Abigail Powell

Value isn’t just a business buzzword with a vague concept. Value means being of service. Bell Moore Group Inc. understands the essence of creating value by serving and fulfilling their client’s mission and business objectives. We at Bell Moore aim to prioritize our client’s needs; this is why they undoubtedly put their trust on us for business solutions and more so for the development and growth of their venture.

Since 1991, Bell Moore has consistently providing worthwhile value in its mission of helping clients achieve their goal in the business industry. Adding value in any aspects of life requires talent and creativity which Bell Moore has harnessed and developed for many years. The organization provides third party management, leasing, brokerage, and consulting services – successfully serving institutional clients such as MAB American Property REIT in Australia, Summit REIT in Canada, Sentinel Pension Fund in New York, Paul Mitchell Trust in Hawaii. In addition, the firm has a long history of serving distinguished private investors such as Ambassador Mark Erwin in Charlotte.

How does Bellmoore Group Inc review and optimize the amount of value they create for their clients? Creating value is consumer-centered by definition. This involves assessing and accepting clients as to what they are and where they are in relation to what their unique circumstances are and what they aspire to achieve. Working for the best interest of their clients allows Bell Moore to reach the client’s objective, particularly in leasing, marketing and tenant representation. The team with the supervision of Lynn Moore and Rianne Bell believes that failing to understand the needs and requirements of a client may cause to lose their focus on the relevant issues and restricts the ability to provide effective and efficient business solutions.

Bell Moore Group Inc. had gained the trust of many clients as they create value that is worthwhile and that can maximize income benefits. More so, Bell Moore has also developed its relationships with property owners and real estate developers which allow the company to further position themselves to direct negotiations that will meet the needs of all parties and most especially the best interest of their client.

Many people nowadays are opting for private airport transfers due to so many benefits.  Of course, you have plenty of options whether you are flying into or out of the city or just looking for a way to get around town. You can either drive yourself using a rented car or you can wait in a long line for a taxi. However, none of those options are hassle-free. Consider the many benefits of private airport transfers that you might be unaware of.

Fuel cost

When hiring an airport transfer service, you don’t need to worry about the fuel cost, car rental and other similar cost.

No waiting in queues for taxis

With airport transfer service, you don’t have to worry about waiting as they are the ones who will wait patiently for your arrival so you could arrive at your hotel or destination on time.

You have an experienced driver

What is good in hiring airport transfers is that their chauffeurs are trained and with experience in driving. They know everything there is possibly need to know about road signs and traffics. He will surely drive to drop you safely at your destination.

No too much paper works

There are no lengthy paper works that take your time. Paper works are often needed when hiring a car and this may take a few minutes or hours depending on the circumstances. With airport transfer, you can step inside the car as soon as you land to the airport.

You can rest and relax from the back seat

Of course, after a long flight, you would want to sit back, relax and not bother yourself worrying about driving to get to your destination. This is why it is wise to hire an airport transfer and make yourself relax in the back seat while your personal chauffeur is driving you to your destination.

No issue when it comes to interaction

When visiting a new place, language can be a major problem. When it comes to this, airport transfer chauffeurs can act as your life saver because they can act as translator for you. They are usually trained to speak in English to be able to effectively communicate with the passenger and get them to where they want to be.

The number priority of chauffeurs is to let you arrive to your destination safely. Tokyo MK Taxi, a leading providing of airport transfer service in Japan will make sure that you receive the best possible customer service and a hassle free transfers to and from the airport. Tokyo MK Taxi features Lexus group enthusiasts’ luxurious fleet to give you the sophistication, comfort, efficiency and reliability you deserve.

Stocks, bonds, bank accounts or IRAs? How do you choose?

With several types of investments to choose from and also thousands of sub-categories under them, finding the most suitable investment choice can be a daunting task.

First off, the main consideration in any long-term investing decision is the rate of return expected from it. At times though, investing in short-term investment can enhance your wealth even if the returns are not as high as you want them to be. You can select from among these common short-term savings vehicles:

Short-term savings vehicles

Bank savings account: The most resorted to savings medium availed of by people, which provides small returns but better than keeping your money at home where it could be stolen or spent easily.

Our company is partial to stocks as investment vehicles over the rest of the long-term choices since stocks have statistically provided the best rate of return in an investment. The most common long-term investing vehicles are as follows:

Long-term investing vehicles

Bonds: There are various forms of bonds. Also known as "fixed-income" securities, bonds generate a “fixed” or set income value each year when it is sold.

Stocks: Stocks allow an individual to own a portion of a company or business. A single stock share represents an investor’s proportional stake or share of ownership in a business.

Mutual funds: Mutual funds are vehicles which allow investors to combine their money to buy bonds, stocks,  or any vehicle the fund manager considers viable.

Retirement plans

Several special plans are intended to build retirement savings; and many of these plans permit an individual to transfer money directly from his or her paycheck prior to taxes. In support for this plan, companies sometimes match the amount transferred, or even a small portion of that amount, as their goodwill contribution to their employees’ future.

Individual retirement account (IRA): This type of plan lets you invest some money into a tax-deferred retirement fund – which means you will not be taxed unless withdrawals are made or before the fund matures.

Roth IRA: Unlike the previous IRA plan, this type of retirement account requires no tax payments up-front on contribution. Rather, it provides full exclusion from federal taxes when cash is withdrawn to purchase a first home or pay for retirement.

401(k): Employers provide this retirement savings vehicle, whose name is taken from the section of the Internal Revenue Code which allows it.

