lifestyle

Brits are Close to Their Neighbours

Brits are Close to Their Neighbours

The pandemic has truly tested our relationships with our neighbours that a new survey by Share to Buy revealed more than half of UK homeowners (65%) are closer to their neighbours more than ever before post lockdown.  Around 15% admit their neighbours were total strangers before lockdown, but with a

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5 Signs 2020 Is Set to be the Year of Mobile Gaming

Throughout 2020, the gaming industry has seen a wave of new, innovative and groundbreaking releases, both in terms of new gaming titles, and better platforms for enhances gameplay. A few things, however, have remained the same, with one of the most notable being that mobile gaming continues to steal the

Read More »

Enjoying Sports as a Responsible Hobby

Sports can be one of the most enjoyable hobbies that you’ll ever indulge in. With countless different sporting activities to pick from and enjoy with friends and family members, there’s no doubt that it can become a lifelong hobby. Perhaps you’re not feeling too keen on the NHL one day

Read More »
How to Save Energy in Your Home

How to Save Energy in Your Home

We’re all looking for innovative and easy ways to save money, especially in our homes. It’s often the little things that get overlooked, so we’ve outlined our top tips for keeping energy costs down without the hassle. Wash large washing loads at lower temperatures Doing one full load of washing

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How to Stay Healthy While Running a Busy Business

Being your own boss has lots of advantages but running a busy business can leave you feeling tired and worn out from time to time. Self-employed business owners and entrepreneurs typically take a very hands-on role, which often results in them burning the candle at both ends. If running a

Read More »

Empowering our older generation to create their own future

Comment by Paula Broadbent, retirement solutions director at ENGIE. “The best way to predict the future is to create it” – Abraham Lincoln I have always found this quote inspirational, and it has particularly influenced my personal ambition to provide better choices for older people in the UK. LIFEstyle by

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Is holiday let ownership in the UK on the rise?

The popularity of holiday lets in the UK has boomed in recent years, particularly since the crackdown on financial breaks for buy-to-let landlords. The coronavirus pandemic is pushing even more landlords to consider switching to holiday lets, as an increasing number of Brits decide to holiday closer to home and

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How to Sleep Better During a Pandemic

Stressed, overly anxious or subconsciously scared? Naturally, the “new normal” has come with a flood of negative emotions. For many of us, this has led to successive sleepless nights, weighing down on us throughout the day. As we adapt to life under lockdown, working from home, being separated from friends

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Discover Your Jewish Heritage

Jewish people have had a troublesome history. They were taken into captivity by the Babylonians in the 6th century, occupied by Roman rule for hundreds of years, and even endured the terrifying Crusades that tore many religions and people apart. Of course, the most recent tragedy that the Jewish people

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Latest Issue

BDC 319 : Aug 2024

lifestyle

Brits are Close to Their Neighbours

Brits are Close to Their Neighbours

The pandemic has truly tested our relationships with our neighbours that a new survey by Share to Buy revealed more than half of UK homeowners (65%) are closer to their neighbours more than ever before post lockdown.  Around 15% admit their neighbours were total strangers before lockdown, but with a large portion of the country being housebound over the last few months, it seems most of us have spent time getting to know next-door a little better. For those renting, 24% described next-door neighbours as strangers before lockdown, with 54% saying they’re much closer now.  Across the UK, 56% of Brits felt they have gotten to know their neighbours better thanks to an increased sense of solidarity from clapping for carers every Thursday to lending a helping hand with tasks during the outbreak. This new connection to our neighbours means around 50% of people say they’d be happy to shop for a neighbour. They’d also be willing to walk their dog, mind their house or give them a lift, with a few even prepared to cook up a meal for them.  Interestingly, research shows that those who rent are twice as likely to avoid their neighbours as those who own their property. Living in the same location for an extended period, it seems homeowners are more likely to make an effort to get to know their neighbours better, with only 5% admitting to dodging the people next door, compared to 13% of renters.   Quickest Chats  Across the UK, most people don’t mind bumping into their neighbours for a quick chat, but 62% of time-short Brits say it had better be quick!  Neighbours in Greater London and Kent are the most likely to want shorter catch-ups with their neighbours, with 65% of Londoners saying ‘I’m up for a chat but keep it quick!’, followed by 62% of people in Kent. Friendliest Counties  Neighbours in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire were close even before lockdown began, with 23% admitting they were on excellent terms with their neighbours and knew them well before the pandemic started.  However, those living in East Sussex have seen the most significant change since lockdown began, with 17% of people describing their neighbours as total strangers before the pandemic started, but 10% admitting that post-lockdown, they’ve become better friends than ever!   Plants over pets People in Greater London, Surrey and Essex are least likely to ask a neighbour to check in on their pets or plants while away. Around 12% of people in Surrey would rather have a neighbour water their plants than feed their pets, with less than 1% of people willing to trust a neighbour with an animal family member. This trend is similar across every county, with more Brits happy to let their neighbours tend to a plant than care for a beloved pet.  Most Helpful Places  When it comes to helping out the people who live around us, those in Buckinghamshire and East Sussex are most willing to lend a hand.  At 68%, locals in Buckinghamshire said they’d be happy to shop for a neighbour, walk their dog or give them a lift, but would prefer to avoid cooking or minding their house. The same goes for East Sussex at 61%.

