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How to manage your personal debt?

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manage your Personal debt

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Personal debt, this one term has different meaning to different people. Some people see it as an enabler which helps them in getting what they want and some people see it as a burden on their shoulders which they seem to hate. In reality, it can be both.

What does Personal Debt entails in the current scenario?

Personal Debt nowadays means debt incurred by a person to buy something he fancies or needs and he can borrow it from lenders like banks, people and other institutions. People take the money from such lenders and usually pay an interest (depending on the principal and interest rate agreed upon) on debt incurred. It also includes credit card debt, automobile loans, and house loans. Recently many banks have started to offer personal loans, gold loans and loans for buying electronics items like TVs, laptops and even mobile phones.

How it can be good for you?

Personal debt can be an enabler. You can buy things you need and want and you can pay as per your need. A person can pay in easy EMIs and doesn’t need to spend from his personal savings, instead he can pay it out from his future cash flows. Thus in a way it is a good thing for people who are sure of a fixed income. One can also hypothecate some of his belongings like gold and house and fulfill the immediate needs of cash.

With Individual Voluntary Arrangement you can also manage your unsecured debt. An IVA acts like a legal agreement between you and the creditor which usually lasts for 5 years. During this period you pay only what you can afford to pay outside reasonable living costs. All interest charges freezes to 0% and  creditors cannot demand for additional payment as long as monthly IVA payment is made. Once IVA has completed, all remaining debt will be legally written off.

But what are the downsides?

Now comes the tricky part. Personal debt can be an enabler but it can also be a rat trap for you. Personal Debt has many downsides and if incurred beyond a limit, it can destroy your finances and economic wellbeing and you can get bankrupt. It can be a great cause of worry if your personal debt is huge but why exactly? The truth is: most people’s sole asset (let’s assume that asset is something which gives you income) is their monthly

salary only. And they have lots of liabilities (let’s assume that liabilities take something out of your pocket). But how it affects them? Well haven’t you felt the money crunch? Lots of people complain that their salary lasts for one two weeks and they barely get by for the rest of the week. Many people who complain about having no savings are the people who have higher than average salaries and many of them belong to families where many people earn. Why is that? The simplest logic is their expenditure is much higher than their income. And this creates a problem. Most of the people nowadays have low survival ability i.e. if their salary stops coming in, they will go bankrupt very soon. Such people are living from salary to salary and have meager savings and high debts(mostly credit cards). This is really a dangerous condition.

High personal debt means high negative cashflow. Many payments are needed to be paid at the beginning of each month thus the amount you can save goes down. Also the money you have for your immediate needs goes down which causes more credit card debt. Also the interest rates are usually very high for credit card debts. Just imagine, if anyone buys a car worth 5 lakh with 2 lakh down payment and 3 lakh loan, the car might cost him around 7lakh with interest.

Don’t incur high personal debt!!!

How to manage your Personal Debt?

Hopefully by now you will be interested in managing your personal debt. There are some basic guidelines which might help you in managing your personal debt successfully.

1. Try to buy things with cash – If you don’t use your credit card much, you will find that you are buying things less than usual. Also it is hard to choose between a hand full of cash and an item (try it). Your expenditure will go down and you will find that you also save credit card dues and fees (even if it is a ‘free’ credit card, there is usually a limit beyond which, it is free of annual charges).

2. Use tools in the market – There are many tools, available online, using which you can bring your debt down slowly. These are developed by financial experts and you can check them out. I found one such debt calculator tool which I personally recommend. It is an excellent tool which can actually help and is easy to use.  It is the debt calculator at www.IVA.com

An IVA theoretically is an Individual Voluntary Agreement which can help you in managing your unsecured debt. You can take advantage of the fixed rates of IVA and use them to slowly and securely pay your debt. This scheme can thus help you in getting debt free and also offers you protection from creditors which many other debt reducing plans like Debt Management Plans do not.

