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Office Improvement Ideas that Can Increase Productivity of Employees

March 14, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

The work environment can significantly affect the overall mood of workers in an office. For example, while a gloomy and dark colour may look posh and classy, it might cause a dip in the productivity levels of your staff. Aside from the colour of the room, an excessively low temperature can also negatively affect productivity, which may result in missed deadlines or low output.

If you’re planning on increasing your production or improving how your department works, it’s high time for you to revamp the area and make a few adjustments. Below are the best ways you can improve your office:

Opt for a brighter and more energising colour scheme

Green, blue, red, yellow and white are seen to be effective in improving mood and increasing work productivity in offices. If you currently use dull and dark colours on the wall, consider repainting them with any of the five colours enumerated above. Try incorporating different shades of such colours through the furnishings and decor you add to the room.

Adjust the thermostat

Cold temperatures can deflate your staff’s productivity level because instead of focusing on their assigned tasks, they try to find ways to keep warm or end up feeling sluggish. To keep everyone alert and extra productive, you should keep the thermostat set at 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Install a party wall

If you have a spacious office, you should consider building a party wall to create separate rooms. This will allow you to designate a specific area for your meetings and work space. Once you have a specific design in mind, you can start comparing party wall surveyor cost estimates in your area. By doing so, you can efficiently set the budget needed for the add-on structure.

Try adding indoor plants

Indoor plants are not only used to add colour to a dull-looking room. They also help improve the mood of workers. There’s a long list of indoor plants you can choose from. A few examples include aloe, lemon balm, bamboo palm, snake plants, African violet, English ivy, and spider plants. Be sure to water these plants regularly to keep them evergreen all through the year.

Change the lighting fixtures

Lighting has a huge effect on the overall wellbeing of individuals. If your staff seem irritable while they work, it may be caused by the dim lights installed in the office. Help them work better by using brighter and more energy efficient lights.

You can choose from a wide array of lighting products such as pendant lights and wall mounted lights. If you’re willing to spend a bit more money on your revamp project, try installing a new window to let in more natural light into the room.

While making a few changes to your office may cost you money, it can help you improve the working conditions of your staff and encourage them to produce better output. The office improvement ideas listed above are just a few examples that you can implement in your own office. Use the tips shared above when you start planning your office revamp project.

Why Use SIPs in Building a New Home

March 2, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

The process of designing and building a new house entails many considerations. During the planning stage, you need to consider what materials to use and ensure that you stay within budget while at the same time consider the performance of these materials.

In light of the recent trend of eco-friendly building, there are many building materials worth considering if you are building a new home. One such building material is structural insulated panels or SIPs. A SIP is like a cookie sandwich where the filling represents a built-in insulation core pressure-sealed into two oriented strand boards for strength and durability.

Outstanding characteristics of SIPs

One of the most notable features of SIPs is the superior thermal performance and its ability to minimise or eliminate thermal bridging. SIP construction results in an airtight envelope which prevents outdoor air infiltration. This will not only improve the insulation properties of the building but also improve indoor air quality.

Energy-efficient homes built using SIP panels use less energy for heating and cooling; therefore, they are capable of retaining warm air or cold air longer. SIPs also have an excellent load-bearing capacity and are compatible with almost any type of exterior and interior finishing.

Benefits of using SIPs to build a home

SIPs not only provide outstanding insulation for homes but also have an advantage over other building materials because of the following reasons:

SIPs reduce construction time, thus saving money on labour costs
SIPs are strong and durable and proven to last decades without replacement
SIPs are versatile and can be used for walls, floors, and roofs
Using SIPs for roof construction eliminates ceiling trusses; hence, creating an extra room for a loft
SIPs look aesthetically pleasing. You can leave the boards bare or cover with drywall for more conventional decorative appeal

SIPs typically come in standard sizes, but manufacturers may customise the insulation thickness depending on what the builder requires.

Challenges in building with SIPs

Constructing with SIPs is not without problems. In designing a SIP building, architects need to consider the exact dimensions required for the construction because cutting the panels to size may compromise their structural integrity.

SIPs are also not inherently fireproof or termite proof. The boards are also sensitive to moisture infiltration which is why a weather barrier is needed during construction. Boards need to be above-ground before installation and arranged according to the right sequence to avoid problems and delays when it is time to erect and join the panels.

