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Apr, 2019

5 Things You Need to Know About Loss of Consortium in Personal Injury Cases

When your wife or husband meets a personal injury accident, your marriage might turn upside down in just a single snap.

It can have a vast impact on your everyday life and can damage the intimacy of your relationship.

If that circumstance happens, you can file a loss of consortium claim to compensate for your loss.

But before bringing it to court, here are five things you need to know about the loss of consortium in personal injury cases.

What is a Loss of Consortium?

“Consortium” is a legal term which refers to a one’s interest in receiving affection, support, and love from his or her spouse.

Therefore, loss of consortium is a claim that a spouse can make when his or her partner can’t provide the same level of affection, support, love, moral, companionship, intimacy, and guidance as a result of a major injury caused by other people’s negligence.

Some examples of loss of consortium in a personal injury case include:

Loss of Companionship or Support: If the injured spouse can no longer provide the same level of emotional support to his or her partner.
Loss of Home Services: If the spouse must perform the household tasks that the injured spouse used to do.
Loss of Intimacy: If the couple can no longer engage in intimate relations or they can’t have physical contact the way they used to do.
Loss of Employment: When the spouse has to leave his or her job or to take time off to provide support for the injured spouse.

How Does Loss of Consortium Work in a Personal Injury Case?

When a couple meets a car accident and the wife isn’t hurt but the husband is substantially injured, he has a personal claim for his injuries, sufferings, emotional distress, time away from work, and other losses.

The wife might also file a loss of consortium claim against the driver at fault.

Even though the wife isn’t directly injured, she has still suffered a loss when their marriage is greatly affected, and their lives turned upside down because of the accident.

Who can Bring a Loss of Consortium Claim?

A spouse can bring a claim for loss of consortium if his or her life has been terribly changed due to his or her spouse’s injuries after an accident.

The claimant must prove that he or she suffered significant damages in the form of loss of affection, companionship, and comfort from the injured spouse due to his or her injuries.

Things to Consider Before Making a Loss of Consortium Claims

Before bringing a loss of consortium claim in the court, you should be aware that opening the intimate and most private aspects of your marriage will be part of the process.

So, you should consider if you can withstand the rigorous questioning of the defense attorney during the deposition and trial.

If your marriage is already unhappy and suffered through separation, infidelity, or abuse before the accident, the circumstances surrounding those situations will be extensively discussed in front of the jury and the judge, and that will be a part of the public record.

How is Loss Calculated?

Loss of consortium is a type of harm under the g eneral damages category.

These are non-economic damages which mean that money is just a rough substitute for the losses.

General damages also include humiliation and embarrassment, physical pain and suffering, shock and mental anguish, loss of society and companionship, loss of reputation, and emotional distress.

Basically, this kind of award is left to the judgment of the jury.

However, since general damages are hard to quantify, you’ll probably have to hire an expert to provide an accurate monetary worth for your loss of consortium claim.

Takeaway

There are things that you need to know and consider before filing a loss of consortium claim in connection with a personal injury accident.

You should prepare yourself to handle very detailed and private questions in the court to get the compensations you deserve.

The things mentioned above might help you understand the loss of consortium claim, who can file it, how does it work in your personal injury case, and things to consider before bringing it to the court.

Author Bio

Louise Davis is a single mom with a five-year-old daughter. She loves to write stories and anything related to law, lifestyle, and fashion. On her free time, Louise reads contents relating to laws and providers. She’s also worked as a contributing writer for a car accident attorney in Los Angeles.

Apr, 2019

8 Exterior Design Tips to Increasing the Value Of Your Home

The exterior of your property has a big impact on the value of your property when it comes time to sell.

In fact, the exterior of your property can influence the price of other peoples’ homes, and the better looking the front of your row of properties, the higher the price you can attract on the market.

The front of the property is the first thing that a potential buyer sees when driving up to view, while the side and rear of the property show off a potentially appealing new life for viewers.

1. Tidy Away Bins

Before you consider repairing brickwork, replacing doors, or making any other major changes, the first thing you should do is tidy up and clean up.

Try to make sure everything has its place. It’s fine leaving kids toy sets and furniture out in the garden, but if you leave lawnmowers out, it will look like you don’t have adequate external storage.

Bins are a bone of contention. We all have them, we all need them, but we don’t really want to look at them.

