Serendipity Mommy

For happy, healthy, thriving moms

Choosing a Commercial Financial Service Provider

by

Taking charge of your finances is one of the biggest steps you can make towards achieving stability and independence. However, the task is much easier said than done as making any financial decision requires much time, consideration, and planning. No investment can be considered risk-free as there will always be a certain degree of risk attached to each one. Nonetheless, some can be more profitable than others depending on the circumstances.

Working with commercial finance providers can give you insight on how investments work and what types of investments you should take based on your needs and goals. Commercial finance refers to a range of products and services that can help you hit your financial targets or generate cash to get proper funding for your business. Whether you plan to take out a short-term loan or get funds from a venture capital, these decisions can vary on a case-to-case basis.

Check out the tips below to help you select a financial service provider, so you can ensure that you make the best investment decisions.

Understand Your Business

Before you do anything else, the first thing to do is to understand your business to know what exactly you need. Get to know the industry you are operating in to know about the type of financing you need and how much you will need. Another question to ask yourself is what you need the funds for in the first place. Do you need capital to set up a business, or do you need additional cash to help your company grow?

Ask About Investments

While working with commercial finance providers, you can get recommendations for your investments. Thus, it is important to ask questions about this while consulting with different providers. Communicate your objective or purpose, risk tolerance, and time horizon, so you can hear about how a provider can assist you. It will also help to ask about the costs related to purchasing, selling, or maintaining the investment, so you can assess which provider you can work with.

Finance providers will often have investment methodologies that they use to help clients make decisions. They are well-versed with market conditions that are crucial to determine the profitability of an investment, so their expertise and resources will be valuable for you and your business.

Shop Around for Loans

Commercial finance companies typically offer loans secured by assets for added security on their part. Similar to other financial institutions, the lending terms will vary for each company, so you can look at various companies to check out the loans they offer. This route is often recommended for businesses that are already highly leveraged and thus cannot get additional debt.

If you need to take out a loan for your business, you will need to check for things like the maximum available funding, loan duration, loan to value ratio, and others. As such, while choosing between different financial providers, it is important to ask about all the important points about their loans to ensure you know what you are getting into.

Commercial finance providers can offer valuable advice and recommendations on investments and financing for your business. Thus, choosing the right professionals to work with is crucial to ensure that you make the right decisions. Take your time getting to know the many providers, so you can find the best possible provider.

Four Things You Should Do When You Are Looking for a Gift for Your Loved Ones

by

Family and truly close friends are one of the greatest blessings that you can have in your lifetime. You acknowledge that they are very important people and want to impress them by offering the best gift. But more than impressing them, you want the gift to convey that you value and appreciate these people. Hence, coming up with gifts for your loved ones can either be very enjoyable or downright difficult.

We understand that it can be quite difficult to have the most thoughtful gift, especially since various people with different personalities would require a different gift-giving mindset. Your practical friend may prefer a birthday registry while your big sister may want a new houseplant. But do not fear! We have provided a few things that you should consider when thinking of the perfect gift for your loved ones.

You should know your receiver

Try to think about your receiver for a moment. Are you aware of their likes and dislikes? Do you know if they really want or need a certain item, but they are holding it off due to budget constraints? If you do, then great! You are already one step ahead towards giving the perfect gift. But if you still don’t know, you can still do something about it. You can ask your other friends or family if your recipient has anything that they need or if they dropped a hint on something that they really want. It all boils down to being attentive to the little details about your recipient.

It would be best if you created a plan

After you identify the perfect gift, you should start planning. Planning prevents you from bailing on a relatively expensive gift that would otherwise be very significant to your recipient. If you know that your sister needs a new laptop for school, you can search for an affordable student-friendly laptop or ask your family to lend a hand for a specific model that your sister wants.

It would help if you tried to make the gift more personal

You can make the gift more personal in various ways. For tangible gifts, such as clothing or books, you can attach a handwritten note or letter that contains a heartfelt message. For digital gifts, such as a computer game or a birthday registry, you can create a PowerPoint or an illustrated message. You can browse Pinterest for ideas or gimmicks that can make the gift-giving process more fun and memorable.

When in doubt, you can ask the person

If you are at a dead-end and you really do not know what your recipient wants, you can ask them directly. It might take the surprise away, but it shows that you care about them enough to want to know what gift they want to receive.

Conclusion

Gift-giving is one of the best things you can do if you want to do something that shows thoughtfulness and gratitude. It takes some thinking time and effort. It can also be quite challenging, especially to those who are generally lost when giving gifts. But at the end of the day, it is rewarding when you see your loved one smile and say their heartfelt thanks.

Gift Ideas for Everyone in the Family

by

Finding the right gift for someone special can be tough, especially for those who pride themselves on nailing a surprise on any occasion. Shopping for your family can be even more difficult since most people want to find the perfect present for the most important people in their lives. It’s always ideal to start shopping early, so you have plenty of time to evaluate your options, but sometimes life gets in the way, and you need to pull something together at the last minute. Whether you’re months early or rushing around with only a day or two to shop, read on for some great gift ideas for everyone in the family.

