When it comes to improving the energy efficiency of your home and saving money in the long run, one often overlooked solution is investing in new windows. Upgrading your windows not only enhances the aesthetics of your home but also offers several financial benefits. In this blog post, we’ll explore five ways in which new windows can save you money and make your home more comfortable.
1. Increased Energy Efficiency
Old, drafty windows are notorious for letting heat escape during the winter and cool air seep out in the summer. New, energy-efficient windows are designed to minimize heat transfer. They are often equipped with double or triple glazing, low-emissivity (low-E) coatings, and insulated frames, which help maintain a consistent indoor temperature. This means less reliance on heating and cooling systems, leading to lower energy bills.
2. Reduced Energy Consumption
As your home becomes more energy-efficient with new windows, you’ll naturally reduce your energy consumption. This is not only environmentally friendly but also economically wise. With less energy required to heat or cool your home, you’ll see a noticeable decrease in your monthly utility bills.
3. Enhanced Natural Lighting
Modern windows are designed to maximize the amount of natural light that enters your home. With improved natural lighting, you can rely less on artificial lighting during the day. This reduction in electricity usage can lead to additional savings on your energy bills.
4. Improved Resale Value
Investing in new, energy-efficient windows is not just about saving money; it’s also a smart financial decision when considering your home’s resale value. Potential buyers are increasingly looking for energy-efficient features when purchasing a home. By upgrading your windows, you can increase your home’s attractiveness to potential buyers, potentially selling it at a higher price.
5. Long-Term Durability
New windows are built to last, and many manufacturers offer extended warranties on their products. This means you won’t have to worry about the ongoing maintenance and repair costs associated with older, less efficient windows. New windows provide peace of mind and long-term financial savings.
While the initial cost of new windows may seem significant, it’s important to view this investment as a way to save money over time. The energy efficiency, reduced energy consumption, enhanced natural lighting, increased resale value, and long-term durability all contribute to your financial well-being. In the end, new windows are not just a home improvement project; they are a long-term financial strategy that can make your home more comfortable and economical. So, if you’re looking for ways to save money while improving your home, consider upgrading to new, energy-efficient windows. Your future self and your wallet will thank you.


What types of loan are available?
Depending on your circumstances, you’ll be able to choose from a number of deals. You can look at an unsecured loan which isn’t secured against any assets. If that isn’t for you, then there’s an option for one that’s secured, and as such, will typically be tied to your property. Another option is to secure a loan with a guarantor, which would be a third party with better credit.
How do I apply?
Applying is a straightforward and simple process – all you have to do is visit Ideal4Finance, put in your details and the type of loan you’re looking for, and the online calculator will work out the rest. The process should take no longer than 24 hours, and there’ll be a quick credit check, and should the application be successful, you’ll be good to go.
How much will I be paying?
As each financial package is tailored to each applicant, you’ll have to use the Ideal4Finance calculator to get the amount you’ll be looking at paying. Any final decisions will be based on your circumstances, including the amount you’re borrowing and the length of time for which you’d like to make the repayments. This is to ensure that the lending best suits your situation.
What happens if my application is successful?
Ideal4Finance will contact you regarding your application. You will be contacted either by phone, text, or email. You may also be contacted by the lender or lenders, should they need a little more information about your application.
What information do I need before applying for finance?
If you are proceeding with the application, then have the name and address of your employer to hand, as well as details of any additional income you may be receiving, as well as standard information like your address, postcode, and banking details.
Are my details safe?
Our partners have helped many people and want to help you too, so there won’t be any unpleasant surprises. Ideal4Finance only use reputable lenders, and the credit checks that are carried out won’t be made visible to other lenders.


Gerard is a qualified Chartered Accountant who in his role as Finance Director is responsible for the overall financial governance of both Howard Civil Engineering and Howard Plant Hire.
After completing his formal secondary school education he achieved a BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance from Leeds Business School in 1999, he started his professional career with CGU. But as part of his desire to further his personnel development he relocated to the capital city of London to start his CIMA qualifications with Credit Suisse First Boston subsidiary, Pershing Limited. Whilst working at Bank of America he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2004.
In 2005 having achieved his goals in London, he joined the family business to take control of all things financial. As the business developed he has implemented a fully centralised supply chain to improve site efficiency and establishes cost certainty for the company. More recently as turnover has continually increased, he has implemented a full accounts department and sector specific software package, which provides the companies management accounts. These control measures have facilitated the companies continued growth during his tenure.
Away from work Gerard enjoys spending time with his wife Catherine, sons Conor and Joseph. To relax, he enjoys watching and participating in many sports including football, rugby and running.