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5 Signs 2020 Is Set to be the Year of Mobile Gaming

Throughout 2020, the gaming industry has seen a wave of new, innovative and groundbreaking releases, both in terms of new gaming titles, and better platforms for enhances gameplay. A few things, however, have remained the same, with one of the most notable being that mobile gaming continues to steal the show within the industry. With billions of users worldwide, and a staggering variety of titles from which users can cherry pick their favourites, and amass their own affordable and easy-portable libraries, tech firms and game developers alike are now investing more than ever into enhancing the mobile user’s experience, and solidifying the devices’ status as one of the greatest platforms on the market. Read more about some of the most significant signs that 2020 is on track to represent a significant year for the growth and continued popularity of mobile gaming. 1. Big Name Developers are Focusing on it More than Ever Given how central our mobile devices are to our everyday lives, it stands to reason that the biggest names in the gaming industry will be constantly seeking out new ways to bring the wider world of gaming to our fingertips – wherever we are, and whenever we want to play. Take, for instance, the wide variety of online slots at mansioncasino.com/nz, which have now been optimised – along with all of Manion’s browser games – to translate seamlessly onto a mobile gaming experience. This same move is reflected in the latest releases from console developers. Xbox’s latest project seeks to make all titles transferrable from console to mobile, in order to ensure that gamers never need to skip a beat when they are away from their set-ups. 2. It is Already Dominating the Global Gaming Industry Gaming represents an industry worth well over $150 billion, and mobile gaming has long been taking a significant slice of that revenue. By the close of 2019, for instance, $68.5 billion stemmed from the mobile gamer market alone, which accounts for more than 45% of the wider industry’s value. There are, of course, many factors that give mobile gaming an edge over other platforms. The versatility, ubiquity, and portability of the devices means that the vast majority of us have access to these games, and the lower (or non-existent) costs of app installations mean that, in spending less on each purchase, we are spending more over time. 3. Smartphone Companies are Improving New Phone’s Capabilities Just last week, MediaTek announced their latest chip designed specifically to enhance mobile gameplay, and dramatically improve upon the limitations of the small screen. Similarly, some of the latest releases – including the Samsung Galaxy Fold – feature advanced technology and higher ram. Most notably, however, it offers a larger screen on which to enjoy enhanced graphics, and to create a more immersive level of gameplay. The same can be said for smartphone companies across the board, as the competition for increasingly discerning customers grows more and more fierce with each passing year. Consider the fact that the average Brit will spend 120 hours each and every year on their smartphone; that, coupled with the knowledge that gaming comprises one third of all app downloads demonstrates just how lucrative the world of gaming is to phone developers. There are still a few months left of 2020, and yet we are already able to see a number of marked strides forward for mobile gaming. These are just a few of the ways in which mobile gaming is preparing to maintain its position as a leading force within the gaming industry, and time will tell how far it is able to go.

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Enjoying Sports as a Responsible Hobby

