What are the Best Ways to Invest?

Best Ways to InvestFor a good investment you need to know why, how and when to invest. So now is the right time to invest. By the power of compound returns in investment you can grow your money. Comparably there are 4 best ways to invest your money.

Though many people do not trust the financial markets but historically it’s a fact, investing in Stock Market actually paid off. Invest in small sum by a method called “dollar cost averaging” over a length of time. The method works like when the market is high you are buying fewer shares and when it is low, vice-versa. So, over a time, one can have lower average share price using this method. Some tools we can use to invest:

A typical suggestion is to invest in mutual funds or ETFs. For mutual fund you can use a financial-advisor who on your behalf will sort out the well-performing actively managed funds from the other non-performing funds else you can cling to an existing brokerage-account. There are also few companies who will help you to invest money in ETFs based on your appetite for risk, investing goals and other factors without any charge for managing. You can also find very low charge robo-advisers for this purpose.

The index funds which are not actively managed but have a good long history of solid investment and can be used for retirement purpose. These funds hold every stock in an index like the S&P 500, including big-name companies such as Apple, Microsoft and Google. As these companies offer low turn-over rates so their fees and tax bills tend to be low also. The trick here is to buy all the big companies through the S&P 500 consistently in a very low-cost way and not picking up the right company. Even, say in a period of 10 years, low-cost index funds could outperform hedge funds.

Peer-to-Peer Lending is a method to lend money to individuals in small increments as if you were the bank and getting interest from them using platforms like Lending Club and Prosper.

In Real Estate investment, not necessarily requires dealing physically and going through the hassles of a landlord. There are many ways by which you can invest without dealing with the physical property like real estate notes or Fundrise. These are all hands-off investments where you will be a part of the owner without dealing physically. You can earn good returns but there are risks too, for trusting third-party on your investments.

Investing in yourself is one of the best ways for investment. There are few ways to do so like, read a lot of books on successful personal finance strategies or leadership skills which will make you absolutely smarter in a course of time, investing into material that you can learn from other people, personal coaching and don’t think about the idea of going back to a business-school. Though this kind of investment might sound cliché but it’s a bet that could absolutely pay-off.

What are the Different Ways in Which You can Save Taxes?

Save your tax in different waysMoney saving is taught to us from the beginning. We try to save everywhere and even in the taxes. But not paying your taxes are not saving, it’s illegal. But there are many ways one can easily save thousands of rupees in taxes. Here is the list of the different way in which you can save taxes.

  • Agriculture Income: if you have agriculture land, you won’t need to pay taxes on the rent or income you received from it. It’s totally tax-free in India. One does not need to pay any taxes on Incomes that obtain from the agriculture.
  • Interest in saving account: any income from the interest on your saving account is tax-free up to 10,000rs. Which mean if someone gets 20,000rs as saving account interest, they have to pay taxes on 10,000rs only.
  • Marriage Gifts: we have a tradition to gift money to a newlywed That money which is received as a gift in marriages is totally tax-free. It could be in any form like a check, cash or a gift, one does not need to pay taxes on that.
  • 80C: Under Section 80C, one can save up to 1, 50,000rs in taxes. There are many ways you can save in this like investing in Public Provident Fund, while paying life insurance premium, paying tuition fees to your children (up to 2 children). You can also save money in fixed deposit in banks and post office under section 80C.
  • Insurance, loan, and donation: Under Section 80E, interest paid on the educational loan is tax-free. You can also save taxes in medical insurance under section 80D. Any donation which was given under section 80G is tax-free as well.
  • Travel, hotel, and food expenses: employees can save taxes on traveling or staying in the hotel or food by billing it to the company directly. If the person doesn’t pay those bills out of his own pocket and it was an allowance by the company, they don’t have to pay taxes on those too.
  • House rent allowance: under HRA, you don’t need to pay taxes if you are paying rent over 1, 00,000 per year. There are many formalities also including in it like submitting your house owners pan card and rent receipt that you received every month.
  • Profit from a share: only if you hold those share or mutual fund for one year, you don’t have to pay taxes on the profit you received after selling Also, the dividends you received from the shares are tax-free.

