It wasn’t so long ago that the UK didn’t really do street food. Fortunately though, things have changed and street food is now big business for Brits.
The COVID-19 pandemic put a spin on the way we eat out, with indoor venues having shut their doors. Business entrepreneurs spotted the opportunity to cut their rental costs significantly, attract new customers, and literally be at the market forefront by going mobile. Consumers are in favour of this trend, as 50% are buying street food at least once a week, according to a 2016 report.
Since this is a fairly new concept, many people are wondering how to go about serving meals on wheels. Here, Vauxhall van leasing company Van Ninja has put together an in-depth guide on starting a street food business from start to finish.
You can’t have failed to notice that there’s a lot of residential development going on, particularly in the South East and in London. The government’s aim to build its way out of our current housing shortage is progressing apace, with a promise to deliver 300,000 homes a year by the mid-2020s. So, with more new-builds available than ever, should you buy one?
Whether you are a first-time buyer, an upgrader, downsizer or property investor, this is a question that everyone must consider. And while many buyers prefer to buy ‘second hand’, with an opportunity to renovate and add value to an existing property, a new home has the advantage of everything being, well, brand new, offering low-maintenance living from the very start.
According to recent figures, 11% of homes on the market in London are new-build builds, with the City of London having the largest proportion of new-build housing stock (28%), followed by Hackney and Tower Hamlets (23% respectively). “The delivery of London’s new build housing stock is largely focused on desirable areas that are considered up and coming and there are plenty of pockets in Hackney, Newham and other more centralised boroughs that provide a perfect opportunity for housebuilders to take advantage of this ongoing change,” says one industry expert.
At the top of the market, property buyers can choose from the latest exciting developments right across the capital, from uber-luxury residences in Mayfair, Knightsbridge, Holland Park, Canary Wharf, the South Bank and beyond.
Investing in a perfect home?
Buying a new-build understandably comes with the expectation that it should be in pristine condition. With the fresh paint barely dry, carpets that have never been walked on and cutting-edge appliances newly installed, you are literally the ‘virgin’ owner of your perfect home. Contemporary London homes are fully compliant with the latest building regulations, giving you the peace of mind of a safe and energy-efficient home. Who could ask for more?
Except that new-builds are hardly ever perfect. In fact, a staggering 98% of new homes have defects, according to latest reports. Snagging is commonplace, so much so that it is established practice to make a snagging list of all the little and not so little problems that need fixing. From a cracked tile in the bathroom to a crack in the outside wall, these things should of course be covered by your 10-year NHBC warranty. But getting the housebuilder to admit responsibility, never mind coming back to actually remedy the problem is all too an uphill battle.
An independent Chartered Building Surveyor is your best friend here. Get them to inspect the condition of the propertybefore you commit to the purchase and use the survey findings as a negotiating tool to obtain a better deal.
What’s more, buying a property straight from a developer often comes with attractive additional perks that you simply wouldn’t get from the purchase of an older building. You may be able to negotiate upgrades for fixtures & fittings or built-in appliances, have carpets included in the price, or even get your stamp duty paid for.
If you’re a first-time buyer, you may also be able to benefit from schemes such as Help-to-Buy and Shared Ownership available for new homes that can help you get onto the London property ladder.
Deceptively spacious or living it small?
Houses in the UK are the smallest in Europe, that’s a fact. Interestingly, the UK also has the oldest housing stock in Europe, and probably the world. You can trace the size of the average British home since the 1930s here, with irrefutable data showing that today’s homes are the smallest yet, with only 67.8 square metres.
Whether you call them ‘bijou homes’ or ‘rabbit hutches’, new-build homes tend to be on the compact side, which directly affects plot sizes, room sizes, storage and outdoor space. It is no coincidence that the ability to fit a greater number of smaller units onto a plot has also had a very positive impact on housebuilder profits.
For London families looking for space to grow, a new-build home may not give you the best result. That said, if you are looking for a low maintenance property to complement your busy professional lifestyle, or your life stage affords you the opportunity to downsize or rightsize, a compact brand-new home in the capital may suit you perfectly.
No chain, no pain?
