Author Archives: Team Dinks

Nissan’s 2013 Van Report surveyed 250 van drivers and 252 fleet managers to offer valuable insight into the habits and characteristics of van drivers and their managers. Here are a few highlights from the report.

1. There Are Five Times More Female Managers Than Female Drivers

It’s been a stereotype for a long time. But the facts reinforce the assumption: only 1 in 20 van drivers are female. While the driving scene is dominated by males, they found that nearly 1 in 4 fleet managers were female.

2. 72% of Van Drivers Feel That Driving a Clean Van Improves Overall Driving

Some Van insurance fact: Nissan suggested that introducing a “clean van” policy could reduce the rate of accidents and lower the premiums on a company’s van insurance policy.

3. Van Drivers Are Loyal

Almost half of the drivers surveyed said they’d been with their employer for six years or more. Nearly 1 in 10 van drivers said they’d been with their employer for more than 20 years.

4. Van Drivers Aren’t a Young Workforce

According to the survey, 71% of drivers are over 35 years of age. A mere 3% were in the 16-24 range, meaning that companies will soon need to start attracting younger workers to replace their ageing workforce.

5. Daily Mileage is Lower Than Expected

Nissan was surprised to discover that nearly half of respondents drove for 100 miles or less each day. This could be due to improvements in modern distribution strategies: larger trucks tend to make the long-haul journeys, letting the smaller vans finish the delivery more locally.

Nissan thinks that this means it’s more feasible than ever to replace traditional vans with eco-friendly electric vehicles.

6. Fleet Managers Prefer Sat-Nav When Choosing New Vans

When asked what their most preferred feature was when selecting new vans for their fleet, 40% chose satellite navigation. Surprisingly, only 9% chose fuel economy, and only 3% chose reliability.

7. 25% of Fleet Managers Do Nothing to Control Fuel Consumption

In a world where fuel prices and pollution concerns are continually rising, it’s surprising that such a large section of fleet managers are taking no measures to reduce or control fuel consumption.

Of those managers who are taking action, implementing driver training and fitting speed limiters came out ahead as the two most popular methods.

photo courtesy of Hugo90

We have all heard tales of how loan sharks operate, but rarely do we get a true insight into the day-to-day operation of loan sharks and how this impacts their victims. This blog details the true to life experiences of one anonymous loan shark victim. We hear from her how she was lured into the shady financial arrangements that would later cause her life to be ruled by fear and worry about debts she had no control over.

Christmas around the corner and struggling for money
In 2000, Debra Smith (not her real name) and her carer husband had four children and were struggling financially. They did not go out looking for a loan, however when they mentioned to a family friend that they needed some spare cash for Christmas, they were informed about a local man who offered loans to struggling families. Unbeknownst to them their friend put them in touch with a local loan shark who gave them £500 in cash. No terms were explicitly agreed or explained to the family which left them under the impression they could repay the £500 when they had a bit more spare cash.

The aftermath of dealing with a loan shark
After a few weeks the family were contacted and twice the original amount loaned was demanded. The loan shark had started to bear its teeth! After a few months the family were repaying over £1000 each month and when the loan shark demanded more money, the family asked for some respite. However, there was no compassion shown and the loan shark threatened that he may have to sell the loan on to others who would use physical violence to recoup their money.

Frightened and unsure of what their legal rights were, the family struggled on and continued to repay over £1000 pounds in interest a month – a staggering amount given that the original loan sum was just £500. As they were struggling to make the repayments of interest, they were never any closer to replaying the original sum and as every month passed they were in fear that their home would be attacked.

The stress of the situation was later to affect Debra’s health and she suffered as stroke in 2005. Several strokes followed, however the loan shark showed no understanding whatsoever and continued to threaten the family even further. At this stage the family were threatened that the loan would be sold on to people who would physically attack Debra and members of her family to recoup the debt and the interest payments.