Sports can be one of the most enjoyable hobbies that you’ll ever indulge in. With countless different sporting activities to pick from and enjoy with friends and family members, there’s no doubt that it can become a lifelong hobby. Perhaps you’re not feeling too keen on the NHL one day so you decide to check out the latest soccer game or NBA. Maybe you’d like to explore extreme sports such as skateboarding and snowboarding, or perhaps you want to jump on the latest eSports gaming craze. Whatever you enjoy, sports offers a huge amount of variety. However, you also need to enjoy it responsibly because it can easily consume all of your time and money if you’re not careful. Be safe when participating in sports Even if you’re not doing something like skateboarding or snowboarding, it’s essential that you practice safety when engaging in sports. This means you should wear the right safety equipment, ensure that the area you play in is safe, and also make sure that you’re playing with people who aren’t going to be extremely rough and tackle you aggressively. Make sure you stay safe when enjoying sports so that you don’t injure yourself, and practice preventative measures to keep your body in good condition whenever you play. Having fun with fantasy teams and gaming There are a lot of gaming options when it comes to sports. Whether it’s placing a little bet on your favourite team for the thrill, enjoying a sports video game or even playing a fantasy league, there are lots of options for you to pick from. However, it’s important to enjoy this responsibly so that you don’t overdo it. For example, you should refer to websites like BetMGM if you’re going to play in fantasy leagues so that you can get a good idea of the best players and teams to pick. This will help advise you and give you a better understanding of how power rankings work. Similarly, you could remember that video games are a hobby to be enjoyed. Nowadays, you can often spend a lot of money creating fantasy teams in the latest FIFA, NBA and NHL games. While it can make you happy to get your favourite player, you should remember that the chances of getting them are incredibly low and that you should only spend disposable income on those games. Watching sports in moderation With so many different sports on television every day, it can often feel overwhelming to keep up with everything that’s going on. The way people watch sports is changing and switching to a mobile-dominated world, meaning that most people keep up with highlights and the latest news on their phone. Since all you need to do is unlock your smartphone and flick through, it can easily consume your time if you follow multiple sports. As such, we highly recommend that you moderate your sports viewing so that you don’t overdo it. Try and keep an eye on how much screen time you have and don’t hesitate to restrict yourself if you find that you spend way too much time watching sports.

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How to Save Energy in Your Home

How to Save Energy in Your Home

We’re all looking for innovative and easy ways to save money, especially in our homes. It’s often the little things that get overlooked, so we’ve outlined our top tips for keeping energy costs down without the hassle. Wash large washing loads at lower temperatures Doing one full load of washing per week, at a lower temperature, can save you money over the year. Small changes like this add up and even if you don’t notice an instant saving, you will in the long-run. Washing at a lower temperature is still an effective and an efficient way of cleaning your clothes. Limit shower time We know it can be hard to pull yourself out of that warm flow of water on a cold winter’s morning, but simply reducing the time spent in the shower can save energy. Try to limit showers to a ten minute slot; you could even set a timer so you don’t get carried away! To help make small changes, you can check whether you qualify for these free water saving products, including a four minute shower timer. Always turn lights off when you leave a room This is particularly important for larger families, especially with young children. Without realising it, you can find yourself with increasing energy bills because lights are being left on in rooms that aren’t being used. If you are someone who likes lights to be on when you return to an empty home, don’t leave them on all day. Instead, pick up an electric timer so you can schedule when you want the lights to turn on. This is ideal for security. Don’t be a drip A running tap wastes more than six litres of water a minute; consider turning it off while you brush your teeth. Save on your water bills further by simply turning your taps off properly. Dripping water can add up throughout the year, accumulating on your bill. Defrost your fridge and freezer Removing excess ice from inside your fridge and freezer allows the appliances work more efficiently. Ice takes up room in your fridge/freezer, making it less productive, thus increasing your energy bills. Quality fabrics Investing in a good pair of thermal curtains can assist in saving you money on your energy costs. The material further insulates your windows, keeping heat in and blocking out any cold air. Well Insulated If you are a home owner, evaluate your insulation situation and upgrade your standard double glazing in your home to the latest energy saving glass. You don’t need to replace the frames; just the glass. There are many other ways you can effectively insulate your house including: Loft / attic insulation Cavity wall insulation Insulating tanks, pipes and radiators Filling in gaps in floorboards Repair double glazing Broken double glazing panels can lose precious heat from your home. If you notice they have clouded up or look like they have moisture between the panels, it might be worth seeking professional advice on how to get this issue fixed before it becomes a major problem in the future.  Don’t overfill the kettle We can all be guilty of filling the kettle to the brim, only to make one cup of tea for ourselves. Save energy by only using what you need. You can even purchase kettles that are specifically designed to boil for one brew, such as this Russell-Hobbs one, which boils a cup of water in 45 seconds!  Switch off and save We often don’t realise that appliances such as televisions, stereos, and microwaves still use energy when left on standby. Simply unplug them when not in use to help keep energy costs down. Unplugging your phone / tablet chargers can also save energy too. Switch your energy provider Many people could save on average around £200 per year by switching their energy provider. Use websites such as: uSwitch Money Supermarket UK Power Compare the Market However, check with your current company on cancellation fees, as you don’t want to be hit with any unforeseen charges. Ditch the draughty doors A simple, but effective way of keeping heat in your home is to invest in draught excluders. These are relatively cheap, but are a great way to lessen those pesky draughts from gaps under doors. Turn your heating down by just a couple of degrees UK winters can often be harsh and temperatures can drop dramatically over night. This causes many of us to crank the thermostat up, pumping high levels of heat throughout our homes. However, a simple way of reducing your energy output is to turn the temperature down by just a couple of degrees. You won’t feel a difference, but your pocket might. On average, turning it down by just one degree can cut heating bills by 10 percent. Cloudy2Clear