Research has shown that buying and selling a home is one of the most stressful life events, right up there with bankruptcy, divorce and the death of a loved one. It can be an intensely emotionally and financially draining process to be stuck in a property chain, not to mention the added risk and stress of being gazumped or gazundered, or someone changing their mind about selling.
One of the key advantages of a brand new home is that you are buying chain-free. Obviously, this relies on the property developer keeping his side of the bargain. If there are construction delays, it could be months before you’re able to move into your new home or until the new neighbourhood becomes habitable. Your best tactic is to find a good conveyancer to oversee the purchase and ensure that the contract is in your favour, your deposit is protected and there is a ‘long-stop’ completion date with compensation payments payable in case of undue delays.
According to figures from a new London development report, new home sales in the capital remained resilient in 2020 notwithstanding the pandemic. Zoopla reported that almost 30,000 homes were built in the UK in the fourth quarter of 2020, an increase of about 20,000 compared to the second quarter. The new-build market is clearly doing well.
Aesthetic syringes are a safe and effective way to inject Botox injector, Restylane, Juvederm, or other cosmetic fillers. The needles in these devices are much smaller than the ones used in traditional medical procedures. This means that there is less pain and bleeding during treatment. In addition to being safer for your skin, dermal filler injections, including aesthetic syringes, also offer better precision when injecting the product under the skin.
They enable the doctor to put the product exactly where it is needed and nowhere else. Surgery is one of many methods for people who want to make their faces look better. It can also be a last resort for those who do not like what they see in the mirror and cannot find another way to make themselves happy. There are several reasons why people opt to have their faces restructured.
Reasons why people opt for aesthetics:
The most common reason is the desire to look more attractive, but some people may also want to fix or improve a facial flaw that makes them feel self-conscious. Whatever their reasons are, there are hundreds of ways for people who want to change the way they look. Some methods can be done in any plastic surgeon’s office. Others can be carried out at home with medical grade products that are available in the market today.
This is about one method for people who want to improve their appearance without undergoing surgery or applying medically-grade cosmetics at home. Aesthetic syringes, also known as cosmetic syringes, are used by plastic surgeons and dermatologists to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. They can also help patients who want to remove blemishes or fix other skin flaws without undergoing surgery.
The technique is called subcutaneous injection, which is a medical procedure. However, aesthetic syringes are specially designed for this purpose. Unlike larger needles that are used in traditional medicine, these cosmetic syringes have much smaller needles. This means that the procedure is less painful and bloodless. In addition, this technique offers better control of how much filler product is injected and where it should be placed under the skin.
What Are Aesthetic Syringes basically?
Aesthetic syringe, also known as cosmetic syringe, is a device used to deliver dermal filler products. Its main purpose is to reduce wrinkles and deep lines, but it can also be used in other procedures. These are just some of the things that you can do with cosmetic syringes:
Deliver anti-aging treatments
Enhance facial volume
Remove scars or acne marks
Cover up spider veins and other flaws
Restore lost volume in the lips and cheeks
Enhance facial symmetry
There are many dermal filler products that can be used with this device. Among them are:
Botox injector Cosmetic is a popular anti-wrinkle treatment made from botulinum toxin type A. It relaxes tight muscles under the skin to smooth out lines and wrinkles.
Facial fillers are another popular treatment for people who want to get rid of wrinkles and other fine lines. They come in a variety of formulations, from liquid gels to dissolvable powders. These products can be placed under the skin with aesthetic syringes to enhance facial appearance. The most popular filler treatments are:
ArteFill, a permanent injectable implant that replaces semi-permanent fillers
Juvéderm, a popular cosmetic dermal filler made from hyaluronic acid gel
Perlane, a popular type of facial filler crafted from a substance called hydroxyapatite. It is produced by Biform Medical.
Radiesse, a dermal filler that uses calcium to add volume and tighten the skin
Restylane, another popular cosmetic dermal filler made from hyaluronic acid gel.
Sculptra, a permanent injectable implant containing poly-L-lactic acid
Voluma is a type of facial filler crafted from hyaluronic gel made by the company Allergan. It is designed to add volume and lift up facial contours.