Biting back: the family contact the police
After 8 years the family decided to contact local police, who informed them that the loan shark arrangement was unlawful and he never had any right to demand the money back in the first place. However, this was no comfort to the family who by this stage owed £1200 in monthly interest alone and were no closer to clearing the original debt. At this stage, Debra and her family had already repaid over £128,000 over a period of eight years.

2009 and the tables turned on the loan shark
In August 2009 the table turned on the loan shark, when police raided his property. They found and confiscated hi tech TVs and luxury cars; he had been spending the money repaid by struggling families, living in luxury! In late 2009 the loan shark faced court and pleaded guilty to harassment. He later received a suspended sentence and was ordered to repay Debra 1500 a month, or else face prison.

A nationwide problem?
This story is the true-life experience of a victim of a loan shark in modern Britain. It is shocking and even more shocking is that these kinds of experiences are more common than many of us may imagine. Typically vulnerable people fall victim to loan sharks, for example people who are poor and don’t qualify for more conventional credit, or people who are in the country illegally and have no chance of getting a conventional loan. In such circumstances, it is equally shocking that so many people focus a critical eye on payday lenders like Wonga, who offer loans to people who, otherwise may never qualify for a loan, and on reasonable terms that are fully explained by the lender. Perhaps more attention should be paid to loan sharks who resort to crime, violence and harassment in order to recoup illegal loans?

Leave a reply!
What are your views? Have you fallen victim to a loan shark, or have you ever used a reputable payday lender? Please feel free to leave a comment or a reply and remember that this story is a true life account of how one family was affected by a loan shark. Only names have been changed.

One of the more interesting aspects of traveling international is to see home designs throughout the world. There are both common elements wherever you are in the world, while there are still distinctions that set homes apart.

Built for the Environment

Ideally homes are built to suit the environment in which they are built. Some first home designs here in Australia show the quintessential Aussie flavor of modern homes in Australia. I can see the barbie on the back porch already! These homes also remind me of Hawaii, with the same laid back efficiency.

Not for Your Neighbors
An example of where this rule isn’t practiced is in Afghanistan, where homes are called Poppy Palaces, since they are funded by drug lords. They are the essence of opulence, our office had martini olive lamps that we removed for cultural correctness. They are designed in replication of homes in Islamabad, where it is hot and the high ceilings are practical.

Buy the Best you Can
Another buying rule is to buy the best you can for your budget. This home in Zimbabwe shows how nicely a basic village hut can be, with a finished floor and a bio sand filter for fresh clean water. It may be a hut, but they are proud of their home and keep it tidy.

What does your home design say about where you live?

Cheers,

Miel

If you are a couple looking for a fun-filled beach holiday that won’t cost you an arm and a leg, then you should strongly consider going to Benidorm, Spain. Budgeting for a nice holiday away can be tough for couples, especially with considerations such as saving for a deposit normally taking priority. Thankfully, Benidorm offers a lot for couples on a tight budget and can give you that all-so-important break away without breaking the bank!

Benidorm Package Holidays

Package holidays to Benidorm are perfect for couples and newlyweds who want to experience a sunbathing haven that is fuelled by white, sandy beaches alluring plazas and vibrant side streets among other things. From the perspective of budget conscious couples, a pleasing aspect of going to Benidorm for a package holiday is that a sizeable percentage of things you most likely will want to do can be done for free. These include strolling through the Old Town of Benidorm, sunbathing on the Levante beach or taking a look at the San Jaime and Santa Ana church. Having excellent free attractions makes holidaying on a budget so much easier in a place like Benidorm than it would be compared with somewhere where practically everything needs to be paid for, such as Dubai.

Package Holiday Savings

Depending on the Benidorm package deal you take, you may or may not have food included. If you don’t have food included, then there is no need to fret as in Benidorm good food can be found at low prices. Much of the food in Benidorm tends to be standard British fare, however, you can also find some traditional Spanish tapas and paella, if you feel a little more adventurous in your tastes.