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How to Stay Healthy While Running a Busy Business

Being your own boss has lots of advantages but running a busy business can leave you feeling tired and worn out from time to time. Self-employed business owners and entrepreneurs typically take a very hands-on role, which often results in them burning the candle at both ends. If running a busy business is top of the agenda, it’s important to consider the impact it’s having on other areas of your life. Working long hours or taking on too much can have a negative impact on your health, particularly if you’re feeling stressed or anxious. Fortunately, there are simple ways to take care of your health without affecting your work. To ensure you stay healthy while running your business empire, take a look at these top tips now: Eat a nutritious diet When you’re working all day, every day, it’s easy to forget to eat at regular times. Entrepreneurs may go for too long without consuming anything, only to binge on fast food when hunger takes hold and you simply cannot resist. If shopping and preparing nutritious meals every day sounds a little over-ambitious, why not try a much simpler established diet plan instead? When you use a nutrition plan as a basis for your healthy diet, you won’t have to think about what to eat or when to eat it – it’ll be almost effortless. Furthermore, a nutritious regime, like John Cena’s diet plan, can help you to get the right mix of macronutrients and vitamins. When you’re fuelling your body correctly, you have more energy and reduce your risk of developing health issues, so it’s a great way for business owners to stay healthy. Get regular exercise If a busy work schedule leaves you with limited time to spend with family and friends, you probably aren’t getting enough time to work out on a regular basis either. However, exercise is a critical part of a healthy lifestyle, so it’s important to find a way to fit it into your usual routine. If you work from home, why not take a brisk walk around the block every lunchtime or even jog around your garden? Alternatively, if you work away from home, why not switch commuting in the car to travelling by bike? When you really can’t spare the time to get outside to exercise, you can use office-friendly equipment to increase your heart rate. Innovative under-desk treadmills and exercise bikes give you the chance to stay fit while you’re working, and wearable weights help you to build muscle strength. You should also complement exercise with frequent visits to medical experts says this dentist in Melbourne. Focus on your mental health Running a business is inevitably stressful at times, which naturally has an impact on your mental health. Many entrepreneurs spend the majority of their time at work, which leaves little room for maintaining relationships. This can exacerbate mental health issues and leave you feeling isolated. If you feel your mental health is negatively affected by your work, or anything else, don’t hesitate to seek help from a medical professional. In addition to treating your symptoms with prescription medication, you could be referred for online therapy or counselling. In addition to this, there are numerous self-care options that can help you to minimize anxiety or stress. Yoga, meditation and mindfulness can be practised daily and in any location. You can even use them in the office to help you stay calm and focused. Maintain relationships No matter how hard you’re working, it’s important to make time for the people you love. Factor in time to spend with your partner and family on a regular basis and be sure to maintain friendships too. If you can’t attend as many social events as you’d like, why not host a virtual meet-up? Even checking in with friends via text or email will help you to maintain contact in busier times. Having fun, relaxing and laughing are all very good for the mind and body and will help you to de-stress naturally. Furthermore, getting out of the office and doing something different will help you to stay creative and motivated. As well as benefitting yourself, you’ll be enriching the lives of the people closest to you when you make them a priority. Cultivate a Health-First Workspace If you’re an employer or you regularly work with freelancers and subcontractors, you can encourage them to manage their health more effectively too. By giving people the time to take exercise breaks or providing access to healthy eating plans, for example, you can ensure that those around you are as focused on staying healthy as you are.

