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Narcissism is not a Dirty Word

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Australian author, Esther Hunter, presents the idea that narcissism can be a precursor to personal-development, self-confidence, and ultimately spiritual awakening. We interviewed her regarding her latest book, From Narcissism to Nirvana.

Why did you become interested in the topic of narcissism?

I experienced narcissistic abuse. As a result, I have been attracted to narcissists, and I also developed narcissistic traits myself. Sharing information about narcissism is my way of making all the abuse and loneliness I used to accept as normal in life count for something positive.

Why did you title the book ‘From Narcissism to Nirvana?’

When you let go of all your baggage; trauma, stories, limitations, and fears, there is a sensation of peace, acceptance, and oneness with everything which has its own momentum and takes over you in the most beautiful way. It feels sacred and holy. Some people describe it like coming home to themselves. I simply felt like all was well in the world, and I fully belonged to myself. I want other people to experience this, too.

Why do you think most people are taught to avoid narcissists?

Narcissistic behaviour is very confusing and harmful if you are not educated about personality disorders. A quick internet search will bring you up-to-date on what to look out for. The current advice for how to handle a narcissistic situation generally amounts to leaving and cutting contact. There is a huge need to provide help for people involved in a narcissistic dynamic who would like to stay and completely work through their issues. We generally avoid anything we don’t have the skills to deal with safely.

Are we experiencing an epidemic of narcissism?

In places that have become more materialistic, I believe so. The nuclear family structure is fragile. Young children need a community of attentive caregivers surrounding them. Unfortunately, children have come to be viewed as the individual property of their parents; possessions which they can do whatever they want with instead of simply being extra humans for the world. We have created a number of generations now who have had to vie for the attention of one or two caregivers. This does not provide enough shock absorption whenever something affects the parents’ ability to show up properly for the child. As a result, many people now struggle with relationship problems caused by deep abandonment issues. Attachment trauma can developmentally-stunt a child at an age where they have not learnt how to healthily communicate, regulate their emotions, take accountability for their actions, or be responsible for making decisions. Narcissism makes a lot more sense when viewed through the lens of arrested development. Without a healthy example of how to mature into a stable adult, narcissists remain children into adulthood and develop unhealthy coping strategies to deal with how frustrating that is.

Is narcissism possible to heal?

Of course! There is a huge difference of opinion about this. I have personally witnessed many journeys of recovery. Narcissism exists on a spectrum, so there may be more of a chance for those lower down the scale of pathology to be open to looking in the mirror at themselves and developing the strength to change. Change can often be instant. I go into detail in the book about the fast way it can happen (where they experience a band-aid rip which simulates traditional ‘initiation’ practices to kill off the child/ego), and I discuss how we can slowly and compassionately heal ourselves by consciously resolving triggers (which polarise us and thus make us prone to addiction).

What are you hoping readers will take from your book?

I want to help everyone experience contentment and freedom in their lives, let go of fear and hatred, and look at themselves and each other with unconditional love. This book offers hope about challenges a lot of us would rather avoid. Many of us are realising we will continue encountering narcissists until we heal. Being vibrationally matched with a narcissist cannot be brushed aside. There is this unconscious magnetic pull which drives us to keep going back until we’ve ‘learnt the lesson’ which is embedded inside the struggle. This can be confusing, because contemporary advice by many Psychologists and Therapists unintentionally adds shame to the situation by insinuating the right thing to do is to avoid narcissists. This will occur naturally when the lesson is learnt because there won’t be unresolved trauma inside you becoming activated by them. Avoidance and unnatural suppression are issues I have a whole chapter dedicated to in the book. They cannot be manually applied. Similar to a chicken having to crack through its own shell, we have to develop a robust identity and an ability to take care of ourselves and others responsibly. Nobody else can heal our abandonment issues, low self-esteem, insecurity, and shame.

What are the signs someone might be experiencing narcissism in their life if they haven’t heard about it before?

