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Paying Off Debt Whilst Single

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If you are a single person paying off debt, you are probably aware of some of the negatives of doing this by yourself. However, it is not all doom and gloom as there are also positive things. Having gone through my debt free journey whilst single a few years ago, I thought I’d share some of these positive points. I will also share some things I did to help myself combat the negatives, too.

Positives of being a single when paying off debt

1. You don’t have to worry about anyone else being ‘on board ‘with your plans.

The only person you need to make sure is on plan, is yourself (and that can be hard enough!). The best part of being single is that once you decide to do something, you do not need to consult someone else.

If you have older children, you might want to ask their views and opinions, or at least tell them that things will be changing. You will need to explain to them that your money situation is changing, because up until the point you start paying your debt off, they would have been used to getting toys, sweets, games etc.

You can use this to teach them about why debt is bad, and how important it is to spend less that you are making. This can be much easier to explain if your children are older, however, the younger you teach kids about money, the better!

2. You have total control of the budget.

As a natural control freak, I love that there is nobody’s opinion to consider, except mine. You do not have someone telling you to put more/less money towards debt, less/more towards sinking funds, or to add new things into the budget. The only arguments you will have about the budget, is with yourself. Of course, this has its downsides too, but we will discuss this later.

3. You don’t have to be concerned about another person’s debt

This is hands down the biggest positive about being single on a debt free journey. You will not have unexpected or unknown about debt popping up! One of the main issues that I hear from married/co-habiting couples is the fact that they did not really know ALL debts that their partner had.

If you are single, you do not have to worry about that!

4. Generally, your expenses will be cheaper.

Things like gas, electricity, water, and food bills should all be cheaper if there is only one person in the house. Also, you will probably only have 1 car (so 1 monthly petrol amount, 1 insurance, MOT and Tax to worry about), 1 set of hobbies to pay for, 1 category for adult clothing. The list goes on!

Also, if you are a single adult living alone or are a single parent living with children, you can get a 25% reduction on your council tax bill! This is often overlooked by most, but it is something I took full advantage of.

Negatives of being a single when Paying off Debt

Now on to the not so positive aspects of being a single and paying off debt. This is NOT meant to be a downer, but it is meant as a tool to keep you on the ball. It also allows you to be aware of the pitfalls so you can avoid or find ways around them.

1. You only have one income

This is the biggest barrier to being single and paying off their debt. You may only have one set of expenses and debt, but you will also only have one income. Of course, this may not be the case if you have more than one job, but for most, you may only have one income.

A great way around this is to find a second income stream. This includes things like matched betting, freelancing, taking online surveys, etc. You can then use this additional income to pay off your debt faster. There are so many ways to make money in your spare time.

2. You may not have any real-life support

I found this one hard. Nobody is as invested in your financial future as you are. Therefore, nobody wants to talk about it 24/7. If you are anything like me, you LIKE to talk about it 24/7 and are slightly obsessed.

What you can do to get around this is to look for support in other places. This means looking for local support groups, both offline and online. I have found and am part of many Facebook debt support groups.

When I got home from a long day at work, I didn’t have a partner to tell how I didn’t spend any money that day, how I stuck to my budget, or how I felt I had failed and needed encouragement. That is where the Facebook groups comes in. We all support and encourage each other, and sometimes give each other a ‘nudge’ if we are going off plan.

I hope this post has shown you that single people living alone can pay off debt too! It may take slightly longer, but final result is just the same.

The Advantages of Investing In Gold

Gold is often regarded as one of the most precious metals on earth. With the ongoing pandemic proving the uncertainty of many investments, it’s not surprising that the global demand for gold has surged. There are many advantages to investing in gold compared to stocks or bonds, and this article will go through a few of those reasons.

Gold is Highly Regarded

Gold has been prized throughout the ages, resulting in economic, religious, and social significance, and for centuries, it has been highly valued and sought after in many cultures. Gold has been seen in funeral rituals in Egypt, in temples, ornaments or gifts of jewellery in Asia, and even for medicinal purposes in Europe and today, gold remains in regular use in these countries, proving that it can stand the test of time in value and popularity

The Benefits of Physical Gold

Investing in allocated (physical) gold is a safe choice in the current economic climate. Stocks and shares are known to crash without warning suddenly, and paper money naturally loses value over time, whereas physical gold is an inflation-proof investment. Moreover, gold is an effective long term investment, with its value increasing by 655% over the last 20 years, presenting a considerable return for investors over time.

