Tips on How to Secure a Microloan for your Small Business in Singapore

Microloans are helpful for any entrepreneur aspiring to set up their small business in Singapore. Small companies are useful in boosting Singapore’s economy and great for new entrepreneurs to grow in the market. Thankfully you can approach licensed money lender in Singapore to help you with your microloan. Here are some tips to help you jump start your small business,

Always Approach a Licensed Money Lender

The stakes are high for this one, and as much as possible, you want to make sure you approach a licensed moneylender in Singapore. There are many risks involved if you do not contact an accredited moneylender such as fraud. Your endeavor to start your small business may fail, and you may incur some losses if you do not choose the right money lenders.

There are various licensed money lenders you can approach such as financial institutions and accredited private individuals. These lenders will offer you a lot of options, and you want to make sure that the possibilities are tailored fit to the needs of your business, which leads us to the next tip.

Identify The Needs for Your Small Business

A common mistake some borrowers encounter is failing to identify where they will allocate the loan they borrowed, which creates a lot of problems. One of the issues that occur is a misappropriation of the money, which leads to them acquiring a new amount. Before you even apply for the loan, you should already start identifying where to allocate the credit.

If you haven’t identified where to use the loan yet, here are some examples which can help you determine your needs:

• Working capital of your business;
• Purchase of initial inventory supplies;
• Purchase of furniture and fixtures;
• Purchase of machinery and equipment; 
• Purchase of property or office space.

Determine The Criteria for Small Businesses

Many loan requirements for Small Businesses depend on what comprises a small business. Check with your local government whether you fall under this category. Many start-ups fail to identify appropriately their type, which often leads to their loan being denied. Here are some steps you should observe to check if you qualify as a small business:

• Check what the definition of small business is in your industry;
• Determine the number of employees and sales requirements;

Another critical reason why you should be sure with your qualification is the type of loan you can apply for. There are different kinds of flexibility and loan types which money lenders can offer, depending on the nature of your business. As a small business owner, you want to make sure you get the most flexible option which is tailor-made for you.

Prepare Your Personal and Business Documents

Most money lender in Singapore looks at similar requirements when applying for a Small Business loan. It is crucial that you already have some of the critical documents when you apply, or your application may be delayed. Here are some of the typically required documentation you should be prepared for:

• A government ID such as your passport, driver’s license, and tax identification number;
• Proof of income or any document which shows cash flow in your business. If you do not have this yet, you may also present a projected sales report.
• Recent financial statements of your business, including all your gains and losses. If you do not have this, you may present your financial report.
• Tax returns which show compliance with the government-mandated expense.
• A Collateral such as property.

Another crucial requirement you should never forget is your company’s business plan. You want to present your money lenders with a detailed description of where you will use the money, and how the business will be able to pay it off. This serves as a guarantee for them that you have created a direction for your company.

Whether you are new in business and regardless of the loan size you want to apply for, you want to make sure that you are ready for all the requirements. Small business loans are significant to help boost your business, and using the credit wisely can get you to where you want.

How Dividend Investing Can Change Your Life

This is a guest post by Millionaire Mob, a blog focused on investing in dividend growth stocks and travel hacking. We have helped thousands of people with bettering their financial future through passive income and dividend investing.

I am on a path to achieve financial freedom through dividend investing and passive income. I am seeking to secure my financial future through these two methods to build income. I seek to have multiple side income streams to be used to recycle into my dividend portfolio. The average millionaire has at least seven different income streams to live off of, so get find yours. Time to go get mine, which is dividend growth investing!

With dividend investing, I like to think of it as a second job. Dividend investing allows me to build an income stream, but also gives an opportunity to realize long-term capital appreciation as stock prices rise. Thus, this results in the ultimate total return scenario.

What is dividend investing?

Dividend investing is a proven strategy that is focused on solely investing in dividend growth stocks that pay a dividend. Usually a company has two options use their cash flow from operations: one is paying a dividend to shareholders and the other is reinvesting the cash flow into the business. A dividend is a payment made by a company to reward shareholders. We’ve built the ultimate guide to building a dividend portfolio to help you succeed in your path to financial freedom.

Why is dividend investing life changing?

If you turn your focus to building a dividend portfolio, you enable yourself to live free. Building a dividend portfolio takes time and effort. However, if you have a specialized plan, you can build your wealth rapidly. Warren Buffett invested in Coca-Cola over 25 years ago. The stock and dividend has increased so much in value that Warren Buffett receives over a 40% dividend yield from his initial investment! I doubt Warren Buffett will ever sell a share of Coca-Cola.

If you look at Warren Buffet’s portfolio, nearly all stocks pay a dividend.

Where do you start to build a dividend portfolio?

• Find a brokerage that you like and one that offers low-commission trading. There are a number of different sites out there that will allow you to trade completely commission-free.

• Write down on paper how much you plan to allocate to the portfolio each month. Try to exceed that amount each month and increase it each year.

• Find the best undervalued dividend growth stocks to start building your portfolio. I suggest having at least 3-4 Dividend Kings in your portfolio. Dividend Kings are safe, high-quality dividend growth stocks that have at least 50 years of increasing their dividends.

• Make your initial investment in the companies that you understand. 

• When you receive your first dividend payment, reinvest it back into your portfolio of stocks! Make sure you are fully invested at all times and continue to allocate your balance transfers.

• Sit back and enjoy the show. Follow the plan and before you know it, your income will continue increase over time.

Please note that you should make these considerations after you have funded your retirement accounts in full or as much as possible. I always advocate for tax-advantaged accounts like a 401(k), Roth IRA or IRA should be fully invested first. After that, you can allocate the remaining to the dividend portfolio as a “sidecar” to build your income.

Dividend investing is not easy and is not a get rich quick method. It takes time and patience, but it is extremely rewarding. What are you going to do to achieve financial freedom? Please let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you.