You may be manipulating others to get your needs met, or being easily manipulated to meet others’ needs. This can be done overtly with violence and intimidation, or covertly with guilt and lying. There is an underlying feeling of powerlessness. The key is to understand that there is no need to feel ashamed if you recognise that you have been partaking in this sort of behaviour. Then you can practice accountability, which is the first step towards giving and receiving apologies, forgiveness, and moving on for a fresh start.

When we are young, we are not in control of our emotions. This makes us incredibly vulnerable. If we are not guided to develop a strong sense of Self, healthy boundaries, or emotional maturity by a loving caregiver, we either continue being taken advantage of by others into adulthood, or simply flip the script and perpetuate the cycle by exploiting people to meet our needs. This is mostly done unconsciously, stemming from early beliefs formed surrounding how to value human beings. Having the courage to acknowledge patterns of thinking and behaving which need to be changed is the beginning of the most fulfilling journey from narcissism to nirvana.

From Narcissism to Nirvana, by Esther Hunter, is available to buy directly from the website www.fromnarcissismtonirvana.com and most other major booksellers.

How to save money on broadband when moving home

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Packing and moving can be a slog but getting a good broadband deal shouldn’t be.

For loads of homeworkers, broadband is vital but paying the bill for it often goes under the radar unlike gas and electric.

However, millions of people are paying more than they should because they have left contracts running after the deals expired.

If you’re moving home you need to check what speed you are getting in the new area – can you even get the provider you were on previously – and see if you can negotiate a better deal.

Moving home is the reminder we need to check what we’re paying, check available speeds and negotiate a much better deal.

Ways you can get a better broadband deal

When you do finally get the feeling that your house sale is moving, don’t forget to do these things:

Check your notice period:  – Did you know that some providers require between 14-30 days’ notice for a move – either to cancel or swap the broadband to the new house?

Check what broadband is available – You might be in for shock if you’re used to super fast Virgin but there are no cables offering such at your new home. Use a postcode checker to find out what is available.

Faster speed or lower bills? – If you work from home or download a lot of data you’ll use much more internet than other households. The more people at home, the more data you will need.

Staying with your current provider

If your current broadband provider offers services at your new address, you can stay with them however watch your existing contract for rolling over. If you move this can become part of the contract and your provider will simply switch your connection to your new address.

You may find it’s easier to negotiate a better deal on a new contract. Providers are keener than ever to retain customers so a deal could definitely be had.

Give the provider plenty of notice, book the installation for the day after moving day and everything should be fine.

To move home with your current broadband provider:

– Tell your provider the moving date and request installation for the new house as soon after as possible

– Complete paperwork required to enable the move

– Make sure you’re home on the day to allow access to the engineer if one is required

To switch providers

Switching provider when you move house is easy.

New customer offers, free gifts and other incentives are always offered to lure in new customers.

Here’s how to switch broadband provider:

– Ensure you’re out of contract with your current provider

– Use a postcode checker to see what’s available at your new house

– Decide whether you want to save money or have more speed

– Sign up to the deal that delivers best value

– Arrange installation for asap after moving house

– Make sure you’re home when the engineer visits

Does the UK’s high potential individual visa lead to ILR?

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The UK HPI is a skill-based visa available to foreign nationals who don’t have an employment offer but are qualified at higher education levels. This visa came into effect in May 2022.

To create the right skills for the UK’s dynamic labor market, the high potential visa was introduced to encourage exceptionally skilled individuals to move to the UK. Applicants need to convince the government that they will benefit the UK. Besides, the visa enables individuals to travel to the United Kingdom in search of work devoid of a sponsor. Still, they may be able to move with their families too.

It’s more of an education visa, but upon expiry, the High Potential Individual visa may apply for other types of visas for further settlement. The major cause for concern is whether this visa leads to indefinite leave to remain. In this post, we will take you through the step of getting the HPI Visa and shed some light on how it can lead to indefinite leave to remain.

HPI Visa educational requirements explained

An applicant who has graduated from a top university in the last five years may be qualified for this visa, provided the institution matches the Home Office’s Global University. This ensures that institutions with international influence and a worldwide reputation are included when assessing applications.

