Thursday, January 4, 2018

How to Secure a Surety Bond as a Small Business



A surety bond can benefit small businesses such as construction companies or other contractors by widening their opportunities. 

The surety bond is basically an insurance policy issued to guarantee a client certain compensation if you fail to meet the terms of an agreement. It’s usually expected in state or government contracts, but many other organizations or individuals may request one. 

If you are asked to provide a surety bond, here are some tips on securing one through an agency like Zuma Insurance.

Decide What Kind of Bond You Need


What kind of bond you need depends on what industry you’re in and what kind of obligations the client expects you to honor. 

For government agencies, sometimes a certain type of bond is needed to gain a license. Usually the client will tell you what’s expected as part of the agreement or proposal. 

A general Small Business Service Surety Bond may be sufficient, or a Performance and Payout Surety Bond for stipulated conditions. A bidder’s bond may be required just to bid on certain contracts, or additional policies such as CA concrete contractors insurance.

Bond Costs


You also need to know how much coverage the requesting party, or obligee, is expecting to cover their risk. The actual cost of the bond to you is usually between two and 10 percent of the total coverage, so you’ll need to make sure your profit margin more than covers the bond’s cost. 





This cost will be calculated by the bond issuer based on risk factors such as your credit score, history, and current financial obligations. 

Some insurers will expect you to have 10 percent of the bond’s value in capital funds, or may limit the amount to 10 or 15 times your business equity.

Where to Look


One great source for obtaining bonds is the Small Business Administration. They will charge a fee for their assistance, but it’s only 0.729 percent of the total contract value.

If you can find more than one insurer that provides the type of bond you need, you’ll be able to compare to get the best rates and “bonding capacity”, or cap limit. 

For a sole proprietorship, a bond may be dependent on your personal credit score more than your business credit, with scores as low 550 occasionally accepted. 

The exact terms usually vary from one insurer to another and include other business factors, as well, such as years of experience and financial history. 

You can also apply for and obtain surety bonds from companies operating online. Make sure the issuer is licensed to provide bonds.

When looking for a surety bond, be sure you have all the information and references requested. Approving your bond may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.


Wednesday, January 3, 2018

What is IOTA Crypto Currency All About?



It is a digital currency. It is mean for online purposes and is also in the digital form. IOTA is a digital asset and is used as an investment. You can buy this currency and in return, you will get profit as the value of cryptocurrency increases the value of your coins will also be increased and with this, you will be able to earn more and more. 

The value of cryptocurrency increases each coming year so it also serves the purpose of the asset. You must be thinking that why people are buying it more and more than obviously where they are getting more profit and seeing the increment in their initial savings they will buy this digital currency more.


Cryptocurrencies


Transactions that occur through the utilization and exchange of those altcoins are independent from formal banking systems, and therefore could make tax evasion simpler for individuals. 

Since charting taxable income is based on what a recipient reports to the revenue service, it becomes very difficult to account fully for transactions made using existing cryptocurrencies, a mode of exchange that is complex and impossible to track.




Systems of anonymity that most cryptocurrencies offer may also serve as less complicated methods to launder money. 

Rather than laundering money via an intricate net of financial actors and offshore bank accounts, laundering money through altcoins can be performed through anonymous transactions.


Fewer chances of loss


There are many people who want to invest their money in some trustworthy place but are scared of loses then it is the best option for them to invest their money in a trustworthy place and from where the chances of loss are less.


Online transaction


IOTA is very useful for the online transactions. You can buy and sell it online while sitting at home and doing nothing. 

There are endless benefits of cryptocurrency and buying it is easier and affordable for most people which will be difficult in the near future.

Benefits of IOTA


The best thing about this cryptocurrency is that there is no transaction fee so it is free to make any transaction from your account. And another important thing about it is that there are fewer chances of fraud as there is no such way of fraud in it and is a very secure form of currency. 

The only thing which can be worse is that if someone hacks your account but the hacking account is not easy when there is a large no of security in it. 

But on the other hand the thing that you need to give attention is in the coin market and if you have your own coins then you should be conscious of the global coin markets.

IOTA market capital


IOTA market capital is 10,231,089,633 and its market price is $3.68 which is really very affordable and will help you to make a start from a small amount. This encourages you to start your investment from a small level and will take you to the big amount.

As the value of cryptocurrency here is always an increase so there are fewer chances of loss and will motivate you to make more investments. Iota gives people a great opportunity for investment and to make its value more. 

It is just like a gold one you buy it and it starts increasing its value then obviously you will be earning by sitting home and making the value of your asset more by doing nothing.


