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4 Distinct Payment Gateways To Suit Any Kind Of Business

Sam Allcock
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4 Distinct Payment Gateways To Suit Any Kind Of Business

Payment gateways have long ago established themselves as an industry standard for e-commerce. And any company, ranging from local shops, that want an easy solution, to multinational corporations, in search of high-risk payment gateways in the USA, must pick a provider suitable for their own specific needs.

This article was created to highlight the strong and weak points of popular providers, with the intent to help readers choose the best one for themselves.

PayPal

Uncontested industry leader, and for a good reason, PayPal offers easy implementation, wide international accessibility (PayPal is capable of making transactions in 25 different currencies), and competitive fees, especially for domestic US companies.

It has several flaws, like inconsistent fees on international transactions, potential problems getting money to your bank account (for companies not based in North America, Europe, or Australia), and bad customer support.

If you want something easy and your company is US-centered then it’s a clear favorite.

Maxpay

Maxpay is a payment gateway that prides itself on its strict merchant-first policy. Due to a collaboration with Covery, they have an outstanding fraud prevention system as well as chargeback protection based on a recently designed VMPI method. The price per payment is transparent and consistent internationally.

Their customer support is arguably the best in the industry, with them being able to address any problems, or just answer general questions, about legal, financial, or technical sides of money transferring, implementation, and general business management.

Prices, on the other hand, are a little higher than PayPal might offer, but if you’re a high-risk business owner then you should definitely check their offers out.

Stripe Connect

A payment gateway for developers, Stripe Connect empowers business owners to control the flow of funds, write custom rules for fraud prevention and create their own UI, including, of course, payment methods available to customers. Several APIs, many tools, and premade building blocks make basic setup relatively easy while leaving unlimited space for improvement.

Still, to efficiently employ Stripe Connect you will require programming knowledge, and even then, mounting this gateway on your website is a way more complex and time-consuming process than most other providers would offer. The fees leave a lot to wish for too.

If you are a developer and you are looking for flexibility, while retaining top-notch payment security, then Stripe Connect is definitely worth looking into.

GoCardless

GoCardless is an app created primarily to service companies with a subscription-based business model. It automates recurring payments and reduces the time spent dealing with invoices. It’s very easy to implement too.

Nonetheless, their payment processing is somewhat slow, taking a couple of days at its best, and the invoices can be automated further. But overall, a great choice for accepting recurring payments.

Closing remarks

I hope this article helped you discover a payment gateway provider capable of catering to your specific needs. If you are still not sure, consider visiting the websites of companies listed, and skimming through their blogs.

Please share this article and tell us about your own experiences with payment gateways.

Dave Ramsey’s View on Mortgage and Bankruptcy Calculators

Sam Allcock
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Dave Ramsey’s View on Mortgage and Bankruptcy Calculators

Dave Ramsey is well-known for the personal business’s financial expertise, famous for developing the Baby Steps to Debt Elimination and Financial Independence. He regularly shares his opinions on a wide range of financial topics and has developed several internet services to assist people in managing their finances.

Dave Ramsey has spent considerable time building a mortgage calculator on his site, but we don’t see him as vocal about bankruptcy.

It’s no secret that the mortgage application procedure may be overwhelming, which is why it’s essential to fully understand what a person can afford and which products and programs are ideal. There are several free online mortgage calculators available to help calculate mortgage payments. But how can one determine which websites are reliable?

Therefore, In this article, we’ll go through everything you need to know about Dave Ramsey’s mortgage calculator and cover all the good and bad aspects of it.

Understand Mortgage Calculators

Mortgage calculators are computer-assisted tools that enable users to assess the financial ramifications of altering one or more variables in a mortgage financing arrangement. Both clients and lenders use mortgage calculators to determine monthly payments and the economic viability of a home loan application. It might be a valuable tool for calculating how much one can afford to borrow for a home purchase. It can estimate the monthly mortgage payment and obtain an estimate of how much interest one will pay over the life of the loan in just a few minutes. It also assists in comparing monthly payments for the same loan amount, whether the mortgage rate is fixed or adjustable.

On the other hand, mortgage calculators are only as good as the data you enter into them. Unfortunately, many of these calculators ignore essential elements like property tax, insurance, and other costs that can substantially impact your monthly payment. So keep in mind that the more information you offer the calculator, the more accurate the figures you will obtain. Therefore, it is critical to utilize a calculator that incorporates all vital parameters—missing some information may result in an incorrect estimate of the monthly payment that might leave one with some serious challenges.

We all know that a free online calculator can be a reliable source. It may provide some basic information but, it cannot warn about the unseen difficulties. For example, these programs cannot account for factors such as the home’s location, a buyer’s job situation, or closing expenses and fees. In addition, it may show someone eligible for a loan but missing out on factors like private mortgage insurance, causing one to have an increase in the monthly payment.

Considering the mortgage statistics of New Hampshire differing from mortgages in New York City, it is critical to consult with a trained professional, such as a real estate agent or mortgage broker, before using mortgage calculator data. These professionals know precisely to use which ones are most suited to individuals specific on their way to homeownership.

