Eight Ideas For Relaxing Weekend Activities To Destress & Recharge

May 13, 2021

Let’s face it – due to the busy pace of modern life, we spend most of our workweeks in a frantic race for chores, schedules, to-do lists and deadlines. Those much-needed 48 hours should be time to de-stress, unwind and tune into things and activities we enjoy. Here are eight tips on how to use your time off to actually relax and recharge.

Take A Long Soak In Bathtub

During an especially busy week, most people usually don’t have time for pampering themselves with a long soak in a bath. If you are one of them, this is just what you need to relax on your days off.

Get the right temperature, bring some entertainment like the magazine or book you meant to read and keep a glass of ice-cold water to stay hydrated. Also, don’t forget the importance of creating the right atmosphere for ultimate relaxation. In this case, make sure to dim the lights, turn on soothing background music and light some of your favourite candles. You could also spend some time if you happen to have your own Barrel Saunas at home for easy and immediate access to stress relief and physical relaxation. Home Saunas have become increasingly popular to experience all the sauna health benefits in the privacy of your own home.

You can combine your soothing ritual with CBD products to make your experience extra relaxing. Whether you choose to buy CBD vape juice for your vape pen, capsules, tinctures or edibles, using CBD oil for sleep and anxiety can help to diminish stress levels, promote more restful sleep as well as relieve your pain and aches.

Movie Marathon

No matter if you prefer to have a movie date with a loved one, invite your family members, call a group of your close friends or just spend some “me” time – organising a movie marathon is an ideal way to relax, improve your mood and forget about reality for a while.

For the great experience and viewing pleasure, it is essential to agree on what movies or TV show you will all watch during the marathon. Since everyone has different tastes, try to stay away from shows/movies that are too niche or have explicit content, especially if you have kids in your group. It also might be a great idea if each of your friends will bring a movie they want to watch. But if everyone’s tastes are too different, you can choose a particular actor or director and watch several films from their filmography.

Also, make sure to find the perfect seating location, bring enough pillows and blankets and surround yourself with your favourite snacks and beverages to have easy access to food and keep each person comfortable throughout the film.

Cook Something

You can simply prepare something with whatever ingredients you have in your fridge while keeping in mind your preferences in flavours and meals. However, if you want to follow a certain recipe, do so by all means, but don’t forget to enjoy the process itself, not strive for perfection. You can also watch various online lessons from world-class and celebrity chefs to try out something new and unusual and bring your cooking skills and techniques to the whole next level.

Escape From Reality With A Good Book

How many interesting books do you have on your shelves that you haven’t read yet? Many people buy tons of great books with the best intentions to actually consume the useful information that is written in them but then fall behind in getting them to read.

There is nothing more relaxing than being immersed in literature. It helps the mind escape the stresses of daily life as well as sharpens your brain and helps boost your intelligence. You can also have fun, get inspired and actually learn something new. In fact, some of these books can be even read over the weekend. Therefore, consider setting aside some time for reading a good book. Find a quiet spot with great light, bring a cosy blanket, sit in a comfortable chair and dig in.

Plan A Staycation

You don’t need to travel hundreds and thousands of miles for adventure or a relaxing weekend. Visit your local sauna in Sydney for a relaxing time or book a hotel on the water for the weekend. With a getaway in your own city, you can still get that much-needed break, away from the strains and stresses of everyday life. Also, since most people often take for granted the cultural benefits and natural beauty of their own neighbourhood or city they live in, a staycation will you to find undiscovered beauty on your doorstep.

Spend Time Outside

Getting outside to spend some time in the fresh air and get sunbathes will truly change your mood and general well being. You can try different activities such as photography, cycling, canoeing, hiking or camping with your family. Find the one you like and consider spending part of your weekend outside!

Reconnect with Nature

You can plan a bike ride or road trip, go for a picnic or geocaching, take a walk in nature, or just try camping in your backyard. Hiking is also ideal for spending time with your family and friends. By reconnecting with nature, exploring new places and staying with your loved ones, you can take a break from the daily routine, relieve stress levels and allow yourself to experience new thoughts and fresh ideas.

Get Ready For The Week Ahead

The weekend is also a perfect time to spend a few minutes preparing for the upcoming week. Just 30 minutes of planning can dramatically increase productivity and reduce stress levels. The workweek seems a lot more manageable when you go into it with a proper plan, as all you have to concentrate on is getting all things done.

Go to top

Is this the end of trickle-down economics?

May 13, 2021

By Graham Vanbergen

The global pandemic has changed everything, highlighting the failures of economic policy that has dominated the Western world for the last 50 years. Graham Vanbergen writes that change has already arrived and that trickle down economics has effectively been killed off by the new ideals of ‘building back better’.

Trickle-down economics or ‘supply-side economics’, sometimes known as ‘Reagonomics’ and in more critical circles neoliberal capitalism has now seemingly entered the end stage of its lifecycle because it failed when tested. It failed because the pendulum swung too far. The evidence of this failure lies in the two countries that promoted it most of all – the USA and Britain.

Trickle-down economics was an ideological change in economics brought about by President Ronald Raegan and Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s. They believed taxes on businesses and the wealthy in society should be reduced and then restrained as a means to stimulate business investment in the short term and benefit society at large in the long term. They also believed in the idea of the free market, where prices are regulated by the negotiation of willing buyers and sellers. They actively aimed at smaller government with privatisation at its heart – taking the stance that big government was bad for everything and what was left should be deregulated.

There is a reality for this 50-year experiment in failure, and many in-depth studies have shown this to be the case.

“50 years of data concludes that trickle-down economics does not promote jobs or growth.”

