Mamma Fairy

Everyone wants a brand new and shiny car to travel around in, but getting to the point of being able to afford it isn’t always smooth sailing. You want to be able to get behind the wheel of a car that’s all yours (used or new), and you want to be able to afford the new car, too. You don’t always have to buy a vehicle outright, though, and that’s important to know.

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You may need a car for convenience, or you may need it for leisure trips up and down the country with your weekends. It’s easy to think about the vehicle you’ll cruise in, but it’s not easy to consider how you’re going to pay for it. So, let’s check out the ways that you can start to consider affording your new car.

Dealership Finance

Did you know that most dealerships will offer you finance, such as https://www.lrc4x4.co.uk/finance.php? Wherever you buy your car from, you shouldn’t have a problem looking at the finance options available for your particular vehicle. Financing your vehicle can come in many different ways, but it’s going to help you to work out what you can afford each month on finance and go from there.

Personal Lease

You can choose a fixed amount to pay on a personal lease. However, you don’t own the car, and you will need to either extend the lease or you give the car back at the end.

PCP = Personal Contract Plan

Usually, these cost less each month, but rather than paying the main price for your car, you agree to pay the amount of cash between the sale price of the car and the resale price. At the end of the plan, you need to hand the car back. If you want to keep it, you pay the resale price!

Personal Loans

You can take out a loan to afford your car, but many people prefer not to go for the personal loan route. You would need to have good credit, and you’d need to think about how you would plan to pay off the car if you lost your job.

Those options above will help you to get the car that you want, but you also need to think about saving money when you have the car that you choose. You can be more economical in your choices of car size, the best fuel, and how much you plan to drive. The longer you drive, the more you spend money on your car. You can also save money by choosing pre-reg vehicles. These cars are brand new and bought at a discount with the dealership. 

Lastly, you can save money on your new car by selling your old one. You can also look at exchanging your car with your dealership and paying the difference in a new one. It’s a great way to save some cash, and your vehicle will be one that you love off the lot! There are savings to be made: go and make them!

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Running your own small business can be such a rewarding experience, but tackling all of the various tasks and responsibilities can be an almost overwhelming experience that can discourage you from continuing with such hard work. Staying in control of your company is so important, and you have to make an effort to take steps towards organisation and productivity combined. Luckily, it needn’t be so difficult to manage your small business independently when you have the right tools to do so, and there are a few simple tips and tricks that you can make the most of to aid you in your quests. So, if you’re ready to find out more, then read on to uncover some of the best tips and tricks that you can make the most of today! 

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Write It All Down 

One of the most beneficial activities that you can take part in to ensure that you can keep control of and properly manage your small businesses is to write everything down. Whether this means making a detailed daily plan of the tasks you must complete, or taking a note of all of the important things you have to remember such as customer details or supplier phone numbers – you can’t expect yourself to be able to remember all of the information that you get each day, as this is extremely overwhelming. It’s a good idea to purchase a large notepad with lined pages that you can carry with you at all times, as just writing things down on bits of paper here and there means you’re likely to just lose them all over time. Writing all of your tasks down will also give you the opportunity to tick each job off as you complete it, which can be such a motivation and encouraging process as you see the page begin to fill up with ticks! 

Outsource Online Support 

Even though you may not want to seek out the help of another employee for whatever reason, outsourcing some online support could help you to stay in control of your small business. There are many mundane tasks that an owner or manager is often left to tackle, yet there are many other options that you can explore that can offer the perfect solution. Whether you seek out specialist IT support that can help to keep your online site up and running without the need for your intervention or set up some ELMO cloud payroll services that can deal with your financial commitments from a remote location, don’t feel the need to suffer through all of these tasks on your own when you can easily get quick short or long term help. 

Managing your small business independently has never been so simple when you are able to make the most of the top tips and tricks detailed above! Make sure you always have a trusty notepad handy to jot down all of the important details, and tick off your tasks as you go for extra motivation! 

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A lot of articles are wrote with the intention of people turning their small business into a big one that’s going to make millions. But we know that it’s not everyone’s dream to be able to do that. Some people are just happy knowing they’re working for themselves and bringing in money that’s enough to live a good life from. Hopefully the salary will be a lot more than your average office job, but it’ll never get to the point where you feel like you’re extra rich and living the high life. For most mompreneurs and small business owners, this is never going to be achievable. It might be because you’ve come into business later on in your life and you have too many things to dedicate your time to, or it might be because the business idea you have is never going to be scalable enough to make it big. So, if you keep on reading, we’ll show you how you can make a nice profit from your small business, and be able to sustain it. 

Location Is Everything 

The location of your business really is everything. You need to make sure that you’re in a location that’s going to get enough attention. If you were to set up a business in a small town as a coffee shop, for example, it will be much harder to sustain your business than if you were in a bustling city. We know that rent is higher and it can be a pain to travel in, but you can have almost double the custom which will make a huge difference to your overall profit. If you’re an online based business you might benefit from getting a virtual business address that puts you in a prime location. If you visit physicaladdress.com you’ll find out just how you can do that. With a virtual office address you can reach more people. For example, if you’re operating in the US it’s going to look far better if you have a central New York or LA office, compared to a small town one. It just makes your business look more trustworthy. 