Understand Bankruptcy Calculators

Dave Ramsey has views on bankruptcy, but he seems to be pretty quiet when it comes to bankruptcy calculators. A bankruptcy calculator is based on the bankruptcy forms. For example, you would take a Chapter 7 calculator to help you estimate whether you would qualify for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. You would take a Chapter 13 calculator to help you estimate what your Chapter 13 plan payment would be.

These calculators can help you determine various helpful things before having a bankruptcy consultation with a bankruptcy attorney. You can also understand the cost of bankruptcy along with the pros and cons of bankruptcy.

Dave Ramsey’s Mortgage Calculator.

A monthly mortgage payment is a combination of a variety of expenditures. The Ramsey mortgage calculator’s payment breakdown reveals precisely where the planned cash will go. Therefore, to comprehend the data of the Ramsey calculator, it is essential to grasp all relevant variables first.

Know the Value of a House.

The first step in using the Ramsey calculator is to enter the worth of the house you wish to purchase based on the exact value of your budget.

Upfront Payment.

A down payment is the initial cash payment made when purchasing a property. The calculator computes the suggested down payment as a monetary amount and a percentage of the total purchase price.

Compare Different Mortgage Types.

You have the option of choosing between three mortgage types:

  • 15-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage
  • 30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage
  • 5/1 Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM).

Ramsey also includes detailed explanations of each mortgage type immediately below the calculator for quick reference

Prime Interest Rate.

The calculator uses the interest rate to determine the total amount of interest fees you will pay over the life of the loan in percentage.

Insurance.

Homeowner’s insurance is an essential requirement in most states. However, it may vary based on the state, the value of the property, and other connected external elements. Moreover, the calculator also includes private mortgage insurance (PMI).

Property Taxation.

Property taxes may get determined by the government and may vary by municipality, state, and, in some cases, house value.

Pros.

One of the benefits of Dave Ramsey’s mortgage calculator is that you don’t have to be a financial expert to use it. Instead of complexity, it is built for everyday users offering great insights as below.

  1. The design is adaptable, allowing you to change every critical component of identifying a suitable mortgage, providing simple calculations and straightforward advice to everyone with complete and monthly breakdowns on clear visual of pie charts. Easy interface allows users to play with parameters to get the right mortgage plan.
  2. Approved partners of Dave Ramsey’s calculator offer an option to select local real estate agents.
  3. Calculators assist in determining how much to offer on a home and whether the seller is asking too much. You may also see how making a more significant down payment lowers your monthly expenses. If the home’s value gets modified in the calculator, the recommended down payment will vary.

Cons.

There are several significant restrictions to consider with any mortgage calculator. The following factors are not taken into consideration by Dave Ramsey’s mortgage calculator:

Extra things to Consider: Your monthly salary determines how much you can afford to pay on a mortgage. There are several additional expenses to consider during the home buying process, such as loan fees and origination fees. Closing costs are also unavoidable and may include appraisal fees.

Accelerated payments: If you plan to make more principal payments each month to minimize your interest payments throughout the life of the loan, an online calculator will not take that into account.

Planning additional insurances: The calculator doesn’t give any different options to add more insurances unless the user knows a specific one. It’s difficult to determine how to include this in the calculators if users don’t have any prior information.

Reasons Businesses Need To Embrace ISO Standards Certification

Claire James
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Reasons Businesses Need To Embrace ISO Standards Certification

International Organization for Standardization or ISO is an autonomous, non-governmental international association. It develops standards to make sure that the safety, efficiency, and quality of the systems, products, and services are consistent across nations and sectors. The playing field is kept in level with ISO standards, which would otherwise be in chaos. 

Popular ISO standards

  • ISO 9000 standard is for quality management
  • ISO/IEC 27000 category is for information security management system
  • ISO 28000:2007 specifies a security management system for supply chain
  • ISO 14000 emphasizes environmental system
  • ISO 37001:2016 helps to enhance anti-bribery management system
  • ISO 31000: 2018 provides a risk management framework
  • ISO 26000:2010 offers guidance on how to embrace social responsibility
  • ISO 45001 offers a structure for occupational health & safety

Best Practice ISO 9001 Certification means the business has fulfilled all the needs designated. Customers gain confidence in the product’s quality and reliability. ISO label enhances the image of your business and confirms globally that they comply with international standards. 

Reasons companies need to embrace ISO standard certification

Reliability

ISO certificate offers your business an opportunity to validate reliability to government, partners, suppliers, and customers. Reliability comprises of safety, durability, and quality of the products or/and services. ISO label means the international rules and regulations needs are strictly adhered to. It displays that your company is a serious participant. 

Enhances performance

Organizations gain knowledge about how to optimize their operations and give the best performance. It helps them work efficiently, implement quick working practices, and achieve satisfied customers. 

Better quality

Adhering to ISO standards, companies can enhance their service qualities, handle projects more easily and efficiently. They can gain access to global markets as their products or services are attuned to international standards. The international standard logo increases the client’s confidence because it is a reliable sign equivalent to high quality. Your brand reputation enhances as the ISO sign boosts customer’s confidence in your products or/and services.