Other requirements include

  • Documents showing proof of being 18 years or older.
  • They have satisfied the linguistic standards for English requirements.
  • The applicant should have a minimum of £1,270 bank account for upkeep. There are exceptions if you have been staying in the United Kingdom for a year.
  • The applicant should not be on the records for the permission of the doctorate extension scheme.

How to apply

Applications are done online by accessing the UK government application portal and creating a profile. You will use this profile from the application start to the approval point. You must submit the proof of age document, certificates, and the application fee online. As for the biometrics and photos, you need to schedule an appointment at the UKVCAS station.

Approval duration

Due to the verification period it takes to verify your document, it is best to apply for the high potential visa a month before scheduling your flight.

Once you’ve applied for the visa, proceeded with proving your identity, and submitted all the required documents, you should receive a decision within a few weeks.

That is three weeks for UK non-residents and eight weeks for UK residents. If you previously have been a convict, processing your application may be derailed by the paperwork involved. You may be contacted to provide more documents regarding the conviction.

How much does the high potential individual visa cost?

The visa application fee stands at £2404. The additional £800 must be paid if you choose to use the super-priority service, and a decision may be reached within six months if you apply using the standard service.

What’s the validity period High Potential Individual Visa?

If the UK Home Office approves your HPI visa, you may live in the United Kingdom for three years. But, the time of stay hinges on what type of degree you hold. High-potential individuals holding a Ph.D. may have about three years on their Visas. However, the Visas will only be valid for two years for other degree holders. Once the period ends, they will be deemed invalid, and the holder may have to apply for other Visas.

Could the High potential individual UK visas be extended?

Unfortunately, the High Potential Individual visa period cannot be extended. It’s only for the three or two years you get. So if you want to stay for more than the Visa validity period, you may have to apply for different visa types.

Will a High Potential visa lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain?

Indefinite leave to remain settles you permanently in the United Kingdom. That means you get to work, learn, and live as long as possible. Besides, it may be used in the application for British citizenship. The High Potential visa may not lay a direct path to settlement.

Still, applicants can switch to other visa options in the United Kingdom, but their applications need to acquiesce before the expiry of the current visa. For most tier 1 hopefuls, applying for a spousal visa via the marriage or civil partnership route is one option they could consider if they wish to settle in the United Kingdom long-term.

But there are also cases where individuals within the period of validity of the HPI visas have managed to get jobs as private servants in diplomatic households. As such, their visas change to international agreement visas. During the period of employment, the international agreement visa gives them the green light to apply for the indefinite leave to remain visa.

Why the high potential visa may not directly lead to the indefinite leave to remain

The high-potential individual visas may last up to four years. The requirements require the applicant to live in the United Kingdom for half a decade towards the application period. Also, it dictates applicants who have spent six months outside the UK within the last five years.

As a graduate, the applicant should not be on the records for the doctorate extension scheme. After the high-potential individual visa expires, they must stay in the United Kingdom with other types of visas, not an extension.

Further, the legal age is between 18 to 64. If you make the high-potential individual application when you are 62, after the five years that qualify one for the indefinite leave to remain visa, you won’t be of legal age.

Wrapping up

The high potential individual visas may lead to indefinite leave to remain. But you have to spend the right amount of time in the United Kingdom, wherein the high potential individual visa will be deemed invalid. You need to apply for other types of visas in the meantime while you wait to be eligible for the ILR.

Pioneering technology company employs milestone 100th staff member

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AN award winning technology company whose ambition is to enable more and more older people to retain their independence has reached the milestone of appointing its 100th employee as demand for its services continues to grow. And, it is still looking for more people to recruit.

Alertacall is the brainchild of James Batchelor who created technology to allow his 86-year-old grandmother Eveline to confirm she was safe each day while also enabling her and many others like her to enjoy a great deal of personal freedom.

In line with a surge for its services from housing associations and local authorities across the UK, the company recently celebrated employing its 100th staff member.  Most of the team are based in the North West, at its offices in Windermere, Cumbria, and Warrington, Cheshire, with an increasing number working remotely from their homes across the UK.

The timing of the landmark appointment coincides with the recent announcement that Alertacall was honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation – the highest accolade awards for UK businesses recognising and celebrating business excellence.

