Investment Tips
Why parents should spend less money on toys & take more family holiday
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Why parents should spend less money on toys & take more family Vacations and Benefits of Taking Family Vacations
Are you planning a family holiday? If not, you might consider booking one.
Family trips are not just for fun; they can also be important for your children’s emotional growth.
In fact, recent studies show that family trips have a profound and lasting impact on children’s overall happiness and well-being.
Studies published in the Journal of Commercial Research have found that experiential gifts (such as holiday or outing gifts) have a more profound impact on the quality of life for your kids than material gifts.
Why is this so?
For the first reason, spending time in a new place is crucial for a child’s brain growth. Going to a new place or doing a new activity helps develop parts of the brain involved in everything from stress management to better learning.
In fact, children who go on holiday come back to school with higher grades in reading, general knowledge, and maths than their peers who don’t. (And no, it doesn’t really matter where they go. It could be Missouri, Paris, France or Branson.)
Researchers also argue that vacations are beneficial in the moment and in the long run because they help create lasting and positive memories.
A study conducted in the UK found that most people chose childhood family holidays as their favorite memory, prompting researchers to dub these experiences as ‘lucky anchors.’
In other words, a family holiday lasts long after it has faded. They also become part of the fabric of our lives, identity, and worldview.
Moreover, holidays are useful even before they arise because waiting for an event and planning a trip altogether can be a good bonding exercise.
It can even help children learn about saving money and financial planning (for example, if you have a savings bank, where the family saves money throughout the year to pay for special extras like souvenirs and ice cream when they travel).
It’s good for parents too. Other research shows that experiential shopping also makes adults happier about material things.
In other words, even if you may get more use out of it, that big-screen TV offers less pleasure than a beach holiday, at least according to these findings.
The same goes for more toys for children. Instead of spending a fortune on a year’s worth of ‘Paw Patrol’ toys, parenting experts agree that you should save up and go on a family holiday: you’ll all be happier, calmer, and wiser for the experience.
Plus, it can be great fun to surprise your kids with a family trip! Just look at how those parents tell their kids they’re going to Disney World…
Top 5 Benefits of Taking Family Vacations
1. Holidays help To boost your productivity level
If you’re thinking of giving up a holiday this year, you’re not alone. Nearly 50% of respondents told Bankrate they won’t be taking a trip, and only 36% planned to use all their vacation days.
In reality, several studies show that not taking leave can derail your career, causing stress, burnout, illness, and depression. All of these experiences can significantly impact your ability to concentrate, be creative, and get things done. As a result, your career can stall, and you could be promoted and promoted.
2. Travelling makes children smarter
Travelling gives children real-life experience outside the classroom, and children learn best by doing. While there is certainly a place for reading books and looking at pictures, nothing beats a hands-on experience.
There are all sorts of things to learn when children travel. International travel gives them first-hand experience of living with others. They taste the food others eat, they encounter another language, and they immerse themselves in the sights as well as the sounds of another culture.
And studies show that you don’t need to take your kids to historic Gettysburg or drive around the Met to stimulate their brains. Just getting them into a new environment is enough.
3. Travelling expands children’s social awareness
When children step outside their cities, states, or countries, their understanding of the world expands.
They already know and have seen how people live in other communities, which may be difficult for them to conceptualize. They discover a world that is different from their own and learn that people experience life differently.
Travelling also helps children to understand that although people may look different, sound different and live differently, we are also alike in many ways.
Travelling also teaches children empathy and compassion. Many children don’t realize how lucky they are to have a roof over their heads, some clothes on their backs, and some food in their stomachs.
Take them to a less developed country or allow them to volunteer on a project. They will see first-hand that owning the latest gadget is not common for many people. It can also help to foster gratitude for what they have and compassion for the plight of others.
Travelling gives children the opportunity to interact with others who are different from them, enhancing their social and communication skills.
These skills are important not only for life but also for navigating the increasingly global and multicultural workplace they will enter when they grow up.
4. Travelling encourages independence and teaches responsibility
From the planning to the final implementation, travel can encourage independence and teach responsibility. For example, children can practice their independence by making their own packing lists and packing their own suitcases – with varying degrees of help depending on their age, of course.
They can learn responsibility by looking after their own belongings while traveling. You can even give children specific travel-related responsibilities, such as being the family photographer or navigator.
Children also gain independence from trying new experiences. For example, younger children can stand on their own with a zip wire or learn to ride a horse. Teenagers can explore the market on their own while sipping lattes at a nearby café. Giving children a degree of freedom to choose activities according to their age and abilities helps them develop confidence in their own abilities, which can pay off as they get older.