Reduces risk

It prepares your company in advance to handle the risks and transform them into opportunities. ISO standards make sure that you get familiar with risk mitigation and management. If issues pop up, your company is better equipped to handle and recover fast.

Enhances the bottom-line

As soon as, a company gets ISO certification, they can display their quality accreditation. It will generate quote requests from multiple firms or customers that consider ISO credentials a must-have. It enhances your sales and income. 

Many companies stipulate to do business with ISO certified suppliers and vendors. If you desire to enter the international market ISO certification is mandatory to succeed. These standards have made global trade easy as well as safe.

Sustainability

Organizations can verify their commitment to handling the social and environmental challenges with ISO guidelines. The ISO recommendations help organizations to look closely at the usage of non-renewable resources and waste control practice. They can enhance their brand image, benefit the environment, and even save money.

Innovation

Organizations that plan to commercialize emerging technologies can benefit from the ISO standards. Core features of quality products get established by implementing the standards. The credentials demonstrate that the company they are buying from is operating safely, manufacturing quality goods without damaging the environment. 

How to get your company ISO certified?

There are several steps to adhere to the certification process.

  1. An assessment report, which emphasizes the spots that need development before certification.
  2. Evaluates the documentation of your management system.
  3. Evaluates the implementation of your management system documentation across the company.
  4. A certification gets issued that confirms the compliance with necessary standards.

The ISO certification has a validity of 3-years from issuance but is subject to sudden surveillance assessments. To get certified, an organization can take around 6 to 12 months, but with a committed and focused workforce, you can get it sooner. 

Approach Best Practice for learning and improving the business journey to achieve the ISO standard certification!

Yield Farming: A New Way to Invest and Earn

Sam Allcock
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Yield Farming: A New Way to Invest and Earn

In the world of cryptocurrency (crypto), since the appearance of DeFi, there has emerged another term called “Yield farming”.

Nowadays, the buzzword “Yield farming” is being widely used as a term, a new trend in response to the “madness” of the DeFi world. Users are “planting” native assets to “harvest” DeFi tokens of increasing value.

So, What is yield farming, and how you can profit from it? Let’s find out!

What Is Yield Farming?

In crypto “agriculture”, for farmers, “yield” means crop yield, which is a measure of the total amount of agricultural products they harvest. Here, “farmer” is the user, “yield” is the interest they earn on the principal assets they deposit on the base assets such as Dai, USDC, and USDT as they are put into the exchanges. DeFi platforms like Compound, Aave…

Yield Farming is the term for those who generate as much return as possible from their invested assets by providing liquidity for DeFi (Decentralized Finance) protocols.

To be more specific, Yield Farming is a method of earning interest and transaction fees on the DeFi platform. Investors who deposit into the liquidity fund of a coin pair will receive a portion of the fee when the user converts those two units.

Why Are Investors Attracted To Yield Farming?

With traditional finance, when investors deposit money in a bank, they lend the deposit to the bank and receive a percentage interest based on the amount deposited. With Yield Farming, investors will lend their own cryptocurrency, in return they will receive fees and interest.

However, in the crypto world, fees and interest are not as important as the fact that investors are involved in lending/lending transactions with newly issued cryptocurrencies.

This is to say that for Yield Farming, investors can really get high returns if the cryptocurrency they lend rises in price. 

Yield Farming is a new form of investment that helps investors get high returns. So it is not difficult to understand why Yield Farming attracts so many investors.

How Does Yield Farming Work?

Yield Farming is mainly done using ERC20 tokens on Ethereum and the rewards are the same. There are several protocols available in the DeFi ecosystem that allow users globally to lock up their crypto and monetize it. Farmers will continuously transfer their own funds according to different protocols to earn high profits for themselves.

Yield farmers can be borrowers, lenders, or exchange tokens with each other through the Liquidity pool.

Explanation Liquidity pools: Smart contracts that contain money in them. These liquidity pools allow users to borrow, lend or exchange tokens.

Between smart contracts, there will be fees for each transaction. These fees are considered revenue for liquidity providers (Liquidity Providers, for short: LPs). In addition, there is Liquidity mining, which means that in addition to fee revenue, LPs also receive additional tokens for their revenue.

Farmers have found opportunities for profitable lending in DeFi, one of which can generate 100% profit. You didn’t read it wrong! Exactly 100% of that profit, a number that is hard to come by with the traditional banking system.

That is why Yield Farming has become a hot topic in the crypto world in general and DeFi in particular. DeFi has opened up so many opportunities for all of us to join to make money.

Yield Farming’s Great Potential

Yield Farming is a completely new keyword and it will take a long time for it to become an effective market. Overall, there are a lot of opportunities around Yield Farming. We can hardly predict how big it could be in the coming years and what YF will bring to the financial sector. Can only wait and see.

Yield Farming is likely to attract more users to DeFi to use its products and protocols because the benefits YF offers are so compelling.

According to DeFi Pulse, as of September 2020, there is $11 billion in crypto assets locked in DeFi. This shows how big Yield Farming can be in the future.