Save For The Best Attractions

If you scrimp and save the whole time that you are in Benidorm, then you might come away from the trip feeling a bit disappointed. After all, there are some extremely fun and exciting attractions to go and see which you really ought to visit. On a tight budget, the best way around this is to save on little expenses each day and then use the money saved to visit attractions such as Aqualandia which will leave you with far more amazing memories than your daily Gin and Tonic!

Summary

Benidorm is the ideal destination for couples on a budget. It is great value and has a lot of free things to do and see together. However, making daily savings on your expenditure is advised so you have enough money to pay for at least one or two premium attractions.

photo courtesy of Stephen

Turkey is one of the most fascinating places in the world. Turkey’s location as a connection point between Europe and Asia and the influences of the various empires throughout history that have thrived and expired within the borders of the country have given Turkey a culture all its own. Within the borders of Turkey, there is a wide range of climatic diversity within its seven geographical regions, comprising mountains, plains, caves, seas and many other natural formations. There are many interesting destinations in Turkey to explore. Here are five of the best.

Cappadocia

This unique city is comprised of underground cities, cave churches and hotels, and houses carved out of stone. Some of the underground cities were used by early Christians as hideouts from oppressive forces. The unusual rock formations of the area were created as a result of eroding rains and winds sweeping over the lava covered plain over thousands of years. Cappadocia is also the home of the Turasan Wine Factory, creators of the world famous Cappadocia wines.

Ephesus

Ephesus contains the ruins of the second largest city of the Roman Empire. One of the most well-known landmarks of the city is the Celsius library, which was built in 123 AD and was third largest library in the ancient world, after Alexandria and Pergamon. Ephesus also houses the Fountains of Trojan, The Temples of Hadrian and Domition, and the Great Theatre, which had a capacity of 24,000 spectators. Christian and catholic visitors to Ephesus may be interested in seeing the House of Virgin Mary, where she spent last days of her life.

Istanbul

If you love the fast-paced life of a large and busy city, then Istanbul is the destination for you. The cultural and financial hub of Turkey, Istanbul also offers a wealth of historic and religious places to see, with many of these ancient monuments dating back to the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires. Istanbul is the home of the Grand Bazaar, the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, and the ancient Topkapi Palace. Spotblue.com has many properties available in this location for investment, holiday use, retirement or permanent living.

Mount Nemrut

Mount Nemrut is the home of royal tombs of the Komogene Kingdom. While the tombs themselves cannot be explored, it is possible to see the famous eight-meter statue heads that are some of the most famous landmarks of Turkey. The western terrace of the monument contains a large relief of a lion and shows the arrangement of stars and the planets Jupiter, Mercury and Mars as they would have been seen on 7 July 62 BC, which some believe to be an indication of when this monument was created.

Pamukkale

Pamukkale (translation: Cotton Castle) is destination unlike any other in the world. The area is dotted with solidified pools of calcium water that resemble clouds and have hot springs rising from them. Visitors and residents frequently come to these hot springs because of their very high mineral content and their lovely appearance. The area has been used as a spa since the second century BC. Everything in the area, from the village center to the travertine pools, can be easily reached on foot in ten to fifteen minutes.

Communication is a vital part of our relationships. Some feel being able to speak with your spouse about any subject is a sign of trust and healthy marriage. However, certain subjects tend to be more sensitive and cause more concern.

This includes money, which is a common challenge for different couples. Families of all income levels differ over how and where money is spent. Wealthy couples may battle over where to invest and what is or is not wasteful spending. Couples with money challenges must prioritize scarce resources.

Thankfully, there are similar best practices for various situations.

Here are smart strategies for couples to set financial goals:

Set Common Goals:

The concept of achieving something together is powerful. Setting financial goals teaches us to compromise and better understand how our sweeties’ view money. You must communicate to truly separate wants and essentials. While opinions vary; debt reduction, emergency funds and retirement planning are wise goals for all couples.