When parents act as a safety net, children are ready to venture into the unknown. They are exposed to obstacles and new adventures and learn to navigate them.
Family trips can give children just enough space to develop confidence in their own abilities while knowing that their parents are still there when they need them. As a direct result, the adults they become will be confident and able to manage on their own.
5. Adventure builds children’s confidence and self-concept
New exрerienсes аnd аdventures аre nоt just fun. They аlsо inсreаse сhildren’s self-соnfidenсe аnd self-соnсeрt.
Regаrdless оf whether it’s riding the biggest rоller соаster, саmрing in the middle оf the wооds, оr eаting beignets in New Оrleаns, new things teасh сhildren аbоut whаt they dо аnd dоn’t like, whаt fаsсinаtes аnd insрires them. It аll helрs build а сhild’s sense оf self.
Whаt’s mоre, when сhildren try new things, they develор greаter self-соnfidenсe. Self-соnfidenсe is linked tо self-effiсасy, оr соnfidenсe in their аbility tо соmрlete сertаin tаsks.
Reseаrсh hаs аlsо shоwn thаt рeорle with а high sense оf self-effiсасy аre mоre likely tо seek new sоlutiоns аnd рersevere with сhаllenging tаsks. Teасhers hаve аlsо nоtiсed thаt trаveling саn bооst сhildren’s self-соnfidenсe. In the SYTА survey, 74% оf teасhers sаid thаt trаveling hаs а “very роsitive imрасt оn сhildren’s рersоnаl develорment.”
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Trаvelling оffers аll kinds оf орроrtunities fоr сhildren tо try new things аt а lоw-рressure level. Even if yоur сhildren “fаil” аt sоmething, the stаkes аre lоw. Аfter аll, hоlidаys аre fun.
Ассоrding tо а survey by the Fаmily Hоlidаy Аssосiаtiоn аnd сited by HuffРоst UK, 49% оf рeорle surveyed sаid their hаррiest memоry wаs оf а fаmily hоlidаy.
А third оf resроndents sаid they саn still vividly remember their fаmily hоlidаys, аnd а quаrter оf them hаve сорed with stressful situаtiоns by reсаlling thоse unfоrgettаble hаррy memоries.
Jоhn MсDоnаld, whо is аlsо the direсtоr оf the Fаmily Hоlidаy Аssосiаtiоn, саlls these memоries “аnсhоrs оf hаррiness.” When we’re nоt hаррy, reсаlling these memоries саn bring us relief аnd helр us deаl with рrоblems in а new wаy.
The роsitive effeсts оf fаmily hоlidаys gо fаr beyоnd the exрerienсe itself. Memоries beсоme раrt оf оur identities аnd hоw we see the wоrld.
Final Conclusion
Discussions about personal finance usually revolve around not spending your money, but money is the main ultimate tool for designing and living your best life.
Sometimes that means spending money on good things that can make life better and richer. And while family holidays can be expensive, most parents say they are money well spent.
Think of family vacation as an investment in your children – in your relationship with them, in their learning and developing process, and in their long-term happiness and well-being.
They also help to increase your happiness and well-being. And a family holiday doesn’t have to mean a five-night trip to Disney World.
As one 11-year-old participant in a travel survey said: “It doesn’t matter what we do, it’s about having fun.”
What’s your favorite part of a family holiday? What benefits have you seen from taking a family vacation?
Fact Check
We strive to provide the latest valuable information for our readers with accuracy and fairness. If you would like to add to this post or advertise with us, don’t hesitate to contact us. If you see something that doesn’t look right, contact us!
Reference: Moneycrashers.com
Investment Tips
The Power Law: How Firms Like Y Combinator and Yuri Milner’s DST Global Have Transformed Tech Investing
The investment space can be challenging to navigate. It’s fast-paced, highly strategic, and allows little room for error. However, both experienced and new-to-the-scene investors will develop their understanding of venture capital by reading Sebastian Mallaby’s “The Power Law: Venture Capital and the Making of the New Future.”
Featuring the successes of venture capital’s finest — from Yuri Milner’s DST Global to Y Combinator — Mallaby reveals how the power law has worked for these firms.
Table of Contents
Getting To Grips With the Power Law
According to the power law, most of a successful venture capitalist’s investments must fail. Investments with no return are characteristic of a venture capitalist who has invested in a range of high-risk companies.