Calcium hydroxyapatite, a substance that occurs naturally in our bodies
Hyaluronic acid (HA), also known as hyaluronan, which cushions joints and skin for flexibility and support
Collagen, a complex protein that gives structure to the skin and other parts of the body
Chronic health conditions can also be treated with aesthetic syringes. Examples are:
Allergy shots, which help people who suffer from hay fever or other type of hypersensitivity reactions
Autologous serum injections, which boost the immune system by injecting a small amount of the patient’s blood
Cortisone shots are used to treat inflammation. They also prevent autoimmune disorders by suppressing the activity of certain cells found in various parts of the body.
Diep flap, which is infused with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to enhance wound healing and repair tissue. This procedure is also known as regenerative flap surgery.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a treatment for blood cancer and other diseases that affect the immune system. It is also used to treat congenital metabolic disorders, such as sickle cell disease.
People are too busy with mattresses than just about any other furnishings in their home. A decent night of sleep can help you feel refreshed and energized. As a result, selecting a mattress is a crucial step in the purchasing process. If you’re not sure what to look for in a mattress, here are a few things to keep in mind before you go out and buy one.
Place a premium on convenience
Your degree of comfort is the most important element to consider. Even if you buy the most expensive mattress, you won’t have the best sleeping experience of your life if you aren’t comfortable with it. What to look for in a mattress is influenced by the magnitude, stiffness, and type of materials utilized in the mattress.
Cost
Price should always be last on the list of priorities; after all, we encounter a lot of offers related to various mattress brands every day on the internet. Do you believe all of Dunlopillo mattresses are genuine? To this question, you would respond with a resounding “never.” Take your time to figure out which company offers mattresses at a reasonable price, whether it’s a bed or mattresses.
Aches and pains in the body
Muscle or bone weakening can cause chronic aches and pains, as well as injury-related aches and pains. Furthermore, persons who have medical disorders or physiological diseases may require orthopedic mattresses. When it comes to body aches and pains, it’s critical to understand what’s causing the discomfort and what type of mattresses are good for that.
Method of purchase
You’re certainly familiar with traditional in-store mattress buying, which entails sleeping on a variety of beds until you discover one that’s a suitable fit. But really how do you go about purchasing a mattress over the internet? It’s like purchasing any others digitally, except it’s transported directly to the customer and rolled up in a crate.
Keep in mind that firm mattresses aren’t always the greatest option
Think twice about whether you want a hard or firm mattress. Numerous research has found that Dunlopillo mattresses, rather than hard mattresses, are the best choice for low back pain. It’s important to distinguish between firm support and firm feeling. Your personal preference will decide how comfortable you are. You want strong support that also feels good.
Top plush
Easy-to-remove mattresses are often covered in quilted ticking and feature either a fiberfill or foam outer layer. Although if you just want a super-plush sensation, a thick-looking pillowtop can compress over time. Choosing a firmer, well-quilted mattress and then covering it with a removable mattress topper is frequently the best option.
Conclusion
You should always study mattress reviews, regardless of how you decide to purchase your new bed. Too from experts and people who have already tried the bed. They’ll inform you how your potential new bed will feel to the typical person, and they’ll tell you the truth about any claims that might just be mattress marketing nonsense.
Every newcomer to the trading industry has faced difficulties with comprehending this complicated and unfamiliar system. Besides, it is very risky and overconfident to start trading on the largest world’s market without having profound knowledge of its basic elements. One of the most important things in Forex is an index. It represents a way of measuring the activity of a group of assets. It is based on a standard methodology and metrics and serves as a tool for evaluating the performance of investments. There are several types of indexes used for different purposes. Let’s take a deeper look at each of them.
Relative Vigor Index
The vigor index is widely used to determine the dynamics of the price changes of a certain financial instrument at a definite time period. This type of index serves to compare opening and closing prices and determines bulls’ or bears’ dominance on the market.
The RVI index is representative of the oscillators group. The basic idea lying at the core of the vigor index is the difference between the two markets. Closing prices on the bullish market are higher than opening ones in contrast to the bearish market where the situation is the exact opposite. In such a way, the vigor of the movement is calculated according to the price changes in a specified time.
Force Index of Alexander Elder
The next type of indexes is the Elder Force index. It also falls into the group of oscillators. It is used as an irregular indicator of bulls’ or bears’ dominance on the market. It is implemented to track the market dynamics and determine its strongest part – bullish or bearish.
