Monday, November 25, 2013

Sugar Under Fire for Unhealthy Youth in Australia

As various substances and habits have come under fire for being unhealthy, sugar has merged as one of the biggest culprits when it comes to poor health. And, new data released by an investment bank shows that concern over excessive sugar consumption is mounting. And, they say this could impact on adversely on food manufacturers. One of the biggest concerns about the sugar craze is that children are being negatively affected. Processed foods, junk foods and sweetened beverages are being advertised all over the place and the country’s kids are getting unhealthier. This, in turn, is putting extra pressure on the already over-exerted public health system. Now, taking control of our health and of the health of our loved ones is one way to reduce our dependence on the public health system. While we all need to run a health insurance comparison in order to find a policy that will help keep our families safe and healthy, the less we need to use it, the lower our premiums are. And, of course, prevention is always better than cure. The best way to keep our kids healthy is to teach them right from a young age.

If you thought you did not have a sweet tooth you might be surprised to know that the chocolate and confectionary industries are responsible for generating $6.2 billion in Australia every year. Soft drinks pull in $35 billion. But, of course, it does not stop at chocolates and fizzy cool drinks. It is everything processed, including packaged pastas and cereals and biscuits that contain excessive amounts of sugar.

Those lobbying against excessive sugar content say that food products need to be branded with loud, visible warnings, just like tobacco products if they are going to discourage people from consuming them. They also say that, in the not too distant future, manufacturers of high sugar foods could be sued by public health providers. We might not be there yet but we could get there if the past suits on tobacco and fast food industries are anything to go by.

Of course the research shows that high sugar consumption is associated with an increase in body weight. It is also more likely to settle in the abdominal area and around the liver when it comes from sugar and may contribute to diabetes. Disturbingly, the door for extra sugar was left open by manufacturers selling low fat and fat free products, in an effort to make them tastier. The experts say that, to date, nutritional guidelines have not taken sugar consumption into account but that it is critical in managing public health going forward.

The youth are among those who tend to be taken in by sweeten foods and beverages, but the Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia is using community members as ambassadors as part of its social media marketing campaigns. The Council says that social media platforms have become incredibly valuable for reaching out to younger members of the community and to promote good health. The Council has employed ambassadors to promote the merits of physical exercise, healthy eating habits and to abstain from smoking.

The Council has also gone to considerable lengths to select credible ambassadors who can connect meaningfully with communities. As well as being respected in their communities, the ambassadors also have to be committed to the cause they are supporting. Furthermore, they also need to meet the gender, age and social background criteria to be successful in their roles.

Some of the campaigns being used to target the youth include sexual health programs and anti-maternal smoking programmes. The Council encourages the ambassadors to talk about their own experiences when educating others, as teenagers tend to rebel against being told what to do.

Going forward, the council says it would like to focus on immunisations and foetal alcohol spectrum disorder within the Aboriginal communities and promote health check ups for kids and teenagers. The Council says good health can only be achieved in the Aboriginal communities if the community members remain in control of their health and are fully engaged in policies and campaigns. The Council says it would still like to see more Aboriginals employed as trained health workers and engaging directly in community health programmes.



5 Reasons Why International Tax Planning is Crucial for Offshore Company Formation?

clip_image002The ultimate goal of an international tax planning is naturally a significant reduction in tax liability. Legal elimination of your taxes may not be possible, and rightfully so, but you can certainly cut down the taxes to such an extent that you won’t feel you are paying any taxes. This is obviously your ultimate aim when you go for international company formation with registered office and to help you with this you need a competent law firm or an accounting company on your side. Let us take a look at 5 reasons why it is important for you to plan your international taxes when it comes to offshore company formation.

1. Offshore Banking Accounts: For registering and establishing an offshore firm, one of the important criterions is to have a company’s offshore bank account. Tax haven nations are loved by such firms as it easily allows them holding funds with guarantee that the owner’s profile won’t get divulged to the government or to the public through the strictest secrecy laws of the banks. If this is the most important aspect for the company owner, then it becomes important to consider all different countries that suit such requirements.

2. Capitalization Rules: One of the other advantages that company looks for in tax haven nations is their capitalization rules. These nations normally offer very thin capitalization. Due to this there is very restricted scope of debt finance. In one way, such rules of capitalization help international tax planning as they become more appealing to multinational firms that are largely dependent on the capital funds raised by their shareholders. This way they feel more protected against any type of possible debts.

3. Choosing the Right Tax Haven Nation: This is one of the most important considerations that you should make. Some of the most popular choices are Bahamas, Monaco, Malta, Isle of Man, Cyprus, Switzerland, Gibraltar and Andorra. All these nations offer various favorable conditions for the offshore formation of your company. That being said, it is important that all the advantages are carefully compared before choosing one of these nations. You should take a close look at the financial, telecommunication and banking industries in these nations before you make a move.

4. Preparing Income Tax Returns: Business people don’t want to worry about preparing for tax returns. International firms find it very cumbersome to prepare their tax reports, which is necessary to be filed to the government. If these reports are not submitted on time, the companies could run into a lot of trouble. This is why it is important to hire a reliable agent who can take care of such works with precision and more importantly without any delay.