Such companies are often tech startups that have the potential to become unicorns — private technology companies with valuations over $1 million. They’re also often companies that crash. While many will fail, a venture capitalist who invests in a future unicorn will see returns of at least 10x.
Mallaby explains that as only a few startups will provide high returns, venture capitalists must also develop strong exit strategies. They may achieve this by capitalizing on initial public offerings (IPOs) and acquisition opportunities.
Either way, the aim is to leverage liquidity opportunities so they can continue focusing on the startups showing the most potential.
Icons In Venture Capital
The power law has proven itself time and time again in venture capital. Take Y Combinator, which backs tech startups. In 2012, just 2 of its 280 investments generated three-quarters of its total profits. Similarly, the investment company Horsley Bridge generated 60% of its total returns between 1985 and 2014 from 5% of its capital.
Then there’s Arthur Rock. His early investments included funds for two significant companies: Intel and Apple. These investments alone helped establish Silicon Valley as a global technology hotspot.
Other examples include Peter Thiel, whose early $500,000 investment in Facebook helped modernize social media, and Reid Hoffman, who was one of the biggest players in Airbnb’s growth.
One of the most notable power law examples Mallaby includes is Yuri Milner, who made an infamous investment in Facebook that influenced the entire venture capital space.
Yuri Milner’s Proposal for Facebook
A high level of research went into Milner’s investment proposal for Facebook. He knew that many other investors thought the social media platform would soon flatline. However, his worldwide data collection suggested otherwise. For example, he could see that the platform had yet to tap into revenue-generating activities directly involving users.
He also knew that founder Mark Zuckerberg had turned down propositions from investors who wanted board seats. With this in mind, Milner drew up an offer that didn’t involve him holding any control over the company.
This, combined with an offer to buy employee stock on top of his shares, created an incredibly appealing proposal, which Zuckerberg accepted. A year and a half later, Facebook’s value had soared to $50 billion.
Yuri Milner’s Continued Investment and Philanthropic Success
Milner emerged profitable enough to continue building an enviable portfolio featuring companies like WhatsApp, Snapchat, JD, Alibaba, and Twitter (now X).
As his wealth grew, he shifted from venture capital into philanthropy, signing the Giving Pledge in 2012. Becoming a Giving Pledge signatory meant agreeing to donate most of his wealth to charitable causes.
Milner opened his Breakthrough Foundation, which funds his philanthropic efforts. He then wrote Eureka Manifesto: The Mission for Our Civilization, a short book detailing his vision for humanity’s shared goal: to explore and understand our Universe.
Read or download Eureka Manifesto online.
Are UK homeowners still wanting to move?
Press Release
Date: 19.07.2023
New Open Property Group research looks into where UK homeowners are moving to, and if there is a pattern between homeowners moving out of the city and into the countryside.
Out of 1.25 million homeowners surveyed:
- 357,244 stated that they ‘want to move’
- 251,705 stated that they ‘are moving soon’
- 242,711 stated that they ‘are settling in’
- 206,694 stated that they ‘just moved’
- 187,001 stated that they ‘are moving now’
Are homeowners still moving to the countryside since the surge in remote-working and the ever-growing desire for more green-space?
When surveyed, 39% of homeowners specified that wildlife and nature were “more important than ever” to their well-being, and 45% of adults are spending more time outside than they did pre-pandemic.
Despite this, recent data shows that people moving to sparse or remote villages actually dropped by 28%. Adding to this, from 2017 to 2023, the number of homeowners looking to move to remote or sparse settlements actually decreased by 13%
Open Property Group Managing Director, Jason Harris-Cohen said:
“The UK’s property market is undergoing another reset,” says Jason. “There is a definite shift in home moving activity, with the West of the country surging in popularity.
Historically, better value for money has been found outside of London, the South East and the big five cities, and I think that’s what is driving home movers towards Wales and the West coast.”
“The desire for affordability in a cost of living crisis is being compounded by the current relationship between inflation, the Bank of England base rate and mortgage rates.
The rates attached to new home loans, remortgages and additional finance are seriously squeezing buyers’ budgets but there is still a strong desire to move – people are just having to moderate where they look and what they buy.”
“Semi-rural and rural locations will continue to be cheaper places to buy than urban and inner city areas. This will be especially so in the coming months as more people return to offices for work and potentially relocate to reduce commuting times – aspects that will cause metropolitan house prices to rebound .
While the statistics show the trend for rural living has actually declined over the last six years – we may see a surge as purchasers pursue well priced properties.