Follow us on our journey to achieve financial freedom through dividend investing. You can follow along as well with each stock purchase that we make! We look forward to growing with you.

Millionaire Mob is a blog focused on everything online income including: Travel Photography, Travel Rewards, Passive Income, Dividend Growth Investing and Personal Finance advice. I hope to provide the best advice to help you learn and grow along the way. Join the mob of financial freedom experts and escalate your life.Follow us on Twitter or Instagram!

3 Reasons to Invest on Luxury Real Estate

Whenever you think of a luxury home the first thing that comes to mind is all the lavishness, the high-end living, and the comfort you will have the privilege to enjoy; from classy architecture, beautiful and opulent interiors to exquisite finishes and the access to all luxury activities like high-end shopping, dining, and the arts that surrounds it.

But there are other long-term benefits to take into account when investing on a luxury property, for example:

High Demand

Luxury homes are always in demand; therefore, they are seen as the perfect investment opportunity that guarantees multiplied returns in the future. This demand is driven by the rising standard of living and increasing disposable income among successful entrepreneurs, high-flying corporate executives and professionals, and of course, the prosperous cuttings of traditionally well-off families.

Investment Value

Luxury real estate prices are burning and they are always soaring. Regardless of economic circumstances and other market variables, there will always be people who are not happy or satisfied with just any kind of home. As a result, the demand for luxury homes may rise and fall but never goes entirely away.

The Most Exclusive Properties on the Market

A luxury home has to be distinctive and exclusive, in a good and desirable way and this is exactly what the South Florida luxury real estate market has to offer. Here are some properties you may want to check out if you are about to invest on a luxury home:

Apogee

By the hand of award-winning architectural firm Sieger Suarez and The Related Group, this residential masterpiece offers 67 exclusive residences set right on the waterfront in the elite area of South Beach in Miami Beach with prices starting at 8.2 M

Bristol Brickell

The services and amenities offered in the building are at par with 5 star hotel services. This residence is also gated – providing extra security to its residences. You can find units at the low $445,000.

Muse Residences

This property is pure luxury in the heart of Sunny Isles, an undoubtedly ideal place to relax on sunny days facing the sea. Prices go from $4.9 M and higher.

Santa Maria Brickell

La Santa Maria Brickell is an architectural jewel in the sparkling Miami skyline. The residential building rises at a prime waterfront location in Biscayne Bay, and it provides the ultimate luxuries of a high-style lifestyle. Residences startat 1.7 M.

Echo Brickell

Amazing views, stunning marble finishes handpicked by architect Carlos Ott and high-end appliances, just a couple of the details that the penthouses in the Echo Brickell building will offer. Prices go from 4.8 M and higher.

How to Estimate Your Startup Costs

Before you launch any sort of business, it is essential that you calculate how much money you are going to need during those first crucial weeks and months. So many businesses struggle because they are not properly equipped to get through this initial stage until they are properly on their feet.

Of course, it may be possible to acquire more funding through sources like smallbusinessloans.co, but you won’t be able to keep doing this forever. Even if you can’t forecast exactly how much you are going to spend launching your business in the first place, you can at least have the best estimate possible. Here are the three keys steps involved in getting the best idea of your startup costs.

List Your Asset Spending

The first thing that you need to work out is how much you will be spending on your business assets. If you are starting a physical business rather than an online one, some of the things you may need include items like furniture, equipment, and the cost of the actual premises itself. Perhaps you will be making and selling products rather than offering services, in which case you will need to list everything involved in making and selling your products. If you are starting an internet business, your asset list will probably be shorter, but there are still some vital things that you need. For every item on the list, make an estimate of what the cost will be, trying to be as accurate as you can. For example, you could contact real estate agents to find out about prices of office space. The internet is obviously extremely useful in helping you to work out your asset spending.

List Your Expenses Spending

There are plenty of things which you purchase when you are starting a business which don’t count as assets. For example, while it may seem like computers and office equipment should be on the asset list, they can be deducted from your taxable income as expenses. Other common expenses include the amount that you spend building your website, renovating your office space, and paying your employees. Your startup costs will be a combination of your assets and your expenses.

Work Out How Much You Need to Get Started

There are a number of different theories involved in working out how much you need to get started. Remember, it is always better to overestimate rather than underestimate. Some people say that it is best to cover six months worth of expenses while others think that you need to be more conservative and cover a year. You also need to come up with sales forecasts for the months ahead but don’t bind them to yourself too tightly as you may find out that you don’t sell as much as you had initially thought.

Don’t fall into the trap that causes many startups to fail, and make sure that you have enough money to give you the best possible start in business.

Time Off Work Due To An Injury? Monetary Upkeep Tips

If you have an accident at work or through some other means, it’s likely that the injury will mean you have to take some time off work. In extreme cases, this can mean that you are prevented from working for a long time, which can be tremendously distressing for someone who found that their career gave them meaning. To make matters worse, this means that despite the insurance payout, money will need to be handled effectively. Loose ends will need to be tied up, and sometimes a lifelong scheduling of therapy and care will be important.

It’s vital you know how to proceed in these circumstances. The following advice should help you if you’re unsure of where to turn and how to best deal with your new circumstances. Anyone would forgive you for being worried and unhappy in your new surroundings, but with bravery, the following tips can help you dramatically.

When Healing Doesn’t Work

Many injuries heal. Some do not. Furthermore, some are made worse by the efforts put forward by the medical professional charged with helping your case. If this is the unfortunate truth, then finding medical malpractice lawyers to help you could be your first port of call. Using a service such as the Tittle & Perlmuter law firm https://tittlelawfirm.com/lawsuits/medical-malpractice/, you can express your discontent, collect evidence and potentially litigate for a sizeable degree of funding. This can help soften the blow when difficult situations do not get better, or even if they do get better, allow for compensation due to ineffective initial treatments.