To provide accurate estimation, the above-mentioned Forex index indicator uses several parameters. It analyzes the price movement direction, the price change during a definite period, and the trade volume. The main task of the index is to show traders the direction of movement. A simple scheme is implemented to accomplish the task: if the indicator’s line is above 0, it means an upward trend and bulls’ domination. Consequently, if the indicator’s line is below 0, this is characteristic of the bears’ dominance.
In Conclusion
Both the Relative Vigor Index and the Force index of Alexander Elder are useful tools to track the events and changes on the market. They can be extremely helpful in identifying the domination and the duration of the current trend. However, they are not universal and may be advantageous when applied alongside other indicators.
Forex Quotes is a dynamic table that shows the main stock indicators and a stock status. Usually, the traders read the quotes in real time. Meanwhile, the table may include as many stocks as the trader wants. Each trading participant (regardless of his/her location) sees the same stock quote table as all the rest.
You will see some abbreviations in the upper line of the table. Let’s find out what they mean:
Sуmbol — an abbreviation assigned to a security for trading purposes. Bid — the highest price a buyer is ready to pay for an asset. Ask — the lowest price a seller of a stock is ready to accept for a share of that given stock. AskSize — the amount of a security that a market maker is offering to sell at the Ask price (1 bid = 100 shares). BidSize — the quantity of a security that investors are ready to buy at a Bid price (1 bid = 100 shares). Size — a short record of the value of BidSize and AskSize. Tick — a measure of the minimum upward or downward movement in the price of a security. Change — the difference between a stock’s closing price on a trading day and its closing price on the previous trading day. Chg% — the percent value of price change. Volume — the amount of shares traded over the course of a trading day. High — the highest stock price today. Low — the lowest stock price today. Last — the last transaction price. LastSize — the number of shares tradedpurchased at this price.
TOP 5 tips for reading currency pairs
To make a decision in stock market, the trader has to make a great effort.
Although there are lots of techniques for a profitable trading, experienced traders advise beginners to stick to the following rules:
1. Take a long position when buying a currency pair only if you think that the base currency will strengthen against the quote currency.
2. Select a specific time frame for analysis and save it, because you need to enter the market during a particular period.
3. Understand that the time indicated under the chart corresponds to a specific time zone (charts are created for a specific exchange time).
4. When buying currency, keep in mind that the price charts sometimes display only the Bid price. But you should also consider the Ask price (offer price), as the purchase is made at the Ask price, which is slightly lower than the bid price.
5. Check if the program component of the chart differs from others in terms of the candle closing and opening time.
Online trading opportunities
Of course, online trading opportunities aren’t limited to currency transactions. Modern platforms allow you to trade not only currency pairs but also index rates and popular cryptocurrencies. Such services also have a great informative value by broadcasting the currency rates online in real-time.
Trading on Forex is an earning option available to everyone regardless of his education, professional skills, and initial capital. Yet, far from everyone manages to make jack or at least to make a living from it. Want to know how to build a rewarding career on Forex? How to trade forex for beginners? Read on.
Top 10 Tips on How to Become a Successful Trader
Learn the theory. Many people believe that trading is so simple that one can cope without wasting time on reading guides. Yet, in practice, such self-assured beginners end up losing all their money after the first few deals and leaving bankrupt and frustrated. So, to be on the safe side, a would-be trader should get acquainted with all the basic terms and trading strategies and learn how to use analytics and forecasts provided by experts, as well as how to minimize and diversify risks.
Choose a reliable broker. Obviously, the first point to check is the license. Then, be sure to look through reviews written by other users and experts.
Select a safe strategy. It is better to start from copy trading, i.e. mimicking other traders’ steps. That will help you understand how successful traders think and make fruitful decisions.
Try a demo account. It is much safer to test your knowledge and skills in practice without investing your real money.
Start from a minimum deposit.
Do not deposit more than you are ready to lose.
Stick to small investments. Do not put your whole deposit into one deal. Or you will lose it right away. Forex is about playing the long game.
Keep your emotions under control. It is based on imperturbable common sense and scrupulous calculations.
Choose “slow” trading. It usually takes months (or even years) to understand how to earn from rapid short-term fluctuations. So, you had better focus on long-term trades in the beginning.
