Is Working Overtime Financially Beneficial?

February 10, 2022

Putting in extra hours at work can be a great way to get ahead on your projects or catch up on your pending work. Your boss and colleagues will appreciate that you’re putting in the effort to complete a project on time.

Most importantly, working overtime can lead to financial rewards, like bonuses or raises. With this monetary boost, you may be able to pay off bills faster or save more money.

But are the financial benefits really worth it? Or should you focus on other things in life, like spending time with family and friends, taking care of yourself physically, or pursuing hobbies that make you happy?

Do You Need The Extra Money?

So, is working overtime worth it? Some people may desperately need the money they can earn from working overtime, while others may not need it as badly. It depends on the person’s financial situation and their specific needs.

Is there a need for the money? Are you confident that you will be able to fulfill all of your monthly obligations without extra pay? If you’re having trouble making ends meet, overtime pay may be essential.

But, if you already have a healthy savings account and don’t struggle to pay your bills every month, taking on extra work may not be necessary. You should only consider working overtime if it’s something that you want to do and won’t cause too much stress in your life.

Is There Another Way to Earn Extra Money than Working Overtime?

Working overtime may not be a big deal if you love your job. But, if you are not happy with it, working overtime may lead to burnout. If you want to earn extra money but do not want to work more hours than you already do now, there are other ways available for you:

Start a side business or freelance. You can sell goods and services in person or online through your blog, social media accounts, or e-commerce stores.
Rent out your extra space. You can rent a room in your house or garage for guests to use as accommodations, park their cars, or store their belongings.
Get paid to be an online influencer. If you already have a large following on social media and feel comfortable sharing your thoughts and experiences with others, you can get paid to do just that.
Invest your money wisely. Instead of spending your extra money on things that won’t help you in the long run, invest it in a solid investment plan or account so that it can grow over time.

There are many different ways to make extra money. The best option for you will depend on your needs, skills, and goals.

What Stage Are You in Life?

Everyone’s stage in life will be different. Some things to consider might include your age, marital status, and whether or not you have children. To elaborate, someone in their twenties may be at a different stage in life than someone in their sixties.

Similarly, a married person with children may be at a different stage than someone who is single and has no children. Ultimately, the stage of life you are in will dictate many of your decisions, such as working overtime. If you have children, it may not be worth working overtime because you should spend more time with your family.

Putting extra hours at work may not be an option if you are in the earlier stages of your life, such as your twenties or thirties. It’s because you may want to focus more on advancing in your career and acquiring new skills instead of working longer hours.

Generally speaking, it’s crucial to weigh the values of your life stage versus the importance of getting that extra money.

Does Working Overtime Impact Your Health?

According to studies, working overtime impacts your mental and physical health. When you’re working long hours, you’re not getting enough sleep, which leads to fatigue and decreased productivity.

Overtime can also lead to stress and anxiety, which can cause various health problems. Additionally, working long hours can increase your risk of heart disease and other chronic illnesses.

Ultimately, it’s essential to limit your overtime hours as much as possible to maintain your health and well-being. If overtime adversely impacts your health, it might not be worth the time, even if it guarantees extra money.

To Sum It Up

However, working overtime may not be beneficial for everyone. It’s important to consider other important aspects of your life, like spending time with family and friends, taking care of yourself physically, or pursuing hobbies that make you happy.

Only you can decide if the financial benefits of working overtime are worth it for you. But it’s good to be aware of all the potential benefits and drawbacks before deciding.

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Casino Impact on Country Economics

February 10, 2022

Every country has its specific industry that is beneficial for the overall country economy. Those industries increase employment, contribute towards the GDP, facilitate other sectors, and improve people’s living standards. Although, there are still some industries that can cause an indirect impact on the country’s economy, like the casino industry.

In recent years, the casino industry has produced efficient results when it comes to the socio-economic development of many countries around the world. It can be challenging for some to see the positive casino impact, both economically and socially. But still, there are facts that prove that they are contributing towards the growth. Keep reading to find out how.

Increasing the Entertainment

The main purpose of every casino is to provide entertainment. And to date, this industry is sticking to its purpose. Even if you win or lose, at the end of the day, what matters is the gaming experience.

Although, another thing that attracts players is that this industry is a great source of income. There are various casino versions, and the modern ones provide great opportunities to increase the finances. Not only to the players but also to the country in which the casino is located. To date, any Boku Casino offers different types of withdraws and deposits. Plus, all of that is accompanied by thoughtful security for personal data.

Also, thanks to the technology, the players have the chance to have an even better gaming experience. With complete comfort at home, players can choose their favorite online game or slot from the unlimited choices that can be accessed with just one click.

The Casino Industry Increases Employment

The generation of employment is another direct benefit of the casino industry. Whenever a specific industry starts growing, the employees that work in that industry also start growing. In cities where there are many casinos such as Atlantic City, Las Vegas, London, Macau, and Monte Carlo, the job opportunities have increased drastically.