Social

You need to stay social in these times. Withdrawing and tending to your injury yourself can not only mean that you craft blind spots in your self care, but it also means that mentally you are lacking the necessary social encounters we all need to survive and thrive. If you have to move in with your parents to get this, then that might be preferable. If living with a friend is not too much of an inconvenience, then fair enough. In any case, restructuring your life around social contact can help you face with injury with someone as opposed to continually being alone. Sometimes, this is one of the most beneficial things you can do when hoping to self-start monetary upkeep and find the motivation to keep that going.

Sell Unused Assets

If you’re injured for a period of years, there’s no need for an unused car to sit on your drive. Selling items such as these which you can no longer enjoy allows you to build your own cash reserve, and this can come very handy during a period of no work. The worst thing for an injury is to worry about how you’re going to afford next month's rent. Downgrading your life is possible, as not all those who can’t work can justify living in the great apartment they are used to. However, if you’re able to sell off some of your unused belongings in the meantime, you might buy yourself added financial time.

Better Yourself

When you experience an injury, you often have a lack of mobility, but an excess of time. This can be a wonderful time to better yourself and your general mental competence if possible. There are so many degrees offered online with cheap student loan coverings, or even basic courses taught free through educational websites that qualifying yourself has never been easier.

Not only that, but more and more online jobs such as copywriting, transcribing, translating and a whole host of others can be found easily. Travelling to an office and performing a physical role might have been the way you have conducted your career so far, but if you hope to earn a little extra cash, your computer and internet access is of course your friend.

Run A Second Hand Store

If you’re a discerning person, you might make money through running a second hand store such as those found on eBay. By purchasing items from websites and in online marketplaces, you can provide your niche clients with items of a specific purpose or taste with a markup. This can all be done from your laptop, and help build a new professional trading career. If you enjoy finding objects in a certain niche, and believe you can become a position of authority in their trade, then why not get started here?

It’s often super simple to get these platforms started, and once you do and build your reputation the money could come pouring in. Soon you’ll forget all about the fact that your injury is limiting you to an online career, because by definition its freeing nature will have you excited to achieve, connect and earn more every day.

With these tips, you should enjoy a manageable time when unable to work due to an injury.

5 Tips To Build Affordable And Long-Lasting Property

The Test Of Time

If you build right, you can have property designed which will—properly maintained—last for thousands of years. Today’s market provides greater opportunity for this kind of building than, perhaps, in all American history.

But you can’t just expect anything you put together to stand the test of time—you need to exercise proper craftsmanship. Following are several tips to help you do just that.

1. Source The Latest Equipment

Guided boring machines can do a better job while cutting down the necessary workload. This is one example of a technological upgrade in construction machinery. There are many areas where technology is revitalizing the industry, and you would be well advised to find out where such upgrades can serve your operations.

2. Use The Right Equipment For The Job

You can find quite a few skid steers by My Little Salesman, and even advice pertaining to proper acquisition—according to the site: “For fairly new skid steers, inspecting the condition of the tires, belts, hoses, and looking for leaks, rust and excessive exterior damage should be enough. Older skid steers may need to have the oil and hydraulic fluids tested for impurities or mechanical problems.”

3. Do Your Homework

Some building materials will be better for some jobs than others. Unless your job is to build prefabricated units, you want to look into more heavy-duty materials. There’s a reason the ancients favored stone, and working with stone: this material lasts longer than wood, plastic, or even synthetic materials in wide use today.

That’s not to say a traditional home built from wood can’t last for a long time, but it will require more concerted maintenance—replacement of walls, floors, roofs, etc. With a stone solution, you’ll get more mileage for less maintenance. So look at whatever building assignment your company is engaged with, and determine which building options will last the longest. This may cost more initially, but in the long-run it will cost lest.

4. Sustainable Energy Options

Solar panels have a shelf-life of about ten years, but a solar energy system increases property value, initiates tax breaks, and reduces utility expense. A 3.1 kWh solar energy system will cost approximately $5k to purchase and install—perhaps less if your construction agency has the right contacts. This figure includes cables, batteries, power inverters, etc.

Sustainable options provide off-grid capability, which is valuable to homeowners today, and additionally a resource conserving agent. Providing built-in grid independence makes a lot of sense, look into secondary and tertiary energy options as well. Wind energy and water energy (if running water is on the property) will cost about the same and provide electric redundancy to counter multiple emergency situations.

5. Where You Build

Build on the beach and the tide will erode your foundations. Build on solid rock and the property may survive an earthquake with essentially no damage. You don’t always have your best choice when it comes to property location, but if you can offer any advice in this regard to clients, you should help them to choose the best location.

Sometimes the best locations are actually cheaper than prime locations in a “downtown” environment. Again, research the issue as best you can beforehand, and bring that data to the table before clients/building agencies/housing development projects start making concrete plans.

Better, More Affordable Property Expands Business

When that which you’ve built saves clients money and stands the test of time, you’re going to get more clients. But this can take time. Plan on slow growth, and give every job your absolute best. Do that and you’ll see more structurally integral properties which save their owners money. You get out what you put in.

Bringing Your Work Home

For a lot of people working in the modern world, the call to work from home can be heard very loudly. A lot of people love the idea of using their home as their office or workplace, with the commute and time saving benefits being enough on their own to persuade some. Unfortunately, though, a lot of homes aren’t really suitable to be a work environment, and this can put a spanner in the works. To help you out, this post will be going through some of the steps that you need to take to make your home into an office, right from the very start.

Most people will ignore the need to have a separate work and living space. But, it’s important to have this parts of your life disconnected in some way. The best way to do this is by moving somewhere just a little bit bigger to make sure that you have the space to cater to your needs.. Having an additional room to use as an office will give your work and home life the separation they need. A lot of people struggle to find homes for sale which meet their needs entirely. So, to help you out, it could be worth looking for an estate agent with the skills to make your life easier.

