MoneyCentral Magazine

Meet The Shepreneur Behind The Cover Of The December 2021 Issue Of MoneyCentral Magazine: Dr. Roya J. Hassad

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Award-winning anti-aging physician Dr. Roya J. Hassad has taken the world of cosmetic medicine by storm with her first-class, innovative and ingenious approach to beauty and wellness.

Dr. Hassad, an Educator, Speaker, and the Founder of Hope, Life, and Dream Centers—the most prominent Anti-Aging medical centers in New York, has adopted a streamlined, highly-effective approach to her craft known as The Five C’s: Comprehensive, Cutting-edge, Compassionate, Connected, and Concierge, which we will break down one by one in the following five paragraphs.

Dr. Hassad’s rise in her profession can be adduced to her insistence on delivering a comprehensive service for her clients, which entails conducting a complete and thorough evaluation of each patient individually.

Dr. Hassad’s medical procedures are replete with advanced, state-of-the-art cosmetics and aesthetics. These are inclusive of anti-aging solutions, integrative medicine, preventative care solutions. Dr. Hassad and her team’s focus has always been on ensuring that each patient has an option that works for them.

Compassion is at the forefront of Dr. Hassad’s medical practices. The good doctor has a heartwarming reputation as one of the most compassionate, friendly, and amiable doctors in the field today, a quality she has infused in her medical team.

The world has since gone digital, with virtual connections helping to shape a new reality. Dr. Hassad and her team have harnessed this connection to build an ever-connected world powered by digital technology. She and her team have created an extensive medical network—extending deep into the international medical community—with some industry pioneers in medical health centers. These connections help Dr. Hassad and her team to share ideas with other brilliant minds in the medical field.

Dr. Hassad and her team offer concierge services for clients from beginning to end. The group helps to facilitate some of the more challenging aspects of preventative and aesthetic care, from acquiring previous medical records to scheduling appointments with sub-specialists for unique treatments.

“We approach every client’s health 360-degrees while testing and going over a complete evaluation that ensures our services are effective and safe,” said Dr. Hassad. “We then leverage the most innovative, cutting-edge advanced technology in anti-aging and integrative medicine, including aesthetic and preventative care that is award-winning in nature. While all of this is happening, I oversee a compassionate relationship with the client that acknowledges their personal well-being. It’s this exact arrangement that makes what I do so rewarding to me – I wouldn’t change my job for anything else in the world.”

Dr. Hassad has treated numerous patients with hormone deficiency disorders related to aging, such as menopause or diabetes mellitus in her New York City-based clinic. She has also developed incredible treatments like Bioidentical Hormones, which mimic hormones found in the human body.

5 Good Reasons Wealthy People Love Patek Philippe

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Editorial credit: andersphoto / Shutterstock.com

Patek Philippe, a traditional Swiss watchmaking brand, enjoys an aura of covetable glamour that originates from its lavish traditions of watchmaking and its exquisite polished, handcrafted timepieces.

In this article, we will walk you through 5 compelling reasons that make Patek Philippe an incredibly popular choice amongst rich collectors. Here, take a look:

A Symbol of Exclusivity

Research reveals that since 1839, Patek Philippe has made and sold less than 1 million watches, which allows this luxury Swiss watchmaker to enjoy an immensely covetable brand appeal. Patek watches take around nine months to be manufactured, while the more exquisite pieces are produced in a period of over two years. The growing demand and the sought-after models have given the brand an affluent status that allows rich people to set themselves apart in the crowd.

Hand-Finished Beauty

Philip Patek watches are known for their finesse and beauty. These intensely charming timepieces are admired because of their stunning hand-finished components. The Swiss watchmaker infuses each design with an iconic detailing that captivates the admirers with its distinctive and high-end glamour. From the dynamic batons to the hand-finished hands, and the overall design, it is the little details that allow a Patek watch to leave the onlookers struck by its sleek appeal.

It’s an Investment

Many savvy collectors invest in Patek watches as an investment, and both vintage and modern watches promise a spectacular resale value. History stands witness to the fact that Patek watches bought back in the 1950s or 1970s, for instance, the Calatrava, and the 5131 Cloisonné Enamel, sold twice more than their original retail price.