403(b): This is the nonprofit version of a 401(k) plan. Local and state governments also provide a 457 plan.

Keogh: A specialized form of IRA that serves simultaneously as a pension plan for a self-employed individual, who has the capacity to pay substantially higher contributions permitted for an IRA.

Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan: This is a special type of Keogh-individual retirement plan designed to allow small businesses to provide retirement plans (for their employees) that are slightly easier to manage compared to conventional pension plans. Either the employer or the employees can participate in a SEP.

Investing in stocks

Stocks deserve a closer look as they have been known in the past to offer higher returns compared to bonds and other vehicles. As mentioned, the investor becomes a part-owner of a company.

Common stock

The most common type of stock is, as expected, the common stock. The common stock provides an ideal vehicle for most individuals, since anyone can participate – whether you are young, old, discriminating or easy-go-lucky. There is practically no restriction imposed against anyone who wants to buy a common stock.

Different types of stock

Sometimes, companies can opt to focus the voting privilege of a company to cover only a particular type of stock, limiting the majority of shares to only a select group of investors. As an example, a family business seeking to raise capital by selling equity might create a second type of a stock which they already control and has, for instance, 10 votes for each share, while they release to others another type of stock that allows only a single vote per share.

What happens from now on?

That is about all you need to know for now about the fundamental classes of investment options available to you. You can start impressing some of your friends and relatives about your newfound knowledge on stocks. Use the basic terminology as well as the essential principles of becoming a shareholder of a company to tell them how they can also join in the experience of investing. Most of all, tell them of the potential rewards you and they can expect from buying stocks while reminding them of the greater risks they will encounter compared to merely keeping their money in a bank. In the end, what you will decide to do with your new knowledge will be up to you.

What is investing all about? How do you start?

If you have decided to enter the world of investing, learning how to invest must now dominate your time and focus. Two steps will help you on your way.

Defining investing

In essence, investing involves spending your time, effort and resources to attain a higher objective. For instance, you spend weekends with a social group to do charitable work, use your talent in the arts to create works of beauty and value or apply your profession in your job or your business to earn a living. In the same way that you do these things hoping to gain valuable rewards, you likewise invest your money in a bond, mutual fund or stock, just be careful of investment scams online, but with the goal of achieving material benefits in the future.

Eradicate your debts now

Now that you are eager to go ahead and start investing once you learn how to, you certainly would want to know the next step. But rein in your enthusiasm for a while. Hold your horses while you check if you are really ready to take the ride of your life in investing. Now that you see the possibilities opened to you through the magic of compounded returns, you have to protect yourself from the same trap which you could be unwittingly locked in. Do away with high-interest debts that you may have at the present.

Reward yourself first of all

To succeed as an investor, you must make investing an integral part of every day. That may sound difficult or tedious; but not really. You must realize that the act of buying something, say a cappuccino, will influence your daily finances as much as acquiring a home-equity loan to cover your credit-card payments.

Active and passive methods of investing

There are two primary methods of stock investing: active and passive management; and they differ on how stocks are chosen, not on how you choose your verbs. Active investing involves selecting stocks yourself or you can ask your brokers or fund managers to pick the stocks, bonds, and other forms of investments. Passive investing requires you to let your holdings follow an index which a third party makes.

Speculating versus investing

Perhaps, you may have heard of a close friend who struck it rich with options. Or you may have had moments of lucky streaks in the past where you won a sizeable amount of cash from a raffle or lottery. Why should you then enter into a long and slow process of investing your money which can only bring you a double-digit gain and not bundles of cash right away? Investing demands years of patience before you can finally reap the good harvest. What if you cannot wait that long?

Planning and setting objectives

Investing is a long-term process, like planning a long vacation. Ask yourself these questions before you embark on this endeavor:

• What is your destination? (What financial goals do you have?)
• How long is your vacation? (What is your time frame in investing?)
• What should you bring along? (What investments forms will you choose?)
• How much gas do you need to use? (How much will you invest to achieve your goals? How much can you invest a regular plan?)
• Do you have stopovers on the way? (What short-term financial expenses do you have?)
• How long is your vacation? (Will you have to retire using your investment?)
• If you run out of gas because you frequently stop to rest and drive through the night, you are bound to spoil your vacation. So it is if you do not save enough money, if you invest haphazardly or fail to invest at all.

How stock trading works

Now that you have set your finances in order and you have also established definite financial objectives, you are now ready to learn how to begin investing. With mutual funds, the procedure is quite easy: Call the fund company and request them to open an account for you. Dealing with stocks can be a more challenging endeavor.

The dangers of margin

Through a brokerage account, you can choose between a cash account or a margin account. A cash account allows you trade using available money you are willing to invest. A margin account allows you to buy stocks using other people’s money – which you borrow. Margin accounts can be attractive for obvious reasons; however, the risks can be significant.

Summary

Now that you have gained enough background information on how to start investing in stocks, as well as what your financial goals are, how much money you will need to invest, how long it will take to recover your investment, the next move is to begin considering where to invest and the kind of potential gain you hope to make.

You can get more info from our newsletter services which we offer free for one month. Our contributors may have diverse views on many issues; but this fact helps to provide you with a wide selection of insights and perspectives on how to succeed in investing. We have a disclosure policy which allows us to be fully transparent in all transactions.

Planning a cookout for Memorial Day? That’s a great idea: Grilling is a naturally healthy way to prepare food, says Jessica Palumbo, RD, a dietitian at Glen Cove Hospital -- as long as you take a few simple precautions and make smart choices about the menu.

For summer celebrations that are safe, nutritious, and, of course, delicious, take these easy steps when you fire up your grill.

