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The Top 5 Money Saving Tips

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Let’s face it. Many of us have a hard time keeping track of our finances, especially when money is tight. A whopping 70% of Americans are now living paycheck to paycheck. In fact, 57% of Americans say that they have less than $1000 in savings, ultimately putting their retirement and future in jeopardy. To add insult to massive amounts of injury, 34 percent of Americans have zero money saved. How can this be when America is one of the wealthiest nations in the world? Today, I’m going to be going over the top five ways that you can save money so that you can ultimately create financial wealth and prosperity for you and your family. Let’s get started!

1. Create a budget

Having a budget is necessary if you want to have any financial success whatsoever. At the beginning of the month, create a written budget that is unique to that month. List all of your expenses and the amount of money you’re going to allocate toward those expenses. Once your budget is set, the biggest challenge next comes from the discipline of not wanting to break the budget. Every dollar has a name and knows where it’s going. Overall, creating a budget is arguably the most important step towards reaching financial freedom.

2. Add savings into your budget

Every month, you should be saving at least 10 percent to 15 percent of your income. If you aren’t able to put that amount of money into savings each month, chances are your expenses are too high or you’re just not making enough money. If it’s expenses, cut back on desires such as entertainment. If it’s income, pick up another job or create something that provides extra cash flow every month. By saving early, you’ll be in better shape than the majority of society when it comes to retirement and you will have saved more money for traveling.

3. Know what you’re saving for

When a lot of people think of saving money, they think of saving to save. However, this is not what you want to do! The average rate of inflation per year is around 2%. This inflation rate will eat away at your money over the years. Instead of saving to save, it’s better to save to invest. Invest this money into safe investments that will grow over time like treasury bonds and good growth stock mutual funds. The S&P 500 is setting record highs as it has grown over 20% in the last year. Adjusted for inflation, you would’ve made 18% on your money. Also, save for an emergency fund of $1,000 as well. If you need a title loan, Starfish Lending has you covered. All in all, save for safe investments.

4. Don’t buy a new car

Buying a new car is a very poor financial decision in general, let alone if your don’t have any money for one. Instead, buy one for cash that’s within your budget. Your new car will depreciate nearly 20% within the first year of ownership. If you buy a pre-owned one with cash, it will ultimately cost less and allow you to invest your extra money.

5. Watch the credit cards

This step is pretty straightforward. Only use credit cards if you know you’ll be able to pay them off at the end of the month. You can utilize the points many credit cards offer, allowing you to save money on both accommodation and airfare.

How To Make Money While Traveling!

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Contrary to popular belief, there’s no need to save for all of your travel-related expenses before you catch a plane to a foreign destination as there a myriad of creative ways to make money while you travel the world. If you’re keen to discover a few innovative ways to make money while traveling, which you may not have considered, simply continue reading to discover four ways to make money whilst traveling.

How to Make Money While Traveling: 4 Fabulous ideas which you may not have considered

  1. Consider selling some of your scenic travel photographs

If you’re a talented photographer who has an eye for taking stunning travel photographs, you may want to consider becoming a freelance travel photographer and selling your photographs to travel magazines and travel blogs as well as hotels and resorts.

If you’re an amateur photographer and are not confident that you’ll be able to sell your travel photographs for hundreds of dollars, you may still be able to bring in extra money by selling your photographs to companies who specialize in purchasing stock photographs.

  1. Consider working as a freelance writer

There are a variety of ways to bring in an income, whilst traveling as a freelance writer. As an example, you may want to pitch travel articles to a variety of newspapers and travel magazines. Or you may be interested in starting your very own travel blog. You can find inspiration for your blog at sites like, http://wildfreedesign.com which, you can use to advertise travel-related products and services, in an exchange for a commission.

  1. Consider renting out your home, whilst you travel

One simple way to bring in a decent income whilst you travel is to rent out your home each time that you travel for a prolonged period of time. As an example, if you plan on exploring Europe for a month, you should be able to earn over several thousand dollars by listing your property on a trusted accomodation website such as Airbnb. Of course, to rent out your property, you do have to own the property, which you’re currently living in.

One added benefit of renting your home out whilst you travel is that your home will be far less likely to be targeted by thieves as there will be someone in your home and thieves prefer to target properties which are vacant.

  1. Consider applying to work at a ski resort

If you can competently ski or snowboard you may be interested in applying for a position an instructor, whilst if your ski or snowboard skills are a tad bit rusty you may be able to find a job operating a ski lift or working in a ski resort’s cafe or ticket booth.

One of the distinct advantages of applying to work at an international ski resort as most ski resorts will be able to assist you with obtaining a valid working visa. As in most countries, it’s illegal to accept a paid job without first applying for a working visa. Especially as most visitors enter countries for recreational purposes.