The right software

When you are thinking of starting your own business, the software you choose might be in the furthest reaches of your mind. But when it begins to get practical, actually implementing your business plan, it becomes a reality. Always pick the best kind of software your operations need. For example, if you were thinking of running a hair salon, you would require great Hair salon software to book appointments, log specific services for each client, and allocate employee responsibility. It makes perfect sense to go for software that has been designed with you in mind.

Keeping Customers Flowing

Customers need to keep on flowing. If you only ever anticipate being a small business you also run the risk of profit loss during times where your customer numbers dip. You don’t have that large flow of customers previously to fall back on. Which is why we think that constant marketing is key. There are so many marketing methods to invest your money into, you just need to be able to pick one that suits you. Billboard marketing is great for a small business, as is handing out posters and business cards. Run whatever campaign you chose to do alongside social media marketing and you’ll always have that trickle of attention. You may only need one social media platform to get your message across. Instagram can be great for product selling as it is a very visual app. So, if you plan on utilizing this avenue, you might want to look into Cheap options for Instagram followers, to help you grow organically within your space so you have potential customers taking notice.

Managing Small Business Finances 

Small business finances can be so hard to manage, even though there’s not always going to be the large cash flow a bigger business will have. It’s harder because if you get the balance wrong you could be spending more than you’re making. Using a service like those found at www.yourvirtualofficelondon.co.uk can help cut down on your budget and free up more time for you to focus on your work. Since they provide a virtual office address, post options, and call handling in one place, this is often cheaper than finding multiple companies to sort these things for you. In addition, working with an accountant to work out your budget and how much you have to spend will solve a lot of issues for you.

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Everywhere you look on the news, on social media, the TV, message boards, emails, whatsapp messages, there is coverage of Cronoavirus.  However with huge volumes of information comes the issue of how much it true, which sources can you rely on, where do you go to get solid advice. Its a minefield.   This article is no substitute for medical advice, it is imperative to consult your GP if in doubt or if you have any queries.  Tropical Medical Bureau have kindly given me permission to reproduce their very helpful Mythbuster.

Coronavirus Covid-19 Mythbuster

We have been bombarded with information over the past weeks about the new coronavirus Covid-19, which was first recognised in December 2019 in China and now has been reported in over 60 countries throughout the world – and likely to infect many more in the days ahead.

Many of the more sensible commentators have outlined that the risk of contracting Covid-19 is small and, in most cases, the disease it is not life-threatening. However, social media is overflowing with advice regarding Covid-19, and the facts which we should be trusting are often diluted by the mass of misinformation and doing the rounds.

Should you lock yourself away from humanity until the virus is controlled or can you, with sensible precautions, get on with your life? Are these the ‘final days’ and is humanity doomed? The travel industry has taken a massive knock and one main concern affecting this is, to misquote Shakespeare, “To Travel or Not to Travel? That is the question.”

So, let’s try to dispel some of the more common myths which are circulating and see can we get a bit of perspective to the situation…

Pic Credit: Pixabay

1. Myth

Getting Covid-19 is a death sentence.

Current information shows that only very few of those who contract this disease will die. This is mainly in the more vulnerable people – those who have an underlying health condition or are in older age. For the majority of those infected, the virus will result in typical flu symptoms and should be fine with treatment.

2. Myth

Covid-19 is more contagious than the flu or Measles.

The latest information shows that it is more contagious than flu, but a lot less than Measles. Remember, annually the flu infects about 1 billion people with over ½ million deaths worldwide.

3. Myth

Going to work or walking down the street or into shops and supermarkets is just too high a risk so I have to stay at home.

The virus is usually spread through coughs and sneezes – like many other respiratory diseases – but, in most cases, this is only from very close contact with the infected individual.

4. Myth

If one person on a plane or in a train has the disease everybody will be infected.

The risk is extremely high for those within 1m of an infected person who is coughing or sneezing openly. However, if an individual uses tissues or coughs/sneezes into the elbow region, the risk will be considerably lowered.

5. Myth

Hand gels are the best means of protecting myself.

While good quality hand-gels are helpful, careful washing of your hands, avoiding touching your face and staying away from those with obvious symptoms (flu like illness, coughing, runny eyes, fever etc) is the best way to avoid contracting the illness.

Please Note: hand gels are not effective if your hands are visibly soiled or very dirty.

6. Myth

Face masks will protect me from contracting Covid-19.

Unless you are using a very specialised face mask, the air surrounding you will leak in around the edges of the mask and it is just as though you were not using the mask at all. Masks are helpful to catch some of the virus particles from those who already have the disease and are coughing but they need to be changed regularly and very carefully, otherwise they are a risk factor. If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected Covid-19 infection.

Pic Credit: Pixabay

7. Myth

If I buy food in the supermarket and then boil or cook it for our meals that should kill any virus that might be lurking.