1. Marinate your meats.

Marinating steaks and poultry for at least 30 minutes before grilling has several pay-offs: First, it adds flavor and helps tenderize meat, so you can choose a leaner cut. And second, it seems to act as a barrier against the grill’s high heat. That’s important, because the char that can form on well-done meat, poultry, or seafood contains chemicals that have been linked to cancer. (A chemical reaction between animal proteins and high heat seems to be to blame.) “Just be sure to discard any marinade that was in contact with raw meat,” says Palumbo. “Don’t use it to baste your food while it cooks.”

1. Give your grill the brush-off.

Give your grill grates a good scrubbing before every use. Not only will this remove grease that could start a fire; it will also help remove potentially harmful bacteria that can breed in leftover food particles. Just be sure to inspect the grill if you’ve used a wire brush -- every year, a few people end up in the emergency department after swallowing bits of wire bristle that are left behind and stick to food like hamburgers. Another smart move: Check the brush before you use it, and toss it out if the bristles are loose.

1. Bring out the fruits and veggies.

“People forget that you can grill fruit,” says Palumbo. “The natural sugar in peaches and pineapples can caramelize and make them even sweeter, so they’re really delicious fresh off the grill.” Also extra-tasty: veggie kebabs, made with onions, peppers, zucchini, mushroom and tomato. Brush with a little olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning to bring the flavor out.

1. Cook it just right.

Undercooking meat can put you at risk for a food-borne illness, but you don’t want to overcook it, either—remember those dangerous chemicals formed when meat gets charred. Flip meat every minute to reduce the chance of burning it, and check it with a thermometer before taking it off the grill. Cook chicken to 165 degrees, ground beef or pork to 160, and steaks, chops or fish to 145.

1. Store leftovers promptly.

Don’t let perishables like burgers, hot dogs and dips sit out for more than two hours, says Palumbo, and if it’s 90 degrees or hotter, put food away within an hour. This protects against bacteria that can cause food poisoning, so you can enjoy your leftovers—if you have any, that is!

Some things you can easily neglect or forget without causing any harm, such as what the last two answers are in the crossword puzzle today; but you cannot do that to a debt. Debt stays like a recurring nightmare in the night, haunting us and chasing us like Mr. Anderson in a Matrix world, charging compounded annual rates of 20% or more of monthly interests. We are stuck in that world’s system – with no escape in sight. But there is a way out of debt, using our free debt-crushing strategies -- and with the help of some of your rich friends and wealthy relatives (see tip No. 5). The nine ways to escape this enslaving system follow:

1. Exceed your monthly dues

The first step toward freedom from debt is to pay above the demanded minimum monthly payment. Do not extend your burden of paying the usual 2% to 3% of the outstanding balance for the required payment term. Moreover, banks would enjoy such subservience, even wishing you would pay for longer terms to increase their profits. Tell yourself now that it is time your own happiness is your priority, not the bank’s.

The strategy is to pay as much as you can afford regularly for every month. For instance, if your minimum amortization is $200, make it $150 or 200 even more. Try to look into your daily or monthly expenses to see where you can get the extra money. (To find some tips on how to do this, read our Living Below Your Means discussion forum.) For example, minimize or eliminate dining out and cook at home. Desserts are things we can do without, if you think about it. Happy hours would not be so happy if you think you have a debt to pay off. "Luxuries", in short, are things you can do without and are rich sources of hard cash.

The operative word (as in, you need to get it out of your system through some form of mental surgery) is “sacrifice”. Then, you will find a way to drastically up your debt amortizations and avoid getting scammed. It is the best way to save valuable money that would go into paying interests. Moreover, you will have a faster way of escaping your “debtly” situation. There is no joy in that kind financial crisis, having to live in constant penury and fear.

1. Snowball your debt payments

If you have credit cards, think seriously of how you can win some more points. Which one gives the lowest rate of interest? If you have not gone beyond the highest amount allowed on that card, try moving your higher-interest bill to it. This is allowable in most cases. Why pay 18% if you can pay only 12%?

In case your total credit balance does not fit on your low-interest card, pay at least the minimum amounts required for all cards except for one. You can then transfer most of your debt repayments into that one credit card, and do it as fast as you can. Once the balance on that card is zero, transfer the next by applying the same rapid repayment scheme.

This is what “snowballing” means – one small step at a time until you accomplish more. While the debt is decreasing, the money you will need to undo your debt will increase. The money you use to pay off “snowballs” until your debt disappears. You see how easy it is?

One alternative means of moving higher-interest debt to a lower-interest card involves the use of promotional offers from banks which provide credit card facilities. Note such ads offering to "Transfer all your credit card balances” to them at only “5.9%" for a period of a year. Why not? 5.9% is far beneficial to you than 18% interest. It would be unwise not save all that money in interest which could be funneled to reduce the principal every month, effectively decreasing the outstanding debt balance even more.

But think before you bite into any offer. Check properly the details for any possible catches. For instance, find out whether the interest rate will remain at the offered rate after the introductory period expires or revert to what you pay now. This would mean changing again and other possible surprises along the way. Banks have become wary of credit card holders who jump from one card to another to avail of the low introductory interest rates. Many such offers now stipulate that once you move outstanding debts from the new card within a year, the regular interest rate will revert retroactively to all outstanding balances. That stipulation might come as a big burden to bear for cash-strapped individuals, giving no relief whatsoever. The fine print tells it all – if you can read patiently.