Another common concern when working with SIPs is finding an experienced builder. Only a small percentage of homes are built with SIPs each year, which is why it is not always easy to find a SIP UK contractor with extensive know-how in building with SIPs. Nonetheless, it is still relatively easy to get references by asking the manufacturer for their preferred or recommended builder within your area. Overall, the benefits of using SIPs outweigh these challenges which are why there is an increased demand in using them for new builds.

What To See in London, If You Like Luxury

March 2, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

London is one of the favourite destinations for tourists from all over the world. It also makes sense, because the place has a long tradition combined with a modern lifestyle, making it a tourist attraction for the thousands of people who strive to visit the city every year.

A luxury hotel in London with a view of Thames is the answer to all your woes, and the tourism all around with the local markets is sure to soothe your soul. Since the place boasts some of the biggest Michelin starred restaurants in the world so that you can experience the best of the world in one place. Here’s our short itinerary to get you started on experiencing London.

1. Tea and fish and chips

You can’t travel to Great Britain and leave without sampling food from one of their famous cafes. A London trip without the smell of Darjeeling tea and crisps is a waste of time. From the famous Claridge’s to the old school The Goring, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to English cuisine. Also, one of the sacred London traditions is high tea; an evening snack had along with tea in a traditional setting.
Check out the following list if you are wondering where to have five o’clock tea. Also remember to sample the English classics of muffins, shepherd’s pie, and fish and chips to understand the local London spirit.

2. The Big Ben

Have you seen the horizon of London City lately? Big Ben has seeped into all of our childhood memories as one of the most large clocks and architectural marvels in history and rightly so. You can visit around Big Ben and also learn about the inner workings from an officially appointed guide. Be sure to book your visit from ahead to get a head start from the crowd, and enjoy the mechanical and architectural marvel up close.

3. Shakespeare’s Globe

We’ve all agonized over a Shakespeare play or two over the school. However, for theatre and opera lovers, the Globe is one of the most sacred altars to the genius of one of the greatest playwrights of all time. You can check out the reconstructed monument that’s near the original site (the original memorial was destroyed in the fire).
You can watch a play here and relive some of the oldest days of modern theatre. The idea is to stand on the ground and get close to the performers, a time-honored tradition, this is one of the attractions, you don’t want to miss.

4. Columbia Street Flower Market

One of the old institutions of London, the Columbia Street Flower Market has survived through decades. Filled with the fresh smell of flowers since, morning this is one o0f those places that should figure in the itinerary of any budding couple.

Bargain your way into a bouquet of carnation, or buy some exotic roses to please the wife at the hotel, this is one of those places where romance takes hold.

Financial Tips for Young People Moving Out for the First Time

February 21, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Finally moving out of your parents’ house could be both scary and exciting. You feel excited because you are finally free. You do not need to follow all the strict house rules. You are also living in a different place for the first time in your life. You will have exciting opportunities ahead. At the same time, you worry that things will not end well. You also need to work hard to survive. These are some of the financial tips you need to remember as you plan to be independent for the first time.

List all possible expenses

You can learn from your parents how they budget their money each month. Since you are not paying them, you might not have any idea how expensive the bills could be. The recurring fees include water, gas, cable, electricity, phone, internet and many others. You need to know the rough estimate to prepare for them each month.

Create a realistic budget

Apart from the recurring bills, you also need to pay for food and transportation. If you took out a mortgage, you need to be responsible for the payments. Determine how much you are making each month (minus the taxes) and create a budget around it. Do not forget that you have to pay for insurance and have enough to set aside for savings. Make the necessary adjustments if your income is not sufficient.

Build an emergency fund

You need to save money for rainy days. You need at least 10% of your monthly income set aside for emergency purposes. You need to have these funds in case you lose your job, or you face a medical emergency. You might also have other unexpected financial burdens.

Start paying off debts

Now that you are living independently and making money out of hard work, you need to be responsible for paying off your debts. Start with your student loans. Some people take decades to finish paying their student loans. If you owe your parents a lot of money because they helped you settle down, you need to repay them even if they did not ask for the payment.

Change your lifestyle

You cannot live the same way now that you are surviving off your wages. You cannot keep running to mommy anymore because you ran out of money. It means that you need to stop having endless parties. Do not be an impulsive buyer anymore. Think twice before you purchase anything that you did not include in the budget. Learn to cook, so you do not eat out all the time.

You might feel worried about the idea that you are becoming independent, but it needs to happen at some point. To start the process, you can contact removal companies Cheltenham offers, to help you move out right away. You might try to drag your heels since you do not want to move out. With the help of a moving company, you will be out of your parents’ place to start a new life in no time.