Announcement by Open Text Corporation (“OpenText“) of a firm intention to make an offer for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Micro Focus International plc (“Micro Focus“) (the “Offer“).
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The Offer relates to the securities of a UK company and is subject to UK procedural and disclosure requirements that are different from those of the United States (the “US“). The Offer may be made by means of a scheme of arrangement provided for under English company law, and as such would not be subject to the tender offer rules or the proxy solicitation rules under the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “US Exchange Act“). Accordingly, the Offer may be subject to the disclosure requirements and practices applicable in the UK to schemes of arrangement which differ from the disclosure requirements of US tender offer and proxy solicitation rules. In addition, any financial statements or other financial information included in this Microsite may have been prepared in accordance with non-US accounting standards that may not be comparable to the financial statements of US companies or companies whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the US.
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You should be aware that, in accordance with normal United Kingdom market practice and pursuant to Rule 14e-5(b) of the US Exchange Act, OpenText, or its nominees or brokers (acting as agents) may from time to time make certain purchases of, or arrangements to purchase Micro Focus shares otherwise than under any offer or scheme related to the Offer, such as in open market or privately negotiated purchases outside the Offer, before or during the period in which any Offer remains open for acceptance. Those purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. Any information about such purchases will be disclosed as required in the United Kingdom and the United States, will be reported to a Regulatory Information Service provider and will be available on the London Stock Exchange website, www.londonstockexchange.com. If such purchases or arrangements to purchase are made they will be made outside the United States and will comply with applicable law, including the US Exchange Act.
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Telefilm Canada and the Rogers Group of Funds under the Theatrical Documentary Program
Gouvernement du Qu?bec (Cr?dit d?imp?t cin?ma et t?l?vision - Gestion SODEC)
Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit
BRIGITTE ALEPIN, Harvard trained independent Canadian tax expert and policy advisor, parliamentary witness, and outspoken author of the best-selling Ces riches qui ne paient pas d’impôt (2004) and La Crise fiscale qui vient (2010). In this last book, she was one of the very first experts to warn of the dangers posed by 20th century tax regimes that are now out of date.
ANGUS CAMERON, political economist, University of Leicester, UK.
NICOLAS COLIN, Inspector of finance with the French Inspection générale des finances, author of a 2013 pathbreaking study for the French government on the fiscal challenges posed to tax authorities by global Internet companies of the digital [“cloud”] economy, co-author of L’Âge de la multitude.
ALAIN DENEAULT, philosopher and teacher of political science at Université de Montréal, author of Canada: A New Tax Haven.
STUART FRASER, former deputy policy chairman at the City of London Corporation that played a key role in the creation of tax havens as offshore financial centers at the end of the Second World War as a “second Empire”. Fraser once described himself as the “U.K.’s most powerful financial lobbyist”.
JAMES S. HENRY, lawyer, former chief economist at McKinsey & Co, Edward R. Murrow Fellow at Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, author of Blood Bankers and of widely cited 2012 study on the missing wealth of nations, The Price of Offshore Revisited, which estimates unreported private financial wealth held offshore was at least $21 trillion at end of 2010, a sum equivalent to combined size of US and Japanese economies.
DANIEL LEBÈGUE, technical adviser to the French Prime Minister's Cabinet in charge of economic and financial affairs in 1981, Director of Treasury from 1984 to 1987; former Banque Nationale de Paris CEO and Vice Chairman, and today Chairman of the board of Transparency International France that opposes tax havens.
RONEN PALAN, Professor of International Politics, City of London University, author of The Offshore World: Sovereign Markets, Virtual Places and Nomad Millionaires.
THOMAS PIKETTY, Paris School of Economics, winner of Le Monde’s prize for best young economist, the world's leading expert on income and wealth inequality, and high profile social commentator whose 2014 book, the 700 page Capitalism in the 21st century, is a publishing phenomenon that has rocketed to the top of Amazon’s book chart in the US and has established Piketty as one of today’s most influential economic thinkers on the subject of inequality.
RICHARD RAHN, former director, Cayman Islands Monetary Authority, former chief economist of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Senior Fellow at the libertarian Cato Institute.
TIM RIDLEY, lawyer, former chairman, Cayman Islands Monetary Authority, former senior partner with Maples and Calder, the island’s leading law firm, and board member of the Cayman Islands subsidiary of the $173 billion hedge fund GlobeOp Financial Services.
SASKIA SASSEN, renowned sociologist, Columbia University and London School of Economics professor, prolific author of many books including The Global City: New York, London, Tokyo. She is credited with coining the term “global city”.
NICHOLAS SHAXSON, journalist, author of Treasure Islands: Tax Havens and the Men Who Stole the World.
FATHER WILLIAM TAYLOR, Anglo-Catholic vicar of St Thomas Church in Hackney, recently elected as the first ever Labour councillor to the Corporation of the City of London borough council.
JOHN CHRISTENSEN, director of the Tax Justice Network, former economic advisor States of Jersey, a major European tax haven.
KRISHEN MEHTA, Senior Global Justice Fellow, Yale University, former partner PricewaterhouseCoopers, the world’s second largest accounting firm.
PASCAL SAINT-AMANS, head of tax policy at the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development), the leading policy organization of the world’s 34 most advanced economies.
DAVID MARCHANT, investigative journalist and editor of Offshore Alert.
JACK BLUM, Washington attorney and chair of Tax Justice Network USA.
JARON LANIER, Microsoft computer scientist, Virtual reality pioneer, composer of classical music and author of Who Owns the Future?
WILLIAM BARCLAY, Chicago Political Economy Group, former senior vice-president, Chicago Stock Exchange, the third largest in the US.
WALLACE TURBEVILLE, Senior Fellow, Demos, New York City, former vice-president Goldman Sachs.
LORD ADAIR TURNER, Fellow, Institute of New Economic Thinking, former chairman (in 2008) of the United Kingdom Financial Services Authority.
LINDA MCAULIFFE, graphic artist from Vancouver.
SAM HOLLOWAY, Chicago firefighter.
“RIVETING, LUCID, ESSENTIAL.”
Christophe Alix, Libération
“CONCISE, ENGROSSING AND OCCASIONALLY INFURIATING…”
Joe Leyden, Variety
“A SUPERB COMPANION PIECE TO… INSIDE JOB.”
Geoff Olson, Vancouver Courier
“ONE OF THE STRONGEST DOCS OF THE YEAR, ONE THAT’S BOTH TIMELY AND HIGHLY PROVOCATIVE.”
Jason Gorber, Twitchfilm
Mark Achbar, Director, Sundance winning The Corporation
“PRAISE-WORTHY FOR MAKING SENSE OF THE ARCANE SUBJECT OF CORPORATE TAXES.”
Steven Frank, Bloomberg
“ESSENTIAL… WISE, CAPTIVATING (…) A TRUE CINEMATIC EXPERIENCE…. HAROLD CROOKS PROVES HIMSELF A GREAT CONTEMPORARY DOCUMENTARIAN, WITH THE LIKES OF ERROL MORRIS.”
Luc Laporte-Rainville, Ciné-Bulles Magazine
Danièle Heymann, Marianne
“A STUNNING, NAIL-IT-TO-THE-WALL CANADIAN DOCUMENTARY WHERE BANKERS SPEAK UNINHIBITEDLY ABOUT TAX HAVENS AND TOP CELEBRITY ECONOMISTS LET IT ALL HANG OUT…”
Jean-Jacques Rue, Siné Mensuel
“WITH CLARITY, PRECISION AND ADMIRABLE BREVITY, THE PRICE WE PAY PUTS ITS FINGER DEEP INTO THE WOUND...”
Serge Kaganski, Les Inrockuptibles
“DO NOT MISS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.”
Michel Abecat, Télérama
A Nous Paris
“THE MOST IMPORTANT FILM TO DATE ON THE COMPLEX YET CRITICAL ISSUE OF TAX IN AN ERA OF GLOBALISATION.”
John Christensen, Director, Tax Justice Network
“SMART, EYE-OPENING AND INCENDIARY… A VITAL EXPOSÉ OF THE FLAGRANT ETHICAL BANKRUPTCY ENDEMIC TO MODERN CAPITALISM, THE PRICE WE PAY IS A COMPELLING, COHERENT AND FORCEFUL CALL TO ACTION.”
Agata Smoluch Del Sorbo, Programmer, Toronto International Film Festival
“ONE OF THE MOST UNSETTLING FILMS I SAW ALL YEAR, AND ONE OF THE SMARTEST. ”
Steve Gravestock, Programmer, Toronto International Film Festival
ONE OF THE MOST UNSETTLING FILMS I SAW ALL YEAR, AND ONE OF THE SMARTEST.
SMART, EYE-OPENING AND INCENDIARY … A VITAL EXPOSÉ OF THE FLAGRANT ETHICAL BANKRUPTCY ENDEMIC TO MODERN CAPITALISM, THE PRICE WE PAY IS A COMPELLING, COHERENT, AND FORCEFUL CALL TO ACTION.
Toronto International Film Festival Toronto 2014
Vancouver International Film Festival 2014
Festival du nouveau cin?ma Montr?al 2014
TOP TEN, Toronto International Film Festival 2014
CPH : DOX Copenhagen International Documentary Festival 2014
Vancouver Film Critics Circle Best Canadian Documentary, 2015
Belleville Downtown DocFest 2015
Wakefield International Film Festival 2015
PLANETE+ DOC FILM FESTIVAL Poland 2015
Salt Spring Film Festival 2015
Victoria Film Festival 2015
The Price We Pay, as with other documentaries I share credit on, is concerned with how powerful institutions impact ordinary lives. In the case of the TIFF-selected, Genie-winner The World Is Watching [producer-writer], our focus was foreign news coverage of the 80s Central American peace process; in Bhopal: The Search for Justice [producer-writer] the human impact of a chemical company’s criminal negligence; in the TIFF and Sundance-winner The Corporation [co-wrote narration with director Mark Achbar] the omnivorous corporation; and in critically-acclaimed Surviving Progress [co-director, writer] the ecological impact of Wall Street’s lending practices.
When InformAction’s Nathalie Barton approached me about this project, I was hooked once I realized that taxation is a lens through which we understand power – who has it – who doesn’t – the rules we’re governed by – and whether most people have a hope in hell of getting ahead. Working again with Surviving Progress editor Louis-Martin Paradis and a team of virtuoso Québécois film-making talents, we sought to make an instructive essay-style film that is also a cinematic experience. Our story – told mostly by former insiders now free to speak frankly – is intended to show how the offshoring of the world’s wealth is putting at risk the fruits of 20th century social progress: the middle class and the welfare state.
Western leaders who are vowing to reverse alarming inequality trends fail to acknowledge the extent to which they lack the tools for meaningful action. Since the 80s, the nation state – once guarantor of middle class security – is being reshaped into a “competition” state – whose role is to compete against other states for private investment and jobs – the welfare state be damned.
Further eroding government’s redistributive function is a radical new digital economy. Google, Amazon, Apple and other Internet businesses with the largest computing power succeed by incorporating the “free” labour of hundreds of millions of unpaid users into their value creation chains, bankrupting small and medium-sized companies and driving people into a winner-takes-all informal economy, while shifting offshore their staggering profits.
Gaming the archaic tax system, these corporations along with other virtually state-less multinationals are forcing governments into a race to the fiscal bottom. As public treasuries become less and less able to fund the welfare state, income and wealth inequality is pushed to levels unseen for a century and more".
The film illustrates how the tax haven system originally put in place by City of London bankers in former colonial dependencies as a replacement for the British Empire is today an unregulated “space of money”. Through this space beyond democratic control flows over half the world’s stock of money, multinationals’ profits and vast amounts of private wealth. But as we reveal, this “offshore” world is a legal and accounting fiction. The Caymans and other major tax havens could disappear under the sea without losing their rank as major financial centers. They are artifices that allow their corporate clients to be “citizens of nowhere”. The untaxed trillions of dollars booked here – the so-called “missing” wealth of nations – remains under the control of global finance and big business, which leverages its financial power to dismantle the progressive taxation and social security that once assured rising 20th century equality.
Spurred on by a small band of tax justice campaigners on both sides of the Atlantic, US Congressional and UK parliamentary hearings have exposed massive corporate tax avoidance abuse, and propelled the OECD in 2013 to commit itself to reversing the flow of corporate profits “offshore” and the erosion of public finances. But what some see as a “game changer”, others fear is a charade.
Like the villagers surrounded by Roman Legions in the Asterix The Gaul comic series, today every nation – no matter how large – is outflanked by multinational corporations. None can deal with corporate tax avoidance alone.
As best-selling French academic star Thomas Piketty explains in the film: Only tax cooperation between nations can prevent the disappearance of corporate income taxation in the coming decades.
Other remedies advocated by our interviewees include: adapting tax rules to the novel ways Internet companies create wealth by exploiting their users; and financial transaction [Robin Hood] taxes on the trillions of dollars churning through global financial markets – in what former Wall Street and UK financial insiders we interview say is in large measure “socially useless” investment.
For audiences the take-away of The Price We Pay is this: in a world where corporate and financial wealth no longer has a fixed address, democracy can only be preserved by acting co-operatively beyond borders.
The Price We Pay is inspired by Brigitte Alepin’s book La Crise fiscale qui vient.
The web of tax havens originally created by City of London bankers in the 50s today puts over half the world’s stock of money beyond reach of public treasuries. Nation states are being reshaped by this offshoring of the world’s wealth into “competition” states that battle for investment and jobs. Shifting the tax burden from big corporations and the wealthy – citizens of nowhere for tax purposes – to the middle class and poor to do so, they are paving the way to historic levels of inequality. This story is told by crusading journalists, tax justice campaigners and former finance and technology industry insiders now free to speak frankly. They fear these accelerating trends are carrying the Western world to an unsustainable future.
The Price We Pay is inspired by Brigitte Alepin’s book La Crise fiscale qui vient.
The Price We Pay exposes how “offshore” finance and the tech giants of the “cloud” economy are eroding the foundations of the democratic state, including progressive taxation, a secure middle class, and social safety nets. In the 1950s, City of London bankers created a web of tax haven dependencies that today puts over half the world’s stock of money beyond the reach of public treasuries. Presently, nation states are being reshaped by this offshoring of the world’s wealth into “competition” states that battle each other for investment and jobs. Lowering corporate taxes to do so, they are caught in a perilous race to the bottom. The spreading de-taxation is paving the way to Depression era – or worse – levels of inequality. Meanwhile, the tax burden is shifted to the middle class and the poor. Our guides on this journey include crusading journalists, tax justice campaigners, and a remarkable cast of former major finance and technology industry insiders now free to speak frankly. They fear these accelerating trends are carrying the Western world to an unsustainable future.