1. Withdraw your savings account

You can decide to withdraw your savings and investments and slowly pay off your debt using the proceeds. It might appear unwise; yet, sometimes one has to play the fool to survive. Even at 12% rate, your investments would need to bring in above 18% before paying all taxes to match the dollars flowing out. Besides, the money in your savings account will not earn you close to that rate of interest. Terminating the debt this way, amounts to achieving that 18% gain, minus any risks involved otherwise. The greater the interest rate you pay, the more desirable repayment becomes against any existing investment.

1. Take out a loan using your life insurance policy

Does your life insurance policy provide a cash value? Then, make us of it by borrowing your own money. The interest rate is usually way below commercial rates avoid online fraud; and you can have longer terms to repay the loan. Be sure you pay it faithfully. In case you die prior to repaying the debt, the remaining loan balance and interest will be taken from policy’s face value due to the beneficiary. Indeed it is a small burden to carry now to try to remove a debt than allowing your loved ones to carry the burden, if you leave them permanently before paying it back.

1. Persuade family and friends for help

There must be a relative or friend who trusts you and cares enough to reach out to you with a helping hand. If so, you stand to get a loan at a bargain rate with less pressure on the payment schedule. In order to keep your relationship intact, frame up a formal agreement on paper to clarify expectations on either side as to interest and repayment scheme. This will do away with any hurt feelings or doubts in the future. And try to stick to the agreement if you want to remain welcome at family, office or school events.

1. Acquire a home equity loan

If you have a home whose equity has piled up over the years of paying the mortgage, why not get a home equity loan (HEL) credit facility at the highest allowable amount?

There are two ways that a HEL can help you save: first, applying the loan amount to your debt repayment, which allows you to exchange an 18% loan, for example, for a 6%-7% loan; second, itemizing deductions when you file your income tax credits HEL interest as a deductible item in most instances. A 25% marginal tax bracket will provide the 6% loan an effective rate of 4.5%, which is probably the best deal you can get on a personal debt.

Avoid, however, the common pitfall of getting an HEL, paying out your current debt and then ringing up credit card charges once again. That will give you two birds to shoot at with a single bullet, since you cannot afford another bullet to solve both challenges. Avail of HEL to erase your credit card debts, and then pay off HEL as well. Makes you appreciate your dire situation and the meaning of the saying, “There’s HEL to pay!”

1. Avail of a loan through your 401(k)

If you have a 401(k) retirement plan, yours may have a facility for loans up to 50% of your account's value, or $50,000, whichever is smaller. Usually, the rates are one or two points above prime, making them lower what credit cards charge. This makes 401(k) plan loans a way to pay off your debts. The best thing about this scheme is not just the lower interest but that you pay it back to your account as each dime paid on interest goes straight to the borrower's 401(k) account and not the lender's.

The downside on this plan includes the following: first, you repay the loan and interest with after-tax dollars, and the interest will be subject to tax again when you finally withdraw money from the 401(k) in the future. Moreover, the loan repayment period is five years. Leaving your work before repaying the whole loan will, therefore, require you to immediately pay off the loan. If not, that amount will be considered as a distribution to you and subject to tax at regular rates. And in case if you are below 59 and one-half years old, an additional 10% excise tax will be charged as penalty for cashing out your retirement funds early. Hence, make certain your 401(k) loan can be fully paid prior to leaving your job.

1. Restructure your loans

Are you at your rope’s end? No savings left. Friends and relatives cannot be of help. You do not own a home or a 401(k) account to loan against. In short, you are wiped out and you consider filing for bankruptcy. Wait! Hope always shines in the darkest places. Ironically, the prospects of bankruptcy can be of use to you.

If your creditors become aware of your situation and that you cannot renegotiate, your only recourse is to declare bankruptcy. You may seek a lower repayment term; ask for a lower interest rate; and satisfy their demand for payment. Creditors, more often than not, will choose to receive any deal where they get to recover some of their investment rather than nothing at all.

The transaction table is always open to a reasonable compromise where everyone wins and no one loses anything. It is worth a try and in time you will realize such recourses do work for the best. There are even organizations which will do it for you, in case you are not sure what you need to do.

1. Final option: Declare bankruptcy

If it comes down to the last option you have left, file for bankruptcy. As much as we all want to pay our debts, sometimes repaying is not at all possible. But be aware of the consequences.

For ten years, you will have a credit record with this bankruptcy information, making it hard for you to acquire a loan for that long. Furthermore, it is ironic that filing for bankruptcy requires a lot of money. Hundreds of dollars of lawyer fees and court filing expenses have to be met to get the relief you seek. With tougher bankruptcy laws in the offing as well, you might end up not obtaining any relief at all.

Two kinds of personal bankruptcy relief are available: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 7, called straight bankruptcy, provides almost total relief from debts, not including such items as alimony, taxes, child support, loans acquired through filing false financial records, loans not included in the bankruptcy petition, student loans and legal decisions against the petitioner.

Although Chapter 7 frees you of the duty of paying back most creditors, you may need to give up a big part of your property to partially pay off the debt. Nevertheless, some states have different laws providing exemptions on particular types of property, for instance, a specific amount of home equity, an old or low-value vehicle, minimal worth of jewelry and other personal belongings, and tools used in the pursuit of one’s business or occupation. Although such exemptions are quite small, no one will need to start over from zero.

Chapter 13, also referred to as the "wage-earner plan," is quite different. You can hold on to your property but give up all financial control to the bankruptcy court. The court recommends a repayment scheme based on your financial capability for paying off all or part of your debt for period of 3 to 5 years, during which creditors cannot harass you for any payment. You are also free of any interest charges on your debts during that period. Once the requirements of the court-approved scheme have been satisfied, you come out debt-free from the bankruptcy.

