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The Ultimate Relocation Checklist: Tips for Moving to a New Country

May 9th, 2023 Posted in family finance, Money Tips
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Relocating to a new country can be the adventure of a lifetime. It’s a chance to explore new cultures, cuisines, and customs. But with great adventure comes great responsibility – and in this case, it’s the responsibility of thorough planning and preparation. Moving abroad isn’t a walk in a park. There are countless details to consider and tasks to complete before you embark on this exciting journey. But, don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with the ultimate relocation checklist.

The Ultimate Relocation Checklist: Tips for Moving to a New Country - plan notebook and pen image

Research Your New Area: 

Research, research, research. This is probably a word that you’ve seen countless times during your relocation process, but it’s an important first step. Before you move to a new country, you’ll want to know as much about the area as possible. Do your research on the culture, climate, crime rates and public transportation options. You’ll also want to research different neighbourhoods to find a suitable place to live. 

Obtain Necessary Documents: 

Documents are like your passport to a new country. Depending on the country you are moving to, you may need a visa, work permit, and/or resident permit in order to stay there. Start this process as soon as possible so that all your documents are in order before you move abroad.

Get Housing: 

Yes, sure, hotels or guesthouses are great for the first few days, but you’ll want to find a more permanent option once you arrive in your new area. You can look for apartments or houses on websites such as Airbnb or real estate sites. If you need a mortgage with tier 2 visa, check out various banks and lenders to find the best option for you.

Sort Out Your Belongings:

Pack according to a plan – it’ll save you a lot of stress and headaches. Start by sorting all your items into three categories: keep, sell/donate, and throw away. 

  • Keep: These are the things you simply cannot live without. Make sure to pack these items with care so that none of them get damaged during the journey.
  • Sell/Donate: If you have items that you don’t need, consider selling or donating them. This is a great way to make some extra money or help others in need.
  • Throw Away: Items that are damaged or unnecessary should be thrown away. Trust us; it’ll be much easier to pack and move if you have.

Plan Your Finances: 

It would not be very smart to move abroad without a plan for your finances. So this is where you’ll need to come up with a strong financial plan. You’ll need to sort out your budget, banking, and taxes to ensure that you have the resources to maintain yourself in a new country.

Moving abroad isn’t a walk in the park. But following the ultimate relocation checklist can make this journey much more manageable and enjoyable. With some proper planning and preparation, you’ll be ready to experience a new culture, cuisines, and customs.

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How to Run Your Car More Economically

November 6th, 2022 Posted in Money Tips, motoring
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Times are uncertain at the moment. Everything seems to be rising in cost, from your local supermarket shop to the petrol in your car. Some people are having to choose between eating and heating, and many people are considering getting rid of their second car. Unfortunately, there is no way to know how long the current financial situation will last, and that means we all better start making some changes to get through. The good news is that there are many ways you can make your car run more economically. If you are thinking of getting rid of a second car that your family relies on at the moment, you can try and implement some measures instead to see if you can make it more affordable. 

there are many ways you can make your car run more economically - old gas station pumps image
Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay

Your Driving Style

Your driving style has a massive impact on how much fuel your car uses. An aggressive driving style which means you accelerate too quickly, brake too hard, and fight the gear stick, among other things, will cause your fuel to deplete a lot quicker. Not to mention all the other wear and tear issue on the car itself. If you want your car to run more cheaply, look at yourself. Maybe read up about driving style for fuel economy, or look to attend a class. Even if you think you are an economic driver, it may be ab idea to refresh your driving style. No one is perfect, after all. Chaing your driving style just a little bit may save you a lot of money in the long run.

Your Tyres

If you don’t regularly check your tyres, then it is time you start. Underinflated tyres can cost you a fortune in wasted fuel. Under-inflated tyres increase road resistance which increases fuel consumption. Additionally, if all four of your tyres are inflated to different PSIs, then you are causing issues with your car’s suspension and axels, etc. this is because you are running an unaligned car. If you need new tyres, buy decent tyres like Kumho Tyres, for example, which are high quality and will last a long time but are not as expensive as other high-quality brands. 

Weight

Is your boot always full? Is there a lot of rubbish in your passenger seat or back seats? Every unnecessary thing in your car can cost you fuel. So, if your car is full of a lot of junk, now is the time to remove it. If you can, maybe even think about removing the spare wheel and jack if you have them. Also, you may be able to remove the backseats in some cars, although this definitely is not for everyone. Another thing to consider is how much you refuel. It may be more economical to refuel more often with less fuel due to the weight of a full tank. Living close to a petrol station may make this more feasible. 