Keep on learning. Guides, articles, videos, online webinars ― take advantage of all the instruments available.
To sum up, Forex is not the platform that can bring you easy earnings. Still, if you are persistent and hard-working enough, over a certain time, you will manage to make good money and even more.
While sports betting and casino online sites are legal in most of Europe, almost every country has different regulations. For example, some countries only legalize land-based casinos and ban online slots. Some countries may choose to ban casino games and legalize sports betting. So, what is the situation in Poland? Is gambling legal in this country, and if so, what types of gambling are allowed? We answer these questions below.
Is Gambling Legal in Poland?
The answer to this question is yes: both land-based and online gambling is legal. This includes both casino games and sports betting. But both are subject to strict restrictions. In this regard, Poland is considered to be one of the European countries with the most restrictive regulations regarding legal gambling.
Let’s start from the beginning: the law regulating legal gambling in Poland is called the Act on Gambling Games (Ustawa o grach hazardowych), and this is a 2009 law. Unlike other European countries, Poland had to pass this law because of a scandal: in 2009, it was revealed that there were many high-ranking government officials lobbying for the gambling industry, all of whom had to resign. The scandal caused such a backlash that the Polish government had to pass that law to regulate and control gambling legally, and for the same reason, the law contained very strict provisions. This situation still continues today.
According to the law, gambling games are divided into four basic categories: games of chance, betting, card games and slot machines. Likewise, games that can be purchased with virtual currency or in-game credits, even if they are free to play, are also covered by the law: this means that many mobile games will also fall into the “gambling” category. If we make a general assessment, we can say that the law mainly regulates land-based gambling: there are not many provisions about online gambling.
Who Regulates Gambling in Poland?
The law gave the task of regulation to the Ministry of Finance. The Ministry is authorized to determine whether a game falls into the gambling category. And if it decides that the game is gambling, the company offering it has to get a license. The Ministry is also authorized to issue this license. In terms of license types, we can provide the following information:
A land-based casino license is required to offer land-based casino games. In regions with a population of up to 250,000 people, there can be at most one casino. In order to have two casinos in a region, the population must be at least 500,000 people. For three casinos… You get what we mean, for each casino the population needs to increase by 250,000. Casino licenses are valid for 6 years, and payment of PLN 1,645,036.80 is required for 2020.
Bingo halls require a separate license, and regions with a population of up to 100,000 can only have one bingo hall. Bingo hall licenses are also valid for 6 years, and payment of PLN 282,740.70 is required for 2020.
There is no population restriction for land-based betting. You can open betting shops as long as you pay the license fee of PLN 102,814.80 (valid for 2020).
Online Gambling in Poland
So, what is the situation with online gambling? Before we start explaining this, we need to point out one thing: by law, only state-owned businesses can own online casinos in Poland. Online services provided by a private company are limited to sports betting. In other words, private companies cannot obtain an online casino license even if they wanted to. In this respect, there is a monopoly. It has long been claimed that this is against EU directives, and there may be a change in the near future. Until then, however, private companies can only offer online betting (and lottery) services. To obtain an online gambling license to be used for this purpose:
It is necessary to show a guarantee of PLN 480,000. It is sufficient to deposit this amount in a Polish bank.
A minimum license fee of PLN 462,666.60 per site must be paid. A company that has an online gambling license can open multiple sites with this license, there is no restriction in this regard. However, you have to pay this license fee for each site.
Only domain names ending in “.pl” are allowed for web addresses of these sites.
The law states that it is illegal to play at sites that do not have an official online gambling license (for example, an international online casino). The Polish government has the right to block access to such sites. There are no legal sanctions for players playing on these sites. However, all financial institutions (e.g., banks) in Poland have to refuse money transfers to and from unlicensed gambling sites. In other words, you cannot send money to unlicensed sites or withdraw funds from them.
Gambling winnings are subject to an income tax. However, this applies only to lotteries, betting and telebingo. If you win a prize in these games, you have to pay a 10% tax. Winnings from other games (i.e., slot machines, card games, dice games, bingo, etc.) are tax-free.