Cancellation & Refund Policy:
When booking your vehicle, you are required to pay a £50 booking / holding deposit (which comes off the total cost of your hire), to ensure that the vehicle will be available for you on the date(s) requested. In the event of a cancellation, this holding deposit is non-refundable. If you have pre-paid the full amount prior to the commencement of your hire, we will refund that amount, less the £50 booking deposit.
Should you need to change the date or time of your booking, we require a minimum of 24 hours’ notice prior to the commencement of the hire to move your booking to a different date / time (subject to availability). In this case, your £50 holding deposit will be transferred to your new date. Amendments to bookings made less than 24 hours prior to the commencement of the hire may incur the loss of your holding deposit (this decision is made at the discretion of the management).
If you fail to collect your vehicle on the specified collection date, any payments made are non-refundable.
In the event of early return any pre-paid rental charges will not be refunded.


In recent years, the Tiny Home movement has gained immense popularity as people seek a simpler, more sustainable way of living. With the increasing appeal of downsizing and minimizing one’s carbon footprint, Tiny Homes have become a symbol of minimalistic living. As we step into 2023, let’s take a comprehensive look at the average cost of a Tiny Home and explore how this figure has evolved over the years.
Understanding the Tiny Home Phenomenon
Tiny Homes, typically ranging from 100 to 400 square feet, offer an affordable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional housing. They are designed to maximize functionality and minimize space, often incorporating innovative storage solutions and multi-purpose furniture. Beyond the financial benefits, Tiny Homes promote a sense of freedom, encouraging homeowners to focus on experiences rather than possessions.
The Average Cost in 2023: A Detailed Breakdown
In 2023, the average cost of a Tiny Home in the United States hovers around $70,000 to $100,000. However, it’s crucial to note that this figure can vary significantly based on several factors, including location, size, design, materials used, and amenities included.
Urban areas tend to have higher costs due to limited space and increased demand. On the other hand, rural areas offer more affordable options, with land prices often significantly lower. Coastal regions or areas with scenic views might also come at a premium.
2. Size and Design:
The size and design intricacies play a vital role in determining the cost of a Tiny Home. Custom-built Tiny Homes with intricate designs and high-end finishes will naturally be more expensive than simpler, prefabricated models. Larger Tiny Homes, although still considerably smaller than traditional houses, tend to cost more due to increased material and labor requirements.
3. Materials and Sustainability:
Tiny Homes constructed with sustainable materials, such as reclaimed wood, energy-efficient appliances, and eco-friendly insulation, often come at a higher price. However, the initial investment pays off in the long run through reduced utility bills and environmental conservation.
4. Amenities and Off-Grid Capabilities:
Some Tiny Homes are equipped with off-grid capabilities, including solar panels, composting toilets, and rainwater harvesting systems. These features add to the overall cost but offer homeowners the freedom to live independently and sustainably.
5. Labor and Construction Costs:
Labor and construction costs vary across regions and can significantly impact the final price. Areas with a higher cost of living generally have more expensive labor, driving up the overall construction expenses.
How Prices Have Changed Over the Years
Over the past decade, the average cost of Tiny Homes has experienced a gradual increase. In the early 2010s, when the Tiny Home movement was in its infancy, prices were relatively high due to the novelty of the concept and the limited number of builders in the market. As the movement gained momentum and more builders entered the industry, economies of scale began to take effect, leading to a gradual decrease in prices.
However, in recent years, the cost curve has started to plateau. This stabilization can be attributed to several factors, including fluctuations in material prices, increased demand for skilled labor, and advancements in Tiny Home technology. Additionally, the growing popularity of Tiny Homes has led to a diversification of the market, offering a wide range of options catering to different budgets and preferences.
Conclusion: Tiny Homes in 2023 and Beyond
In 2023, the Tiny Home movement continues to thrive, offering individuals and families an alternative path to homeownership. While the average cost of a Tiny Home has seen fluctuations over the years, it remains a viable and cost-effective housing solution for many. As the world embraces sustainable living and minimalist lifestyles, the Tiny Home industry is poised for further growth, with innovations in design, construction techniques, and sustainable practices paving the way for a more affordable and eco-conscious future.
Whether you’re a minimalist enthusiast, an eco-conscious individual, or simply someone looking to simplify their life, the Tiny Home movement in 2023 offers a diverse range of options to suit every budget, making the dream of owning a Home a reality for more people than ever before.


InvoiceX (IX), Australia’s first provider of confidential marketplace invoice financing has today commended the government for a number of encouraging changes to help small businesses in the recent budget, however proactive action to address the cashflow dilemma was sadly missing. Getting customers to pay on time is a struggle for many small companies—one that can disrupt a company’s cash flow and even stunt its growth. IX is part of a new generation of peer-to-peer alternative finance firms offering small-medium sized businesses a sensible option to fund growth. The company is on track to process over $20m worth of invoices this year.
“Incentivising business owners to invest is very welcome but financing this is a major challenge. If you have no further real estate to offer a lender as collateral, like most owners of smaller businesses, how can you finance your growth? This applies especially to the build-up of working capital that is involved in growing, a critical hurdle when dealing with larger customers who take longer to pay,” said Steve Yannarakis, co-founder of IX.
According to Dun & Bradstreet, customers take an average of over 50 days to pay their bills in Australia. A typical business with revenues of $5m often has unpaid bills due from customers of over $750,000. To double in size, it would need to finance over $1.5m of unpaid bills. To make matters worse, business owners have to pay their tax in advance of collecting any profit earned.
The banking system is not increasing its cashflow lending to small businesses. According to the RBA, it has been flat-lining at $200bn since the GFC – that’s about $100,000 per business on average. Over the same period, mortgages, which represent over 95% of lending, have grown by over $400bn. Most small business owners are forced to use their credit card to bridge cashflow problems at crippling interest rates.
“What would have been helpful to small businesses are initiatives similar to those introduced recently by the UK government, where small businesses that have been rejected for loans must be referred to a panel of alternative finance providers. In addition, the British Business Bank was given £100m ($200m) to support alternative providers,” said Dermot Crean, co-founder of IX.
Using advanced computing power and a low cost structure, IX is bridging the financing gap and narrowing the spread on finance. The IX platform enables Australian businesses to raise short-term working capital by selling outstanding invoices direct to investors.
[bctt tweet ="InvoiceX Endorses Federal Budget Support For Small Business But Flags The Need To Solve The Cashflow Dilemma"]


My Pet Insurance Plans
If you don’t currently have pet insurance, you’re not alone. While around 68% of U.S. households own pets, only 1% of those pets are insured, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA).
But given the price of vet care, it’s worth looking into. Petfinder estimates the annual cost of routine vet visits is $45-$200 for dogs and $50-$400 for cats depending on your pet’s age. Emergency vet visits can cost up to $2,000, and sometimes more, for dogs or cats.
And as someone who’s found herself at the animal hospital at 3 a.m., I can attest that when your beloved furbaby is pawing at you in distress and you don’t know what’s wrong, you’re willing to shell out pretty much anything to make her better again.
That’s why we’ve put together this breakdown to help you decide: Is pet insurance worth it for you and your pets?