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Things To Sort Out When You Split From A Long-Term Relationship

When you decide to separate from your partner, there will be things you need to work out. The partner your separating from could be your civil partner, wife, or husband, even if you’re not choosing to end your marriage or civil partnership straightaway. You need to have been married at least a year before you can end it.  It may also be a partner that you live with or have children with, but you live as if you are married. Some of the things you may need to work out include: Where your children will live and how often they will see each parent.  How to divide any money  How to divide any belongings  Whether you can both afford to pay the bills once you have split You shouldn’t feel pressured to make any decisions as they may not be right for you. You will have more chance of making good joint decisions if you wait until you are ready to talk. Agreeing Your Arrangements You don’t really need to go to court to decide what to do if you separate unless you can’t get on with each to make an agreement. It can be much cheaper and often quicker if you can come to an arrangement yourselves. Some other thing you should consider include: Child maintenance – You are both responsible for the cost of looking after your children, therefore the parent who the children aren’t living with may need to pay child maintenance.  Deciding what to do with your home- You need to come to an agreement between yourself a to what is happening with your home, is one of you going to stau in the home? Or are you going to sell? Or both move out and end the tenancy? Managing your money – You may be able to come to an agreement betwween yourself as to what happens to your finances, however, at times some people need legal help to sort out things like a pension sharing order.  Who Should You Inform That You Are Seperated If you pay council tax you need to let your local council know, you will pay less if you are living as a single person.  You will also need to let your local council know if you get a council tax reduction to Housing Benefit.  If you get other benefits your claim may change if one of you leave the couple, so tell the office the details when you have separated. There is normally a 30 day deadline.  If you are splitting from a long-term relationship it helps if you can already decide and agree on areas like :  What is going to happen to your children – whole will they live with, what will contact be, and how much is the other parent going to pay towards them?  What will happen to your finances?  What will happen to your property?  If you can’t come to an agreement, you may need to go to court so a judge can look at the facts and make a decision for you. 

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Empowering our older generation to create their own future

Comment by Paula Broadbent, retirement solutions director at ENGIE. “The best way to predict the future is to create it” – Abraham Lincoln I have always found this quote inspirational, and it has particularly influenced my personal ambition to provide better choices for older people in the UK. LIFEstyle by ENGIE, which launched in 2018, is a result of this ambition. It allows customers to have more control over their environment and their own futures in later life. To empower people, is to engage with them – so at LIFEstyle we have invested heavily in research and development through two-way communication. Our best advisors and advocates are our customers, and we have given people over 55, a voice right from the start of the LIFEstyle vision. We aim to ensure we understand what people aspire to in later life, and what the challenges are that they face – this is essential to creating a future that meets expectation, as well as need.  When Spring of 2020 brought unprecedented times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a major impact was felt across the world; creating fear, dismay and devastation for many, especially the older generation. Our LIFEstyle customers have not been immune to the ravaging effects, however, the sense of community, safe environment and individualised support available on our development has made the world of difference. This along with carefully designed lifelong homes offering indoor and outdoor independent space has helped people to remain safe and independent. I am very proud of our business model, LIFEstyle is weathering the pandemic – a storm no one could predict. We’re lucky to be working with a model that has proved successful in some of the toughest conditions the UK has faced for generations. However, we are not sitting on our laurels as we review the lessons learnt by scientists in relation to the spread of the virus. We’re constantly looking to identify preventative measures that we can build into our products and services in readiness for a spike or repeat of such a pandemic. The demand for our first LIFEstyle development in Walton Wakefield has increased two-fold since the lockdown eased and customer comments give a clear indication the approach at LIFEstyle by ENGIE is the right way forward. This is only strengthened by our commitment to delivering zero carbon communities. Climate change is the pandemic we will not be able to develop a vaccine for, but we can slow it down and prevent it. The implications of doing nothing are far reaching and the devastation will not discriminate. My ambition is to build on the success of LIFEstyle, to create community based zero carbon solutions that decarbonise the environment and decentralise services. The impact of us doing something about climate change will be massive for future generations and can empower us all to create our own future. As a senior leader within ENGIE, I make no apologies for being ambitious in my drive to deliver a business model that will change the horizon for future generations of older people in the UK. I aim to drive a way forward for a healthy future, for an environment that allows older generations to have aspirations in later life and a vision to support people to age well and live well, whilst protecting our planet. We will connect communities, health, housing and social care across all tenure groups. I am proud to work for a business with a clear mission, to place the planet and its population at the heart of its thinking when it comes to creating place, shaping and delivering infrastructure and services, to meet the need for a sustainable future. And I remain determined, to give the older generation a voice through education and engagement with younger creators, to ensure they are rightfully empowered to create their own futures.  LIFEstyle by ENGIE is not simply about building suitable, lifelong homes to address short term aspirational needs of people over 55 or about providing a lovely home in a great location. LIFEstyle by ENGIE made a commitment to customers to provide long term sustainability and enable customers to influence, shape and control their own future; a future focused on remaining independent and well for longer. LIFEstyle by ENGIE, allows people to future proof their lives and not just their home – promoting better long-term outcomes in later life. A home is not simply about an energy efficient building in the right location, it’s the support network of friends, family and interaction within the community that all contribute towards creating the perfect lifelong home. We understand this, and are committed to creating communities that focus on essential infrastructure like; location, accessibility to essential services, efficient green energy infrastructure, digital network and community facilities. We want to enable people to engage with others in meaningful activities, bringing all generations closer together. The community hub is a key feature of all our LIFEstyle developments, along with cost effective pay as you go services and property adaptations when people need them. We ensure affordability of services and facilities which support wellbeing and make this all available on the doorstep. We are also working on innovations to compliment LIFEstyle by ENGIE, which we hope to launch later this year including; Electric Car share, ENGIE Digital Assistant and Modular Lifelong homes. Ultimately, when it comes to happiness at any age, there are three homes we must take care of. Our body, our mind and our planet. At LIFEstyle we ensure our flexible and dynamic offering takes care of all three without compromise.