Image: Unsplash.com

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Benefits of Hiring an Event Planner

February 20, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Sometimes, we want to do everything on our own because it’s in our nature. Although it’s commendable, you are better off leaving certain tasks to professionals if you want to save both time and money. For that reason, you should seriously consider hiring an event planner to help you create the perfect ceremony. The mistake that most people make is assuming that an event planner is an unnecessary expense. Interestingly, hiring an event planner can help you cut down on planning costs. Here are a few other reasons why hiring an event planner is a good idea.

1. Experience

The first advantage of bringing in an event planner is that they know the field well and can help you to finish preparing the event on time. They know where to get a public address system, good caterers, suppliers, perfect spot to host your event, and other things that you may need. That way, you can complete the site preparations on time and focus on the people supposed to attend that event.

2. Budget

Before you plan an event, you set up a budget of the amount you are willing to spend. However, there are some few things that could go wrong here and there, forcing you to use more cash than you had intended. An event planner that has been in the business for a while knows about these mishaps, and they can advise you on safe alternatives to help you stay within your budget.

3. Suppliers

If you decide to plan an event by yourself, be prepared to pay more or the standard price for items. The vendors are likely to charge you more because you are not familiar to them. However, when you use an event planner, you can get discounts from suppliers. Most planners have personal contacts of suppliers and vendors that they use on a regular basis. Working with an event planner also helps you save time and energy that you could have used to call multiple suppliers.

4. Negotiations

Another reason why you should hire an event planner is great negotiation skills. Most planners understand the ins and outs of the business. It means that they know the price of basic commodities. Knowledge is a powerful tool in negotiation. They are more likely to get you a good price from a vendor or supplier of your choosing.

5. Increases your Chances of Success

If you want to host an event that most people won’t forget, you should seriously consider hiring an event planner. This is because perfection requires patience, experience, and attention to detail. If you are an expert in your field, you know about these qualities. An event planner checks everything, from the guest list to the sitting arrangement to the menu because they want everything to be perfect. After all, that is what they are good at.

6. Peace of Mind

Planning an event can take years off you due to the stress involved. You have to make sure that everything is where it’s supposed to be, and the supplies are delivered on time. You won’t sleep as you think about contingency plans that you can take in case something goes wrong. Hiring an event planner saves you from this stress and gives you peace of mind.

Getting a Corporate Event Planner in New York

In case you are looking for a good event planning company in NYC, you should consider Twenty Three Layers. The firm was founded by Jessica Boskoff who has more than 12 years of experience in event planning. Twenty Three Layers creates events unlike anything you’ve ever seen. The team uses its imagination and innovation to come up with unique events.

If you visit their website, you’ll notice that they have worked with some of the biggest firms in New York and the world. Unlike other corporate event planners in NYC, Twenty Three Layers lives by 4 principles: creativity, innovation, collaboration, and communication. The employees work together as a team to think and do new things that can communicate your message to those that will be attending your event.

Conclusion

If you want your event to be successful and affordable, consider hiring an event planner. They are experienced in the field and can save you from all the hassle of getting things in order.

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Travel Tips for The Tech-Savvy Woman

February 17, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

If you love gadgets, you should be able to use them to the fullest. It doesn’t matter where you are and what you intend to do. If you love your phones, your tablets, and your laptops, you should be able to avoid all the worst-case scenarios with just a push of a button. This is what they are made for after all. If you plan to travel, you’ve probably booked a flight or a Silverstone taxi through your smartphone, to avoid all the hassle of buying tickets, hailing a taxi, and getting trapped in traffic.

But you can do more, lots more. And if you’re a globe-trotting career lady, your smartphone is a better friend than diamonds. So here are a few tips to maximise what you can do with your phone:

1. There are more things you can reserve online

You can reserve places to stay or where to dine online. Planning where you’ll eat on your first day somewhere is essential when travelling. If you’re not the type who is picky about what you eat you can even look for 24/7 convenience stores using an online map. As for places to sleep, of course, you rarely show up at an inn or hotel without a reservation. You can do this on your tablet or laptop. But if you don’t have either, you can also use your phone.

2. Online banking can be done on your phone

The most beautiful thing about technology these days is how your mobile phone or tablet can now double as a pocket PC. Mobile banking is far safer than ever with banks releasing their own apps through the Apps Store or Google Play. Be careful only to get apps from official distributors, as some apps might be fake and can easily steal your sensitive information.