Once you have a good idea of which places you like the most, it’s time to start thinking about what each of them offer. As you’re working from home, you’ll probably need a good internet connection. So, you should do some research to make sure that you will be able to get one. Next, you need to consider the facilities around you. If you like to go to the gym everyday, you’ll need one close by. Or, if you have kids, you’ll want to be near enough to schools for it to be easy to pick them up. There are loads of aspects to your home that need to be considered. But, the most important is making sure that your business can be run from it.

Moving in will be the hardest part of this journey. Along with moving your regular furniture and possessions, you’ll also have to move in some office gear. To do this, it’s best to try and enlist the help of some friends. This will usually be almost free. And, it will ensure that only people you trust have access to your items. Unfortunately, this might not always work, though. So, in this case, you could find a company to help you, instead. Most cities have professional moving companies. So, you shouldn’t have much trouble finding one.

Hopefully, this will give you the help that you need when you’re figuring out how to fit an office into your home. It’s worth putting this effort in especially if you’re working for yourself. It will make a big difference in your work while also making you more comfortable in the process.

Never Underestimate The Costs Of Selling Your Home

So, you think you’ve got a good chunk of equity in your home, especially after you’ve renovated and remodeled it to within an inch of its life and you’ve kept hold of it for a good few years. Your hopeful that this capital that you have invested in your humble abode will fund your next leap up the property ladder. However, what you haven’t thought through are the financial implications that moving house will have and this can eat into your equity. What can you do to keep the costs of your house sale down to a bare minimum?

Home Loans

When you apply for a home loan for your new house purchase, it pays to try and put down as much of a deposit as you can manage. The lower the percentage of the home value you are borrowing from a lender, the more favorable your interest rate will be. As you shop around for mortgages, try to source one without extortionately high arrangement fees. Some even throw in a free survey. However, don’t get hoodwinked by the gimmicks. You’re still better off with a small initial financial outlay and a great interest rate for the term of your loan.

Where To List Your House

Selling your home and choosing a realtor can be a bit of a minefield. Do your research and consider a more novel way in which to sell your home by inviting realtors to bid for your custom. Agents in your locality can tempt you with offers including returning a chunk of their commission to you once your house sale has been completed. They are still working for a good chunk of commission so will endeavor to sell your home, but you’llalso be lining your pocket to keep down costs. Any money you save on commission can go into savings, renovation costs or top up your home loan deposit.

Investigate a Broker

A good broker can be worth his or her weight in gold. If you are finding it particularly tricky to fund your next home purchase even after realizing the proceeds from your house sale because you’re stretching yourself financially, a broker may be able to find an elusive deal. While they will take a cut for their services, it could be the difference between you making do with an average home or being able to settle into your dream pad.

Where You Shouldn’t Scrimp

Selling your home is still a legal process where all the i’s need dotting and the t’s need crossing. Don’t attempt to cut corners and be tempted to hire the services of a less than reputable property lawyer. Yes, they may be cheap, but there is always a reason for this. Secure the services of a professional based on the first-hand experiences of family and friends. It pays to spend money on the important aspects of your house sale to ensure that nothing comes back to bite you in the near future.

Selling your home can be stressful. However, if you follow these tips, you can save as many of your hard earned pennies as possible without scrimping on your next dream home.

Home Zone: How Will You Buy Yours?

Buying a home is one of the largest parts of life for a lot of people. Throughout your younger years, this goal will have been driven into you at school, home, and even in your earliest jobs. Of course, though, none of this really prepares you for the day you have to start choosing a home for yourself, and all of the other little bits which go along with it. To help you out with this, this post will be exploring some of the different kinds of mortgage you can get to purchase a new home. With this in mind, it should be a lot easier to get started properly on your own house.

Buy-To-Let

To begin, it’s time to think about a type of loan which is designed for those not looking to live in their new house, but rather those who want someone else to live in it. With a buy-to-let mortgage, you don’t have to worry about weird laws or other issues getting in the way of your plans. Instead, everything will be handled for you, and you just need to find a tenant to fill the space. Of course, this isn’t the right product for everyone, though.

First-Time Buyers

If you’re a first-time buyer, it’s very unlikely that you’ll be buying a house to rent it out, and you won’t need all of the protection which comes with a buy-to-let option. But, there’s still something for you out there. First-time buyer mortgages are designed to start off very small, enabling you to make repayments on a budget. As your family, career, and finances grow, so will the mortgage, slowly costing more until it’s paid off. This is perfect when you’re first starting out in life.

Government Schemes

In some cases, even a first-time buyer mortgage won’t be quite enough, and you’ll need to find an option which takes a bit more of the pressure off. For young families or those with disabilities, your government can often help you here. House-share schemes enable buyers to get their hands on a home for a fraction of its normal cost. You’ll never own the whole place. But, it will still serve as a much better idea than renting someone else’s place.

For The Self-Employed

For some people, money won’t be the issue, and you might have more than you need to get your hands on a good mortgage. But, if you’re self-employed, you have a couple of issues to address, first. Banks will often base the loans they give on an applicant’s current financial standing, including the money you earn. Without a normal job, though, it can be very hard to prove this. Instead, the right options from companies like https://altrua.ca/ won’t put your through this. It will just be a matter of giving them a little bit of your history.

Buying a new home is a very big part of life. For a lot of people, this will mark their transition from childhood to adulthood, and is the start of a new life. Of course, though, you have to do loads of research before delving into an area like mortgages, and you may even want to get some professional help.

Why Aren't You Rich Yet?