Be part of a Legacy

Patek Philippe maintains an archive for every single watch made since 1839, and it allows watch enthusiasts revel in the confidence of being a proud member of the Patek community. The archives have meticulously documented the history of each and every watch that has ever been produced by the celebrated Swiss watchmaker, allowing the purchaser to be a part of a legacy shared with royal family members, heads of states, and celebrities.

Traditional Watchmaking Traditions

Rich people adore Patek Philippe for its rich legacy and its traditional watch and case-making techniques that date all the way back to the 1800s. This iconic brand continues to dominate the market of luxury watches with its meticulous preservation of centuries’ old watchmaking techniques, handcraftsmanship, and alluring designs.

Finalists Officially Announced For The Australian Women’s Weekly Women of the Future Awards

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The Australian Women’s Weekly, in partnership with La Trobe Financial, is proud to present our six outstanding young finalists, selected from a competitive field of entrants in the ninth annual Women of the Future Awards.

Since 2013, the awards have been helping exceptional young women aged between 18 and 34 develop projects that transform lives. This year there was a spectacular array of impressive entries, with strong themes around disability, conservation, and consent.

The Women of the Future Finalists are:

· Hannah Diviney of Missing Perspectives (NSW), a global publishing platform that seeks to address the marginalisation of women and girls across news, media, and democracy decision-making on a global scale.

· Camille Goldstone-Henry of Xylo Systems (NSW), a cloud-based platform to connect, track and manage conservation projects.

· Angelique Wan of Consent Labs (NSW), a youth-led not-for-profit organisation that revolutionises the discussion around sexual consent, harassment, and assault.

· Mannie Kaur Verma of Veer Foundation (VIC), an organisation that works to prevent domestic violence and support victims in marginalised communities.

· Molly Rogers and Emma Clegg of JAM the label (VIC), a clothing brand born out of the need for inclusive clothing for young people with disabilities.

· Martina Ucnikova and Jessica Smith of She Runs (WA), a not-for-profit that supports women’s political and civic participation through the power of education and connection.

Their incredible stories are showcased in the December issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly, on sale Thursday, 4^th November. In addition, each finalist will appear in a new a six-part series on podcast Short Black with Sandra Sully. Each Tuesday from October 26, the 10 News First acclaimed journalist, presenter and women’s advocate sits down with these emerging young entrepreneurs and campaigners to talk about their passion and determination to help make a difference.

The Editor-in-Chief of The Australian Women’s Weekly, Nicole Byers, said: “This year, we had a record number of entries and I am proud to announce our six finalists. They are inspirational, they all do incredible work, they are committed, smart, and full of excellent ideas and they’re shaping the way to help create positive change for a better future.”

The finalists will be flown to Sydney to attend the prestigious Women of the Future event on December 1, a much-anticipated date in the diary of some of Australia’s most influential and change-making women. The overall winner will be announced and receive more than $100,000 in cash and prizes to assist in reaching her business goals.

The panel of judges tasked with choosing one winner for the awards this year are: Ita Buttrose (AC OBE, Chair of the ABC); Yasmin Poole (Youth Advocate and Plan International Australia Ambassador); Julie Bishop (Australian National University Chancellor and Former Foreign Minister); Narelda Jacobs (Network 10 presenter and journalist); Tanya Plibersek (Federal Shadow Minister for Education and Women); Nicole Byers (Editor-in-Chief of The Australian Women’s Weekly and group Publisher Women’s Lifestyle & Food at Are Media); and Caterina Nesci (Director of ESG and International Partnerships at La Trobe Financial).

Australian Companies Win Big At 18th Annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business

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The Stevie® Awards for Women in Business, which shine a spotlight on female executives, entrepreneurs, employees, and organizations run by women, announced the 2021 winners.

The 18th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business is an international competition produced by the creators of the prestigious International Business Awards® and American Business Awards®. The Stevie is widely regarded as the world’s premier business award.

More than 40 Australian organizations and individuals have won the Stevie Awards for Women in Business.

The Audacious Agency from the Gold Coast submitted nominations on behalf of Stevie-winning clients. Their clients won 27 Stevie Awards overall including seven Gold Stevies, 10 Silvers, and 10 Bronzes. The Audacious Agency won the program’s highest honor, the Grand Stevie Award, for the success of their client’s nominations.