3. Use your phone as a wallet

Some places, like the US or Japan, allow purchases through Bitcoin and other electronic currency forms. If you want to travel safer, why not try travelling with less physical cash on you? The only downside is if you somehow lose both your phone and other gadgets that you use to reach the internet. Having your phone with you at all times is an excellent way to prevent losing it.

4. Remember that you can track your devices

But, say, you lost your bag where you kept your tablet, and you have your phone with you. If you set up your tablet so that you can track it with your phone, that wouldn’t pose too much of a problem.

Another thing you can keep track of your phone is your home’s security. If you’re single and travel a lot, your house may be left vulnerable for a long time. Thankfully, there are security services that offer 24/7 monitoring via a camera system that you can monitor by using your phone.

There’s a lot of things you can do with your gadgets, so if you own one, you should make full use of it.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

These Tips Will Help You Quickly Finish Cleaning Your House

February 14, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Most people hate cleaning their houses. They do not want to spend hours removing clutter and putting everything in order. If you are one of these people, you have no choice because you need to clean up anyway. You can expedite the process though so that you do not need to spend hours cleaning your space.

Use a high-performance vacuum cleaner

If you use carpets in your bedroom, you made an excellent choice. They look amazing, and they can change the overall appearance of your room. The problem is that they are difficult to clean. They easily pile up dust and dirt. Buy a high-performance vacuum cleaner. It helps keep everything clean by sucking the dust from the surface and underneath. You can breathe new life into your carpets with this simple investment. You also avoid hiring a professional carpet cleaner. With this vacuum, you only need to spend a few minutes when you wake up to keep your carpets clean.

Use cleaning agents available at home

Sometimes, when you want to start cleaning your place, you realize that you do not have the right cleaning agents. You head to the grocery store to pick up what you need, and you spend an hour or two before you can start cleaning. The best thing is to use the items available at home. Baking soda, for instance, is an effective stain and rust removing agent. You can also use vinegar by combining it with baking soda. You may even use lemon juice for added scent. As long as you use these cleaning agents on the right surfaces and materials, it will not be a problem. Find an old toothbrush to clean small surfaces with stains.

Minimize the contents in your fridge

It helps if you label all the items in your fridge. Highlight the expiration date so that when you want to start cleaning up, you will immediately throw away the items that are already beyond the expiration date. You cannot use them anymore, so the next thing to do is throw them away. If you do it each time you clean your fridge, you will realize that you have already emptied half the contents. Cleaning the rest will not be difficult for you.

Buy a quality dishwasher

Washing your dishes could take time, especially if you have a large family or you have guests coming over. You need a quality dishwasher that can help you clean everything quickly. You can even use it for sanitizing your kids’ toys. The best part is that you can place the items inside and set the time. When you return, everything is clean and sanitized.

Hire trash removal companies

You do not want to deal with piles of trash, especially if you finished doing a general cleaning of your place. The best choice is to hire a junk removal company to come over. They will take everything out, and you will have nothing to worry about anymore. You can also trust them with furniture removal in case you need to throw out furniture that you are not using anymore.

Cleaning the house is necessary, but it does not have to take too much time.

Image: Unsplash.com

Are Yoga Instructors Exposed To Professional Risks and How Can Professional Liability insurance Help

February 14, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Do you think professional liability insurance isn’t necessary to you because you are a yoga instructor? Read here to find out how it could actually help you!

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Many people might think that being a yoga instructor should be quite zen, however it is not all stretching and soothing chants. People often forget that there is a business side to it all and that side needs maintenance. This means covering all sorts of ‘fun’ topics such as insurance.

Would a yoga face some sort of professional risk which a policy such as professional liability insurance could dig them out of? Absolutely. The easiest way to show how a yoga instructor could face some sort of professional risk is through some hypothetical scenarios. Let’s take a look at some such scenarios and how we could potentially solve them now.

Client Injury

You are nearing the end of a yoga class and everything is going well. However, when you move into one of the cool-down positions, one of your students pushes to far and hurts themselves attempting a position they were not ready for.

They, of course, blame you for what might actually be a common yoga injury and head off to the hospital. A few days later you receive a medical bill for them which you are unable to pay.

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Studio Damage

The vast majority of yoga instructors do not have their own space. Instead, they choose to rent a room in a larger building and this means that everything in the room is not yours but you may have to pay for it if you do not care for it properly.

For example, you might not notice your water bottle tip over during class. By the time you try to clean it up, you realise it went over the expensive sound system dock in the corner of the studio and fried it. When the owner of your studio finds out, they will angrily give you a bill to replace it.