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Is holiday let ownership in the UK on the rise?

The popularity of holiday lets in the UK has boomed in recent years, particularly since the crackdown on financial breaks for buy-to-let landlords. The coronavirus pandemic is pushing even more landlords to consider switching to holiday lets, as an increasing number of Brits decide to holiday closer to home and stay in the UK. Holiday lets can be a great investment for landlords who understand the market, but it’s important to know what you’re taking on before investing in a holiday let. Holiday lets require a different management style than traditional residential properties, as well as different financing options and tax regulations. Do people still vacation in the UK? Absolutely. According to research conducted by Sykes Cottages, two thirds (66%) of Brits enjoyed holidays in the UK in 2018 compared to 56% in 2017. In 2019, respondents said they planned to take an average of three UK trips in 2019. With most UK breaks being shorter but more frequent than overseas trips, this means there’s still a healthy market for domestic tourism. And, of course, this doesn’t even take into consideration the millions of tourists travelling to Britain every year from outside the UK. Tourism is, in fact, the fastest growing industry in the UK, with experts predicting the industry will expand by 3.8% a year between now and 2025. Visitors to the UK from overseas reached a record-breaking 7 million in 2018, a 4.4% increase on 2017. The UK tourism industry is not just strong, but it’s also growing every year. Are holiday lets a good investment? Holiday lets can be a great investment. Rental income from short-term holiday lets is usually significantly higher than rental income from long-term residential lets, although the difference between the two isn’t as high as it first seems. Mortgage rates for holiday lets are usually charged at a higher rate, meaning more interest is paid every month, and running costs are higher because holidays lets need to be cleaned and tidied between guests. Lovemoney have crunched the numbers, comparing profits between holiday lets and residential lets in both Whitby and Liverpool. These figures show that holiday lets in both the tourist hotspot and the city centre location fare better than residential lets despite higher maintenance costs and fees. How to finance a holiday let One complicating factor for investors considering holiday lets is that financing a holiday let can be a little harder than financing a residential property. Holiday lets aren’t covered by standard buy-to-let mortgages, which usually stipulate that a property is to be let on an assured shorthold tenancy agreement with a minimum fixed term of six months. Instead, some lenders now offer holiday let mortgages designed specifically for these properties, although there are not as many products available as there are in the buy-to-let market and holiday lets are seen as a riskier venture due to their seasonal nature, which means interest rates tend to be higher, too. There are various types of holiday let mortgages available depending on the lender, including fixed-rate mortgages, discounted rate mortgages, and flexible rate mortgages. Holiday let mortgages are usually offered on an interest-only basis. Because holiday let mortgages are deemed more risky by lenders, most lenders will request a 25% deposit minimum, with better interest rates available for those borrowers with bigger deposits. Most lenders will also want to see your projected letting income, and this should be at least 125% of the annual mortgage interest payments you will need to cover. Other options for financing a holiday let are available, including remortgaging your existing home to release equity or even taking out a personal loan. However, it’s important to be very careful before making decisions like this: run through the numbers to make sure your decision is financially profitable, and be conservative when projecting annual profit margins on any rental property or holiday let. Top 5 holiday let locations in the UK If you’re thinking of purchasing a furnished holiday let in the UK, it’s important to do your research and buy a property somewhere which offers great yields. You may want to choose a let nearby, particularly if you’re planning to manage and maintain the property yourself, or you might choose a let in another part of the UK because it offers higher ROI and a place to get away to yourself. Here are five sound bets for holiday lets in the UK. 1. London If you’re considering a city centre holiday let, you can’t go wrong with London – assuming you can afford the high price tag. 53% of overseas tourism spend occurs in London, and the city’s international fame guarantees a stable supply of tourists for years to come. 2. Dundee It might not be the obvious choice, but Dundee has topped the list of the most profitable places in the UK in terms of holiday let rental yields, offering 15.1% average short term rental yields in 2019. This is likely due to the city’s recent rebirth as the cultural capital of Scotland, with the opening of the V&A Dundee. 3. The Lake District For a more traditional location where a holiday let can double as a holiday home for landlords, buying in the Lake District will never be a bad move. The Lake District welcomes over 19 million visitors every year making it a solid choice for canny investors. 4. North Wales Wales is another strong contender. Property prices are still relatively affordable in most of the country, and yet with scenic spots such as Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons welcoming millions of visitors every year, there’s plenty of demand for holiday lets in North Wales. 10.2 million people visited Wales in 2018, and buying a holiday let in a tourist hot spot such as one of many scenic villages around Snowdonia is a sure-fire way to get great yields on bargain properties. 5. Cornwall Cornwall has long been considered the UK’s very own Costa Del Sol, and the numbers show that this is still the case.