5. Double Tax Treaties: These are very advantageous to companies as these treaties are entered into by the government with other nations and give the companies ore opportunities for saving on foreign taxes and trading expenses. This happens due to an international tax legislation that the two countries agree upon. The efficient cross border taxes help these firms save on personal income taxes, corporate income taxes etc.
You can visit the link to get more ideas regarding company formation with registered office here- http://www.simpleformations.com/company-service-prices.htm

Author Bio
Terry Novik is a tax planning professional with over 10 years of experience, who helps businesses, companies and individuals with their tax filing.


Why Go for an Online Car Insurance Cover?

clip_image002Most insurance providers allow you choose car insurance online from the various quotes present. The online shopping gives consumers the freedom to choose and make a wise choice. You can get several quotes from different agencies and compare to arrive at a proper decision. Online quotes for car insurance are cheaper, and you also get more value for the policies.
 

Online Shopping Method


The conventional car insurance choice consists of approaching a broker or using a directory. With the advent of internet, the option of online search has opened up a new vista thus providing customers to have a wider and better range to choose from. Recently aggregated quotes offer a better avenue for those looking for a perfect deal.

Things You should Look for while Searching Online

When you use online method, you need to consider the following:
  • The quotes can be procured faster if you use comparison websites than by manually searching for different policies and their advantages.
  • Rating of the insurer is an important consideration that should not be overlooked. Make sure the insurer is properly licensed.
  • Know the basics of getting car insurance before you ask for a quote. You can grasp the advantages and drawbacks better this way.


Opting for the Best Policy


There are basically three types of motor policies namely third party insurance, third party fire and theft, and the fully comprehensive insurance. Third party covers legal liability if you cause damage to property like gates, walls or vehicles while driving. The fire and theft type includes cover for damage caused by fire and theft in addition to the third party cover. The comprehensive policy offers cover for damage to your vehicle in case of an accident and also gives you cover in case you are driving someone else’s car. The fully comprehensive cover is a good choice as it has the best cover but can be expensive.

Information You Need to Furnish

You need to supply information covering the following details.
  • Personal information related to gender, age, driving history, and credit status.
  • Information related to vehicle like the age, model, make, safety features, mileage, and the present condition.
  • If you have basic coverage for the vehicle, you need to supply relevant information and also specify if you want any additional coverage.

Precautions You should Follow in Online Shopping for Insurance

Some companies provide only an indicative quote rather than the entire policy to attract customers. Reading the complete quote with all the terms and conditions will prevent you from making the wrong choice. Comparing the additional features of your existing policy with the one you are going to buy is important. If you do not verify properly, you may end up with a reduced cover than what you earlier had. The final quote should include features like:
  • Personal accident cover
  • Coverage for audio equipment and personal belongings
  • Breakdown recovery
  • Optional excess
  • Legal protection
While searching online, you need to know what to look for so that you can save time and find the right one easily. When you have decided on the policy and supplied the required information, you can get a better car insurance quote.

Author Box:
Tom Wood sheds light on many of the web resources that enlighten you about any kind of insurance or claim people avail in their lives. Of them, http://www.ppiclaimzmadesimple.co.uk is his favorite pick which covers everything if you are making a claim.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

How to Make Your Move Go Smoothly and Avoid Problems

English: Moving Company employees load a movin...
Moving has to be one the most dreadful and stressful things we have to endure. Even when it goes well. Whether it is for relocating to another job or to provide more room to a growing family, it can be a task we wish we could avoid.
Finding a reputable and qualified moving company takes a little work but pays off in the long run by saving you money. Moving companies can vary from a guy and his moving truck to large international mover. It's up to you to do your homework and start with a reputable company. Here are a few things you need to be aware of when hiring a mover. 

There is a difference in Moving companies


Just like any other service provider, you will find various levels of competency. From the very competent to the disaster.


Research movers and then call for an estimate. Have 3 moving companies come to your home and give you a price for services. There you will be able to size up the company by how professional the salesman is. Also you will be able to get an accurate price. 

Depending if you are moving locally or much further, there may be regulations and laws to give consumers protection that you may not even know of. Having knowledgeable companies are important if you are in moving in New York or using removals in Sydney, Australia.


Online price quotes are not a good


How can you get a an accurate quote when the movers don't visit your home. It's good to start a conversation with the company by e-mail, online or phone. But nothing can replace the benefits of having someone come to your home.

Online quotes are good ways the moving company can first get your business but don't be surprised if they ask for substantially more money because of miscommunication on your part or their's.

Signs of a bad moving company


English: Piano Removals in Christchurch 2011Look out for the request for prepayment or a large deposit. This is a big sign. Most less than honest moving companies tend to use this tactic. Watch out for the too good too be true price. You will definitely be charged more when your furniture is sitting on their truck. Lastly, when you call their office and they answer by just saying "movers". Hang up and find a reputable company.