Do what you love
It might seem weird to start a post about money with an adage about work, but work relates directly to your earning and spending habits. The old saying is do what you love, but I would alter that slightly to this: Use your talents to do something the world needs. Then you’re using your skills, what you’re uniquely good at, to do work that means something. This is how you find satisfaction in your work.
So how does this relate to money?
It doesn’t mean that you’ll have the biggest possible income. It means that you’ll enjoy working. Most people work a third of their lives. If you’re miserable during those long decades, you’ll spend money on things to make you feel better.
“I hate my job, but driving to work in this car makes me feel better about it.”
“I need to get away from work, so I go on a couple big vacations every year.”
“Work sucks, so I buy lunch out every day to escape.”
You get the idea. Enjoying your work will help you enjoy your life, and there will be less need to spend money on escaping from the daily grind.
Live below your means
When people get their first real job, they immediately think “what can I afford?” And by that, they mean “what monthly payment can I afford?” So if they make $35,000 a year, they buy a car that costs $20,000 because they can afford the monthly payment.
This kind of thinking traps you into making years of payments (with interest) – money that could have been better spent in other ways. So instead, you might consider finding a reliable used vehicle, carpooling, or working somewhere with great public transportation. Even if you’re making much more money than this, consider renting a place with roommates or purchasing a very modest property that you can pay off quickly.
The bottom line is freedom. Do you want to start that business you’ve always dreamed of? Quit your stressful job and work for a non-profit that means something to you? Spend a year travelling to 50 different countries? Well, with that small condo you paid off early, you’ve always got a place to live. Rent it out for the year and make sure you take great photos on your world tour.
For our kids, the initial lesson is delayed gratification. Research shows that kids that learn delayed gratification are more likely to be happy and successful. But research aside, if they learn to save for something they really want, they’ll value it more. They’ll also weigh their options and think about whether or not they really need that item.
Learn to invest
The important word being Learn. Whether that means books, classes or talking to successful investors, make sure you put the time into learning how to invest. A rental property or stock portfolio can be a great idea, as long as the decisions are made soundly.
It’s always a good idea to have more than one income stream; investments can become a second stream over time. The earlier you begin, the more time and freedom you’ll have later. This works well in conjunction with “live below your means” – place some of that money you’re saving into investments.
As parents, we can get our kids into the habit of investing as they’re growing up. On her fifteenth birthday, my daughter will be getting a small deposit into a stock trading account that she’ll have to manage. Will it make her money? Maybe. But either way, what it will do is get her engaged in the process and cause her to do some research on this whole investing thing, which is the point.
Borrow rarely and pay off debt quickly
Sometimes borrowing money is necessary, but the only times it really makes sense is if you’re borrowing for investments. Education for example; this is one of the best investments you can make as you’re investing in yourself, and it’s something that can never be taken from you. You should see a return on that investment in more ways than just financial (e.g. maturity, character, enlightenment etc.).
A home can also be an investment. If you buy that small place and pay it off quickly, you can rent it out for a second income stream. But a home is not always an investment; I know plenty of people that bought at a market top and are currently under water with their loan (owing more than the property is worth). In some cases, renting as inexpensively as possible while using your extra income for investments makes more sense. This rent vs. buy calculator is a place to start.
Build credit early
Part of being able to borrow when you need to is having good credit. As parents, we can help our kids build credit by co-signing on a credit card with them (make sure it has a low spending limit). We can then teach our kids to use and pay for it responsibly.
This means teaching them not to place on credit what they don’t already have in their bank account. I use a credit card for everything because it’s convenient and gives me a good deal of money via rewards. But each month, I pay the entire balance of the card. This means that I never pay interest or fees. This is a good habit to get the kids into.
It seems counterintuitive, giving things away when you’re trying to increase your wealth; but whether you call it God, karma or positive thinking, the universe has a way of increasing your wealth when you’re willing to be generous.
Plus, building wealth for your own consumption doesn’t exactly feed your soul. Wealth is better shared with others. Even if you don’t have money to give, you can donate time, expertise, clothing etc. These are great habits and a good example to share with your kids.
Don’t cheat yourself
While you’re thinking about giving to others, make sure to also take care of yourself. I’ve heard a lot of money gurus talking about “the latte factor” – saving that $4 a day you spend on a latte. But if that latte is a little something that makes you really happy, then don’t deprive yourself. I think that one of the most horrible practices that humanity engages in is waiting until retirement to enjoy life. Enjoy your life right now, and especially enjoy the little things, whether that’s a latte, a walk in the park or making your kiddo smile. Just realize that you don’t need a new car and a dream home before you can be happy.
Understand the meaning of wealth
Getting a handle on money, saving, investing and spending are important; but having all the money in the world is meaningless if your priorities are off. Money is a means to an end; it’s about provision for loved ones, security and freedom. But working hard just to buy the next thing or “keep up with the Joneses” is pointless and will ultimately make you feel pretty empty.
Billionaire Warren Buffet, who is always named in the top three richest people in the world, says this:
I know people who have a lot of money, and they get testimonial dinners and hospital wings named after them. But the truth is that nobody in the world loves them. When you get to my age, you’ll measure your success in life by how many of the people you want to have love you, actually do love you. That’s the ultimate test of how you’ve lived your life.
Do your kids love you? Are you daily building that relationship with them? Because in the end, it’s not something you can buy.
Make sure you teach them this most important lesson about money – by showing them every day that they’re worth your time.


After reasonably tough Q1 (April-June 2017) when overall sales at 151,837 units were down 9.08 percent YoY, the commercial vehicle (CV) sector has recorded a sharp recovery in July driven by an uptick in the critical medium and heavy commercial vehicle (M&HCV) segment. After the steep declines in April (-22.93%) and May (-14.40%), CV manufacturers saw green shoots of recovery and entered growth lane (+1.44%).
For July, which opened the era of GST, all major CV manufacturers have registered higher growth across both the M&HCV and LCV segments. Market leader Tata Motors, which has seen a correction in its sales over the past three months, has returned to growth territory with overall sales up by 15 percent in July. Similarly, Ashok Leyland, the second largest CV player, which also saw sales fall in the first two months of FY2018, posted double-digit growth in July.
For industry, the strong comeback in the M&HCV segment signals the return of demand on the back of improving economic indicators, benefits of GST to the transportation sector due to vanishing check-points, and increasing freight and logistics efficiencies. These factors are also motivators for fleet operators to start looking at expanding their fleets.
According to Subrata Ray, senior group vice-president of ratings agency ICRA, “Despite a weak performance in the first quarter, the industry will find its momentum back aided by increased thrust on infrastructure and rural sectors in the recent Budget, potential implementation of fleet modernization or scrappage program and higher demand from consumption-driven sectors, especially for LCVs and intermediate commercial vehicles (ICVs). Given these considerations, the domestic CV industry is likely to register a growth of 6-8 percent in FY2018.”
How the OEMs fared in July
On the monthly sales front, Tata Motors’ overall CV sales rose 15 percent in July at 27,842 units (July 2016: 24,242) backed by the ramp-up of BS IV production, across segments.
While demand for its M&HCVs was up 10 percent in July 2017 at 8,640 units (July 2016: 7,879), the I&LCV truck segment grew by 28 percent at 3,354 units (July 2016: 2,626 units) on the back of a good market response to the new Ultra range and the new BS IV range in other products.
According to the company, “The M&HCV segment saw a rebound in July 2017 and witnessed a pick-up in demand and availability because of continued production ramp up. New models launched in the fastest growing segments of 49-ton and 37-ton categories have also gained strong traction in the market.”
Tata Motors’ passenger carrier sales (including buses) though saw a 15 percent decline to 4,472 units (July 2016: 5,233) largely due to supply constraints in the bus segment. The SCV cargo and pickup segment continued the growth momentum with sales of 11,376 units, up by 34 percent (July 2016: 8,504) due to good market demand for the Ace XL, Mega XL, Zip XL, and the new Tata Yodha.
Ashok Leyland registered double-digit growth, growing by 14 percent with sales of 11,981 units (July 2016: 10,492.) M&HCV sales rose 10 percent to 9,026 units (July 2016: 8,182) while LCVs posted strong 28 percent YoY growth at 2,955 units sold (July 2016: 2,310).
Mahindra & Mahindra’s total CV numbers were up by 14 percent to 15,023 units (July 2016: 13,186). Its M&HCV sales turned positive, growing 72 percent to 657 units albeit on a low year-ago base (July 2016: 382). The below-3.5T GVW segment grew 13 percent YoY, selling 13,761 units (July 2016: 12,230), while those in the above-3.5T GVW segment turned positive by growing 9 percent with sales of 605 units (July 2016: 556).
VE Commercial Vehicles’ domestic sales were up marginally by 1.4 percent with total sales of 3,714 units (July 2016: 3,664 units). The company will be looking to drive numbers with growing demand for its recently launched Pro 5000 Series of trucks.