Did you know that eye exams are an important part of your overall health -- even if you have perfect vision? It’s true: Starting at age 40, every adult should see an optometrist or ophthalmologist at least once every two to four years. As you get older (or develop vision problems), that frequency should increase.

“A lot of eye-related conditions -- like glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration -- don’t cause symptoms until they’re quite advanced,” says ophthalmologist Carolyn Shih, MD, assistant clinical professor at Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine. “If we catch them early, we can treat them or prevent them from getting worse.”

In case that’s not enough to convince you, eye exams may also help identify health problems that have nothing to do with your vision -- like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, even a brain tumor. “Examination of the eye’s retinal blood vessel or the optic nerve can tell us a lot about what’s going on elsewhere in the body, even if you don’t feel anything out of the ordinary,” adds Shih.

March is Save Your Vision Month. If you’re 40 or older and can’t remember the last time you had a comprehensive eye exam, make an appointment to get one soon. In the meantime, here are four more easy ways to protect your peepers every day.

Sport the right sunglasses. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can increase your risk for cataracts and macular degeneration. Choose lenses that promise to block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays, and wear them year-round -- not just in the summer.

Follow the 20-20-20 rule. To avoid eye strain while working on an electronic device, take a 20-second break every 20 minutes and look at something 20 feet away.

Practice good eye-giene. If you wear contact lenses, always wash your hands before putting them in or taking them out. Be sure to disinfect your contacts between uses, and never wear them for longer than instructed.

Watch the scale. Being overweight can raise your risk for diabetic eye disease and glaucoma. Talk to your doctor about how diet and exercise changes can help you shed unwanted pounds.

Every few years, the federal government comes out with advice about one of the most important things you do every day—eating. The new recommendations came out last month in the form of an update to the official Dietary Guidelines, and they include some big changes that are meant to help Americans make smarter choices about the food they eat in order to lower their risk of obesity and chronic disease.

“People whose diets match these guidelines stay healthier than those whose diets don’t,” says Nancy Copperman, RD, assistant vice president of public health and community partnerships for Northwell Health (formerly North Shore-LIJ Health System). “And as our understanding of nutrition gets more sophisticated, those guidelines get tweaked based on the strongest and most recent science.”

While many of the government’s suggestions will seem familiar (yes, you still have to eat your veggies), you may be surprised by some of the other recommendations in the new guidelines. One of the most important changes: Limit added sugar.

Dietary experts have cautioned for years against eating too much of the sweet stuff, but for the first time they’ve singled out added sugar, meaning sugar that doesn’t occur naturally in whole foods like an apple or glass of milk (although milk doesn’t taste sweet, it naturally contains a sugar called lactose). Americans should consume less than 10 percent of their daily calories from added sugar, say the new guidelines; for someone who eats about 2,000 calories a day, that’s just 200 calories.

“That’s equal to about 12 teaspoons of sugar, total,” says Copperman. “Most of us currently consume about 22 teaspoons a day, so we need to basically cut that in half.” The easiest way to do that is to read labels, she says; choose foods with less than 5 grams of sugar per serving. If the label lists anything over that level, the item probably contains added sugar. “That should make you think twice about whether that snack is really worth it,” Copperman says.

Worry less about cholesterol

Research has shown that cholesterol in food isn’t a major factor in raising the cholesterol level in our body. Instead, the new guidelines suggest limiting saturated fat. How? Try reducing your intake of fatty cuts of meat, and increasing chicken, fish and plant-based proteins like beans and nuts.

Get pickier about protein

Dovetailing with the above, another of the new guidelines says that many of us—specifically, many teen boys and adult men—eat more than the recommended 26 ounces of protein from animal sources per week. The problem is, a body can process only so much protein at a time, says Copperman. Anything it doesn’t use is stored as fat.

And while the guidelines single out guys, Copperman says that most of us (of either gender) can benefit from eating less animal-based protein. “Choosing smaller portions and filling our plates with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains instead is never a bad thing,” she says. “That’s advice that has stood the test of time.”

Below, you will find out about opportunities to improve your savings and results and receive a few of our tips to finance your innovation.

We wish you a pleasant reading!

PIC SCHEME

Optimize your PIC claims!

Did you know that companies can combine for YA 2013 to YA 2015 the yearly cap for each qualifying activity at S$ 400k? Companies are allowed to claim up to S$ 1,2M of eligible expenses for each qualifying activity by combining the three Years of Assessment. For example, if you haven’t claimed R&D costs in YA 2013 and YA 2014, you can claim up to S$ 1,2M of R&D costs in YA 2015. Do not miss this opportunity to optimize your savings!

PIC Bonus: get it while you can

The PIC Bonus is a S$ 15,000 dollar-for-dollar matching cash bonus on top of the PIC cash payout and the enhanced tax deduction available for YA 2013 to 2015. The PIC scheme will remain active at least until 2018. It is still time to get the PIC Bonus by optimizing your PIC Claims for YA 2015.

PUBLIC FUNDING IN SINGAPORE

Innovation Capability Voucher (ICV)

ICV is a public financing tool for local SMEs helping them to purchase integrated IT solutions and to get access to consultancy services for innovation, productivity, HR and finance management. Local businesses can get up to S$ 40,000 with 8 different vouchers.

iSprint Funding for Intermediate Packaged Solutions

This funding program initiated by IDA for local SMEs reimburses up to 70% of the buying cost of numerous pre-approved packaged solutions up to S$ 20,000 as well as consultancy and training costs related to packaged solutions such as SaaS, PoS, Accounting Management Systems, etc.