A Comprehensive Guide To Yield Farming In Crypto For Newbies

The basic farm process as follows:

Preparation: Must have a Defi wallet created with Defi Wallet apps like Metamask, Trustwallet…

Step 1: Buy 1 pair of coins you want to farm in that system (BSC, Solana, Heco, Polygon…)

Step 2: Go to liquidity add that coin pair to get the lP token

Step 3: Go to the farm and click add the newly received lP token above and you’re done

Step 4: Time to harvest!

Step 5: When not farming, withdraw the lP token, then sell that lP token through liquidity.

A Few Notes Before You Get Started

How much capital do you need to participate in farming?

Any amount of capital is fine, but I recommend $1000+ because of transaction fees in the DeFi world range from $1-15/transaction. Spending a few hundred dollars on receiving profits is not much, so a few thousand dollars will be the best.

Is there any risk involved in farming in DeFi crypto?

Of course, there are. Here are some of the most common scenarios:

1. Floor collapse due to anonymous and disappeared floor owner or hacker attack.

2. Due to liquidity withdrawal on DeFi.

3. Due to the drop in the price of the token/coin pair added to the pool, there is a temporary loss.

4. Due to the lack of knowledge on how to work with DeFi wallets, it is attacked by hackers.

Which DeFi exchanges and ecosystems should newcomers join?

You can now join the ecosystem of Binance (Binance Smart Chain) because of low transaction fees and many high-quality financial products such as Pancakeswap, Pancakebunny, Autofarm, etc.

Conclusion

In general, Yield Farming is a new form of investment and has a lot of potential for development in the decentralized financial market. But in order to avoid unfortunate incidents, investors need to learn carefully about the form of operation, how to participate, and also the risks before making investment decisions.

Hopefully, the information in the article has provided you with an overview of Yield Farming. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us or leave a comment below.

The Road to Attracting the Right Investors

Sam Allcock
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The Road to Attracting the Right Investors

Investor outreach is one of the most fundamental ways you can expand your shareholder base. It’s also one of the most challenging tasks set before your company. Creating a successful targeting strategy isn’t always an intuitive process, so you may not know what to do next.

If you aren’t sure about which step you should take in raising your corporate profile, an end-to-end investor relations tools & solutions provider will help you engage, target, and acquire quality investors. 

What is an End-to-End IR Provider?

In broad terms, an investor relations company helps you target new investors by positioning your brand as a compelling investment opportunity. They do this by aggregating information from your website, capital flows, and meetings in one convenient place over the cloud.

In the past, these data points remained siloed, making it hard to showcase a unified story about your IR program. An IR company removes these barriers so that you can highlight your financial prospects, build trust with shareholders, predict shareholder behavior, and — most importantly — identify future investors.

How to Find the Best Professional for Your Needs

Most of the big brands partnering with an IR provider take this end-to-end approach — from Shopify and McDonalds to Netflix and Walmart. To join the expanding list of corporations successfully engaging new investors, here are some things you should look for in an IR company.

1. Insist on Made-to-Order Solutions

A cookie-cutter IR approach isn’t just misinformed. It’s doomed to fail. No two companies are alike. Your history and goals are unique, even if you corner the market on the same product or service.

The investor relations company Q4 Inc recommends tailoring your IR program so that it’s just as unique as your vision. You can expect investor relations made easy with Q4 because they customize each tool and service within their platform.

Common IR tools include results-driven websites, CRM monitoring tools, analytics, and surveillance on real-time insights on the market.

2. Expect Experience

The company you choose must be an industry expert leading the IR space today. Their team should consist of former investor relation professionals, capital market specialists, and surveillance analysts that understand your audience.

Together, these consultants have the combined experience to understand your current and future shareholder base. An accomplished team can help you identify investors whose interest and investment style suit your company — and those that do not.

With this understanding of your prospects, an IR company can help convert these insights into action with investors.

3. Make it Scalable

All too often, people equate investor targeting with a permanent roadshow. They believe they need to be pounding the pavement, visiting every asset manager in reach to find new investors.

A roadshow is an important tool that can generate interest in your initial public offering. It’s an opportunity to drum up excitement and reach potential investors located in different corners of the world.

However, this large-scale strategy doesn’t have staying power after the IPO. Between travel costs and marketing materials, roadshows are an expensive outreach campaign.

An established IR company will understand scalability is a crucial step in targeting quality investors over the long term.

4. Demand Compliance

How and when you share financial information with shareholders is a highly regulated part of your IR program. Every country has specific rules and guidelines dictating how you can share financial statements, corporate governance documents, charters, market disclosures, and more.

Following these regulations comes with two major benefits. For one, you’ll be able to improve transparency by ensuring you publish all relevant and legal information. For another, compliance ensures you avoid costly penalties and damage to your reputation.

This is especially important if you plan to move into markets in the European Union (EU). You must partner with an IR company that’s familiar with Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID).

MiFID II is the latest standard of conduct aiming to increase transparency in financial markets, including banks, IPOs, brokers, retail investors, frequency traders, and more. Its framework aims to make these markets safer for investors as a way to restore investor confidence.