To avail the benefits of IVA you need to get your financial condition assessed by an Insolvency Practioner (IP). A fixed rate will be chosen and then you can slowly pay off your debt. Mostly IVAs can help you finish your debt in a short duration of just five years.

 3. Save more – There is no alternative to saving more. If you have enough savings you can weather many disasters and it will increase your survival ability. Also you will feel much less anxiety if you know that you have enough financial resources to survive.

4. Get income generating assets – You should always try to get as much positive cashflow as possible. Invest in schemes, buy shares or real estate (which should get you some income every month) or operate some side business. It will also enable to retire earlier and live a tension free post retirement life.

I hope that this article has encouraged you to think and maybe have given you some ideas to how to manage your personal debt and finances effectively. Please do share your thoughts on the subject, I would be glad to reply to your comments.

I am a software engineer in a prestigious MNC. I am NSE certified derivatives professional and I like to dabble in money making schemes a lot. I like to read, play subway surfer on my tab and I am always connected to internet.

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Do’s and Don’t’s of Firing People

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As a business leader one of the hardest things that you could do is fire an employee. Of course, it sounds like an easy thing to do if the employee is rightfully deserving of being fired, but it is a lot easier said than done. Is a decision that many managers actually lose a lot of sleep over, because it’s such a difficult undertaking. 

No matter what you do though, whether you are firing somebody because they are just not the right fit for your business, or you are dismissing an employee for gross misconduct, legal issues can arise that could do damage to your business. HR professionals across the country will tell you that there are many different ways of gracefully terminating an employee’s contract, but there are some do’s and don’ts that you could do to make it an easier process that can help you deal with it. Let’s take a look at a few of those below.

  • Do get everything in order before you fire them. From evidence as to the reason they are fired, to the paperwork for them to leave the business, get everything in order so that there are no loose ends. For a firing to go smoothly this needs to be prepared in advance. Before you terminate the employee, you need to be able to prevent any misunderstandings or even accusations of illegal activity going on. Follow the policies and procedures in place of your organization and if necessary, consult a lawyer. Secure computer files, make sure you pull together all in performance appraisals and written warnings as any other correspondence that you might need. You should also make sure that you have all of the payroll information in place so that you can reassure the person being fired that they will be paid according to the law.
  • Do choose a private space. Let’s be honest, nobody wants to be fired from their job. It leaves a bad taste, it’s nothing to be proud of, and it can be embarrassing for the employee. When you are dismissing somebody, you need to choose the right time and place and make sure that there are no eavesdroppers. It’s always a good idea to do it as early in the week as possible at the end of the day so that you minimize impact to your business. If an employee depends on the company or their colleagues to get home, it just makes good sense to ensure that they are not going to be left stranded.
  • Don’t fire somebody with an audience around. As we mentioned before, anybody in your business has a right to privacy. Doing it in front of an audience will be poor behavior on your part as an employer. It also won’t help people in the office to feel comforted by the idea that they may not be next. Use an official meeting space, as it’s a private and neutral location that is free from any disruption.
  • Don’t forget to toe the line. If you terminate an employee on parental or medical leave, or you terminate an employee who is pregnant, you are going to open yourself up to a lawsuit. Toe the line when it comes to the law and make sure that you are firing somebody with all of your ducks in a row in advance.

Terminating an employee’s contract is not easy, but sometimes it needs to be done.

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Best Strategies to Create an Comfortable Atmosphere in Your Restaurant

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Creating an inviting and comfortable atmosphere in any restaurant is essential for success. Customers often form their first impression of the restaurant based on its ambiance, and if it isn’t pleasant or enjoyable, they are less likely to come back. It’s important to consider all aspects that can make up a positive dining experience — from the decor to the music playing in your establishment to the service you provide. Here are some strategies that will help you create an atmosphere that customers won’t forget.