Lifestyle and Relaxation

img

After a stressful year, what better gift for someone you care about than the gift of relaxation? For busy moms who have been dealing with a lot, especially those with kids schooling at home, a day off is a gift in and of itself, but you can make it even more special. While certain experiences may not be a good idea right now, due to the ongoing global pandemic, you can support businesses like spas and beauty salons by giving your family member a gift certificate so they can enjoy themselves as soon as it’s safe to do so. For anyone stuck in quarantine, calming and enjoyable activities to do at home will be much appreciated. You can find all kinds of interesting crafts and even do-it-yourself spa treatments. There’s no reason not to have a little extra “me time,” especially now.

If you have a marijuana smoker in your family, you can surprise them with a vape pen, like this Bloom vape, to provide them with a cleaner experience without the need to light up. Vape pens are a healthier and far more discreet and convenient way to consume THC products, so they’re the perfect addition to any toker’s stash. If your family member has a hobby or an activity they like, finding a way to make it easier for them is always a solid way to go.

Treat Your Family

img

If you really want to impress, you can opt for a glitzy gift for a family member who doesn’t tend to treat themselves. Maybe your dad would enjoy a nice timepiece or a high-end pair of cuff links. You can often save money on precious metals by looking at local shops, like this one of many gold shops in Virginia. Shopping local instead of at a huge, fancy department store means you’ll get more jewelry for your money, as you won’t be paying the mark-up for the brand name of the store you’re shopping at. Focus on finding high-quality products, not specific brand names, and you’ll find that your money goes much further than you expect.

It can also be fun to get a present the whole family can enjoy together. It’s easier than ever to find things like famous baby back ribs from Nebraska, street pretzels and cheese-steak from Philadelphia, and plenty of other regional favorites delivered right to your doorstep with online ordering. You can have a special meal that you couldn’t find locally, and everyone can participate and find joy in the experience.

There’s no doubt that gift shopping can bring some stress and pressure along with it, but if you put in a little thought and some extra effort, it’s hard to go wrong. This year especially, with COVID-19 continuing to make typical shopping and leisure activities challenging, finding treats that can be used safely at home is a good idea. However, gift certificates for the future can allow you to support some of your favorite businesses while offering a nice treat when it’s safe to head out for recreational purposes again. The most important thing is to put love and care into it, no matter who you’re shopping for or what gift you choose.

Know the 10 great tips on searching for student accommodation!

by

When you wanted to study at a top university or institution, searching for student accommodation is always a tricky process. There are many choices to be made and things to think about when you wanted to select a place to live in. With overwhelming students getting admission every year, student living in London have many choices of accommodation to opt for. finding the best place to stay comfortable with low rental makes the study experience richer.

With the new location, it will be a daunting experience to find the right location to call home during the stay in the place. Here are some of the tips to find student accommodation:

Find a suitable location

The closer you stay in the city, the expenses will be more. It is necessary to think about a few things before choosing the place to live in:

  • Distance from the university campus
  • Cost of commute
  • Whether is it budget-friendly?
  • Availability of required thinks around you

There are some places where student accommodation is the place where it is placed to the direct transport facility, contains cheap rental, and thriving student hubs.

Decide on the type of accommodation and get prepared

With the plethora of accommodation types such as university student accommodation, shared en-suite, private halls of residences, you have to consider which type of accommodation you wanted to stay in? Halls of residence which are owned and managed by universities or private residences that are governed by the outer people containing the better facilities and private studio with dual accommodation fully a type of independent living are the three types of options for students to choose among.

Choose in the areas of accommodation

Once you have decided on the type of accommodation you would like to live in, then the next thing you need to decide on the area to stay in. Research on different areas that are close to your classes and decide on the sharing basis option if you wish to and make a note of things you wish to enquire about when viewing properties.

Make a quicker act

With the overwhelming choices of accommodation, an increasing number of students raise the demands of such accommodations. With the enrolling date getting closer by there will be a huge demand for en-suite and shared en-suite types of accommodation. So it is advisable to search for properties as early as possible for better stay features and if you find anything appealing then arrange to view it as soon as possible.

Try to get reviews from friends and relatives

When you wanted to stay in the city, and if you are unaware of the place, then you don’t have to search or decide alone. Try asking for help or get a review from a friend or relative who is living in the same city or place to help you with searching for student accommodation.

Ask with the university student committee or consultant

When you are unaware of the place or location of where to find the student accommodation, ask or seek the help of the university office or student committee member. They might have an idea of the accommodation services or independent providers who are offering consultations and assistance regarding the place.

Look for different security measures

We all know that all places are vulnerable to crimes and other thefts, sometimes it might be a safe place to stay. So it is necessary to look into different security measures around the place of stay and is important to live in with peace of mind and also to ensure your belonging will be safe and sound while you are living in. Things such as CCTV cameras, intercoms, key cards, and password protection services are basic things to look out for as 24/7 emergency services. These services will also help your parents to feel better when you are living away from them.