GAC EXPERTISE

Assistance to IRAS technical queries

More and more companies have seen their claims rejected or challenged by IRAS. It requires a specific expertise to claim technical staff salaries and outsourced R&D projects under the PIC scheme. We were expecting an increase of the controls, as it happened in other countries, with similar schemes. Make sure to secure your R&D tax credits by following all regulations and expectations from IRAS to avoid troubles and delays in the process.

R&D Tax Credits

From IRAS perspective, R&D includes the notion of innovation whereas it is excluded in OECD definition. Several countries use the OECD R&D definition for R&D tax credits, such as France, England or Canada. In Singapore, the definition of R&D is broader and therefore, the notion of eligible R&D activity of the PIC is larger than scientific research and is not limited to lab work and PhDs teams. Our consultants are R&D experts with either a MSc or a PhD who successfully claimed R&D projects in different fields such as Software Development, SaaS, Energy, E-commerce, Microsystem, Healthcare, Water, Big Data, Web technologies, etc.

GLOBAL NEWS

Singapore is becoming a global IP hub

The government has been implementing effective tax measures to encourage the anchoring of intellectual property in Singapore for the past few years. By helping companies finance acquisition and registration of Intellectual Property Rights through the PIC scheme, among other initiatives, the objective of the Government is to help Singapore become a global IP hub in Asia.

Top 20 Hottest Startups

Released in the Singapore Business Review, the Singapore's Hottest Startups 2015 awards the most innovative startups in the country. Five of our clients are ranked in this top 20! This shows the strong links between GAC and the technology-oriented startups ecosystem of Singapore. We help innovative companies finance their technical projects by claiming the salaries of their technical teams through the PIC scheme.

This is my favourite NMSG event because....

“Outside, small group, get to know other mothers easier, relaxed atmosphere”

NMSG member survey 2011??

Leave the heels at home and dig out those trainers for a fit 45 minute walk followed by a drink and chat at Food For Thought Cafe. Don't forget your mozzie repellent!?

You can register your interest in this event via the NMSG Meetup Group

When?

At 9.15am on the first Wednesday of every month

Dates 2016

2 November

7 December

Where?

Visitors Centre TANGLIN GATE (Botanical Gardens front gate near Gleneagles hospital)

Organiser

Tygane Lopes

Whilst the vast majority of websites in Japan are of genuine business companies, but it is also a sad fact that online scams and fraud are alive, well and are very big business in Japan and rest of the world. It is very important to be smart and stay safe by exercising all due precaution and do not become a fraud victim.

One of the most troubling concerns of today's economy is the possibility of internet fraud. If you plan to buy a car, machinery, instrument, electronic, or anything from an exporter in Japan, it is strongly recommended for your own safety to verify any Japanese website or company's status under the "Japan Company Trust Organization". The most important thing before sending the money is to verify reality of a company, as online frauds and scams are increasing rapidly.

Since Japanese companies are respected for honesty, fraudsters take advantage of good reputation of Japanese enterprises. Many criminals in Japan has launched fake websites by showing them as legitimate business to gain victim’s trust and pretending to be real business. When somebody sends them money, they simply disappear. The internet fraud is damaging business of real Japanese companies. Since Japanese law is very strict against the fraud, this Organization reports all fraud attempts to the Japanese police department.

Online frauds take different forms to direct consumers to a fraudulent website that looks legitimate. Such websites claim their credibility and honesty and then commit a fraud. Those websites are designed by the professionals and even a very careful person can be a victim. Always remember if you are a professional business person, impostors are fraud specialists. They have such high tech that sometimes you will never realize them. A fraud website can appear legitimate, but you can verify on JCTO database, which will help you avoid being deceived.

For your own protection, the Japan Company Trust Organization warns you to reconfirm a website or company's reality at our database before any purchase. Just by typing company’s name in JCTO’s search box and you will find reality of that company. The Japan Company Trust Organization is an anti-fraud organization in Japan, fighting against the online-fraud.

This Organization has a close connection with Japanese police, and all fraud-attempts are immediately reported to Japanese Police Department.  Before registration, JCTO verify the company’s profile including registration, license, and physical address. Japan Company Trust Organization warns you NOT to remit money to any so-called Japanese company without verification and your full satisfaction.

Art gallery, without a doubt, plays an important role in the art industry. Many people do not possess in-depth knowledge on the role of art galleries in our society. Here is an overview of what an art gallery is and its importance in our society.

Art gallery offers a striking place where visitors can view and appreciate art. Various forms of visual arts are displayed such as paintings, sculptures, relics, pottery, jewelries with historical values and much more. Art galleries display art works to promote art and artists as well as to help and guide buyers in selecting art works that will suit their art preferences. A certain type of art gallery like Hawkfield Gallery offers a special type of service to their clients – to help them hunt art works that interest them and even help them bid at auction houses.

For those who are curious on the value of the artworks they possess, Hawkfield Gallery and its fine art consultants provides professional advice on how to appraise fine artworks, antiques and collectible items. Hawkfield Gallery gained experience and expertise in determining the value and quality of artworks by visiting auctions houses and antique shops. They use a sales comparison approach to value an artwork - comparing it to similar artworks recently sold or currently for sale on the marketplace. They also welcome artists to present their artworks and to help them determine its fair market value. Visit the gallery’s website to know more about their services and the list of artists they represent.

