How to Increase the Value of Your Pension

It has become increasingly important for everyone to put a sensible pension strategy into place - why? 

Well first of all we are living longer and therefore our pension has to last longer, second the price of living has gone up dramatically in recent years and finally, the majority of people would like to retire early from their career, giving them more quality time in their senior years. 

With interest rates being so low, for such a long time the savvy pension saver has been looking for new ways to increase the value of their pension. So how can this be done?

Investment Diversification

The answer for many people is by diversification. Putting money into a number of pots is one way of making that capital work a little, or a lot, harder. 

Using a percentage of your pension capital, let's use 20% as an example and investing it in the financial markets, while leaving the remaining 80% in an interest accruing account, pension scheme or ISA can be a great way to maintain a high level security and at the same time apply some speculation into the equation.

A Trusted Broker

Using Hantec Markets to invest in markets such as Forex or tracking index funds can be a really effective way of increasing the value of your pension. 

This can be done over a long period of time or a shorter period of time and the best part is that the potential profits can far outweigh those you will get from any other type of financial investment. 

Using an online trading platform you are able to access a wide range of financial markets and stay in control of your capital. You can also take advantage of professional help and advice in order to maximise your potential for success.

Forex Fast Track

Investing in the foreign currency markets (Forex) is a high risk/high return strategy. If you have an in depth understanding of trading platforms, global politics and economics, trading Forex can be a highly effective way to make large profits in a short amount of time. 

Forex is traded 24 hours a day and trillions of dollars worth of currency changes hands in any such time period. Currency rates can move up and down quickly meaning the potential for profit is great and for those who become good at it virtually unlimited.

Such gains come with risk, however and if you are inexperienced, then you can also suffer large losses.

Tracking Index Funds

Tracking index funds work by, as the name would suggest, tracking financial indexes such as the FTSE 100. 

They are a low cost way of getting exposure to a wide range of shares and are relatively low risk, especially if entered into as a long-term investment. 

Using tracking index funds means you avoid having to choose specific shares and the associated costs, in return investors can expect a modest return on their pension investment year on year.

Increasing the value of your pension provision effectively is a balancing act, which if got right can mean a comfortable and happy retirement.

How to Save Money When Buying a Car

Car buying can be a daunting task for even the savviest of consumers. With so many makes and models available in various trim levels, it may be a challenge to ensure that you're getting the best deal possible on a new car.

Fortunately, several resources exist today which make the process faster, easier and more fun than ever before. Read on to find out how you can save more money when buying a car.

Find out what others are paying

In the age of the internet, it is now possible to know what others have paid for the same car you're interested in.

Before you visit a dealer, look for sites that allow you to select the make, model and trim of the car you want and find out what others in the same area have been paying to avoid paying more.

Check the vehicle history

If you're buying a used car, knowledge of the vehicle's history can give you some powerful negotiating leverage.

For example, if you find out that a certain vehicle has been repaired following a front-end collision, you may be able to negotiate a lower selling price due to its diminished value. Websites like EpicVin give potential buyers an easy way to review the history of a vehicle.

Look for deals and incentives

Many manufacturers and dealerships advertise finance or lease deals on their websites. You may find that a specific vehicle carries low lease terms or that your local dealer is offering low APR financing.




Buying around certain holidays or seasons can also give you a better chance of getting great deals.

Employee pricing 

Many manufacturers offer deep discounts to employees or immediate family members of employees. Be sure to take advantage of this if you are able.

Don't be afraid to walk 

You could be surprised to find that less negotiation is required to get the price you want on a car than in years past.

Even still, some dealers may be less willing to negotiate deep discounts on your first visit. Always be ready to leave the dealership if you aren't getting the deal you want.

This is useful because it shows the dealer that you are a confident, savvy buyer and they may be more likely to call you and offer a lower price.

Consumers are more equipped today than ever before to save money on car purchases. With the wealth of information available, especially online, it is easy and simple to buy with the confidence that you're getting the best deal possible.

5 Budget Vintage Home Decorating Ideas You Need to Know!

Giving your home a new look when you’re on a limited budget may seem difficult. What’s more, decorating the house with vintage finds and creating appealing displays can seem even tougher!

However, there are limitless possibilities of infusing vintage items into your home décor without having to spend a lot of money on expensive stuff. All you need are some DIY skills and the ability to look at items and think of different ways to use them!

If you’re ready to give your home a healthy dose of vintage, you’ve come to the right place. These tips are also great if you already own vintage pieces. If not, you can get it as freebies online or through flea markets. Read on for 5 ideas that you’re sure to love.

Place Vintage Finds Together

Make a collage of all your vintage collectibles and display them on the mantelshelf, bedside table, coffee table, or even kitchen countertop. Bear in mind that your vintage treasures might never match each other, but don’t worry about mismatching anything as you’re sure to find some harmony between the pieces if you look for it!

If you’ve got several items and can’t seem to figure out a way to display them, start with grouping items by type or color.

Spray Paint Items

Create a unified display by spray-painting a medley of different items in the same color. For example, grab some old trays, buckets, and kitchenware, paint them a bold color, and display them together. You could also get some bar stools for the kitchen and paint each one a different primary color.