Your Oil

Cars need oil to run. However, if you are using low-quality oil, then you are not given the engine and moving parts the best things to make it run. High-quality or synthetic oil is far thinner than the standard stuff. High-quality oil can perform much better in evert circumstance; it does clog up as easily and can make your car cheaper to run because the car is being looked after better. Parts will last longer, everything will run more smoothly, and this can even save you on fuel costs too.   

Solar Panels

If you have an electric car, you may already be seeing how expensive this can make your electricity bill. With the cost of electricity rising, you need to find ways to make it cheaper to charge up your car. Perhaps your energy supplier offers a specialist tariff for electric cars, where you can fill up at night at a cheap electric rate. This means that you would get a two-rate meter where electricity at peak times during the day is more expensive. Perhaps you should discuss this with your energy supplier if you haven’t already. Another thing you could consider is getting solar panels on the roof of your house if you own your own home. If you work full time, then it still can make it cheaper to run an electric car as you can charge your car at the weekends for free and in the summer evenings. Additionally, solar panels, even in the winter, will make it cheaper to run the rest of the house, which can have a knock-on effect on the cost of your electricity bill. 

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5 Important Financial Calculators to Use: Why and How

September 18th, 2022 Posted in Investment, Money Tips
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No one is born knowing about personal finance. It’s a topic that we all have to learn as we go along, and it can be tricky to get the hang of. That’s why it’s important to use calculators to help you make the best financial decisions for your life. In this blog post, we will discuss five important financial calculators and why you should use them. We’ll also provide instructions on how to use each calculator so you can get started right away!

5 Important Financial Calculators to Use: Why and How - calculator and money image
Photo by Sasun Bughdaryan on Unsplash

Investment Return Calculator

The first important financial calculator is the investment return calculator. This can help you determine how much your investments will be worth in the future, based on their current value and your expected rate of return. To use this calculator, you will need to input your current investment value, your expected rate of return, and the number of years you plan to invest. The calculator will then output an estimate of your future investment value. Why use an investment return calculator? This tool can be helpful if you’re trying to decide whether or not to invest in a particular stock or mutual fund. It can also be useful for estimating how much money you’ll need to save for retirement.

Mortgage Payment Calculator

The second important calculator is the mortgage payment calculator. This calculator can help you determine your monthly mortgage payment based on your loan amount, interest rate, and loan term. To use this calculator, you will need to input your loan amount, interest rate, and loan term (in years). The calculator will then output your monthly mortgage payment. Why use a mortgage payment calculator? This tool can be helpful if you’re trying to decide how much house you can afford. It can also be useful for estimating your monthly budget after buying a home.

Debt Snowball Calculator

The third important financial calculator is the debt snowball calculator. This calculator can help you pay off your debts, starting with the smallest balance first. To use this calculator, you will need to input your total debt amount, interest rate, and monthly payment. The calculator will then output a plan for paying off your debts, starting with the smallest balance first. Why use a debt snowball calculator? This tool can be helpful if you’re trying to get out of debt quickly. It can also be useful for creating a budget and sticking to it.

Equity Release Calculator

The fourth important calculator is the equity release calculator. This calculator can help you determine how much money you can borrow against the value of your home. To use this calculator, you will need to input your home value, mortgage balance, and interest rate. The calculator will then output an estimate of the amount of money you could borrow. So why use an equity release calculator? This tool can be helpful if you’re trying to decide whether or not to take out a home equity loan or line of credit. It can also be useful for estimating how much money you could potentially borrow against your home’s value.

Retirement Savings Calculator

The fifth important financial calculator is the retirement savings calculator. This calculator can help you determine how much money you need to save for retirement based on your current age, retirement age, and desired lifestyle. To use this calculator, you will need to input your current age, retirement age, and desired lifestyle. The calculator will then output an estimate of the amount of money you need to save for retirement. Why use a retirement savings calculator? This tool can be helpful if you’re trying to decide how much money you need to save for retirement. It can also be useful for estimating how your lifestyle choices will affect your ability to retire comfortably.

There are a lot of different calculators out there that can be helpful in your financial life. These are just a few of the most important ones. Be sure to research and find the calculator that’s right for you and your situation.

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Signs That You’re Prepared To Buy Your Very First Home

August 9th, 2022 Posted in Money Tips, Property Investment
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Being ready and able to buy your very first home is a huge milestone in life. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and responsibility to be able to afford even the deposit for a house. Paying off your mortgage is usually a long-term commitment that will take up a lot of your life. As such, it can be an extremely daunting process.

