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6 Things Medicare Does Not Cover

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Medicare insurance is a great way to protect seniors against the financial burden of medical expenses in retirement. However, Medicare does not cover everything. Its coverage is precise and restricted. If you’re considering signing up for Medicare, you must understand what it covers and doesn’t. If you are enrolled in Medicare, there are some things that you need to know about its coverage limitations. The conditions outlined below will help you understand what Medicare does not cover.

Long-Term Care

Long-term care is often a gray area when discussing Medicare. Medicare works well for short-term health issues and emergencies, but many people find that it runs out of coverage while they still need care for chronic medical problems like arthritis or diabetes. Chronic illnesses often require long-term care, which Medicare falls short of. The program does not cover long-term care. You must find another funding source if you need help with daily living or require nursing care. If you purchase a Medigap plan, long-term care will be covered. If not, you’ll need to find another way to pay for long-term care. The best way to determine if a Medicare plan covers long-term care is to speak to a licensed insurance agent. They can help you understand exactly what each plan covers.

Vision Care

If you have diabetes or other eye conditions, vision coverage is essential. Medicare will cover an eye exam every one to two years. If you have diabetes, you will need to be seen once a year. However, it does not cover vision care. If you need new glasses or your prescription changes, you must pay for them yourself. Medicare will only cover vision as a medical expense if there is another medical condition that requires an eye exam. You can get coverage for an eye exam if you have glaucoma, diabetes, or high blood pressure. If you are enrolled in Medicare, it is essential to understand that it does not cover vision care. If you have any upcoming prescription changes or are due for an eye exam, you should be prepared to pay for it yourself.

Dental Care

Many seniors have dental coverage through their employer or a spouse’s company. Others have dental coverage through Medicaid. Dental coverage is critical in retirement because many seniors have dental issues caused by gum disease or diabetes. Medicare does not cover dental care https://clearmatchmedicare.com/blog/medicare/does-medicare-cover-dental, so if you need a root canal, dental implant, or other dental procedures, you will need to pay for them yourself. If a dental plan covers you, you should keep it. However, you will need to make sure it stays active. Many times, people find that dental premiums increase with age. You must monitor your dental coverage to make sure it stays functional. If you don’t have dental coverage and need dental work done, you might be able to get assistance through state programs.

Hearing Aids and Related Services

Medicare provides hearing aids to seniors who are totally or partially deaf due to a medical condition. However, it does not cover hearing aids for other reasons. If you lose hearing due to normal ageing, or if you’re just not hearing as well as you used to and can’t afford a hearing aid, Medicare will not help you. If you have Medicare and are having trouble hearing, you can get hearing aids from a provider who accepts Medicare. However, you will have to pay for them out of your pocket. You might be able to get a hearing aid provider to give you a payment plan. If you have hearing loss, you should consider buying hearing aids. Not only will they help you hear better, but they can improve your overall health and quality of life.

Prescription Medications

Medicare provides some coverage for prescription medications. Medicare might cover most of the medication cost if you have a medical condition. However, it does not cover everything. You might take daily medications to manage your symptoms if you have a chronic illness. If you have Medicare and take prescription medications, it’s essential to know what is covered and what is not. This way, you won’t be surprised by extra costs when you go to the pharmacy. You need to check your Summary Notice to find out what’s covered. This document provides you with information about your coverage. If you don’t have one, you can ask for a copy from your doctor or the administrator at the office where you sign up for Medicare.

Going Abroad For Treatment

One thing that Medicare does not cover is a treatment abroad. This can be very frustrating, especially when it’s a treatment that you desperately need. For example, if you have a degenerative condition that requires a stem cell transplant and the best place for treatment happens to be in Japan, you will not be covered. If you need treatment abroad, you must pay for it yourself. If you have Medicare, you should be aware of this coverage limitation. You must research before you need a procedure or treatment and ensure you have the resources to pay for it.

As stated, there are a variety of things that Medicare does not cover. Understanding these coverage limitations is essential when signing up for supplemental insurance to protect yourself. Long-term care insurance can help cover the cost of nursing homes and assisted living facilities. A vision care plan can help cover the cost of eyeglasses and eye surgery. A dental insurance plan can help cover the cost of dental procedures such as root canals. These are just a few examples of supplemental insurance plans that you can purchase to protect yourself against the financial burden of medical expenses.

Common Investments Review – A New and Improved Way to Trade Online

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Digital trading fans are always looking for better ways to manage and improve their investment journeys- and platforms such as Common Investments are helping make it possible. Like many modern online broker services, Common Investments offers a simpler, more convenient way to access exciting modern markets and financial opportunities- and it seems to do a pretty good job of it. 

The following review takes a closer look at how things work to get to the bottom of why people love this platform so much- and to help potential new members decide if it is the real deal and the right choice for them. 