An analysis published in 2012 by the Congressional Research Service found that reductions in top tax rates were not correlated with economic growth but were associated with income inequality (1). More recent studies suggest a link between trickle-down economics and reduced growth, and a 2020 study that analysed 50 years of data concluded that trickle-down economics does not promote jobs or growth and that “policymakers shouldn’t worry that raising taxes on the rich will harm their economies” (2).

Furthermore, an IMF study published in 2015 concluded that there was no evidence that cutting taxes on the wealthiest lifted the incomes of everybody. In fact, it found the reverse was true – “if the income share of the top 20 per cent increases, then GDP growth actually declined over the medium term, suggesting that the benefits do not trickle down.“

To cap all of that, the London School of Economics examined data from 18 OECD economies over the past 50 years and found that tax cuts for the rich tended to increase inequality but had no discernible effect on GDP growth and unemployment (3).

The continued focus on expanding the services sector over the 1980s, 90s and 2000s over manufacturing, especially financial services, led to more deregulation, leading directly to the bank-led financial crisis of 2008. Ten million Americans had their homes repossessed. In Britain, the national debt doubled over the following decade, and every household in the country was made £30,000 worse off for it. With it came austerity, increased deprivation, poverty, homelessness – and ultimately hopelessness. It was, of course, the deindustrialised towns and cities that felt the pain the most.

Now there is consensus by experts that trickle-down economics has had its day. The lived experience of this failure can be seen in the rust belt – a region of the Northeastern and Midwestern United States that saw industrial decline starting in the early 1980s. The same can be said about the industrial regions of the north of England.

And as the global pandemic recedes, the new rhetoric is to build back resilience. In reality, this now means reversing the failed economic ideology that Reagan and Thatcher legislated for and bring supply chains back home.

The election of Donald Trump in America and the Brexit referendum result in the UK was the desperate response of the people in these same places that were most negatively affected – known as the ‘left behind’ (4). And what they voted for was change – because the economic ideology of the day had dramatically failed them. In America, Trump promised the working class big change but doubled down on tax cuts for the rich. It didn’t work.

Both Joe Biden and Boris Johnson’s advisors have understood this. The result is that significant change really is coming to the economic management of the USA and the UK. It will come in the form of expanded government and increased taxes. The colour of the tribe makes little difference – just as it did not over the decades.

“My fellow Americans, trickledown has never worked. It is time to build America from the bottom up and middle out”

President Biden made a speech to Congress to mark his first 100 days in office. He focused on the fact that since the start of the global pandemic, some 20 million Americans had lost their jobs, highlighting at the same time that nearly 650 American billionaires had increased their combined net worth by $4 trillion. His response to this is $6 billion of government spending on welfare and infrastructure. However, the financing of this expenditure is through higher taxes on companies and the wealthiest individuals. “My fellow Americans, trickledown has never worked. It is time to build America from the bottom up and middle out,” – Biden declared. Those words truly are telling.

Two weeks after Biden’s speech, Boris Johnson declared (the same day of gains made in local elections) – “These election results are an instruction to us to keep our focus on what matters – more jobs and investment, better public services and the (northern) levelling up opportunity. There will be no let-up in levelling up.” In effect, Johnson is taking up the traditional ground of the left.

The Times newspaper reported in the same week that – “The (British) government will pledge today to put “rocket fuel” under its levelling-up agenda with a Queen’s Speech aimed at the “forgotten” 50 per cent who didn’t go to university.” Vast amounts of taxpayers money will be aimed at reversing the failed ideology of the last 50 years of neoliberal economic policy.

Biden is reversing out of the economic system as it stands. He is gambling that by increasing taxes on the wealthiest (defined as those earning more than $400,000 a year) and raising the current corporate tax rate from 21 per cent to 28 per cent, to the benefit of lower-income households, it will drive faster growth and therefore living standards. He is also focusing government spending on desperately-needed infrastructure.

In Britain, the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has made a similar gamble with his decision to raise corporation tax by six per cent to 25 per cent in two years. Boris Johnson’s ‘levelling up’ agenda in one thing – saving the Union of the United Kingdom by spending billions on infrastructure in Scotland is another.

I keep repeating the words’ gamble’ because that is precisely what we are talking about. The last fifty years has demonstrated that economists and policymakers got it wrong. This huge change confirms it. Who knows if this latest plan will work.

However, capital seeks holes in the system to make profits – it’s what it does best. Innovation and entrepreneurialism go hand in hand. In a world of globalised opportunity, both Biden and Johnson should be wary of taxing capital. More importantly – they should enforce that due tax is paid in the first place. For instance, Amazon generated €44billion (£38bn) of revenue in Europe last year – and paid not a single cent in corporation tax (5). In Britain, 1 in 5 of the biggest corporations paid no corporation taxes. Tax dodging, also known as the tax gap, is between £40 billion (HMRC estimates) and £100 billion (independent tax experts (6).

In the USA, the tax gap recognised by the IRS is now nearly $500 billion a year. If Britain is anything to go by, that figure is likely to be much higher.

In saying all that, this is a significant change of economic policy – taxing wealth that generally sits idle and aiming its windfalls at the other end of the wealth spectrum, where it becomes more productive – is bigger than most people give credit for.

The administrations of both Biden and Johnson seem to be aware of the risks. This is because the risks of neoliberal policies – effectively a race to the bottom, the most significant threat to our national welfare and prospects, have to be replaced. Of course, this change of direction – and a new set of promises has got them both into power.

Whether this new gamble pays off is another question. National debt will inevitably continue to increase. The threat of inflation may well cause questions over interest rates in the medium to long term, and capital may seek new hunting grounds. But what all this demonstrates more than anything is that the ‘build-back-better’ agenda in the post-pandemic world also means the rules have changed, especially for economic policy. The era of trickle-down economics or neoliberal capitalism has quietly come to an end.