The Takeaway

Finding new investors is likely at the top of your to-do list, but it can be challenging to cross this task off your corporate to-do list on your own. Investor outreach becomes much easier when you have the experts on your side.

Your IR partnership should involve a world-class company delivering everything discussed here today. From customizable and scalable services to industry-leading experts and easy compliance, these features can help you lock onto a service that works for your needs.

Remember these traits as you search for an IR solutions provider. The right fit for your needs will help you engage, target, and acquire quality investors for years to come.

3 healthy alternatives to the potato in gnocchi

Claire James
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3 healthy alternatives to the potato in gnocchi

Every person on a health journey has a weak spot. That one dish they simply cannot say no to, no matter how good they usually are with resisting temptation. For us, this seductress has to be pasta. Or, to be more specific, gnocchi.

“While gnocchi are widely considered a pasta dish, the soft dough dumplings are usually made of potato, flour and eggs,” explain Italian food experts Pasta Evangelists. Not necessarily the healthiest mix. However, the sauces that pair well with gnocchi are not too bad for you: “we recommend serving with a light sauce like tomato and basil to ensure you retain the gnocchi’s unique texture. Pesto also has the perfect consistency to accompany gnocchi’s delicate texture.”

But what if we told you that you can make those dumplings healthy using an array of vegetables that are not only scrumptious but also full of nutrients? Well, here are three gnocchi recipes that make a great meal without foregoing any health benefits.

1.    Sweet potato gnocchi

There isn’t a more obvious alternative to potatoes than sweet potatoes. Despite its misleading name, this type is far healthier than your traditional spud — abundant in fibre, vitamins, antioxidants and minerals. The star of the show has to be vitamin A though, which is incredibly important for vision, reproduction and the immune system, with sweet potato containing 769% of the recommended daily intake. This heavenly gnocchi swap is sweeter yet maintains the original texture of the dumpling. Pair it with sage and brown butter to really bring the flavour out.

Ingredients

  • 1kg sweet potatoes
  • 300g “00” flour
  • 1 egg

Method

  1. Pierce the skin of your sweet potatoes with a fork, then place them on a baking tray. Cook in a preheated oven at 190°C for 50 minutes.
  2. Allow to cool and halve the potatoes.
  3. Pour the flour on your work surface and pass your sweet potatoes through a ricer to remove the skin and mash the potatoes.
  4. Create a well in your mixture, then crack your egg into it, sprinkling a little bit of flour over the top.
  5. Whisk using a fork until a rough paste forms. Use your hands to generate dough, then lightly knead for 10 minutes. If the dough is too sticky, add flour, but be conservative with it.
  6. Quarter the dough, flour the surface, and shape it into a long rope.
  7. With a butter knife, cut the dough into 2cm squares. Sprinkle some flour over each piece, and roll it in your hand to create cylindrical shapes the size of your thumb.
  8. Add the classic gnocchi shape using a fork or a gnocchi board, rolling down without squashing.
  9. Cook in a large pot of boiling salted water, until your gnocchi rises to the surface, in about 1-2 minutes.

2. Cauliflower gnocchi

Cauliflower is one of the trendiest vegetables right now, second only to avocado. We’ve seen cauliflower rice, cauliflower wings, and even cauliflower steak — so cauliflower gnocchi was inevitably going to happen. However, there’s a reason this plant is so popular. It’s delicious, easy to cook with, has an impeccable texture that suits many dishes, and it is also incredibly nutritious. As a cruciferous vegetable, it’s naturally high in fibre and B-vitamins, as well as antioxidants and phytonutrients that are known to stave off cancer. This recipe is best matched with pesto, vodka sauce or any light topping of your choosing.

Ingredients

  • 450g cauliflower, frozen or fresh
  • 85g flour
  • Salt to taste

Method

  1. Cook the cauliflower for about 5-8 minutes in a big pot of boiling water on high heat until tender.
  2. Allow to cool for 10 minutes over a tea towel, then squeeze as much of the water out.
  3. Using a food processor, pulse to crumble the cauliflower.
  4. Add flour and salt, and pulse further until a dough is formed.
  5. Flour your work surface, quarter your dough and roll each into a rope.
  6. Cut each rope into gnocchi pieces.
  7. Add a drizzle of olive oil into a large nonstick skillet, and brown the gnocchi over medium heat. Then, add a splash of water to steam.

3. Pumpkin gnocchi

Low in calories, full of vitamin A, and bursting to the brim with antioxidants, pumpkin is not only an autumn favourite — it’s also a healthy choice. It’s number one for anyone on a weight-loss journey, thanks to its high fibre content — that keeps hunger pangs at bay and removes cholesterol from the body — as well as blood pressure stabilisers like potassium and vitamin C. If that’s not enough, you’d be happy to know that pumpkin can help you with your skin too, as it is high in beta-carotene which acts as a natural sunblock, promoting glowing skin. What’s more, it’s so delicious that it doesn’t need much in terms of sauce. Butter and sage would be enough, or you could serve it with spinach and pine nuts to really maximise your health.