Decor:

The key to creating a cozy environment is by designing decor that reflects your restaurant’s style and promotes relaxation. Think about what kind of mood you want customers to feel when they enter your restaurant — from the lighting to the art on the walls to the decorations that adorn your tables. Depending on the cuisine you serve and the atmosphere you want to create, consider investing in muted tones or warm colors for a calming effect or bright and vibrant shades for an energetic vibe.

Music:

The music playing in your restaurant can make all the difference. Too loud music can be overwhelming and uncomfortable, while music that’s too quiet won’t create an inviting atmosphere at all. Consider investing in a music player for restaurant so you can control what music is played and when it starts and stops. You should also consider whether you want to provide live or recorded music. Live music will usually give customers a sense of authenticity and provide them with something to enjoy during their meal, while pre-recorded songs can help set the background without being distracting.

Service:

Your service can be just as important as the ambiance in creating a memorable experience. Make sure your staff is well-trained, friendly, and attentive to guests’ needs. Ensure they understand your restaurant’s standards and expectations — from proper table setting etiquette to how glasses should be filled. Customers greatly appreciate being treated with respect and kindness, so make sure your waitstaff is not only efficient but also shows genuine care for their customer’s satisfaction.

Atmosphere:

Creating the perfect atmosphere requires more than just the decor, music, and service — it also includes small touches that will make your restaurant stand out. For instance, consider offering complimentary snacks or appetizers to customers while they wait for their meals to arrive. You can also provide warm towels after meals as a sign of endearment and appreciation. Additionally, choosing linens with exquisite patterns or using fresh flowers on each table will add even more charm to your restaurant’s atmosphere.

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Turn Your Passion into a Career: How to Make Money Doing What You Love

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Many dreams of turning their hobby, passion, or creative outlet into a career. It’s a beautiful idea, but it can take time to figure out where to start. Here’s a guide on successfully turning your hobby into a career. 

Do Your Research 

Before you turn your hobby into a business, please research and find out what the industry looks like, your potential customers and their needs. Next, consider your strengths, skills, and knowledge and decide how to use them in this new venture. Finally, consider what makes you unique in the industry and how you can market yourself. 

Take A Strong Career Test

A Strong Career Test can help you identify your ideal job and the type of environment you would flourish in. In addition, knowing this information can give you an idea of what kind of business to start and whether it’s something you’d be passionate about.

Think About Finances and Legalities 

Once you have an idea of what you want to do, consider the financial aspect – are there any costs associated with getting started? What sort of budget will you need? Will there be any tax implications? It’s also essential to think about the legal side of things – if necessary, consult with a lawyer specializing in business law so that you understand all the regulations associated with starting up and protecting your intellectual property rights. 

Create a Business Plan 

Now that you have researched and considered the legalities and finances involved, create a business plan that outlines all this information. Make sure it includes short-term and long-term objectives to keep track of your progress over time. Be realistic when setting targets for yourself – don’t aim too high at first because this could set you up for failure if it doesn’t pan out. Also, consider whether or not there is potential for growth or expansion once your business gets off the ground. This may include marketing strategies such as social media campaigns or investing in advertising materials such as brochures or flyers. 

Start Networking 

Networking is essential when launching any new business; it’s about building relationships with people who may be interested in your offer. Start by reaching out to family, friends, and acquaintances who may already know about your business or service offering; they may even be willing to share it with others! Additionally, join online groups related to your area of expertise – these are great places for exchanging ideas with like-minded people and potentially finding potential customers/collaborators/mentors/partners, etc. Finally, attend events such as trade shows or conferences where relevant topics are discussed – these are ideal opportunities for making connections within the industry that could prove beneficial down the line! 

Turning your hobby into a career is no small task, but it can be approached thoughtfully and strategically! Please research the industry thoroughly before beginning to understand its nuances; familiarize yourself with the legalities of running a business; create a viable yet ambitious business plan; network extensively (both online & offline). And never give up! With dedication & hard work, anything is possible.

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