Consider building or buying a bin store – they’re easy, convenient, and they hide a lot of sins; you can even buy a larger bin store than you need, and store extra items, like tools and garden appliances, too.

2. Replace Or Repaint The Garage Door

If you are looking to sell your home, then you are unlikely to want to invest large sums of money in making repairs or buying replacements even for important areas of the property. However, it might not be necessary.

If the garage door still works as intended, but is looking untidy, clean it up and repaint it.

You can either paint the door to match the front door and window frames, or you can paint it to match the colour of the garage and house itself to help ensure that it blends in.

A replacement garage door may be necessary if the existing door is hanging off its hinges or a poor-quality door has completely rusted through.

A separate garage is a convenient place to safely store the car, and many garages will also store items like garden tools and more, so is appealing to buyers – make it look as good as possible to help aid a sale and improve resale value.

3. Get A New Front Door

Similarly, the front door of the property is one of the first things that people will see and is where the eyes are naturally drawn to, but it is one of the areas that a lot of people overlook when refreshing the front of a property.

They will pay to have the walls pointed and cleaned but ignore the door.

If your door is badly damaged, worn, or old, consider having it replaced with something newer.

You don’t have to opt for plain white uPVC either.

Adding colour to the front door is a great way of adding character to any property, regardless of age or style.

4. Replace The Driveway

Buyers love driveways.

Not only do they potentially provide off-street parking, but they also provide a buffer between the street and the property.

If you already have a driveway, neaten it up, remove weeds, and make sure it is tidy.

If there are big holes, you can consider repairing these areas. Use reclaimed bricks to create a border along the edges of the driveway or to replace any bricks that have become damaged or broken.

It is possible to buy any of a large selection of colours, styles, and types of reclaimed brick and stone that enable you to achieve the look you really want.

5. Add Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting not only improves the look of a property, especially by highlighting some of its best features, but it also increases the sense and feeling of security around the property.

Dark properties are foreboding and threatening, whereas a well-lit property is inviting for all the right reasons.

Consider adding lighting along the footpath, as well as additional lights to gently illuminate the property number or name sign.

6. Rebuild Broken Walls

Broken walls are an eyesore, and if left, the damage can become worse until it becomes irreparable.

They can also be seen as a security hazard because a damaged wall is easier to get into than a pristine one.

Recover as many of the bricks as possible that come from the wall.

Clean them up, add mortar to the damaged but cleaned area, and consider buying additional reclaimed bricks to match the style and look of the bricks.

While rebuilding a damaged wall, you can consider extending the wall, although this will obviously take more effort and require additional work.

You can even create new walls, where they don’t already exist.

You will need to clear the area, prepare it and flatten the ground, and choose bricks that complement existing buildings and any other walls in the garden.

7. Clean The Property Exterior

Panting the property exterior enables you to give your house a fresh new look.

The simplest option is to paint with a neutral colour, but it may not even be necessary to paint your house in order to restore it to its previous best.

Cleaning the brickwork, cladding, rendering, and other external surfaces.

You can use a sweeping brush to get rid of large bits of debris and other items and clean up the finer debris with a cloth.

You can buy specialist cleaning solution for this type of work, but you should exercise caution when using power washers, especially if there are any damaged areas.

8. Add Planters

Not everybody has the luxury of a large garden, and if you are looking to move out it is unlikely that you will want to replace the convenient and maintenance free gravel or driveway with grass and soil.

New plants will also take years to establish, but if you incorporate outdoor planters into your garden design, you can add bushes, shrubs, trees and other plants more easily.

Buy readymade planters or create your own using wood or reclaimed bricks for a beautiful and natural looking finish.

Planters are easy to care for, they can take established plants, and they can be used for a wide range of different plants and planting.

Apr, 2019

5 Surprising Health Benefits Of Having Indoor Plants

Most people want to have a relaxing and calming vibe in their homes and having plants inside gives exactly just that.

If you’re planning to do some renovation, you might want to consider putting indoor plants because they can give your home a lot of benefits.

Having plants around the house helps encourage productivity among its dwellers.

It can also help get rid of anxieties and stress.

Further, indoor plants can also add aesthetic appeal to any interior.

Apart from the mentioned benefits of indoor plants, they have other notable health benefits.

Helps Breathing

People need oxygen to live. Having plants around the house can also help people to breathe properly as plants release oxygen through the photosynthesis process during the day.

Scientist says that plant and humans are great partners because plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen which humans inhale.