Whether you’re a business owner or simply somebody who is attempting to build personal wealth, you might be wondering why you’re not taking papery baths in tubs full of the green stuff yet. There are a few reasons this could be, which we will discuss in this post. Perhaps your mindset isn’t in the right place, or you’re making some fatal mistake that you don’t realize just yet. 

Read on if you want to know why you aren’t rich yet:

Your Mindset And Attitude Don’t Match Up

If you want to be rich, your attitude and mindset really need to match up with that. Would a rich person walk around talking about how rubbish their financial state is, and how badly they are struggling? No, they wouldn’t. This doesn’t mean you should ignore what’s really going on. It simply means you need to stop wallowing in it. Talking about it and really sinking into that depressing ‘broke’ feeling will only make things worse. 

Change your attitude to that of a ‘can-do’ and you’ll get far more done, helping you to overcome the obstacles in your way to getting rich. There are all kinds of books that back this up, such as Think And Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, and Rich Dad Poor Dad.

You’re Wasting Time

Perhaps you’re wasting time in some way. You know what you’re good at, so you should be doing that. If you’re wasting time struggling through your accounts, then hire somebody else to do it. Not only will you be able to spend more time doing what you’re good at, you’ll minimize mistakes first time round. Not to mention, mistakes can be seriously costly. If you don’t want to hire a person, there are even programs that can do these things for you, such as accounts receivable software. When you automate and outsource these processes, you will spend more money initially, but in the long run you’ll be doing yourself a huge favor.

You’re Wasting Money 

Perhaps you’re wasting money. If you don’t have a budget, it’s almost certain you’re wasting money. If you're not working on where you can cut costs, you’re wasting money. Take a long hard look at where your money is going and figure out where you can cut back. The key to becoming rich is building wealth. You only build wealth by spending less and being sensible with your cash, not by spending as much as possible on fancy cars and gadgets. You may look rich to others this way, but you’ll be spending a whole lot of money on something that doesn’t actually serve you any more than a regular car!

You’re Not Diversifying 

One thing many wealthy people will tell you, is that you need to diversify. Make cash through different streams and you will eventually build wealth. If you can find ways to make cash while you sleep, that’s even better. What can you invest in? How can you make passive income? Attempt to diversify as much as possible!

Becoming rich takes time, but if you use these tips, you’ll get there!

Keeping Up With The Jones’: Financially Supporting Your Lifestyle

Everyone is different. We all have our personal preferences and interests, and we all like to lead different lifestyles. Whether you like to keep things simple, or spend big, you have to ensure that your finances can support the life that you want to lead; no matter how much that costs. Because being financially secure is so important in life. For this reason, you have to not only be financially transparent and honest with yourself, but you have to be proactive with keeping your finances organized too. So let’s take a look at how you can go about doing that.

Shopping Around

The first thing you can do to ensure that you’re able to stay safe with your finances, is to shop around. No matter what it is that you’re looking to purchase. From buying groceries to buying a new car, you should always compare prices. It’s one thing to spend your money how you choose, on the lifestyle that you choose, but you should always ensure that you’re getting the best price for what it is you’re buying. And when you can save on the small stuff, you have more to spend on the big stuff.

Earning More

From here, you’re going to want to think about trying to maximize the money you make in the best ways that you can. To do this, you might like to think about the ways you can earn more money. It’s not always easy to land a job that pays better than what you’re earning now, but there are ways that you can get money back, cut costs, and top up your income here and there. From selling your stuff to earning online, look into the different ways to can make some extra cash.

Saving Where You Can

Then, you’re also going to want to think about saving some money whenever you can. Whether you want to live that simple life, or go big, savings can help. Not only can you have some money tucked behind you for when you might need it, but you can also ensure that you’re putting some money away for things that you may want or need later on in life.

Choosing Smartly

And just like you need to shop around when you’re deciding to buy certain things, you need to make sure that you put a lot of thought into some of your bigger purchases. Because when you want to lead a certain lifestyle, there are bigger payments that you make for things like apartments, cars, vacations and the like. But you need to ensure that you choose the right options carefully.

Spending What You Have

And finally, you should always try and do what you can to only spend money that you have, and nothing more. When you are trying to keep up with others, or lead the lifestyle that you love, it’s tempting to get everything on credit. But you should really try to keep within your means and only spend what you have so that you can avoid getting into debt and paying extreme interest rates.

Where To Invest Your Hard Earned Money

Knowing where to invest your money is a tricky situation; there are hundreds of different markets that you can invest in, and they all come with their pros and cons. Some markets are safe and steady but take a while to get a good return, others are not not safe at all and are incredibly volatile, but you can make fast money off them if you’ve the keen edge for them, so where should you put your money? Read on to find out!

Gold

The gold trade has been around for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Gold has always been a source of wealth for humanity; not only because of its aesthetics, it is made valuable because of its rarity and its technological use as a good conductor, used in almost every device we have today! If you want to make money off buying gold, you have to buy a lot of it and then sit on it for a while; the gold market is stable as the price is only going up due to its increased rarity and need, so if you wait a year or two you’ll find yourself having made money on your gold for doing absolutely nothing with it!

Foreign Exchange

Often shortened to forex for the sake of ease, the foreign exchange market is a volatile one indeed. Whilst there are clear currency value divides, the way you make money of forex is by taking advantage of value gaps that open up between currencies of a similar value. When you have a load of one currency, if another one starts to go up you can trade in your current currency for an amount of the rising one; hopefully resulting in you making money as the value of the swapped currency has rose high! However this can happen in reverse too, and you can make predictions that are completely wrong so this one requires a lot of attention so be prepared to put the time in for it!

Property

Another safe market, but has a much higher immediate yield than gold and can be used to produce a sustainable income too. Buying properties and then renovating them adds a lot of value to them; the main limiting factor is how well the property was renovated! This leaves you with two options. If you’re after a fast cash injection then you’re going to want to sell it on, gaining back all the money that you spent on it and more. Or, if you want something more sustainable, you’re going to want to rent it out to get a consistent income for the rest of your life!