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How to Sleep Better During a Pandemic

Stressed, overly anxious or subconsciously scared? Naturally, the “new normal” has come with a flood of negative emotions. For many of us, this has led to successive sleepless nights, weighing down on us throughout the day. As we adapt to life under lockdown, working from home, being separated from friends and family. Insomnia isn’t another issue that we want to be struggling with during this time. So, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, these are the five top tips compiled for you to finally get a good night’s rest. Tip 1: Wind Down Before Bed Reduce Screen Time Technology usage has reached an all-time high since the onset of lockdown. However, for those struggling with sleeping soundly, using your phone, laptop or TV right before bed can be especially disruptive. Take mitigative steps like reducing screen brightness or using a blue light filter. If possible, aim to avoid all electronic devices that emit blue light 1-2 hours before sleep. Listen to Peaceful Podcasts and/or Music Now that you have extra time on your hands, create a calming quarantine-inspired bedtime ritual to relax and clear your head. With social media, 24/7 breaking news and the current blur between home and work life, our brains have become accustomed to – maybe even crave – constant stimulation. Practising mindfulness before bed by listening to soothing podcasts and/or music will help you enter the right headspace to unwind and eventually fall asleep.  Tip 2: Develop a Comfortable Sleep Environment Control Room Temperature Temperature is crucial when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep. Now that it’s summer, being too hot will unsurprisingly interfere with sleep quality. Research shows that most people get their optimal rest at a temperature of 16-19 degrees Celsius. So, if your bedroom doesn’t come equipped with an air conditioner, a high-quality fan is a smart investment. If you also sleep with a partner who has a different temperature preference, having separate duvets can help you both get the rest you deserve. Reserve Your Bed for Sleep and Sex During the lockdown, many of us have found various uses for our bed, be it a substitute for a workstation or lounging area. However, saving this space for sleep and sex will help you get the eight recommended hours of rest by allowing your mind to associate the bedroom with sleeping rather than daytime activities. Reduce Noise Quarantine has given many of us a reason to spend more time with family. Nevertheless, a busy household is less than ideal when it comes to unwinding. Any sound at all can distract your brain from falling asleep so minimising noise is essential. Close your door and windows to reduce excessive sound from crowding your bedroom. Noise-cancelling earplugs or even headphones have also proven to help noise-sensitive sleepers. Turn Off the Light Unfortunately, it’s not only blue light that can throw your brain off sleeping. With summer here, the days have gotten longer. Use your bedroom curtains or blinds to block out sunlight so that your brain knows it’s time to sleep. You also won’t wake up prematurely at the crack of dawn.  Tip 3: Use CBD With COVID-19 ravaging our health services, visiting the doctor seems unnecessary when there are plenty of natural remedies. A recent alternative healthcare product that has established itself as a favourite amongst restless sleepers is CBD. Unlike other natural supplements like melatonin or lavender that only tend to combat one aspect of insomnia, CBD can help to address the causes of insomnia like stress and anxiety, as well as help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep during the night. Proven popular for its versatility, CBD can be taken as a drink, spray, cream, balm, body oil, snack or capsule to just name a few! A CBD facial mist will leave you with a sense of freshness, serenity and calm. Though the days have seemingly blurred into one during the lockdown, don’t forget your self-care Sunday! Pamper yourself with a CBD oil for a full body massage or a CBD-infused bath bomb so that you wake up feeling not only relaxed but brand new. Tip 4: Control Food and Liquid Intake It’s no wonder that many of us have gained a few pounds since being stuck inside in very close proximity to the kitchen. Fighting off the urge to constantly snack is harder than it seems! Nevertheless, avoiding food and drink a few hours before bed can help you fall asleep faster, as well as stay asleep. Eating a large meal late at night can inadvertently spike your hormone levels so your brain struggles to switch off, whereas drinking too much can lead to excessive trips to the toilet mid-sleep. In particular, try to avoid alcohol, caffeine and excessive sugar consumption before bed to ensure that your hormones levels remain balanced. Tip 5: Establish a Healthy Sleep Cycle Quarantine surely has taken our sleeping patterns for a tailspin. Staying up till 2 am and sleeping in till noon has become routine for many under-25s. It’s no wonder that our body clock has no idea what’s going on! Try to wake up and go to bed at a reasonable hour and at the same time each day. Establishing a stable rhythm will help you fall asleep and wake up easier. Though gyms are currently closed, any form of exercise during the day will help maintain your sleep schedule. Nonetheless, avoid exercising too late as the rush of endorphins can prove detrimental to your sleep. Also Hardcore Videos may help with sleep, so watching prior to going to bed will help with the central nervous system. It may be that you only need one or a combination of these tips but hopefully this guide will have you feeling energised, positive and well-rested in no time – despite the current circumstances! And remember that whatever way you’re adapting to the new normal, it’s completely natural to feel out of your depths. 