Last verdict


Buying IOTA is the best way of investing your money at the right place. And encourage the fewer income people also to invest. 

Here chances of loss are less so it is the best time to buy a cryptocurrency. Follow this link for more information www.coinmarkets.net/currencies/iota/


Thursday, December 28, 2017

4 Ways Families Can Save Cash on Regular Home Repairs



Home repairs can become costly very quickly, which is why making a plan and scouting out ways to save money ahead of time is a good idea. Check out this list to learn some ways to save money on your next home repair.

Make a Budget and a Plan


Most people groan at the idea of making a budget, but having a clearly laid out plan at the start of a renovation project can help you prioritize spending and anticipate all the costs. 

While it wouldn’t seem like it, making a plan does save money. Unexpected purchases can eat into finances heavily. Anticipating potential costs allows homeowners time to shop around for deals, consider all their options, and set aside the needed funds for the upcoming repair project.

Don’t Forget Upkeep


Minor repairs are much more affordable than major renovations. Taking time to make minor repairs as needed can save thousands of dollars in the long haul. 

For example, make sure bathroom fixtures are properly sealed with caulk so that water doesn’t seep into cracks and cause major mold and rot which is costly to repair. Other small repairs that can save you money include doing plumbing repairs, such as taking care of leaky faucets to avoid high utility bills. 

Other things, like inspecting and possibly replacing your sump pump so your home doesn’t flood in the next big storm are also good ideas. Make sure to also regularly replace HVAC filters so your system doesn’t suffer damage.

Shop Around


Don’t be afraid to ask multiple contractors for quotes or check out the pricing of supplies from multiple vendors. The first price you come across might not be the best price. 





Also make sure that if you are hiring a contractor the prices you are comparing include labor, parts, and potential warranties. A great quote won’t pay off if it leaves out a long list of hidden costs.


Look for Tax Cuts


You may find that the IRS will offer tax cuts for home repairs. Talk with an accountant and track your spending to see what home repair costs you can claim on your taxes. This is especially true for energy efficient updates. 

If you can anticipate potential rebates ahead of time this will help you to budget and make repair choices that give you the most bang for your buck.

Home ownership can be costly, but thinking creatively and planning ahead can lessen those costs and make owning a home an affordable and enjoyable experience. 

These tips are a starting point to thinking outside the box to save costs. Making repairs can be stressful, but are also a great opportunity to increase the value and efficiency of your home.


Wednesday, December 27, 2017

About Bitcoin: Is it a Safe Investment or a Risky Gamble?



Bitcoin is becoming more and more popular each day. Because of this, it is important to know more about this booming cryptocurrency. In this article, we’re going to talk about bitcoin and cryptocurrency news

Ultimately, we’ll find out whether this cryptocurrency could be a safe investment or a risky gamble for good.

How Bitcoin Began


Bitcoin was established in 2009. This cryptocurrency is a digital currency that has no central bank or regulatory authority. Coins in bitcoin do not come in a tangible form. 


They are made through computers and are stored on the Cloud or in a digital wallet. Furthermore, users can exchange and use them in transactions.

The Growing Interest in Bitcoin


Seemingly, cryptocurrencies can be seen anywhere, and one of the most popular digital currencies is bitcoin. 


In fact, according to Lex Deak, the Chief Executive of Off3r, they are getting more and more enquiries about investing opportunities in the field of digital currency. 

Apparently, most of the questions come from late adopters and mainstream brokers.

Moreover, Quickbitcoin’s founder Guy Halford-Thompson expects mainstream investors to heavily start shelling out money for cryptocurrency investments a few years from now. 





While a lot of people grow interest in cryptocurrency, others grow wary because of its volatility. Deak speaks about this, explaining that bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are an exciting investment especially for experienced investors with balanced portfolios and small exposures. 

The Off3r Chief Executive emphasized that investors must consider how cryptocurrency works before making any investment.

Is It Safe?


You might have heard issues regarding cryptocurrency. One of the most shocking cases in the history of cryptocurrency is 2016’s Bitfinex theft case. 

Nearly 120,000 bitcoins worth more or less $78 million were stolen from Bitfinex, a popular cryptocurrency exchange. This resulted in a drop of 20% in the value of the cryptocurrency at the time.

While it’s true that there can be more cases like this in the future, it’s not fair to define bitcoin as unsafe. That’s because bitcoin is only as safe as online banks. 

Just like in online banking, it’s important for people to take good care of their bitcoin account credentials. After all, bitcoin users are responsible of their accounts.