The Short Answer: Is Common Investments Legit?

Common Investments is a legitimate online broker service that makes a real difference for independent traders everywhere. It is especially helpful for people looking to take a more professional approach to their investments- regardless of how much they know about the industry already. 

How Things Work in a Nutshell

The basic idea is that the account holder has free reign to explore whatever trade opportunities they want, then select the investments they want to make and submit with them with the help of the software and licensed brokers. 

Trading options include cryptocurrency, FOREX, CFDs, stocks, and commodities- all of which can be accessed in minutes through a user-friendly interface. Users pick from a dropdown menu on the main dashboard and are redirected to the relevant markets and the tools that go with them. 

Helpful Tools

Speaking of trading tools- here are a few of the most helpful ones offered by the Common Investments platform. 

Live Price Trackers

Keeping up with real-time data is essential in the fast-paced markets- especially FOREX and crypto trading. The live trackers offer immediate, detailed, and accurate information that can be used to build better speculations and make more intelligent investment choices. 

Currency Pairings

Common Investments is particularly popular for its FOREX trading department- which is pretty impressive across the board. Part of what makes it so good is the pre-set popular currency pairings that compare value fluctuations and make it easier to pick the right places to invest.

Virtual Trading

Practice makes perfect, as they say, and being prepared is always a plus in any type of trading. The Common Investments virtual trading platform is a risk-free version of the real thing that uses dummy funds and fake investments to allow people time to experience the industry and build confidence in their abilities. 

Mobile App

Common Investments has a mobile version of the platform designed for use on smartphones and tablets. It is perfect for busy people who find themselves away from their desks throughout the day but don’t want to lose track of what’s happening with their trading accounts. 

It is still developing in some areas and doesn’t have quite as many features as the desktop version, but it is a useful tool for following trends and transactions. 

Managing Accounts and Funds

One of the best things about Common Investments is the flexible account options and subscriptions. Users can choose from several options or trial the platform on a limited basis for free. There is also great flexibility in the payment options- which include bank cards, transfers, and digital wallets. 

Users can deposit funds whenever they want free of charge- and can withdraw them for a small fee.

About the Customer Service

Customer service is available 24/7. Email is the fastest way to get in touch with a live agent, but there is also great chat support with FAQ forums and auto-responses. 

Things to be Aware Of

  • The platform doesn’t work in some locations.
  • Setting up an account can take a bit of time.
  • All new accounts need a minimum deposit of $250.
  • There are some minor design elements that are still developing.

Closing Thought

Common Investments is versatile, accessible, convenient, and well-built. It ticks all the boxes for modern, forward-thinking traders looking for a fast and flexible way to manage their portfolios. 

The official platform shares more information about subscription options and getting started- head there now for a glimpse of what Common Investments has to offer. 

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored marketing content.

Which Software Is Best For Scheduling Jobs In Small Businesses?

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If you still don’t have a job scheduler, it’s time to consider using one. You may first think of popular scheduling software options, but not all of them fit small companies’ needs. Let’s find out in this blog post how to find your perfect solution.

Table of Contents

Job Scheduling Software Explained

How Scheduling Software Can Benefit Your Organization

Exciting Features of Scheduling Software Solutions

Job Scheduling in Service Companies

Key Factors in Choosing a Scheduling Software Solution

Final Thoughts

In today’s competitive environment, every company wants to maximize its profits and reduce costs. One way to achieve these goals is through effective management of workflows and human resources. This requires accurate data collection and analysis.

Whether you run a one-man shop or a multi-location company, managing multiple projects, bookings, appointments, and employee schedules at once can be quite challenging. That’s why you need a tool that lets you automate repetitive tasks and save time. 

Job Scheduling Software Explained

Scheduling software solutions help businesses manage their workforce efficiently. This type of software allows you to schedule employee time off, track the hours worked, and receive alerts about when your team should start or finish working. This software has become indispensable for companies looking to streamline operations and improve productivity. In addition, it also provides business owners with real-time data regarding employee performance and attendance.

There are two types of job scheduling software: cloud-based and desktop-based. Cloud-based solutions offer flexibility and scalability, whereas desktop-based solutions provide greater control over data security. Both have their pros and cons so choose the one that fits better with your priorities.

Scheduling tools are designed to automate tasks such as employee time tracking, field service management, resource allocation, and payroll processing. They allow businesses to manage employee schedules efficiently. E.g. Orderry is a powerful job management solution that allows you to create and manage work orders and complex schedules of your team. This makes it easier for you to plan ahead and focus on other important aspects of your business.

