A Millennial’s Guide To Mastering The Art Of Investing

Just because you’re twenty-something doesn’t mean you don’t have your financial head firmly screwed on. Now that you have a secure career, a good monthly salary and you have managed to pay off your lingering student debt, you may find yourself with disposable income every month. At the moment you are squirreling this extra cash into your savings. However, there’s a niggling voice telling you that this money could be better invested elsewhere to enable you to see more lucrative returns on your excess cash. You’re not wrong. Take a look at this helpful guide to point you in the right investment direction.

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Your Mortgage

It may not sound like an investment but if you’re lucky enough to own your own home, making overpayments on your mortgage means that you’ll end up paying it off a lot quicker. While you may not see lucrative returns as such, you may find that you are mortgage free and own your home outright two, five or maybe even ten years earlier than you expected. This is a massive asset that you can claim much quicker leaving you with even more disposable income to invest at a later date.

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Real Estate

The old adage is that bricks and mortar is the safest investment. If you’re after a long-term investment that isn’t super high risk, real estate is a viable option. You could choose to purchase a property in an up and coming urban area with your client focus being young professionals and long-term leasing. However, you could also take a look at the world of vacation lets. Companies like Chinquapin real estate can guide you through the process of purchasing a property in an established area that already attracts holidaymakers. The maintenance costs may be greater, and you’ll need a greater emphasis on marketing your property, but get it right, and you could have near maximum occupancy every year and secure a much greater rental yield than with a more traditional long-term lease. Just ensure that your income from the rent exceeds your mortgage repayments so you won’t be out of pocket.

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Forex

If you’ve always fancied yourself as financially astute and keep up with the nuances of the investment world, you may want to try your hand at a bit of Forex trading. By trading in currencies you are embarking on a more high-risk investment, but naturally, the rewards can be more lucrative. Predicting how foreign currencies will fluctuate takes practice which is why you should set up a free dummy account and ‘pretend’ you are trading with monopoly-esque money. This way you can master the art of trading before you commit to investing your hard-earned cash.

Being young and affluent means that you’re in an incredibly fortunate position. The fact that you’re reading this post shows just how keen you are to invest your money wisely. Follow this advice, and you could find that your money, invested astutely, could go a lot further than you think.

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The Art Of Selling On Trend

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In the past, business owners would usually have to decide what they wanted to sell or do long before they ever got started. Having a physical store restricted people to a company which would change as little as possible, making the most out of signage and other purchases which had to be made. Of course, though, nowadays, this sort of issue doesn’t exist, as the Internet makes it a lot easier for a company to adapt. To help you out with this, this post will be showing you how to start selling on trend.

Researching: The biggest part of this job will be the research you do at the very beginning. Thankfully, you don’t have to predict the future, as other people will notice trends long before you have to. Instead, you just have to know where to look to find the next big thing. Websites like eBay have their own trending pages which can be followed. Along with this, though, websites like Instagram and Pinterest can be great for finding the most popular items at any given time.

Sourcing Goods: Once you have an idea of what you’d like to sell you can start to think about where you’re going to get it from. There are loads of wholesale retailers out there, and you can buy pretty much anything you’d like in bulk. In the case of e cigarettes, for example, websites like E Liquid UK have loads of options for you to choose from. With the amount you can make from products like this, your bulk purchase will often be very good value. Of course, though, you should always do some number crunching to make sure you’re getting a good deal.

Making The Right Listings: With your products in hand, you’ll be ready to start the process of putting them on the web. As your business will be adapting with the times, it won’t be worth building a website, as it will have to change too much. Instead, websites like eBay enable you to sell without a dedicated site behind you. This will always cost a little bit of money. But, unlike other platforms, eBay always has a huge population of active customers.

Into The Future: Finally, it’s time to think about the future of your company. As time moves on, the trends you’ve bought into might drop off in popularity, and it will be time to move onto something a little bit different. At this point, you can start the whole cycle again, using the first attempt to teach you as much as possible. The old products which you’re no longer going to be selling can be reduced in price and sold as soon as possible to make room for the new.

Hopefully, this post will inspire you to start working harder on the time you put into your online business. Not a lot of people realize how easy it can be to appeal to customers. But, by simply providing something they like, you can start to make a huge amount of money.

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The Children Are The Future So Set Them Up For It

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Do you believe that the children are the future, just like in that Whitney Houston song? If so, you will certainly want to set up your own kids for a bright and prosperous future.