Ingredients

  • 400g pumpkin or squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 2.5cm chunks
  • 200g plain flour
  • 120g ricotta
  • 50g parmesan, finely grated
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method

  1. Steam the pumpkin using a colander set over a pan of simmering water for about 20 minutes until tender.
  2. Mash the pumpkin with a potato masher until a smooth purée is formed.
  3. Line your work surface with kitchen paper, spread the pumpkin on it and pat dry, removing as much moisture as possible.
  4. In a large bowl or food processor, combine the pumpkin purée, ricotta, parmesan, egg, and a dash of salt and pepper.
  5. Once fused, add the flour and use a wooden spoon to mix, forming a soft dough. Be careful not to overwork the mixture.
  6. Flour your work surface and quarter your dough. Roll into a 1.5cm thick rope, and cut into 2cm pieces using a floured knife.
  7. Using a fork or gnocchi board, gently mark your pieces with the traditional ridges.
  8. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook your gnocchi until they rise to the surface (this takes around 1-2 minutes).

Lindores Abbey Distillery: Restoration of Tradition or FSB Project?

Sam Allcock
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Lindores Abbey Distillery: Restoration of Tradition or FSB Project?

Married Couple Andrew James Mackenzie and Helen Ruth Mackenzie Smith resumed the medieval distillery located in Lindores monastery (Lindores Abbey), where Scottish monks produced whiskey until 1559. The proprietors of the distillery include Russian businessmen who have strong connections to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. For example, their companies (based in Russia) established the Military Academy of the Patriot Park for missiles and the main temple for the Russian units.

Thanks to Mackenzie Smith Family, people from the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) with access to Russian state secrets have been allowed to settle between the ruins of ancient Scottish abbey.

Scottish whiskey with the taste of the Russian world

The initially written mention of Scottish whiskey is from 1494 recorded in Treasury Manuscripts. It was mentioned that King James IV paid to a monk named John Cora from Lindores Monastery for eight malt units. Mackenzie family discovered the remains of the distillery during the excavation on the former abbey site and decided to restore the old business. They gained a grant from the Business Gateway Fife to propose a business plan for the production of whiskey and revive ancient recipes. They reopened the distillery in August 2017. Everything looked fine until now.

According to BusinessMatters Magazine, the proprietors of the distillery include Russian investors Anton Buslov, Sergei Uryadov and Sergei Fokin. Since March 2021, they owned 85 shares of Class B (75% of business). The remaining 15 shares of Class B belong to Andrew Mackenzie and his family trust fund.

In addition to a passion for Scottish whiskey, Russian businessmen are linked to UBF Management (company) they created in 2015. They cemented their business relations in the company’s name. Today, UBF Management is a co-owner of Avileks, Project Support and Tanto-C with a 50% share at each of the subsidiaries. The remaining 50% of the company’s shares were sold to Digital Asset JSC, owned by Andrey Korobov – CEO at Yakutsk Fuel and Energy Company PJSC. Korobov is a former Head of RT-Global Resources, a subsidiary of Rostec. Rostec was under the sanction of the European Union and the US, resulting from the purchase of the turbines of Siemens, designed for the construction of gas thermal power plants in the Crimea.

Russian companies of distillery’s investors

Avileks

This company is involved in system integration. During the period 2014-2021, the company participated in government tenders in a total value of $514.17 million, out of which $8.38 million was used to purchase cameras and recording equipment.

From 2015 to 2016, Avileks provided services to state-owned companies for $79 million. This value is higher than the value of services supplied by similar companies in size during the same period. The cost of services delivered by the Moscow Social Register and Rostelecom, according to CNEWs, was $52.72 million and $32.95 million. In May 2020, Avileks won a state tender for the purchase of computers without any competition and provided 11,000 of these devices, totalling $14.16 million, to Moscow’s information technology department.

Avileks also participated in projects set up by the Russian Ministry of Defense:

  • Building the military academy of strategic rocket forces named according to Peter the Great;
  • Development of Patriot – military park of culture and recreation of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation;
  • Development of the main temple for the Armed Units of the Russian Federation – Patriarchal Cathedral of Christ Resurrection;
  • Modernization of the conference hall of the anti-terrorism commission in Moscow.

Avileks gained over 1 million pounds by equipping the main Russian military temple (providing multimedia devices). It is noteworthy that the selection of participants within each offer was in the form of a purchase from one supplier.

In addition, Aviles has several licenses from FSB, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, listed on the company’s website:

  • License for development, production, testing, installation, maintenance, repair, disposal and sale of weapons and military equipment;
  • License for development, production, distribution of encryption instruments from the licensing centre, certification and protection of state secrets FSB;
  • License to carry out work related to the use of information tagged state secret of directory of the FSB Directorate in Moscow and the district;
  • Certificate of Military Equipment GOST ISO 9001-2011 and GOST RV 0015-002-2012;
  • License for activities in the area of creating tools for information security by the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Project Support a Tanto-C

In 2015-2021, these two companies gained state contracts for a total amount of over $169 million. In addition to serving requests from the Russian Ministry of Defense, they work closely with Moscow and other Russian government agencies.