As mentioned above, gold has always been in high global demand. Therefore, you will always have an opportunity to sell your physical gold if you need to. Another advantage to investing in physical gold is the security you gain instead of online investments. As we become increasingly digital in all aspects of life, the benefits of tangible assets, in turn, become more appealing.

Furthermore, physical gold is safe from online hackers and identity thieves. Therefore, if at any moment you find yourself without internet or in a compromised online position, the possession of physical gold really could be a lifesaver.

The Benefits of Unallocated Gold

The most common form of gold investment is unallocated gold. About 95% of the world’s gold ownership is in unallocated gold. This means that you do not physically own the gold, but it is backed by a bank’s physical gold reserve, and as it has no storage costs, it is often cheaper than physical gold. In addition, a considerable benefit of unallocated gold, compared to other commodities, is that it has much lower volatility, and with demand remaining reasonably constant, interest rates are likely to stay low.

Gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are also a cost-effective way of investing in gold stocks, allowing investors diversified exposure to gold without having to invest huge sums of money.

Whether you choose to invest in allocated, physical bullion or coinage, or unallocated gold, it is easy to see the benefits of doing so. Whilst the price of gold can be volatile in the short term, it has proven to hold its value in the long term and remains an invaluable long-run inflation hedge that provides a strong foundation for any risk-intolerant portfolio.

Business trip to Australia: get the right visa

Australia has always been a key market for any investor worth their salt. The country offers a host of possibilities for companies looking for both short-term and long-term investments. Yet one thing that works against Australia is its isolated location. A trip to the land down under is both costly and time-consuming. That’s why it is crucial that you apply for the right Australia visa for your trip.

Working (Holiday) visa
Australia is known as one of the most popular countries for young adults to spend their gap year. The government has made a special visa available for this, the Working Holiday Visa. With this visa type, you are allowed to perform manual labour during your stay in Australia. It lasts for twelve months and allows you to work for the same employer for up to six months. The visa does have an age limit, however. The maximum age to qualify for a Working Holiday Visa is 30 years. What’s more, this visa type is quite expensive, costing around £250 for a single one.

ETA visa Australia
Another visa type, and one of the most popular ones for travellers headed to Australia, is the ETA visa. The ETA is an electronic visa type, meaning it can be applied for online. Like the Working Holiday Visa, it is also valid for one year, and allows you to leave and enter Australia an unlimited number of times. However, an ETA visa does not allow you to perform manual labour. To do so, you need a special work permit.

eVisitor visa Australia (subclass 651)
Finally, there is the eVisitor visa. This visa strongly resembles the ETA visa, with one key difference: it is a fair bit cheaper. The downside is that the ETA is available to more nationalities compared to the eVisitor. The eVisitor is therefore meant for countries which the Australian government deems safe and reliable, to offer their citizens an added benefit when travelling to the country. The UK is one of these countries, which is unsurprising considering the close ties between the two nations.


Business trip? Get an eVisitor visa
Business trips rarely involve actual physical work. They are generally short stays during which introductions are made, negotiations are had or conferences are attended. With an eVisitor visa, all of this is allowed. And this is where a lot of mistakes are made, leading to unnecessary spending. Work permits can cost quite a penny, as does the ETA visa. The eVisitor visa Australia is by far the cheapest out of all the visa options for Australia, only costing £14.95 per visa. In other words, a business trip to Australia does not have to be a costly endeavour, at least as far as visas are concerned.

The application procedure for getting an eVisitor visa is also very straightforward, especially when compared to some of the other visa types. To get an eVisitor, all you need to do is fill out the online application form. This form is fairly short and can be filled out in as little as five to ten minutes. Approval generally takes around five days.

Additionally, an eVisitor visa Australia is of course also a tourist visa. You are not limited to just business work during your trip. If you have friends or family living in Australia, you are free to visit them. The only requirement attached to the visa is that you don’t work in Australia and that you don’t overstay the validity length of three months.