James said: “I remember the early days when it was just me in the business running pretty much everything. The team has steadily grown since but there has been a real spike in the past five years, which has seen our numbers more than double.

“The number of people receiving our services has grown at some pace  in recent years, and I think that is largely because we have woken up as a society to the very real need for more regular and more caring contact with older people.  It is inevitable that we have grown because we put daily contact at the heart of our services and because we invest so much in our team members, the customer experience is great.

“To meet this extra demand, we have needed to grow our team and it’s an excellent feeling to be able to create jobs for  so many people in a rural part of Cumbria where it can often be difficult to find roles that can develop into lasting careers.”

Alertacall’s products have helped tens of thousands of older people retain their independence for longer, and are used to modernise supported housing schemes nationwide with features that include providing internet access for those who have no broadband or smartphone.

Among the products provided by the company is the award-winning OKEachDay service which allows daily contact, easy messaging and video calling through a touchscreen device.

As Alertacall continues to grow, the company remains on the lookout for further new members of staff across its operations, technical and business development departments.

James said: “We have plans for further significant growth in the coming years and to meet the increased volume of business we will need to recruit even further. In particular, we’re looking for people to join our Business Development team right now.

“As a company, we have a strong focus on not just looking after our customers but looking after our team members too.  We invest in training, run our own leadership programme and everyone has confidential access to a trained coach or counsellor.

“We strive to make Alertacall an attractive place to work and create somewhere people can learn, grow and develop not just their professional skills but their personal skills too.”

To find out more about job opportunities at Alertacall, email jobs@alertacall.com.

Are Final Warnings Still Valid in the Workplace? Let’s Find Out

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Yes, final warnings can allow both parties to focus on their differences and work through them. They also tend to end disputes before they get out of hand. However, despite this advantage, some companies still use them as a last resort—a way of avoiding costly litigation or simply because the boss considers employees a little too challenging to handle. Many business leaders believe that final warnings should still exist in today’s changing workforce.

1.   Gives the Employee, a Clear Path Forward

A final warning is the last chance for employees to improve their performance or behavior before termination. That type of warning is necessary after the employee has received a verbal or written warning and has not made the changes needed. The warning is often helpful when an employer wants to give the employee time to correct their actions or if they are unsure whether they should terminate the person.

The employer must ensure that this type of notice will work and be successful before issuing it because incorrectly issuing it could cause more problems than it solves.

2.   Can Help Protect the Employer from Potential Lawsuits

Final warnings can also protect employers from potential lawsuits because employees have had ample opportunity to fix their problems without consequences beforehand. Employers often warn employees who have exhibited misconduct or poor performance at work. These warnings act as the last chance for employees to improve their behavior or risk termination.

However, while these warnings are typically valid, there are some circumstances where they may not be. For example, the warning may not be proper if an employer has not given an employee a chance to improve their performance after receiving a warning.

3.   Can Help on Matters Pertaining Productivity and Conduct

In most cases, a final warning comes in handy when an employee has shown a lack of improvement after receiving verbal and written warnings. That type of corrective action takes place, hoping the employee will change their behavior or improve their productivity. Additionally, employers can issue warnings for workplace conduct issues.

For example, if you have concerns about alcohol use at work, giving the last warning before termination would be appropriate. It can thus help manage the performance of employees to productivity and conduct. However, some employees don’t see the writing on the wall until they’re already out the door. Consequently, such issues have resulted in many companies revising their termination policies to make them fairer for employers and employees.

4.   Helps Employees See Problems objectively

Employees who receive last warnings are usually able to see their problems objectively. That is because they have a chance to improve their performance and are aware of the consequences of their actions. As a result, they are usually more willing to change their behavior. When employees do not understand why they are receiving the warnings, it can be hard for them to change their behavior.

For example, if an employee receives a warning for having a messy desk but does not know what is wrong with their action, they will be unable to fix the problem and continue with their sloppy desk habits. Hence, it’s crucial to communicate with the employee about the situation. That way, they will be able to act accordingly and hopefully change their behavior so that a termination won’t follow.

