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Life Tips for Personal, Financial and Business Growth

Maxwell

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Tips For First Time Home Owners in 2018

There is no more exciting time in your life than buying your first home. Although it is a big commitment, it marks a major milestone and gives you somewhere to call your own. Whether you plan to move in by yourself or with your partner, it really is a wonderful time.

Of course, as a first-time buyer, you have not been through the whole process before. This can make it all seem a little confusing or overwhelming. If you feel like you need some help in making that first move, read on.

The best tips for first-time buyers in 2018

With so much to think about, it is always worth getting a few tips on how best to approach buying your first home. The below should give you just the helping hand you need:

  • Think about location – This first tip actually is for before you buy your new home, but it’s worth factoring in anyway. Be sure to fully consider the location of any home you buy and what amenities it has close by. Also, be sure to check how easy it is to get to your work and any transport links available. All this will make sure you own your first home in an area that is suitable for your needs.

 

  • Get to know your neighbors – In fact, it is great to get to know as many people in the local area of your new home as possible. Not only will this help you settle into your house but also help you integrate into the community. It will also mean that there are plenty of people to call on for help or advice if needed.

 

  • Choose a home warranty – Ideally, you should try to take out a home warranty as a first-time home owner. These warranties are to cover against the repair or replacement of the major appliances and systems in your home. It is much safer and easier to budget for than suddenly getting a huge bill when your boiler or central heating system fails in the winter months.

 

  • Think about your finances – Making sure to really think about your finances when you become a home owner is key. This is especially important for first-time buyers who might not have a lot of savings left in the bank to fall back on. These considerations should start before even buying your home, by asking yourself the question ‘How much home can I afford?’ and using this formula of 28% of your gross income to be sure. Once you are settled into your home, make sure to devise a budget to keep yourself financially stable.

Owning your own home is fantastic

There is no doubt that owning your own home is amazing as a first-time buyer. While there are lots of things to think about, both before and after the move, you will love having your own sanctuary to relax in. Take the time to think about the above tips and you will be able to look forward to a blissfully happy time in your new home.

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5 Ways Of Making Your Business More Profitable

Every business owner wants their business to be as profitable and healthy as possible, but what are the most effective methods of achieving this? Let’s take a look at five of them.

Invest Profits Wisely

Your business will never be able to improve its profitability if you aren’t able to make good use of the profits you are generating now. To invest your profits wisely, you will need to focus on ensuring that you are always making the most informed and considered decisions possible when it comes to investing your money. Achieving appreciable and sustainable business growth needs to be built on solid foundations. Therefore, the first thing you should do is to ensure that you have an accurate overview of your current financial situation.

Adding enterprise resource planning (ERP) software to your business’ infrastructure will allow the different departments that comprise your business to share data directly with one another. This means that all your departments will be able to work together with maximum efficiency and harmony. With the most accurate financial data possible available to you, you will be able to formulate detailed corporate strategies.

Look for Ways to Cut Costs

In business, you should always be on the lookout for ways that you can bring your costs down. There is a multitude of approaches you can take to reducing costs, depending upon the individual circumstances of your business. One of the most common ways that modern businesses can save themselves money is by introducing automation into their supply lines.

The opportunities for automation are growing by the day. As well as allowing repetitive and tedious administrative tasks, such as completing payroll, to be handled automatically, automation is also finding a growing number of uses in other areas of business. Any business looking for an immediate way to bring their costs down should investigate the potential to introduce automation to some of their everyday business processes.

If your business uses any specialised services, such as payment processing services, investigate whether switching to another provider could be an effective cost-cutting measure. For example, if your business needs to make regular international payments, look for a payment processor who will be able to handle those payments for a reduced cost. Look to services such as SWIFT GPI, which you can access through AccessPay.

Make Smarter Marketing Decisions

Many businesses make the mistake of thinking that by simply throwing money at their marketing campaigns, they can generate appreciable increases in both awareness and profitability. In actual fact, to receive the best ROI on their marketing campaigns, businesses should look to make smarter marketing decisions. Often, embracing the seemingly more rudimentary and low-tech marketing techniques out there can save a business a considerable amount of money while achieving their desired goal of increased profitability.

Instead of building your next marketing drive around a sophisticated digital advertising campaign, why not embrace a more guerrilla approach? Guerrilla marketing encourages businesses to look for more cost-effective ways of getting their marketing message out to as wide an audience as possible. There are a variety of techniques utilised in guerrilla marketing. Generally, they involve incorporating the local environment into the marketing, for example, by putting up stickers and other homemade media.