Why does UBF Management create competing businesses? In the ordinary world, such activity seems to be meaningless. However, it makes sense in view of the corruption schemes related to the Moscow budget (by BusinessMatters magazine). Also, note that two owners (Buslov and Fokin) worked in government organisations. From 2001 to 2017, Buslov worked as a representative of the Deputy General Director of Granit Centre, the subsidiary of the Department of Moscow’s property. Fokin also worked there as a representative for economics (Deputy for Economics) in 2009.

Business in Europe.

In 2015, according to Finstat.sk, Sergey Fokin, Sergey Uryadov and Nikolay Klyuev (Project Managers at Avileks) registered Proxy Tech s.r.o. in Slovakia that provides consultation related to business and management. Most likely, it is not the only business of UBF Management founders in Europe.

If investors need to escape Russia to avoid responsibility for corrupt activities, business projects in Europe are a solid backup plan.

On the other hand, there is a need to hide the origin of assets from the European public. Due to the scandals associated with the Russian invasion of Europe, the Russian capital becomes toxic.

Doesn’t the money smell?

Unfortunately, one cannot be sure that the Bratislava office of Russian businessmen is not used as FSB cover. Likewise, one cannot be sure that the lands of ancient monastery interest Russians only as a spot for whiskey production.

In July 2020, the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament published a report on the interference of Moscow in the referendum on Scottish Independence of 2014. Scandal with FSB tourists in Salisbury is not closed yet. This visit resulted in the suffering of British citizens from nervous agent Novichok. Examination of explosions in the Czech Republic also attracts attention, and Russian businessmen were also involved in this case.

Nowadays, the founders of Lindores Abbey Distillery – Mackenzie family does not hide connection with investors related to the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, despite the complex diplomatic relationship between the United Kingdom and Russia. Now everything looks like an expensive hobby of Russian businessmen who are interested in alcoholic beverages in Scotland.

Might the Mackenzie family be willing to damage the rich history of the traditional Scottish beverage with the business connected to the Russian Armed Forces and exhausting money from the budget in Moscow? This is the issue of security and stability of their business as well as the reputation of Scots.

Tips For Choosing the Right Car Insurance

Sam Allcock
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Tips For Choosing the Right Car Insurance

Whether you are in the market for a new car or you already own a few vehicles, finding the right auto insurance can take some research and time. If you have insurance or you need new coverage, it’s important to choose a plan with an insurance rate and protections that work for you. Researching your options and finding the right insurance company can help you get the best coverage and save on your insurance costs. Understanding the differences in policies and the factors that influence premiums will help you figure out the right car insurance for you.

Almost every state in the United States requires that you carry a minimum amount of auto insurance. Liability coverage provides compensation for the other driver if you’re at fault. This type of coverage will usually come with the lowest average cost, however, it will leave you without protection if you cause an accident. If you’re leasing or financing a car, your financial institution will usually require that you carry full coverage. This will ensure that your car is protected no matter who is at fault. No matter how much coverage you need, however, things like your location, type of car, age, and even credit score will impact your premium. Let’s take a look at some tips for choosing the right car insurance.

Look for rates for your car.

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As discussed, one of the factors that influence car insurance rates is the type of vehicle being insured. The cost of coverage for auto insurance for a sedan in the United States averages around $1700 per year. If you are looking to insure a sports car, the average insurance cost rises to over $2000 per year.

While your driving record and age, among other things, will factor into the premium, the type of car plays a large role. When looking for insurance be sure to browse for rates that are specific to your car. As an example, if you are driving a Ford Mustang, you’ll want to look for mustang insurance rates. Be sure to shop around to compare rates for your vehicle.

Search for companies that offer discounts.

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When you are in the market for auto insurance, be sure to compare rates from different companies that offer discounts. Some car insurance companies will offer premium discounts for things like maintaining a clean driving record, having certain safety features in your car, or insuring multiple vehicles.

With average insurance rates on the rise, you’ll want to seek out discounts to lower your premiums. This will be especially true if you are required to carry full coverage by your finance company. Carrying liability insurance, comprehensive coverage, and collision coverage could mean significant insurance premiums.

Review customer service ratings.

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As with many things in life, cheaper doesn’t always mean better. When comparing auto insurance rates, it’s important to go with a provider that gives you peace of mind knowing that you’ll be taken care of. With around 6 million auto accidents each year in the United States, you’ll want to make sure that you’re in the best hands possible to protect you and your car.

No matter if you’re involved in a minor bump-up or major accident, you’ll want to be with a highly-rated company to handle your claims. You want expert service and experience to protect your vehicle and help you get back on the road quickly. Check customer service ratings to ensure that your insurance provider has a good reputation and will take care of you if the unexpected happens.

You must shop around to look for the best deal and the best company for your insurance needs. Be sure to check rates for your specific car, check for available discounts, and ensure that any company that you’re considering is reputable. You’ll want to do research and request quotes from several auto insurance companies to find the coverage and annual premium that works best for you

10 Best Side Hustles to Make Extra Money in 2021

Sam Allcock
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0
10 Best Side Hustles to Make Extra Money in 2021

Tired of doing a 9 to 5 job just to earn a fixed payment? Well, making extra money does not really harm anybody. However, with so many expenses going around, you may find it tough to manage your finances with one day job. So here are a few side hustles that may help in stabilizing your financial situation.