Things aren’t all that easy right now for the younger generations. The cost of living and rent are both extortionately high, and this makes it super difficult for teenagers and twenty-somethings to save up for a deposit to buy their first house. Not only that, though, but the job market is also extremely competitive, and getting a decent job with a good wage has never been harder.

Things might not be so good for the younger generations these days but, thankfully, there is plenty that parents can do to help their children build a better future. Ready to get to work for your kids? Here are some things you should do.

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Encourage A Good Education

There is nothing more important than a good education. It really is the perfect base for a successful life and career. So, as you can probably tell, it is necessary to encourage your children to always view their education as a totally positive thing and to put as much effort into it as possible. There are a few things you can do to enforce this way of thinking. Firstly, create a peaceful space in your home where they can carry out their homework and studies. That way, they won’t be distracted and try to procrastinate! You should also read with your children while they are young as this can get them into reading. After putting in plenty of hard work and effort into their studies and school life, your kids should be able to graduate from high school and college with some really rather respectable grades.

Invest In Good Health Care

It’s also important that you ensure your child’s health and fitness. One of the best ways to do this is to save up enough money so that you can invest in some top-quality health insurance for you and all your family. If you go to gomedigap.com, you can see what a full insurance policy should offer you. At the very least, your insurance policy should cover any hospital stays, medical attention, and treatments. There are also some extras you might want to look for in a policy, such as travel insurance cover and a wider variety of treatments.

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Explain The Benefits Of Healthy Living

There are lots of bad habits that are very easy to slip into. These include things like not exercising and unhealthy eating. Sure, it’s easier not to exercise than it is to go out for a run every other day, but it really is beneficial to lead an active and healthy lifestyle. And it’s important that your children understand this too so that they can prevent a wide range of potential illnesses and health conditions. Make sure that you regularly cook healthy homemade meals for them during childhood and they will get into the habit of cooking themselves as they get older. It’s also necessary to ensure that exercise and activeness are part of their regular routine as well so that it becomes the norm.

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Start A Nest Egg

I’ve already mentioned that life for younger generations is now a lot more difficult financially speaking. For this reason, lots of parents are putting some money aside for their children from a very early age. In fact, some parents set up a bank account in their child’s name as soon as he or she is born. They then pay in a small amount on a weekly or monthly basis. You don’t have to put too much money into this account – just $20 a month should do. You will be amazed how much you can save for your child by the time they turn eighteen if you save just $20 a month! They will then have a nice little nest egg to put towards their college tuition or their first deposit for a house. If you are interested in setting up a bank account for your kids, you can see some of the best at moneysavingexpert.com.

Teach Them Confidence

Confidence can take people very far indeed. Do you think that your children are a bit on the shy side? If so, it could be worth trying to instill some extra confidence into their personalities. One of the best ways to teach them some extra confidence is to speak to them as if they were adults. As long as you aren’t patronizing them, then you should find that their confidence comes on leaps and bounds. Praising their work and everything they do should also help them build on their confidence and can teach them how to trust themselves. Encouraging them to develop a sense of adventure can also boost their own self-confidence.

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Celebrate Failure

Of course, there will be some times when your child’s projects and work efforts don’t always go to plan. For example, they might not do quite as well on an assignment than what they had hoped. But they shouldn’t dwell on these failures too much. In fact, our failures are part of what makes us who we are, and they are something to celebrate. Whenever we fail at something, it gives us a chance to learn from our mistakes and improve on these next time. There are lots of hugely successful business people out there who have failed many times before finally achieving big successes. So, you need to teach your kids who to take a leaf out of their book. After all, it’s just like what the old adage says: whatever doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.

There are lots of ways you can ensure that all of your kids are set up for a great future and, hopefully, this blog post has given you some great ideas and inspiration of what you can do to help. Got any more useful ideas that could come in handy? Let me know; I’d love to hear them!

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5 Free Spots to Visit in Orlando

When you think Orlando, pricey theme parks are typically the first thing that comes to mind. There is no denying that the theme parks here are second to none, which is why over 20 million visitors travel here each year. Yet, many don’t realize that Orlando is also home to some wonderful attractions that don’t come with hefty admission fees. In fact, there are excellent spots to visit in the City Beautiful that are absolutely free.

If you are looking for some budget friendly entertainment or just something different than that your typical stops in Orlando, check out our top five free spots to check out during your next vacation.

CityArts

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Not every family can afford multiple days at a theme park, which is why it’s great to add a few cost-effective venues to your itinerary. CityArts in downtown Orlando offers 20,000 square feet of art from all over the world. This art gallery welcomes visitors admission free, Tuesday through Saturday. Check out their website for dedicated events such as live performances and entertainment that are sure to wow everyone in your group.