One of the things required when running and even starting a casino is to help the secondary market. For example, every casino needs an operator, no matter if it is a mobile casino or a land-based one. This gives the people a chance to get a job with skills.

The Casino Industry Attracts Tourists

In some countries, casinos are still not legal because they involve gambling and betting. Although, in other parts of the world, they are popular and increase tourism. Here is why: First and foremost, popular casinos can attract players from all around the world. When the tourists arrive to play in those casinos, the hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops also benefit from them. This allows other sectors and markets to grow also. All in all, the casino industry boost and stimulates the tourism industry.

The Casino Industry is Increasing the Tax Revenues

It is well-known that the casino industry has opened doors to several business opportunities. We already mentioned the tourism industry. But, it is also very beneficial for the digital market because most gamblers nowadays choose to play their games online.

And when the revenue and the income of the specific industry increases, that results in increased tax revenue for the government. The income that every player gets, even if they got it from free spins, gets taxes, which is a win-win situation because the government gets tax from the casinos’ owners and the individuals who play casino games.

Conclusion

There are many more positive economic impacts from the Casino industry. Despite that, some individuals are still against this industry because gambling can lead to addiction and may cause people to lose huge amounts of money. But, many casinos try to fix that problem by adding restrictions, which prevent players from spending more than a certain amount of money in a day. And because of that, the casino industry continues to grow, and with that, it continues to play a significant role in the economy.

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Best Ways to Deploy Machine Learning Models for Your Business

February 10, 2022

Machine learning model deployment is the process of implementing the developed model in a live environment. Machine learning deployment incorporates the principles of MLOps to ensure that the models are deployed and maintained reliably and efficiently.

Deployment is one of the key stages in the software development cycle. But deployment from a local test environment to a real-world application can get complicated. Improper deployment can lead to wastage of time, money, and resources.

Hence, businesses must ensure that the deployment is done correctly. To help you with the machine learning model deployment process, in this article, we have discussed some of the best ways to do it. But first, we will take a look at some of the common challenges faced in machine learning deployment.

Challenges With Machine Learning Deployment

The main challenges with machine learning deployment include:

A communication gap between the development team and the deployment team. Skills and expertise don’t usually overlap in these distinct areas. This leads to inefficiencies in the deployment process.
Non-availability of the right infrastructure and environment for deployment.
Difficulty in monitoring model accuracy in a real-world environment.
Scalability.
Explaining predictions and results to stakeholders.

These challenges can be overcome by following the best MLOps deployment practices. But before we move to it, let’s take a look at what deploying machine learning models actually is.

Deploying Machine Learning Models

As mentioned earlier, machine learning model deployment is a tricky task. It will differ generally based on two main components;

The type of machine learning model
The system environment of the model

The general deployment process consists of four steps. They are:

Developing and creating a model in a training environment
Testing and cleaning the code
Preparing for container deployment
Planning for continuous monitoring and maintenance after deployment

Here is a look at the best ways to deploy machine learning models.

Best Ways to Deploy Machine Learning Models

There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Machine learning deployment depends upon the industry, business, and the type of application. But, there are some common practices that businesses can use across industries. The following are the four best ways to deploy machine learning models to ensure reliability and efficiency.

Testing the Code

All modern software projects include unit code testing. And machine learning projects are no exception. Testing the code helps determine if the code is of sufficient quality to be deployed.

In most cases, the model is developed in an offline environment. Thus, testing, scrutinizing, and streamlining the code is essential. It ensures the machine learning model functions in a live environment as planned.

Additionally, a detailed documentation file should be prepared. It makes sure that every stakeholder has clarity of the working of the machine learning model. It should provide a detailed description of the testing process and the outcome achieved.

Containerization

Containerization is a powerful tool in machine learning deployment. The containers have all the elements needed for the machine learning code to function. Assuming that your business has the expertise in working with them, they are the best-suited to a majority of machine learning applications.

The benefits of using containerization for machine learning deployments include:

Scalability
Straightforward updating and deploying distinct areas
Lowers the risk of downtime
Offer a good developer experience

You can use various platforms for managing containerized workloads and services. One such popular platform is Kubernetes. Kubernetes helps with automating container management. You can use it to automate the monitoring, scheduling, and scaling of the machine learning models.

Using a Model Registry

Generally, every organization has a common, enterprise-wide model registry for all machine learning operations. It acts as a location to store machine learning models as they are trained. This helps simplify the bookkeeping process during R&D.

Having a model registry helps cut the communication gap between data scientists and the engineering team. This helps create better, more efficient models in a short period. Similarly, if the machine learning model gives a wrong output, registries come in handy. They can be used to determine which model is causing the issue.

There are various types of model registries. Businesses can choose one according to their needs. Some of the options available are:

Cloud-based registries

These are best suited for businesses having a single cloud service provider.

Open-source registries

Best-suited for small and medium businesses, who can’t afford to spend on a provider.

High-end registries

Incorporated into AutoML tools, and useful for large organizations. They also cost more than the other options mentioned on this list.

