Finance | Lauren Kinghorn

How to Invest in the Stock Market

Posted on January 7, 2022 by Lauren Kinghorn

How to Invest in the Stock Market

Many people are interested in investing in the stock market but don’t know where to start. Investing your money can be a gratifying experience, but it is essential to understand the risks associated with every investment.

Here are five steps for investing wisely and managing risk effectively.

5 Tips for Successfully Managing Risk

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1. Check Your Emotions at the Door

Emotions are a natural reaction to the stock market, but they can also lead to wrong investment decisions.

Before you invest in the stock market, take some time to calm down and think about your goals. Make sure that your emotions aren’t dictating your actions.

Your emotions will affect your investment decisions in the long run.

For example, if you are angry, it’s not a good idea to invest when your head isn’t in the game. When people are emotional, they often make unwise choices that will hurt their portfolio returns over time.

2. Picking Individual Stocks Is a Bad Idea

It’s important to remember that you are not picking stocks when you invest in the stock market – you are buying shares of companies.

This means that you should do your research before investing and choose companies with a good track record and will be around for the long run.

Don’t just buy a stock because someone told you it was a good investment – make sure you know what you are getting into. For example, SMSF Investing in cryptocurrency is a good option.

3. Plan Ahead for Panicky Times

A stock market is volatile, and it’s essential to be prepared for when things go wrong.

Have a plan in place, so you know what to do when the stock market takes a turn for the worse.

This could mean having a set amount of money you are willing to lose or knowing which stocks you want to sell if the market starts to tank.

By planning, you can avoid making rash decisions in panicked situations. You can follow the tips below to help you plan:

Think about what you want to accomplish with your stock market investments
Set an amount that you are willing to lose before investing in the stock market
Have a plan ready for when the needs take a turn for the worse

4. Avoid Trading Overactivity

You should avoid trading activity altogether when the market is volatile.

For example, as soon as there is a significant drop or increase in share prices, take some time out before deciding whether to buy or sell them off.

You should step back and think about things rationally rather than be forced to make snap decisions under pressure because this could lead you down an unprofitable path that can further compound existing losses even more severely.

5. Be prepared to take risk

The stock market can be a great place to invest your money and see healthy returns, but it’s important to remember that risk is always involved.

By following these five tips, you can successfully manage that risk and maximize your chances for stock market success.

If you’re still unsure about getting started in the stock market, consider working with a financial advisor who can help you create a personalized investment plan. With some careful planning and smart investing, you could be on your way to making some serious profits in no time.

3 Guidelines That Will Help You Afford Your Dream House

Posted on December 14, 2021 by Elize Swanepoel

There is no denying that many people want to buy a house that they fall in love with. They want to own their dream house, yet the sad reality is that many first-time or even existing homebuyers feel that buying their dream house will never happen.

But, what if there was a way to turn that thought into reality and be the proud owner of a fantastic abode that you’ll always love coming back to after a long day at work? It’s not an impossible challenge, and it’s easier than you might think to achieve that goal.

Here are some ideas to help you make the thought of owning your dream house into reality:

Pay Off Your Debt

As you know, you need to have a cash deposit available before you take out a mortgage. One of the best ways to help you afford your dream house is by paying off your debt.

Doing so means you won’t have to pay for that alongside your mortgage payments and other home-associated costs each month. As you can appreciate, having no significant debts to pay means you can save up for your dream house quicker and come up with a big deposit.

It’s worth reviewing your regular bills each month and determining which debt you can pay off and which unnecessary expenses can get canceled. Freeing up as much of your money as possible is the objective you need to keep in mind.

Put Down A Large Deposit

Next, you need to save up as much as possible for a large deposit on your dream home. The reason for doing that is simple: the amount you need to mortgage will be smaller, and thus your monthly mortgage repayments will also be small.

You might be wondering how to achieve that if you don’t earn a lot of money. The answer is simple: find ways to make more money! Of course, the answer, in practice, isn’t so easy, but it’s worth considering the following suggestions:

Look for a better-paying version of what you do now;
Get a second job;
Do some moonlighting from home, such as offering an Internet-based service like web design or copywriting.

You’ll soon see the amount rise substantially when you start saving up money. Consider putting away as much spare cash as possible to create a large deposit. The financial pain (i.e., not having much disposable income afterward) will undeniably be worth the gain.

Choose The Right Mortgage For You

Last but not least, there are mortgages out there to suit all kinds of requirements. For instance, you could consider a specialist mortgage, such as an FHA one. Be sure to check out FHA FAQs to learn more about what’s available for your needs.

Also, ensure that you get plenty of advice about the different mortgage offers out there. The reason for doing that is so you do not end up selecting a mortgage with a high interest rate or unfavorable terms that could see you heavily penalized from a financial viewpoint.

Conclusion

We hope that you have found this article insightful and that you will consider these three guidelines to help you afford your dream house.

Strategic Upgrades to Enhance Commercial Property Value

Posted on July 22, 2021 by Lauren Kinghorn

As a property owner, you are probably always looking for ways to get the most value out of your building.