All of these options are great places to put your money, the only thing holding you back is how much effort you’re willing to put into the area that you’re going to be investing in! Sometimes, investing can leave you with debt to get your investment off the ground, and this can be hard to deal with, but if you read this then it won’t be so hard!

Your Company Needs A Car, And Here’s Why

Businesses have lots of expenses to contemplate. From tech to new machinery, the list is endless. But, one purchase which doesn’t get the same amount of time is a company car. To most firms, it is a luxury, and indulgence they can’t afford. So, you leave it to the big boys to swan around in their motors and show off. However, prestige and reputation are not the only reasons businesses have company cars. In truth, there are plenty of reasons to consider kitting out the organization with a car. These are the main ones. 

Employee Satisfaction

From a worker’s point of view, a company car is a great addition. Why? It’s because they get a free car essentially. Because the company can claim back the tax, they don’t have to pay for gas. And, they are not going to fork out tens of thousands for the initial purchase because that is madness. Then, there is the cheap insurance to consider, as well as a multi purpose vehicle they can use outside of work. Simply put, a car is an excellent incentive for employees who are high enough up in the firm. If you don’t have the budget to compete with your rivals, this is a fantastic option.

Tax Deduction

“Wait there a minute. Why would you buy a fleet of cars if you don’t have a big budget?” Good question because vehicles are not cheap, especially if there is more than one. However, when a business buys or rents a car, they don’t go through the same process. Because it is for commercial purposes, there are tax deductions which can save the firm money. For example, it is possible to claim the overall cost as a business expense. If a vehicle's price is $15,000, it is $15,000 off the bill at the end of the tax year.

Brand Awareness

Everyone has seen the cars which are full of logos and advertising materials. Gaudy they may be, but they are also effective. People see the cars on the roads and can’t help but notice the brand. Of course, awareness of the company increases as a result. If this is too ostentatious, there is the firm’s reputation within the industry to consider. When you go to a meeting, you can’t turn up in an old banger which chugs and sputters. Instead, a sleek and professional car, like a Range Rover, is necessary to reflect the business. The good new is that Cars & Co Range Rover dealers have the price covered. You just need to make sure you choose wisely for the sake of the company. 

Helping Around The Factory

It is rare to find a business which doesn’t make deliveries in 2017. You probably have a contract in place with a shipping company, but a company car is an alternative. With a vehicle, it is easy to make shipments and deliveries to fulfill customer orders. And, there is the added extra of rolling up in a new whip and impressing your base.

Ultimately, a company car can help everything from the firm’s finances to employee turnover. Therefore, it’s a no-brainer.

Reducing Your Motoring Costs to Maintain the Career Benefits of Vehicle Ownership

The ability to drive is highly beneficial for any career minded individual. Access to your own vehicle allows you to travel to job interviews and affords you a simple and convenient way to get to your place of work each day should you land it. This is a given. However, driving licences and reliable access to a vehicle are rapidly becoming prerequisites stated in employers’ advertisements for staff: owning a vehicle is a personal trait that many employers favour when searching for staff. Increasing numbers of businesses and companies are taking the firm stance of “no licence, no job”. But why? Well, being able to drive shows a certain commitment from employees, as driving lessons are no easy feat and require dedication and patience to reach the point of passing the practical test. What's more? Driving a vehicle implies that you are going to be a more reliable and trustworthy employee, as you have a means of getting to work on time that doesn’t involve the regular delays that come hand in hand with public transport. It also means that you can get to more remote locations that are off the beaten track of train and bus routes. Finally, driving offers a level of flexibility. If your employer requires you to visit clients or different sites as part of your role, you will be able to get there with ease. In this sense, driving is a particularly profitable asset to you as an individual. However, driving also comes with expensive financial costs. You have to tax and insure your vehicle, as well as forking out for insurance policies, maintenance and fuel. But not to worry. Before you cast your keys aside, here are a few tips to make driving affordable. This will allow you to maintain the career benefits of vehicle ownership without breaking the bank in the process.

Choosing a Vehicle

When you choose a vehicle, you need to be logical with your choice. While a brand new motor may seem appealing, it will immediately lose significant value as soon as you drive it off the forecourt. Instead, opt for a second hand alternative. Ensure that you give it a complete check over before handing any cash to the seller. You don’t want to find that it has major and expensive faults down the line.

Car Repairs

Sometimes you will experience minor damage to your vehicle that would prove cheaper to repair independently than through your insurance. So, if your insurance premium is high and you want to maintain your no claims policy, invest in high-quality, reliable spare parts from https://www.partsengine.ca/ and find a reliable mechanic to fit them. This proves much more economically viable.

Insurance Policies

The market for insurance policies is extremely competitive, so don’t allow yourself to fall in the habit of sticking with the same provider out of habit. Alternative providers may have the policies that cover the same aspects of your car’s insurance for a much cheaper price.

Bearing this factors in mind, you will be able to reduce your motoring costs drastically, making driving the most economically viable option to advance your career and incomings.

3 Thrifty Ways to Save Money When Moving House

If you’re on the journey towards improving the health of your finances and getting your wallet nice and fat again, you are probably looking to squeeze a bit of extra cash out of your move. It’s ridiculous that something as basic as having a warm place to call home should cost so much; in fact, Americans spend around a quarter of their income on basic housing - that makes it quite difficult to continue feeding that savings account.

So, you’ve had enough and decided to move somewhere less costly where the amenities are nearby, and people don’t mind leaving their car behind in favor of the bicycle. Here is a handful of money-savvy saving tips to make your move quick and pain-free.