Orlando Brewing

The craft beer connoisseur may love our next suggestion. Orlando Brewing is a local favorite that offers a large variety of organic beers. While tasting the beers may not be free, you are welcome to tour the brewery for no cost, Monday through Saturday. The tour is a fun way to see the beer making process from start to finish. This brewery is family friendly, offering games and live music on the weekends.

Disney Springs

Typically, Disney and the word free do not go together. However, Disney Springs is the exception, offering many fun free things to do. While there are a plethora of restaurants and stores to spend money at, there are also some great options that won’t cost you a cent. The World of Disney store is a must see when visiting this location. Disney Springs is also home to many festivals and events that occur throughout the year. If you have children in your group, make sure you stop at the Lego Imagination Center, which houses a playground and Lego building stations for kids to play for free.

Fort Wilderness Resort

Fort Wilderness Resort is a camper’s paradise with cozy cabins and camping sites. Yet, many don’t realize that you do not need to stay in a cabin to enjoy some of the outdoorsy fun this site offers. Each night, weather permitting, feel free to stop by and enjoy classic movies under that stars on their big screen. Bring friends and family along to sit around the fire, make smores and sing songs with other Disney lovers. Fort Wilderness is the ideal sport to enjoy a lowkey budget friendly night outdoors.

Lake Eola Park

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Since Orlando is known for its beautiful weather, we couldn’t leave Lake Eola Park off of our list. This gorgeous area is ideal location for nature lovers. Beautiful trees and birds are plentiful around the lake which is a favorite for joggers. It also is home to a farmer’s market on Sundays and many other events throughout the year including two synchronized fountain light shows held each night.

They say sometimes the best things are free and this rings true for several spots in the Orlando area. Whether you are planning to stay in Orlando resorts or with friends and family in the area, you can keep a little extra cash in your pocket by heading to these spots on your days off from the theme parks.

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Better To Be Safe Than Sorry: Common Insurance Mistakes You Need To Avoid

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Insurance. You name it; you probably have it. Car, life, medical, travel… the list goes on and on, so it’s no wonder you feel the pinch in your pockets at times. Of course, without sufficient insurance, you may be worse off financially when disaster strikes. We can’t preempt illness, and while you might be the safest driver on the road, you can’t control what other road users do when they are driving near you.

Before you commit to your next insurance policy, consider the following mistakes people make before parting with your cash. Making the right moves now will save you money in the long term.

Not shopping around

You might find it easier to renew with the same company every year, but you may get a better deal elsewhere. Unique policies, such as this medical insurance with exclusive privileges, or a cheaper premium may be just what you need, but if you don’t shop around and do a little research, you will be stuck with insurance coverage that doesn’t match your needs.

Failing to ask for discounts

From buying healthcare insurance to car insurance, make sure you get the discounts you are entitled to. We know insurance companies are sometimes reluctant to pay out money in times of need, but they may also keep details of their discounts hidden from you. The best way to get what you need is to pick up the phone and directly ask them. You may be entitled to a no-claims discount, and you can also reduce costs by going paperless. When it’s time for renewal, you can get often get a discount from your current provider if you evidence cheaper prices elsewhere. So, don’t be shy, get on the phone, and save yourself some cash.

Giving wrong information on the application form

We all make mistakes, and if you realise you have made a mistake on the form, let the insurance company know as soon as possible. A quick scan of your policy will let you know. On the other hand, you may tell a few white lies to get cheaper insurance. However, you will run into trouble if you get found out, and your car insurance policy will be declared void. You might have told your provider that your car is parked on a driveway for example, but a quick Google Maps search may give away your lie if there is no such parking space available.

Forgetting to update the insurance

Your needs probably change over time, so you need to keep your policy up to date. Take contents insurance as an example. You will have made an inventory of your items when planning your coverage, but as soon as you buy something else of sufficient worth, you need to add it to the policy. From burglars to breakages, you will want to make sure everything is covered, so always ring your provider with an update. The same applies to your car insurance. You may actually have a driveway to park your car on if you move house, so let your provider know to reduce your monthly premium.

Finally

The worst mistake you can make is not getting insured in the first place. You might not need coverage for everything, but shop around, do your research and heed the mistakes we mentioned above.

