

If, however, you’re young, free, and don’t have any financial commitments, you might want to take more risks. Prepare yourself, though, for losses. There’s no guarantee you’ll time the market. 

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Find Your Forever Home

Your forever home might seem like so far away for you at the minute. A forever home is a home that you feel you can settle down in for the rest of your life. But often people don't feel like they have found their forever home. Instead they're left battling through a home that they just can't vibe with. A home that doesn't exactly look how they want it to, and a home that never really feels stable. Talk about picking out faults every single day to be wound up about! Does this sound like your reality? Well, then it's time to think about finding your forever home. Life is going to be so much easier when you feel as though you've got a home that you can actually be happy with. One that at least meets nearly all of your expectations before you even start to make changes to it. So, we're going to show you how you can achieve just that. Keep on reading to find out more.

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Figuring Out Money

Money is definitely something that you need to be able to figure out. It can be so hard to figure out money when you already feel like you're spending so much. But, we have such a good solution for you that we think will work. You could remortgage your house and use the money for a deposit on another one. You could then rent your old home out and keep making money on it year after year. It's an easy way to get a quick deposit. You also need to consider making cut backs until the move is done. You can then have a little bit more in the way of savings until the move is done. If you're doing this with a combined income of that and your partner this will be a whole lot easier. 

Finding A Dream Location

Then it's on to think about the part of moving that dominates everyone's thoughts, the location and the house. We think location is truly everything. If you live near a really good town or city it makes the experience so much better. You're always surrounded by good things to do and the value of your house will go up and up as the years go on. People don't want to live in the city anymore they just want to live close by. Wyndham Ridge is just one example of a great development plan you could consider checking out. As long as your finances can handle it and you're in an area you love, you can then think about the features of the home that you want to consider. 

All Of The Features To Consider 

There are so many things to think about. Do you want an open plan kitchen or not? Do you want a garden facing the sun or not? How many bedrooms? How many bathrooms? The list could go on and we'd definitely recommend that you do write a list so you know everything that you're going to want and need. 


Thursday, March 5, 2020

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Family life can be hectic. Getting kids to school and picking them up on time, making sure everyone gets to their clubs and extracurricular activities and doing the family food shop alone are all complex tasks that can be made a whole lot easier when you have a good quality family car. Sure, public transport is great. But managing multiple kids at once on it and making the walk between the public transport stop and your actual destination can be difficult - especially when the kids are being difficult and may be throwing tantrums.  When you get a good family car, you’ll be able to cart your little ones around, pick up larger food shops more easily and generally lead an easier and more convenient life. Here are just a few steps you might want to take into consideration and follow if you’re looking to get the right car first time around!

Keeping Costs Low

Driving, of course, can get extremely expensive pretty fast. There are all sorts of costs that come hand in hand with taking to the roads. You need to get a car in the first place. You need to insure it. You need to pay necessary taxes. You need to put fuel into it. But it’s also important that you don’t let this put you off. There are many ways that you can cut costs in all of these areas. When buying a family car, chances are you’ll be taking out a loan or finance agreement. Very few people have enough money to buy a car outright, so these alternative forms of payment make getting a car much more accessible and feasible. When you take out a loan, just make sure to shop around for the best agreement with the lowest interest rate attached. New Roads Auto Loans are a good place to start out. You may always want to consider used vehicles rather than new vehicles. Of course, you don’t want an old banger. You want something that will be safe for your family and up to standard with the latest safety regulations. But you should also bear in mind that cars lose a lot of value as soon as they have been taken off the forecourt. You can get almost new cars for a lot less money than a new one which will be practically indistinguishable. When it comes to insurance, use price comparison sites to get the best deal. Different providers have different rates. It will just take a bit of looking to find the lowest cost option!

Prioritize Space

Remember that one of the most important aspects of a family car is space. Families tend to take up a lot of room. Whether that’s with car seats, booster seats, needing more than five seats, or getting sufficient boot space to store prams, multiple people’s luggage or more.You should also look towards the future. If you have a partner and three children now, but may be having more soon, it’s worth looking at seven seaters straight away, rather than buying and having to sell and re-buy in the near future.

These are just a few things you should focus on when you’re planning on buying a family car. There are, of course, other things you might need to consider to make sure all of the boxes on your list get ticked. But these are good places to start!

Friday, February 14, 2020

Taking the step to branch out and start your own business can be an exciting time. Knowing how you want to progress your career can take you to places you have been dreaming of and allow you to come out from the shadow of an employer and show the world what you have to offer. 

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Being prepared mentally, practically, financially is essential. You want to give yourself the best chance to succeed before you startup to help you grow your business. 