Go to top

About the Author

Graham Vanbergen is a publisher, author (Brexit – A Corporate Coup D’Etat), communications strategist and journalist.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congressional_Research_Service
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trickle-down_economics
https://www.lse.ac.uk/News/Latest-news-from-LSE/2020/L-December/Tax-cuts-for-the-rich
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brexit-Corporate-DEtat-Graham-Vanbergen-ebook
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/may/04/amazon-sales-income-europe-corporation-tax-luxembourg
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-6522913/Almost-1-5-biggest-firms-paid-year-5-got-handout-taxman.html

Do You Need to Borrow? How to Pick the Right Sort of Loan

May 12, 2021

Securing a loan is not as difficult as choosing the right sort of loan. You may want to borrow for a number of reasons, such as financing a home, a car or your wedding. Regardless of your objectives behind seeking some financial help, it is imperative to know what sort of loan would be ideal for your needs.

The availability of multiple loans make choosing one a complicated decision. Let’s take a look at them below and what purpose they’re useful for:

1. Personal Loans

When one compare secured loans to unsecured loans, we believe personal loans come out as the victor. Personal loans are an expensive means or borrowing money but the brighter side of these is that they demand no collateral. This means that if you want to borrow money to fund your wedding, expand your business or pay your bills, you don’t have to risk your house for it.

Typically, you do not have to put up any collateral for a lender to process your loan and hence, none of your assets are at stake of seizure in case you fail to pay. You can obtain a personal loan for a couple of hundred to a couple of thousand dollars or pounds. The repayment period typically stretches for two to five years.

To approve of your loan, the lenders will need to see evidence of your income, proof of the worth of your assets and how much amount you wish to borrow. Generally, experts recommend personal loans as the ideal option for those who need a small amount of cash relatively. If you’re sure you can repay a certain low sum within a couple of years, then this loan is a good option for you.

2. Fixed Rate Loans

These loans have a fixed rate that remain the same over the specified period, which is usually for one to five years. During this period, your repayments will not fluctuate with interest fluctuation and your monthly payment amount remains the same.

When your term comes to an end, you may lock another interest rate in if you wish, opt for a split loan or even switch to a variable one. Fixed rate loans generally are not as flexible as variable loans and also come with limited features.

As a matter of fact, in these loans you may not have the facility of making extra payments or will have to pay a fee for early exit.

3. Credit Cards

Credit cards are equivalent to borrowing a small personal loan, whenever you use it to pay for something you need. You will have to suffer no extra interest rates if you pay the balance in full right away. However, if you fail to pay some part of your debt immediately, then you will have to suffer the extra interest charges every month until you pay it all off.

4. Interest Only Loans

If you’re looking for investment property loans, then an ideal option is the interest only loan. The reason is that interest only loans are usually entirely tax deductible and can be variable or fixed loans. If you use this loan for significant capital growth, then no doubt you will find this best solution for your cash flow.

When you opt for this type of loan, you repayments cover the interest component of it. As a result, you get to maintain your repayments a t a minimum on the investment property. For most investors, the tax deductible feature of the investment loan is the greatest attraction.

5. Home Equity Loan

If you’re a homeowner, you can borrow against the equity you have built up in your property. In this loan option, you can actually borrow as much of the amount as you own. If you have paid off half your home’s mortgage, then you can borrow the amount equivalent to half of the value of your house.

In simple terms, the home equity loan is essentially the contrast between the current market value of your property and the rate you still owe on your mortgage.

6. Standard Variable Rate Loan

This is the most common and popular sort of loan because of its greater flexibility and more features available. Because of these characteristics, the standard variable loan usually has a slight higher rate but the extra features make it worthwhile.

For instance, you may find the option of splitting between a variable or fixed, redraw facility, portability and extra repayments quite beneficial. However, you need to also consider the facts that repayments in this loan type vary when the interest rate fluctuates before you decide to proceed.

7. HELOC

HELOC means the home equity lines of credit. It typically resembles a credit card with the only difference being setting your home up as collateral. In this case, the lender gives you the maximum amount of credit and you can use, repay and reuse it for as long as your account remains active. In most cases, such an account remains opened for ten to twenty years.

The interest can be tax deductible as it is in the regular home equity loans. The only exception here is that while in the case of the regular equity loan you can fix the interest rate at the time of approval, in the case of HELOCs, one cannot set the rate at the time of approval.

The borrowers can access the money at any time over a stretch of years so the interest rate has to remain a variable. Many lenders peg it to an underlying index in this case.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to borrowing to meet your financial needs, you can pick from a several types of loans. Each come with different features, repayment period and other characteristics. When choosing the best one to suit your needs, you must consider the monthly payments and take note of the amount you will have to pay each month.

There are several loans that offer a lower monthly payment with balloon payments or variable interest rates, but you must not allow these to blind you to other factors. It is important to reevaluate what you can afford and how far it is safe for you to stretch financially.

Go to top

5 Best Ways to Intake CBD and Get the Best Results

May 12, 2021

The cannabidiol (CBD) wave is sweeping across the world like wildfire, and understandably so. Considered the most pharmacologically beneficial cannabis extract, CBD might help with a wide range of health problems, according to this research by Deep Patel. The compound is mainly recommended for relieving pain, anxiety, inflammatory conditions, epileptic seizures, and insomnia.

But despite the growing body of research citing cannabidiol for its powerful medicinal properties, many people remain skeptical about the compound and its suggested health benefits. A majority of CBD skeptics believe that substance induces euphoria, just like its parent plant – marijuana.