Southern Iowa residents looking to build a new home will find WaterFurnace geothermal heat pumps to be their best heating and cooling option. Especially with the planning assistance, installation, and service that we at Gilbert Home Comfort Inc. offer.
First of all, you should consider that WaterFurnace geothermal systems have demonstrated themselves to be the most efficient, energy-saving, environmentally friendly heating and cooling choice around.
Then, think on this: The addition to your monthly payment is usually lower than the monthly savings you’ll experience by installing a geothermal system in new construction. And you can easily roll the initial outlay in your monthly mortgage payment. Better yet, as mortgage costs increase, they’re typically balanced by the decreased operating costs of a geothermal system. What does this mean? You’ve got a net positive cash flow!
For more information on why geothermal is the best choice for Southern Iowa residents building new homes, contact Gilbert Home Comfort Inc.. And be sure to check out our Geothermal Savings Calculator.


Why use our agency?
Charles Stilwell is a CLU® with more than 30 years’ experience in financial services, the last 20 of which were here in Florida. As a result, Chuck knows the insurance needs of Florida residents.
He represents the largest “A” rated insurance companies in the nation including Prudential, Transamerica, John Hancock, Allianz, Mutual of Omaha, and many others.
Chuck holds the Chartered Life Underwriter® designation, the world’s most respected designation of insurance expertise. A CLU® can provide expert advice on a broad range of financial topics, including life and health insurance, financial and estate planning, and business-succession planning. Chuck also holds bachelors and masters degrees.
Chuck is also the principal of Insurance For Agribusiness, LLC, which specializes in crop insurance and farm and ranch insurance. (InsuranceForAgribusiness.com)
Jan 4, 2016 by Erika Houshmand
Chuck Stilwell was referred to me by a mutual friend when I was in the market for long-term care insurance. While I spoke to several different agents from different companies, it was Chuck who really took the time to educate me on the many, many options available and the pros and cons of each plan. He spent a lot of time asking questions and listening in order to understand my needs. He then researched all the different companies and plans that would best suit me and presented the information to me in terms I could understand so that I could, truly, make an educated decision. He also got the me best value for my money. I am grateful to Chuck and know that my long-term needs will be sufficiently met thanks to his efforts, knowledge of the industry, and service to me as a client. I highly recommend Chuck; he is excellent.


- We strive to provide complete care for our patients. Learn more about all the services we provide.
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We accept debit cards, credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express) checks and cash. Cash is accepted in US funds only. There are several banks and credit unions conveniently located in the Fort Kent area where funds may be exchanged prior to your appointment. All cards must be signed and presented by the owner of the card.
Wellness plans are offered to allow you to spread the cost of your pet's annual care evenly throughout the year. These plans may be prepaid directly at our office or you can contact Partners In Wellness to arrange for convenient automatic monthly payments to your credit card account.
Insurance For Your Pets
For services not covered by wellness plans, we highly recommend pet insurance to help you in times of need.
Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) is one of the oldest and most reliable pet insurance companies in the United States. See www.PetInsurance.com for available policies and applications. For our Canadian clients, Trupanion offers coverage on both sides of the border. See www.Trupanion.com for details.
More companies are offering pet insurance every year. Comprehensive policies may cover everything including routine check-ups and vaccinations, which means you may not even need a wellness plan! Less expensive policies are available to cover major expenses due to injury or illness. This coverage can be life-saving in the face of an expensive fracture repair if your pet is struck by a car, or to cover a hospitalization if your pet eats a toxic substance or a toy that must be surgically removed.
Please be aware that in some cases, you pay for your pet's care upfront and present receipts to the insurance company to receive reimbursement. Our office can often work with you and the insurance company to assure proper payment to us or reimbursement to you.
When expenses arise without insurance, we recommend applying for a payment plan through Care Credit. See www.CareCredit.com or fill out an application at our office for instant approval. Once approved, you may use Care Credit a single time or continuing use for all of your pet's medical needs. Care Credit is accepted by many veterinary hospitals across the country in case you travel or relocate.
Highlights of the Care Credit program:
We encourage clients without other forms of credit to apply for a Care Credit account prior to occurrence of any accident or illness. This way you will have peace of mind and one less thing to worry about in a time of stress should your pet become ill or injured.


Reliance, RPSG, Sun TV, CSK, Royals Sports Group and JSW Sports, owners of six Indian Premier League franchises, have already emerged as successful bidders for the T20 competition in South Africa. In a press release, Cricket South Africa announced that the IPL franchise owners in Mumbai, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Chennai, Rajasthan and Delhi now have South Africa T20 teams from Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth), Johannesburg. Paarl and Pretoria.
An open bidding process managed by Deloitte Corporate Finance attracted more than 29 bidders to purchase the franchise. More than 10 locations were made available to those interested in the franchise, six of which were ultimately shortlisted.
The first reports have emerged of IPL owners looking to invest in a new league in South Africa. The confirmation of the same propels the game of cricket into a new era with a strong ownership footprint in India. The UAE T20 league already has five of its six franchise owners in India, three of which have IPL teams. The owners of Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals have already invested in the Caribbean Premier League.
Former South African captain and CSA boss Graeme Smith, who will take over as commissioner of the new league, expressed his excitement about the new start.
“This is truly an exciting time for South African cricket; the overwhelming interest shows that the country remains valued in the global cricketing eco-system,” he said.
“The strong sports background of the respective owners and the global brands they manage ensures that South African cricket and the broader industry will benefit from their expertise and resources, as they bring stability and experience to the League.”
Reliance Industries Limited is a well-known company in the sports environment and has already acquired a franchise in the UAE T20 League, its third T20 franchise in three countries.
"We are thrilled to bring Mumbai's fearless and fun cricket market to South Africa, a country that loves cricket as much as we do in India," said Reliance Industries CEO Nita Ambani. said in a recent press release.
"South Africa has a strong ecosystem of the game and we look forward to exploring the strength and potential of this partnership. As MI's global cricket footprint grows, we will remain committed to spreading joy and excitement through sport!"


If you’re a regular on the SWLing Post, you’ll certainly know our contributor, Robert Gulley.
Robert is a wonderful friend and one of the biggest ambassadors for radio I know. Robert has mentored a countless number of ham radio operators and radio listeners–his enthusiasm is infectious.
This time, Robert could really use our help.
His wife Jennifer has Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS)–a disease that has progressed to the point she needs 24/7 care. Finances are tight, so when a home equity loan taken out over 15 years ago recently ballooned, Robert and Jennifer have struggled to make these payments and stay afloat.
They’ve explored refinancing and even selling their home, but the numbers simply don’t work in their favor.
I, along with a number of Robert’s close friends, have encouraged him to start a GoFundMe campaign to try to raise some funds to pay down the home equity loan.
Robert isn’t the sort of guy that ever asks for help, indeed he’s always the one giving help. This is why I’m asking you to consider supporting his GoFundMe campaign if you have the means to do so. You can read more about his situation on the GoFundMe page.
Any amount will help as it will be dropped on the principle of their loan and thus shorten the term or even make a refinance possible.
GoFundMe is a reputable organization to raise funds and they don’t take a large cut like some other platforms do, but if you would rather support Robert outside of GoFundMe (directly, by check for example) feel free to contact him.