Seek Additional Funding

If you need a quick injection of cash into your business to enhance its profitability, you might want to look at generating some additional funding. There are many ways of going about this. If your business is in a secure state financially, you might want to approach private equity and venture capital firms about potential investments. However, in today’s world, there is an endless number of ways you can go about funding your business.

Focus on Customer Loyalty

It is much more expensive to acquire a new customer than it is to retain an old one. You should, therefore, make sure that you invest properly in maintaining customer loyalty, whether through some kind of rewards program or through general customer outreach. However, you go about it, improving customer loyalty is a crucial step in creating a more profitable business.

A businesses profits are often the best indicator of its overall health. A business that isn’t profitable is one that is clearly in danger. Enhancing your profitability requires a long-term commitment. It is no good taking short-term measures unless they lead to long-term change in your corporate structure.

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5 Essential Hacks For Your Summertime Road Trip

There’s no better way to celebrate your long-awaited vacation than by opening the throttle and chewing up the asphalt this summer. The cross-country road trip is an American classic — and for good reason! With over four million miles of highways, the US has some of the most scenic drives in the entire world. From the California State Route 1 to Route 66 and everything in between, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to itineraries. The only thing holding you back from exploring the open road is your budget.

If you’re worried your finances may put a premature stop to your adventure this summer, take a look at the following tips. These hacks will save you money while you see the sights.

  1. Use a budget

A budget isn’t just to keep your household finances balanced throughout the year. This financial tool is there to help you figure out how you can achieve specific goals, like road tripping across the country. Most financial experts suggest tracking your expenses for at least three months. This gives you a good idea of how your money flows in any given month. It also offers insights into what you can realistically afford.

On the flip side, you should also research the expenses you can expect to pay on your trip. Things like gas, tolls, accommodation, and food are high on your list, but don’t forget to balance your budget with unexpected automotive maintenance and medical emergencies. Investopedia’s made a general guide here, but it’s a good idea to confirm these costs on your own.

  1. Use GasBuddy.com

Though gas isn’t as high as it has been in the past, it’s still an expensive addition to your trip. You can keep your cost at the pumps low by downloading GasBuddy to your phone. Its app helps you find the cheapest gas stations anywhere in the US. You may also win a weekly draw for a $250 gas card if you regularly update the app with the prices of the gas stations you pass.

  1. Brush up on basic automotive maintenance

Do you know how to change a tire or jump your car? If the answer is “no” then it’s time you learn these automotive basics.

While there are some issues only a professional should tackle, there are plenty of small repairs you can take on yourself. When you can make these repairs on your own, you can avoid some expensive automotive bills that may cut your road trip short.

  1. Expect the unexpected

Sometimes you’ll encounter speed bumps on your trip that surpass your novice skills with a wrench. A fender bender, unresponsive brakes, or transmission issues may force you to call AAA. Though you may not enjoy thinking about these worst-case scenarios, it’s important you know how you’d pay for them. As mentioned above, a well-made budget will have some savings set aside to cover these emergencies. But if necessary repairs surpass what these savings can cover, would you know how to fill in the gaps?

Before you take off, do some research on online payday loans. When you can find fast online payday loans, you’ll be able to pay for your repairs quickly — sometimes as soon as one business day after you’re approved. In some cases, some lenders like MoneyKey make it possible to manage your account from an app, meaning you can check in wherever you have Wi-Fi — on the road, in a hotel, or back at home.

Compare this to conventional loan sources, which may take weeks to come through. Every hour spent waiting on complex borrowing processes means you’ll see less of the country, so make your choice wisely.

  1. Bring along a car mattress (and other camping gear)

Depending on where you plan on driving, you can skip the hotel and sleep in your car. While your car seat may not provide a comfortable resting place, you can convert the back seat or trunk space into a temporary bedroom with just an inflatable car mattress. These beds balance in the rear section of a sedan or the larger trunk space of a van and/or SUV. Once set up, they give you a comfortable place to catch some shuteye. Best of all, they’re a fraction of the cost of one night’s stay at a hotel.

As long as you keep to safe areas that you’re legally allowed to park in overnight, you’ll cut some expenses out of your budget. Many of these places often end up being national camping parks, so come equipped with camping gear. The best campsites offer full washroom facilities and other amenities, and they’re always cheaper than a hotel.

The road trip is America’s quintessential summer vacation, and it’s something everyone should try at least once. Don’t let something like finances put the brakes on your chance at adventure. Experience the open road by taking advantage of these financial hacks and you’ll keep our cross-country trip affordable.

