Daily Archives: January 10, 2020

Turn Your Home Into a Money-Making Property

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If you are a homeowner or a land owner, then you will know that there are so many costs associated with owning a property. Utilities. Mortgage payments. Property Taxes. Not to mention the other costs that come with everyday living; there are all kinds of different ways that our homes can end up costing us some money. Many of us know that owning a property is an investment, and it can pay off in the end when you move onto a bigger home, or sell your home. But there is no need to make yourself wait that long in order to see the financial benefit from your home. So why not look to make some money from your home, and start doing it right now? Here are some side-hustle and business ideas to inspire. Which do you think will work best for you? 

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Add a Rental Suite

If you live in an area where it is legal to do so, then how about adding a rental suite to your home? If you don’t have room inside to do just that, or would rather have something a little more separate, then you could think about converting the space that you have. It could be a garage conversion, for example, to make a bedroom (and it could have its own entrance door). If you have some money to invest in it, then if there is space, and regulations allow, then how about building a separate free-standing structure? 

Of course, you need to make sure that you research the regulations for building or creating a suite to rent out that is completely legal. It is common to require some legal rental suites to have their own kitchen and bathroom, for example, so that is something to consider. If you are needing to invest a lot of money into this, then you need to think about how long this will all take to get the money back. Make sure that you can do this in a relatively short time, in order to make it worth it. 

Rent out Storage Space

If you don’t want to be a landlord or a bed and breakfast host, but you still have some space available to use for an income, have you thought about renting out the storage space? If you have a sizable space, then you could rent it out as storage each month. Where you live could depend on the demand, but there will be a lot of people that will want to store things like boats, motorbikes, and RVs, and they’ll want to keep them sheltered rather than being out in the open. If you want to let someone else store their car or bike in your garage or barn shed, then it could bring in a monthly income quite easily, without having to do too much. The only costs for you would be making sure that you have a secure space, so CCTV and an advanced locking system could be a good idea. Heating the space could work well too, in order to make sure that things are taken care of.

Hold Events

If you have a bit of land with your property, or have a large barn that isn’t used for storage or for animals, then you could look to make some money from events. It doesn’t have to be a large festival or anything along those lines, but it could be something like setting up a seasonal event with hayrides and mazes. You could rent the space out for weddings, or perhaps host things like special dinners or petting zoo events. The key thing with this is to make sure that you have the right legal permits in place (for example, a licence to sell alcohol and so on). 

Start a Home-Based Business

The ideas so far have been all about using what you have to make money on the side, without you having to do too much. But if you want to do something a little more proactive, and even want to get a business started that means you can work for yourself, then launching a home-based business could be the thing to do instead. For example, if you are passionate about beauty, then you could look up how to start a skincare business and start creating your own! If you run a business out of your home, then it does help to keep overheads down, and it will also have some tax advantages. You can also use a certain percentage of your household bills (like the internet and heating, that you use when working on the business), and use that as a business expense. If you have an idea to run with, then go for it. If you’re looking for ideas, then there are a few to choose from online.

Run a Bed and Breakfast

If you have a few spare rooms in the house or are empty-nesters and have a home that is now really quiet, then you could look to maximize your rental income, then you could make your home into a bed and breakfast. If you can rent out a few rooms at once, then it can make a big difference, and be much more lucrative than just having one room rented out. If you travel a lot with work, then you could even use home swap sites or sites like Airbnb to rent out the whole property during the times that you are away.

Rent out Parking or Driveway

If you live in a commuter area or near a place where big events take place (like a stadium), then renting out your driveway or parking space could be a good way to make money. If you don’t drive, but have a car parking space in your apartment close to a train station, for example, then it could be something really simple to do, and there is likely to be a lot of demand for it. If you live close to a football stadium, for example, then when there are events, people will pay to be close to where it is. So that is definitely something to bear in mind, depending on where you live. 

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Essential Tips For a Successful Move Overseas

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We really do live in a globalized world these days. No matter where you are, you can have an instantaneous conversation with a person on the other side of the world, and you can even see them in real-time too — that’s pretty amazing, no matter how you look at it. This globalization of society also means that more people than ever before are able to pack up their belongings, move to a new country, and begin a new life. If you’re thinking of making this move, then take a read below, where we outline some essential tips for ensuring the move is successful.

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Do Your Research

No matter where you’re thinking of moving, it’s important that you do as much research as possible. You might have an idea of what life would be like there, but ideas and reality don’t always overlap! And there’s a big difference between visiting a destination and living there. As well as learning about the culture and the pros and cons of the destination, it’s recommended that you take a look at the cost of living. The new country won’t be like your home, transplanted to another part of the world — it’ll have its own economy, expenses, taxes and so on. 

Connect With Others

There is understandably a lot of fear when it comes to moving overseas, no matter how excited the person may be for it. One way to get around this fear is to connect with others before you make the move. This will be easier if you’re moving for work since the company can put you in touch with your new colleagues, but there are also Facebook and other groups that’ll help if you’re just moving by yourself. They’ll be a valuable source of information that will build on top of your independent research.