Low prices are not always a good deal


People that have been ripped off by movers always say they got taken by the company by their low, low quote. A low quote may be because you or your movers are not aware of all the details of the move. The problem usually comes because your movers have not explained extra costs that are associated with moving more fragile or delicate items. Special boxes or packing really increases the costs of moving. 

The most important thing you can do is plan ahead. Moving your home or business is a rare occurrence and many people do not put the necessary work and planning to make it turn out right.



How To Get The Highest Price When Selling My Home?

Picture of the "Gingerbread House" i...
Picture of the "Gingerbread House" in Essex, Connecticut, USA (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Many people are looking around for ways to sell a house while ensuring that they make the maximum amount of profit from the sale. The problem is that most people who ask themselves, “How do I sell my house?” are only aware of the most common method for selling a house, and that is to go through a real estate agent. The problem with real estate agents is that they typically charge very high commission fees, which will take a big chunk out of the profit, you would otherwise be making from the sale of your home.

However, there are other ways to sell your home, and by following the steps listed below, you will be able to sell your house yourself and ensure that you keep all of the proceeds.

Renovate Property


If you are looking to sell your home for the highest possible price, the first thing you need to consider is the shape your home is in. If your home is rundown or not in the best possible shape, then this will significantly affect how much you are able to sell it for. Therefore, the first step before you even consider listing your home for sale is to renovate your property.

Now this doesn’t mean that you need to completely remodel the entire house, and the actual amount of renovation you will need to do depends on just what shape your home is in. If the home itself is fairly modern and in good shape, you may want to just think about doing some work to the property itself. Make sure the yard and garden are in good shape, as well as any other buildings such as a garage or shed. If the paint on your walls is faded or stained, you should think about repainting, as well as fixing any cracks or holes in your walls. Even doing a little bit of work to make the home more presentable will go a long way towards increasing the value of your home.

List Online


Once you have your home in the best possible shape, then you can finally start thinking about listing it for sale. Most people simply choose a real estate agent to sell their home for them, but if you are serious about getting the most money from the sale, then you need to consider listing your home for sale online on one of the many for sale by owner real estate websites and portals, such as ForSaleForLease.com.au. These sites charge very small fees for listing your property, and they could end up saving you thousands of dollars by avoiding the high commission fees charged by real estate agents.

Setting up a listing on these sites is also incredibly easy. Just make sure that you spend some time writing a high quality, accurate description of the property. You should also have good quality pictures of the different rooms in the house to let people see exactly how your home looks. By listing your home on one of the most popular for sale by owner websites, you should be able to quickly sell your home and make a large profit from it.

Sell Privately


After listing your property online, you can sit back and wait for people to show interest. If you have interested buyers, you will then need to invite them over to inspect the property. At this point you will probably start receiving offers for your home, and then you can negotiate the sale directly with the potential buyers. This will allow you to have total control over the final sale price, so you can ensure that you sell your house for the highest price possible.

To sell your home privately, all you need to do is find a buyer online, negotiate the sale with them, and then have a lawyer draw up the contracts and paperwork for you to ensure the sale is done completely in line with the law. Overall, selling your home privately through an online real estate portal or website is definitely the best way to ensure that your house sells for the highest price, and also to ensure that you see the highest percentage of profit from the sale.

Contributor Profile: Written in behalf of ForSaleForLease.com.au – a Sell My House Real Estate Agency that services the greater part of Australia.

Black Friday - 5 Tips For Finding The Best Deals

Black Friday quickly approaches each year. It seems as though each store tries to add more items to its list of deals, but are you getting the best items available? There are some ways that you can find the best deals possible before they are sold out.

Newspaper Ads


This is the most common way to find Black Friday deals. Circulars are usually placed in the newspaper a few days before the big shopping day. Go through each of these ads to find the stores that you want to shop at, and tuck them away so you can thoroughly look through them. When you have the ads for the stores, circle the items that you want to get. This will make it easier because you will know what you want and the price of the item.

Internet


This is another way that you can find the best deals available. Some stores release their ads early. You have to be careful when looking at these because some of them are from the previous year. Pay attention to the online date that it was created. There are some deals that you can find online that are better than those in the store.

Word of Mouth


While your friends are out shopping early, call or text them to find out what the best deals are in the store. You can also ask them what is sold out and what items are still on the shelves. Make sure you get to the store in time because some stores only have sales for certain hours. Another technique is while you go to one store, your friend can go to a different one. Get the items from each store, like Vineland Electronics, that you both want so that you don’t have to stand in line at two places. Then you can separate everything later. 

Organize


Before you look at any kind of ad, you need to make a list of who to shop for and what they want. If you have a short list, then shopping will be easy. Make a budget for how much you want to spend as a total and how much you want to spend on each person.

Call the Store


If you have any questions about things that might be excluded on Black Friday, then call the store and ask someone. Some stores can’t reveal certain information, especially about larger items that will be on sale. However, you can usually get the basic information about times and prices.

Black Friday is a fun day if you know how to plan your trip. You can usually get the bulk of our shopping completed if you don’t waste time looking for things that you have no intention of buying. Make a plan, and stick to it so that you benefit from the amazing deals that this day holds.



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