While commercial property management often involves some challenges, there are certain strategic upgrades that can enhance commercial property value.

Paying attention to this could have a substantial impact, plus it can provide you with a rewarding and lucrative investment plan.

6 Strategic Upgrades to Enhance Commercial Property Value

1. First Impressions Last

There is plenty you can do to make a large impact at the front of the building, especially if you are planning on selling the property. Make sure the garden beds are clean and neat, the lawns are mown, the windows are clean, and the overall exterior of the property is spotless.

Check that the paint is not peeling, the driveways and paths are pressure cleaned and swept before each inspection. If the building’s façade is looking a little outdated and tired and if your budget permits, think about having the outside repainted.

2. Present a Blank Canvas

It is imperative to present a blank canvas to new possible buyers if you are contemplating placing your commercial building on the market. Just like the essential aspects of home staging, the first thing to do is getting rid of pre-existing business items like equipment, photographs, and furniture. A clean slate will permit prospective buyers to envision themselves occupying the space.

The second thing to do is making the blank canvas as appealing as possible for the new buyers. You can do this by having every inch of the building deep cleaned. This includes things like flooring, carpets, windows, walls, etc.

This blank canvas approach will provide the illusion of more rentable square footage to the purchaser for possible rental purposes, or for the needs of their present business.

3. Update Old Flooring

You can also consider updating old flooring to make the space more attractive. Consider which resilient flooring options will work best for your space and increase the property value.

What is Resilient Flooring? The best options usually include vinyl, cork, LVT, linoleum or rubber. It’s flooring that offers more give or bounce-back than carpet, wood or stone tiles.

4. Give The Space a Renewed, Neutral Palette

Any feature walls or bright paint colours can polarise your prospective buyers whereas white walls permit them to imagine living in the space or renting it to prospective renters. A Neutral palette helps generate a sense of space. The same applies to carpets. If the carpets are a little outdated and on the old side, consider replacing them with neutral carpeting or flooring. Think of the rental property as a display home while it is on the market. You want it to appeal to as many different people and avoid alienating anyone.

5. Upgrade Structural Integrity

This suggestion is particularly useful for sellers that own the entire commercial building. Inspect the building and property for any signs of wear and tear or degradation.

Have an architect or building contractor come do an assessment on the building to investigate possible structural repairs that need tending. Make sure the structural frame of the building is secure, the waterproof membrane or roof does not leak, and the building’s foundation does not have any cracks.

6. Update Lighting

Installing better lighting in many areas is an affordable, yet impactful way to enhance the appearance of the space. Apart from adding new light fixtures, you can also think about adding energy-efficient light globes.

LED lights, for instance, use 25 to 30 percent less energy as opposed to incandescent lighting, plus they last 25 times longer. This is a considerable saving that boosts your cash flow and the overall long-term value of the property.

Also, keep in mind that natural light is an immense advantage for any space, therefore ensure blinds, windows, and curtains are clean and open during inspections, and the outside bushes and trees are trimmed.

Conclusion

We hope you have found this post of 6 strategic upgrades to enhance commercial property value useful and that you will implement some of them if you are looking to sell your commercial building or simply upgrading it to boost the long-term value.

Enjoyed this post? You may also enjoy Why Invest in Commercial Real Estate?

7 Good Reasons to Invest in Commercial Property

Why Invest in Commercial Real Estate

Posted on July 17, 2021 by Lauren Kinghorn

Why Invest in Commercial Real Estate

There are plenty of ways to invest in property. You can rent out properties, consider dabbling in real estate investment trusts, flip houses, or be part of crowdfunded deals.

Whether you have a long history of investing in residential or commercial property or you have never invested before, here are seven reasons why you should think about investing in commercial real estate.

7 Good Reasons to Invest in Commercial Real Estate

1. Profitable Income Potential

The most significant reason why people invest in real estate is due to the income potential. You can rent out an entire house or apartment or simply add on an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) or granny flat to your existing home and rent that out.

Larger commercial buildings like office buildings or apartment buildings can yield even higher returns on investment.

By renting out rental properties, you can make thousands of dollars each month if you have selected the right properties. Increased profit margins can even help you to build your portfolio faster when you choose to invest them in new properties as income rolls in.

2. Tax Benefits

You can benefit from tax deductions on things like cash flow from investment properties, operating costs and expenses, mortgage interest, depreciation (despite a property gaining value), insurance, and other benefits.

3. Appreciation

Individuals who invest in real estate make tons of cash through rental income, appreciation, and profits created from property-dependent business activities.

The value of real estate tends to increase over time, and with a solid investment, you can easily turn a profit once it is time to sell. Rents also increase over time, which means an even higher cash flow.

4. Building Wealth and Equity

When a property mortgage is paid down, equity is built which is an asset that is part of your net worth. As you build equity, you obtain leverage to purchase more properties and subsequently boost your cash flow as well as wealth even more.