So in this post, we’ll be explaining a couple of signs that show you are certainly ready to buy your very first home.

Signs That You’re Prepared To Buy Your Very First Home - suburban street with terraced houses image
Photo by Martin Sepion on Unsplash

You’ve paid off most of your debts

Your financial circumstances play a huge role in when and if you should buy your very first home. If you haven’t paid off most of your debts yet and aren’t on track to do so, then you should absolutely focus on getting your finances in order first.

You know that you have job security

Job security usually means that you won’t be made redundant or replaced in the foreseeable future. It can also mean having skills and experience that are heavily sought after in the industry, meaning it’s easy for you to find a job should you lose your current one due to circumstances that are outside of your control.

You’re already doing your research

If you’re already doing plenty of research into mortgages, finances, locations, and even schools for your children, then it’s a good sign that you’re prepared to take on a mortgage. You should also look into specialists such as a mortgage broker or even financial advisors that can help you get your books in order to see how much you can afford each month. This can be a long process, but it’s extremely informative and will help you make better decisions in the long run.

You have plenty of savings


A mortgage deposit can easily be anywhere from 5% to 20% of a home’s market value. This is a huge amount of money that most people don’t have lying around. Start saving money now and you’ll find it easier to stomach a big deposit.

Your credit score is looking great

A good credit score means good mortgage rates. Before considering to buy your very first home, check your credit score in advance of researching mortgages to see what you could be eligible for.

You know where you want to live

If you’ve done research on where you want to live then it’s a sign that you’re prepared to choose a location. A lot of people find it hard to pick somewhere to live, so it pays to do your research and make up your mind ahead of time.

You’re thinking about starting a family


If you’re starting a family then you probably want to move into a larger home with more space, especially if you want to have several children.

You’re content with your career

Mortgages require you to have long-term stability and this includes your career. Making frequent switches can result in periods of no or little income, so make sure you’re content with your career so that your financial situation is stable and predictable.

You’re ready to take on the future

Of all the factors to consider when buying a home, one must be prepared for the future. This means a life away from your current conveniences, friends, and family members. It can also mean a life with your new family, and it could even involve starting a new job in some cases. If the idea of change is daunting, then you may want to hold off moving home.

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5 Tips To Make Your First Home a Little More Affordable

August 9th, 2022 Posted in Money Tips, Property Investment
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Your first home is probably one of the biggest expenses to save up for in your life. A typical mortgage deposit can be anywhere from 5% to 15% of the home’s full value which can easily be tens of thousands of pounds. It goes without saying that you should try to reduce the amount you pay for your first home to make it more affordable, and luckily there are a bunch of different ways to do this.

So here are a couple of tips to help make your first home a little more affordable.

5 Tips To Make Your First Home a Little More Affordable - aerial shot of London and the river Thames
Photo by Benjamin Davies on Unsplash

1. Be more selective about where you purchase a home

It’s a good idea to be a little more selective when purchasing your home. Some areas can be much cheaper than busy places like central London, and even homes on the outskirts of major cities can be extremely expensive due to being in prime locations with great amenities. So unless you really want to live in a specific part of the country, we suggest trying to be more flexible with your location.

2. Check your mortgage eligibility

If you’ve got a great credit score then you have a better chance of getting a nice big mortgage for your house. This means you can afford a larger home or one in a location that you consider to be a prime choice. You’ll want to work with a mortgage broker to help you scout out the best deals, but you can prepare by getting a credit check with one of the major companies such as Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion.

3. Consider first home schemes

The government actually offers a First Home scheme for first-time buyers. With this scheme, you could get up to a 50% discount on the market value of your home. However, there are a couple of conditions that need to be met before you can claim this. For starters, the home must be a new one built by a developer or it must have been bought with a First Home discount in the past. You must also be eligible for a mortgage and your income must be below a certain threshold.

4. What about renovating a run-down property?

You can actually save a lot of money by using less conventional methods to get a home. For instance, you could consider renovating a run-down property. Buying this kind of property is fairly cheap, but the costs of renovating it can add up if you’re not careful. This requires DIY knowledge if you want to keep the costs low, but it can work with contractors too if you’re smart about your expenses.

5. Ask how much home you really need

There are many questions to ask before buying a home and you should always re-evaluate your needs and preferences to make this a bit easier. For instance, do you really need guest bedrooms? Do you really need a large garden? Does it have to be detached? Consider these questions and you might find yourself saving a lot of money.

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