Making the Move

We tend to think of moving overseas in terms of the psychology effect, such as how we’ll cope and so on. But it’s important to keep in mind that there will be plenty of logistical matters that you need to take care of, too, such as transporting your belongings and yourself to your new country. For your things, it’s best to leave the job to experts such as Chess Moving. They’ll transport your belongings safely and securely, so you can enjoy stress-free travel without having to lug all your personal items with you.

Finding a Place

It’s really important that you find a place to live when you’re on the ground, rather than beforehand, unless it has been arranged by your company. You can’t really know what a place or neighborhood is like until you’re there! Book an apartment on a short-term basis and get searching when you land.

Give it Time 

Finally, be sure to give it a time! It always takes time to adjust to a big move, and you’ll feel homesick no matter how exciting the move is. Slowly but surely, your new place will begin to feel like home. Be patient. 

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How To Save Money On Home Repairs

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Home repairs are one of the biggest expenses of being a homeowner. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce the cost of home repairs. Here are just a few ways to make home repairs less expensive.

Know when to go DIY

Taking on repairs yourself can save you the cost of having to hire contractors. However, you should be careful of which repair jobs you attempt. If you’re not DIY-savvy you could botch up the repair and then pay more to get this fixed. There are also some jobs such as electrics and roof repair that can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. The key with any home repairs is to do your research. How-to blogs and YouTube tutorials can be great for teaching DIY skills.

Use your network

There may be people in your close network with handyman experience that you can call upon. They may be able to offer their services at a discount or even for free (providing it’s not a major repair). Such people are also likely to be trustworthy if you know them relatively well.

Shop around for contractors

If you decide to use contractors, make sure to shop around. By collecting lots of quotes, you can find the best price. Make sure to also research into the reputation of contractors so that you hire a company with a good track record. Positive reviews and glowing testimonials are often a sign that a company is reliable and trustworthy.

Source your own parts and materials

Many contractors are able to source parts and materials for you, but it could be cheaper to source them yourself. Contractors will generally try to make a profit on any parts or materials that they have to buy, so you’re better off buying yourself directly. You can find niche parts such as Berkeley pumps online for affordable prices. You can also find discounted materials online by opting for reclaimed materials.

Time it right

If the repairs don’t need to be made urgently, it could be worth waiting until the right time to schedule repairs. You’ll often find that many contractors lower their prices in January when there’s less demand (fewer people can afford repairs after Christmas and so many companies reduce their prices to attract business). Certain repairs may also have a seasonal demand – you may find that looking into repairs out of season saves you money. For instance, heating system repairs are generally cheaper in summer, while air conditioning unit repairs are cheaper in winter.  

Take preventative action

The best way to save money on home repairs is to take preventative action where possible. When making upgrades to your home or buying new appliances, don’t just settle for cheap low-quality options. Investing in decent appliances that are built to last and hire professional companies to carry out renovations so that you know you’re getting high quality results. Certain repairs can also be cheaper when made early. For instance, it pays to fix leaks from pipes early – ignoring them for some time could result in water damage to walls and ceilings, plus your water bill is likely to be very high.   

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Taking The Next Step On The Career Ladder

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Have you started the year with grand plans to try and get a promotion or secure your dream job? Are you preparing to leave college? Are you thinking about changing career? If so, you may be wondering how to go about making your goals a reality. If you’re keen to take that all-important next step on the career ladder, this guide should come in handy. 

Picture taken from https://pixabay.com/illustrations/business-carrier-company-earth-764929/

Applying for a new job tips

If you’ve spotted an opportunity at your current place of employment, or you’ve seen an advert that has made you think twice about staying with your employer, it’s wise to take time to prepare your application. Before you fire off a resume and craft a quick cover letter, take a few moments to read the resume, and make sure it is up to date and relevant to the position in question. It’s a good idea to tweak your resume, even if you’ve recently updated it. Look at the job description carefully and tailor your application to ensure it ticks all the boxes. When revising or reviewing your resume, remember that employers skim through applications. You need to be concise and clear, highlight your strengths and stand out from the crowd. If you get through the first stage, and you’re invited for an interview, prepare thoroughly. Try and preempt questions, run through presentations several times and practice speaking aloud. This will help you stay calm and confident and make sure you don’t miss any key points. 

Improving your chances of moving up the ladder

If you’re hoping to get a promotion this year, or you want to try and apply for a more senior role, there are various steps you can take. One of the most beneficial things you can do is take advantage of training and development opportunities and further study. If you lack experience, or you haven’t got the qualifications you need to progress in your chosen industry, look at courses and programs you can take. If you have dreams of becoming a real estate agent, check out real estate training programs. If you want to be a team leader in a sales office, undertake management training. If mentoring has got you thinking about being a teacher, explore courses you could take to make this step. There are possibilities in almost every field and sector. Even if you don’t get the job you want first time around, having extra skills and qualifications on your resume will benefit you moving forward. 

Changing career

Changing career might not be the easy path to take, but it could bring incredible rewards. If you’re unhappy in your current job, or you know you want to be doing something else, why not start taking steps towards getting the job you do want? Find out what kinds of qualifications you need and look for training opportunities and internships to gain experience. Search for entry-level posts and sign up with recruitment agencies that specialize in your chosen field. 

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The arrival of a new year often makes us think about what we want to achieve in the months ahead. If you dream of getting a new job or securing a promotion at work, hopefully, this guide will point you in the right direction.

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