5. Leverage

Leverage means using various economic instruments or borrowed capital (for example, debt) to boost the potential return of an investment. A twenty percent down payment on a mortgage, for instance, can get you one hundred percent of the home you wish to purchase – which is referred to as leverage. Since real estate is considered a tangible asset as well as something that can be used as collateral, financing is not a problem to come by.

6. The Value of Real Estate Keeps Increasing Over Time

It has been proven over and over from history that the longer you hold onto the property, the more profit you will make. The housing industry has always recovered from past hiccups that resulted in home appreciation falling. And for those who managed to hold on to their properties during perilous times, prices have returned to their former state, and appreciation is back where it was.

7. Inflation Hedging

The inflation hedging aptitude of property comes from the encouraging relationship between GDP expansion and the ongoing demand for real estate. As economies grow, the demand for property drives rental prices higher.

This translates into more significant capital values. This means property tends to maintain the purchasing power of capital by passing some of the inflationary weight on to tenants and by implementing some of the inflationary weight in the shape of capital appreciation.

Conclusion

We hope that these 7 good reasons why to invest in commercial real estate have convinced you that property is an excellent investment. You can enjoy excellent tax benefits, an amazing rate of returns, and leverage real estate to expand your wealth.

Sales Tax Nexus Guide for Businesses

Posted on June 19, 2021 by Lauren Kinghorn

Sales Tax Nexus Guide

The concept of sales tax nexus has become somewhat complicated, particularly for online sales businesses that sell products in various countries and states.

A nexus refers to the connection between multiple entities and when it comes to tax, it refers to the relationship between a business and the taxing authority.

Simply put, before sales tax can be imposed a nexus must exist.

In this sales tax nexus guide, we will tell you everything about how tax nexus works and the different types.

More About What Tax Nexus Entails

When a business has a tax presence in a specific state it is called “nexus”. It is basically the affiliation between the business and the taxing authority that collects sales tax.

There are two clauses of the united states that constitute the derivation of a tax nexus:

Due process clause – that requires a relationship
Commerce clause – that requires a significant presence

The presence can be outlined differently for various types of taxes. This means that a business is physically present in a state, for instance, employing workers or owning and maintaining property within the jurisdiction. Having a nexus could also define the degree and amount of business dealings that must be present before the business’s income is taxable within that jurisdiction.

The taxpaying business must collect sales taxes and pay it to the tax authority if it has nexus there and the company must also pay income taxes on the sales generated in the jurisdiction.

How Does Tax Nexus Work?

Even though the definition of nexus can be different for various jurisdictions, it typically requires that the business entity must be committed to a particular type of action within the jurisdiction. You might have nexus in a particular region if you:

Maintain an office in the area
Employ staff
Store inventory or products in a warehouse

In such a case, you will need to establish a sales tax rate for the location and collect it from customers in the area that buys from you. You will most likely pay income tax for the state as well.

Different Types of Tax Nexuses

Income Tax Nexus

Nexus is generally generated for income tax reasons if the business:

Has fixed income from sources in the state
Leases or owns property in the state
Employs staff members in the state that conduct activities that merely exceed a solicitation
Has property or capital assets located in the state

Sales Tax Nexus

Sales tax nexus is defined more loosely. A company may have sales tax nexus in the state if:

It conducts business at a physical location within the state
It employs resident staff members that work in the state
It has a staff member who frequently conducts business there, like a sales representative
It owns property in the state (including intangible property)

Types of Online Sales Nexuses

States have created various methods to assess a nexus for online sales.

Click-through nexus – a direct link between the seller and the buyer. This can happen when the company in the state is paid a commission for referring transactions to out-of-state sellers via links on websites.
Affiliate nexus – refers to affiliates which are independent companies that sell through affiliate businesses. For instance, the Amazon affiliates program is an excellent example. The affiliate does not work as an independent contractor or staff member but is actively linked with the business. This type of nexus usually requires a commission paid to the affiliate for referrals.
Economic nexus – is the most basic way of assessing a sales tax nexus. It involves sales. The company may have economic nexus in the state if it has sales over a specified amount of threshold. For example, Idaho has a threshold of $100 000 in sales annually as the minimum threshold for establishing sales tax nexus.

Conclusion

I hope this sales tax nexus guide has given you some insight into the world of sales tax and that it has given you the answers you needed going forward.

6 Affordable Bathroom Remodel Ideas When You are on a Budget

Posted on May 30, 2021 by Lauren Kinghorn

Affordable Bathroom Remodel Ideas

Any home improvement project can be a pricey affair, but it is a worthy expense to increase the value of your home. Kitchen and bathroom remodels are among the most expensive home improvement endeavours. Yet it’s often bathrooms and kitchens that sell a home, so if you’re looking at adding value, this is usually the first place to start.

Here are 6 affordable bathroom remodel ideas that could bring down some of the costs significantly when you are on a budget.

6 Affordable Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

1. Limiting Your Tiles

Tiles are expensive, particularly when you are hiring a contractor to install them for you. To save on costs, you can limit the number of tiles used and only emphasize high-impact areas such as the floor.