This is true but, the problem may be from you handling the food before it is heated. Take care and wash your own hands regularly after touching anything which could have been contaminated. This hand washing advice is hugely recommended after using public transport or after being on an escalator.

8. Myth

There is a homeopathy vaccine available.

Currently, there is absolutely no vaccine available against coronavirus Covid-19 at this time and there is not likely to be one available for some time.

9. Myth

All vaccines are useless against Covid-19.

Technically at this time that is perfectly correct. However, we do know that most of the serious cases with this respiratory viral disease are among those with an underlying health issue. For example, in many of the more serious cases of flu it may not be the virus itself which kills the individual but, rather an associated or secondary bacterial infection. The illness associated with Covid-19 may leave that individual more at risk of other infectious diseases. On that basis it is wise for those at a particular risk to ensure they are up to date with the yearly flu vaccine but also to consider having vaccination cover against Pneumococcal disease which is a serious bacterial infection affecting the respiratory system.

10. Myth

International travel is a huge risk and should always be avoided.

At this time, the risk of contracting the disease from undertaking flights or visiting most countries of the world is known to be minimal. It is wise to avoid regions where there is a very significant amount of cases being reported but, for most destinations, the risk remains very small.

11. Myth

Covid-19 is the most deadly disease to hit mankind.

While Covid-19 is spreading quickly in some regions of the world and has a mortality rate of 2-3%, it is still not by any means as deadly as other diseases. For example, SARS killed 10% of those who became infected and MERS is responsible for between 30% to 40% of deaths among those who get the disease.

Pic Credit: Pixabay

12. Myth

The new coronavirus can be transmitted through goods manufactured in China or any country reporting Covid-19 cases.

Even though Covid-19 can last on surfaces from a few hours up to several days (depending on the type of surface), it is highly unlikely that the virus will persist on a surface after being moved, travelled, and exposed to different conditions and temperatures. If you think a surface may be contaminated use a disinfectant to clean it. After touching it, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.

13. Myth

Coronavirus Covid-19 can be transmitted through mosquito bites.

Coronavirus Covid-19 cannot be transmitted through mosquito bites. To date there has been no information nor evidence to suggest that it could be transmitted by mosquitoes. Covid-19 is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose.

14. Myth

Eating garlic can help prevent infection of the new coronavirus.

Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. However, there is no evidence from the current outbreak to suggest that eating garlic has protected people from coronavirus Covid-19.

15. Myth

Cocaine can protect against a coronavirus.

Cocaine cannot protect against any coronavirus or other infective diseases. It is an addictive, dangerous drug that should not be used under any circumstances.

Note: Thanks to www.tmb.ie for the above. Always consult medical professionals if in doubt and follow the guide issue by the HSE.

Moving can be a stressful period, and there are parts of it that are going to be more stressful than others. One of the things you might need to think about when it comes to moving is shipping your car. There are a few things to consider before going ahead with any company, so here are some tips for shipping your car when moving house.

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Find The Right Company

Firstly, anyone who handles an expensive commodity like a car should be someone you completely trust to get your car from A to B safely. If you have any doubts, then you have certainly not found the right company that will help you move your car. There are lots of companies out there, and it’s all about finding the one which has the best reputation and has a service that provides everything you need and at the right price. Companies like https://www.jayde.com.au/ offer services to transport cars and using a logistics company that is used to dealing with the navigation and movement of large items is going to be a good one to go for. Do your research, know what your budget is and how much you’d like to spend in getting it shipped and make sure they’re a legitimate company that has one of the best reputations in their industry.

Clean The Outside And Inside Of The Car

Before you go shipping your car, the next thing you want to focus on is cleaning your car. Your car might actually be due a clean, so it’s a nice way of starting off the time in your new property, with some freshly cleaned wheels. It also helps to clean in your car just so there’s nothing in there that could cause any breakages to windows or any bottles that might have liquid in them and spill out. Your car can often be a treasure trove, so don’t trust yourself completely if you feel like your car is clean. Check every single possible place before you go sending it off with the shipping company.

Disable The Car’s Alarms

The car’s alarms can make for a very painful noise to the shipping company when they’re trying to move the car from pillar to post. For the sake of the move, turn off or disable your car’s alarms for the duration of the move. You don’t want to put that distress or annoyance on the people who are moving your car and those around them. It’s fairly easy to disable your car alarms, but it might vary depending on the make and model of your car. A search in your car manual may provide the solution.

Take Photos For Evidence

Taking photos as evidence for damage is essential. As much as they can be a reputable and trustworthy business, it’s always good to cover your own back in the likelihood that the company would ever get it wrong or have someone unfortunate on duty who did damage to your car.

While the above is particular to cars there are many things you can arrange to have couriered in advance making the move a lot less stressful, for example I have seen companies where for example you can  send from Singapore to UK its such a handy service and well worth considering if making a long distance move.

Use these tips to help make this process as painless as possible.

Note: This is a collaborative post