Using Feature Stores

A feature store is a repository. It helps data scientists keep track of features they have developed for the machine learning models. The developed features can also be used to train new models by everyone who has the necessary skill set. Feature stores work best with organizations that use data entities that are applicable to different models.

The biggest benefit of using feature stores is that using them accelerates the machine learning building and deployment process. Data scientists can iterate new versions more quickly by reusing past work.

Beyond Model Deployment

Successful machine learning deployment goes beyond the initial deployment. Continuous monitoring is needed to make sure that the application is working as intended. It also ensures that the software is optimized and data drifts or outliers are avoided.

Monitoring models after deployment can be a challenge. But, it is vital to ensure the success of the software. Businesses can either do it manually or automate the process, depending upon the scale, the application, and budget requirements.

Parting Thoughts

Deploying machine learning models can be challenging. It is a problem faced by most businesses. But, by developing the right MLOps expertise and using the best deployment ways, the challenges can be mitigated. Your organization will see many tangible and intangible benefits and experience rapid growth with the right deployment methods.

We hope that the methods mentioned above can help you with the machine learning model deployment process. So, what methods will you employ at your organization to deploy machine learning models? Do let us know.

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What the Best CBD Store in the UK Offers

February 10, 2022

By David Baker

Take Advantage of the Best CBD Gummies and Other Products

Working in the UK business world, there’s no doubt that you’ve heard all about CBD items for sale. There are fun and delicious CBD Gummies, oil tinctures and creams to help buyers to relax their bodies, as well as their minds. Pick and choose from hemp-derived CBD gummy bears, rings, worms and more. Look for sugar free and vegan CBD Gummies too. Stress fades away and sleep improves dramatically, which can be fantastic for one’s precious energy levels the next day at work. The top CBD store can put your mind and body at ease, allowing you to look and feel completely rejuvenated.

Individuals can now rely on Just CBD online to get the most benefits. In other words, the more a person relies on CBD vaporizers, edibles, oils, and other products, the better the outcome will be. The beauty is that people enjoy the wonderful results of CBD after just one dose. Yet, users depend on CBD goods two to three times a day to get the best response. It’s not addictive, so you don’t need CBD every day. But why not? You will love how 2022’s best CBD Gummies actually help the body and mind chill out for 4 hours at a time. That means pressure at the office is kept away. Similarly, tension easily fades when you get home at night, even when dinner is lousy, and the kids don’t listen.

There’s a handful of life-changing advantages to buying the top CBD Gummies on the market, helping folks relax may be the most common. While everyone has to deal with aggravating news, drivers, coworkers, and family members, CBD oil can make it all bearable. Besides stress-free, how long has it been since you woke up in the morning feeling completely refreshed? Maybe your spouse snores like a freight train or there is no mute button for the noisy poodles living next door. Getting 8 hours of uninterrupted rest seems like an impossibility. Sleep disorders, such as insomnia, currently plague more than 50 million people. We stare at the ceiling or the TV for hours at a time, desperate to get shut-eye. When the alarm goes off in the morning, we look like zombies, and feel even worse. Koi CBD tinctures can also alleviate your sleeping problems.

While there is no question of CBD’s positive effects on users, some may be a bit skeptical. After all, CBD stems from the hemp plant, not unlike marijuana. However hemp doesn’t contain enough THC to give people a euphoric “high.”

Nowadays, a consumer can easily find plenty of CBD online to help the body. For instance, you can now depend on legal CBD delights to fall asleep fast. Meanwhile, you never have to worry about expensive and addictive medications that come with nasty side-effects, like dizziness and an upset stomach. In fact, you’ll look and feel completely refreshed when you roll out of bed in the mornings. Once CBD helps manage your general wellness, you will be focused at the office, improving the overall quality of your work. You’ll also be in a better frame of mind, allowing you to be more confident. You too can enjoy a fruitful lifestyle with the best CBD store on the internet.

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About the Author

David Baker, Cannabis Extraordinaire. You can reach him at:
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Reshaping eCommerce To The New Global Market

February 10, 2022

eCommerce has been commonplace in many highly developed western countries for years now, but the conditions imposed due to COVID-19 have seen its evolution fast-tracked in countries previously left behind. According to UN figures, the global ecommerce market has now reached $26.7 trillion in value, a significant leap from where it had sat prior to the global pandemic. As the system has grown, however, technology and standards haven’t always kept up. With a vast market to now service, cryptocurrency tech leaders need to find ways to provide a proper service to those countries that have only recently been introduced – starting with currency, and ending with security.

Dealing with currency

There are roughly 180 currencies used in the 195 countries represented in the UN. While the American dollar, Euro and British pound sterling have become the de facto currencies of business, that isn’t going to cut it when looking at transactions at the level of small and medium enterprise. In the long-term, digital dollars may provide a real solution by creating an international standard according to NPR, but in the short-term the gap must be bridged to allow for multi-currency transactions. It’s notable that the biggest ecommerce platforms are now allowing this, and without the high level of restrictions of the past such as extortionate private exchange rates. However, digital currency may be the future.