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Running A Successful Online Store

Being a business owner comes with a lot of responsibilities, including the upkeep of your store. If you’re an online trader, then it can be a little more difficult to manage your ‘store’ because it’s virtual. If you’re not tech savvy and something goes wrong, you could risk losing out on days, possibly weeks of all important business. Here’s how you can run a successful online store.

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Man the decks

In every sense of the phrase, you should be manning the decks of your business. This means having someone on the phones during business hours to deal with enquiries and complaints. You should also hire someone that can sort out any technical issues for you if something were to go wrong and you don’t know how to resolve the issue. Finally, making sure that you have members of staff ready to pack and distribute the items that you’re selling is also very important to business.

Sort out your delivery service

One thing that many online stores fail with, is their delivery services. Often, companies will go with the cheapest option for them so that they can offer free delivery to their customers. It’s a well known fact that customers would rather pay for the delivery because it means that their package is in safe hands and often means that it will get to them much faster. Shiply offers courier services and offer very competitive prices. Choose a courier and stick with them.

Ditch automation

If you’re using a service like eBay to sell your products, then make sure that you don’t have any automatic messaging services turned on for your customers. This often comes across as spammy which turns customers away from using your service again, if at all. As mentioned earlier, make sure that you have someone on hand to answer any queries or complaints rather than sending back an automated message.

Give customers as much information as possible

Buying items online is risky because until the item arrives to you, you never know if the picture is anything like the item you’re going to be receiving. Make sure that you give your customers as much information as possible so that when they are viewing your items, they can better make a decision on whether to buy it or not.

There’s nothing worse than looking at clothing online and the sizing chart being vague with a chart that says xxs-xxl. Nobody wants to risk getting the wrong size, so make sure that you have measurements to each of your sizes so that your customers can pre measure before buying. The same goes for other items too. Make sure all sizes and weights are displayed so that your customers don’t have a shock and are disappointed when they receive their delivery. This also protects you as a company too, because you’re not lying or hiding information from your customers.

Take these things into consideration and enjoy running a successful online store!

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What To Look For In a Home Health Care Provider

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The challenge with homecare health is finding a suitable caring professional that is also affordable. When all is well, it’s easy to overlook and underestimate the value of a good healthcare insurance policy but whatever your financial situation with regard to accessing this care, here are some principles on how to approach finding a caregiver.

These principles are universal, in that they are applicable to finding caregivers for younger adults just as much as they are for older adults.

You’ll need to establish the prospective carer suitability on a number of levels. This can be broken down into the following areas:

1. Safety and Security
2. Reliability
3. Care and Compassion
4. Specialist Medical Expertise
5. A Good Fit

SAFETY & SECURITY

Whilst the majority of caring professionals are trustworthy, there are a number of horror stories where carers take advantage of vulnerable patients, particularly the elderly, in the context of financial gain and manipulation. Safety and Security is understandably one of the main priorities that will first need to be established.

Are the prospective carers trustworthy? Have they been fully vetted? Do they have contactable references from previous patients (or the family of previous patients)? Have they undertaken a criminal records check? What is the recruitment procedure?

RELIABILITY

Reliability and consistency are both critical when it comes to home healthcare. Not just whether the patient will receive care on a regular and reliable basis, but will there be consistency, in terms of having one regular carer who is emotionally consistent too. The relationship between carer and patient is reasonably intimate and it’s important the emotional side of the relationship is considered in terms of reliability and consistency.

Will the careworker be reliable? Will they come on a regular and uninterrupted basis? How many different carers are likely to visit each week, or month? What happens if the primary carer is off sick? What happens if there are adverse weather conditions?

CARE AND COMPASSION

This would appear to be a no-brainer, but think about the motivation the carer had to get into the caring profession. Does it come from a place of care and compassion or is it simply a job that pays their bills? Do they have personal experience where their lives were touched by an amazing carer who inspired them to get into this profession, or is it a career choice they were forced into by necessity?

The best way to gauge the carers level of compassion and empathy is to interview them and request references from previous patients, or the families of patients.

SPECIALIST EXPERTISE

There are different types of carers each with specialist skills in specific areas. You want to make sure you work with a carer that is experienced with the particular issue they will be working with. Questions to ask are what sort of training do the care workers receive? What qualifications and experience do they have in this specific area?

The further question to consider is how often is their training updated? Within medicine and healthcare best practice is constantly evolving. You want to make sure the carer has an up-to-date knowledge and actively engages in continual learning.

A GOOD FIT

Having been through the above aspects, the most important thing to look for in a home health care provider is a good fit with the patient. They should meet and see if they get on – this is going to become a very important relationship and a “good fit” is critical.

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