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How to Save Money with Interstate Removals

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We all know only too well the costs of relocating the home, especially when the new home is on the other side of Australia, what with legal fees, stamp duty and the relocation cost, and we should be looking for ways to reduce the moving costs, if there are any. One thing is for sure, unless you live in a single room, you’re going to need professional help, and when looking at interstate removalists, here are a few tips.

  • Self-Packing – This is the best way to keep costs down, and if you search online for a company like You Pack Removals interstate removalists, not only will they supply you with all the packing materials, they will also deliver an empty container at your convenience, so you can begin to pack away items that are rarely used. This really does take the stress out of the move, as you can pre-pack as much as you wish. The money you save by self-packing is considerable, plus you can be sure that your valuable possessions are well protected, as you packed them yourself, and when the big day arrives, it is simply a question of loading, which the removal team handles.
  • Comparing Quotes – This has never been so easy, with the Internet you can quickly make contact with several interstate removalists and ask each to quote for the move, and some actually offer an instant quote service, which is very handy. Prices will differ and providing they all check out in terms of reliability and good service, take the best deal.
  • Make Good Use of Technology – Is it really necessary for drive five hours to meet with the agent at the new property? If yes, then go ahead, but video calling can be just as effective and that will save you both time and money. If you have expecting work to be done on the new home and you have friends nearby, you could ask them to video call you so you can see how things turned out.
  • Checking Insurance – While you do want a good deal, it shouldn’t be at the expense of having no insurance – accidents do happen – so avoid dealing with any removal company that are not fully insured. Saving money is important, but not to the degree when you risk all of your personal possessions, and with full cover, you have peace of mind.
  • Travelling to the New Home – Once the deal is done and you have the keys, if you have to meet the agent at the new home, take some items with you, things you won’t need and this will lighten the load, and the less to move, the cheaper the price. You might have to make several trips and by filling the vehicle each time, you can make quite an impact.

Self-packing is definitely the way to go is you wish to save money on an interstate relocation, and with a container in your driveway, you can pack at your leisure.

How Property Investment Can Have a Positive Impact on Your Finances

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Property investment is one of the most established and lucrative ways to make returns from any initial start-up capital. People sometimes avoid investment altogether because of the misunderstandings surrounding the risks you take involving yourself in the property market and investment as a whole.

Perhaps you’ve never considered an investment because of these myths, and you need to be taught a little more about the market and how investing in property works?

Regardless of your financial situation right now, investing can truly have a huge positive impact on your money and how much is in the bank. For this reason, we have produced this quick guide on how property investment can have a positive impact on your finances.

If this guide doesn’t convince you that investment is your next venture, then we haven’t done a good job. We’ve also included some top tips for those getting started in property investment. 

How Are Your Finances Impacted?

Property investment may initially see a large percentage (if not all) of your savings taken away from your bank account. However, this is a good thing! Having your money in an asset (such as a house or apartment) means that rather than gaining a small amount of interest over the course of a decade, your property could skyrocket in value (providing it is in a high yielding area). You could stand to make much more than savings interest.

Plus, if you decide on a buy to let investment, you will have the continued rental payments that will be given by the tenants in your property too. Therefore, you’re making money every month, and your property is gaining value also.

However, the issue with this is that you need to ensure you’ve got a property within a popular and thriving area. That way, your property encounters high capital growth. RWinvest, award-winning property experts, suggest investing in a Northern city rather than somewhere in the capital of the UK, London. Cities like Liverpool, Sheffield, and Newcastle are all featured in their best places to invest guide. 

Tips for Successful Investing

If you want to be a successful property investor, you must listen to professionals and do what’s best for your strategy. Going into an investment, you may not have a lot of knowledge, but this will definitely change as you build up your property portfolio. 

Ask for advice

this is especially true for investors who have never invested before and are unsure of the market. Uncertain times can make investing unclear, so asking for professional advice can give you confidence with your investment.

Trust the experts

If you do ask for advice or seek help for professionals or experts, trust what they say! There is a reason they have so much experience and expertise in a certain area, and it’s about knowing that they’re trustworthy and wouldn’t give you fake advice either. 