Art Consignment Agreement

Most art galleries work with artists on a consignment basis. Consignment is when you lend your artwork on the gallery and the gallery agrees to sell your artwork for a commission percentage. In some cases, engaging in a consignment agreement comes with a lot of risks as it may cause financial or ownership trouble down the road. Make sure to choose the right and trusted gallery that will represent your artwork. Hawkfield Gallery has gained an established reputation in the marketplace that will make you want to trust the gallery and its owner.

Consider an e-commerce website wants to set orders that will be shipped to certain shipping countries for manual review or reject it in order to reduce fraud orders. In this use case, let's say every transaction that has Malaysia set as shipping country needs to be rejected. FraudLabs Pro allows you to configure it using fraud detection rules.

1. Login to the FraudLabs Pro Merchant Control Panel.
2. Click on the Rules menu.
3. Add the new rule "Shipping Country". Set the condition to "Within" and pick "Enter Countries Below". Select "Malaysia" as the value.

2. Select the Reject action.
3. Click on the Add Rule button.

When there is an order that has set the shipping country as Malaysia, FraudLabs Pro will automatically filter and reject this order.

If you want to reject an order that has set Malaysia as billing country, you can do so by adding new rule.

1. Login to the FraudLabs Pro Merchant Control Panel.
2. Click on the Rules menu.
3. Add the new rule "Billing Country". Set the condition to "Within" and pick "Enter Countries Below". Select "Malaysia" as the value.

1. Select the Reject action.
2. Click on the Add Rule button.

When there is an order that has billing country set as Malaysia, FraudLabs Pro will automatically filter and reject this order.

Known as the Lion city, the Garden city and the Red dot, Singapore is one of the most popular tourist destinations of South-East Asia. So if you’re thinking of a short holiday not too far from India? Look no further than Singapore – the dynamic city-state, a short flight away from all major cities in India. A heady combination of Chinese, Indian, Malay and Western influences, Singapore is truly a cultural melting pot. Delicious food, high street shopping, contemporary arts – find all this and more. Here’s a three day itinerary to experience the best of Singapore.

Day 1

Book a direct flight to Singapore and try and get there early to make the most of your short vacation. Begin your holiday in Singapore’s cultural heart – Chinatown. Dotted with pagodas, mosques and shops, it is a bustling ethnic neighbourhood. You can take a walking tour of Chinatown or if your visit coincides with either the Singapore Heritage Festival or Mid Autumn Festival, you’ll have plenty to do. Shop for some ethnic products and artifacts here. Then, head to Kreta Ayer’s Food Street or to one of the trendy restaurants in Telok Ayer for lunch. Visit Orchard Road, Singapore’s shopping district, for high-end shopping in world-class malls housing multi-national brands. Orchard road gets it’s name from the all the surrounding orchards that existed during the 20th century. After rehabilitation, The Orchard Road is flanked by pedestrian shopping centres, upmarket cafes, coffee chains, nightclubs and hotels. It is also the official site of residence and office of the President of Singapore, The Istana.

Day 2

Head out to explore the city’s Civic District with its imposing buildings housing the City Hall, the Parliament House and Supreme Court. The Padang Cricket Club is also worth a visit. Then, head to see one of Singapore’s most important landmarks – the Merlion statue in Merlion Park. The park was initially designed to act as an emblem of The Singapore Tourism Board. Take your picture with this mythical part lion, part fish creature. The picturesque Marina Bay with its long promenade, the Marina Bay City Gallery and the 101-hectare Gardens by the Bay are other must-dos.

Day 3

Visit Asia’s only Hollywood theme park Universal Studios, and lose yourself in the magical world of movies. The state-of-the-art rides take you on a journey through Hollywood favourites including Shrek, Madagascar, Jurassic Park, Revenge of the Mummy, Transformers, Battlestar Galactica and many others. Stroll down Hollywood Boulevard and its Walk of Fame. With loads of restaurants and food courts to choose from, you will be spoilt for choice.

Singapore is a cosmopolitan city-state that became independent from the British in 1965 and is now one of the world’s leading economic centers in shipping and banking – Singapore is expensive by Southeast-Asian standards, with everything costing about double what it does elsewhere in the region. While most people come here for a couple of days just “to do” Singapore, I love this city and think it deserves longer than that. There’s a lot to do here, some great parks by the Malaysian border, and incredible (and cheap) Chinese and Indian food. Singapore is also moving beyond its sterile image and fast becoming a city with world-class nightlife.

Typical Costs

Accommodation – Accommodation isn’t cheap in Singapore. A night in a hostel dorm will cost around 15-30 SGD, and a budget hotel starts at 50 SGD for a basic double room with fan. Most hotels here are around 80-110 SGD per night.

Food – There are plenty of low-cost eateries around Singapore with street stalls typically selling food for less than 6 SGD per meal. Chinese and Indian food is usually around 8-9 SGD per meal. Most casual restaurants are around 20 SGD and after that, the sky is the limit.

Transportation – There are plenty of buses and taxis around Singapore, but the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) runs the length and breadth of the country. MRT tickets vary in price, as they are based on the distance traveled, but generally cost around 4 SGD.

Activities – On the whole, activities in Singapore are not that expensive. Some, like the Singapore Botanical Gardens and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, are free.  Entrance to Singapore Zoo is 32 SGD and Underwater World is 29 SGD.

Money Saving Tips

Take public transit – Travel on public transport is just 10 SGD per day for tourists with a Singapore Tourist Pass. This will get you unlimited rides on a number of buses and trains.

Eat on Smith Street – The stalls here offer food for less than 6 SGD and are a great place to sample local snacks.