How Professional Liability Insurance Can Help

Both of these scenarios end with a bill that most yoga instructors could not pay by themselves, no matter how successful they happen to be. What do you do in this scenario? If you sell your business to be able to afford to pay the bills, you then won’t have a livelihood to return to. Luckily there is a solution which can help; professional liability insurance.

This policy will help to cover you in the even of the scenarios above. By making a claim with your insurance company, you can receive the financial help you need to be able to pay off the bill. What’s more, you will be able to return to your job quickly and easily.

Shop around to find the best affordable yoga insurance policy for you. The best policies will allow you to cover a whole host of different problems and fully protect you against anything that could head your way.

Of course, this means that you can then get back to doing what you do best. As much as you love your job, you cannot neglect the business side of it. Just as you must remain balanced in a position, you can learn to balance the fun of yoga with the necessary business practices like sorting out your insurance!

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

Addiction Recovery & Managing Your Stress

February 11, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

“If you want to conquer the anxiety of life…

Live in the moment, live in the breath.”

– Amit Ray, author of “Om Chanting and Meditation”

Search for “stress quotes” online and you’ll be inundated by hundreds, if not thousands, of them. It will possibly become a little stressful if you decide you need to read all of them, as if you would find the one at the end of the rainbow which was going to magically do away with any stress you might be feeling right now.

Here’s another one…

“Keep calm and carry on.” A personal favorite, like the one above.

This one, however, began life as a motto over in Britain during World War II. If you look at the history of the place back then, you can understand it must have been a pretty stressful place to be when the sirens started wailing, forewarning you of the massive bombs that were about to start dropping around your head, and that you had to get yourself down an air-raid shelter as quick as your legs could carry you.

It’s intention was this: to emphasize that problems are better solved when people are (and can remain) calm and collected.

This quote clearly can also apply to the recovering alcoholic or drug addict, and I should know.

Having spent most of a young life abusing meth and alcohol, recovery has been a long and challenging road to travel for me, and I still walk it everyday over 9 years later. However, I got the help I needed when my parents finally took matters into their own hands and drove me into the next state to a drug and alcohol rehab facility.

My name is Andy, and I’m now a 30-something entrepreneur with my own business. Just as importantly, I’m as clean and sober as the day I left the rehab, a drug and alcohol addiction recovery facility in Idaho, that gave the tools to recover and continue recovering from my addiction. Many of those tools were about dealing with stress, which, as you can imagine, is one obvious way for an ex-addict to relapse.

Here are a number of simple lifestyle changes you can make today to deal with any stress effectively, and making it much less of an issue as you embark on your journey towards addiction recovery:

Breathing Deeply

Simple stuff, but it works, believe me. As you breathe, concentrate on using your whole diaphragm rather than just your chest. Your stomach should rise as your lungs fill from the bottom. In this way, you are stimulating your vagus nerve, one of the cranial nerves that connect your brain to the rest of you.

Stimulating this nerve provides a relaxing response.When this happens, the parasympathetic nervous system is turned on, levels of cortisol are subsequently reduced, and a brain damaged by severe substance abuse can actually begin to heal.

Sleeping Soundly

Never underestimate the value of a sound night’s sleep. In order to maximize your chance of a good, deep sleep, you must be made aware of those factors that contribute to healing rest. Such sleep factors range from reducing any naps you may take, limiting your caffeine intake throughout the day, establishing set times for your meals, and creating a positive bedroom ambiance, eg. softer lighting.

In addition, but one of the most important, stay away from blue light screens an hour before bedtime. By blue light screens, we’re referring to televisions, computers and even mobiles. Doing this can help to relax your eyes and your mind.

Eating Healthily

Dietary advice is not something that can be applied in the same way to every individual. However, there are basic guidelines that recovering addicts can use to eat healthier meals and snacks. If you have known food allergies, you should always actively avoid those foods so you do not stress your body. Furthermore, you should stay away from junk food, except for occasional exception, where it can become soul food.

All healthy, balanced and nutritious diets have fresh fruits and vegetables at their core, as well as healthy grains and protein sources. Additionally, a couple of simple rules need to be followed:

Avoid eating until you are full, and
Avoid giving in to every temptation for food

Socializing Positively

Time was, socializing for me was just another way to feed my addiction, to get high and to get drunk (or too get both). Very quickly, it became less about enjoying the company of others and more about feeding my ever-hungry addiction.