The financial industry is central to a functioning global economy, so it’s a given that companies that belong to the banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) sector typically transact with individuals and organizations from all walks of life and all types of industries. Having a long list of customers is a sign of stability for most businesses, but managing the finances and accounts of a wide variety of clients presents many challenges in and of itself. In an age when financial establishments are expected to offer highly customized and modular packages to their clientele, ensuring that every customer is billed accurately and on time can be a costly task.
Some companies in the BFSI sector have found a way around this issue by using a single platform to carry out their billing and reconciliation processes. Using consolidated revenue management solutions to compare financial records and make and send out invoices is a cost-effective option that compromises neither the timeliness of the billing process nor the accuracy of the figures in each account and transaction. How has this solution benefitted the companies in the BFSI sector? Here are some of the reasons why forward-looking companies chose to work with a single platform for managing billing and reconciliation, and why you should consider the same strategy for your financial organization as well.
You Want to Create a Single Business Continuity Plan Around One System
A business continuity plan is a document that outlines how your organization will continue providing its products and services in the event of an unplanned interruption. This plan is a vital element for BFSI companies, especially since people and organizations depend on the financial sector to provide them access to resources and financial products and services in the event of a disaster or a cyberattack.
It can be a challenge to choose an appropriate backup and disaster recovery (BDR) solution when your company uses multiple systems and databases to conduct the same functions, such as billing and reconciling the accounts of their clients. This is not only inefficient operations-wise; it also forces the company to use more expensive backup solutions. Plus, the company has to deal with backing up its redundant systems multiple times to ensure that its BDR solution has the latest version of its data and applications.
With a consolidated platform, however, a financial institution will only need to backup one system and database to ascertain that the company can resume its services if something unexpected happens. The company will be able to cut the cost of its BDR solution as well as improve the efficiency of its internal processes.
You Value Flexibility and You Want to Maximize Your Company’s Resources
Many traditional BFSI companies operate in multiple locations. There’s always a possibility that one of these locations becomes inundated with assignments and requests, while another will have almost nothing to do. Assigning the task of billing and reconciliation or even tracking delinquency to anyone who’s not too busy at the moment can be risky, as the employee might not be familiar with the details of the accounts in question. However, since it’s possible for the said employee to check all the details of each account and transaction on a single platform using a standardized process, then the risk of making errors is reduced.
It’s also an option to automate the billing and reconciliation process altogether. All you need to do is input the rules that the platform should follow when defining and enforcing fee structures for different accounts. With the system taking care of this task all on its own, you can delegate more of your employees to work on tasks that require human judgment and intuition.
You Want to Use a Single Platform for Generating Internal and External Reports
Using separate platforms for generating internal and external reports is the norm for many financial organizations, but this doesn’t always have to be the case. If all your accounting functions such as billing and reconciliation are done in a single system, then it’s possible to use the database within that system to gather information and prepare reports for internal and external audiences. There’s no need for your employees to conduct different investigations for internal and external reporting. All you have to do is pull up the information to complete these reports from the consolidated system and select the dataset that you have to report on.
Investing in a well-rounded and highly customizable revenue management solution is key to reducing the cost of your billing and reconciliation processes, among other accounting functions, from here on out. Aside from this, upgrading the platform that you use to manage your revenue today is a key step in ensuring that your company can adapt to the changes that are being brought about by the ongoing digital revolution. Aided by data, analytics, artificial intelligence, and other emerging digital innovations, your organization will be in the perfect position to meet the expectations of a generation of tech-savvy customers.
The global average of females in Fintech engineering is 17%, however in Nordic engineering, Fintech recruitment company Storm2, have found in their latest diversity report, that it is far lower at only 11%.
With a focus on FinTech companies in the Nordics, Storm2 examined the current state of gender diversity in engineering. The report highlights that there is still work to be done and aims to “educate, spark discussion, and inspire change.”
Angela Ward, VP of Europe at Storm2, said: “The Nordics are world leaders when it comes to gender parity in many areas of society, but this has not filtered through to the FinTech sector. We hope that by sharing our research on why this is still a problem, in even the most progressive of regions, and offering actionable advice on how to turn the dial on the problem, we can create a more diverse, inclusive and more profitable FinTech ecosystem.”
Storm2 is a specialist FinTech recruitment firm that focuses solely on finding candidates with the skills needed to build and scale a successful FinTech company.