So if you’re looking to bring in an income whilst you travel the world, or even just tips on how to save money monthly so that you can travel more often, it’s well worth investigating at least one of the four opportunities listed above.

Does Photocopier Leasing Make Sense for Your Company?

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The need of many companies to reduce costs has generated a broad market regarding new solutions for this problem. In this sense, the purchase of printers and photocopiers of the latest generation is simply something difficult to afford for many; however, the market also offers excellent alternatives in the form of renting or leasing this type of equipment.

Nowadays it is possible to get very good prices in relation to the rental of photocopiers, an option that has been growing considerably in popularity among SMEs in recent times. In part, because it allows small and medium-sized businesses to access equipment and brands of the highest quality, which, otherwise, would have been very difficult to buy.

Why is it necessary?

Experts in photocopier leasing in Newbury explain that a company might not require large amounts of copying or printing during many months of the year. Accountants make an interesting case study: for many months they use their photocopiers and printers at a fairly regular pace, but in the months prior to the filing of tax and tax returns, they may need support in terms of additional equipment.

Faced with this, the company or business can opt for the purchase of new equipment, or to simply lease it. This presents a clear advantage because the cost is much lower, and also adjusts exactly to a precise period of time, thus avoiding unnecessary expenses in terms of supplies, maintenance, etc.

As for the brands of equipment, the best brands are available from established suppliers, and can be leased and incorporated into the work dynamics to maintain a highly efficient team and at a considerably lower price than if it had to be purchased outright.

Hassle-free operation

Another advantage that is worth noting is that companies that are dedicated to the rental of photocopiers and printers have very good guarantees against different risks, and also are responsible for carrying out the corresponding maintenance tasks, so that this cost is also reduced and helps the business save money when taking advantage of leasing such equipment.

In this context, the rental of printing equipment perhaps constitutes a really specific solution for many small and medium-sized companies that, in principle, cannot afford to invest in new photocopiers or printers, but that can also serve as support during seasonal demand where the use of such equipment increases considerably.

Flexibility: exactly what your business needs, when you need it

In any case, the companies providing this service are highly reliable and respond promptly to any requirements by clients, whether in terms of equipment, brands or models. However, it is always advisable to act with a certain degree of foresight and be informed in order to negotiate the best possible leasing deal.

Companies that are dedicated to the rental or leasing of photocopiers and printers can offer personalized advice regarding the specific needs of any business, and only then present the optimal leasing solutions to cover them.

10 Considerations When Creating Packaging

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Packaging has a double function, that of storing or packing the product, and of being a ‘magnet’ that attracts the public through its image. These two functions must always be united if you want to have a space in the mind of the consumer and in the supermarket shelves.

Regarding packaging as another element of communication of the brand, according to one professional designer, “Advertising can be considered as the air force, but packaging is the infantry, and to take a hill you have to use it”. So, let’s look at some considerations to have a good infantry base.

  1. Characteristics of the product to be packaged

Normally the product can be presented in three physical states: liquid, solid or gas. According to the physical state of the product, you must consider the design of the container.

  1. Packaging process

The packaging will be designed depending also on the form of filling to which it will be subjected. The container must withstand pressure differences, as well as the vacuum, the internal pressure of the product subjected to thermal processing and external pressures, etc. The packaging design must take into account the tolerances and movements or vibrations during or after packaging.

  1. Anticipated shelf life of the product

The shelf life should be considered as the time that a certain product should remain with the original quality characteristics with which it was launched on the market. For this you will have to consider aspects such as its weight, shape, size, colour as well as the material of the container.

  1. Product-package compatibility

It is essential that the necessary tests are carried out with the materials that have been chosen and the conditions that the container and the product will be subjected to.

  1. Handling and application of the product

You must ensure that the effort required in unpacking and application of the product is as simple as possible for the user.

  1. Consumer market

You need to take into account the market to which the product is directed, as well as the positioning that you want to have in the market; therefore, the packaging must also be consistent with that objective, as well as with the “philosophy” of your product. Packaging materials will differ when you are targeting a market in which saving is fundamental compared to when you are designing a container for a luxury product, such as perfume.

  1. Selection of the optimal size

The size and shape of the container can be decisive in the choice of your product by the consumer. Studying those products that are directly your competitors and knowing the way in which they are presented is fundamental to determining your own packaging presence.

  1. Printing and labelling process

It is necessary to consider how the printing and labelling of the product will be carried out when you start to work on different design options. Perhaps you will need to eliminate some aspects of your design or modify them in favour of a more optimal printing and labelling process.