5.   Helps Bring an Offence to Light and Keep Track of Employee Behaviour

If an employee has committed an act worthy of the last warning, likely, this is not the first time they have done something wrong. In most cases, an employer will issue a final warning after a verbal or written warning. The purpose of a final notice is to bring the offense to light and help the employee improve their behavior or performance.

A final warning allows for future references if employees do not abide by the rules in their contract. It also helps managers track how well each staff member performs and if there are any problems with their work.

Conclusion

Final warnings are still a helpful tool that employers can use to correct employee behavior. However, employers should use them sparingly and only after other corrective measures have failed. Additionally, employers should ensure that their warning policy is well-documented and consistently applied. Employees need to know what behaviors warrant the last warning and what they need to do before receiving one. Also, if an employer issues too many warnings, they risk losing some of their most talented employees. A balancing act is necessary when issuing the warnings. You can partner with a professional dealing with employee warnings and termination to help you develop a fair process.

New Financial Crime Solution from ActiveOps set to reduce risk for banks

ActiveOps has introduced a new workforce management solution to help banks and financial institutions manage casework and reduce regulatory risk. 

Reading, UK, July 11, 2022 – ActiveOps PLC., the management process automation company, has introduced a new solution to support the workforce management needs of Financial Crime operations. The new solution is designed for banks and other financial institutions to help them handle case-based work faster, keep themselves and their customers safe and ensure compliance with the strict regulations that govern these processes. 

The new workforce management solution promises to help with Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) cases, improving productivity and optimising time spent across the caseload to maximise case progression. The solution, built on the recently launched CaseworkiQ product, delivered a 20% improvement in productivity in its first deployment within a UK bank. 

Peter Cregg, Product Director at ActiveOps, said: “Companies that have to deal with KYC and AML checks are under more pressure than ever. Case complexity has increased during the pandemic, and the cost of compliance continues to rise”. 

“We’re proud at ActiveOps to be helping them achieve those goals with our Financial Crime Solutions. Labour remains the most significant portion of the cost of compliance. Our solutions ensure skills and capacity are used as effectively as possible to progress the caseload and meet service level commitments.” 

Banks, insurers, and other financial institutions are among the most heavily regulated in the world – and the risks of non-compliance range from heavy financial penalties to severe damage to the enterprise’s reputation. 

In 2021, total fines for AML breaches amounted to €2.5 billion globally – and though this is down from the 2020 figure of €11.5 billion, it shows that the pressure is still on to ensure that AML and KYC processes are watertight. Furthermore, a 2022 FICO survey revealed that 56 per cent of British consumers would leave their bank if it were found to have been involved in a money-laundering scandal. 

Against this backdrop, the pressure on operations teams in financial institutions is enormous. The cases that operations must handle are often complex, with multiple touchpoints across the business – with strict timelines for each touchpoint and severe consequences for failure. To get ahead, operations leaders need access to data showing them where to spend their efforts handling incoming work, reducing their case backlog, and prioritising cases at risk of regulatory or service level agreement (SLA) failure. 

ActiveOps’ Financial Crime Solutions integrate seamlessly with an enterprise’s existing case management solution to provide managers a 360° view of cases. It includes powerful tools to enhance control of workload and predict problems before they happen, helping boost productivity by up to 25 per cent. 

Using predictive tools, ActiveOps’ Financial Crime Solutions also enable managers to predict workload into the future based on historical and real-time data, so they can ensure they have the resource required to manage the volume of work that comes into the business. With detailed insight into every case and touchpoint, ActiveOps also helps operations leaders demonstrate compliance. 

Request a demo here.

The Importance of Ship Management in the Global Economy

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Like a cog in a well-oiled machine, the marine sector is the backbone of international trade and is undeniably one of the key factors propelling growth worldwide. In fact, there’s a fair probability that whatever field you work in or even the brand you buy your jeans from is supported and reliant on continuity within the maritime industry in some manner. From ship management to the transportation of important cargo. the maritime sector provides a variety of critical services and marine-centric solutions that contribute to the global economy.