Eat cheap – Save money on food by eating in Little India, Chinatown, or the hawker stalls throughout the town. Meals in these places cost only a few dollars.

Top Things to See and Do

Visit Singapore Zoo – This zoo is one of the best in the world and also one of the top attractions in Singapore. Covering an area of 70 acres, this place is huge and has a vast array of animals: over 3,600 mammals, birds and reptiles. The zoo’s night safaris are hugely popular, offering visitors the chance the get up close and personal with nocturnal animals. Entrance to the zoo and a night safari costs 71 SGD. Watch out though, there’s no food around here and since you have to wait for the night safari to begin, you get stuck eating the overpriced zoo food. See the zoo in the morning and come back at night for the safari.

Eat at the Boat Quay – Boat Quay is a hive of activity and is the place to go for dining and entertainment. The alfresco pubs and restaurants also make Boat Quay ideal for relaxing after a long day of sightseeing. Be sure to bring a camera to capture the imposing skyscrapers and bizarre statues along the riverside.

Hang out (and party) on Sentosa – This little island getaway is popular with locals and tourists alike. Head to the Tiger Sky Tower, Asia’s tallest observation tower. At 450 feet, it offers amazing views over Singapore and Sentosa. The Underwater World aquarium is the main attraction on the island; walk through tunnels below sharks, piranhas and eels. Universal Studios is also located on the island. You have to pay to get on to Sentosa. The cost to get there on the Sentosa Express is 4 SGD.

Admire Thian Hock Keng Temple – Stunning architecture makes Thian Hock Keng one of the most photogenic buildings you’re likely to see in Singapore. The temple was made from the finest materials and best craftsmen that China had to offer around the time of its construction in the 1840s. The temple was designated as a national monument in 1973.

Alfaone Builders Corporation Accomplished Projects

With several years of expertise in realty sector, Alfaone Builders Corporation became the pioneer in real estate development in Kerala, India. Our firm is referred to as one of the well-established and successful organizations in the industry. Our profound experience and unparalleled commitment to fulfill the interests of our clients allows us to influence and reshape the industry in our state.

Our firm is the wholly owned subsidiary of Alfaone Group that is situated in Dubai. Our parent company's multinational presence and strong financial foothold granted us the advantage of being one of the best local and regional talents to achieve most challenging projects, and acquiring exclusive houses that one would dream of. We have received multiple recognitions because of our high-quality work.

Our prominent projects provide a better living environment for the people to simplify life and living. Our name has been made synonymous with premier quality and trust due to our long-standing excellence, passion for efficiency and indomitable dedication to deliver the best services for our clients.

Among our notable projects include Aquamarine and Lamina. Aquamarine is a 14-storey skyscraper located in Kannur overlooking Payyambalam Beach with its golden sand frilled by coconut greenery. It has a swimming pool, sauna, Jacuzzi and outdoor party area on the top floor, well equipped health club, children's play area, and indoor party hall for individuals who seeks leisure and fun.

For the comfort and convenience of its customers, Aquamarine provides good location and excellent neighborhood, ample car parking, meditation and yoga space, EPABX/Intercom, 24/7 security, backup generator, common toilets for servants and drivers, garbage chute for water disposal, standard fire safety features, and lighting arrester.

For individuals who enjoy indoor activities, Aquamarine offers table tennis, chess and card room, and reading room and library. It caters anything and everything associated with luxury.

On the other hand, Lamina has independent villas with ultra-modern facilities set in lush surroundings situated in Kannur. It has a heartwarming rustic background that brings class to your lifestyle where you can revitalize your memories in a verdant countryside.

Here at Alfaone Builders, we always ensure that our clients will have an incredible life with their family through our professionally managed projects. We will continue being one of the best service providers in real estate in our country.

Alfaone Builders Corporation Company Profile

Alfaone Builders Corporation is the wholly owned subsidiary of Alfaone Group located in Dubai that has a multinational presence. We are known as the leading real estate development in Kerala, India. We provide exceptional services that include constructions at prime locations with excellent connectivity, premier constructions, scheduled completion, and up-to-date facilities. With years of experience in the industry, we became the top well-established and organized organization in our region.

Our parent company's diverse portfolio contains residential, commercial, urban development, transportation, infrastructure, industrial projects and government services. Alfaone's strong financial position and multinational presence has enabled us to remain among the best local and regional talent to successfully complete complicated projects, and to improve the future of the country. We provide prevalent influence to the real estate industry using our profound experience and indomitable dedication to fulfill our client's needs.

Alfaone is dedicated in developing outstanding designs that could transform the dream of several individuals into reality. We achieved a lot of recognitions within the industry over the years because of our high-quality works and services. Our success comes from three aspects which include our commitment to effectively fulfill the interests of our clients, engaging with them as partners, and achieving our goals with integrity and excellent service. Our top priority here at Alfa one Builders will always be meeting our client's standards.

Our projects provide a better living environment for the people to facilitate life and living. Our name became synonymous with high quality and trust because of our commitment to excellence that could be witnessed through our successful projects. Some of our notable projects include the Aquamarine and Lamina.

Our firm prides itself in having accommodating professionals that ensures the client's satisfaction. We add sophistication to their living space with a touch of expertise. We also engage our clients in all stages of construction by which we are continuing to get worldwide customers and achieving the trust of thousand clients.

We have outstanding characteristics that make us stand out in the realty sector, such as integrity, professionalism, responsibility, quality, and unity. We strive with all our strength to leave a lasting imprint in the real estate industry.