There are certain types of plants that release oxygen even at night such as aloe vera and peepal tree.

If you’re remodeling your bedroom, bathroom or even kitchen, you can buy these types of plants for you to have a nice-looking and calming environment.

Boosts Your Immune System

Plants can help people to fight off bacterias and viruses that carry diseases.

They are known to be good protection, especially during flu season.

Plants release various airborne chemicals such as phytoncides that helps lessen the stressors that a person feel.

There are a lot of establishments such as hospitals that use plants to fight off any illness or disease that might harm them or other people.

It’s the reason why you see a lot of plants surrounding hospitals. If you want to avoid getting sick, then you should buy indoor plants for your home.

Helps Purify the Air

As mentioned earlier, plants can boost the immune system.

One of the reasons why your immune system will improve is that it helps purify the air you breathe inside your house.

Plants are known to reduce carbon dioxide level, reduce pollutants such as nitrogen oxide and benzene, keep air temperatures down, and reduce levels of airborne dust.

For you to avoid breathing in other harmful substances in the air, surround yourself with green plants.

Makes You More Efficient

There will be a lot of work to be done during a home renovation.

Plants are known to have a dramatic effect that stimulates the productivity of any person looking at it.

Being around plants can improve the productivity and memory of any person.

If you’re interested in indoor plants that would match your kitchens and bathrooms design, you can check home improvements Melbourne.

You can also ask local flower shops for recommendations, or you can search the web for more information about indoor plants.

Lowers Noise

If you want a more quiet and serene setup in your kitchen area or even in the bedroom, consider buying indoor plants.

Plants use their leaves to absorb, reflect or diffract background noise making your place more peaceful.

There are many types of plants that are excellent when it comes to absorbing high-frequency sounds.

Adding plants doesn’t just help lessen background noises in your home, they can also add glamour to your house especially if you have a nature-themed home.

If you’re looking for the perfect plant that would match your place surroundings, you can try calling your local florist to help you search for plants that would fit your environment.

Takeaway

Home renovation can be a taxing and stressing activity.

Putting up indoor plants can help you relieve the stress and anxiety you’re feeling during the renovation process.

If you’re looking for indoor plants that would be good for your bathroom, you should buy ferns and air plants because these plants love moisture and can survive even in places with low light.

You should take advantage of the health benefits plants can give.

Adding beauty and protection to your home is a good move for you to avoid having any problems that might happen in the future.

Apr, 2019

Team of Professionals Holding Paper Trophy

Essential Steps to Develop Your Skills & Become an Efficient Leader

What makes an excellent leader? Everyone has various definitions of a ‘good leader,’ but to cut it short, a leader is someone who leads and takes good care of his or her employees.

A leader can also be someone who lets others lead him or her and provides effective communication.

When things aren’t going as planned or when things are going bad, a leader’s actions can affect the whole situation.

If the worst time comes, it’s the skills and qualities of a leader that shines the most.

So if you ever applied for a job position that requires leadership skills, then ask yourself, are you qualified for the job?

The thought of advancing to the top is what makes it possible for aspiring leaders to hone their skills.

Although anyone can develop their skills and get better because some are born natural leaders.

In the end, career development always depends on the technical skills and willingness to work.

So, become an effective leader by following these steps.

Assign Work Responsibly

One of the keys to leadership is to delegate authority and responsibility.

Segregate and distribute each assignment for a better outcome.

Some bosses feel they need to control everything that’s happening in their offices, including the work of the employees.

If you’re controlling your employees, then you’re just creating a recipe for failure.

You need to learn how trust works if you want to be an effective leader.

When you’re assigning work to your employees, you multiply the amount of work you’re trying to achieve singlehandedly.

At the same time, you’re developing the confidence of your employees to do their job well.

Keep in mind that controlling and managing are two different traits.

Be an Inspiration

Everyone needs motivation and inspiration to do their job well.

If you’re aiming to be an effective leader, then you should start motivating yourself first.

There are natural born leaders who are good at their job even if they lack motivation.

But if you’re trying to learn and become one, it’ll depend on how you get things done.

If you’re aspiring to become a good leader, you should be able to motivate your employees to bring out their potentials and for them to do their best in difficult situations.

Excellent leaders move and inspire employees for them to do best at their work.

The greatest advice to become an effective leader is to train yourself every day.

Learn new things day by day to become better.