You can also consider adding one horizontal strip on the wall and painting the remaining areas. If you want to add pricey artistic tiles, you can use them as accent pieces alongside cheaper tiles.

2. Redoing, Instead of Purchasing New

Replacing an old shower or tub can be quite expensive. Why not consider having it professionally inclined which is a cheaper option.

Avoid using this option for shower fixtures and the sink since it will be more expensive to refinish them rather than simply replacing them. Refinishing such fixtures is pricey because few individuals consider this unless they have vintage or old pieces. Contractors that offer this service often ask exorbitant prices.

Replacing your tub surround is an excellent way of enhancing the look of your whole bathroom, and it is much more affordable than completing a complete bathroom upgrade. Nowadays, you get durable and attractive virgin acrylic tub surrounds which are mildew and mould resistant. They are also available in various styles and colour choices.

3. Saving on Counter Tops

A well-liked trend for bathroom upgrades is splurging on granite countertops. Since a bathroom counter is small, the costs are very low as opposed to adding kitchen counters, for instance. You can save on countertops by first looking at the colour. Neutral colours such as brown, light beige, and tan are the most popular which means they will be pricier.

To save some money, you need to look at a broader swath of colours. Another viable way of saving on granite countertops is by purchasing slabs that contain imperfections. The more noticeable the imperfection, the lower the price will be. Bear in mind that the sink basin will take up surface area, therefore if the imperfection is situated where the faucets or sink will be, then you will not even notice the imperfection anyway.

4. Painting

If you have a limited budget, then repainting is the most cost-effective, and perhaps most efficient way of sprucing up the appearance of your bathroom. Be careful though, it might be a more time-consuming project. Even though the bathroom is the smallest room in the home, it needs to be painted slowly around the shower, window, mirror, tub, sink, switch plates, wall corners, toilet, and the floor. This involves patience and time, so consider this when you’re planning your bathroom remodel.

You also need to think about moisture. Since mildew and mould develop quite easily in bathrooms due to frequent temperature and humidity changes, it is worth spending more cash on high-quality paint that has a satin finish. You might also need to paint the ceiling with special paint that is mould resilient.

5. Upgrading Fixtures

The smaller details make all the difference. You can upgrade sink faucets, light fixtures, drawer pulls, and towel racks at a relatively small price. These items might seem trivial, but upgrading them can make a huge impact on your bathroom’s appearance.

6. Freshening Grout and Caulk

Another frequently overlooked, yet essential detail is caulk and grout. When it gets grimy it looks unsightly. By merely cleaning the grout and adding clean, straight lines of caulk around the sink and tub, you can add sparkle by spending a few more dollars.

Conclusion

I hope this post about 6 affordable bathroom remodel ideas can assist you with giving your bathroom a makeover but at a lower cost. Happy renovating.

How Real Estate Investing Can Boost Your Income

Posted on May 30, 2021 by Lauren Kinghorn

How Real Estate Investing Can Boost Your Income

When you opt for real estate investing, the idea is to put your money to work now so that you have consistent income in the future.

The return or profit you make on investments should be enough to cover the risk you are taking, and the taxes paid. There are other expenses linked to owning property, like maintenance, utilities, and insurance. Real estate investing can be easy if you understand the basic factors of economics, investment, and risk.

Here are 4 ways real estate investing can increase your portfolio.

4 Ways Real Estate Investing Can Boost Your Income

1. Real Estate Appreciation

This is when property value rises due to a fluctuation in the real estate market. For example, the land surrounding your property becomes more popular and sought after. This can happen if a large shopping centre was to open up in the vicinity.

Or maybe you have made certain home improvements that make the property more attractive to prospective buyers. Real estate appreciation is a complicated issue because of its unpredictability. This means that it is a riskier form of investment than cash flow income.

2. Income Related to Real Estate

This income is commonplace for experts in the real estate industry, like David Ebrahimzadeh. This involves making money from commissions on the properties they have assisted a client in buying or selling. Read more about David’s professional real estate investment services if you are seriously thinking about investing in property.

Real estate management agencies get to retain a portion of monthly rents in exchange for managing and running day-to-day operations. For instance, a hotel management agency might retain fifteen percent of the hotel’s sales for handling day-to-day operations. They usually take care of tasks such as hiring cleaners, front desk staff, gardeners, and laundry staff.

3. Cash Flow Income

This form of real estate investment emphasizes purchasing a real estate property, for instance, an apartment building, and managing it. You then collect monthly rental income from tenants. Cash flow income can also originate from other forms of real estate other than apartment buildings. It could also include office or retail buildings, storage units, and rental homes.