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Top Attractions In Penang

It is challenging to cover Penang in just a few days. However, one should be aware of the must-see attractions and insert them in their itinerary if they wish to get the best experience out of Penang in a short space of time.  So, plan your trip and start making your bookings at hotels that are affordable and offer all the latest amenities. Batu Ferringhi hotels are top-rated as they are conveniently located and provide top–touch facilities. Hard Rock Hotel Penang is a favorite as it is at a walkable distance from major attractions in Penang. One can skip the unimportant sights in Penang and focus just on the top touristic spots. Get an exciting mix of natural and cultural attractions, amusement parks and quirky offerings that are suitable for visitors of all ages.

Start with the Penang Hill that offers a welcome respite from the heat below.  It is a not-to-be-missed experience and offers breathtaking views of the whole island from the summit that rises about eight hundred meters above sea level. There are a church, mosque and a Hindu temple at the peak.

  • Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
    Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, the home of an influential Chinese industrialist, offers a peek into the 18th and 19th-century Chinese architecture. Master craftsmen from China built the mansion based on feng shui design and principles. Explore the 38 rooms and granite courtyards and admire those stained glass windows.
  • Batu Ferringhi market
    Visit the Batu Ferringhi market filled with resorts, restaurants, and stalls. The European tourist market offers a wide range of accommodation and even those with the tightest budgets can easily find a place here.
  • Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest
    Head for the Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest that sprawls across more than thirty hectares of lush, hilly terrain. You will come across tourists and locals enjoying camping and numerous streams and shallow pond. Trek the mountain’s summit which is a delightful hiking trail.
  • Escape Adventureland
    It is a must to spend a few hours at the Escape Adventureland and get some of the most thrilling moments of your life. Find yourself hurling through the open air, and it is a pretty memorable dozen of feet off the ground. There are many other fun activities such as zip-lining, tree rope swing, and free falling.
  • Clan Jetties
    Clan Jetties form the last bastions of old Chinese settlements, and the waterfront society is made up of houses on stilt. Various Chinese clans live on water villages which are more than a century old, and each of those jetties is named after a Chinese clan. Clan Jetties are indeed the most tourist-friendly.
  • Penang War Museum
    Make a visit to the Penang War Museum that was built by the British army in the 20th century. During the WWII, it was used as a Japanese army base and today serves as a museum. It is a pretty cool complex to explore with its network of underground tunnels, ventilation shafts, and old ammunition bunkers.
  • Mengkuang Dam
    Another interesting spot is the Mengkuang Dam, which is located in the northeast of Butterworth. You will love its scenic landscape with jogging trails within the largest dam in Penang that contains up to 23.6 billion liters of water. Penang’s International Dragon Boat Festival is held here at the Mengkuang Dam, and dozens of traditional boats with colorful dragon carvings participate in the boat race.
  • Fort Cornwallis
    Fort Cornwallis is another of the most well-known landmarks of Penang. Explore the prison cells, a 17th-century chapel and ammunition storage area within its ten-foot-high walls. You will get to see cool old bronze cannons within the fort that was built in 1786 as a defensive structure against pirates. It was rebuilt with bricks and stones and thus transforming into a stone structure from the wooden fort.

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The Future of Workplaces And The Importance Of Internet Connectivity

If you have worked in an office or workplace for over 15 years, you’ll know how much technology has advanced in terms of internet connectivity, software ease-of-use and the roles themselves. Talk Talk have put together the below infographic, as part of their #workforces2025 campaign, taking a look at what workplaces will look like in the year 2025 and how this will evolve around the importance of a good internet connection.

There’s some interesting survey results revolving around workers thoughts on where their job is at now and where it will be in 2025. In fact, only 1 in 10 people believe their job will be handled by an artificial intelligence ‘chatbot’ within a decade, and a staggering 1 in 3 feel the Monday to Friday will be redundant over the next 10 years, which certainly feels like it is going to happen, with many people working flexible hours and creating a life from their role.

In terms of technologies, the medical and financial services are frontrunners in support of technologies to mobilise their workforces, with 72% and 70% of decision makes respectively considering this a priority. If you think the way we’re going to be messaging will change, well maybe not quite, nearly half of employees still expect email to remain the primary means of communication. Not all workforces have been open to technologies so far though, with only 17% currently using IM, and 7% using video conferencing.

Whether the future holds for us artificial intelligence, wearable technology, machine learning, VR, AR or chatbots, what we do know is one the most technological advancement, internet connectivity, will be needed and enhanced to move with the times. There are many brands out there that specialise in internet connectivity for businesses, with specific connectivity solutions for a variety of company sizes, it’s all about finding the right scheme for you and making sure your connectivity is ready to go when the new advancements to technology come in place.