Giving Car Costs An Overhaul – For many consumers, the costs associated with owning and operating a car continue to rise. Fuel prices, insurance rates and car maintenance expenses have all gone up in recent years. Thankfully, you don’t have to alter your driving habits or buy a new car to get some relief. Here are some quick, inexpensive, easy ways to save money:
Mind the air to save money on fuel–The U.S. Energy Department reports that underinflated tires can increase fuel consumption by up to 3 percent. One study estimates that 50 to 80 percent of the tires rolling on U.S. roads are underinflated. Astonishingly, Americans could save up to two billion gallons of gas each year simply by properly inflating their tires.
Secondly, a clogged air filter can increase fuel consumption by as much as 10 percent. Air filters keep impurities from damaging the interior of the engine, so replacing dirty filters will save gas and protect your engine. More tips to save money on fuel are available at http://www.fueleconomy. gov.
Get slick to reduce maintenance costs–There are high-performance motor oils that can make meaningful improvements to a car’s fuel economy and engine life. For instance, numerous independent studies have found that Royal Purple motor oil can improve fuel economy by 5 percent or more. Find out more at their Web site, http://www.royalpurple.com.
Using a high-performance synthetic motor oil, as opposed to conventional oil, also allows for more miles between oil changes. This reduces maintenance costs and the amount of time spent on maintenance. You’ll pay a little more for premium motor oil, but the savings in fuel and reduced maintenance costs more than make up for the higher price.
MK Kashiyama Merek Spare Part Mobil untuk Rem Cakram, Rem Tromol dan Kampas Rem Berkualitas Terbaik di Indonesia. Reduce your insurance costs by doing your homework–One of the simplest ways to reduce insurance costs is to shop around. Get at least three price quotes. You can call companies directly or access information on the Internet. The state insurance regulator may also provide price comparisons. Other ways to reduce insurance costs can be found by visiting the U.S. Insurance Information Institute’s Web site at http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/cars/autoinsu/autoinsu.htm.
An astute consumer can save hundreds of dollars a year on automotive expenses without buying a new car or changing lifestyle. All it takes is a little time, research and the choice of better-performing products.
There are a number of ways to reduce the costs associated with owning a car.
Educate Yourself To Amazing Car Finance – When it comes to making a car purchase, paying for it is a big part of the battle. Even mid level new cars run into the $20,000 range. Because of these prices, few people pay cash for cars anymore and statistically about 7 out of every 10 people use car finance to pay for their new vehicle. In order to get the best car finance possible, you need to understand how the whole process work.
First, you want to figure out where you are going to get your car finance. There are a number of institutions that can get you financing. Banks, credit unions, the dealership, or even auto manufacturers can provide financing for your new or used vehicle.
Second, with a car finance, you need to realize that whether you buy a new or used vehicle will affect your financing. As a general rule, interest rates will be lower on new cars than on used ones. Also, new cars can often qualify for financing over a longer period of time than can used cars.
Next, when it comes to our car finance, donít believe everything you see or read. Commercials for special financing for those who are first time buyer or have bad credit abound in papers and on the television. These are usually a little too good to come true and come attached with requirements such as extra high down payments and extremely high interest rates. In some cases, both apply to the loan.
Before you go to get your loan, make sure you know about your own credit history. Get a copy of your credit report and go over it with a fine toothed comb. Look at the score as well as the payment histories on it. If anything at all looks incorrect, make sure you get it cleared up. When a lender looks at how much money to give you, they will check out your debt ratios, how long you have been at your job, your history with similar loans, and your credit report as a whole.
Once you are armed and ready to consider your car finance, shop around. It is usually a good idea to look for the financing before you buy the car. You will better know what you qualify for that way. Also, you can use your information to bargain further with the dealer. In order for them to finance your car, you should ask them to beat the rate you have from wherever else you have looked.
Remember that everything is negotiable. Just because the car finance rate you got is pretty good, it doesnít mean that you have to pay what they ask. Negotiate the rate of your loan, the price of the car, or anything else you can talk to them about. It canít hurt and you could save yourself a lot of money that way. As the process goes on, donít get caught up in the numbers. The dealers will try to give you monthly payment numbers only so that you donít notice any added charges. However, sit down with a calculator and just figure out the payments yourself and you will have nothing to worry about.
Always know that car financing may seem complicated, but it doesnít have to be. Educate yourself, shop around, and make sure you know what is going on and you should have no problem. Better yet, you will find yourself with a great new or pre-owned automobile.


How Solar PV Reduces Your Energy Bills in the Caribbean
In the picturesque landscapes of the Caribbean, where the sun’s embrace is a daily gift, there’s a powerful opportunity to transform how you power your home. Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are leading the charge towards cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions. Beyond their positive impact on the environment, solar PV systems offer a substantial financial advantage by significantly reducing your energy bills. In this article, we’ll explore how harnessing the Caribbean sun through solar PV can lead to sunny savings that brighten your financial outlook.
Understanding the Solar Savings Equation At its core, solar energy is about capturing the sun’s energy and converting it into electricity to power your home. Here’s how solar PV works to usher in savings:
- Energy Generation: Solar panels absorb sunlight and generate direct current (DC) electricity.
- Inverter Conversion: Inverters then convert the DC electricity into alternating current (AC), which is the form of electricity used in homes.
- Powering Your Home: The AC electricity produced by the solar panels powers your appliances and electronics, offsetting the need to draw power from the grid.
- Net Metering: Excess electricity generated during sunny days is often fed back into the grid, earning you credits that can be used when your solar panels produce less energy (such as during the night).
Savings That Shine: The Financial Benefits of Solar PV in the Caribbean
- Reduced Energy Bills: By generating your own electricity, you decrease your reliance on utility companies, leading to substantial reductions in your monthly energy bills.
- Energy Independence: Solar PV systems allow you to take control of your energy production, shielding you from fluctuating energy prices.
- Return on Investment (ROI): While upfront installation costs exist, the long-term savings from reduced energy bills often result in a positive ROI, meaning your system pays for itself over time.
- Net Metering Rewards: Through net metering programs, you can earn credits for excess energy produced, potentially even receiving payments from utility companies.
- Decreased Carbon Footprint: Solar energy not only saves you money but also aligns with a greener lifestyle, contributing to a healthier environment for future generations.
Why Ecocarib is Your Partner in Solar Savings At Ecocarib, we’re dedicated to transforming the way Caribbean homes harness energy. Our solar PV systems are designed to amplify your savings and empower you to embrace a more sustainable future:
- Customized Solutions: We tailor each solar PV system to your unique energy needs and budget, ensuring you make the most of your investment.
- Efficiency at Heart: Our high-efficiency solar panels capture maximum sunlight, translating into higher energy generation and greater savings.
- Expert Installation: Our experienced team ensures seamless installation, optimizing your system’s performance and longevity.
- Net Metering Mastery: We guide you through net metering programs, helping you maximize your credits and savings.
- Long-Term Vision: With Ecocarib, your solar journey is a partnership. We’re here to provide maintenance, support, and insights for years to come.
A Brighter Future, Powered by Savings In the Caribbean, where the sun is a constant companion, solar PV systems offer a transformative path to financial freedom and environmental stewardship. By generating your own electricity and embracing solar savings, you’re not only lowering your energy bills but also contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable world. With Ecocarib as your trusted partner, the sunny savings journey becomes a reality, illuminating a future where energy costs are minimized, the environment flourishes, and your home shines as a beacon of responsible living.


MCX Positional package is a special package designed for traders, who wishes to use the volatility of bullion markets, specially in MCX Gold, Silver, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Copper, Nickel, Lead, Zinc & Aluminium on positional basis.
This package really suits the clients or traders like to trade on BTST (buy today, sell tomorrow), STBT (sell today, buy tomorrow) or short-term positional (maximum 5 working days) basis.
Make my Trade maintains 85-90% success ratio on consistent basis, we make sure you earn decent profit on your invested capital. Our mission is to update you with the latest happening in commodity markets on local or global level at the right time.
- Commodities Covered:
- Bullions: MCX Gold & Silver
- Metals: MCX Copper, Nickel, Lead, Zinc & Aluminium
- Energy: MCX Crude Oil & Natural Gas
- Single target & fixed stop loss for all calls.
- Daily 1-2 high accurate positional trading tips
- Only current market price calls
- Minimum capital requirement: INR 1,00,000 or above
- Period based package
- Up to 85% accuracy level
- Daily, weekly & monthly newsletter
- Call updates, follow-ups, all important news & market related information
- Complete support on direct mobile number & chat (through google-talk)
- User Id & password to members zone
- Calls will be given only via SMS, Chat & E-mail
- India: All GSM & CDMA networks covered
Buy Gold MCX August Futures
Current price: 27400
Target Price: 27750
Stop Loss Price: 27300
Duration: 2 Days
Quantity: 2 Lots
Gold MCX Positional Call Update:
Buy given @ 27400 (2 Lots) yesterday
Current Price: 27755
Book Profit & Exit


Michael Smith-Heimer, MCP, MBA, PhD
Michael Smith-Heimer has extensive experience in affordable housing finance, acquisitions, and development. He is expert in Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs), tax exempt multifamily bond finance, HUD programs, and complex P3 transactions. Michael works on selected projects for The Housing Workshop.
Michael was co-owner of the John Stewart Company and served progressively as Development Director and CFO for the Company for over 20 years. The John Stewart Company, one of the largest for-profit affordable housing development and management companies in the US, operates primarily in California. With over 30,000 units under management, the firm has also developed numerous projects, including new construction, rehab, and preservation of expiring projects. During Michael’s tenure, the company developed more than 3,000 affordable units, including rehabilitation of Mercy Family Plaza in San Francisco, financed with LIHTC’s and Historic Tax Credits; renovation and LIHTC financing for senior housing in downtown Vallejo; new construction of a mixed use, mixed income affordable artist live/work project in Ventura CA, rehabilitation and reuse of Treasure Island military housing financed with company equity; renovation and preservation of Monte Alban in San Jose; and new construction of both Bay Street and Hunters View in San Francisco, using combinations of HOPE VI, LIHTC, and other sources.
Michael also served as Director of Special Projects for the Low Income Fund (LIF), a CDFI based in San Francisco. During his tenure at LIF, Michael developed numerous complex financing mechanisms and assisted other non-profit and community development lenders to organize financing programs. Early in his career, he served as a Senior Financial Analyst for Bank of America, where he structured corporate loan programs for residential development.
Michael also served as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning at UC Berkeley for over 20 years. Throughout Michael’s career, he also provided consulting services to the California Department of Housing and Community Development, as well as to multiple lenders and policy groups.
Michael holds a Bachelor of Urban Planning from the University of Cincinnati, an MCP and MBA from UC Berkeley, and a PhD in City Planning from UC Berkeley. He is a past Board Member of the Fort Mason Foundation, a premier arts facility in San Francisco. He is also an award-winning landscape photographer with installations throughout the Bay Area (see www.mash-production.com ).