There are also a variety of services and marine-centric solutions that keep the maritime industry itself afloat. Ship management, for example, plays a crucial role in the marine sector and is a crucial component across a number of services.

So what is ship management? And why is it so crucial to the global economy?

What is ship management?

As the name suggests, ship management is the management of nautical vessels by a ship management company on behalf of a private or commercial owner. The management of ships and other marine vessels is frequently carried out by large ship management companies that are hired specifically to manage and maintain either a fleet of vessels or a single vessel. A ship management company will also oversee and manage the services associated with a vessel – hence why ship management is such a crucial component in the global economy.

Furthermore, an owner/operator may enter into a contract with a ship management business to lease their vessel for a specific amount of time. An owner/operator may choose to lease their ship wholly to the management company, while others choose a hybrid approach.

Why is ship management important?

Ship management is considered an essential service both in the marine sector and in the global economy for its crucial involvement in shipping and freight. This is because ship management allows private and commercial owners/operators alike to transfer operational responsibility and upkeep of their vessels to a single, professional ship management company, resulting in a more simplified, efficient, and cost-effective process in day-to-day operations for all parties involved.

The benefits of ship management

In a nutshell, the services provided to a fleet of vessels by a ship management company will come down to what the owner/operator needs. A professional ship management company will offer a variety of different marine support services that can be tailored into a bespoke package that adds value to a vessel’s operations and ensures its upkeep.

Benefits of ship management include…

Maintenance

A professional ship management company will handle the upkeep and maintenance of a vessel and will ensure everything is properly cared for. This includes the ship itself as well as any machinery, equipment or other infrastructure commonly found onboard.

Crew management

Finding and managing a crew to work onboard a vessel can be an overwhelming experience for an owner/operator. As a result, many choose to pass the management of their crew to a ship management company. When done correctly and to a high standard, a professional crew management service will ensure a vessel is not only properly maintained, but also that the physical and mental wellbeing of a crew is taken care of. Among other things, this is paramount in cementing operational continuity aboard a vessel.

Transactions and negotiations

As many owners/operators choose to outsource their vessel operations to a ship management company, it is also often the job of the aforementioned company to handle the regulatory side of operations. This includes the ship operations themselves, which will be specific to the vessel.

It’s also important to note that a professional ship management company will take care of the insurance for a vessel, which essentially takes the hassle and stress out of finding a specialist insurance company.

Cargo management & supplies

Whatever specialist sector within the maritime industry your vessel is a part of, at some point, you are bound to be facing the loading and unloading of cargo. It may be important goods or even crucial supplies for the crew such as medicines and food. A professional ship management company will be able to take care of your cargo management, whatever that cargo may be.

Other benefits of ship management

There are of course numerous benefits of ship management. Perhaps most pertinent in this day and age is the great technological strides within the industry in recent years and the digitalisation of the sector. These days, many ship management companies provide innovative digital solutions and services, including the use of centralised digital interfaces that provide full transparency and accessibility. Utilising these specialist platforms, many owners/operators can now collaborate with their ship management company to make data-centric decisions when it comes to their vessels.

Final thoughts

The maritime industry is extremely important to the global economy. The marine sector is the backbone of international trade, acting as a giant gear in a well-oiled machine. It’s certainly one of the driving forces behind global expansion.

As a result, whichever subject you work in is likely to be influenced by the maritime industry in some way. From ship management to cargo transportation, the maritime industry delivers a variety of important services and marine-centric solutions that contribute to the global economy. It goes without saying that without the marine sector, global supply systems and the economies they support would collapse.

The maritime sector is kept afloat by a variety of services and marine-centric solutions. In the marine business, for example, ship management is critical.

A fleet of vessels, like an accountant’s client’s finances, requires care, oversight, and administration. Taking appropriate care of your vessels should be a key priority for any owner or operator, whether you’re operating a private fleet of cruise ships or transporting essential cargo.

The Real Cost of Divorce in 2022

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One of the most synonymous issues related to divorce is cost. If you are just starting proceedings, you may wonder what you are entitled to financially, how much solicitors will be and whether or not you can pay as you go for your legal fees. We look at what you can expect cost-wise for a divorce in 2022. 