Kids on the Spectrum (Melbourne, Victoria) won two Gold and one Silver Stevie Award. Kids on the Spectrum-Australian autism directory was launched in 2019 to provide parents a free national online directory to assist them in locating inclusive services, products, and events for their autistic family members. The directory’s founder, Anita Aherne felt the urgency to provide valuable free information with an aim of improving autistic outcomes in Australia.

Aherne said “Being acknowledged for developing Australia’s first national autism directory is exciting and overwhelming. To have Kids on the Spectrum awarded three Stevie awards is definitely a highlight of our business journey so far.”

Natalie Brennan, General Manager of Muffin Break in Sydney won two Gold Stevies Awards for Woman of the Year and Most Innovative Woman of the Year – Franchising. Muffin Break first opened its doors in Queensland in 1989. In 2021, with over 200 stores in Australia, all stores are locally owned & operated by our franchise partners who are proud of the communities they serve and the products they offer.

More than 1,800 nominations from organizations and individuals around the world were submitted to the awards this year for consideration in categories including COVID-19 Response, Entrepreneur of the Year, Executive of the Year, Most Innovative Company of the Year, and Startup of the Year, among others. More than 160 business professionals working in eight specialized judging committees determined the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners.

This article was sourced from a media release sent by Maggie Miller of Stevie Awards.

How To Get Your Loved One A Gift That’s Personally Picked This Christmas

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With an 80% increase in gifting during the pandemic lockdown period, this female-founded Aussie gifting startup, PersonallyPicked has seen exponential growth over the past year. Demand continues to grow for unique and fabulous gift options for loved ones being sent, “just because”.

As the name suggests, PersonallyPicked allows customers to curate the perfect gift for their friend, colleague, or loved one, selecting from over 150 incredible gift options. For those more indecisive or in need of a little gifting inspo – there are ready-made gift boxes for a quick solution.

That said, PersonallyPicked says that over 95% of their customers choose to build their own personalised gift box – offering a gift that, as the name states, is personally picked for them.

Some of the most popular gift items during the current lockdowns have included drinks such as Melbourne Martini cocktails in a jar, Just a Glass Wines, and T2 teas, as Aussies enjoy a tipple or two from home – be it toasty and warm, or fresh and fruity.

Additionally, people are spreading the fun, with activity-related gifts rising in popularity during the lockdown. Many Australians are sending Journey of Something puzzles, quiz games, and cocktail recipe books to keep people entertained at home. It seems we’re also quite keen to pamper friends and family with beauty and wellness products such as the Aunty Honey Heat Packs, Lapcos Face Masks, and Huxter Bath Salts in rather high demand.

PersonallyPicked Co-Founder Samantha Lynn said, “Customers are sending gifts not for any particular occasion, but just because loved ones were going through difficult times and as a way to re-connect and bring joy. We have also had a huge uplift in corporate clients and businesses organising gifts for their staff who were working hard in lockdown at home, which is really great to see.”

Over the last 12 months, PersonallyPicked has seen a 250% increase in sales, with the online gifting trend seeing no sign of slowing down.

PersonallyPicked offers a range of bright, colourful, and unique packaging options that stand out from the crowd. The best part, each gift box is personalised with the recipient’s name for the ultimate personalised experience.

For more information or to order your own PersonallyPicked gift box, head to: www.personallypicked.com.au

Sponsored content brought to you by PersonallyPicked

Meet The Shepreneur Behind The Cover Of The October 2021 Issue Of MoneyCentral Magazine: Em Hardwicke

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It took Em Hardwicke 40 years and the birth of her beautiful son to be truly comfortable in her own self, to love the person she is, and to be proud of her achievements and successes in life. Em’s son is her world. He is what inspires and motivates Em every day and she wants her son to know that anything is possible with passion, determination, and hard work.