However, it’s reassuring to know that CBD is non-psychoactive and won’t get you high. The compound also has a considerably higher safety profile compared to other herbal extracts.

What’s more, there are numerous methods to consume cannabidiol. This post examines the five top ways to intake CBD and get the most out of the substance.

1. Oral tinctures

Mostly Available As: Sublingual sprays
Recommended For: New CBD users
Associated Risks: CBD-related

Initially, almost all CBD products came in the form of oral tinctures. To administer these tinctures, all you need to do is spray a few drops underneath your tongue, hold for a few seconds, and then swallow.

CBD oral tinctures are famous for their fast onset time. That’s because the product enters your system directly through the mucous membrane.

You should consider making oral tinctures your preferred CBD delivery method, especially if you’re a new user. That’s because these products come with carefully calibrated bottles and droppers, making it almost impossible to overdose them.

Oral tinctures also have lower health risks. The only risks you can expect are those linked to CBD overdose, such as nausea and dry mouth. Learn more about the different forms of CBD and some tips regarding the use of it on https://icrowdnewswire.com/

2. Edibles

Mostly Available As: Candies, gummies, lozenges, baked goods, chocolate products, and CBD-infused drinks
Recommended For: Stealth users
Associated Risks: CBD-related

Edibles allow you to consume cannabidiol discreetly. For instance, you can pop and chew a CBD-infused gummy in public without drawing any attention to yourself.

Edibles also tend to have a higher safety profile since most of the other ingredients used in these products are food-grade.

And the fact that edibles are available in numerous forms reflects positively in terms of choice and affordability. However, note that the most affordable CBD products tend to be of lower quality when it comes to cannabinoid and terpene profiles. Herbonaut’s price comparison of CBD products found that some products offer 2-times more hemp-derived cannabinoids and terpenes, for the same price.

Fortunately, a few affordable brands don’t skimp on the quality of their hemp plants. This underscores the importance of establishing the reputation of a CBD supplier before choosing them.

3. Smoking

Mostly Available As: Dried hemp flowers
Recommended For: Regular smokers
Associated Risks: Throat irritation and lung damage

Smoking is the most popular way of consuming marijuana recreationally. It also happens to be one of the most efficient CBD delivery methods.

As a method of CBD administration, smoking mostly appeals to people who already smoke other herbal extracts like hyssop or kratom. This delivery method is particularly recommended for tobacco smokers. That’s because smoking cannabidiol allows you to enjoy the compound’s therapeutic properties while shunning nicotine, the most addictive chemical in tobacco.

Smoking also has a relatively high bioavailability (absorption rate). Therefore, a few puffs would offer the same healing benefits as higher doses if you were consuming CBD by other methods.

However, it’s worth noting that smoking CBD carries inherent risks. While cannabidiol itself is generally safe, the combustion that occurs during smoking may introduce potentially toxic compounds inhaled alongside the smoke. Examples include carbon monoxide and heavy metals.

4. Vaping

Mostly Available As: CBD e-juices, dry herbs, and wax concentrates
Recommended For: People trying to quit smoking
Associated Risks: Minimal throat irritation and lung damage

The vaping concept was originally popularized as a safer alternative to traditional nicotine delivery systems. Over time, however, vaping has become especially popular among cannabis users.

What distinguishes vaping from smoking CBD is that there’s no combustion taking place during vaping. So, a vaper inhales vapor instead of smoke, which lowers the risks of throat irritation and lung disease.

Another notable benefit of vaping CBD is that it allows you to savor the flavors in the product.

And just like smoking, vaping CBD comes with a fast onset time and high bioavailability. In both methods, the effects can be felt in as little as 5 minutes. That’s because the absorption of CBD takes place immediately in the lungs.

5. Topicals

Mostly Available As: CBD-enriched soaps, shampoos, creams, balms, salves, etc.
Recommended For: Localized conditions
Associated Risks: CBD-related (minimal)

Topicals are arguably the safest way to consume cannabidiol. That’s because CBD administered this way doesn’t enter your entire system. Instead, the compound exerts its therapeutic effects only on the area you apply it on.

So, if you’re skeptical about ingesting or inhaling CBD products but still want to try the substance, topicals might be your best bet.

Topicals are particularly helpful if you’re consuming CBD products that also contain significant levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound in cannabis.

Also, CBD-infused topicals come in all shapes and sizes. You can take a bath using CBD-enriched soaps or apply CBD-infused ointments after your shower.

There are numerous ways to administer cannabidiol. Each delivery method comes with its pros and cons. But whichever method you opt for, be sure to moderate your intake of CBD. Note that cannabidiol is generally more effective at low doses and ineffective at very high doses.

Go to top

5 Games That Can Teach Teens How To Be Financially Savvy

May 12, 2021

By Estella Friesen

Learning to manage your money wisely is an important life skill. Yet, many young people struggle to become financially savvy with their money. Many young college graduates find themselves in large amounts of debt, or unable to create savings for themselves. A good way to engage in learning these skills while young is by making it fun to learn. There are several board and video games that make learning to manage your money fun and engaging. Here are five such games.

1. Monopoly

This game is a classic board game that many people have played. What people don’t realise is how much it can teach you about managing your money in real life. You spend a good portion of the game trying to save and spend your money wisely, buying and investing in property, and the winner is the person who has the most money at the end. Monopoly can teach players about managing their money and the impact of their financial and investment choices throughout the entire game. Some skills that they can learn are:

Dealing with financial emergencies, such as taxes and paying for damages
Paying rent
Investing and improving real estate

2. Payday

If you want to teach the basics of budgeting, then this is the game to choose. Players play for a set number of months decided before game play. Players then proceed around the 31-day board and different monetary events, like paying loads, financial emergencies, and other financial circumstances occur. The player who has the most net worth at the end of the agreed to number of months wins. Payday teaches players how to divide up their pay checks to meet monthly expenses and is great for teaching basic budgeting and the importance of having savings for unexpected emergencies.