Obi Nwosu of Coinfloor suggests users to secure their accounts with third-party companies. More importantly, it’s important to keep your account credentials offline. This way, there could be no way to hack your account.


Is It a Gamble?


According to Dave Birch, an electronic expert, one shouldn’t invest in but gamble on bitcoin. 

From this speculation, it’s safe to consider bitcoin as a gamble, but it’s a safe gamble. However, experts would suggest investors to invest only as much as what they are prepared to lose.


Final Thoughts


Bitcoin is booming for a reason, and one of the reasons is the fact that more and more people have experienced success in this industry. If you want to have a taste of the same success, you can always invest in bitcoin.



What is Bitcoin Mining and How to Mine Bitcoin at Home



Before you begin mining Bitcoin, it's helpful to know what Bitcoin mining actually implies. Bitcoin mining is legitimate and is achieved by running SHA256 double round hash verification processes so as to confirm Bitcoin transactions and supply the required security for the public ledger of the Bitcoin network. 

The rate at which you mine Bitcoins is gauged in hashes per second. It sounds complicated because it is. The backbone of crypto currency is the blockchain. The blockchain requires this computational power to operate. 



The Bitcoin network pays Bitcoin miners for their work by releasing bitcoin to those who provide the required computational power. 


This comes in the form of both freshly given bitcoins and from the transaction fees incorporated in the transactions validated when mining bitcoins. The more computer power you provide then the higher your share of the compensation.


How To Start Bitcoin Mining


To start mining bitcoins, you'll have to get hold of bitcoin mining hardware. In the initial days of bitcoin, it was feasible to mine with your computer CPU or high speed video processor card. Today it's much harder but not impossible. 


You can purchase Customized Bitcoin ASIC chips that provide functionality as much as 100x the ability of older systems to get in the Bitcoin mining business.





Bitcoin mining with anything less will require more in electrical power than you are likely to make. But there is more to it.


It's necessary to mine bitcoins with the very best bitcoin mining hardware developed particularly for that function. A number of business's provide outstanding software created exclusively for bitcoin mining.


Bitcoin Mining Hardware Comparison


Presently, based upon (1) price per hash and (2) electrical efficiency the very best Bitcoin miner choices are:


These Bitcoin mining computers are very expensive but they do deliver very good results. But what if you wanted to try your hand at Bitcoin mining for little or no money. What options do you have? 

Your first option is to use your home desktop computer. Though very under powered it will still mine Bitcoin and will let you learn as it mines. Check to see if your computer has a graphics card. It is important and beneficial because graphic cards are where mining software resides. If you have no graphics card you can still mine using the CPU of your computer. But your real horsepower comes from the graphics card. 

If you don't have a graphics card consider adding one and if you have an older, slower one consider upgrading to the fastest you can afford.


Download Free Bitcoin Mining Software


As soon as you've gotten your bitcoin mining hardware, you'll want to download a specific program employed for Bitcoin mining. There are numerous programs out there that can be employed for Bitcoin mining, however the two most popular are CGminer and BFGminer which are command line programs. They are great for high end machines with multiple graphics cards.

If you want the ease of use that features a GUI, you may wish to try EasyMiner which is a click and go windows/Linux/Android program.



Start Mining with MinerGate 


If you are new to cryptocurrency, and wanting to get a taste of mining without getting involved in the nuts and bolts of mining-- Minergate's GUI consule is the greatest method for you. It is without a doubt the simplest way to get started with mining-- quickly downloaded and installed, fast setup and easy UI. 

When set up, you are on your way with the click of a button-- it's so simple that your grandmother can get it up and working in a couple of minutes.



In case you aren't acquainted with the procedure of mining (method of producing bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies) and wish to get a fast introduction to bitcoin, mining and cryptocurrencies generally, feel free to check out the FAQ and Blog on MinerGate for more info.

While the more recognized cryptocurrencies need miners to invest $1,000 s into computing/specialised hardware, mining altcoins is still achievable and possibly lucrative if you missed out on the early arms race. Get your feet wet in Bitcoin mining with MinerGate

With that stated, let's have a look at if MinerGate is for you and the best ways to start.



What is Minergate


W3Schools
Minergate offers a software application that enables you to mine a range of cryptocurrencies as a part of a pool. Miners connect their hardware to the pool to jointly mine the coin or coins of their choice.

What you need to mine


You can start with a CPU or GPU, minergate software and a stable connection to the web.

Hardware

You can get an acceptable taste of mining even with 3-4yr old devices-- any older and the returns can be low enough to demoralize you prematurely. 