There are many legal and easy way you can save taxes. Paying taxes are the duty of every single civilian but you can also perform your civic duty and save money as well.

8 Ways of Appreciating Your Employees!

Appreciate Your Employees
Employee appreciates by the team.

Workplace can be a tiring battlefield. The environment one is made to work in can be both physical and other human factors. Not only can the office temperature be regulated by the air conditioning system, but also the temperament of your co-workers can be an aspect.
One should always maintain healthy relationships with the people he is dealing with. Time, management, decisions and appreciations should be a part of their everyday job chores. You should always learn to enhance your rapport that not only makes you a better co-worker but also keeps your mood lit in such a hasty surrounding.

Some of the basic ways in which you can appreciate your employees are as follows:

  1. Verbal Thank You- You can always appreciate your co-worker without any spend of money. A small amount of energy can always be used up for saying a “thank you”. Sometimes, small phrases as such, “good job”,”amazing effort” or “you’re improving” is enough to make someone’s day.
  2. Pointing out the best in them- Everyone consists of positives and negatives. Presenting out the positive in one, can be difficult. You, as a co-worker, can always help to bring out the finest in them. Welcoming them, tipping their recent paperwork with heart warming gestures will always make you a fine person to hang out with.
  3. Lunch Time Gossips- We all need chitchat once in a while. Working throughout the day is always tiring. Chatting about politics, sports or other such recreational topics are refreshing. Going to get some coffee or getting those papers Xeroxed? Why not ask your next cabin employee to tag along with you with his paperwork too?
  4. A bendable work schedule- Adjusting the calendar according to the work pressure or a flexible schedule that can both finish the job within the timeframe and coordinate with his personal life is highly valued.
  5. Gifts and Gestures- Personalized gifts during birthdays or colleague’s marriage ceremony is a symbol for both appreciation of his work in his career and personal life.
  6. Munching- Food is something welcomed by all. If you’re leaving your seat to grab a doughnut from the bakery, why not get some more for your partners at work? I’m sure they won’t return the delicacies.
  7. Traditional gatherings every year, once at least- Going out on picnics and gatherings in a pleasant weather is both euphoric from the daily chores and also refreshing.
  8. Provision of Opportunities- Once in a while, we all need to stand above the rest. Giving someone the platform to do so is a huge task in itself. Leaving a particular project to someone else, who you think is viable enough to impose a proper respect for the job, is highly thankful.  

Letting your colleagues know how much they mean to you not only in the workspace but also personally in any day of the year can be a huge boost throughout the whole job experience. Small tokens of appreciation and surprises, makes them feel loved and valued.

How Demonetization did Affect The Real Estate Industry?

Demonetization Affect Real EstateA major move of Demonetization was witnessed by the entire world on the evening of 8th November 2016. The entire nation faced a huge hoopla as the announcement was sudden and startling. Who anticipated that the government might take such steps to curb the black money out of the system? A number of sectors naturally got affected with this move of the government. Online transaction and card payment methods went on a rise; online gateways and wallets were also a hit.

Subsequently, even real estate underwent some changes owing to the effect of demonetization. Traditionally, real estate has witnessed the huge involvement of black money and cash transactions. It is predicted that the luxury houses would face corrections in the pricing in short to medium term. Since luxury homes do involve the majority of the transaction in cash. On the contrary, the primary homes wouldn’t see as much effect on pricing. The parties involved in buying affordable homes are more concerned with home loans. The home loans taken are carried through legal route hence this particular arena wouldn’t face corrections in the prices. Further, it is expected that those buyers who opt for home loans would have a reason to rejoice since the rates of EMIs might soon drop down and become more flexible.

Additionally, according to the well researchable NL Builders the another segment that would have an impact on pricing is that of piling up inventories for the developers and real estate sellers. Due to the reduction in cash component, it is predicted that there would a lethargic demand in real estate for short term at least. Owing to the reduction in cash component, the real estate developers might be led to cut down their prices in order to generate required liquidity.