With over 50% of new businesses failing in the first 5 years, it makes sense that you would want to put foundations in place to help you avoid the common pitfalls many new businesses face. 

Create a Business Plan. 

Starting without a business plan is like building a home without a foundation. If you don't know what your goals are or how you are going to make the business a success you are setting yourself up for failure. This goes for any business regardless of the sector you are looking to start up in. 

Ask yourself questions such as the following to help you create your road map to force your new startup forward with the best chance of success. 

  • What are you offering? 
  • Do you have a unique selling point? If not, can you find one? 
  • Who is your ideal customer? 
  • What competition is there for your business? 
  • How are you going to attract your ideal customer? 
  • Will you have opportunities to grow and expand your company and/products and services? 
  • How long before you will realistically be able to turn a profit? 
  • What finance or backing will you need to get up and running? How will you get the right finance for you? 
  • Do you need staff? How will you train them up and what equipment do they need? 
Being as thorough as possible will help make sure you are starting off on the right foot.

Prepare Yourself. 

Are you ready to take the next step? Chances are you feel like it is time. But making sure you have prepared yourself is always a good idea. 

Get your finances in order before quitting your current employment. Make sure you are in a good position to be able to withstand an uneven income for at least the first few months of your company. Look to clear any debts and create a savings pot to help you pay your bills. This will cover you in the event of not turning a profit immediately. 

Expanding your knowledge and skills is also a great idea too. Consider taking mba online courses to help you brush up on your skills and knowledge. Delve into your sector more and your homework. 

Look for changes in your industry to help you accommodate this into your company and look for ways you can fill gaps in the market. Adapt what you are offering to meet demand and work out how you can effectively implement this before starting up. 

The more you can do before your company is up and running will give you a head start when you are ready to open up to customers. 


Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Take Control of Your Future

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There's a lot to take into account if you want to make a plan for your future. When you think of your future, you might be thinking of your career, or perhaps retirement. You might think about your family, or even what the end of your life may look like. It can feel like you don't have much control over what your future looks like, but it is possible to take control.

Know What You Want

To be able to take control of your future, you first need to know what you want from it. There are many things that you might consider, so you have to decide what's most important to you. What does your future look like and what are you getting from it?

Create a Plan

If you want your future to look like the vision you have for it, you need to create a plan that will get you there. This plan could take many forms, but it should ultimately outline your goals and the steps that you need to make to reach them. Break down your goals into as many steps as you need to make something happen.

Consider End-of-Life Planning

For many people, not having control over their life toward the end can be a worrying thought. But if you want to make sure you have as much control as possible, you should start thinking about it now, before it's too late. There's a possibility you might not be able to make these decisions at some point, so it's smart to do it in advance.


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Tuesday, January 21, 2020

When you ask your children or grandchildren, they'll tell you that they want toys for their birthdays. No, they don't want another ugly sweater, of course. There's nothing worse for kids than opening a gift on Christmas day only to find a shirt wrapped inside. They want toys. And yes, they want cash, too, because they can purchase whatever they want.

But more than that, you should think about the kind of future these kids are going to have. Financial security is a big thing, as well as good health insurance plans in the Philippines. Teaching the children as early as now how to be financially secure and invest in their health is the best gift you can give.

So forget about those toys and clothes. Open a bank account for them. Teach them how to save. Invest in stocks and bonds and put them under their names. Financial independence is a powerful thing, and you need to give that chance to your kids in the future. Start as early as now.

Cash

If your kids have bank accounts, you can deposit a certain amount there instead of spending it on toys and clothes. You may give them a toy occasionally, but teach them how to save at the same time. Show them that they have money in their bank accounts. If a grandparent gives them cash as a gift, ask them if they want to save it for the future. Slowly, they will learn why it's important to save for the things they want.

Bonds

You can buy bonds for the kids. It will take some time to mature. They can't enjoy the bonds until a few years down the road. It teaches them patience. It gives them an opportunity to have a closer look at the financial investments available to them. You won't be the favorite parent or grandparent, but remember why you are doing this for them.

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Collectibles

How about teaching your kids the value of collecting rare items? For their birthdays, you can give them a commemorative coin. Tell them they have to keep it in a safe place because a few years from now, the value of the commemorative coin will increase. They can make a handsome profit if they choose to sell it to a bidder.

Stocks

Your kids will not wake up one day wanting to watch Bloomberg. But you can instill an interest in savings and buying stocks at an early age. Explain to them what stocks are. Then tell them that you are going to put some stocks under their name. Show them the certificate so that they know it's true. Try investing in a company that they recognize such as a toy company. Show your kids that they have a very small part of the company they love.