Help yourself like you want to help your employees and continue to prosper as the organization grows.

Always Practice Discipline

An excellent leader needs proper discipline.

As a leader, your employees and workers are looking up to you.

If you’re not the type of person they are expecting, then it would be a disaster.

You need to develop discipline not only personally but also professionally.

Demonstrate simple discipline at work by greeting, meeting the deadlines, going to work on time, and respecting one another.

Asian countries, for example, have a good work discipline not only when at work but also outside work.

So when you find a job in Asia, such as hunting for professional jobs in Singapore, you’ll notice how disciplined they are by attending to your needs.

If you ever feel that you need help or you’re disorganized because of the stress you get from work, then try to take things slowly.

Begin with yourself by implementing good habits at home like cleaning, waking up early, doing your daily workout, and you can surely work your way up there.

Connect by Communicating

Leading a group means you need to communicate and connect with the people you’re working with.

Communication is one of the most powerful traits of a leader as it can be a weapon to acquire success and be productive in every work you’re doing.

If you’re an aspiring leader, you need to have a mutual sense of trust not only to your business partners but to your employees as well.

Always remember that good communication can lead to something great.

It means whatever you’re trying to achieve, with communication, you can easily attain your goal by working together.

Aside from communicating with your employees, you also need to connect with them.

Building a personal connection with your teammates is crucial to develop trust and improve work efficiency.

With a healthy relationship and communication, you can be successful in no time.

Keep in mind that everyone’s looking up to you, so show them what you’re capable of.

Keep Being Positive

A good leader inspires and motivates his or her employees.

Yes, leaders have an optimistic and encouraging attitude that serves as an inspiration to the employees.

If leaders are being cynical or demoralize, members of the group also tend to lose confidence and are likely to become less productive.

If you want to become a great leader, even if things don’t go according to plans, or if you think everything’s falling apart, you need to hold yourself up and stay positive.

In that way, you might be able to overcome the challenges.

This doesn’t mean that you’re viewing things through, it just says that you’re maintaining a sense of hope by being optimistic.

Takeaway

In the end, a great leader is not someone who brings out the best from his or her employees, but they’re someone who can bring out the best from the worst for the good of his or her employees.

One thing to keep in mind when you’re an aspiring leader is that you need to make sure you’re working on a job you love the most as it can boost your skills and development.

Author Bio

Louise Davis is a single mom with a 5-year-old daughter. She’s a business-minded person who often loves to write articles about professions. Louise enjoys watching reality TV shows. Aside from being a business person, she is also a self-confessed bookworm. When she isn’t busy, she enjoys going to the gym.

Apr, 2019

9 DIY Home Decor Ideas for Summer

Welcome the warm climate cheerfulness and delight as you update your own insides an exciting and lightened arrival this summer.

Many of us often undertake a home makeover will probably cost lots of funds.

The unambiguous realism is you never have to spend a lot on those summerhouses some thoughts for a house makeover.

You want to develop into creative and utilize a few of those decoration ideas. It’s vital to bear in your mind to not spoil the subject.

By blending some neutral colors with some decorations that are brilliant, you can creatively present your insides with a more contemporary and vibrant look.

With these 9 DIY home decoration concepts, you could willingly adjust the dull looking comfortable space to some soothing and shining comfy arrangement.

Summer is about pleasure, fun, and the outside beach.

Make your home or apartment seem like simply a summer shore house or a cottage that is motivated by coastal.

1. Multicolor Summer Design Tissue Paper Flowers

Amazingly, these lovely tissue paper floras that are used for a décor that looks terrific.

These paper blossoms are inexpensive and accessible to produce.

The pieces of equipment you will need are stapler, brilliant tissue paper and scissors.

Just with a couple of steps, it is possible to cause those flowers.

There really are a good deal of suggestions to produce tissue paper flowers, and they can be incorporated by you in your summer room decoration project.

These blossoms are perfect choices for flower vases, centerpieces, door swags, and garlands for showers and party decorations that are exceptional.

Use glitters, ribbons and paper render to supply tissue paper blossom a fresh look to you.

Locate all equipment that is essential you’ll be able to find at any craft shop.

2. Summer Themed Smart Study Room

Library or your study corner, in addition, deserves a trendy summer makeover too.

Even though classic wood and earthy tone combinations are great for a library setting, you also are able to jazz the room’s look with a couple of decorations.