  1. Quality is important in the marketing approach

Current markets are characterised by two aspects: a very competitive offer and the growing awareness of consumers about the quality of products. Quality, from the point of view of packaging, has two elements to consider:

  • The quality of the product, referring to the materials and manufacturing processes of the container.
  • And the quality of the service / use; the correct operation of the container as well as a fair and competitive price.
  1. Ecological impact

When designing a container, you must take into account the ecological consequences of it, through the choice of material, manufacturing processes, life after use, reuse or recycling. The design of containers is increasingly important in terms of sustainability of the same with respect to the environment and trying to reduce the negative impact that your activity and products can have on the environment. It is essential that you consider an ecological design, efficient consumption of natural resources, and that waste can be managed well by recycling or reusing it.

So, there are 10 tips to consider when creating packaging for your business and product. Incorporate these suggestions and you will be heading in the right direction of your business!

Here’s What You Need to Do Before Selling a Property

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There are reasons why people opt to sell their properties. Regardless of the reason, it is never an easy decision. There are those who have resided in that place for a long time. They have established themselves in the area and leaving is not easy. The least that can happen to console them is to have the property sold at a good price.

If you are one of them, here are some things you need to do, so you will make the most out of the property sale.

Choose the best agent

This is the key in order to sell the property at a good price. You need someone who can assist you in selling the home. They will undertake proper research so that the property will be sold at its right market value.

Find someone who has been around for a long time. You need help from a person who understands the business well. Those with a proven level of success can make you feel more confident that they will also help you achieve the same results.

Get a market analysis

You can do it yourself or ask your agent to get one if you already have an agent. This is crucial as you take a look at other properties in the area. With this document, you will get a good deal out of the property that you are selling. The price won’t be too high that no one will want to buy it or too low that you are almost giving it away.

Check the property for possible problems

You need to be honest about possible issues in the property that you are selling. In fact, a property surveyor should come over first to check the property and give a full valuation. You will then know how much the property should be sold for based on the report. You can also use this document to show to potential buyers that the price tag is just about right. Understanding any defects related to the home might also make you consider renovation – before selling. It is not an automatic decision based on the report. You still have to weigh whether or not the renovation would be more beneficial for you. Some renovations are costly but if you set a budget their impact on the price of the property won’t be much.

Get the place ready for showing

Should there be interested buyers, they will surely ask for a visit. Prepare the place if they decide to come and take a look. It helps if the place is clean and organized upon arrival but it makes no sense to hide possible repair issues.

Get more advice from experts at www.beresfordsgroup.co.uk before you decide to sell your property.

 

How to Save Money Monthly: A Simple Guide!

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If you’re looking to slash your monthly budget in half, simply continue reading to discover a simple, foolproof guide to saving money monthly.

How to Save Money Monthly: A Simple Guide

Select your bank accounts carefully

If your bank account charges hefty maintenance fees, it may be worth switching banks. Make sure to choose a bank which offers low fees and high-interest rates. Some banks such as Capital One, even off fee-free online accounts.

Cut down on your monthly subscription services

If you’re serious about saving money, it’s well worth canceling a few of your monthly subscription services. As an example, you can save over a thousand dollars per yet by canceling your cable subscription and signing up to online streaming services such as Netflix or Hulu. As Netflix costs around $10 per month, while most cable subscriptions are 10 times the price.

Other examples of monthly subscription service which you may want to ax include unused gym memberships and golf memberships.

Purchase fresh produce from a local farmers market

In order to decrease the amount of money which you spend on groceries each week, it’s well worth visiting a local farmers market, where you can pick up fruit, vegetables, and eggs, for a fraction of the price. As an added benefit, the produce you pick up will be far fresher than the produce at your local grocery store.

Swap your gas guzzling car for a more fuel-efficient model 

If you spend a small fortune on fueling your car with gas, you may want to consider swapping your car for a more fuel-efficient model. Which offers more miles per gallon.

Stop paying full price for items

Get into the habit of shopping around for sales, instead of forking out full price for items. It’s well worth using online comparison sites, to find the best possible price on an item which you’re interested in buying.

Start taking a pack lunched to work 

If you spend $100 on purchasing cafe style lunches a week, you can save several hundred dollars by getting into the habit of packing a healthy homemade lunch. If you can’t survive without eating out, try to limit eating out for lunch, to once a week.

Invest in a high-quality coffee machine

While purchasing a quality coffee machine may initially set you back a few hundred dollars, over the course of the year you should save over $1,000 by brewing your own cups of coffees, instead of visiting expensive cafes such as Starbucks. So if you’re a coffee addict, it’s well worth treating yourself to a fancy capsule style coffee machine. As an added benefit, you’ll be able to make your coffee, just the way you like it.

Stop purchasing branded products

Did you know that you can purchase generic electronic goods such as smartphones and television sets as well as generic branded medicine and food products? You should be able to decrease your monthly budget by several hundred dollars by making the switch from overpriced branded products, to generic branded products.

So, what are you waiting for? Simply try the 8 money saving tips listed above out for a few months and watch your savings grow!