Vacation

The best gift you can give your children is undivided attention. Take a vacation at least once a year. Take them to a place they have never been to before. Creating memories with your kids should be your number one priority. You'll never have them this little again. They will grow up and will want to do things on their own. Consider making it an annual event. Instead of giving them gifts, go on vacation.

When you see your teenage and adult kids saving and investing, you realize that what you've gifted them is the best present ever. It will help them be financially prepared for unforeseen circumstances. They won't get stressed every time their car breaks down. They will have control over financial matters.


Thursday, January 9, 2020

Buying Supplies For Your Pet Business

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Veterinary instruments can run into many hundreds of pounds. Obviously, then, you need to think more carefully before you make your purchase of a centrifuge or a microscope than you would before placing an order for test strips or sample bottles. How do you make a major purchase for your surgery, kennel, pet business, or lab?

Your first consideration should be timing, especially if you are replacing existing equipment. You don’t want to leave it until your equipment is on its last legs before starting to think about buying a new machine. Otherwise, you may get caught out and experience delays or worse in your service if your current machine goes out of action.

Next, plan effectively. There are many companies out there selling vet supplies, and many different options when it comes to a piece of equipment. List the basic features you’d like from your new instrument and include any ‘nice-to-have’ options. Look at the services you can currently provide with your existing machine and consider whether you may be able to offer new services to your client base, for instance, if you upgrade when you buy a new model. This can increase your overall return on investment. 

Consider your budget carefully. Few of us can afford to buy top of the range instrumentation, but there are plenty of vet supplies companies that offer quality products to fit most budgets. It’s therefore worth reading product reviews and researching different companies’ prices to find the best item you can afford within your budget. 

The Importance Of Experience And Expertise In A Supplier

Veterinary speciality products are best purchased from a supplier that offers both experience and expertise in the field. But, exactly why is it so important to look for these qualities when sourcing a supplier? It’s because it helps preserve the good reputation of your laboratory, veterinary surgery or other animal-based practice. Companies like nexgardspectra.com have an exceptional reputation, and so this is the sort of business you need to be teaming up with for products.

Looking at the reasoning behind this, it’s clear why it should be the case. Sellers of specialist equipment such as vet supplies need to be able to make informed decisions between products before investing in stock to sell onto their customers. Having hands-on veterinary and/ or laboratory experience is the only way to know which manufacturers make the best and most reliable equipment. It also means the supplier can offer its customers knowledgeable and informed advice about the items it sells if they have any queries. 

Moreover, having expertise in the veterinary world or the field of laboratory research enables the supplier to stay abreast of innovations or changes to best practice. This will be reflected in the variety of stock they offer to their customers. Finally, an expert with real-world practise in a surgery or laboratory will understand the priorities of professionals, which will include value for money and affordability. In short, choosing a pet supplies company with the relevant skills and knowledge will help you offer a quality service to your own clients while balancing the books at the same time.


Thursday, November 14, 2019

How To Find The Perfect Home For You

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Finding a new home to settle down in can sometimes feel like the biggest decision you have ever made. From the perspective of tying your financial life to this consequence and a good deal of your future experience, you would be right. Perhaps only having a child, getting married or joining the military will have this much of an effect.

That being said, finding the perfect home for you is not something you should feel out of line for trying to achieve. There are millions of potential places you could live in this world, and so making the right decision often requires time to think, adapt, consider, and then execute your plans. But how do you know if a home is right for you? And when you do find a home you like, how can you be sure you’re making the right decision?

It can be hard to tell. Thankfully, this is the subject we hope to grapple with, giving you the chance to remain your best self through and through. Please, consider:

Design It

Designing your home can be a great idea, because then you can allow for the faculties you truly wish for while avoiding those you do not, or you may even have some authorial intent over the planning process. Bellriver Homes offer free new home design consultations to help you find what you truly need or want, and with a service of this calibre at your beck and call to help you realize your property dreams, you will be thoroughly able to not only find what may be appropriate for you, but to realize that in a high-quality manner.

Your ‘Must-Haves’

There are certain things that we need when looking for a property, and remaining aware of what your red lines are can help you focus on that which you most need. It might be that a little land accompanying the property is important to you, as you hope to run a very humble smallholding. Perhaps the capacity to renovate or extend in the future is important to you, or the ability to secure this property correctly due to the amount of valuable items you own. When you follow this approach, you can aim your sights in the right direction.

A Dream Life

It’s important to try and consider what your dream life could look like when taking this approach. While you may not be able to shoot for every single possibility that you have, using your ideal as a backdrop can help you try and shoot for the stars, because at least then you’ll land among the clouds. This might be that you wish for an open plan design, or property you can renovate, or perhaps a garden space you can curate and grow vegetables in. A dream life is hard to build, but can be progressed from the right foundation.

With this advice, we hope you can find the perfect home for you.