How Scheduling Software Can Benefit Your Organization

Whether you’re running a single-person operation or managing a team of employees, job scheduling software can save you time and improve productivity. Here are some other ways it can benefit your business:

  • More time to focus on what’s important. Automating repetitive tasks and effective appointment management saves business owners and executives from having to do these tasks manually, which takes up valuable time.
  • Budget optimization. Job scheduling software helps small businesses save money by automating business operations such as resource management, creating efficient schedules, keeping track of appointments in calendars, and payroll computing.
  • Improved employee efficiency. Your team won’t worry about missed appointments or incorrect estimating of job time. And you won’t need to hire additional staff for managing routine tasks.
  • Better distribution of workloads. With an instant overview of your employees’ work schedules, you can plan jobs in free time slots and make sure all your team members have enough work to do without overloading them.
  • Improved employee satisfaction. When you take the stress of routine time management out of your employees’ work schedules, you let them fully focus on their jobs which increases their level of satisfaction.
  • Reduced scheduling errors. With reliable software in place, you won’t need to worry about time overlaps, delays, or missed deadlines.

Exciting Features of Scheduling Software Solutions

There are many excellent scheduling options out there. Some offer key features such as calendar management, task and time tracking, and project management. Others go beyond these basics and include advanced features such as invoicing, expense reporting, and payroll processing.

There are two main types of job scheduling software: time-tracking tools and project management tools. The first ones allow employees to track their hours worked and bill clients accordingly. Project management tools help companies manage projects from start to finish.

A good job scheduler has features that meet both your time-tracking and project-management needs. For example, some offer integration with accounting systems and online calendars, while others provide project templates and collaboration features. The key is finding a tool that fits your specific workflow.

In a nutshell, your scheduling and booking software should be able to assist you with the following tasks:

  • Calendars where you can schedule events, visits, meetings, jobs, etc.
  • Automatic reminders to notify everyone involved
  • Sync with employee schedules
  • Record keeping of hours/days worked for payroll purposes
  • Overview of available recourses and locations
  • Integrations with other solutions

You may also need some extra features such as customizable booking with personalized booking links, a time clock, and special tools for field service management.

Job Scheduling in Service Companies

When choosing a scheduling tool for service-industry businesses, first of all, think about your managers and admins who are constantly facing one of three challenges:

  • Find an available technician, based on the time that is most convenient for a client
  • Choose a suitable time slot based on the workload of the employees
  • Control and distribute a location resource workload.

For example, in the Work Order Scheduler of Orderry, you can clearly see at what time (or days) the workload is higher and where there are gaps. Having found a suitable time and a technician, hover the cursor over the time slot and click to open a dialog box and create a new job. To save you time, the “Appointment time” and “Technician” fields are already filled in.

As Orderry is a cloud-based CRM solution, all jobs you create in the Scheduler are linked with your client base, work orders, and employee schedules. As a result, you not only have a calendar with tasks but a complete infrastructure of automated job scheduling and record-keeping. You can also integrate Orderry with other tools for more efficient scheduling, e.g. Google Calendar via Zapier, accounting software QuickBooks or Xero, a booking form on your website, and SMS gateways for automatic notifications. You can try these scheduling tools and a wide range of other advanced features of Orderry in a 7-day free trial. After this time period expires, you’ll need to subscribe to one of three plans on monthly basis. Additionally, you can also schedule a demo to see and talk about the functions you are interested in.

Key Factors in Choosing a Scheduling Software Solution

Scheduling jobs and clients’ visits has become a major challenge for small and medium-sized companies today. The problem is that there are many factors to count on when planning employees’ time. That is why some service businesses struggle to meet their deadlines due to a lack of resources or poor management. This means that some jobs get delayed or canceled altogether. 

To solve these problems, businesses are turning to scheduling software solutions. To choose the one that best fits your business model, you should answer the following questions:

  • How often do you schedule jobs or call-outs in a day?
  • What are your resources? What resources are available in each of your locations?
  • How often do you experience no-shows or cancellations? Were they initiated by your clients or employees?
  • How good are your team’s time management skills?
  • How much time does it take you or your managers to create employee work schedules?
  • Is time tracking important for your payroll calculation?
  • How do you measure your employees’ effectiveness?

These questions are important because they affect the success or failure of job scheduling in your company. Your answers will provide insights into areas where improvements can be made. This would be your basis for choosing a software solution to manage working time, track employee productivity and improve their overall performance.

Final Thoughts

The importance of scheduling software has increased significantly over the last decade. As businesses become more complex, they require a robust scheduling system to manage their workforce effectively. These tools allow companies to automate processes, streamline operations, and improve productivity. They also provide other benefits such as payroll management, leave tracking, attendance reporting, and performance evaluation. Whether you prefer something simple or complicated, there are plenty of options out there. Some are free, some require a subscription fee, and others come with a combination of both. The key thing to remember is that each has its advantages and disadvantages.