4. Ancillary Real Estate Investment Revenue

For some investors, this could be a significant source of profit. This type of real estate investment income entails things like vending machines in laundry rooms, hotels, or apartment buildings. In effect, they are like mini businesses within a larger real estate investment. This option allows you to collect revenue from a semi-captive collection of clientele.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Real Estate Investing

Advantages:

Fewer risk and volatility in comparison to the stock market
It could offer a steady source of cash flow
You can benefit from loads of tax deductions
Properties offer a solid long-term return on investment

Disadvantages:

Real estate investment does not offer as much potential for aggressive return
It involves a lot of cash
Dealing with building issues and tenants can be a pain
Poor liquidity

In conclusion

There are many benefits linked to real estate investment, but you need to know what you’re doing. When done correctly, you can ensure a steady flow of cash flow and a solid long-term return on your investment.

I hope this post about how real estate investing can boost your income has been useful. Be sure to use it as a reference the next time you are considering real estate investment as an added source of income.

Investing in Gold? Here are the Best Bars to Buy

Posted on May 15, 2021 by Lauren Kinghorn

Investing in Gold?

Gold has long been the foundation of global wealth and in troubled times such as these, many private investors are looking to move their wealth to a less risky commodity, which is invariably gold.

In this article, we will offer you some advice regarding purchasing gold bullion to ensure a safe and smooth acquisition.

Here are the Best Gold Bars to Buy

Online Solutions

Rather than searching for a gold dealer and sending them your money, you should first carry out some online research into the gold bullion dealer; when seasoned investors buy gold bars, they always use a reputable company, one that has been in the business for many years.

Once you’ve made a connection, pay their offices a visit, where you can decide how much gold to buy, then you take physical possession of the gold bars and store them somewhere safe.

Spot Price

This is the actual price (per troy ounce) at any given time and the spot price of gold is determined by a London-based group, which happens a couple of times per day. When you are a regular customer, you simply log in and you can instantly see the spot price of gold in all formats and all it takes to find a reputable gold bullion dealer that offers the best price of gold bullion in Brisbane or in the city you’re living in is a Google search.

Gold Formats

From one ounce to one kilogram, gold can be purchased in a wide range of size bars and ingots, while there are also gold coins, such as the American Eagle and Canadian Maple Leaf, which many investors prefer. You should do some online research regarding gold coins; you may find out that many investors collect gold coins as a hobby as well as an investment.

Storing Your Gold

As mentioned before, we recommend taking physical possession of your gold, which you can store in a concealed safe at home or in a safe deposit box at a local bank. If you are thinking of burying your wealth, this is not a good idea, as you are the only person who knows of its existence and should anything happen to you, your wealth is lost forever.

Diversifying your Wealth

It is never a good idea to invest all of your wealth in a single commodity and most private investors have some gold in their portfolio. Gold is safe and with global markets showing volatility, the alluring yellow metal is a very attractive proposition. Start by making a connection with a reputable gold bullion dealer with offices nearby and then you can be sure of the best prices and gold of the highest standard.

The Internet has made life very easy and when you wish to invest in gold, or any other precious metal, search with Google for a leading gold bullion dealer and forge a relationship with them.

Gold has performed very well in the past few years and it doesn’t look like that is going to change and with online solutions, you can always keep abreast of the spot price and buy or sell safely and quickly.

This post was published in partnership with Mediabuzzer.

Image 1 Source: Unsplash Image 2 Source: Pixabay

Aligning all 8 Dimensions of Health and Wellness

Posted on April 19, 2021 by Lauren Kinghorn

8 Dimensions Health Wellness

Health and Wellness have been a big focus in my life. I started teaching Aerobics when I still in High School and took over my Mom’s gym shortly after I finished school.

A couple of years later I also started studying and practising a number of different modalities, including Aromatherapy, Reflexology and Shiatsu. I became particularly interested in holistic health and healing. I was fascinated by how the mind, body and spirit are all connected.

I delved deep into every aspect of health and wellness over the years because I wanted to know how every secret on how to live long and prosper.

And yet, it took Harold at Bodybuilder Solutions to introduce me to the idea of the 8 Dimensions of Health and Wellness. Have a look at this post: https://bodybuildersolutions.com/the-best-resources-for-mental-health-and-physical-wellness/

And, here they are.

All 8 Dimensions of Health and Wellness

I’ve placed them in the order that makes it easiest for me to remember, starting with the 4 that align with some of the chakras (or energy centres in the body). I used their corresponding chakra colours on the infographic below.

1. Physical (the base or root chakra)

2. Emotional (the sacral chakra)

3. Intellectual (the solar plexus)

4. Spiritual (the crown)

The last 4 are not energy centres in our body but relate to aspects of our daily lives that can impact our health and wellness.

5. Social (Relationships)

6. Occupational (Work)

7. Financial (Money)

8. Environmental (Surroundings)

While it’s virtually impossible to be focusing on all 8 of these all the time and have them all in perfect balance, it’s certainly something worth striving for.

You might put so much of your time and energy into mastering one aspect of your life that the others go out of kilter.

On the other hand, when you achieve success in one area it may give you the confidence and motivation to tackle other areas of your wellbeing.

And there is a tremendous benefit in aligning each dimension of health and wellness and feeling they are all working together in harmony. Because that’s when you feel a sense of peace, satisfaction and well being. A feeling that all is right with your world and you’re doing just fine.