3. The Sims

‘The Sims is a simulation game which helps teens understand that the three keys to keep their finances in shape and bring their long-term goals to life are patience, hard work, and saving up money’ says Andre Duren, a business writer at Writinity and Researchpapersuk. You have to build virtual characters and get them through everyday activities, and managing money is one of the many things you need to be able to do. At the start of the game, you are given a budget and need to make it grow by getting your protagonist a job, so you can afford everyday expenses like buying groceries, paying your bills, and buying new exciting things, like a swimming pool or a car. In this video game, you have to build virtual characters and get them through everyday activities, such as eating, socialising, sleeping, and managing money to bring projects to life.

4. Football Manager

With this strategic online game, teens can learn that financial management is about finding the optimum balance between their wants and needs while building and managing their own football team. When playing Football Manager, you’re given a transfer budget and can use it to buy players. The challenge is to buy players that can help you win your games, but without overspending your budget. This requires careful planning and making sound cost-effective decisions throughout game play so as not to ruin your club’s finances. This is a good choice to teach teens about reviewing their finances before spending or investing any of their money.

5. Dungeon and Dragons

Believe it or not, this tabletop role-playing game is a great way to teach teens how to save and plan for the long-term. ‘You can earn gold and silver coins during your travels in the game and spend them to buy items that might help you survive longer’ says Rosie Cawley, a project manager at Draftbeyond and LastMinuteWriting. Items such as a better suit of armour or more efficient weapons are highly sought after and protect your character from dying in the harsh fantasy world of Dungeons and Dragons. However, the trick is to have enough funds to face any unexpected events and achieve your long-term goals.

Games are a good way to teach real-life skills. These 5 games are a fun way to teach teens about the importance of managing and saving your money.

Go to top

About the Author

Estella Friesen is a content writer at Gumessays.com and Luckyassignments.com. She has been a marketing expert for years. She dedicates her experience to her clients and the businesses she works with, paving the way to success as a team. In her spare time, she has gained knowledge in the field of finance and writing.

Real Estate Investment: Financial Preparations To Make Before You Buy

May 12, 2021

Are you thinking of purchasing an investment property, but not sure if you can handle the financial strain? Buying real estate is a huge commitment, but there are many useful ways you can reduce your risk and feel confident in your investment. Let’s explore 5 ways you can prepare yourself for a financially sound investment when looking for your first property.

Partner With A Trusted Lender

When you’re planning for new investment, it’s important to thoroughly comb through all of your finances, both business and personal. Chances are you aren’t buying your investment property in cash, so you must first explore what kind of lender you’d like to partner with.

When you choose an alternative lender, rather than a bank or agency, you’re giving yourself the flexibility to create a personalized plan to finance your investment property over 30 years. You’ll also have lower document requirements with an alternative lender, meaning there’s no need to haul out years of pay stubs and tax returns.

Whether you choose an alternative lender, a local bank, or a multi-family development investment opportunities agency, make sure your first step is consulting an expert like these to get approved for a loan.

Know Your Options

Next, you need to be sure you have considered all your options. Are you going to partner with a real estate agent, a buyers agent like Aus Property or search for the property on your own? Are you going to buy a fixer-upper and finance the repairs or choose a turnkey property that is move-in ready? Are you going to scope out the auctions for the best deal or buy a home online?

Taking on projects in your investment home is often worth the time and energy. 74% of homeowners have a greater desire to be in their home after it’s been remodeled, but most are not willing to take the risk. Have a clear picture of the remodels you are willing to do, how you will be using your money, and explore all your options so you’re ready to make a financially sound decision that is right for you.

Negotiate Like A Pro

Don’t settle for a home you don’t want or a price that isn’t right. Sharpen your negotiating skills and fight for what you want. If you don’t want to take an unnecessary financial hit, be sure you have the confidence to negotiate like a pro for the right house at the right price.

So you don’t end up with a bad deal, educate yourself on what the market is like in the area. If you understand the market prices as well as supply and demand, you will be more equipped to negotiate the best deal possible and get the most out of your money.

Budget Realistically

Financially prepare yourself for the money you are about to invest by creating a comprehensive budget. Dreaming is fun, but it doesn’t matter how much you love a property if it’s not in your price range. Know what you can afford, and stick to your budget.

A budget can help you realistically prepare for a downpayment, handle mortgage costs, finance day-to-day wear and tear or Strata management services your property may require. Before you invest, it is essential to create a realistic view of your finances by making a useful budget.

Well-Rounded Business Planning

Don’t get so caught up in financially preparing for your real estate investment that you neglect other areas in your life. Make a clear business plan and account for any other investments you may have before purchasing real estate.

Budget for your household expenses, and consider creating an LLC if you want to keep your personal finances and your investments separate. If you have a real estate business, be sure any costs associated with your investment are going through the LLC for tax and liability purposes.

Purchasing real estate is a high-risk, high-reward investment option. When you take inventory of your finances, partner with a trusted lender, advocate for yourself, and have a clear picture of your needs and your budget, you will be able to begin a successful and financially sound career in property investment. With these tips, you will be able to take the risk with confidence and reap the rewards for years to come.

Go to top

Why is there greater demand for larger bridging loans?

May 12, 2021

By Paresh Raja, Founder and CEO of Market Financial Solutions

In the early months of 2021, there have been a number of interesting trends within the bridging sector. The first is the rise in demand for larger bridging loans – that is to say, multi-million-pound loans; the second is the increased appetite for development exit products.