5 BEST CREDIT CARDS FOR MINORS UNDER 18

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With the average U.S household having 2.7 credit cards and over 191 million people having credit cards, it is vital that consumers understand how that debt works. The best way to accomplish this is by teaching good credit card usage skills and money management tips at an early age. In most cases, a teenager under the age of 18 will need to hold a credit card as an authorized user on an existing cardholder’s account, such as a parent or sibling. As an authorized user on the credit card, the minor’s usage will be reported to the credit bureaus allowing them to build credit. Keep reading to learn more about the 5 best credit cards for minors under 18.

Discover It Cash Back Card

One of the most useful features of the Discover card is their cash back Match. This introductory offer provides the consumer with a match to the cash back that they earn in their first year. This really adds up quickly when using the 5% cash back on purchases at different retailers each quarter and with their 1% cash back on all purchases. 

The initial interest rate could be as low as 0% for the first 15 months followed by 14.99% to 25.99% after that. There is no annual fee with the card.

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

When it comes to earning cash back, the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of the easiest to use. Their 1.5% cash back on all purchases and the 5% cash back on rental cars and hotels, when booked through Capital One Travel, means that your teenager will not have to worry about coordinating categories to take advantage of the cash back earnings. They can simply spend and accumulate cash back rewards. 

The initial interest rate for this card is 0% APR applied to all purchases as well as balance transfers. After 15 months the interest rate will have an increase of 17.99% to 27.99% variable and a balance transfer fee of 3%

Blue Cash Everyday Card From American Express

The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express allows for authorized users as young as 13 years old. This card comes up to 3% cash back on most everyday items such as groceries and gas with a cap of $6,000 per year in each category. 

An additional benefit of the card is that even if it is used infrequently, there is no harm done with no annual fee. Additionally, in the first 15 months after opening the account comes with 0% APR after which a rate of 16.99% to 27.99% will apply.

Chase Freedom Flex

With the high 5% cash back on a rotating category list each quarter, your young consumer will be able to rack up the rewards quickly with the Chase Freedom Flex card. The key to success in getting the most out of the cash back rewards is keeping track of the rotating categories. 

The card offers a sign-up bonus of $200 along with an introductory 0% APR for the first 15 months to provide the basis for a solid credit building start. The card will increase to 17.24% to 25.99% variable after the initial offer. 

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Like the Chase Freedom Flex card, the Chase Freedom Unlimited card offers a high 6.5% cash back opportunity. This applies to Chase Travel Portal purchases and decreases to 4.5% on takeout, eat and delivery dining as well as drugstore purchases. Consumers can expect 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. 

This card also has a sign on bonus of 1.5% cash back on all purchases up to $20,000 spent over the first year after opening the account. For travelers, this card also offers a 25% or 50% higher redemption value when paired with a Sapphire card and purchased at the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. 

The initial interest rate for this card is 0% for the first 15 months increasing to 17.24% to 25.99% APR after that point. 

Building Solid Credit And Financial Habits

Selecting the right card for your teenager can change the way that they handle credit in the future. They will have a better understanding of the process of using a credit card as well as the consequences and rewards of taking care of their credit. Forming good credit and financial habits at an early age will mean it will be less challenging to them as adults. This will also provide you with the opportunity to guide them in their financial decision-making process. 

How Print Media is Still as Effective as Digital in 2022

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Printed marketing materials, such as booklets, magazines, business cards and posters still have an important place in the marketing world. Digital marketing may have taken off in a big way, but print marketing is still important. For this reason, it shouldn’t be overlooked by businesses looking to connect with their target audience.

With print, businesses can create high-quality, attention-grabbing materials that will help them stand out from the competition. Plus, it’s never been easier to have printed marketing materials created and delivered to your door quickly, as there are dozens of excellent printing businesses that offer booklet printing online.

So if you’re looking for an effective way to market your business in 2022, don’t forget about print!

What are the Benefits of Print Marketing?

Print media may seem like a thing of the past, but it is still very effective in marketing. Here are some benefits of print marketing:

Print is personal

Because it’s not as common as digital media, print feels more personal to the reader and stands out more. In fact, several studies show that print media invites a stronger emotional reaction than digital media, as consumers may find it challenging to feel a connection through a screen.

Print is timeless

Even though technology changes quickly, printed materials don’t go out of style as quickly. This means your print marketing materials will have a longer shelf life than digital materials. For example, if you pay for a digital ad that lasts 30 days, it will eat up a significant amount of your marketing budget. Once the ad stops running, your target audience stops seeing the ad. On the contrary, printed marketing materials have the potential to stay intact for several months and might be passed among families and friend groups.