#1 Sell your old electronics

First of all, the more you’re able to get rid of before moving, the easier your life will be. Besides, we can all do with enjoying the freedom of fewer possessions, so take a long and hard look at your old electronics and consider selling them online. You can easily harvest some extra cash from that old gaming console or your iPhone when the newest generation has been unleashed upon the market.

Keep in mind, though, that you shouldn’t sell something you need to spend more money on repurchasing. Anything you can do without or have considered upgrading in any way can be sold to your friends or strangers - and the same goes for any furniture you can’t be bothered hanging onto, as well as those clothes you’ve barely worn.

Somebody else will love it more, and you can enjoy the extra money.

#2 Renting or buying?

Everyone talks about buying over renting, but it’s not always the best way to go. You can, in fact, save a bit of money by choosing to rent - and it’s a lot smarter if you’re the restless type who would love a good trip abroad once in awhile without having to find tenants for your home and embark upon the adventure of being a landlord. 

You can easily find a great apartment for rent in a neighborhood that is not necessarily going to break the bank - and if you realize that it’s a bit more than you can afford, it’s a lot easier to find a new place to rent rather than the tedious process of selling your home.

Sure, there are benefits to buying a home as well, and it all boils down to what would work best for your current lifestyle.

#3 DIY and call your friends

When you have various furniture and kitchen appliances to transport, it’s usually a good idea to find a decent moving company. The professional movers will usually come with insurance on your beloved furniture and can help you with the process of moving in general.

If you don’t have that much to move - or you just dread the thought of spending, even more, money on hiring professional, you can easily make it happen on your own. Just move slowly, break the process up into smaller and more manageable loads, and get some help from your friends to carry the heavy stuff.

If you’re lucky enough to have a lot of helpful friends, you can even gather the whole crew and move everything at once. Sneaky - but quite smart.

Moving houses can be both stressful and expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Just plan ahead and make it a slow and steady move; by the time you’ve settled into your new home, you will have a lot of money left to spruce things up again.

Financially Secure Your Future: What You Could Consider

We can all be a little guilty of taking things in our strides and just loving each day as it comes. With busy routines and hectic lifestyles, it’s understandable that we can get a little distracted with life, and not have much time to think and consider the future.

While it may be something we think about on a recreational basis, such as having a bucket list for destinations we would like to see or experiences we would like to have, it’s harder to consider the practical side and reality of what the future might hold. Whether we have enough money to finance a retirement, what age we could even consider leaving our working lives. It can often be a tough decision to process, which is why I thought I would share with you some of the ways any of us could financially secure our future.

Moving to another country

Moving to another country may sound counter productive for saving for your future, as it may cost you money to make the move in the first place. But, the move and the life you lead moving forward could be far more financially lucrative than you would have ever considered before. Becoming a resident in a different country could be a great way to secure financial future, and in places like India, being resident means obtain certain ID’s that can help you to obtain further things in the future. Check out websites like uidaiaadhaarcard.com for more information. Moving to another country means a job that could potentially pay you more than you were earning previously, which could help towards savings in the future or even different investments.

Changing your career for better prospects and earnings

If you are serious about your future, then your current job or career may not be offering the financial prospects you want or deserve, so why not consider changing your job or your career to secure your finances in the future? Often changing the direction in which you work can open up different opportunities for your finances. It might help to improve your disposable income, which again could be sued towards savings and investments in the future such as property or stocks and shares. Websites like thebalance.com has more information on how to make the decision regarding your career. 

Investing in property

Property is one of the biggest and most profitable ways you can secure your financial future. There are a few different ways you can do it that can help to secure financial future. First up is owning the property that you currently live in. After a long time of ownership, the price of the house or flat could have improved significantly, giving you equity that you can enjoy in your retirement. You might want to make some money sooner rather than later, and property could help you do that. By buying a renovation project and selling once completed or buying a property to rent out for a residual monthly income could be a great way to improve your finances in the future. Property is one of the easiest ways and something that you may already be involved in right now, so it is definitely worth considering.

Running your own business

Many people consider being their own boss from time to time, and running your own business s one of the best ways to do it. Having entrepreneurial tendencies can help to improve your financial future as time goes on. You may want to grow your business, employ people, and then perhaps even selling or enabling investors to invest further into your business. It could start as a hobby, be something you can make or produce, or even just working for yourself getting paid more than you would being employed. All of which can help you to improve your finances in the future. 

Saving little and often for your future

Finally, saving little and often can be an easy and cost effective way to save for your future. Saving money that you may not necessarily miss each week can seriously add up in the months and years to come. Other people consider rounding off their bank balance each night, by saving the money separately. Or you can choose to set up a standing order each week or month for an amount you are comfortable saving each month. The small amounts can go a long way by the time you need them.

I hope this has inspired you to think about your future and what you could potentially save for your financial situation. Often thinking about it sooner can mean you are better off financially in your later years in life.

Charity Does Begin At Home! Stopping Your House Draining Your Finances

We're all guilty of wasting money, but the biggest waste of money is probably in your home. It's not your home that's the waste of money, but the habits that you have gotten into over the years which results in hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars evaporating into thin air every year. So it's worth looking at these and seeing if you are guilty of any of them and so you can start to make some positive changes that will save you money.

Leaving Appliances On

Yes, it's the most basic of principles, turning everything off after you finished using it! But there are so many of us that are guilty of leaving a plug socket on even though we're not using it. Or even something as basic as having the air conditioning on with a window open means that the air conditioning system will require more energy to cool the room, and that will hike up your energy bills no end. So close that window and turn off that light!

Do You Have Storage Units?

The main reason people have storage units is because they have items in the home that don't fit. So you need to ask yourself if the items you have are even worth keeping? Especially if you are paying a huge amount per month to keep these items stored? Or if it's time to move to a larger house. Luckily the modern market means that a lot of people are looking for a home that is already in good quality and if your home already is in a good state, you can sell it “as is” in order for you to find a new property that is suitable for your needs. If you need to sell your home quickly, you should get a good amount of money for it so you can bring the items out of storage and keep them at home, which will also save you a pretty penny!