It is this passion, determination, and hard work that has got her through some tough times and has given her the strength and courage to take on some big dreams and physical challenges over the years. She has trekked Kokoda, Everest Base Camp, Mont Blanc, Mt Meru and Mt Kilimanjaro. She has also competed in several ultra-marathons including the Ultra-Trail Australia 50km and 100km. She does these things, not to stand on a podium or to break any records – but to remind herself of what she is capable of and of the beauty this world has to offer. Doing these things reminds Em to always be the best version of herself.

For Em, like for so many others, 2020 was a year never to be forgotten… Australia battled the Snowy Mountains bushfires in January then COVID in March which saw her get stood down from her job and ultimately made redundant – leaving her without work and her family not knowing what was next.

Not one to let a setback deter her from achieving her goals, She refocussed and at the age of 46, after 25 years in Event Management, she’s now embarking on a career in Real Estate and Property Management, which is exciting for her giving her a new focus. However, she also couldn’t let all of her knowledge and experience in event management go to waste, so she took the opportunity to rebrand and relaunch. Hence, her Event Management Consulting business, Meraki Events and Public Relations as well as The Meraki Academy of Personal Development and Coaching were born.

MoneyCentral magazine recently caught up with Em to discuss her journey as an entrepreneur and here’s what went down:

When did your entrepreneurial flair first reveal itself?

I have always had determination and have always been a bit of a self-starter, but I guess my entrepreneurial flair first revealed itself after a stint living and working overseas and when I returned home to Australia there wasn’t much full-time work available within my industry. So I decided to set up my own business and freelance – this gave me a lot of flexibility and the opportunity to take on a number of projects at the same time and really diversify my skills and experience in different areas, making me more employable and more valuable within the Event Management industry.

In addition to working full time, I have four small businesses of my own… Meraki Events & Public Relations, The Meraki Academy of Personal Development & Coaching, Soul Purpose Body Products, and Jindy Treats.

Photographed by: STUDIO 49 / TONY PALLISER 2021

How did your life look like before being an entrepreneur?

I have always loved being busy and have always loved having variety in my days and in my work, so I think the biggest change I noticed when working for myself was the ability to be able to choose the projects I wanted to work on and the variety that my workdays took on.

As an entrepreneur, what is it that motivates and drives you?

Definitely the rewarding feeling when you pitch and land a new client… or when a new retailer chooses to take on your product. But I think the biggest motivator for me is customer satisfaction. I have always said that customer satisfaction is paramount to my success. If my customers and clients aren’t happy or aren’t satisfied with my work or my products, then I am not doing my job!

In one word, describe your life as an entrepreneur and explain why.

Passionate and Determined! Okay, so I know that is two words, but I truly believe I have passion and determination in equal measure.

It has not always been an easy ride and there have been disappointments along the way, but I have always got up, dusted myself off, and landed on my feet and I know it is my passion and determination that has allowed me to do that.

Photographed by: STUDIO 49 / TONY PALLISER 2021

What were your top three motivations for starting your business?

Circumstance, necessity, and opportunity… that combined with absolutely loving what I do and doing what I love.

What do you put your success down to?

Passion, determination, hard work, and a strong work ethic. It is also important to know your clients and be clear on the services and/or products you have to offer. Don’t spread yourself too thin – you are better off being really good at some things than mediocre at many things.

What would you say are the key elements for starting and running a successful business?

For me, it was all about having a clear plan about the products/services each of my businesses was to focus on and a clear target market. Without clarity, there is no direction. Without direction, you have no destination. I once read a quote that has stuck with me and always reminds me what is missing when I find myself stuck, or in a rut.

“Clarity has purpose and strength and brings with it the undeniable ability to move forthwith into our chosen direction.”

This is when I stop, reflect, refocus and gain the clarity I need to move forward.

Photographed by: STUDIO 49 / TONY PALLISER 2021

What are the three biggest challenges you have faced growing the business and how did you overcome them?

I think there are always different challenges at different times. When I first started my business, my biggest challenge was getting my foot in the door and getting people to take a chance on me, particularly if I was completely unknown to them.

Another challenge for me was not selling myself short or undercutting myself just to get a job – you have to know your worth and be able to sell that to a prospective client.

Overcoming these challenges was a challenge in itself as it largely came down to believing in myself and not taking the knockbacks and lost contracts personally.