Print is trustworthy

In recent years, consumers have become more distrustful of brands. Consequently, it is absolutely vital that brands prove they are reliable and can be trusted to do what they say they are going to do. Many consumers view printed marketing materials as more trustworthy than digital. For example, one study found that over 80 per cent of consumers trust printed ads more than digital ones. Another study found that 72% of respondents said that they would be more likely to buy from a company that uses print in their marketing.

Print is tangible

People can hold onto and physically see it, making it more impactful than digital media. Plus, people can pass printed marketing materials to family members and friends, meaning businesses are seen by more people without having to spend more on digital ad targeting.

Print is versatile

Print marketing comes in many shapes and forms, and each medium has its own unique advantages. For example, flyers are an excellent way to make local people aware of events or new business openings. Brochures are a great way to build up your client base by providing them with a printed publication filled with information about your company’s products and services.

On the other hand, postcards are perfect for making an impact with strong visuals and striking imagery. Finally, magazines are a high-quality print medium that enables you to outline your products and services to your target audience in an interesting way. The versatility of print makes it an attractive marketing option to this day, despite the dominance of digital methods.

Print is cost-effective

Even though the initial investment may be higher than digital marketing, you can get more bang for your buck with print because it doesn’t require ongoing maintenance as digital media does. In an increasingly competitive environment, the cost of running ads continues to climb. Printed marketing materials, such as booklets, posters, business cards, brochures and magazines, are fixed-cost per copy.

Furthermore, economies of scale allow businesses to save money on bulk orders. On the other hand, digital ads fluctuate in price depending on demand. For example, popular Google Ads terms are incredibly expensive to target.

Print integrates with digital

A successful marketing strategy doesn’t rely on one marketing medium—it utilises print and digital. But how can you do this? A good way to integrate the two is to create a booklet for your business and push your digital channels, including the company website and social media channels. You can even include a QR code in the booklet, making it quick and easy for readers to learn more on your company’s website.

Final Thoughts

Print media is just as effective as digital. Many believe that digital marketing rules the roost in 2022, but print marketing materials still have an essential role to play. Brands looking to promote products and services in a versatile way that creates an emotional connection and integrates with digital marketing activities should look no further. Producing high-quality booklets, posters, business cards, brochures, flyers, and magazines will help attract your target audience!

“Quiet Quitting” the Workplace Buzzword taking Twitter by Storm 

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Unless you have had your head in the sand these past months, you will have likely come across the new term and the Twitter hashtag “Quiet Quitting.” It describes the disillusioned employee not leaving their job but completing the bare minimum, often due to a lack of appreciation from management. So how can employers help their employees from becoming so disengaged to the point of quiet quitting? We are taking an analytical look into this new Twitter trend to discover where businesses are going wrong and what they can do to improve. 

Gallup provided a report on the Global Workplace in 2022. The results showed that engagement and well-being in the workplace reached stagnation after a steady incline for the past decade. Employee stress levels have also increased, reaching an all-time high. Surprisingly stress levels are higher than during the peak of the Covid Pandemic. It is not a shock that quiet quitting has become a common trope within the workplace.   

We spoke to Annemie Ress, founder at PurpleBeach, who explained that “Quiet quitting is a critical indicator of engagement and ignoring the impact it can have will only create more noise and disruption in the long run. We know disengaged employees will underperform. While we commonly take time to seek feedback on what we can improve when an employee leaves the business, we can forget to stay in touch with the current workforce. It is essential to empower our current employees to have their voices heard, and leadership is key to this. When you lead with trust and share your vision, it can create a sense of purpose for the employee, motivating them to commit to the same onward journey, and inspiring them to create opportunities not just for themselves, but for the organisation too. Creating this collaboration leads to better results all around, and that’s something everyone wants to hear.” 

Communication is necessary; collaborative cohesion between management and employees will create a better relationship for all parties. Employee appreciation and morale appear to be equally important. Samuel Leach from Samuel and Co Trading had this to say about combating quiet quitting. ” I believe quiet quitting takes place when recognition for work isn’t received from the employer. It’s important for me as their boss to give them their internal projects to own, complete, and receive recognition via bonuses or internal celebrations amongst the team. As long as there is a clear progression plan, it avoids the quiet quitting mentality.”  

Appreciation, recognition, and communication are then vital keywords when it comes to the prevention of quiet quitting. There is proof of this when you look at the statistics. According to SlideShare, 85% of employees believe they are at their most motivated when internal communications are regular and productive.  

Arguably, the concept of quiet quitting is not a new phenomenon, as illustrated, perhaps though it’s more prevalent and employees are more vocal. The prevalence and the noise of Quiet Quitting have caused a call to action for institutions.

Ransomware. The Cyber Risk your business can’t afford.

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The number of Ransomware attacks happening around the world is increasing every year and with Covid19 playing a huge role in all of our lives online scams are on the increase too.