We’ll also see borrowers taking out mortgages over 30 years – or even enquire about interest-only mortgages – to negate the effects of higher repayment rates.”
“Of course, there will be a large contingent of homeowners who are biding their time before they move – the 357,244 who have indicated they ‘want to move’. This group will be waiting for mortgage rates to fall and house prices to drop before they progress their plans.
In the meantime, they may choose to improve their properties – enhancing their living environment for the present and adding value at the same time. It’s not unimaginable that these delayed movers will fuel a property peak in late 2024/early 2025.”
For more information please visit www.openpropertygroup.com
About Open Property Group
Open Property Group are a professional house buying company who help people sell their properties quickly. They buy all types of properties (including vacant or let), throughout England and Wales.
Open Property Group specialise in buy to let property purchasing which suit landlords who want to cash in property quickly without disrupting the tenants.
Homeowners benefit from selling their house fast, with a completion date fixed to the owners’ requirements. By selling directly, you pay no agent fees, and can plan ahead with certainty. We also pay your agreed legal costs too.
![UK 2023 Homemover Behaviour - Open Property Group [Infographic]](https://moneyvests.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/UK-2023-Homemover-Behaviour-Open-Property-Group-Infographic-scaled.jpg)
Fact Check
We strive to provide the latest valuable information for our readers with accuracy and fairness. If you would like to add to this post or advertise with us, don’t hesitate to contact us. If you see something that doesn’t look right, contact us!
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How to Get the Best Market Value for Your Tenanted Property
Selling a tenanted property can be a smart move for buy-to-let investors looking to maximize their returns. By selling with tenants in place, landlords can attract a broader pool of potential buyers, maintain rental income during the sales process, and potentially achieve a higher market value for their property.
If you’re considering selling your tenanted property, here are some key strategies to help you get the best market value:
1. Showcase a Well-Maintained Property
First impressions matter, so it’s essential to present your tenanted property in the best possible light. Ensure that the property is well-maintained and in good condition.
Conduct a thorough inspection to identify any necessary repairs or improvements and address them before listing the property.
A well-presented property will attract more potential buyers and create a positive perception of its value.
2. Highlight the Rental Income Potential
One of the advantages of selling a tenanted property is the potential for immediate rental income for the buyer. Emphasize the property’s rental income history and highlight its attractiveness as an investment opportunity.
Provide potential buyers with detailed information about the rental agreement, current rental income, and any potential for rental growth. This will appeal to investors looking for income-generating properties and can positively impact the market value.
3. Offer Flexible Viewing Options
Allowing potential buyers to view the property at convenient times can help generate more interest and potentially lead to higher offers.
Coordinate with your tenants to establish a viewing schedule that accommodates both their needs and the prospective buyers.
Flexibility in arranging viewings demonstrates your commitment to a smooth sales process and encourages serious buyers to consider the property seriously.
4. Provide Detailed Documentation
To reassure potential buyers and help them make informed decisions, provide comprehensive documentation about the property. This includes the tenancy agreement, inventory reports, gas and electrical safety certificates, and any relevant building permissions or certifications.
Transparency and thoroughness in providing documentation will build trust and confidence in the property, potentially leading to higher offers.
5. Consider Selling to an Investor
When selling a tenanted property, consider targeting investors specifically. Investors are often more inclined to purchase tenanted properties as they recognize the benefits of an immediate rental income stream.
Approach local property investment companies or work with an estate agent experienced in selling to investors. By targeting the right buyer pool, you increase the likelihood of receiving offers closer to or even above the market value.
6. Seek Professional Advice
Selling a tenanted property can be complex, so it’s advisable to seek professional advice from an experienced estate agent or property consultant. They can guide you through the sales process, help you determine the optimal pricing strategy, and market your property effectively to attract potential buyers.
Their expertise and knowledge of the local market can be instrumental in achieving the best market value for your tenanted property.
In conclusion, selling a tenanted property can be a lucrative opportunity for buy-to-let investors to maximize their returns.
By showcasing a well-maintained property, highlighting the rental income potential, offering flexible viewing options, providing detailed documentation, targeting investors, and seeking professional advice, you can increase your chances of achieving the best market value.
Remember, a well-informed and strategic approach is key to successfully selling your tenanted property and reaping the rewards of your investment.
The Power Law: How Firms Like Y Combinator and Yuri Milner’s DST Global Have Transformed Tech Investing
Navigating Corporate Tax Registration in the UAE: Gulf Business Solutions LLC
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