In this post, I’ll aim to give you some of the keys I’ve learned over the years that have helped me achieve this alignment in my own life, in the hopes they help you too.

Let’s take it from the top.

1. Physical Health and Wellness

Deep down I think we all know the answers to this. They are simple to learn, but not easy to implement.

Exercise regularly (at least 30 minutes, at least 3 or 4 times a week)
Eat nutritious foods (especially plenty of fresh fruit and veg)
Get enough sleep (6 to 8 hours a night)
Drink enough water (around 8 glasses a day)

Those are the basics. We all know them but we get caught up in what this expert claims and what that diet promotes and what that organisation recommends.

Here are my personal keys to making these work for you.

Exercise

You’ll only do it regularly if you love it and can incorporate it into your life. So find something you really enjoy doing. For me, right now, it’s walking my dog and jumping on the trampoline with my son, because that’s all I have time for. But at other stages of my life, it’s been swimming, gym, dancing, yoga, pilates. What moves you?

Nutritious Foods

I recently went wholefood plant-based which means I mostly eat a healthy vegan diet. Though I know that’s a big ask, so if this just sounds too extreme to you, please start adding more fresh fruit and veg into your diet and avoid eating overly processed foods and especially processed meats.

I have discovered it’s a brilliant lifestyle choice, especially if you are overweight or have heart disease, Type 2 diabetes or any other preventable health condition. But don’t take my word for it. I’m just following the experts.

Here’s a great overview of plant-based nutrition by Dr Anthony Lim

Disclaimer: Please note that none of the recommendations in this post is intended to replace the advice of your Medical Doctor. Please consult a doctor or registered health practitioner if you have any health concerns.

Sleep

Stop all digital activity, including watching TV at least half an hour before you go to sleep to have a good night’s rest.

Hydration

Water or tea is best. One or two coffees a day is fine. A glass of wine a night (or your favourite drink) is fine but don’t overindulge too often. In my book, sodas are a no-no. I could go into the long explanation of why but then we’d never get to the rest of the post.

2. Emotional Health and Wellness

We all want to be happy and free from anxiety, yet, sadly, most people aren’t. We live in a world where millions of people are suffering from depression, anxiety disorders, insomnia and nervous tension and have resorted to medication for relief.

There are many natural ways to be happy and free from worry and I believe it starts with choosing happiness.

Once I made a conscious decision to live a happy life, the natural ways found me.

Here are some of the things that make me feel happy and at peace.

Guided Meditation or Visualisation
Being out in nature
Being in contribution
Caring for loved ones
Playing with or reading to my children
Caring for pets
Dancing, singing or listening to music

But what about those stubborn or particularly heavy emotions you just can’t seem to shake?

I’ve found Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT or Tapping) to be most useful in helping me release unwanted emotions.

For example, here’s a tapping session I did on Disappointment.

Once you know the basics of how to EFT, you can tap on any emotion that’s upsetting or depressing you.

The deeper you go, the more relief you feel, which could mean working on childhood wounds or past hurts that have stuck with you for years.

3. Intellectual Health and Wellness

To be healthy intellectually, it’s important to use your mind by doing things like:

reading
study
research
travelling
and other intellectual pursuits that broaden your mind

It’s equally important to clear your mind of stress, worry and limiting beliefs.

I read a funny meme at a coffee shop the other day.

It said: “Give me coffee to change the things I can change and wine to accept the things I can’t.”

I’ve discovered that what causes most of our pain, suffering and stress is believing things should be different than they are.

So my best piece of advice for a happy life is to accept those things you can’t change and change the things you can. i.e. Do your own inner work. Let go of all those thoughts about what others did or should have done, what they said or should have said.

Instead, turn your thoughts to who you are, who would like to be around and what you would like to do with your time. Be in your own business.

Again, easy to say, not so easy to do. Until you meet Byron Katie and use her simple technique to unbundle those stresses and beliefs and turn them around.

Byron Katie designed a process of questioning your stressful thoughts, called The Work.

Here’s Katie doing The Work with someone on How to Have a Clear Mind and Healthy Body.

The Work is a great way to get clear on the thoughts that have been holding you back or dragging you down, sometimes for years.

I’ve found the best breakthroughs in my own life have come when I start out by doing The Work and then shift into EFT if big emotions come up.

These processes sound simple but they are life-altering. Try them out for yourself, especially on your most painful experiences and you are likely to see what I mean.

4. Spiritual Health and Wellness

Our spiritual journey is deeply personal and a path only we can walk. This journey is usually ignited by the religion, faith or path we have followed since childhood. For me, that faith was Christianity and it led me to A Course in Miracles.

Learning and teaching A Course in Miracles has given me tremendous peace.

Here’s one of my favourite lessons in A Course in Miracles.

Lesson 47, God is the strength in which I trust.

The spiritual perspective is that pain and suffering are caused by believing we are separate from God.