Just remember to wipe down items with a damp cloth to get rid of dirt and dust, and allow them to air dry before you begin painting!

Bring out Your China

Old china and other pottery items can make the best vintage displays in your living room or kitchen, so bring them out of hiding and give them a place on mantels, tables, and countertops. Don’t worry if they are stained, chipped, broken, or if sets are incomplete; the flaws will only lend to the vintage appeal! Do add in some thrift store hand-painted coffee mugs to brighten up the display.

Pottery can also be put to use in various ways; for example, use utensils as planters and place them around the house- in corners and on windowsills and tables, etc. Furthermore, decorative pieces can be used as bookends or to hold trinkets.

Show off Suitcases

If you have a couple of vintage suitcases that you use to stow away out-of-season clothes, you’re in luck because they can ooze charm just by sitting in a corner. So instead of letting them remain under the bed or in the attic, show them off by stacking them on top of each other in a corner or in the hallway.

You can also consider placing a single suitcase upright by a bedside table or by the mantel. A large vintage trunk can be used as a bench or a center table too! Alternatively, leave a vintage suitcase open on a dresser or on a side table and use it to hold items like toiletries, photo frames, books, or a vase.

In addition to this, vintage suitcases can be transformed into shelves or wall decorations easily by simply cutting through them. If you have pets, transform each suitcase half into a comfy bed for your furry friends.

Amp up Storage

Go vintage with storage by using your flea market finds and hand-me-downs differently. Here are some tips you could make use of:

• Use crates to store items under the sink and in the laundry room. Attach wheels on crates to make for easy under-the-bed storage. Crates can also be mounted into studs on walls to create striking wall storage.
• Store towels, linens, clothes, kitchen ware, and more in wicker baskets. Display the baskets on shelves or line them on the floor.
• Turn to open shelving wherever possible and mount trays, racks and metal baskets on walls to hold items. Paint shelves white or in a bright color, or give them a distressed look to add to the vintage look.
• Use a baker’s metal and wood rack to accommodate various objects like kitchen utensils, laundry baskets, paperwork, etc.
• Repurpose pitchers and vases to serve as utensil and cutlery holders on the kitchen countertop and the dinner table.
• Muffin tins, cake dishes, servers, and plates can be used to display jewelry. You can also hang accessories on a DIY tree branch holder.

Conclusion

Displaying vintage items around the house in a way that doesn’t make the décor look cluttered and busy is challenging. And being on a tight budget can certainly add to your troubles!

That being said, giving your home vintage vibes doesn’t have to be harrowing. With the tips given here, you now know a handful of ways to deck up your home without spending a fortune at flea markets and antique shops. So get started on using and repurposing your vintage treasures the right way!

Happy decorating!

Author bio: Ann Neal is a writer with a keen in decor, fashion, parenting and lifestyle topics. She is passionate about music and loves to play guitar in her free time. She also enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Her Twitter handle is @Ann_G_Neal

The Top 5 Benefits Of Joining A Credit Union

The Credit Union National Association reports that over 96 million Americans belong to a credit union instead of, or in addition to, a traditional bank. 

With so many people jumping ship to credit unions, it makes sense to consider the benefits of becoming a member to one of the more than 6,000 credit unions in the United States. 

Keep these five benefits and advantages of credit unions in mind when making your decision whether to switch or not.

Better Service

Since credit unions are owned by their members, they focus on giving their members the services that they need at an affordable rate. 

As a member you’ll also have a say in how things are run. Banks are profit centers that focus on the bottom line and try to get as much money as they can from each customer. 

Belonging to a credit union gives you a better chance of receiving excellent service and speaking to a human as opposed to an automated system.

Lower Interest Rates

Credit unions typically have lower interest rates than banks. Since they are not-for-profit organizations, they can pass these savings onto their members. 

A lower interest rate amounts to thousands of dollars for a large loan for an automobile or home. Most credit unions also offer low-interest credit cards too.

No strings attached accounts

Most banks have a minimum balance or activity requirement for the account to remain open and in good standing. More than 75 percent of credit unions have no minimum balance requirement for members to avoid fees.

Fees are lower

Fees for the same services that a bank offers are cheaper at credit unions because their ultimate goal is to serve their members. 

You can check out different fees at sites like https://www.dfcu.com/ for more information on fees and customer service. Credit Unions like this have a bit more flexibility in how and what they charge their members. 

It’s more common for a credit union to reduce services than raise fees for its members. They do have to maintain some fees in order to remain federally regulated, but they’re still significantly lower than a traditional bank.

Shared branches and ATMS

Banks used to be able to boast that they were the only ones with a large network of ATMs for their members to use without incurring fees. 

That has changed with the co-operative network of credit unions allowing customers to use shared resources to avoid fees. Individuals can also go into other branches and conduct transactions in person regardless of where they are. 

Before joining a credit union, make sure that you know where the other branches and ATMs are located so that you are able to make the most of your membership.

It used to be difficult to join a credit union because they required you to work at a certain company or belong to a specific organization, but membership opportunities have spread vastly in the last few years. 

Many credit unions only have a residency in a certain town or county to join. Credit union membership continues to grow while distrust in banks spreads. It’s clear that a credit union is worth looking into for savings and other perks.