Feeling The Temptation To Be Modern

We all like the latest appliances with the best features, but if we are using an air conditioner with a remote control, or a voice activated television, you need to decide if these things are actually necessary because it's unlikely that they are energy efficient! It's also worth noting that the cost of installing a new appliance up front may be the equivalent of what you're currently paying out anyway. So are you better off having this new appliance or can you save some money by sticking with what you've got?

Do You Buy Budget Bulbs?

Incandescent bulbs are very cheap to purchase, but they do result in an expensive energy bill. Instead, replace them with LEDs as one LED bulb can recuperate its cost over the course of a year and LEDs can last around 10 years, which is very easy on your wallet.

We can be wasteful when it comes to our energy usage, and this translates to expensive bills. So it pays to be a bit more environmentally friendly as well as finding common sense methods to cut back on your overall expenditure. And as charity begins at home, maybe you can feel the benefits of that charity for once!

Steel Homes: The Ultimate Property Investment

Whatever the whims of the market, property is still a safe and stable investment. While ‘a foot on the ladder’ is vitally important, it’s important to bear in mind that not all homes represent an equal investment. If you’re building a house to live in or buying to lease, there are few more prudent investments you could make than in a home made from steel.

Steel homes offer much greater return on investment, as well as boasting many unique selling points that are unrivalled by their wood, brick, stone or concrete counterparts. Steel houses are relatively quick and inexpensive to build, yet promise greater protection against environmental damage and natural degradation than virtually any other construction material. Since 50% of new steel worldwide is recycled rather than mined, it’s even better for the environment, too!

Unparalleled versatility

When they hear the term ‘steel house’ many people imagine a menacing looking chrome slab, standing out in the street looking like a silver filling in a row of white teeth, but the chances are, you’ve walked or driven past a great many steel houses and not even realized it. Steel frames and exteriors can be tailored to suit just about any taste and style. Gone are the days when old-fashioned Quonset huts were the industry standard for steel houses. Steel houses are first designed using 3d modelling before being subjected to rigorous testing and approval and finally going into fabrication. The degree of skill and craftsmanship that goes into their construction means that with the help of a knowledgeable architect, the sky’s the limit.

Attractive cost

Every investor wants to get as much for their money as possible and this is greatly facilitated by buying steel properties. Steel homes quicker and easier to assemble, than their brick or wood counterparts, leading to reduced cost for contractors and lower construction lead times. It’s also simply a cheaper material. On average a steel home costs $50-$65 per square foot, making them around 30 percent cheaper than homes made from other materials. It’s durability also means that maintenance costs are virtually non-existent. Moreover, prefabricated steel materials are designed to withstand severe weather and acts of nature, making them cheaper to insure. Since it’s a naturally conductive material, steel will even help to reduce your heating and cooling costs.

Unmatched Safety

Steel’s durability vastly exceeds that of most construction materials, even under the most extreme of circumstances. It rarely needs to be repa ired or maintained, and offers unparalleled protection from extreme weather conditions. Steel constructions are built to last and whatever your circumstances you’ll benefit from knowing that your steel home will last for decades with virtually no maintenance requirements. Rigorous testing has been carried out to determine the durability of construction grade steel. Here are some key findings:

• Steel buildings can easily tolerate wind speeds of up to 150 miles per hour without incurring any damage structurally or externally.

• Steel is practically uninhabitable by animals, providing protection from pests, eliminating the risk of termite and rat infestation. It is also highly water resistant, making it impervious to mildew, mold and flood or rain damage.

• Steel buildings can withstand serious seismic activity, and their outer shell is completely flame retardant.

Is a Holiday Home Rental Really a Good Investment?

Whether you go on vacation at home or abroad, a lot has to be said of staying in rented accommodation over hotels. You get some more flexibility, and it is often cheaper as you can cook for yourself and do your own laundry. So if that is something that you have taken advantage of before, what is stopping you from investing in a holiday home yourself? With the rise of sites like Airbnb, it makes it much easier to market your property than ever before. But is it actually a good investment to make? Here are just a few reasons why they are.

Return on Your Investment

In a day and age where there are many money scandals and scams, having a pretty much foolproof way of investing money is always going to be welcome. As long as you buy in the right area and for the right price, as well as offering it to guests at the right price, you can cover your costs. So do your sums and take your time over the decision. If you do, it will make a massive difference, and you’ll find a way to make it work.

Be Your Own Boss

Depending on where you choose the property, then you have the flexibility of being your own boss. You could even branch out into buying and letting a few holiday homes if they are in an area close by. So for many people, it could be a way that you can get out of the regular nine to five job and work for yourself. 

You’ll Always Have Somewhere For a Vacation

If you have a holiday home, then it means that you will always have somewhere to go to for a vacation. All you will need is travel to cover your expenses, and it means you can get away pretty cheaply. So the best thing to do is choose somewhere that will work at all times of year. Take mountain real estate, for example. It works in summer as a cooler alternative to city life, yet you still get the sunshine. But in winter, you can enjoy things like skiing and winter sports. So if you want to have cheap vacations for life, then a holiday home is for you.

Rise of Business Travelers

With more and more people traveling for business, more and more people are choosing serviced apartments or holiday homes as their accommodation, rather than a hotel. As it means they have more space, as well as means for cooking for themselves, it makes it a popular choice. So when you know there will be people looking to rent your home, then it makes it an easier investment decision to make.

Help Local Community

When visitors to the local area are staying in homes rather than hotels, they are going to get involved in the community. They will be using the local grocery stores and amenities, rather than having everything handed to them in a hotel. So it is a good way to get yourself and others in the community and to give back.