Bright flowers background and book boxes will fit your thoughts that are summer in the study room.

Paint your study room in whitened and choose library bookshelves that are white.

Insert the shelves to be highlighted by some decorations.

Fresh flowers can be used by you in glass vases.

The style suits the subject very beautifully.

Any damask publication box or a polka dot storage package will suit the motif.

3. DIY Motivational Wall Quotes Message Board

Dangle motivational paintings and quotes on the walls around your home rather than leaving them all plain.

Even an image with text that is motivational increases the mood span and also creates a considerable influence on the home setting.

The most wonderful thing about utilizing quotes is you can switch them on distinct topics such as expect, work, love, etc.

4. Seashell Wall Summer Room Décor

Make your home appearance summer-themed with this seashell wall décor that is stunning in.

Use it on your bedroom or put it at a corner niche to highlight the wall.

This seashell wall-mount décor adds a cool vibe.

Love today, earning this sea-shell wall décor, if you’re considering carrying an enjoyable DIY project.

Choose any seashell of your choice or seashells, add some lights is already.

Hang those seashells on the wall and put in nautical charm to v coastal motif.

Living room space or your bedroom will undoubtedly be instantly brightened up for this particular fashionable seashell summer design wall décor.

5. Attractive Summer Garlands

Summer means to children around home adoring time from school.

Turn your home by utilizing slipcovers and fabrics which aren’t only fun and casual but can also be machine washable.

Motivate children to focus such as seashells, pinecones, and also different elements that are nature-inspired with art and crafts stuff and use these to decorate your kids’ bedroom and playing with space.

6. Add Outside Lights for Enjoyable Evenings

What exciting is summer decorating short of rope lights?

Develop light you to deck or patio.

Consider rope lights instead of task lighting, as ambiance, to ensure you can add just the amount to yield a magic distance which looks awesome.

There is only a noteworthy choice of outdoor series lights willingly available, for instance, vivacious and decorative options, however, eternal white bulbs may squash right into nearly any decorating style.

7. Exceptional Floral Arrangement

That you do not certainly have to select a wooden or glass vase into your arrangement decoration experts express that a blossom vase adds a dimension to your room.

Use a colored or dark pitcher to create your floral structure.

If you’re employing summer pink or white blossoms, go to get a fearless toaster.

Choose flowers of neutral tones, when that is printed.

Add a couple of greens to the arrangement.

This unique arrangement makes a superb summer table décor.

Put on a side table into your living room or to your own dining table as a centrepiece.

This floral arrangement is likely to be a summer party décor that is gorgeous too.

8. Custom-Made Chaise Cushions

Rather than settling for the printing that is perhaps maybe not exactly right, make your very own outside chaise cushions using pillows and also the textile material that you like.

9. Add a Summery Swag Light

These interesting lanterns not just look fantastic, but these are simple to create.

Add a pop of color and also a bit of style to a property this summer with those summer design paper planters.

This DIY job is fun for every person on your family members.

Get a few of the paper lanterns to get started with this particular undertaking.

Get some yellow-orange or pink tissue papers in the summertime for this lantern.

These summer design lanterns may be used inside and outdoors.

Author Bio

I’m Amy, I write articles in the home and metal buildings market for the Carport Central. They really are the pioneer in Metal Buildings industry. Offer customers the ideal and high-quality services and products are Carport Central’s priority. They are confident in giving your carport or metal buildings on that you can rely on. Thus, do not wait for the exemplary quality carports or garages, call today at 888-573-1771 for getting latest metal building prices in your area.

Dec, 2018

6 Ways to Make Your Trade Show Memorable

When you choose to be a vendor at a trade show, there are many complexities that must be solved to attain higher results with audience engagement and promoting your message.

A show will typically have thousands of people attending and browsing different vendors looking at products, collecting marketing materials, trying demo’s and more.

Being able to maximise your exposure and overall return on investment is vital to making the entire process worthwhile.

This report will share with you 6 specific methods that will build brand identity and create an impact in the minds of attendees, so they remember your products, service or brand long after the show.

Try the following techniques as listed below as they are proven to work and do bring further results for your brand:

1. Have an Interactive Trade Show Presence

A person will remember your brand much better when you offer them interactive games or other forms of content.

Try providing something that gives your visitors a hands on experience to influences positive emotions and feelings.

You can offer such things as games which will stimulate your attendees while giving them a reason to stay at your booth and interact with your sales team.