Offering digital payments

A quick way around fiat currency is through digital coins. While the cryptocurrency scene, which once promised to make payments possible through the technology itself, has not taken off, more is now being done when using the digital coin as an asset in itself. Reuters note, in particular, that 25% of small businesses in 9 surveyed countries plan to offer services for Bitcoin. This will again level the playing field for ecommerce in developing or newly digitised countries, by providing an easily accessible and entirely intangible token that can then be used, rather than relying on fiat.

Enhancing security

One of the main risks surrounding the branching out of ecommerce is cybersecurity. While no country can truly claim to be absolutely cyber secure, there are nevertheless greater standards in existing markets than in newly involved ones. In certain countries, operating an ecommerce operation can be outright dangerous given the level of cybercrime being undertaken. According to Security Intelligence, ecommerce fraud is already up 78% without considering the impact of having new players entering the market. Platforms need to find solutions to this, either through more widespread adoption of principles such as two-factor authentication, or more fundamental changes in national cybersecurity standards. Either way, more needs to be done in order to match the innovation being driven into the payments and currency side of the affair.

Ecommerce is taking off globally, and innovators are scrambling to keep up. Fundamental change may be required to support the new industry, and may well come sooner, rather than later, given the economic incentive.

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What is a Blue-Chip Artist?

February 10, 2022

When most of us think about art collecting, we consider it something reserved for the ultra-wealthy. That’s not the reality, and investing in art is more attainable than most people think, but at the same time, it’s true that the wealthy do tend to be the most prolific collectors of art. Large banks and corporations also curate their own art collections as an investment.

When talking about art collecting and investing, there’s a term you’ll hear—blue-chip artist.

So, what does that mean, and what is its relevance?

Inspiration From the Stock Market

The term blue chip comes from the stock market. A blue-chip is typically a nationally recognized company that’s well-established and financially stable, and sound. Blue chips typically sell products and services that are known for being high-quality and widely accepted.

These companies are able to withstand economic ups and downs and often stay profitable even when the market conditions aren’t ideal.

Characterizing blue-chip companies are stability and reliable growth.

The term blue chip first came about in 1923 as a Dow Jones employee observed stocks trading at $200 or more a share. Poker players bet using blue, red, and white chips. The blue chips have more value than the other two colors.

Now, blue-chip stocks aren’t necessarily ones with a high price tag, but again, they’re instead reflective of companies that can endure the test of time and remain strong.

Blue-chip stocks tend to be part of the most reputable market indexes like the Down Jones Industrial Average or the Nasdaq 100.

Blue-chip companies, along with a long history in business, are also very often multi-national.

Examples of blue-chip companies in this context include General Electric, Disney and Coca-Cola.

So, what does this have to do with the art world?

Blue Chip Art

As mentioned, the term in art was inspired by the stock market. Blue-chip is art that’s expected to go up in value, no matter the economic conditions. The blue-chip references aren’t about how you value the art as a collector, its role in history, or whether or not it’s in a museum.

Blue-chip art or a blue-chip artist refers only to resale value.

Blue-chip artists’ value has been consistent throughout years of sales and is confirmed at auctions.

Blue-chip artists are the most widely recognized, and their sales volume consistently represents the place they hold in the world of art.

Price is one of the key signals to differentiate a speculative versus an established artist. For example, you can go to galleries and purchase art, hoping it will be worth a lot more someday, but that’s not necessarily going to happen.

Then, on the other end of the equation is investment-grade art.

Investment-grade art typically has a price tag anywhere from six to eight digits, and there’s a strong, committed base of collectors. The appreciation rates are more predictable, and an artist within this category is a household name.

Along with generally pulling in high auction sales, this art often breaks records.

Blue Chip Stocks vs. Art

Interestingly, the top of the art market has seen appreciation at an average annual rate of 8.9% over the past couple of decades, while the stock market has seen a rate of growth of around 3.4% during the same time.

Buying a piece of art by certain blue-chip artists is a lot like buying stock in a blue-chip company, at least in the two shared features—they’re high-quality, and there’s liquidity.

However, there’s some research that shows over the last two decades, works by the top-selling group of blue-chip artists that carry the highest price tag and have the biggest collector base have seen their value outperform the S&P 500 by more than 250%.

Also, during the financial crisis of 2008 and 2009, the S&P went as low as 57% below its peak and took a while to recover, yet the art market saw a decline of the top 100 artists of only between 26% and 28%.

Examples of Living Blue Chip Artists

There are certain living artists who are classified as being blue chip.

One example is Brian Donnelly, who goes by the name KAWS. KAWS was born in New Jersey and is now based in New York. He started as a graffiti artist in Jersey City and, by the 1990s, had moved to the city to pursue an arts education. The same year KAWS moved to New York, he also started working as a freelance animator for a Walt Disney Company animation studio.

KAWS became one of the most well-known contemporary artists internationally.