What will I be entitled to? 

Typically, all divorces, will start negotiations on a fifty-fifty split basis. That means that each of you will be theoretically assigned half of the assets you had when you were married, irrespective of which party earned the most. As discussions ensue, other factors will come to play a role in the final agreement.

Factors in a divorce settlement 

The elements that will affect the final agreement include who has custody of any children and the level of complexity involved in the property and estates. In addition, fees will vary if you manage your divorce online, seek support from online resources or enlist the help of a family lawyer. If the divorce is contested this will also influence cost.

How does a contested divorce impact the cost? 

When a divorce is contested, one of the parties is opposing it, meaning you will have to go to court. A petitioner (the person filing for divorce) will usually pay solicitor’s fees plus £593 for court administration. The respondent does usually not have to pay the £593 but they will have to pay their solicitor if they want to be legally represented. 

What do solicitors charge for a divorce?
In some cases, it’s beneficial to be charged by the hour. Hourly rates are usually used when the length of a divorce is not clear or there are unresolved issues relating to it. Associated rates will be attributed to the expertise of the legal expert assigned to your case. The fee variability can be linked to the level of prosperity in your area, marked by house prices, for example. 

Am I better to pay a fixed fee for my divorce? 

If your divorce is a relatively straight forward, then a fixed fee is the preferred choice. You will know exactly what you are paying and what you are getting. Services will be broken down and costed in a quotation ahead of beginning the process. This will include the preparation of paperwork, legal advice, application fees e.g. final orders, as well as ongoing communications. 

Pay as you go 

Many legal firms impart their knowledge and share their services on a flexible basis. This means that you have the option of a ‘pay as you go’ type approach. Perhaps you would like clarification ahead of finalising your agreement, or there could be other specific areas where you want that ad hoc specialist advice. If so, this arrangement can help you manage your finances effectively. 

Reaching a financial settlement 

Finally, when it comes to costs related to a financial settlement, if your case isn’t complex, legal fees from a solicitor will be anything up to around £800 (this involves drafting a Financial Remedy order). An additional cost for court is £50. If things aren’t so simple, you could pay around £1500 – £1700 in solicitor’s fees. If you are unable to reach a decision about how you want to split finances, you will need to seek an adjudication form the court. 

Conclusion 

With so many variables in divorce costs, it’s worth spending time to take full stock of your joint assets, and your own unique situation.  This will give clarity on what the best route forward is, and will give rise to a more accurate picture of the real cost of your divorce. 

Preventive Methods Against Online Addiction 

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Gambling is illegal in a lot of countries. A lot of religions and cultures are also against gambling because it is highly addictive. People often get addicted to this technology when they start getting greedy to win as much as they can and get millionaires through it. In the industry of gambling, there is a common phrase that states that a good gambler knows when to stop.

Gambling is just like a game, and people do get addicted to the game, especially after a while when it starts to get interesting. If you understand the limits of gambling, then you will save a lot of money, time, and effort. Here are some details, so you do not end up facing problems in the long run.

Methods to stop yourself from becoming a gambling addict

It is necessary to understand that it’s never too late to get back on track. When it comes to gambling, once you start losing the savings, it’s time to stop. The more you spend to get a big win, the more losses you will face. Here is how you can limit yourself and enjoy gambling without turning into an addict. You will find a lot of safe and secure choices of foreign casinos that will help you to limit your gambling and help you not to become addicted. 

Make some limitations

A lot of online casinos offer this service where the player can set up the amount that they want to play with every month. You will not have to worry about spending extra as the casino will not allow you to play over the limit that you have selected. Make sure that the limit is not high as you might end up spending too much. Spend by keeping in mind that it is solely for the purpose of entertainment, and you should not spend a lot for a few hours having a good time. 

Restrict your gambling time

Gambling is considered addictive in different parts of the world, but it is entirely in your hands and how you choose it. Play it as a source of entertainment but not as a source of income. All online casinos are open 24/7, and you will always find new jackpots and live casinos, but it does not mean that you should play all the time. In some casinos, you can also limit the time duration that you spend daily while playing. You can set it up for one or two hours daily so that even if you are drunk, you will not end up spending all. 