To understand both trends, we must first set them against the broader context of the UK’s property market, which has enjoyed a remarkable surge in growth since the initial lockdown between March and July 2020.

The stamp duty holiday, introduced on 8 July last year, has of course played a pivotal role in driving this growth across the market. Indeed, house prices have been on a sharp upward trajectory since the policy was established; according to recent ONS data, the average UK house price rose by 8.6% in the year to February 2021 – the fastest rate of growth in almost seven years.

Yet with buyer demand as strong as it has been in many years, the lending market is having to adapt. For high street banks, the challenges have been well-documented: mortgage lenders have been struggling to process high volumes of applications they are receiving from prospective homebuyers.

In the bridging sector, however, the picture is perhaps a little more complex. Short-term lenders must not only meet the increased levels of demand that many have experienced, but also cater to the ever-changing needs of clients.

Increased demand for larger loans

As noted, one of the key trends we have seen in the early part of 2021 has been a rise in demand for larger bridging loans.

The aforementioned rise in property prices will, naturally, mean that average loan values also increase. But it is not the prices themselves that are driving the trend for larger loans, but rather the sense of optimism from property investors.

With the stamp duty holiday in place and the property market in such buoyant form, investors are clearly looking to capitalise. We have seen a number of clients buying multiple properties, or taking on more ambitious projects.

For instance, Market Financial Solutions (MFS) has noted an increased interest in the semi-commercial sector over recent months, which again tallies with more clients looking for larger loans as they consider ways of diversifying their property portfolios.

The combination of a booming residential market and a commercial market reignited by the relaxation of social distancing measures is clearly inspiring property investors to take bolder action.

We all know that office buildings and local high streets have been hit hard by the pandemic. Businesses have closed, tenants have left, and many premises are empty. And so, with opportunities aplenty, some investors are clearly moving into this space, potentially with a view to refurbishing and changing the usage of a venue, whether that’s from retail to hospitality, or converting an office block into flats. Indeed, as lockdown rules are lifted and society sparks back into life, we could see more investors looking to the commercial and semi-commercial sectors.

The combination of a booming residential market and a commercial market reignited by the relaxation of social distancing measures is clearly inspiring property investors to take bolder action. As such, multi-million-pound loans are becoming increasingly common in the bridging market.

Development exit products

Further to the increased demand for larger loans, there has also been a significant rise in the number of enquires MFS has received for development exit loans. This is likely to be the result of delays that developers have faced in both completing and selling properties.

Periods of nationwide lockdown, as well as ever-present social distancing rules, have impeded on the construction and development sectors over the past 14 months. Projects have stalled for long periods of time, while supply chains have also been disrupted, meaning developers cannot get access to the materials required to complete on new-builds, refurbishments, renovations, and so forth.

As well as the delays within project timelines, there are also delays for those developers that are looking to sell completed projects. According to recent analysis, the total time it currently takes to sell a property – from initial listing to completion – sits at an average of 295 days (ten months).

The stamp duty holiday is exacerbating the problem; as stated above, there has been a spike in demand from prospective property buyers, which has resulted in many lenders and legal firms struggling to process deals.

For developers, these delays in both completing and selling properties can also be a serious cause for concern. They typically rely on development finance to fund a project – a loan to cover the costs of building or renovating a property. This loan will then be repaid upon the sale of the completed property, but when the eventual sale stalls, deadlines for repayment can be missed.

As such, development exit products have become particularly popular of late. These bridging loans enable a developer to repay their original development finance – a loan that could have a high interest rate or might be approaching the end of its term but requires significant fees to extend it – while they complete on a project or await the sale of their property.

Adapting to unique circumstances

Those are two of the interesting changes that MFS has witnessed over the past six months. No doubt other lenders have also seen demand for different types of products rise and fall sharply in the midst of the pandemic – indeed, the underlying point is that given the unique situation the entire property market find itself in at present, the lending market is having to adapt in turn.

Adaptability is an important quality for any finance provider, ensuring their clients have access to the products, services and supports required at any particular moment in time. At MFS, having been active in the bridging sector for over 15 years, we are able to use our experience and expertise to constantly evolve our offering, delivering the bridging loans that the market needs.

Looking to the months ahead, it will be fascinating to see how the tapering down of the stamp duty holiday affects the market. That said, with such high demand currently noted from homebuyers, and with the market such a hive of activity, there is every reason to believe that 2021 could be a positive year for the property sector.

Go to top

About the Author

Paresh Raja is the founder and CEO of Market Financial Solutions (MFS) a London-based bridging loan provider. Prior to establishing MFS in 2006, Paresh worked as a senior professional consultant in one of the top five management consultancy firms, and also set up an independent investment group.

Climbing Mount Denali – Top 5 Things To Do

May 12, 2021

You’ve never been to Mount Denali, and probably you are planning to visit it for the first time in the next few days. The excitement on your face is real, but you have no idea about what to do while there.

When visiting a new place, it’s right to go around, wanting to know how you can have the best experience from the visit. There are different activities you can engage in depending on several factors. One of these factors is safety. Before you engage in any activity, ensure the environment is danger-free, or at least you have the suitable mechanisms to guarantee your security.

Mount Denali is one of the best tourist destinations globally. If you are not aware, Denali is the highest mountain peak in North America. Possibly being a first-time mountain climber, you are wondering how to climb Denali, being tall as it is. Sure, it is a serious task, and you should treat it as it is.

However, there are a lot of activities you can participate in while in Denali to make the visit as memorable as you can. Below are a few of these activities. Read on.

1. National Park Tour

One of the most notable features of Denali is its extensive national park. It would be best if you did not miss catching the wildlife view, making many people flock to the mountain. However, the wild animals in the park are not caged; hence you need more time to exploit the scene to spot them.