2. Retractable Banners Bring Results

A trade show is a very busy place and being able to be noticed from a distance can be a challenge.

Retractable banners are great for catching a persons eye and can be utilised to be an excellent marketing tool.

You will want to use a professional graphic designer who will use bright and visually stimulating colours and designs while promoting your brand or main marketing message.

It is suggested you include your company name, website address, social media addresses and even a phone number.

3. Contests are Powerful

You can offer contests at your booth and make it part of your presentation.

Your visitors will be free to leave your booth after signing up for the contest, but what you can do is get them to include their name, email address, phone number, website addresses, social media addresses, business cards or other information.

In return you can use it to contact them later about your brand.

Another technique you can use is to have the winner of the contest announced on your organisations social media page, so visitors will check it frequently and be reminded of your brand and offerings.

4. Offer Demonstrations

Being able to include samples of your products or services is a great method to both educate and remind the attendees of what it is your offer exactly and their advantages.

You can encourage them by clearly presenting the direct benefits of your product or service, and even give them a sample or things like a discount or coupon.

Being able to provide your attendees a direct experience that shows how your product or service is superior and benefits their lives will make your trade show booth so much more memorable.

5. Promotional Items

These are essential marketing vehicles that you absolutely must take advantage of.

Many trade show marketers will use this technique and having a unique method to deliver promotional items is essential.

There are so many promotional items that you can use that will bring your marketing message to your attendees long after the event.

You will want to provide your attendees with promotional items that include your brand.

You can choose from a variety of items including mobile phone chargers, phone covers, flash drives, coffee mugs, t-shirts, hats, stickers, the options are endless.

Be sure that your brand logo and marketing colours are used to reinforce your organisation long after the show.

Be creative and remember that other trade show booths will be doing the same thing so stand out.

6. Be Sure to Use Social Media

Before the show and during the event, you should be harnessing social media and actively posting on your website and social media accounts.

This can drive people to visit your booth as well as get them interested in visiting before the event even begins.

You can also get your visitors to use hash-tags in their posts about your booth and have them get involved with your brands social media.

A trade show is a powerful method to attract new customers, establish brand identity and generate more business and awareness of your brand.

Capitalise on the 6 methods above to make your trade show experience that much more memorable.

Having a powerful and attractive trade show display is essential and giving your visitors a reason to remember you long after the show will bring greater results.

Conclusions

Trade shows are a complex subject because the planning phase is arguably more important that the actual trade show itself.

If your company attends without a plan to maximise visitors to your exhibition and has no idea how to you are going to attract and retain attendees, then you are essentially wasting your time.

Most companies make the common mistake of booking the space, contacting their local exhibition stand contractors to have a booth designed and built and think the rest will take care of itself. Wrong!

Trade shows need careful planning on how you are going to make it work and how it will benefit your business.

So don’t make assumptions that people will attend and remember you.

Make your stand the best it can be, tell people about it well in advance and give them a reason to come and visit you.

Nov, 2018

6 Key Must Knows Before Moving to Spain

When thinking about moving to Spain for its beautiful beaches, relaxed atmosphere and friendly people, there are certain things that you will want to know before taking the plunge.

This article outlines 6 key criteria you’ll need to know immediately about moving to Spain before you make the relocation.

Following these suggestions can truly save you time, money, effort and stress when closely followed.

Sit back, relax and find out about this amazing country.

The Regional Climates of Spain

Spain is a fairly large country and the climate can vary depending on the locations that you’re visiting.

Down in the south, it is known for it’s incredibly hot temperatures while in the Northern regions, you can expect a more balanced climate with fairly mild winters and warm summer months.

However, move towards the more centrally located cities and the climate is known to express itself in extremes in heat and cold because of the proximity to the ocean.

For those that are interested in winter sports, there are some areas where you can ski that include regions around Madrid, the Pyrenees and the Sierra Nevada.

Living Expenses in Spain

As you may know, making the transition to Spain has many perks which includes a much lower cost of living.

Such things as buying property is easier than in the UK, but the real estate market tend to be more expensive in popular central cities and well known, established tourist areas.

If you live, eat, and breathe like a local, then it will not take you long to notice it is significantly less expensive than living in the UK or other northern European countries.

Utility expenses can be a little high because of bottled gas if needed.

But that is a small expense compared to other savings you’ll experience living in Spain.