Don’t play to recover your losses

Treat your losses in a similar manner as you treat your winnings. If you lose a game, then do not try to start another one for the sake of recovering the amount you just lost. Running behind the amount you lose will make you furious and just a very small amount of loss can lead you to lose a lot of money. People end up spending a huge amount of money and get nothing in return. 

How to know if you are a gambling addict or not

A lot of people who are addicted to gambling do not realize it until they start facing major problems, and by then, it is already too late. The online gambling market is rising rapidly at this time, so it is very important for you to first look into yourself and see if you are turning into a gambling addict or not. Here are some ideas to help you in assessing yourself. There are a few points; take a look at them and then see if you are related to them or not. 

Who knows that you gamble?

It is very simple if you must keep your gambling hidden from your loved ones and close ones, it means that you are turning into an addict. Sometimes if you feel that if you tell someone about all the games, then they will not understand your mindset, which is wrong. A person will only try to keep his gambling secret when he starts playing very often. 

Want to gamble even when you are broke?

Sometimes when you do not have enough savings to spend on gambling, do you think about spending the money that you have saved for some other cause? If yes, then you are slowly becoming a gambling addict. Some players often start using money that they saved for utility bills or for family goals. Some players even start spending from their credit cards by thinking that they will return the amount after getting a big win, which never comes. A lot of people now gamble with cryptocurrency, if you do the same then treat it as your money and do not spend all the crypto that you have. 

Summary how to prevent against gambling addiction

Gambling is the gameplay that all people should only look at for entertainment and to relax their minds. It should not be treated as a source of income or a platform to stake all your savings. To be a good gambler and an expert, you need to learn the difference between becoming a pro player and turning into a gambling addict.

Global fintech Smart announces new Australian home

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  • World leading retirement technology provider finds new home in one of the world’s foremost retirement savings markets
  • Global fintech brings new investment, innovation and jobs to Melbourne
  • Tim Pallas, Minister for Economic Development of the Australian state of Victoria, visited Smart’s global headquarters in London, UK to welcome the news

Global retirement technology provider Smart has selected Melbourne as the home of its new Australian headquarters – making the company’s world-leading services available to Australia’s pensioners, and supporting jobs and innovation in the Victorian capital. 

The announcement follows the recent introduction of the Retirement Income Covenant in Australia, which seeks to provide pension funds with greater flexibility in designing their retirement income strategies.

Smart’s technology powers the retirement savings of more than a million savers across the world, including in the Middle East in partnership with Zurich, in Ireland with the Bank of Ireland, in the UK through Smart Pension and in partnership with Barclays business banking, and across the USA.

Backed by investors including J.P. Morgan, Barclays, Legal & General Investment Management, Link Group, Chrysalis Investments, and Fidelity International Strategic Ventures, Smart’s technology has transformed the ease of saving for retirement and taking retirement income. Its technology includes apps, web access, Alexa and Google Home skills,  making it as easy to manage retirement funds as it is to shop or bank online.

Andrew Evans and Will Wynne, co-founders of Smart commented:

“We’re really excited to bring our technology to bear in Australia, creating jobs and bringing further innovation to one of the most mature retirement ecosystems on the planet. Our tech is based on over a million hours of research and development. As part of that, we recently spoke to over 2,000 Australians and found that only 22% of those aged 55 and older feel like they understand their options at retirement. That’s where we come in. Our AI and guided navigation tools can be accessed by people  24 hours a day, 7 days a week, simplifying retirement savings and opening up huge amounts of value to people. Melbourne’s rapidly growing fintech ecosystem makes it the natural choice for Smart, and we are extremely grateful to the State of Victoria for their support.”

Tim Pallas, Victorian Minister for Economic Development, added:

“This arrival of Smart shows that Victoria is a productive ground for major global companies, and we’ll continue to create the conditions that allow businesses to thrive and deliver more jobs.”

Image: Smart Co-founders Andrew Evans and Will Wynne

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