London Mayoral Election: Sadiq Khan vs Shaun Bailey

With the London Mayoral Election 2021 just around the corner, the question is can anybody defeat Sadiq Khan. The Labour candidate and incumbent Mayor of London has a commanding position in both the polls and the betting odds, and you have to say it will be a real surprise if Khan is not the victor following the election on May 6th.

That has not stopped a whole plethora of candidates from signing up to try and get the better of Khan, with the largest number of candidates in history taking part this year. Of them all, Conservative candidate Shaun Bailey looks set to be Khan’s closest challenger, so let’s take a look at the pair’s views on key issues ahead of the election.

Sadiq Khan

One of Khan’s main aims is to boost the economy in London following the coronavirus pandemic. This includes investing heavily in the West End to help attract tourism once again, and helping those who have lost their jobs during the pandemic to find work. He is also focusing on sport as a way to kickstart the economy, with the possibility of Indian Premier League cricket matches coming to the capital.

In terms of transport, which is a huge factor in London, Khan is continuing his goal of making the city more environmentally friendly, encouraging individuals to walk, cycle or use public transport, while roads are used by emergency services, delivery vehicles, and those who really need them.

Khan is also promoting the introduction of thousands more police officers, while increasing the number of council homes available in London. There is nothing too outlandish in Khan’s plans, but given that he is the strong favourite to win the election, he doesn’t need to take too many risks.

Shaun Bailey

One of Shaun Bailey’s key targets is crime, and he is aiming to take a hard-line stance should he get elected into City Hall. The 49-year-old wants to hire 8,000 more police officers and reopen a whole host of police stations that have been closed over the years. Bailey also wants to introduce funding for former prisoners to get work qualifications, while investing in youth centres and youth staff across London’s boroughs.

Bailey’s transport plans include seeking corporate sponsorships for many London Underground stations, and using this money to start transport-based projects, such as the improvement of 4G coverage throughout the network. Like Khan, he wants to help make London a greener space in terms of vehicles, and will offer interest-free loans to black cab drivers to help them purchase electric or low-emission vehicles.

The housing crisis is still gripping London, with millions priced out of home-buying due to the exorbitant cost of property in the capital. Bailey is planning to build 100,000 homes and introduce a shared ownership model, so that younger people can get on the property ladder without having to break the bank.

With Khan sitting as such a heavy favourite ahead of the election, Bailey has his work cut out to rally enough support to defeat the Labour candidate. His plans to tackle crime will resonate with a lot of Londoners, but will it be enough to overcome the odds?

Some essential types of theft bail bonds

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If you take a look at the judicial history, you will come across various types of theft. It includes aggravated theft, Grand Theft, theft, and petty theft. The stealing of automobiles, burglary, or robbery also come within the ambit of severe crime. Severe charges get imposed to restrict the crime by the judicial authority. The severity of the case and the nature of the crime are the prime determining factor in these litigations. In this arena, getting bail bonds becomes very crucial to come out of jail. The severity of the crime may range from felony charges to misdemeanors. Some of these offenses have predetermined bail bond amounts, while others require judicial litigation for setting the amount. It would help if you knew how much bail is for theft to make the arrangements. If you want to find out how much is bail for theft, you have to consult an attorney. 

The categories of theft that require bail

The essence and stringency of the crime determine the theft amount. For releasing a person from jail, the assistance of a legal expert is crucial. These individuals have the necessary know-how and professional expertise in dealing with similar cases. Moreover, they have a vast network of lawyers who help them out in particular cases. Take a look at the following types of theft:

  • Petty theft-Petty theft is also called shoplifting. The crime occurs when items that are not very costly and obtained by deception, force, or intimidation. The owner’s consent is not acquired, and thereby it takes the form of a crime. It comes within the category of misdemeanors and has a predetermined bail bond amount for rescue.
  • Theft-Similar to petty theft, here the cost of items is a bit high. Hence, the severity of the case is higher, so severe restrictions get imposed on you. Therefore, it comes within the category of a misdemeanor and gets categorized as a felony.
  • Grand Theft-It is another category of theft put within the fourth-degree misdemeanor. When the cost of the property stolen is very high and includes possessions like vehicles, firearms, and dangerous weapons, it comes within the category of grand theft.
  • Aggravated theft-It is a kind of theft that comes within the fourth-degree category. The value of the property can hardly get retrieved. It is a severe type of crime where the person is subject to imprisonment and a high penalty.
  • Forgery-Forging the signature and writing of another individual is a serious crime. When an individual develops the signature on official documents, it has negative implications on the former. Moreover, it also has an impact on identification and other formal areas. Therefore, the severity of the crime is a major determining factor here.