Ottawa-based IT company Firewall Technical studied search engine data to look at the Ransomware that caused businesses the most bother. In the study, they found that WannaCry and NonPetya were the ransomware that people were most likely to be infected with but what exactly is ransomware?

What is ransomware

Ransomware is when cyber criminals encrypt your business files and then ransom access them back to you. This is primarily done through phishing emails or infected programs. When you are locked out of your system you will then be notified that your computer is infected and you need to pay to get your files back.

David Jones a computer security expert says that “phishing emails are one of the most common ways of getting your computer system infected. So as a business you should have a security protocol in place for making sure your system is safe.”

The cost of ransomware

Ransomware costs can be anything from hundreds of dollars to hundreds of thousands, so if you are a business that uses the internet and has staff then it would be much cheaper to hire an it support company to backup your data frequently rather than to pay the ransomers.

Some experts also believe that you shouldn’t pay the ransom either as you aren’t guaranteed to get your data back and you could be out of pocket twice by doing so. By paying the ransom you are allowing these scammers to keep their business running too.

But the cost of ransomware isn’t just financial it can have a huge impact on your business reputation too. Customer data being leaked can have a big impact on a business and can tarnish its reputation even though it may not have been their fault.

It’s important for businesses to protect themselves against ransomware and although most business owners are not cyber security experts with little knowledge they can minimise the chance of being held at ransom.

Minimising the risk of ransomware.

As a business owner, you should be backing up your data at regular intervals in case of any type of data loss. This doesn’t have to be from malicious code either this could be from a natural disaster or even a user error.  

If you aren’t backing up your data you are leaving yourself open to a cyber attack. The first step to protect yourself as a business is to back up your data. You can do this yourself if you don’t have a budget by using external hard drives or even the cloud.  

If you do have the budget you can hire an external IT company to help you with backing up your data. Data backups should be scheduled frequently so that if an attack does occur then your data is secure or you don’t lose too much of it to put your business in danger.

Prevention is also better than a cure in this instance, if you can teach your staff what to look out for when it comes to phishing, scams and websites not to visit then you have a much lower chance of getting your systems infected.

It also goes without saying that you should be running anti-malware, anti-virus and firewalls on your computer systems. You can get free software to do all of the above so you don’t have an excuse when it comes to protecting your system. You can also buy yearly subscriptions to the above for a small fee which is much cheaper than having to pay the ransom.

You should also make your staff or employees aware of what devices are permitted to be used in the office. It’s common for employees to use USB pens for personal and business use. This opens your business up to attacks as you have no idea if the USB pen is safe to use in your business.

Your staff also shouldn’t use media that is left around the office. While this may seem safe to do so it can be a trick used by hackers to get you to use the media to infect your systems.  

It’s important to know even with all of these steps in place that anyone can fall victim to a ransomware attack. WannaCry and NotPetya ransomware spread across millions of devices over 150 countries during its peak so it’s clear to see how quickly this can spread.

How Lucrative is the Mobile Gaming Market in the UK in 2022?

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The fact that the global gaming market is predicted to be worth $256.97 billion by 2025 should give you an indication of just how lucrative the UK sector of the market will be this year. When we talk about the mobile gaming market, we are looking at wall games that can be played using mobile devices, which include eSports, casinos like Casumo as well as more traditional console-style games that have moved over to mobile devices. There is also a massive market for app-based gaming with in-app purchases.

Industry Facts

It is estimated that across the globe, over 3.2 billion people enjoy online gaming, and in 2022 the value of the console gaming market is expected to rise to $72.67 billion. Leading console game company Sony reported a value of $97.55 billion in September 2022. Although eSports are a relatively new addition to the market, the audience is already reasonably significant and is predicted to reach over half 1 billion players or should we say punters and watchers, by the end of 2022. Technology is one of the key drivers for the industry, with high-fidelity mobile games on the increase. By 2024 it is predicted that the immersive games side of mobile gaming will be worth $2.4 billion.

High Fidelity Gaming

When you consider how far mobile gaming has come, it is little surprise that more and more people are signing up to play. One of the first mobile games was, of course, snake, provided by Nokia, and since then, things have exploded. One of the key issues with mobile gaming is the size of the screen. Quality and small screens did not tend to go well together until we reached the high-fidelity mobile gaming era. If a game is deemed high fidelity, it has graphics that are considered advanced and complex, and the gameplay is immersive and true to life. The best-selling game in 2021 was FIFA 2022, which wasn’t even released until October, and claimed 10.3% more sales than FIFA 2021. High-fidelity game Call of Duty: Vanguard was second, although this was a 36.1% downtrend from Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. The final entry in the top three games sales for 2021 is Grand Theft Auto5, which is also a high-fidelity game.