In a sense, this is the same concept Byron Katie teaches, just in different words. Where Katie might call it questioning what is or questioning the truth, on a spiritual level, when we question what is, we are questioning God.

When you draw nearer to God in…

prayer
praise
meditation
stillness
communing with nature, or
when you give love, and
forgive yourself and others..

you access your God-mind where you can safely embrace the peace that passes all understanding.

5. Social Health and Wellness

Social health and wellness relates to our relationships.

We all know that if we are in an abusive relationship, whether it’s a parent, partner, child, work colleague or friend, it can take its toll on our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.

We also know that when our children “get in the wrong crowd”, their health can suffer. Peer pressure and social pressure can drive people to do things they would never do on their own.

Just as unhealthy relationships can be devastating for our personal wellbeing, healthy relationships can turn our health around.

In my life, I’ve been extremely fortunate to have wonderful parents as role models. My Dad was a Minister so I grew up in the Church. That really helped me build a strong healthy social structure within a loving community.

That foundation helped me seek out healthy role models at school and in the workplace.

It is far more difficult for children who grow up with unhealthy role models at home, to make healthy choices in their adult relationships. This is where public service becomes important.

Our relationships with those in authority are extremely important, especially when we are younger and still building our strength and courage to stand up to authority when needed.

One amazing Grandmother, one child-centred Teacher or one caring Sunday School Teacher can change the trajectory of a child’s life and make the world of difference in a community.

If we want to see a healthy society, the responsibility falls on each one of us to give back to the community in whichever way we can.

6. Occupational Health and Wellness

For me, occupational health and wellness have always started with being passionate about your work.

Job satisfaction is a huge part of your overall happiness as well as your health and wellbeing. After all, most of us are working for the greater part of our day.

What’s interesting to note is that job satisfaction seems to have increased in 2020, according to this article: https://legaljobs.io/blog/job-satisfaction-stats/.

Perhaps the pandemic is creating a happier workforce because more people have been able to work at home or perhaps it’s because people value their jobs more now that so many jobs have been cut during the pandemic.

My best advice on the work front is similar to my advice on exercise. Find something you love to do, something that makes your heart sing, something that makes you jump out of bed in the morning.

Get to know your personality, your strengths, your weaknesses and be your biggest advocate.

7. Financial Health and Wellness

Our relationship with money is usually complex.

Financial wellness is not only about how you make money, spend money or save money but also how you think and feel about money.

We grow up with a number of beliefs around money and they are not always healthy.

If you faced lack in childhood and you don’t address your money beliefs and money blocks, you may be facing lack in adulthood too.

So I would start by doing the internal work.

Examine your money beliefs and create new healthy beliefs.
Figure out why you want to make money
Where you want to spend your money
How much you want to keep and
Where you want to invest your money
And then you can turn your attention to the how.

If you’ve been hitting a few money blocks, you may find these money afformations helpful. Afformations are much like affirmations, except they are questions rather than statements.

Isn’t it interesting how all these dimensions tie-up? When you look at one dimension, you can see how each plays into the other.

Your work affects your finances.
Your thoughts and feelings affect your finances.
Your relationships affect your finances.
Your physical health can affect your work which in turn can affect your finances, etc.

And of course, vice versa. Each dimension of health and wellness impacts the other.

8. Environmental Health and Wellness

Your environment can affect your health in many ways.

For example, living in the city is considered more dangerous to your health than living in a small town out in the countryside. Not just because of the faster pace, traffic congestion and added stress but also because of the smog and noise pollution.

Cities bombard and sometimes overload our senses.

Your home or work environment can also affect your health. Most people find living or working gin a chaotic or cluttered environment to be more stressful than a clean, well-organized home or office.

And then there’s our impact on the environment, how we contribute to the health of our environment.

We all know by now that we can make simple lifestyle changes to improve our environment:

Recycle
De-clutter
Conserve Water
Plant trees and flowers
Use natural products
Consume less (minimalism)

But did you know that the single most impactful thing you can do for the environment is to stop eating meat?

Animal agriculture is having a devastating effect on the environment.

This video explains how the meat and dairy industry works.

Here are just a few ways eating a vegan or plant-based diet, positively impacts the environment:

Saves water (because our livestock consumes a lot more water than we do)
Reduces greenhouse gases, the leading cause of climate change
Reduces air pollution
Protects the rainforests
Protects endangered animals

Of course, the choice is always yours. It’s not easy to stop doing something you’ve done all your life, especially if it’s something you enjoy, like eating meat or cheese.

I have found that when I find enough compelling reasons to make a change, I make it. And it sticks.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoy implementing some of my key pointers on the 8 Dimensions of Health and Wellness into your life. I invite you to play with these ideas.

Try one or two of them on and see if they fit. I’d love to hear which ideas resonated with you. Feel free to leave a comment below.

This post was sponsored by Bodybuilder Solutions. All opinions are my own.

Disclaimer: Please note that this article is not intended to replace the advice of your Medical Doctor. Please consult a doctor or registered health practitioner if you have any health concerns.