We are available to answer your questions or concerns. Call Galo at (323) 464-6040
At Comprehensive Financial Services (CFS), Galo wants you to know your concerns are our priority during these challenging times. During the California Lockdown, we have verified we’re classified as an essential business in order to be available for you. Due to health concerns, we have arranged for at least one person available for your calls.
Please be patient if you happen to receive a voicemail.
Be safe & well.
Have you been receiving our emails regarding the Coronavirus & its impact on the market? Call Galo at (323) 464-6040
Our first priority is helping you take care of yourself and your family. We want to learn more about your personal situation, identify your dreams and goals, and understand your tolerance for risk. Long-term relationships that encourage open and honest communication have been the cornerstone of my foundation of success.
Comprehensive Financial Services (CFS) strives to offer the most complete solutions to our clients’ financial needs and objectives. Whether it’s home or commercial financing, estate or investment planning*, life or health insurance, or trustee services, CFS hopes to offer a custom resolution for our clients.
In addition to founding CFS, Galo is an investment advisory representative* registered with Avantax Vest Advisory ServicesSM. Mr. Medina holds a Series 7 (General Securities) license, a Series 65 (Uniform Combined State Law) license, and California State Life Insurance and Annuity licenses. Also, He holds a Mutual Fund Counselor Charter (CMFC) from the College of Financial Planning, as well as a Certified Senior Advisor designation from the Society of Certified Senior Advisors.
Mr. Medina is responsible for the financial planning and investment areas of our practice. These services include investment advisory services, retirement planning, college education planning, estate/legacy planning, and personal/corporate life insurance. Galo also works closely with Matt Crammer and Robert Kern on tax planning issues in order to provide our clients with simplified, integrated, and comprehensive wealth management services.
Mrs. Robyn Medina has over ten years experience in the investment securities industry and is a registered representative for Avantax Investment ServicesSM. She specializes in the college savings arena with an expertise of 529 plans.
We encourage you to explore our site and learn more about the services we provide. Should you have any questions or would like more information on our firm, please feel free to email us at email or call us at 323-464-6040. We look forward to hearing from you.
The Cost of Procrastination
Don't let procrastination keep you from pursuing your financial dreams and goals.
An Overview of Renter’s Insurance
Don’t overlook the need for renter’s insurance if you rent your home.
Coaches have helped you your whole life, in ways big and small. We’d like to be one of them.
The wise use of credit is a critical skill. These 10 questions will help you assess your skill level.
Understanding the economy's cycles can help put current business conditions in better perspective.
Sound estate management includes creating financial and healthcare documents. Here's an inside look.
Have you ever wondered how your credit score compares to the rest of the country? Take a look and see.
Annuities are versatile tools that can help you save for retirement and generate income in retirement.
Diversification is an investment principle designed to manage risk, but it can't prevent against a loss.
This calculator estimates your chances of becoming disabled and your potential need for disability insurance.
Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.
Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.
This calculator estimates how much life insurance you would need to meet your family's needs if you were to die prematurely.
Estimate how much you have the potential to earn during your working years.
This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.
The chances of needing long-term care, its cost, and strategies for covering that cost.
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
A presentation about managing money: using it, saving it, and even getting credit.
How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.
The importance of life insurance, how it works, and how much coverage you need.
Investment tools and strategies that can enable you to pursue your retirement goals.
There’s an alarming difference between perception and reality for current and future retirees.
Selecting a mortgage isn't an easy process. Get a better understanding of how professionals make the right decisions.
Understanding the cycle of investing may help you avoid easy pitfalls.
Though we don’t like to think about it, all of us will make an exit sometime. Are you prepared?
Why are 401(k) plans, annuities, and IRAs so popular?
Can successful investors predict changes in the markets? Some can but others miss the market’s signals.


Recharge your prepaid mobile balance online or directly from your phone with your SIB account registered for PayMate services of the bank. Click here
for more details regarding the PayMate registration process in the bank. On successful payment you will instantly receive a top-up confirmation SMS from your operator.
How to recharge via SMS
To top up your own mobile number SMS RCG < Amt > to 5667711. For e.g. RCG 50
- To top up someone else’s mobile number SMS RCG < Mobile number > < Amt > to 5667711. For e.g. RCG 9324242341 50
-You can currently avail this top-up service for Aircel, Airtel, Idea, Vodafone, Reliance, Tata Indicom, Virgin Mobile, BSNL and BPL (Loop) Mobile networks.


On the Radar
Food Inflation Drops for Second Straight Month
Produce Industry Icon Jim Prevor Passes Away
The all-items Consumer Price Index (CPI), a measure of economy-wide inflation, rose by 7.7% year-on- year in October. This is a slower pace of increase than the 8% that many economists had been
expecting, and the lowest annual inflation reading since January. Food price inflation declined for the second month in a row to 10.9% year-on-year, according to the USDA’s Econom - ic Research Service (ERS). This is down from a high of 11.4% in August.
Farm-Level Economic Uncertainty Remains
The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, which is calculated each month from 400 U.S. agricultural producers’ responses to a telephone survey, came in at a reading of 102 in November, unchanged from October. High input costs continue to weigh on producers’ minds with 42% of respon - dents in this month’s survey citing that as their top
Jim Prevor, the founder and edi - tor-in-chief of publications includ - ing Produce Business magazine, suddenly passed away in November from heart failure. He was a pro - duce industry icon and maverick thought-leader. On this earth for merely 61 years, Jim was a force of boundless energy and enthusiasm for the perishable food and fresh produce industry in which he was born and carried a rich family legacy. Jim is survived by his wife Debbie, sons William and Matthew, and loving extended family and friends.
Kroger and Albertsons Announce $24.6B Merger Plans concern in the year ahead. Slightly over one-fifth of respondents chose rising interest rates, while 14% cited input availability and declining commodity pric - es as a top concern. Nearly 80% of respondents indicated now is a “bad time” to make large investments in farm machinery.
Kroger and Albertsons Companies, two of the United States’ largest supermarket chains, on Oct. 14 an - nounced plans to merge in a deal that could change the country’s food retail landscape. Kroger said it would acquire Albertsons for $24.6 billion. The two companies have about 5,000 stores across the country under chains like Ralphs, Safeway and Vons.
The chief executives of both companies defended the merger to the U.S. Senate committee late in November. Kroger said in early December that it still expects to complete the deal in early 2024.
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Description: For beginners, sports betting may seem like a great way to make a lot of money. However, this hobby has many pitfalls, so making money from sports betting is far from easy. For beginners, we have prepared some useful tips on how to learn online betting.
Betting on Sports: Best Way to Have Fun?
Betting on sports at the largest bookmakers, among which 22Bet has long held a special place, should be seen not only as a gambling hobby but also as an investment. Many bettors successfully earn a stable profit over a long distance.
True, it is not a full-fledged investment. Because the player always risks the whole bet. Whereas when investing money in stocks or currency rates, the major part of the investment can be returned.
But, if each bet is correctly predicted, sports betting can bring dividends in the long run.
It is necessary to understand that it is unrealistic to get one hundred percent profit. But it is quite possible to earn 10-20% of the bet amount. Note that in financial and stock markets, an excellent result is considered to be an annual growth of 10-15% in the value of shares.
When considering sports betting as an investment, first of all you should determine your financial strategy. It is not related to the type of sport or the choice of the bookmaker. The main task of this strategy is to allocate your capital correctly with minimal risk.
It is recommended to follow the most conservative recommendations. In particular, the size of a bet on sports should not exceed 1-3% of the deposit, and all, risky bets with excessively high odds should be excluded.
It is also necessary to set goals for the strategy. For example, the income for six months of playing in a bookmaker’s office should be 10% of the amount of all bets made. The same applies to expenses. Losing more than 30% of the deposit in a month should be considered as a reason to reconsider methods of analysis. It can also be a sign of lack of knowledge, necessary for successful making forecasts.
Increase the amount of investment only if your deposit is constantly growing. Or in case you are striving to reach higher betting limits.
It is strictly forbidden to increase the betting amount when the deposit decreases, especially if it is done to win back the lost money. With high probability, such a step will only worsen the situation.
A careful strategy may not bring you the same excitement and pleasure as betting on sports without a system, but it will protect you from losing money.
Choosing Sports Betting for Investment
Having built a strategy, move on to the choice of the main investment instrument. We recommend stopping at the ordinary bets on the outcome. This is the most simple and clear type of betting. It is much easier and more reliable to work with than with handicaps and totals. Express bets on sports are better to discard as the least promising and, at the same time, the riskiest tool.
As for the sport, it all depends on the bettor’s preferences, knowledge, and experience. It can be any sports discipline you know well. Don’t forget to study statistics and stay up to date with the latest news.
The line of a sportsbook is of great importance. When choosing sports betting, be sure to compare the lines of several bookmakers to find the most favorable odds for investment. Your work with betting should not be limited to one office.
Together, these measures allow you to count on a positive result.