The park is known for the big five animals; the moose, bear, caribou, wolf, and Dall’s sheep. However, there are more other animals of different species in the park. As the park is wild, you can only catch a glimpse while on a bus ride. Some buses take travelers and tourists across the national park; therefore, make sure to book one and explore the wildlife.

2. HikingDuring the summer season, hiking is one of the most enjoyable activities in Denali. There are a few marked trails next to the entrance and close to visitor centers. However, you should be aware that Denali is a total wilderness, and for off-trail hikes, you should prepare well.

For the hike, prepare by packing water, food, the proper hiking attire, with warm clothes. Also, remember that you can run into the bears during the walk, as they are common in the park. Therefore, pack your food in bear-safe containers and harm yourself with a bear bell and bear spray to encounter them in the event you bump into each other.

Hiking on your own can lock you out of some beautiful experiences due to the constant fear of wild animals. It might be good if you consider booking some local guides for more exciting adventures.

3. Flightseeing the Mountain

A proper way of seeing the peak of the mountain is by use of flight. This is one activity that your visit will not be complete without engaging in—signing up for a flight in advance, whether a small aircraft or helicopter, can give you the pleasure of watching the mountain peak. These could include some wildlife, climbers struggling to make it to the summit, or some attractive mountain ranges.

A small guided hike during a glacier landing on top of the mountain is fantastic. If your budget is not too tight, such experiences are unforgettable. You will be amazed by the beautiful sceneries that Alaska has to offer.

4. Mountain BikingIf cycling is your passion, Denali is the right place for you. Visiting this place on a bicycle can be a good idea as riders use dirt roads, and off-road cycling is not allowed. All you need is a robust mountain bike. Gravel bikes can also work, but you cannot expect to race to your best speeds. Remember to carry your repair kit, tools, and some spare tires to fix your bike in case of a puncture. Check out pedalstreet.com to be ready for this biking adventure.

If you can’t take your bike with you, many businesses near the park rent bikes for such riders. You don’t have to worry. All you need is some cash. You can jump into a bus and ride back to the entrance or ride along the bus. This is particularly good during Summer.

5. Rafting and KayakingViewing the Denali from the water is another fun activity to partake in during your visit. Few companies offer water guidance in Denali park. You will learn more about the flora and fauna of the region from the local guides from the trip. These are other fun activities you should consider while in the Denali region to explore the region’s serenity and gaze at the mountain peak.

Conclusion

Mount Denali is an excellent place to spend your summer or winter. So, you will never run short of fun activities during the visit. Also, you can check English Premier League tickets. You only need to plan yourself well and consider all the requirements.

Go to top

Meditation App for 2021 – Top 5 Impactful Meditation Apps in the World

May 12, 2021

Prioritizing your mental health is never up for negotiation. Here are the top 5 best meditation apps that you can use to unwind from daily hassle and relax your mind.

Amongst the hustle and bustle of modern everyday life, a lot of us often find ourselves suffering from stress, anxiety, and a lack of focus. This isn’t really a surprise considering how hectic and complicated the life of an average individual is. There are roles to perform, priorities to manage, and bills to pay.

Even though these are all important things, but prolonged busyness without giving some time to yourself for self-care can really harm your mental health. What makes matters worse is that even if we decide to start prioritizing our mental health, not all of us can afford a wellness coach or a yoga instructor.

Fortunately, there are some meditation apps designed specifically for this purpose. In this article, we are going to be looking at our top 5 picks for the most impactful meditation apps available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store that you can download today. Let’s get started.

1. Calm

Google Play Store Rating: 4.1 (Editors’ Choice app)
Apple App Store Rating: 4.6

There’s a good chance you might have come across Calm before. It is an Editors’ Choice app on the Google Play Store and is an easy pick for anyone looking to reduce their anxiety and stress. The app uses soothing nature sounds and relaxing images to calm you down.

One of the best things about Calm is its versatility.

Not only does it help you meditate, but it also features other well-being offerings as well. One of such features is Sleep Stories that includes bedtime stories read by celebrities like Matthew McConaughey, Idris Elba, Kate Winslet, and more.

Calm Body, the latest addition to the Calm app, features 10-minute guided videos that teach gentle stretching. It’s designed to help your body release all the stress that you accumulate throughout the day and help you relax. Calm is built around the idea of personalization.

Whether you have 3 minutes or 30, Calm fits your schedule.

2. Black Lotus

Google Play Store Rating: 4.8
Apple App Store Rating: 4.8

Black Lotus is one of our personal favorites. Backed by behavioral science experts and deep research on the effects of meditation and positive psychology, Black Lotus is centered on mindfulness and self-improvement.

It promotes the idea of using meditation as a tool to become kinder, less stressed, more productive, and happier. What we love the most about Black Lotus is its result-oriented approach towards meditation.

Founded by acclaimed Indian monk Om Swami, Black Lotus integrates mediation in your everyday life to draw tangible results such as improving emotional well-being, controlling anger, bettering relationships, and practicing gratitude.

It does so by using a comprehensive action-driven framework called the R.A.R.E. (Reflect. Act. Reinforce. Evaluate) model of meditation which aims to help users form healthy long-term habits by spending less than 12-17 minutes a day in the app.

3. Headspace

Google Play Store Rating: 4.6 (Editors’ Choice app)
Apple App Store Rating: 4.8

Headspace is perhaps the most ‘colorful’ meditation app on our list, which we’re guessing contributed to its Editors’ Choice award on Google Play Store. With beautiful designs and an intuitive user interface, Headspace is a solid pick for beginners.

It markets itself as a “Meditation & Sleep” app and delivers what it promises.