In 2019, THE KAWS ALBUM sold at auction for $14.8 million, which broke his previous auction record of $2.7 million, set in 2018.

Another example of a contemporary blue-chip artist is Jeff Koons. Jeff Koons broke an auction record in 2013 for his Balloon Dog, which sold for $52 million at Christie’s.

In 2019, a rabbit created by Koons in 1986 sold for $91 million.

Banksy started his career as a graffiti artist in the 1990s and is now recognized as one of the most well-known contemporary blue-chip artists. Banksy does a lot of work freehand but also uses stencils.

Banksy’s work tends to include images but also slogans, and he often integrates themes related to politics, capitalism, and greed. Along with two-dimensional work, Banksy also does some installation art.

In 2013, as a way to denounce what he feels is nonsense in how the art market prices pieces, he hired someone to sell his prints on the street. Each one was sold for $60, and then the artist posted a video the day after that went viral. Now, the pieces are worth tens of thousands of dollars at auction.

In 2019 at a Sotheby’s auction, his painting Devolved Parliament sold for $12.1 million.

Overall, blue-chip art historically does tend to represent a good investment option for the people who can afford the initially high price tags, much like buying stock in a company that’s a household name.

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How to Invest in Crypto Without Actually Buying Any Crypto

February 10, 2022

One of the simplest ways to invest in cryptocurrencies without purchasing the coin itself is to acquire shares in a firm that has an interest in the future of Cryptocurrency or blockchain technology. However, investing in individual stocks has the same level of risk as investing in cryptocurrencies. The learning curve for investing in cryptocurrencies is rather high. It was “aggravating” to Suze Orman when she tried to invest in a bitcoin exchange for the first time. Fund for Ethereum investing in the shares of a firm that has a financial interest in the future of Cryptocurrency or blockchain technology is the simplest method to get exposure to crypto without purchasing crypto itself. Investing in individual equities, on the other hand, carries dangers that are quite comparable to those associated with cryptocurrencies. The long-term gain in the value of diversified index funds and ETFs outweighs the risk of investing in individual equities, according to financial experts.

A CFP with ReFocus Financial Planning believes that “believe it or not, most people with a retirement plan or an investment portfolio allocated in an index fund already have some crypto exposure.” According to Johnson, many of the best index funds, such as the S&P 500 or total market. Funds for Ethereum include publicly traded companies that have some involvement in the industry by either mining crypto, being involved in the development of blockchain technology, or carrying significant amounts of crypto on their balance sheets.

1. Investing in Companies with Crypto Interests

Suze Orman, a personal finance guru, first did it this way. As Nextadvisor recently reported, the CEO of a cloud computing business that has billions in Bitcoin was placing all of his company’s operating money into Bitcoin. Micro strategy’s shares would rise in value if Bitcoin’s price rose, she reasoned. Index funds, on the other hand, are highly recommended by Orman, who believes that choosing individual equities is a poor investing approach.

By identifying firms with crypto interests, and ensuring their shares are included in any index or mutual funds that you invest in, you can ensure a well-balanced portfolio. This not only allows you to put your money into firms that you believe have promise, but it also allows you to maintain a more diverse portfolio of assets.

To see all Vanguard funds that invest in a given firm, utilize the site’s holding search, for example. A ticker symbol (like TSLA for Tesla) is all that is needed to get a list of Vanguard products that own shares of the firm in question. Index and mutual fund search options are comparable on other sites.

You should also be aware that certain ETFs and mutual funds have greater fees than the overall market indexes, so keep that in mind when you’re looking to invest. In Schneider’s estimation, a fee ratio of less than 0.2 percent is very low, while anything beyond 1% is considered excessive. High fees might stifle your progress even more in an already risky venture.

In the following list of publicly listed firms, Bitcoin and blockchain technologies are being incorporated. Obviously, they aren’t the only businesses engaged, and the list is growing by the day. (Circle, a Cryptocurrency-focused digital payment network, has recently declared its intention to go public.) Some of the companies mentioned here include MicroStrategy, Marathon Digital Holdings, RIOT Blockchain, Bitfarms, Galaxy Digital, and Tesla.

Equivalent to a cross between mutual funds and equities, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) function in a similar manner. Investing in an ETF is similar to owning an index fund that holds a variety of different investments. When you invest in an ETF, you own a piece of the company’s stock portfolio. Even though many ETFs, such as whole market ETFs, have relatively low-cost ratios, Schneider would consider specialized ETFs to be more expensive. Keep in mind that the more priced ETFs will have less of an influence on your total portfolio if they represent a small percentage of your holdings.

One approach to indirectly invest in cryptocurrencies is to put money into an ETF that focuses on blockchain, the underlying technology of the coin. For a blockchain ETF, firms that are either developing or employing blockchain technology will be included in the portfolio. A lot of individuals who are dubious about cryptocurrencies but believe in the “transformative” blockchain technology underpinning them consider blockchain ETFs as a far better investment than bitcoin itself.