Check out for budgeting and affordability

It is a nightmare for both students and parents when you wanted to look for student accommodation. Due to the rise in demand and competitive nature of the market, students often end up living in conditions where they need to compromise on the conditions and safety measures. For students, being new to a place without the parents, find it hard in taking decisions and end up signing in the contracts on the first availability options they find first. Right from the halls of residence and private accommodations, there are different options to decide on and so check which suits your budget before choosing one.

Start early search

Don’t wait unless the commencement of the semester or classes and start to search for student accommodation. As there will be a huge demand for accommodation close to the enrolment date, you need to start looking into the student accommodation as early as possible to get a better-staying facility. If you wanted to get the accommodation in your budget, then it is advisable to start searching 2 to 3 months before. The best way to search for accommodation is to visit online and make a list of the properties you like to contact.

Check for the facilities offered by the university for students accommodation

Many student accommodation services offer great facilities and modern properties provide different amenities including:

  • TV lounge,
  • Separate kitchens
  • Indoor and outdoor games hall
  • Common spaces
  • Libraries
  • Gyms and bars

Other facilities are offered by the university and other private halls of residence which differs in the prices based on. So check for the amenities and facilities you require during your stay of study.

Other tips to choose the student accommodation include:

  • Room sharing option
  • Security and safety measures
  • Furnishing
  • Nearby commuting facility

Conclusion

While there are many factors to consider for selecting the student accommodation while you wanted to stay during the higher studies, above are some of the tips you need to primarily consider. Because student accommodation will be your second home for the time you will pursue your dream.

Top 7 Ways to Manage Your Finances Like An Expert

by

One of the hardest parts of growing up is learning to manage your own finances and making your money work for you. It becomes obvious, in your adult life, that money plays a significant role. It would help if you learned how to be both financially responsible and prudent. You must learn how to save and make sure that you are living within your means and not over or under them.

The question now becomes how can achieve financial freedom in a world where the economy continuously shifts; sometimes the economy shows promise of growth, and sometimes it takes an unexpected plummet, especially during a time like this with the COVID-19 pandemic. People have lost their jobs due to retrenchment and have ended up in difficult financial situations.

What does that tell you? That you need to be smart with your finances in order to stay prepared in case of any sudden changes. The following ways can help you manage and monitor your finances:

Having a savings account

A savings account is sometimes referred to as a ‘rainy day account’ because you want to have some money put aside for emergencies. A contingency fund goes a long way in preventing borrowing money from other people or places and being in debt.

Please make an effort to put some money into a savings account and do not touch it unless it happens to be for a dire situation. It teaches you discipline in terms of having money at your disposal but not rushing to the bank (or whatever firm you have saved in) whenever you need money in your hand. In the event you feel like you might forget to transfer your money, you can set it to automatically transfer a certain amount from your checking account to your savings account.

Avoiding unnecessary monthly bills

Sure, you have great credit and possibly qualify for certain loans at your bank, but that doesn’t mean that you should take out that loan. For example, say you are married and have a family, and both you and your partner drive separate cars, there is no need to take out a loan for a family car.

It is an unnecessary expense that you will need to count every month. In addition to that, it would be just another way to contribute to the pollution of the environment. Exhaust fumes from petrol-fueled cars add to the already building greenhouse effect in the ozone layer.

Taking out insurance policies

It is smart to take out insurance policies for medical cover, homes, and cars. They cover expenses you might not be able to pay for upfront. For example, medical cover and car insurance can cover the expenses incurred during a road accident. The car might be damaged and will need to get repairs done on it. The people in the vehicle might have sustained injuries, and that is where health insurance comes in.

House insurance usually covers theft and damages caused by natural causes such as fire or floods. Putting money into such an account also pays off in the long run.

Limit your credit card use

The number of times you turn to your credit card when you do not have cash in your pocket is ridiculous. There is the urge to swipe your card when you feel like you really need to purchase an item. The reality of the matter is you probably don’t need that item!

Human beings are seemingly covetous in nature; you’ll see something and feel the need to instantly want to own it, though you could do without it. Just like saving, using your credit card also requires you to be disciplined enough not to turn to it. If you want it, you don’t need it.

Keep track of your expenses

A habit that is important to cultivate is monitoring how you are spending your money. Think of yourself as your own personal auditor. You can use applications such as Microsoft Excel to make a spreadsheet showing how you have spent your money and work on updating it maybe twice a week.

That way, you can also learn how much you typically spend within a given amount of time and see what you can cut out.

Budgeting

As you track your expenses, you also learn to budget for your income or any other money you earn on the side. It is one thing to come up with a budget. It is a whole other thing to ensure that you are living by it such as paying for home insurance, bespoke car insurance & likewise. It is already clear that part of managing your expenses requires integrity and discipline; you need to be honest with yourself as you come up with your budget.

Proper financial planning

Learning to manage your money does not happen overnight. Be patient and learn from others, and do what works for you.

get children’s educational toys from dhgate.com

Recent Posts

Calling All Moms!

Welcome to Serendipitymommy.com! The woman and parenting resource brought to you by a mom, for moms. I also write articles about travel, business, finance and many more subjects to take your super-momness to the next level!