2021 Takeovers

Looking specifically at the UK gaming industry, it was the subject of 14 takeovers during 2021, and this has led to an increase in revenue of more than $1.9 billion. One of the critical reasons for this interest is thought to be the arrival of the Metaverse. So, who bought who? Not only were the several acquisitions during 2021, but many were the largest seen in gaming history. ByteDance purchased Moonton for $4 billion, and Electronic Arts were on a roll, taking over both Gru Mobile for $2.4 billion and Playdemic for $1.4 billion. The UK is fast becoming a global hotspot for gaming companies that are up-and-coming and innovative which is why these international giants are looking to take over.  Playtech is one of the largest and best-known names in the industry, and it has also become the subject of a bidding war which has seen figures of £3 billion touted around. Having Playtech in your armoury should thrive when Facebook or Mark Zuckerberg’s Metaverse is fully conversant.

Government Backing

The gaming industry is so important that the government has pledged £50 million in grants and investments to help the economic growth of creative industries, including iGaming. Although the Metaverse is not thought to be fully functional until 2030, the scramble to grab that place at the top has already begun. The last feature to slot into place in the Metaverse will be the virtual reality world, and there is much to be done to compete in this arena. The gaming industry has been identified by UK ministers as vital to up-and-coming economic progression, and the VR market is going to be at the heart of much development. With this in mind, they have pledged £8 million of funding for start-up developers to compete in a cutthroat world. Not only is the UK gaming industry lucrative, but it is sustainable and prospering, no matter whether you are looking at big business or grassroots innovation. It is attracting a lot of international attention as big named players seek to make investments and be the ones to acquire the big new names that are emerging from within the UK.

Tips on Mortgages When You’re Self-Employed

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Is Getting a Mortgage Harder When You’re Self-Employed?

There are currently around 4.8 million self-employed people in the UK, and many of those people think that they wouldn’t be eligible for a mortgage because of their lack of three years’ worth of accounts or their irregular income. This isn’t the case; it just means that there’s a few more hoops to jump through.

If you’re self-employed the thought of getting a mortgage could be a daunting task for you. There’s a perception that people who are self-employed will have a much more difficult time being approved for a mortgage, and this is stopping a lot of people from trying to get on the property ladder. It’s safe to say that a fair amount of people who could own a property are counting themselves out without even trying.

Getting a mortgage when you’re self-employed may be more difficult now since self-cert mortgages (which allowed individuals to borrow money without having to prove their income beforehand) were banned in 2014 due to concerns that borrowers couldn’t afford the mortgages they were being accepted for.

But it’s certainly not impossible, there’s just a few extra steps you’ll have to take to prove to a mortgage lender that your income is reliable enough as you have no employer to vouch for your wage.

How to Improve Your Chances of Being Accepted for a Mortgage

·         First thing you can do is speak to an online mortgage advisor, they can match you with a lender that is most suitable for you. They’ll also know which building societies and banks will be best for you to join.

·         Save as much money as you can for a deposit, this will show that you’re sensible with money.

·         Make sure you’re on the electoral roll by checking with your local council, this will usually be the first thing people check for.

·         Get your accounts prepared for a certified accountant.

·         Stay under your credit card limit by as much as possible. Try to keep below 30% of your available credit, and always make payments on time.

·         And to further the above point, don’t just stick to minimum payments on your card. This could suggest to the lender that you’re struggling financially.

·         Check your credit file to make sure there are no adverse records against you, this is incredibly important as your credit score/rating will dictate which mortgage deals and rates you can apply for.

·         Make sure your accounts are up to date and everything is paid on time. It’s best to pay for things via direct debit where you can.

·         Avoid taking out any loans/payday loans, this will also tell the lender that you’re having financial difficulty. Most lenders will automatically decline if they see records of any recent loans you’ve taken out.

What Do You Have to Provide for a Self-Employed Mortgage?

·         Valid passport or driving license.

·         Proof of address via a council tax bill and utility bills dated within the last 3 months.

·         Six months’ worth of bank statements to prove you’re not struggling financially.

·         You’ll also need to show a bank statement showing that the deposit is held in your account and where it’s been built up.

·         The last 12 months of contracts fully signed by all parties.

·         If you’re a limited company director, then you’ll need to provide the last 2 years’ worth of fully signed off accounts (although some lenders will accept one year’s worth)

·         Evidence of any life insurance that you have that would cover the mortgage.

·         If you rent out property as a source of income, then you will need to provide both evidence of rent paid to you and a Tenancy Agreement.

·         Request a tax overview and 3 years’ worth of SA302s from HMRC.

If you follow the above tips and gather everything that is required, you’ll be much more likely to be accepted for a self-employed mortgage. Remember, you have just as much of a chance as everyone else is, you just have to gather more evidence to back up your case and make yourself look like a reliable borrower. Take time before you apply and ask a professional to get your finances and documents all in order, and you’ll be more than prepared to apply.