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Discover Your Jewish Heritage

Jewish people have had a troublesome history. They were taken into captivity by the Babylonians in the 6th century, occupied by Roman rule for hundreds of years, and even endured the terrifying Crusades that tore many religions and people apart. Of course, the most recent tragedy that the Jewish people had to go through was the tyranny of German dictator Adolf Hitler. His sole mission was to rid the world of the Jewish people as a whole. The horrific outcome of his quest was finally ended, but not without disrupting the lives of millions. Considering this troubled history, it might come as no surprise that tracking Jewish ancestry might be a difficult task. After all, historical records have been demolished over and over. Families have been torn apart and many of the survivors of the holocaust are still unsure of where some of their family roots are. Luckily, with the invention and advancement of technology, there are some tips that you can follow to help you track your Jewish Ancestry. 1.      Talk to Family The first step you should always take in looking for your Jewish history is to talk to the various people you have in your family – elderly relatives are a mine of information waiting to be tapped. The names and dates they give you should be written down for future reference. 2.      Search Records Of course, we know that the tragedy has destroyed many of the records once available. However, all hope is not lost in that area; research what you can find. 3.      Research the Jewish Family Names It is common knowledge that Jewish families were pressured to assimilate into the society they were living in. Many Jewish people lost their cultural identity in an attempt to fit into their new society. However, you can find out a lot of information if you happen to know the traditional Jewish family name of your ancestors. 4.      Try a DNA Test In this review of best Jewish ancestry DNA test and trace, you can find all of the information that you need about using DNA to trace your ancestry. There is no doubt that the advanced technology we have available to us can help you learn about your rich family history. 5.      Track the Settlement Trends Jewish immigrants were more likely to settle and live their lives in the large cities around the United States where infrastructure could be established. They also tended to populate near other Jewish immigrant families. You might want to track these movements to pinpoint geographical information about your ancestry. Final Thoughts   Although there are plenty of major disruptions that have caused Jewish families to lack consistency and be tragically torn apart, it is not entirely impossible to trace family history at this time. In fact, with the advancement of genetic availability and accuracy, your odds of success are better now than they have ever been before. The Jewish community deserves answers about their past and they deserve to know who their living family members are through DNA testing.

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