1. Get a Part-Time Job:

Getting a part-time job is the easiest way to make side money. There are many ways to get extra money doing another job like babysitting, dog-walking, working in a cafe, etc. You can also look for part-time jobs online as they are easily available nowadays. You just need to have enough time to make money.

2. Virtual Assistant:

The pandemic has opened doors to several online jobs. You do not need to sit in an office to work, which is the best part. They can help with several tasks like bookkeeping, social media, administrative, customer service, etc. It is easy to find a job as a virtual assistant as all companies need such a set-up.

3. Instagram Influencer:

This seems to be the most sought career with millennials. We agree not everyone can sing and act, but you can use this platform to create a personal brand of yours. It is not easy to get followers that easily, so it will take time to actually earn from this platform. But if you have the time and the interest, you can patiently work upon it to become an influencer and monetize all opportunities that come your way.

4. Start Blogging:

Blogging is another option you can think of if you like to write and are passionate about this. However, let us warn you it is not an easy task, and not everyone succeeds, so if you are not looking for an immediate income, you may think about this.

5. Paid Surveys:

This may sound unreal, but you actually get paid to do a few surveys. This seems to be a quick way of making income; you just need to participate in as many surveys as possible. Companies like to gather relevant input from people to collect data; hence paid surveys are a real thing.

6. Print on Demand Store:

Customizing t-shirts and other items have become such a trend that it is a viable business you can set up. This takes less time and can actually make a good profit. For example, you can print on t-shirts, coasters, phone cases, and mugs if you create custom artwork. In addition, you can choose drop ship products to make the process simpler and deliver products directly to the customer.

7. Affiliate Marketer:

This is a job that will pay you well, but this also means you have to know the field. There is a learning curve you will need to go through before you even start making money. You can use platforms like Amazon to affiliate market by recommending their products. You can use platforms like blogs or social media to do this. You again need to build some credibility to influence people to purchase those products. The key is to focus on the needs of the user. If there is a demand, then people will definitely want to get the product as a solution.

8. Begin Freelancing:

Freelancing is a sure-shot way to bring in the extra bucks. Just enroll in any of the freelancing websites. You will meet hundreds of employers who are willing to hire freelancers based on their skill set. So, whatever you are good at, you can explore through these platforms. In fact, this is the best way to make money out of your passion.

9. Dropshipping Business:

If you want to get into the product business but do not wish to deal with large inventories, a dropshipping business is the best way to go. You need not invest in big start-up costs hence reducing the risk. The inventory is held by the manufacturer who directly shipped it to the customer for you. Your main focus can be diverted to marketing, sales, and customer service. This is a great option for people with marketing skills, and you get to be the owner of your own business.

10. Smart Investments:

A side hustle is not just about making money by giving your valuable time. You can also make extra money by indulging in trading, but you have to be willing to take risks. If you do not feel confident about owning an asset, you can try your hands on CFD trading as an alternative. To learn more, check out this trading guide.

The Bottom Line:

You can pick any one of the side jobs based on your skillset. Learn the terms of your current organization as you must have signed a contract with them. You need to read carefully if there are terms that may restrict you from doing certain business type which may clash with the company’s interest. There are several other side hustle options available as well. Choose one based on the time you can give after your 9 to 5 job. Do not forget to balance your work and life, too.

Benefits of Binary Options Trading Apps

Sam Allcock
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0
Benefits of Binary Options Trading Apps

Anyone that is interested in trading binary options will benefit from the latest apps that are available. You will find that the best trading platforms will offer a desktop and mobile version of the site so you can trade at any tie and always have access to your account to manage funds and trades. If you are unable to sit at a desktop to watch for fluctuations in the market, an app can be quite beneficial. There are some great features that can be enjoyed with these apps. If you want to get started trading but do not have the time to invest in watching markets, check out the super benefits you can enjoy with trusted trading apps.

Trade Anywhere, From Any Device

The convenience of a mobile app is the greatest benefit for Indian traders. Your smartphone or tablet will provide access to your account at any time, anywhere. With constant access available, traders can get the latest news and updates and will be able to make informed decisions on trades being conducted. Instead of investing time at a desktop, these apps provide the tools needed to conduct fast and secure trades so you can start earning profits.

Fast and Easy Access

Many of the best apps will have add-in features that provide a better mobile experience. With widgets, you can get market information delivered directly to your device and this immediate access allows you to weigh the risks of traders without having to open the app.

Push Notifications

With Binary options trading app, you will be able to always be on top of your trades as you will get push notifications. This delivers up-to-date information to your smartphone or tablet and you can set alerts to include messages about risks, price fluctuations, portfolio updates, and more.

Ease of Use

For many binary options trading, a desktop platform has been the standard. This provides a larger viewing area and endless statistics. With mobile apps, you can enjoy a simplified version of the desktop platform while still getting the important information you need. Mobile apps are designed to be easily navigated and they allow you to make trades on the go so you always have access to your portfolio and can make those last minute decisions with ease.

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