According to Chris Chen, CFP, of Insight Financial Strategists in Newton, Massachusetts, for a recent NextAdvisor feature on blockchain technology, it’s like the California gold rush of the 1800s: Many individuals flocked into the area to search for gold, but most of them failed to make a profit. “Those who sold shovels earned the most money.” “Shovel sellers” are the firms that help the growth of blockchain.

ETFs are manufactured by a variety of businesses, but you may be able to purchase them via your regular stockbroker. Symbols for mutual funds may be found in the same way that individual stocks can be found in your brokerage. Several blockchain ETFs are presently accessible to investors, including BLOK, which is listed on leading brokerages including Fidelity, Vanguard, and Charles Schwab: (Amplify Transformational Data Sharing ETF), BLCN is short for (Siren Nasdaq NexGen Economy ETF), LEGR is the name of the game (First Trust Indxx Innovative Transaction & Process ETF)

2. Crypto ETFs

Until recently, crypto or Bitcoin ETFs were out of the reach of investors who were put off by the exchanges or purchasing and keeping real coins. BITCO Bitcoin ETF, the first Bitcoin-linked financial product, went live in October following a lot of hype. Bitcoin ETFs have been explored by several organizations, including crypto exchange Gemini and long-standing financial institution Fidelity. However, the Securities and Exchange Commission has either rejected or is still considering all other U.S. plans. Even if Bitcoin-futures contracts are held in BITO’s portfolio, the currency isn’t being held in BITO’s portfolio. However, many cryptocurrency aficionados want to see an ETF that owns cryptocurrencies directly.

Other than BITO, the only other analogous alternative for investors in the United States today is a private cryptocurrency trust, such as Grayscale Bitcoin Trust or Osprey Bitcoin Trust. This kind of fund allows authorized investors to purchase shares directly at market value, but anybody may acquire secondary market shares via a brokerage account with a conventional company like Fidelity, which is a traditional business. Bear in mind that there are management costs for the trusts to keep in mind, which may make this way of Bitcoin investing more expensive than a commission-free blockchain ETF or purchasing crypto straight from an exchange.

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Ironic Psychology and Its Influence on our Spending

February 10, 2022

By Matt Johnson, PhD

Irony has a special place in the human psyche. Otherwise mundane concepts suddenly come to life when they’re recognized to have an ironic quality. British comedian David Mitchell captures this perfectly when describing the media’s obsession with the “ironic stress” of vacations:

That whole Heathrow stress thing is overplayed because the media can’t get over the irony of it all. They just love interviewing people at the airport and going,

“So you’re going on holiday and you’re expecting to have a nice time?”

“Yes we are, we’re planning to have a nice time on holiday.”

“Well, what’s happened?”

“Well, actually the opposite of a nice time is being had by us. We’re having a nasty time queueing and I’m not sure where my bag is.”

“Oh my gosh, so what you’re expecting was to have a nice time… but what has actually happened is the opposite — you’re having a bad nasty time. Can you imagine how bad that is, that’s horrible, that’s the worst — that’s worse than Hitler!”

The hyperbole is beyond palpable, but the bit distills a key truth: Irony has an uncanny allure. And as we’ll see, irony not only captures our attention, but it also drives our consumer behavior.

One of the challenges to understanding irony is finding an adequate definition. Irony is often misused, being confused with its closest sibling: coincidence. Alanis Morissette famously wrote a song about irony, but with lyrics, which described a series of inconvenient coincidences (e.g. “a thousand spoons when all I need is a knife”).

(And to be fair to Alanis, some have argued that the song actually achieved the ultimate irony — a song called “ironic,” which actually isn’t about irony. We’ll give her the benefit of the doubt.)

However, the strict definition is consistent with Mitchell’s usage above: expecting one thing (e.g. having a relaxing time), but in striving for it, receiving the opposite outcomes (e.g. having a stressful time).

So what is it about irony that makes it so captivating?

The Psychology and Influence of Irony

Like its definition, the power of irony is difficult to nail down. But we may get a clue from the fact that everyday irony bears a strong resemblance to the dramatic irony used in storytelling. Here, the audience knows something that one of the characters doesn’t, which ratchets up the tension. Recall the Spiderman movies and the scenes of Peter Parker being pressed by his newspaper boss to find out Spiderman’s real identity. The audience of course knows it’s Peter Parker all along. Or in Toy Story, where Buzz Lightyear thinks he is a real-life space ranger but all the other toys, as well as the audience, knows he’s just a toy.

This may be where irony gets its power; perhaps through a strange quirk of our social cognition that we find this layered mentalization process is alluring.

Whatever the mechanism is, irony’s impact is palpable. Just like the British media, we naturally find ironic storylines interesting. For example, criticisms of social media often exploit the inherent irony of the situation, pointing out that these platforms were designed to connect us, but are actually tearing us apart. Irony may also be why indecent scandals are extra captivating when the perpetrators are pious religious figures.