In addition to this, passing checks without having sufficient funds in the account is another severe type of crime. Robbery, burglary, aggravated burglary, and aggravated robbery are other such categories that come within the ambit of bail bond. For determining the amount of bail, you must have a legal practitioner by your side. These individuals will put forward your case skillfully in return for a charge. Moreover, there are bail bonds that offer flexible payment schemes, free consultation, 24/7 services, and other assistance.

Facebook Doubles Its Profits In A Pandemic Year

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Facebook doubles its profits in a pandemic year. Zuckerberg’s conglomerate grows mainly in Asia and Africa. Online sales through its platforms drives growth.

The Facebook group announced this Wednesday profits for the first quarter of the year (January and March 2021) of 9,497 million dollars (7,831 million euros), practically double the 4,902 million (4,042 million euros) earned in the same period from the previous year, thanks to the boost from online advertising due to the pandemic.

The company directed by Mark Zuckerberg had a turnover in the first three months of its fiscal year 26,171 million dollars (21,580 million euros), 4% more than the 17,737 million entered in the corresponding section of 2020, and the shareholders of the company were they pocketed $ 3.30 per title, up from 1.71 a year ago.

If compared to the last quarter of the year, however, sales have fallen, something usual due to the impact of the Christmas advertising.

In addition, monthly active users – those who connect to the social network at least once a month – grew by 10% year-on-year to 2.85 billion people, more than a third of the world’s population. Users in Europe and the US remain stable and practically do not grow, but the number is increasing in Asia, Africa and Oceania.

Facebook has the social network of its name, but also WhatsApp, Instagram and a powerful e-commerce division on all its platforms that has been massively used during the pandemic.

Facebook doubles its profits in a pandemic year. Zuckerberg’s conglomerate grows mainly in Asia and Africa. Online sales through its platforms drives growth.

The company plans more investments in augmented reality and virtual reality (Oculus), as well as improving its payment system (Novi), according to Zuckerberg’s communication to shareholders. The company has also developed devices, such as Portal, a screen on which to integrate video calls and augmented reality applications.

How Imagery Could Increase Your Sales

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If there is one thing that every business is striving for, it is more sales! If you are looking to drive more sales at your business, one strategy to consider is incorporating attractive imagery onto your website. The right imagery can help to boost your bottom line considerably. 

With that in mind, we’re going to take a look at how images help drive sales, as well as providing some tips and suggestions on choosing images for your website. 

How do images increase sales?

Images help to drive sales because they enable people to view your products in full. Photographs from different angles give people a real feel of what the product would be like. There is no denying that online shopping is thriving at the moment, and it has become increasingly popular as a result of the lockdown measures. 

However, one distinct advantage that in-person shopping has is that you can view the product – you can touch it, see it, and feel it. The same cannot be said for online shopping. Nevertheless, beautiful and high-quality imagery helps to bridge this gap. People cannot only view the product up-close, but they can see it in action as well, which is an advantage you don’t typically get with in-store shopping. 

Therefore, carefully chosen images can give online businesses a clear advantage when it comes to driving sales. But what happens if your business is service based? How do you find imagery that gets across the services you provide?

A photo-sharing solution is a good choice. Fresh photographs are available all of the time via the likes of photo-sharing solution, so you can ensure that your website is filled with interesting, exciting, and original photographs. Most people tend to resort to stock photo sites, but these are too widely used, and you will often find that the photo you download is featured on thousands of other sites, which is not going to do anything in terms of making your business stand out from the crowd.

Connecting your customers

The right imagery helps to create a connection between the consumer and the brand. By showing imagery of the service a business provides in different circumstances, people can help to see the real-life benefit of using the service and this can compel them to buy. Images are critical in purchasing decisions. 

Would you buy a product if you did not know what it looked like? It is unlikely! And this is the same with service-based businesses. Prospective clients need to understand the services and how they could benefit from them. This is what good imagery provides.