What’s the best time to file for Bankruptcy?

Posted on December 29, 2020 by Lauren Kinghorn

2020 has been a landmark year. Covid-19 has wreaked havoc on the economy and many feared that bankruptcy would be on the increase, as with previous pandemics. Interestingly, according to a recent study by Harvard Business School, bankruptcy has actually decreased since mid-March 2020.

While large corporations are still exercising this option, fewer small businesses and consumers have filed for bankruptcy. Possibly because governments, banks and other financial institutions around the world have offered more assistance than ever before.

Also, many small businesses found ways to pivot or take their brick and mortar businesses online, while many people who lost jobs during the pandemic figured out ways to use their existing skills to make money online.

But what happens when pandemic assistance runs out? And what if you haven’t found a way to save your financial situation fast enough? When should you consider filing for bankruptcy?

What’s the best time to file for Bankruptcy?

In this post, we’ll cover some of the benefits and drawbacks of declaring bankruptcy to help you make an informed decision. However, it’s a huge subject, we can’t possibly know your situation and cover every angle, which is why we highly recommend seeking legal assistance.

If you feel like you’re drowning with debt, with no way out, the best thing you can do is book a consultation with a reputable legal firm like these Birmingham bankruptcy lawyers. They can advise whether bankruptcy is the best route to take in your personal circumstances.

Let’s start with the drawbacks – these are the reasons people fear filing for bankruptcy.

3 Reasons Not to File for Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is not a decision anyone takes lightly. It’s a scary prospect and for good reason – it carries some hefty implications which can linger for years.

1. Loss of Credit

Bankruptcy remains on your credit record for 7 to 10 years. During this time, it will be near impossible to get a loan or apply for a credit card. You will most likely be subject to higher insurance rates as well. And it may even make it difficult for you to get a job or rent an apartment.

2. Loss of Assets

In the case of liquidation (Chapter 7 bankruptcy), some of your assets (such as secondary property, cars or non-retirement investments) will be sold in order to pay your creditors. In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you might be able to hold onto your assets as long as you repay all your debts within 3 to 5 years.

3. Loss of Status

Declaring bankruptcy can have psychological and social effects. Some may fear losing their place in society, even if their friends and family are supportive and it was the best course of action to take.

Now that we’ve covered why you might want to hesitate before declaring bankruptcy, let’s look at why you would go ahead, regardless of the 3 reasons above.

5 Reasons to File for Bankruptcy Now

Here are a few of the signs it’s time to file for bankruptcy as well as the benefits of doing so. If this was your situation right now, you might want to give some serious consideration to declaring bankruptcy.

1. Little or No Income

If you’ve been unemployed for a long time or you’ve had to close your business and you’ve exhausted all your savings, you will eventually find yourself in a position where you can’t meet your basic living expenses anymore. This is the primary reason to declare bankruptcy. Filing for bankruptcy should give you the chance to rehabilitate.

2. No Way to Pay Down Debts

You’re paying and paying month after month but your debts are not reducing. This is a sign that you’re only managing to pay the interest on your debts (servicing your debt) rather than paying off the principal debt.

If you can’t pay off your debts in 3 years it may be time to seek legal assistance.

One of the prime benefits of declaring bankruptcy is no longer having to receive those dreaded calls from your creditors.

Declaring Bankruptcy triggers an automatic stay, which stops creditors from taking legal action against you. This can significantly decrease your stress levels.

3. About to Lose Your Home

If you’re struggling to pay the mortgage or car loan repayments, filing for bankruptcy might help you because the automatic stay also stops or delays creditors from repossessing your personal property.

Filing for bankruptcy can put a stop to foreclosure and delay you being evicted from a rental property. It will also stop the banks from repossessing your car temporarily, buying you some time to get back on your feet.

4. Being Sued for Bad Debts

If you file for bankruptcy the automatic stay will stop any lawsuit against you for unpaid debts.

5. About to Get Divorced

Divorces can get messy… especially when you’re facing financial ruin as a couple. That’s why couples sometimes declare joint bankruptcy before they get divorced. This way they can have their assets split for them beforehand rather than fighting over the splitting of assets during the divorce. It can save time, money and heaps of stress.

Final Thoughts

This is not an exhaustive list. There are many more reasons this might be the best time to file for bankruptcy. To name a couple of examples… if you’ve just landed a higher paying job or you’re about to inherit property, but want to free yourself of your old debts. But these are not clear cut cases and would most definitely require legal scrutiny.

So what’s the best time to file for bankruptcy? Generally, it’s when your lack of income and mounting debt has become more unbearable than the stigma of going bankrupt. Basically, when you’ve run out of other options.

It’s not an easy out, by any means, but it is an out. And if you don’t beat yourself up about it, you’ll be able to uncover the lessons and the upside. Because remember, there’s always an upside.

Take heart, the sun will shine again. Others have navigated their way through this and you will too.

This post was sponsored by The Harris Firm, Attorneys at Law. All opinions are my own.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.

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