Employment and Income Tips

Many people who’ve made the journey to Spain advise that finding employment or starting a business is best done before you plan on moving to the country.

Establish a financial plan on how you will maintain your expenses, because many will tell you how they have been caught out in the past by not having a plan in place.

It is best to move there with at least 6 months worth of cash in the bank to cover of living expenses.

EU citizens don’t need any work permits but you will need a Spanish social security number.

This can be arranged through your local Oficina de Seguridad Social.

If you plan on living on a pension, just be aware of the fluctuations in value with the British pound and Euro currency.

If there were to be economic woes back home, your pound may not go as far as you’d expect!

Know the Language

It is best advised to learn Spanish and to be proficient with both speaking, writing and reading it long before you relocate.

Plenty of British expats choose not to learn the language, but when it comes to finding employment, socialising, making friends and living, it will be much easier if you knew how to speak even a little Spanish to get by.

There are many different options that you can use before you make the move to Spain that can include audio learning systems, CD’s and DVD courses, books, classes and even hiring tutors.

Nowadays, there are lots of online language courses that are fairly inexpensive and can be followed at your leisure.

Take a look online at some of the best online language courses and you’re bound to find one that suits your needs.

Being able to communicate without knowing the local dialect can be done, but it limits your opportunities and abilities to better understand and interact with the people and culture.

The Importance of Gestures

When it comes to dealing with the Spanish administration, for certain things you would need a professional.

A gesture is a person who has experience with tasks and reliable contacts.

They charge low fees when hired but they will save you much time and frustrations you may have with Spanish administration.

The best way to find a gesture is to speak with the locals to find a reputable one who can help you.

Without a gesture, you can run into plenty of frustrations and hassles because of not having the knowledge or expertise with dealing with the bureaucracy of Spain.

Ask around for suitable gestures and people will help you find a reputable one to employ.

Healthcare Services

As a EU citizen you are entitled to use the Spanish national health services which provide citizens with free or very low cost health care.

If you are registered to work in Spain and you deposit National Insurance contributions, then you are eligible for state offered health services.

However if you are a visitor of Spain you will need to apply for an EHIC card which is free to British citizens.

Private health care may be covered for a period of time with health insurance coverage.

If you are retired, note that the NHS does not reimburse non-working British citizens under pensionable age in different European areas.

Be sure to have your health care needs taken care of before you move.

You may have to pay for private health care.

If you have a S1 then any changes won’t cause any issues until your current form becomes obsolete.

Conclusions

Like most expats wanting to move overseas, it’s very east to get carried away with the romance of the idea without dealing with the practicalities.

So be sure to do your research before you decide to pack your bags and organise having a removals to Spain specialist ship your effects overseas, only to find the whole idea was a disaster waiting to happen.

Be sure to follow these six suggestions as outlined above to have a better experience in Spain with fewer hassles and greater comfort.

The first two years are always the hardest.

So even if you’ve gotten everything organised and are ready as you’ll ever be, be prepared for the inevitable culture shock.

With time and patience, you will settle in soon enough and start to love your new life overseas.

Jan, 2018

What is Seafarers Earnings Deduction?

For those residents of the United Kingdom who are employed as a seafarer on a ship, may be entitled to a very interesting tax legislation that makes them eligible for 100% tax exemption on foreign earnings.

Within this article, we aim to explain the intricacies of this tax deduction and how it applies to the UK and its citizens.

How does the tax exemption work?

After more than 15 years of legal arguing between trade unions and the HRMC, the final laws have been updated as of 2012.

Unfortunately, members of the armed forces are exempt from this earnings deduction. We will explain more below.

Yacht Crew on Deck — Yacht crew have long enjoyed tax relief under HMRC’s SED rules. Image: Blue Water Yachting

The first version of the tax exemption came into effect for plenty of reasons.

They were mainly designed to make it financially beneficial for UK employees in the competitive job market and pressure in the global labor markets.

Since professional yacht crew spend a majority of time outside of the UK, the highly competitive labour market and for defense needs of the UK, legislation was introduced to create the tax break specifically for those who work on ships outside of the UK in foreign waters.

Unfortunately, the rules and laws surrounding the Seafarers Earnings Deduction are hard to translate within the books of the HMRC.

However, it is possible to translate these rules and the main requirement is that you work on a ship.

You Must Work on a Ship

What a ship is according to the legislation has no description but what a ship is not is listed.