I found as I won pitches and landed contracts, the door opened a little wider each time. I also did a lot of research about salaries, wages, and contract rates, and how to quote a job fairly so the client felt they were getting great service at a rate that was affordable, but I was also still charging at a rate that I knew I was worth for the work I was doing.

Knowledge and confidence was a big factor in overcoming these challenges.

Knowing the market, knowing your worth, and being confident in your ability.

Does the loneliness of the entrepreneur really exist? Is there such a thing?

I have never found entrepreneurship a lonely venture. Perhaps this is because I have always surrounded myself with a lot of people and have also, more often than not, had another job to give me some stability and human interaction while I have been starting and building my businesses.

Photographed by: STUDIO 49 / TONY PALLISER 2021

As you grew the business, what have been some of the most important leadership lessons you have learned?

Be clear on what your definition of success is for your business and do what is necessary to achieve those successes. Your definition of success will always change as the business grows, but so too does the plan and actions needed to achieve the new goals set for yourself and for your business.

My businesses are still small and all still growing at a pace I am happy and comfortable with. One of the biggest lessons I have learned along the way is to never let my business become bigger than I can, or want to, handle. I always remind myself that a business doesn’t have to be BIG conglomerates to be successful.

The other important leadership lesson I learned at a very young age, and one I apply to all aspects of my life. Always treat people the way you would like to be and would expect to be treated, and NEVER ask someone to do something you wouldn’t be willing to do yourself.

What do you hope to see happen in the near future for small businesses all over the world?

I truly believe small business needs to be nurtured and supported. There is absolutely a place in society and the world for big business and multi-national firms and operations, but I also believe that big businesses and multi-national firms are not the place for everyone, and nor should they be.

The pandemic has, in the blink of an eye, totally destroyed so many small businesses around the world and destroyed the lives of the people whose blood, sweat, and tears have gone into building these businesses.

I would love to see some of the big businesses and multi-national firms around the world, whose businesses have remained largely unaffected by the global pandemic, establish a series of small business grants to support many of these small businesses re-establish and re-build. There are a lot of amazing business minds in this world whose businesses have failed, by no fault of their own. Small business is an important part of society and all contribute to a country’s economy, but do not have the support and backing of deep pockets to keep them afloat when times get tough.

Photographed by: STUDIO 49 / TONY PALLISER 2021

Meet The Entrepreneur Behind The Cover Of The September 2021 Issue Of MoneyCentral Magazine: Danish Sayanee

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A veteran entrepreneur, Danish Sayanee is an internationally published author with 3 books published under his name on platforms such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Simon & Schuster. He is known for his innovative developments and affiliations in technology and STEAM/STEM integration at the school level – some of these affiliations include Microsoft, Google, STEM-ED Coalition, Common-Sense Education, and more. On top of that, he’s also the co-founder and director of the Institute of Excellence in Learning and Teaching.

A highly sought-after trainer, Danish is an internationally certified and licensed TESOL trainer from the Arizona University; he’s Pakistan’s very first CommonSense Educator, and he’s a Cambridge English trained agent which entails him to counsel students, teachers, and professionals on the importance of Cambridge English Certification. In fact, he has incredibly trained 3000 individuals including teachers, students, and other professionals. Danish also happens to be the first National Geographic Educator in Pakistan.

Danish has completed Business and Leadership Management from the Michigan University and he is also a Microsoft Educator, Adobe’s Master Trainer, and Intel’s Technology Partner, who’s currently working on his Teacher Training Licensing Program from London Teacher Training College OFQUAL Affiliated program.

MoneyCentral Magazine recently caught up with Danish to discuss his journey to entrepreneurship and here’s what went down:

What are your standards for success? Is it a certain dollar figure?

My benchmarks for success are not measured by anything especially not by the monetary success of a man. I have set the standards of my success on two principles:

1. Your Effort should match your vision
2. Be true to your vision

I have stuck by these principles, worked hard, tried my level best not to deviate from my vision, and climb ascend Mount Success.

What do you think made you successful in business?

I was born not to be the sort of person who can comply with the rules that others set for him, rather, from an early age, I have been able to make people do what I wanted them to do, I feel that this being able to delegate, and process who does what best is a key factor that made me successful in business. Another thing is the fact that I can jump from the mountains but I can still stick to a vision. Often, businesses simply fail, or people running them fail because they lose sight of their vision.