Ironic storylines can also shape historical events. In his book, Narrative Economics, Nobel Laureate Robert Shiller describes how a single, incredibly ironic phrase, defined the legacy of financial scholar Irving Fisher. Just a few weeks before the stock market crash of 1929, Fisher described the market as being at a “permanently high plateau.”

Fisher never lived it down. And in fact, the phrase itself may have exacerbated the actual economic crisis itself. As Schiller describes:

“The newspapers picked up that new, colorful phrase over the next couple of days. That spectacularly ill-timed and ironic phrase became an epidemic, probably affecting the duration of the market debacle, and it is still widely remembered today. In fact, those three words are more famous today than the title of any of the books that Fisher spent years writing.”

If irony can cement historical legacies and make waves in global financial markets, what more can it do for individual-level consumer behavior?

The Psychology of Ironic Consumption and How It Influences Social Signaling

Since the appeal of irony is grounded in social cognition, it’s unsurprising that its influence in the consumer world is also social in nature. As we’ve seen, there’s a deep irony in the fashion choices and consumer habits of hipsters: a group of people attempting to look different but in the end, all looking the same.

But it goes deeper than that, and into the realm of symbolic consumption: Products and brands often serve as symbols to subtly communicate to the social world. For example, driving a Lexus signals that we’re high status, whereas driving a Prius or wearing Patagonia signals that we’re environmentally conscious.

And while there’s a general meaning associated with certain products and brands, the interpretation also depends on the social context. Enter the phenomenon of ironic consumption.

Oftentimes, consumers will use a product ironically, intending to communicate the opposite of the product’s traditional meaning. For example, wearing a hat that reads “vegan” when all our friends know we love to eat meat. Or wearing a Justin Bieber shirt to a death metal concert. Given the context, it’s the ironic meaning that comes through.

And interestingly, this type of signaling allows for a sophisticated level of communication. In a series of experiments, researchers Caleb Warren and Gina Mohr found that consumers naturally use products ironically to signal one thing to an “in-group” while signaling something different to an “out-group.”

For example, if you wear a “vegan” hat to a steakhouse, your fellow meat-eaters (e.g. an “in-group” member) will understand and appreciate the irony. In fact, the results indicate that you’ll be perceived favorably for this. However, if a vegan (e.g. an “out-group” member) happened to see you in this context, they would likely not understand the irony and would think negatively about you.

Stephen Colbert captured this masterfully on The Colbert Report, where he depicted an ultra-conservative talk show host. Research found that, through irony, he communicated very different things to different political audiences. While both liberal and conservative viewers found Colbert was funny, only the politically liberal audience members recognized the irony.

Ironic consumption, as well as unique ironic political portrayals, provide the unique ability to communicate different messages to different audiences.

The Application of Irony on Social Media

Irony can also be harnessed by brands themselves, as an effective way to drive attention, differentiate, and engage consumers. We saw this firsthand in the Spring of 2020.

Check out the following tweet:

“Friendly reminder in times of uncertainty and misinformation: anecdotes are not data. (good) data is carefully measured and collected information based on a range of subject-dependent factors, including, but not limited to, controlled variables, meta-analysis, and randomization.”

Without knowing the context, where would you think this came from? A public health account? A well-respected newspaper? A journalist?

Nope. This came from none other than the official brand account of Steak-Umm, a frozen sliced beef company.

The irony of a frozen meat company becoming a beacon for digital epistemology was not lost on Steak-Umm. In fact, they fully acknowledged the role of irony played in driving this engagement:

“People think it’s bizarre, ironic, and funny when a frozen meat company points out the importance of critical thinking, but chances are the same message would never “go viral” if it was from a person. Our society values entertainment over truth and that’s a huge problem.”

Such is the power of irony. Steak-Umm Bless.

Final Thoughts on the Psychology of Irony

Whether for dramatic storytelling, social media engagement, or neuromarketing, irony proves to be a potent force.

All the while, the word continues to the subject of derision and debate. Like Alanis Morissette before him, Donald Trump was ridiculed in 2018 for using the term incorrectly in a complaint on Twitter:

“Isn’t it Ironic? Getting ready to go to the G-7 in Canada to fight for our country on Trade (we have the worst trade deals ever made), then off to Singapore to meet with North Korea & the Nuclear Problem…But back home we still have the 13 Angry Democrats pushing the Witch Hunt!”

All told, irony remains an elusive term, and we may never fully understand the secret of its potency. In the end, that mystery may be a blessing. If nothing else, it gives us something to ponder the next time we find ourselves stressed out while attempting to have a relaxing vacation.

This article was originally published in Psychology Today on 16 February 2021. It can be accessed here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mind-brain-and-value/202102/how-the-psychology-irony-influences-how-we-spend

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About the Author

Matt Johnson, PhD is a speaker, writer, and professor at Hult International Business School in Boston. He is the founder of the neuromarketing firm Pop Neuro, and the author of two books: Blindsight: The (Mostly) Hidden Ways Marketing Reshapes our Brains, and Branding that Means Business (Economist Books, Fall 2022).