Choose a hands-off investment strategy – those of you who have a fulltime job or need to spend time with your family will agree, hands-off investing is a lot easier than being hands-on. Hands-on investment requires you to deal with tenant issues as well as demands and other aspects of managing a buy to let. Instead, perhaps think about letting a property management company take care of this for you!

A Guide to Visiting the Tropical Island of Phuket

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Phuket is one of the premier holiday destinations in Thailand, and for very good reason, as this jewel in the Andaman Sea is more than a little idyllic. Many expats spend half the year in Phuket to escape the cold European winter and if you are planning a holiday in the South of Thailand, Phuket is about as good as it gets.

Best Times to Visit

The optimum period to visit the island of Phuket is between November to April, with November, December and January being the high season months, when you will find holiday accommodation slightly more expensive. May through October is the rainy season, which is not as bad as you might think, when it rains, it pours, but strong sunshine always follows, leaving everything green and lush.

Hotel Accommodation

An online search will bring up a very long list of resorts and hotels, and with a booking at an affordable 4-star hotel in Phuket, you have the perfect base for exploring the island. The beaches are really something, and if you want a hotel that has its own beach, you will not be disappointed, as many have their own private stretch of coastline, as well as a pool.

Water Sports

Whatever you are into, can be found in Phuket – kiteboarding, jet ski hire, parasailing and even marlin fishing can be booked, and with snorkelling and scuba diving, you are not limited for water-based activities. You can even take a PADI course in scuba from one of the many dive schools to be found in Patong.

Marine Life

If you are a nature lover, Phuket offers you the chance to swim with Whale Sharks and dolphins, and every skipper knows the best snorkelling spots, just make sure you follow the strict rules to protect the coral reefs. Hiring a boat for the day is easy, you can even ask your hotel to make a booking and someone will come to the hotel and take you to the waiting boat.

Amazing Seafood Cuisine

Phuket offers a unique opportunity to sample delicious seafood dishes, all with fresh seafood that is caught the very same day, and the menu is very extensive. A warning to those who do not like very spicy food, make sure that you tell the waitress, otherwise you might be in for a shock! Curries made with coconut milk are mouth-watering and must be eaten to be fully appreciated, and with a long list of Thai desserts, you are in for a treat when you dine in any of the beachfront restaurants.

Nightlife

If you love to let your hair down and dance the night away, there are a few very popular discos along the stretch of beach called Patong, and ask any local and they can tell you where that is. If you wake up late in the morning, you can enjoy a traditional Thai massage before brunch and get ready for another evening of fun.

Phuket is an amazing place to spend your downtime, and with so much to see and do, you will never forget your time in this tropical paradise and you might feel inclined to consider buying a holiday home in Phuket.

Relocating to Thailand? A Guide for Working Expats

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If you are about to embark on an expat posting and are lucky enough to be living and working in Thailand, this article was written with you in mind. Bangkok is home to many multi-national corporations and while your employer will take care of your visa status, there are many things that you will need to prepare.

  • Cultural Overview – Thai culture is unique in many ways and if you are living in Thailand and working with the local people, there are a few cultural aspects to understand. Thai people, for example, prefer an indirect method when it comes to airing their views and you are advised to read up on the cultural aspects of this unique Asian nation. There is a thing called ‘face’ in Thailand, whereby people avoid putting others in embarrassing situations and calling out a Thai employee in the presence of others will not result in a positive. It pays to do a little research into Thai culture if you are to be managing Thai workers, as this will enlighten you and avoid any serious misunderstandings.
  • Health Insurance – As in every part of the world, medical treatment can be very expensive in Thailand, and if you search online, you will find many packages on insurance for Thailand that range from basic to comprehensive cover. The online insurer has packages to suit every lifestyle and budget, plus your new employer might be able to help regarding the premiums.
  • Accommodation – If you are working in Bangkok, it is imperative that you live nearby the office, as the infamous Bangkok traffic jams are as real as night and day. There are nice condo units with a breath-taking view of the city that are luxurious by western standards and what’s more, they are very affordable.
  • Learning the Language – If you have been posted on a two-year tenure, it is well worth learning how to speak Thai, as English is not widely spoken among the local population. Enrolling in a private one on one Thai language course is a great idea, and your team will really appreciate that you take the time and effort to learn their language, and this will enhance your business relationship with those you work with.
  • Think Local Money – When you first arrive in Thailand, you will think that everything is so cheap, and in comparison to western prices, this is true, but you should quickly start thinking in Thai currency (baht) as soon as possible, which will help you make the transition to a much lower cost of living.