One of my rigs with an AMD FX-8300 CPU and MSI R9280x GPU is committed to Minergate and accruing altcoins.

It goes without saying, the most up to date GPU's would provide you a greater day-to-day return.

CPU: Intel has a certain edge here over its AMD counterparts

GPU: While AMD had the advantage in the early years, Nvidia has indeed caught up in modern times.


Make certain to do your homework before you start. Mining will put added strain on your hardware and possibly lessen its life

Software


Minergate makes it simple to download and set up the software which you can download from their site. The software is presently offered across Windows, Mac, Ubuntu and Fedora.

Web


If you reside in the developing area of the world, quality web access can be a concern. Nevertheless, mining does not need superfast connection speeds or limitless data-- a standard, yet stable connection that enables consistent connection is enough.


Getting started


To begin with, you will need to sign up on MinerGate’s website


Step 1


Go to MinerGate’s website and sign up.




Step 2


Download the GUI Miner.

Step 3


Open the MinerGate application. You will be prompted to sign in – use the credentials you used in Step 1 earlier.


Step 4


Once you are signed in you will land on the smart mining tab within the application. Click on the “Start smart mining button” and you are on your way – no command lines, no GPU settings required– as easy as that.

The smart mining feature within the GUI miner automatically chooses which coin is mined based on current difficulty and exchange rates of the coins. 


In theory, this allows you to mine the most profitable coin at the moment - however, due to constant variation in pricing and changes in difficulty, you should research which coin to mine.


Who is MinerGate for


MinerGate is easily my first recommendation to anyone looking to get their hands dirty and experience mining for the first time.

It won’t satisfy the purists or the tinkerers, but it is a great way to get started. For those of you who want to play around with the setting and optimize your output/hardware performance, you can take a look at the Console miner MinerGate (and others) provide – more on that in another post.

MinerGate Pros
  • Easy to Setup
  • Requires basic ability to operate a computer
  • Can mine multiple coins simultaneosly
Minergate Cons
  • Cannot tweak the hardware settings
  • Limited number of mineable coins

Hope this help smoothen your entry into mining and building your very own crypto fortune :).  Check out MinerGate today by clicking here.


Monday, December 25, 2017

4 Ways Your Family Can Save Cash on a Bathroom Remodel



A bathroom remodel can be a great home improvement project that will add beauty and value to any home. People might be daunted by the average cost of such a remodel, which can be around $10,000 for a mid-size bathroom. 

However, the cost can be brought down by the homeowner choosing less expensive options when possible and doing some or all of the work. 

There are many tutorial videos online and at home improvement stores that demonstrate just how to remodel a bathroom.

Demolition Time


This one can be a lot of fun. Many of the tasks involved in a bathroom remodel can be undertaken by the homeowner, even if they have had no experience with a previous similar project. 

Before the new fixtures, flooring and wall coverings can be installed, the old items and walls will need to be removed. With the right tools, anyone can tackle this job, but they will need to be careful about the wiring and plumbing.

Installation Options


After the demolition, some type of wallboards may need to be placed, with cuts for the outlets. The counters can be installed, along with the sinks and faucets. 





The shower or tub installation will be the most difficult part, but there are demonstration videos available. If this task is deemed too difficult, it can be hired out. Tiling and painting can be done fairly easily with the proper equipment.

Tile or Paint


There are many varieties of tile available for tiling the bathroom. Tile has a wide range of prices, but the more expensive tiles can be used as accents and the cheaper tiles for the main placements. 

Sometimes stores will have discontinued stock at lower prices. Also, the tile does not have to be used for the entire bathroom area. Tile can be placed solely around the shower/tub and floor, or if it is used in the vanity area on the walls, it can be used as an accent for just part of the wall. 

Paint can be used for the untiled areas and it is much cheaper than tile.

Find Sales on Materials


Many times people can save money on renovation supplies by opening a store card at the home construction store and placing their purchases on the card. The store will often offer this option as an additional percent off their storewide sale at the time. 

If the bathroom remodel is not pressing, homeowners can wait until the right sale comes along. Besides the chain stores, there may be discount construction stores in the local area, such as a Habitat for Humanity store. These discount stores can be a good source for materials.

A bathroom remodel can be a fun project that does not have to cost an astronomical amount. Homeowners can keep costs down by doing many of the tasks themselves, choosing cheaper options and researching local sales and discount stores. 

Having friends and family help can also be a good way to get the job done in a timely manner and strengthen relationships, as well.



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