How would you define true entrepreneurship?

The truest form of entrepreneurship is when a person can identify a true social gap and fill it up with a unique and innovative idea.

What inspired you to develop your idea?

I have always been a compassionate person by nature, this enables me to look at society from a unique perspective and this is the very perspective that I am able to translate into ideas. So far, my analysis of societal needs has been pretty much on point, and I hope that this will continue to be the case.

What were the main challenges you faced at the early stages of your business? And do you still encounter them to this day?

Challenges have and will always be part of my life, they are part of every person’s life. In Pakistan, the situation for budding entrepreneurs is tough, it is cutthroat most of the time. Some of the major challenges I have faced is the lack of investment availability, people are not willing to invest in businesses that will reap a profit in the long run but at a steady pace. Nowadays, people want instant gratification when it comes to reaping their investments.

What keeps you going even in hard times?

Interesting question! I guess the fear of failure is a huge motivator for me that keeps me going but another motivator is that I am a largely stubborn human being and hate giving up, this keeps me going on.

What are your thoughts on entrepreneurship for young people especially in an economy where jobs are harder to find?

Unlike what many people believe, entrepreneurship hasn’t arrived, it is here to stay, and entrepreneurship is the element that will create opportunities for Generation Z.

What strategies did you first use to market your business?

Hah! You will probably laugh when you hear what I have to say on this. I had no ideas about marketing strategies in those days, I had no idea how a business was supposed to be run. I relied heavily on social media platforms to spread our word and to introduce the business and promote it. As time went by, we invested in paid marketing and again we had no idea how it actually worked! In the end, all I can be grateful for is that our wild guesswork paid off.

How have your priorities changed from when you first started?

No, I guess not, my priorities have not drastically evolved over the years, but I have realized that for a man to succeed in a business, he needs to learn to give as much leverage to his team as they deserve, and not let them take advantage of you. I have always prioritized empathy and sustainability and have tried to ensure that I achieve the two.

Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently when you were first starting out?

Nah! I think I wouldn’t have succeeded as much as I have if I go back and undo my learning opportunities, I have grown and matured with time and my mistakes, my missed chances, even the moments of despair have taught me to be a better man and an even better entrepreneur.

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Three Blogs On Managed Funds Every Entrepreneur Should Be Reading

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By Michelle Baltazar

Investing your hard-earned money is a little bit like an organ transplant: the stakes are high and decisions are best left to the experts. It doesn’t mean however that you just close your eyes and hand over your piggy bank. Thanks to the internet, you can check out many websites to get handy tips on how to go about investing in so-called ‘managed funds’.

We know you’re time-poor so why not start out by just checking out three website links we’ve picked below? They’re worth the few minutes it takes to see whether they’re useful to you.

1. Paul Clitheroe, a financial expert who is big on financial education, writes about complex topics using simple language. See this link on his latest blog about investing in managed funds for as little as $80.

2. For all of you hard-working career women out there, check out www.moneygirl.com.au, which, like Clitheroe’s blog, is financial education in basic English. On managed funds, there’s stuff to read via this link.

3. They call themselves ‘The People’s Watchdog’. Consumer body ‘Choice’ has a section on its website dedicated solely to investing. It’s disappointing that their last article on a buyer’s guide to managed funds was done way back in 2007 but the basic premise still holds to this day so it’s still worth reading. See this link.

Besides, it’s worth bookmarking www.choice.com.au because they’re quite good at naming and shaming those who do dodgy deals, whether it’s about the worst plasma TV to buy or a rip-off deal in property.

If you’re tight for time, read Clitheroe’s blog. It’s chockfull of easily digestible info on investing.

Source: The Australian Filipina

5 Proven Ways to Recover From Stress and Being Overwhelmed

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2021 has been a stressful year across the board. Even if you think you’re good at dealing with stress, there have undoubtedly been times this year during which you’ve had to use every trick in your book. And if you’re not good at managing stress, there have undoubtedly been times in which you’ve been desperately seeking an outlet for those overwhelmed feelings.

You’re in luck because this article will furnish you with some useful tips and tricks to help you relieve some of your mental strain.