Be Specific and Measure Success:

Avoid generic goals and set specific targets. Investing, saving and debt are broad terms that should be defined for your situation. This includes budgets, timelines and being accountable. For instance, aim to save $200/month at $100 apiece in a joint account at XYZ Bank over the next year. The goal is more likely to be achieved since each person has a stake in the success.

Divide the Goal Fairly:

We can keep the peace by adjusting for differences in income and time. The higher earning spouse may invest a greater share to retirement accounts or a child’s college fund. Time is also a valuable asset. Stay- at-home spouses may research and choose investments or track progress on savings goals. These are crucial aspects of success that do not require money.

Review Your Progress:

Check how you’re tracking towards the goal in stages to ensure each person is committed. A 1 year goal can be reviewed every 3 months. In cases where your hubby/wife is not meeting their commitment, use some tact and don’t jump to conclusions. Was there an unexpected expense or pay cut? If so, you can adjust the goal to more realistic levels. You can also earn karma points and step up your own contributions to make up the shortfall.

Collaborate Your Skills:

Separate skills can be meshed for financial goals. As an example, a couple can combine money skills and social media savvy to stay informed on financial topics. Teaming up has value for business opportunities, as well. Film Financier Elliott Broidy joined his wife Robin, a movie producer, for the film ‘Snake and Mongoo$e in late 2013. The pair blended unique skills to create a project together. You too can enjoy building something in tandem by matching different skills.

Don’t Keep Money Secrets!

Your money history can cause unpleasant surprises in direct and indirect ways. A spouse’s spotty credit report may require more money for a mortgage down payment than a couple planned for. You don’t have to drown each other in details, but be candid about money.

If you are prone to risky impulses when investing, be upfront or consider hiring a financial planner. We also risk losing trust if these surprises prevent us from closing on a mortgage or effective savings. Short term setbacks such as job loss, wage cuts or surprise expenses should all be discussed.

Celebrate Success:

Make sure to toast your success, no matter how small. If you’ve reached your savings target for the past 6 months, enjoy a romantic dinner or family day trip. We get instant gratification by enjoying small milestones along the way to long term goals.

Summary:

Money is a topic that affects nearly all couples. By setting and achieving financial goals, money brings us closer together.

Personal finance management is a very important subject matter that can never be taken for granted. The act of saving plays an important role when it comes to personal finance management. Over the past few years, people have been drawn to the culture of saving due to the unpredictability of the global economy. The booms and busts of the economy have prompted more people to save the little they get in order survive.

Even though the saving culture is hugely encouraged, it’s not an easy task. There are different ways an individual can save money to an extent that some of them can be overlooked. On the brighter side, with the different ways of saving, one is bound to find one that suites them perfectly. This article will compile some tips on how to manage your finances and increase your savings.

a) Make a budget
Making a good budget is a process. For the process to be successful, you need to start by keeping track of all your monthly expenses. This will help you get a rough idea of what you spend during a given month. You do not have to be extreme while doing this. Just be comfortable with yourself and come up with an estimate.

Once you have the monthly estimates, write it down. Here, you should be very objective and only take down the stock of what you actually spent. When writing your actual budget you also need to take into account your spending history in order to come up with a projected budget. When preparing a budget, it is very important to be true to yourself.

b) Spend money wisely
In order to experience financial freedom, you need to get off the so called the consumption treadmill. Try as much as possible to avoid the habits of borrowing tomorrow’s income to meet today’s expenditures. This is the beginning of loathing money.

c) Setup auto-withdrawals from your account
You can set up automatic withdrawals straight from your checking account or savings account on a weekly, monthly or quarterly basis. This is a great way to encourage savings because at no point will you miss cash.

d) Broaden your mind
Educating your mind on the different ways to increase your savings through reading excellent finance, economics and accounting books can boost your saving culture. Dedicate a few hours each week to read these books and see the effect they’ll have on you.

e) Always reward yourself
You need to come up with your financial goals when saving. Every time you achieve those goals, reward yourself for your achievement. Saving does not mean that you have to live as a miser.