Online Casinos: The Various Payment Methods Available to Us

February 10, 2022

iGambling continues to thrive from its humble beginnings when the first licences were issued on the islands of Antigua and Barbuda (in the mid-’90s) up to today, where it has become an over 14.12 billion pound per annum powerhouse. This is no shock, given the popularity of online casinos and the number of different ways available to transact.

The most important points to consider when choosing a payment method are security, ease of use and speed. The following methods cater to these points in differing proportions.

Credit & Debit Card Payments

The most prevalent method of payment are credit cards (CCs). Nearly all online casinos accept CCs. Debit cards (DCs) are also widespread. Visa is the most popular (and accepted) method, followed by Mastercard, and American Express cards.

Wire Transfer (WT) is another method of payment. Typically this method charges for transactions, involves tedious form filling for every withdrawal, and may take days for funds to clear. WTs, although functional, are quickly becoming outdated.

With incidents of identity theft, CC fraud, surprise fees, and the existence of safer alternatives, CC (& DC) usage caters more to ease-of-use and speed than any other factors (depending on the service provider).

Electronic Wallets (EW): Stable, Secure, & Swift

EWs are relatively easy to use, provide ample security, and are fast (depending on the service provider). World-class EW providers like PayPal provide an extremely secure transaction environment. Neteller, also among the biggest EWs, boasts processing speeds of as little as a few seconds.

Other EWs include PayNearMe and the Pay-By-Phone method (phone call). Ecocard, ecoPayz and other providers cater predominantly to specific countries.

The UK enjoys the widest array of payment options.

Cryptocurrencies

The newest, fast-emerging and instant payment methods are cryptos. Crypto is the safest way to transact due to its anonymous nature. Most people know about Bitcoin, which is now widely supported and undoubtedly the most popular of the cryptos. There also exist dedicated crypto casinos that support Ethereum, Dogecoin, Litecoin, etc.

With cryptocurrencies, speed and security are wholly catered to.

Conclusion

Be diligent when choosing a casino. The reputable ones are licensed, audited regularly and continuously employing innovative cybersecurity strategies. Opt for casinos that offer a larger range of options;online casinos like XL Bet online games are a great choice, as they offer a wide variety of payment options and most importantly secure methods of payment.

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How Much Is Landlord Insurance?

February 9, 2022

If you rent out your property, you look to make sure that your units are attractive to prospective tenants, while making sure that your current renters are satisfied with their living space. While it’s recommended that tenants get their own renters insurance to cover the belongings within their home, it’s important for landlords to have coverage to protect the building as a whole. Let’s take a look at these policies, how much they could cost you, and how you can get the most from your landlord insurance.

What is landlord insurance?

Landlord insurance policies are taken out by property owners to cover various risks that come with renting their properties out to applicants. These policies are designed to protect building owners in the event of numerous circumstances, such as:

Theft and burglary by renters and their guests
Property damage
Loss of rent due to a tenant defaulting on their monthly payments
Legal expenses from tenant disputes
Fire damage
Flood damage
Loss of rent if a property is uninhabitable

While all landlord policies are different, it’s important to check the terms and conditions under rental property insurance. Landlords want the peace of mind of knowing that any loss is a covered loss, but there are exclusions they should be aware of regarding insurance coverage. For example, some insurance companies exclude loss of rent from policies as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic. You’ll also need additional coverage for personal items you have on your property such as lawn equipment or even just furniture in the lobby. If you’re asking yourself, how much is landlord insurance? Read on.

Breaking Down the Cost

Landlord insurance, like renters insurance and other forms of coverage, can vary in cost by the level of protection you get from an insurance provider. As a property owner, you may decide to only cover the risk of property damage. You’ll want to add contents insurance to your landlord policy to accommodate any furniture or appliances that you have purchased for the rentals. If you’re willing to allow pets into your buildings, that’s an additional cost for insurance.

Depending on the location of your building, you may have to look out for the best price when it comes to special coverage for flooding, bushfires, and other natural disasters. If your building is in an area where crime may raise some liability issues, you could face an additional cost for additional protection by insurance companies. Depending on your landlord insurance policy, you may be able to choose to cover just your tenants, or your tenants and their guests. If only your tenants are covered, any damage or theft by the people they invite into the home won’t be covered, so be sure to weigh that risk when looking at insurance premiums.

Conditions and Exclusions

When trying to get the most of your landlord insurance, it’s important to remember that there are different legal requirements in different states across Australia. Policy inclusions may differ on minimum coverage when it comes to loss of income or a physical injury suffered on your property. The average cost can also be swayed by whether or not you are offering long-term rentals or short-term properties.

It’s important to also be aware of potential policy exclusions including malicious damage and tenant default brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. You may want to also have coverage for tenants’ personal belongings to be on the safe side in the event that a maintenance issue in your building is the cause of damage within a unit. Extensive coverage is the safest move, but the price of a landlord policy should be enough to give you the peace of mind to protect your interests, without passing on the expenses of insurance to renters.

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