Where Are the Places in The USA Where I Can Order Custom Cardboard Boxes?

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If you’re looking for the sort of packaging that offers the most significant number of benefits, cardboard boxes are an option you can’t ignore. Because they are available in any desired size and shape to accommodate the requirements of any product, you will find that they are an excellent choice for every industry and category of development. 

These boxes offer several benefits to their users, encouraging manufacturers, retailers, and other types of businesses to use them for their goods. But where exactly in the USA can one purchase such boxes?

Where Can You Find These Boxes in the USA?

We put our customized cardboard boxes for different uses in our daily lives. We constantly need wrapping supplies when we ship items or give gifts to other people. These boxes are popular for packaging a wide variety of goods, including baked goods, beverages, and office supplies. 

Most boxes need an appealing appearance, and the contents need supplemental cushioning and packing to ensure their safety. Custom cardboard packaging printed on demand are famous for its one-of-a-kind quality, and you have the option of personalizing these boxes to meet the specifications of your business. 

Many packaging industries provide our customers affordable cardboard box logo printing of the highest possible quality using long-lasting materials.

There are many well-known industries in the USA, but Cardboard boxes for delivering exceptional cardboard packaging boxes, the packaging materials inside them, and the best quality services possible. We give you the exact Cardboard Boxes you want by tailoring our services to your specifications. A custom cardboard box with the company logo printed on one of the essential components for the entire product to reach its full potential. A product sold in its distinctive box creates a great deal of variation. This indicates that simply placing your items in a container designed for them may improve their appearance and level of protection.

Why exactly do you need custom cardboard boxes? Let’s take a look. 

Cost Efficient Boxes

Saving money is the most significant benefit that comes along with using custom cardboard packaging that is made specifically for you. The cost of production for these boxes is lower than that of other packaging solutions since the packaging makers use resources derived from the natural world. 

Because of this, they can provide cardboard boxes in wholesale quantities at very reasonable prices. It indicates that by using these boxes, you can save a significant amount of money that can be invested in other facets of your company. 

With the assistance of these cardboard packaging sold in bulk, you will not only be able to ensure the safe delivery of your products, but you will also be able to save money. They reduce the likelihood of product damage and, as a result, the number of customer returns. 

One more way that having custom cardboard boxes printed with your company’s logo can help you save money is by reducing the amount of money you spend on shipping. They are manufactured to be lightweight, so they do not add significantly more weight to the product. As a result, they help companies and brands cut down on their shipping costs.

Better Protection of The Product 

Like every other packaging solution, cardboard packaging’s fundamental objective is to shield the item being packaged from deterioration, loss of quality, and movement. These packaging boxes can be obtained in any desired thickness and outfitted with all necessary protective features. 

You could suggest that your vendors enhance their products with laminations and foiling to make them more durable and ensure that the packages’ contents remain secure and unspoiled. 

You can have cardboard boxes made to order that are specific to the characteristics of your products if you consider the nature of the products you sell. For instance, if you purchase food items such as ramen, you can buy them with a wax coating inside. 

By doing this, you will be able to prevent the spillage of liquid and the introduction of toxic elements from the surrounding environment. You can do the same thing for other products and request features to be included in these boxes to provide the highest level of protection possible.

Stand Out from The Competitors 

Custom cardboard packaging can help your business in many ways, and you can use that to your advantage when marketing your products. These boxes will help you stand out in the marketplace because of their distinctive designs and high-quality printing. Custom cardboard packaging comes in various colors and prints, allowing you to engage different clients in your business. 

These boxes are unique since they incorporate eye-catching graphics and fascinating themes, enabling them to draw customers from a greater distance and inspire them to purchase the bundled things. They are beneficial in reaching out to many people in the market, which is another important consideration. In addition, they can convey the messages associated with the brand and serve as a sales representative for the relevant brand.

Extremely Versatile 

Custom packaging boxes are available in the necessary shapes, patterns, and sizes, which is another significant advantage of using these boxes. You are free to design cardboard boxes to meet your products’ requirements due to their adaptability, which allows for this. You are no longer compelled to use ready-made packaging solutions, which frequently do not provide a good fit for the products. 

When placing an order for custom-printed cardboard boxes, you can question your suppliers about the boxes’ detailed designs, features, sizes, and shapes, in addition to an extensive range of other customizing options. This helps you always express a positive message about your brand, strengthening buyers’ trust in your product.

Our Final Thoughts

Custom cardboard boxes are one of a kind, offering you all the benefits we have discussed above. You can have these boxes customized however you like and attract more clients. We hope the information we have provided above helps you speed up the hectic decision to choose the best quality material for your product packaging.

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