You must choose photographs with care to experience these benefits

There are clearly many benefits that are associated with using photographs to boost sales. However, to experience these benefits, you must choose images carefully. You need to ensure that the images you select connect and resonate with your customers. They must relate to your brand, and the products and services that you provide. 

You need to put yourself in your target consumer base’s shoes. You need to understand what appeals to them and what would entice them to purchase a product. After all, irrelevant and unappealing images can be just as bad as not having any photographs at all, if not worse.

By now you should have an insight into great imagery and how it can drive sales. As you can see, images play a critical role when it comes to driving your bottom line and increasing the number of sales that you make. However, if you are to experience these benefits, it is imperative that you select photographs with care. Simply incorporating images for the sake of it will not have the desired effect. 

Sound Sleep – 6 Tips To Help You Improve The Quality Of Your Sleep

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It shouldn’t have to feel so hard to get a good night’s rest, but unfortunately, sleeplessness is a reality many of us must face. Sometimes, it can feel impossible to get those doctor-recommended seven to eight hours of sleep every night. However, if you find yourself lying awake, staring at the ceiling, all hope is not lost. There are a few simple, all-natural tips that can help you sleep longer and more soundly than ever before. From tracking down the best essential oil diffusers online to developing healthy habits, here are six of the best ways for you to boost your sleep quality:

  1. Limit Your Screen Exposure

In the modern world, it can feel impossible to avoid screens. Indeed, this information is being shared with you via a screen at this very moment. However, if you’re hoping to boost your sleep, you should attempt to limit screen exposure wherever possible, especially as the day drifts into night. At the very least, try to avoid staring at large, bright screens like TVs or computer monitors within an hour of going to bed. Doing so will prevent excessive stimulation for your senses and allow your eyes to rest.

  1. Set a Schedule

Your body operates on a natural rhythm determined by your daily habits. That means that if you go to bed at random hours every night, your body will have a more challenging time getting tired and falling asleep. Setting a consistent sleep schedule – and sticking to it – is the best way to make it easy for your body to nod off naturally.

  1. Be Active During the Day

One of the best ways to ensure that you’re on your way to a good night’s sleep in the evening is to stay active during the day. Now, that doesn’t mean you have to run marathons or hit the gym every day. Instead, simply getting some light or moderate physical activity, such as walks around your neighborhood or to your place of work, can have a significant impact on your ability to sleep. 

  1. Use Essential Oils

Essential oils might be a buzzword in today’s health discourse, but it’s hard to ignore their benefits. As essential oils become more popular and widespread than ever before, patients and doctors worldwide are realizing their potential for helping achieve better, more restful sleep. Using essential oils can reduce your stress, boost your relaxation, and help you feel significantly more refreshed and energized in the morning. Adding them to an electric aromatherapy diffuser is an easy way to fill your room with their calming, natural fragrances. 

  1. Watch Your Diet

Do you have a habit of eating massive midnight snacks or sipping coffee all day? If so, you might want to keep an eye on your diet. Going to bed either too stuffed or too hungry can hurt your sleep quality. Digestive discomfort is one of the worst culprits involved in preventing your body from nodding off. Then there’s caffeine and alcohol, which can keep you energized for hours after consumption. Try to avoid consuming coffee, alcohol, chocolate, and other stimulating foods and beverages in the evening.

  1. Build a Restful Environment

Your surroundings can often have just as much of an effect on your sleep quality as your actions. That’s why you should ensure your environment is conducive to a restful atmosphere. Consider using drapes, curtains, or blinds to block external light and purchasing a fan to provide soothing white noise in the background.

Don’t let your sleep-related worries keep you up at night. Instead, follow these tips to help you sleep deeply and peacefully every evening.

Superfoods – Nature’s Prescription To Charge Your Immune System

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“Let your food be your medicine and medicine be your food” – coined by Hippocrates, almost 2500 years ago. Let’s be honest, you are what you eat and there is no denying that what we choose to eat has a huge impact on our overall well-being.

Have you heard about superfoods? What are superfoods? What makes them “super”? Hold on and let us eradicate all your doubts!! There are certain food items that stand out more than others for their sterling nutritional profile and out-of-the-box health benefits. Such foods are known as superfoods.