Thailand is a wonderful country, unique in many respects and in order to make the most of your stay, make sure you consider all of the above and your Thai experience is one that will remain etched in your memory forever. Many expats wish to extend their stay and some actually decide to permanently relocate to the mystical Land of Smiles that we know as Thailand.

4 Ways To Get More Fulfillment Out Of Your Life

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We live in a culture with advanced technology and external pleasures that are supposed to make our lives easier than ever. However, research is pointing to the fact that it may not be making us happier at all. True happiness is found in places other than Instagram likes or the latest pair of rare Nikes. True fulfillment lies not in how much you have in your wallet, but how much you have in your heart. 

Material wealth may feel like it’s bringing you happiness in the moment. However, the satisfaction material wealth brings is often fleeting. It disappears just as fast as it appeared. Before you know it, you’re constantly chasing happiness that won’t seem to stay put, like sand through your fingers.

If you’re ready to experience true fulfillment, then take a look at some of the best ways to find it. 

Serve Others

Real fulfillment and life meaning doesn’t stem from how much others do for you, but rather how you contribute to others. Taking care of others is something that will make you feel good in ways that no material item could even come close to.

Serving your community opens your heart and creates connections that bring incredible meaning to your life” says Jean founder of AlignMat 

Be Grateful

Most of us are much more entitled than we might like to think. When things go wrong, it’s easy to find ourselves dwelling on everything that we don’t have rather than what we do have. The result is feeling frustrated, depressed, and hopeless.

However, studies show that the most resilient people are the ones that shift their focus on what’s going right in their lives when everything seems to be going wrong. The truth is, there is always something to be grateful for if you look in the right places.

Tap Into a Higher Consciousness

Sometimes our problems seem immense, making us feel smaller than the world around us. The result is feeling insignificant and disconnected from the world around us. 

Connecting to a source that’s greater than ourselves can put your problems in perspective. The way people do this can vary.  For some people, tapping into a higher consciousness means joining a religion, while for others, it’s painting, or connecting with nature.

The more that you connect with the world around you and appreciate the wonder and beauty that it has to offer, the more fulfillment you’ll experience.

Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff

When we allow ourselves to get flustered over trivial day to day problems like someone not letting us pass in their lane, or the store being out of our favorite coffee, we’re reinforcing our dissatisfaction. Catch yourself getting upset about things that don’t matter in the bigger picture. 

Think of it like training a muscle. The more that you work at it, the stronger you’ll get!

Managing Politically Induced Stress with Talkspace

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Holidays bring a wealth of emotions for many people. Although it’s a great time to connect with family and friends, stress and other problems quickly strain what should be a special celebration. Talkspace, an online therapy service, asked readers what about the holidays causes them the most stress. Triggering holiday topics for families include the items on the list below.

Politics

It seems that we cannot get away from politics since the 2016 election. It’s a topic that’s caused friction between family and friends since this time. Everywhere we go, politics is always a topic of hot discussion. Nearly 7 out of 10 Americans report political stress at their holiday gatherings. In Talkspace reviews, people suggested a few ways to avoid political conflict this season. First, make it clear that politics is off-topic. If politics comes up, shift the conversation. And when all else fails, excuse yourself from the conversation and/or room.

Family Judgement

If the family shares different ideas and beliefs than our own, friction is bound to come. Choices in partners, sexual orientation, personal questions, and career choices are hot topics for family feuds. It causes unease when you feel that family is judging you. Even well-meaning questions can be triggering. Remember that yo live our life and know what’s best for you. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, just as you are entitled to ignore it.