Early in my recovery, I learned that I needed to choose my friends carefully. Believe me, people you thought were your friends are like those people who slow down when there’s been an accident on the highway – they love to see blood, as long as it’s not theirs. Friends who did not take my commitment seriously soon realized that I made excuses not be be with them, and that even included some of my own family members.

Instead, I sought out friends and family who understood what I was going through and who could support my vow to remain alcohol and drug-free for the rest of my natural. If a recovering alcoholic focuses on more active forms of social involvement, such as dancing, sports, or volunteer activities, they’ll be less stressed about the environment that they find themselves in.

Exercising Actively

The benefits of a healthy lifestyle far outweigh the possible drawbacks – not enough time, blandish food, etc, etc. Excuses. As an addict, I know plenty about them. Staying clean and sober is far easier when an exercise regime is included in your stress management.

One clear benefit is the increase in endorphins after exercising. These endorphins reduce pain receptors and also trigger positive feelings in your body, providing a kind of natural high, and a safe one at that.

The feeling of well-being that accompanies exercise is the best alternative to the negative and damaging effects of drugs and alcohol. Setting and reaching your new goals of running or working out will also improve your self-confidence. It doesn’t have to be confined to a local gym either – try to walk every day outside for the relaxing effects of nature and fresh air.

Meditating Quietly

Whether you regard it as meditation, prayer, or mindfulness, the ability to be still and to reflect without interruption is absolutely vital to reducing stress. These moments of silence is when we are most in touch with our inner selves – our aspirations, our challenges and our hopes.

Mindful meditation provides benefits that are essential to your stress management. A little more biology now. The part of the brain that regulates levels of stress and anxiety is the amygdala, and by practicing meditation, you are positively affecting this function. Meditation can also stimulate the hippocampus, which controls your memory and your learning ability.

For many recovering addicts, myself included, meditating equals calmness – a pretty important quality if you wish to remain stress-free during recovery.

And Living Well…

These 6 tips to managing your stress effectively as you recover from addiction will reduce your anxieties about your life and your future. So, by following what’s written here, you are giving yourself the very best chance of a successful recovery. This stress management program is designed to take the burden away from any mundane stress, so recovering addicts can keep their focus on staying clean and sober.

What are your experiences regarding stress management? What particularly works for you? Please let us know with a comment below. And remember, “Keep calm and . . . carry on,” as they say.

Our Timeless Investment Advice You Should Implement in 2019 and Beyond

February 11, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

As the new year rolls in, many will be looking to sort out their finances in a smarter way, for many that will be investing.

However, for most, the idea of investing seems a particularly daunting task. With the huge array of investment options out there, and an underlying fear of losing your money, it’s not surprising that many people shy away.

With millions of how-to investment books published and bought every year, there is high demand for learning to make the right investment. Ultimately though, the best advice stays the same. We have condensed some of the main points.

1 Seek value

Identify low-value stocks for companies of high-quality. Easy, right? Of course, this isn’t always so clear cut, but is a good general rule of thumb. Ensure that emotional sentiments are put aside when doing this also. Some of the best companies to invest in are those that you might not even necessarily support.

2 Think long-term

Investments should be made with a long-term goal in mind. It is very easy to be swayed by investments that are seeing an increase in value now but jumping between investments very rarely works.

Have faith in your long-term plan. Think investment property – a steady, passive source of income that is likely to supersede many short-term investments.

3 Diversify your investments

Diversifying your investments is a smart move. Putting all of your eggs into one basket is rarely advised. Sure, if the investment returns, as it should if you have done your research and used a reputable introducer, you will see the benefits.

However, not every investment is 100% safe, and the low of losing money on your sole investment will be far worse than a diverse set of investments, most of which should return. Spread your investments to reduce personal risk.

4 Investing isn’t easy

Investing, generally speaking, is not as simple as putting money into an investment and getting a return. You will have done research into the investment you wish to go into. For instance, property alone has many different areas to invest in – think student property, hotel rooms etc.

Many will make mistakes when investing, not many will have flawless returns. A popular phrase in investing from Rukeyser, “just remember that there are only two kinds of people: those who have made mistakes of their own and the liars”.

Using an investment introducer such as FJP Investment will minimise your risk of losing money with six years of successful trading and a portfolio of happy clients.

5 Invest within your own means

Only invest money that you can afford to lose. Again, no investment is 100% safe, never invest money that could put you in financial jeopardy. Don´t try and chase lost money, it could result in further loss.

There are many other and more productive outlets for time and energy. Stay focused on your investment strategy, it will pay off over time. Remember that money is a tool for living a good life, not an end in itself.