Be it Spirulina Powder, Berries, Flex Seeds, Avocado, or Salmon, these superfoods come with miraculous powers that stop you from derailing your health journey and keeps you fit and healthy.

Here is mentioned the list of Best Superfoods that are worthy of a title. Let’s have a look!!

1. Berries

Let’s unfurl the list of best superfoods with a nutritional powerhouse of vitamins, fibre, minerals, and antioxidants – Berries. These are ideal for treating several digestive and immune system-related disorders.

Moreover, berries are loaded with excellent antioxidant capacity that diminishes the risk of heart diseases, inflammatory conditions, and cancer as well. The health benefits of this superfood are as versatile as its culinary applications.

Some of the common types of berries that you can easily include in your lifestyle are:

  • Strawberries
  • Raspberries
  • Blackberries
  • Cranberries
  • Blueberries

2. Spirulina Powder

Counted amongst the world’s most popular supplements, Spirulina Powder is packed with several antioxidants and nutrients that offer immense benefits to your body and brain.

A single tablespoon of Spirulina Powder contains around:

  • Protein: 4g
  • Copper: 21% of the RDA
  • Vitamin B1: 11% of the RDA
  • Vitamin B2: 15% of the RDA
  • Vitamin B3: 4% of the RDA
  • Iron: 11% of the RDA

The list of Spirulina Powder Benefits is never-ending. It lowers the risk of heart disease and protects us from oxidative damage. I may be effective against anemia as well. Add this superfood to your diet and stay on the track of healthy living.

3. Avocado

A naturally nutrient-dense food, Avocado is known for its creamy texture and potential health benefits. It protects against cancer, improves the digestive system, and reduces the risk of depression.

Avocado is the sole fruit that offers a substantial amount of monosaturated fatty acids. It includes nearly 20 vitamins and minerals, which is a miracle in itself.

According to USDA National Nutrient Database, the single serving of Avocado contains:

  • 3g of fibre
  • Less than 1g of sugar
  • 64 calories
  • Around 6g of fat
  • 3.4g of carbohydrate

Most of the calories in Avocado come from fat, but don’t shy away from it as these will keep you satiated and turn off your appetite to avoid overeating.

4. Raw Cacao

Crave for chocolatey-goodness but don’t want to load up on sugar or any unhealthy processed food? Fret not as Cacao will get you covered. A raw and unprocessed chocolate superfood, cacao is supercharged with flavonoids and magnesium and is thus good for you, inside and out.

When it comes to counting the Raw Cacao Benefits, the list is endless. It helps in regulating blood pressure levels and heartbeat. It balances brain chemistry and strengthens bones as well.

5. Goji Berries

Also known as the wolfberry, Goji Berries cannot be overlooked while listing the best superfoods. This tiny red fruit is dotted with outstanding medicinal properties and various antioxidants. Goji berries not just add the pop of color to your plate but also loaded with tons of flavors.

Thinking what are goji berries good for? Well, in that case, you should know the fact that goji berries slow the signs of aging, strengthen your liver, kidneys,  and lungs, and maintains your eye health as well.

Thanks to their medical properties, these are added to plenty of supplements and superfood blends. Start eating goji berries now and give your immune system a boom.

6. Olive Oil

Extracted from fruits of olive trees, Olive Oil is one of the mainstays of the Mediterranean diet. The high levels of monosaturated fatty acids and polyphenolic compounds of this natural oil make it worth giving a try.

Adding this superfood into your diet may reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and inflammation.

Olive Oil is a powerhouse of Vitamin E and K that safeguards the human body against cellular damage from oxidative stress.

7. Salmon

How could one forget to add Salmon while listing out the best superfoods? Loaded with healthy fats, protein, selenium, vitamins, and potassium, Salmon is one of the leading sources of Omega-3 fatty acids and is known for innumerable health benefits.

Regular consumption of Salmon helps you in maintaining a healthy weight and lowers the risk of diabetes and heart diseases. It supports healthy aging and boosts brain function as well. Salmon also reduces cholesterol levels and thus keeps you fit and healthy.

8. Super Greens Powder

Smells like powdered leaves and tastes a bit grassy, Super Greens Powder is yet another premium superfood to be added to your daily routine. This is mainly a dietary supplement and serves as an excellent choice for those who want to shed extra pounds quickly.