Another significant impact that demonetization would lead to cheaper borrowing rates. Due to the increase in the fund flows in the bank, the rates at which the sum is lent is slashed down. This would encourage the buyers to buy affordable homes at friendly EMIs.

Furthermore, when it comes to office/industrial leasing there is minimal impact on it. Since the cash component was never a significant aspect of the transactions in this segment, there is hardly any occurrence of the pricing correction.

There is a vital delay in the execution of the ongoing projects. Given the cash crunch that demonetization has bought it there is a trouble delay for sure. There is also a forecasted interest of developer into tier 2 cities. This witnessed the deluge of end users in buying. Being in the industry as an establish real estate marketer and builders the NL builders do believe that demonetization would curb the black money but at the same time it would affect the demand.

NL Builders who are well established in the industry also presume that land segment and resale properties would face a major impact since cash component is popular in these transactions. For the end users buying a home is relatively cheaper than ever and this can be easily termed as the golden builder from customer’s end. The negotiation power gives an upper hand to the buyer. Though reputed builder such as NLPL Group, have not been affected by this move as they were already selling only full white.

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Could the Brexit move impact GCC Countries?

Remain or Leave?

On 23rd June 2016 UK was in the eagerness of voting for what they saw as a foregone conclusion, that there would be no change in the UK and UK would indeed remain as a part of the EU. So on a rainy Friday, when UK indeed realized that the Brexit had had more of an impact than any politician expected; it was a signal to begin new trade relations and to fortify the existing ones. With plummeting financial currency, a falling currency and a new power at No. 10 Downing Street, May has her work cut out to bolster trade with other countries, especially when pitted against the EU, their erstwhile ally.

GCC Countries Friend or Foe?

While the short-term effect on the Gulf Corporation Council was volatile, the medium term might not be all bad news. Most of the trading currency in GCC Countries are still in US Dollars, but with the falling Pound, UK Based investments may seem far more attractive. This could lead the Yellen, the Federal Bank Governor, to keep the US rate hikes dovish, to keep the GCC Countries investments cantered around the US. With oil prices at a low, low rates are a welcome change for the GCC Countries.

Trade in GCC Countries and Brexit

The six member countries of GCC are already the fourth largest exporter from EU and the fifth largest global partner in terms of trade. With $155.5 Billion at stake, neither EU nor Britain is going to take the GCC for granted. On the other hand, Britain is under a lot of pressure to increase trade with the GCC countries and the default trade system of WTO Most favored Nation tariff regime will not change.
Moody’s report of 12th July 2016 reiterates the same stand that the sovereign wealth fund portfolio will have negligible effect with Brexit or the Pound devaluation.

FTA with GCC Countries?

The negotiations for free trade agreements with EU has stretched for a couple of decades, hence with the pressure of building new powerful trade partners for Britain, this may well be a good time for the GCC-Britain FTA to come to life. The Conservative government of the UK has always been pro-Gulf trade, despite heavy criticism from the Labour party, which calls the foreign policy a mercantile one.

GCC Countries Investments in the UK

The Qatar Investment Authority building, which remains a landmark in Canary Wharf, may be a victim of the real-estate crisis in UK. The existing businesses will not only have to take a hit on the real estate fall, but also need to make decisions on whether to keep the head office in London or move to the greener pastures of EU.

Pound Pounded?

A hit on the pound will definitely make the people living in UK lower their standards of living and hence the exports from GCC Countries to the UK will fall. This would also mean that the number of visitors from UK to the Gulf countries fall, especially in light of the significant growth over the years, QIA has a vested interests with ownership in Heathrow airport as well as the company owning British Airways, and the obvious government owned Qatar Airlines.

Despite all the odds, Britain needs to strengthen the relationship between the two regions and that competition will only carve the way for other regions like EU and USA taking the rivalry to another level, where rate cuts and better trade relations will only welcome the GCC Countries.