Family Problems

Past family problems may well be a cause of emotion for yo even today. Common family problems that oftentimes cause stress during the holidays include divorced parents, absent parents, and other types of feuds. Self-care is extremely important, especially when surrounded by people who may trigger you. Limit time around these people, set boundaries, and make sure that you are rational with your expectations.

Loneliness

Some people feel the stress of the holidays because they’re lonely. Unlike the rest of the world, these people don’t have family, whether their loved ones have passed on or the relationships are broken.

Loneliness is a strong emotion any time but when the holidays roll around and the togetherness is rampant, it is even worse. Loneliness may also come into play in close families if they don’t see each other often throughout the year.

Hometown Return

Talkspace reviews also state that going home is a strong cause of holiday stress. Going back home brings back memories and nostalgia. It can bring back painful memories as well, especially if loved ones are no longer here to celebrate with.

Many people feel this very emotional when they return home for the holidays. Spend as much time as possible with the closest friends and family members and prepare for the potential sadness or emotions that you may experience.

 Stress happens during the holidays. Know your top stressors and how to avoid or minimize them to ensure smooth, happy holidays with the people you love the most. Self-care is extremely important during the holidays. Take care of yourself first and foremost. Join Talkspace and get a helping hand. Talk to friends. You can minimize holiday stress when you practice self-care.

10 Motivational Quotes for Those Facing Hard Times

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Sometimes we are faced with difficult times and challenges. When this happens sometimes it can help to read motivational quotes. While no quote will do the work for you, it can give you the confidence and motivation needed to attack the challenges you are faced with head on.

Here are ten motivational quotes to help inspire you.

1. “Give yourself an even greater challenge than the one you are trying to master and you will develop the powers necessary to overcome the original difficulty.”

— William J. Bennett – The Book of Virtues

2. “Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”

— Aristotle

3. “Sometimes when the obstacle in front of you seems so big to conquer, it will cause you to dig deep and work harder. This will help you eventually reach all of your dreams.”

motivation

— Craig Clemens, a plumbing services contractor.

4. “Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘Press On’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”

— Calvin Coolidge

5. “The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born — that there is a genetic factor to leadership. This myth asserts that people simply either have certain charismatic qualities or not. That’s nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born.”

— Warren G. Bennis

6. “Whenever you feel like life cannot get any more difficult, take a break and press pause. If you continue to stress over it, that will not solve the problem. Learn to talk to friends and family also, as their influencer can help you clear your mind.”

stay motivated

— Joe Langlois, a PlayUp review blogger.

7. “Leadership is not magnetic personality — that can just as well be a glib tongue. It is not ‘making friends and influencing people’ — that is flattery. Leadership is lifting a person’s vision to high sights, the raising of a person’s performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations.”

— Peter F. Drucker

8. “Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around his or her neck that says, ‘Make me feel important.’ Not only will you succeed in sales, you will succeed in life.”

— Mary Kay Ash

9. “Whatever you are faced with, just remember that you have loved ones that care very deeply about you.”

— Chris Tomlin, an entrepreneur focused on these products.

10. “Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living the result of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinion drowned your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

— Steve Jobs

Don’t Make Decisions Based on Fear

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A quick scan through Facebook proves that people love motivational quotes. Quotes can be found in awful Photoshop jobs, written in calligraphy, printed on T-shirts, mugs, and posters or even as tattoos.
Motivational quotes can become a powerful source of inspiration, even helping us survive tough times and personal challenges. A daily dose of inspiration helps us to get things done.

That’s why we have prepared 40 quotes from young entrepreneurs and influencers. Check the infographic below and get your dose of inspiration!

Comforting Quotes on Sadness

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Helen Keller Quote "...full of the overcoming of it."

Everyone experiences sadness at some time in their lives. Usually it is due to the loss of something or someone. But there are good things about being sad so here are some quotes to remind you.

Some days are just bad days, that’s all. You have to experience sadness to know happiness, and I remind myself that not every day is going to be a good day, that’s just the way it is!
– Dita Von Teese

Unyielding Quotes on Determination

If you give up you will never know what could have happened. Prepare yourself for times of difficulty by remembering some of these great quotes to keep you on track.

Fall seven times, stand up eight.
– Japanese Proverb