This powder is low in calories and is packed with polyphenols and other plant compounds that feature anti-inflammatory functions. Start the intake of super Greens Powder and get in shape fast.

9. Seaweed

A specific term used to describe some worthy nutrient-dense sea vegetables, Seaweed is most commonly consumed in Asian cuisine and gained immense popularity owing to its high nutritional value.

It packs multiple nutrients such as iodine, Vitamin K, fibre, and folate. It is believed that these ocean vegetables are a rich source of bioactive compounds that are not present in the land vegetables.

10. Nuts and Seeds

It’s time to wrap up the list of best superfoods with the powerful punch i.e. Nuts and Seeds. They are an excellent source of fiber, protein, fat, and plant protein and keep you feeling full for a longer time.

Incorporate them into your diet and lowers the risk of weight gain, improves your heart health, takes the edge off life-threatening diseases like cancer.

The Final Note

If a healthy lifestyle is what exactly you are looking for, then count on these above-mentioned superfoods and add years to your life effortlessly.

What Exactly Is Customer Self-Service and What Is Its Purpose

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What Is Customer Self Service?

Customer self service is growing to be the preferred method for most companies. That is because it’s faster for the customers to find solutions on their own. The alternative is long queues and making calls. Incorporating self-service in your organization is fairly easy; you can start with your website and grow from there. Have a page dedicated to that on your website where customers can sign in and find solutions. All the interactions, online or any other way have to be valuable and put customers first. This article will help you understand what is customer self service and its purpose.

Self-service refers to when customers can complete a task and find solutions without assistance from the support team. The service gives access to all the tools the customers need and resources to resolve issues. Most customers prefer the self-service because it’s easy than waiting for days for an email reply. Poor customer services undermine the business in all levels. Using this kind of service helps in minimizing such problems. Nowadays the self-service is not only left to the gas stations and grocery stores, most companies are picking up on the trend.

Purpose of Customer Self Service

Reducing Costs

Companies use self-services on customers for very many reasons and reduced costs is one of them. Every organization has its bottom line, something they are all working towards. And for service providers customer satisfaction is very important. If they can achieve almost hundred per cent customer satisfaction and save a significant amount of cash, most of them will grab the opportunity. If the customers are empowered to find solutions on their own, labour costs will be cut dramatically. The companies can reduce the number of agents handling emails chats and calls from customers.

Efficiency

Almost all consumers have the need for speed. They want their problems to be solved and questions to be answered quickly. Most highlights on customer experience come from how fast the response time was. One more purpose of self-service is operational efficiency. The service helps streamline and speed up operations. You have to ensure you are displaying easy-to-use tools when you are offering customer self-services. The portals also provide detailed answers as knowledgeable staff would have on a phone call. Self-service is equally efficient if not more because they use step-by-step guides, screenshots or videos to convey messages.

Consistency

Self-service ensures that all the answers and solutions given to customers are consistent. It doesn’t matter which channel they use to find help, it will all be the same. The consistency will also help you ensure all the answers provided are compliant with regulations. That is especially crucial for companies in healthcare, insurance and finance. It is also consistent because you can create portals on the website and use social media platforms as well. The constant interactions strengthen relationships with customers and help you build a loyal clientele. It also attracts new buyers and help the business be more knowledgeable about common issues.

Customer Retention

When customers are satisfied they will stick around for much longer. You need to be available however and whenever customers need it. It boosts their satisfaction and make them loyal to your products and services. It’s not easy to make the whole staff prioritise customer satisfaction, but the self-service portals are designed for that. It not only helps with customer retention but also help you sell more. Once your pages or website for self-services are functional, you will notice a difference in sales. In the process you will learn about your customers, their interests and more pressing issues and work on solutions. The data you acquire can be used to make more targeted advertising and marketing messages. Companies use self-service to improve customer lifetime value.

Conclusion

There are very many reasons to use self-service and are all aimed at growing the business while keeping customers happy. Right now it is also a way to stay relevant in the industry and be more competitive. It is a win-win and a useful invention for both customers and businesses. Agents do not need to lose their jobs because of it; they can be used to focus on other valuable tasks at the company.

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