It is important to be prepared for the responsibility of managing your elderly parents' financial affairs, because mistakes can have adverse consequences for both seniors and their families.
My parents appointed my brother and I as their substitute decision-makers for property in a legal document called a Continuing Power of Attorney, when they were both mentally competent. Our mother asked us to take over the financial reins after my father passed away, just two years later. Fortunately, David and I were able to draw upon our extensive business experience to handle the task. The following are some tips we learned that helped us avoid costly mistakes.
Gather financial information before it's too late.
Once a parent has asked for your help handling their financial affairs, learn their filing system and get as much information as soon as you can, before they possibly become incapacitated by physical illness or dementia. This includes information about banking and investment accounts, sources of income, employer, union or veterans' health benefits, income tax returns for the prior two years and current year receipts, insurance policies, and the contact information for any financial advisors.
Keep good records of financial transactions to avoid family and legal problems.
Your loved one's financial accounts and transactions should be kept completely separate from yours. In your role as a substitute-decision maker, you are legally obligated by regulations in Ontario (and likely most other provinces) to keep complete and documented records of all of your transactions, whether they involve the sale of your parents' house or paying their bills.
If you don't keep good records, other family members may question how a loved one's money was spent. A lack of trust or confidence could lead to litigation or lifelong family feuds.
Invest a parent's money conservatively or you may have to support them.
Managing a senior's investments can be more difficult than for a younger investor, because the value of securities can rise or fall dramatically in a short period of time. If $100,000 in capital assets are lost early in a senior's declining years they may not have the time to recover the funds to pay for all of their eldercare expenses.
Their money must, therefore, be conservatively invested. A 4 to 6 per cent return range is a high enough goal to set, because securities that promise a higher return usually come with a higher risk. Since seniors have a greater need for income and a lower tolerance for risk than younger people, investment objectives should focus on diversifying capital assets and choosing only income-producing investments that are fairly secure.
Shirley Roberts was the primary caregiver of her mother for seven years and is the author of Doris Inc.: A Business Approach to Caring for Your Elderly Parents.


A three-part plan delivers on President Biden’s promise to cancel $10,000 of student debt for low- to middle-income borrowers
Most federal student loan borrowers will be eligible for some forgiveness: up to $10,000 if you didn’t receive a Pell Grant, which is a type of aid available to low-income undergraduate students, and up to $20,000 if you did.
The skyrocketing cumulative federal student loan debt—$1.6 trillion and rising for more than 45 million borrowers is a significant burden on America’s middle class.
President Biden’s plan to cancel student-loan debt and extend a repayment pause means that the government is transferring debt from borrowers to taxpayers.
This plan is expensive, regressive, and fundamentally unfair to all Americans, especially those who did not take out student loans or who paid them off entirely.
“The median American with student loans has a significantly higher income than the median American overall,” says Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell
President Biden is announcing a three-part plan to provide more breathing room to America’s working families as they continue to recover from the strains associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.


The Deputy Foreign Minister of State of Kuwait, Mr. Khaled Sulaiman Al-Jarallah has announced their intention to join the international community’s efforts to support Sierra Leone in the wake of the mudslide disaster of 14th August 2017, by pledging $250,000 (Two hundred and fifty thousand United States Dollars) towards the Government of Sierra Leone’s (GOSL) relief efforts.
The pledge was made following appeals launched by the Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone in the State of Kuwait headed by the Charge’ d’Affaires Mr. Duwai S. Lungay for victims of the Mudslide and Flood disaster.
The Office of the Deputy Foreign Minister of Kuwait announced the pledge on Wednesday 30th August 2017 on behalf of the Government of the State of Kuwait.
It is expected that the Foreign Ministry of Kuwait would make an immediate remittance of the Kuwaiti Government’s contribution to the Disaster Relief Fund Account.
The Charge’ d’Affaires, on behalf of His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, the Government and People of Sierra Leone, thanked the Assistant Foreign Minister in the office of the Deputy Foreign Minister who made the disclosure of the Pledge on behalf of his Government to him over the phone, and assured him that the donation would be used to meet the needs of the victims of the Disaster.


Circuit Breaker Exemption
Idaho Property Tax Reduction Program
Apply Between January 1 and April 15 For The Current Tax Year (This is not intended to provide comprehensive explanations of Idaho tax laws or rules. Specific questions should be addressed to the county assessor. Income and other requirements may change from year-to-year).
The Property Tax Reduction Program program reduces property taxes for qualified applicants. The amount of reduction is based on total household income for the previous calendar year. If you qualify, the property taxes on your home and up to one acre of land may be reduced. Sold waste, irrigation or other fees charged in some counties cannot be reduced by Property Tax Reduction benefits.
You may qualify for property tax reduction if you meet certain requirements. You must have owned and lived in a house or manufactured home in Idaho that was your primary residence. (You may qualify if you lived in a care facility or nursing home. Contact the county assessor for information.)
You must meet certain income requirements after deducting:
- Medical expenses not reimbursed by Medicare or other insurance
- Business or farm losses
- Capital gains
You must be eligible in one or more categories, including:
- Age 65 or older
- Widow(er) of any age
- Fatherless or motherless child, under 18 years of age
- Former prisoner of war/hostage
- Veteran with at least 10% service-connected disability, or receiving VA pension for a non-service-connected disability
- Disabled as recognized by the Social Security Administration, Railroad Retirement Board or Federal Civil Service.
Contact your county assessor. The Fremont County Assessor's Office is located in the basement of the County Courthouse in St. Anthony. An elevator is available from the west entrance.
Complete an online application at https://idahotap.gentax.com/tap/_/. If you need help, the assessor's staff will assist you.
You can apply for property tax reduction between January 1 and April 15 of the current tax year. To receive this benefit, you must apply and qualify each year. It is not renewed automatically.
You will be required to show proof of your income, medical expenses and any disability when you file your application.
If you are missing some of this information, complete as much of the form as possible, sign and return it to the assessor's office by the April 15 deadline. Attach a note of explanation if you have estimated any part of your income. You will be allowed a reasonable amount of time to complete the form after the filing deadline.
If your application is approved, your property tax reduction will appear on the tax notice sent in November.
All recipients of the property tax reduction benefit automatically receive the Homeowner's Exemption, which reduces the taxable value of a home (excluding land) by 50% or $50,000, whichever is less.
You must provide the assessor's office with documents to show your income and expenses. (Bring original documents or copies if you apply in person; send copies if you mail your application).
When you complete your application, you must report all household income received by:
- Yourself and your spouse
- Children or parents who live at home
- Other household members
For more information, contact:
- Local County Assessor
- Idaho State Tax Commission phone: 208-334-7736 or toll-free from Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, phone: 800-972-7660.
- Hearing Impaired Phone: TDD 800-377-3529
- Downloadable Brochure Explaining the Property Tax Reduction Program


In keeping with its commitment to support Catholic education, Ohio Catholic Federal Credit Union will be randomly selecting up to 15 students to receive a $1,000 Catholic elementary or high school scholarship for the 2022-2023 academic year.
To be eligible for a scholarship, students must:
- Have a Genesis Savings account with Ohio Catholic Federal Credit Union with a minimum balance of $10.00
- Currently attend a Catholic elementary school or high school in Ohio
- Be enrolled in a Catholic elementary school or high school for the 2022-2023 school year. The scholarship funds will be sent directly to the Catholic school in the name of the student awarded the funds.
One eligible student from each of our student banking partner schools will be selected to receive a scholarship.
St. Albert the Great School / North Royalton
St. Anselm School / Chesterland
St. Barnabas School / Northfield
St. Benedict School / Garfield Heights
St. Francis De Sales School / Akron
Immaculate Heart of Mary School / Cuyahoga Falls
Sts. Joseph & John School / Strongsville
St. Mary School / Chardon
St. Vincent De Paul School / Akron
Students who do NOT attend a student banking partner school may become eligible to be randomly selected for a scholarship by opening a Genesis Savings account at any of our four local branches.
The deadline for opening a Genesis Savings account and being eligible for this year’s Catholic education scholarship is March 31, 2022.