Nourish Your Spirit

If you’re feeling stressed, a good way of easing your troubles away is to connect with yourself. Spiritual pursuits, like meditation or prayer. Both of these practices can help to increase your sense of self-awareness, diminish feelings of anxiousness, and shift your focus off of your worries and onto something higher than those worries, like yourself, or your deity.

Exercise

This one may seem tricky if outside stress-compounding factors such as anxiety, depression, or physical limitations make the idea of exercise or activity seem daunting. But keeping active doesn’t have to mean high-intensity fitness training at the gym or even organized sport. Take the dog for a walk. Mow the lawn. Watch an exercise video online and move or stretch along. Certain scientific studies suggest that regular physical activity may have similar effects on mental health as antidepressants due to the encouraging production of endorphins, the brain’s neurotransmitters that help to mitigate stress.

Do Something You Like Doing

If you’re a writer, write. If you’re an artist, create something new. If you’re a musician, play. If you’re a sportsman, head outside. If you’d rather binge watch TV, there are a plethora of streaming services to choose from. Any constructive hobby is a worthwhile pursuit and can go a long way to giving you a sense of enjoyment and satisfaction.

Get a Pet

If your life circumstances allow, having a furry friend can help with stress relief, as certain studies have shown that taking care of a pet can help to lower the blood pressure that stress can raise, and decrease levels of cortisol, a hormone sometimes caused by stress, and even make a person feel less lonely.

Unplug from a Busy Life

Sometimes, you simply have to escape, and that’s okay. Work will be there when you come back, and so will the news. Spend time with friends or family – or time alone – uninterrupted by your day-to-day activities. Taking a break from an otherwise busy life may also include a social media hiatus. You might find that the more you disconnect from the pressures of everyday living, the more you connect with yourself.

A Final Word

Taking care of your mental health is important, and even more so in these unprecedented times in which we live. And now that you’ve seen some ways to help combat stress, hopefully, you’ll be able to fight against it even harder.

Home Loan Repayments 101: How To Make Home Loan Repayments As Easy As 1-2-3

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A home loan is one major type of loan you will probably ever have in your entire life. Having said that, managing a home loan would be a tedious task to accomplish every month; especially that you still have to deal with other equally important expenses. However, there are certain things you need to be conscious or aware of in order to manage your loan home payments in an easy way.

Before applying for a home loan, you first need to formulate a strategy on your financial plan in order to successfully manage your home loan repayments. In other words, you have to make it fit right into your monthly budget. This way, you can make necessary adjustments ahead of time just in case some problems occur.

Needless to say, home loans are quite a big deal; thus, it may take a big chunk out of your financial plan. And, it is some sort of a necessary evil to deal with every month. However, it is equally important to take note not to miss a single payment to avoid future complications and penalties.

Make your first repayment as soon as your home loan has been approved. This will take off a big chunk of the amount from the principal even before the interest accumulates. With this in mind, the amount of your repayment will be much lower than you have anticipated.

Coordinate with your financial institution that you prefer paying fortnightly instead of monthly. This way, you will speed up the process of your repayments because you end up paying the equivalent of roughly 13 instead of 12.

If you have an extra monthly income that you earn from a bonus, then, it would be wise to make additional repayments. Do this on a regular basis and you will end up reducing the cost and duration of your home loan.

Once your loan repayments will lower down due to a decrease in the interest rate; then, make sure you will not lessen your repayments. This way you will be making a monthly extra repayment which will make you pay off your loan sooner and eventually save you money. And, the best thing about this strategy is that you are not affecting your monthly budget because you are still deducting the same amount of money from your financial plan.

Another tip is to make arrangements with the financial institution to have your monthly income directly deducted by the amount of the home loan repayment. This way, you will be assured that your financial obligation on your home loan will not be jeopardized. Also, crediting companies would prefer this kind of payment system and would even give incentives—in the form of reimbursements or diminished interest rates—to their clients for timely repayment. You can have the rest of your monthly expenses charged from your credit card with an interest-free period.

By and large, if you are always alert with the financial movements of your monthly budget and linking them to your home loan and daily expenses; then, you will be assured of a successful and easy way of dealing with your home loan repayments.