What we find the most unique about Headspace is how it features meditative sessions designed not just for teens and adults but also for kids under categories like “5 and under,” “six to eight,” and “nine to twelve.” This helps develop positive meditation habits from an early age.

Headspace’s features are designed to be task-specific.

For instance, Focus helps boost concentration for people working from home, Move Mode helps release stress and boost mood via at-home workouts led by Olympian trainers Kim Glass and Leon Taylor, and The Wake Up helps brighten your mornings for a fresh start via a daily video series that includes inspiring stories, expert advice, and beautiful animations.

4. Insight Timer

Google Play Store Rating: 4.9 (Editors’ Choice app)
Apple App Store Rating: 4.8

Aside from being an Editors’ Choice app, what makes Insight Timer special is how much content the app actually has. From Live events to community interactions to courses taught by leading mindfulness teachers to a jam-packed library of 60,000 FREE meditation and music tracks, the app has plenty to offer to all kinds of audiences.

What we love the most about Insight Timer is its attention to its community. One of the features that caught our eye is Group Meditation, the latest addition to the app. The feature allows you to create and join private mediation rooms within your Circles to meditate together in real-time. Cool, right? We think so too.

Not just that, Insight Timer is also loaded with over 90,000 FREE guided meditations spread across 200 topics of interest. The app has a rich selection of diverse playlists focusing on various goals such as improving sleep, coping with anxiety, managing stress, unwinding with music, finding inner peace, and a lot more.

5. Breethe

Google Play Store Rating: 4.6
Apple App Store Rating: 4.6

If there’s one app on our list that deserves the title “jack of all trades, master of none,” it’s Breethe. Breethe is everything a simple meditation app should be: easy-to-use, filled with features, and easy to navigate across the user interface in the app.

Recognized as a Must-Have app by Apple, Breethe is perfect for people who like to do more with less. With over 1,500 meditations, bedtime stories, hypnotherapy sessions, talks, and sounds, Breeze is designed to easily fit into your daily life, all while complementing your schedule.

One particular feature that we found very interesting was My Life Kit that asks you a series of questions to get to know you better so as to create a personalized toolkit calibrated according to your specific needs. From falling asleep to dealing with pandemic stress, Breethe has a beautiful way of handling everyday mental struggles.

Thank you for reading this article.

We hope you found this guide insightful in exploring the different qualities of each of our curations. Feel free to try them all out and see which one suits you the best. We wish you a journey of mindfulness and strength.

Go to top

Top Mistakes You Should Avoid When Getting a Personal Loan

May 12, 2021

Personal loans are have become the widely used way for individuals to pay attention to specific types of expenditures in their lives. They may need to fund some renovation work on your home or purchase a new car. Whatever the case might be, you would first need to think a lot before getting a personal loan.

Each loan lender is different, and each loan is different. There is a lot to consider when looking for your loan, from interest rates to loan conditions, from versatility to other charges. Compare your various choices intelligently and take the right loan for your needs.

You must complete your due diligence before committing yourself to a particular lender. The very last thing you want to do is face high interest rates or other forms of hidden fees. This information will guide you through all the common mistakes with personal loans.

Failure to Pay Attention to Your Credit Value.

You don’t believe that anyone monitors your late EMIs, credit card defaults, and numerous lenders’ applications? You’re wrong. All are monitored to assess your credit score.

When you apply for a personal loan, lenders can review your creditworthiness with this ranking. On that basis, they decide to give you the loan and the interest rate you are offering. But you’re in a rough time if you’ve never bothered to check your credit score. But better late than never.

Work to improve your reputation by prompt payments and reduce your demand for such loans. It will help you get fast approval for cheaper loans in the long term.

Applying Without Comparing the Available Loan Options.

It is not essential for your lender to always have the best loan offers for you. Therefore, make sure that you compare the various options available and examine the offers in detail to obtain the perfect deal.

It is only when you compare the options from different lenders such as: SOFI, MARCUS, LOANSSOS etc you may realize that there are better options in the market for you to benefit from. These can be in terms of lower interest charges, more flexible payment terms, or higher loan amounts – things that can help you find the ideal match to your funding needs.

Taking A Huge Loan Than Your Requirement.

All of us are eligible for large-size personal loans. But being qualified for a large loan does not guarantee that you can take full advantage of it. Only because a higher loan means higher refunds that place additional burdens on your finances over the tenure of the lending, as such, make a point of carefully evaluating exactly how much you need and apply for that number. Not one more penny.

You Forget to Repay Your Loan On Time.

The loan process does not stop until you have received the approval tick. At some point, you’ll have to pay back the money. It might sound very simple, but how easy it is to forget will surprise you.

This mistake is particularly popular if you are applying for the first time. Although an allegedly harmless mistake, your credit history also shows missed payments that could negatively impact your credit score and your chances of landing a new loan in the future.

If you know how to handle utility bills or repayment by credit card, then you will probably be fine. Just handle your loan in the same manner.

Payments are marked on your calendar, you are reminded, or better yet, you are automatically transferred through online banking to ensure that payments take care of themselves. It’s that straightforward.

Not Preparing Your Budget.

It is crucial to prepare your budget before deciding on your loan. You can be entitled to a substantial personal loan, but it doesn’t mean that you should borrow more than the amount you need. Ensure that you calculate the amount you need before you think of applying for a loan. Another mistake that most of us make is not keeping essential documents handy.

These tips will help you choose a personal loan product that matches your requirements and help you select all the boxes you need to better prepare for loan reimbursement. A personal loan is a perfect tool to meet any financial necessity and help achieve your dream. Do not allow any lack of care on your part to dampen the results you can achieve.

Go to top