Oil and gas drilling rigs are an exception to this tax deduction as the following listed below are counted as not being included in the tax break:

Floating and fixed production platforms
mobile offshore drilling units
flotels.

Benefiting from the zero tax bill is great for all employees that meet the standards listed above for what does not constitute a ship.

Oil Rig at Sunset. Image credit: Pacific Standard

When it comes to how much time you can spend at home in the UK you are limited to no more than 183 days per tax year.

If you spend more then that amount of time you will go through what is known as a Failure which will alter your ability to take advantage of the Seafarers Earnings Deduction.

When it comes to travel days they are counted if you were in the UK at midnight of that particular day.

Another rule that must be fulfilled is that you must embark and disembark from foreign ports.

Entering a port or leaving a port from the UK is invalid.

Also, you have to spend a minimum of 365 consecutive days outside of the United Kingdom to qualify as a seafarer.

As mentioned earlier if you spend above 183 days in the UK or make any other mistakes you will be given a Failure which change your eligibility for receiving the tax deduction.

Take Advantage of this Massive Tax Break!

Many seafarers do not understand all the different elements of this tax law and either doesn’t take advantage of it or use it incorrectly.

Sometimes an individual that is employed as a seafarer will not declare all of their income.

When you do your tax return it is important that everything is declared.

You can declare all of your investments and have your taxes paid back to you except for rental income.

It makes a lot of sense to do your tax return properly as you are guaranteed to benefit under the special tax discount.

It is good to hang on to receipts including airline vouchers, ship discharge papers, hotel receipts, food receipts, and other paperwork to be reimbursed for your expenses.

Recently with the Open Exchange of Information, you should declare all of your offshore income and have it not be subject to taxes.

It is very important, to be honest as the government has ways of finding out tax fraud and it is not worth the risk or consequences.

After all, if you do not declare your income on your taxes there is not very much you can do with your money.

After the 18 years of battling between the HMRC and unions, the Seafarers earnings deduction is a great benefit that every UK resident who is employed as a Seafarer on a ship should take advantage of.

All it takes is a little organisation of your documentation and a discussion with a tax professional.

So when it comes to preparing your tax return, simply contact a specialist accountant who can offer solid yacht crew tax advice and they will tell you if you are eligible for this amazing 100% tax break!

If you work on an oil or gas drilling offshore rig you will not be able to use this specialized tax exemption.

Also those UK citizens who are employed by the military also are exempt from taking advantage of the Seafarers Earnings Deductions.

In the future these laws may change but for now these are the basic outlines and guidelines to tell if you qualify for this tax break.

External Sources

This article was created using reference material from the following websites:

Nov, 2017

How Much Does an American Barn Cost to Build?

Today we would like to outline and answer the question of how much does an American barn cost to build?

Devising a suitable budget for a timber American Barn construction is never easy, as there’s a lot of important issues to consider before pressing ahead.

The total investment of an American barn will be completely determined by the cost of the materials and labour.

When it comes to labour hiring a contractor to build a barn is typically the most expensive part of building a barn.

When you decide to hire and pay a contractor as well as a construction crew, it will make the price of labour a big percentage of the total costs associated with building your dream American barn.

If you can build the barn without a general contractor, you will be able to easily reduce the overall cost of building a barn.

There are different options available when it comes to building an American barn.

Prefabricated barns are pre-built and delivered in a ready to build format.

A few skilled friends or neighbours can easily put together a prefabricated barn in under a few days if you choose a steel option.

However, if you choose to build a wooden barn then it could take a few weeks of required construction.

Prefabricated barns offer a large amount of savings when it comes to costs and materials.

Also, there is never any material waste or wasted expenses.

So what exactly are the factors that affect the overall price of building your American barn?

Below we have created a list of questions you will need to answer before you go ahead and build a barn.

These questions you need to ask yourself include the following:

How many horses will you be housing in your barn?
What size of stalls do you need for your horses?
Do you need to build an additional tack room?
Do you also need a wash rack?
How much space will you need for feed storage?
Will you need a hayloft as a second level?
Do you need to store vehicles like tractors?
Do you need a foaling box?
Will you be feeding your horses within the barn?
Do you need a wide centre aisle in the middle as a pass through?

Now when you are trying to estimate how much it will cost to build an American barn you will have to take into the considerations the costs associated with using them.

We have created a list below of features that are a must-have when it comes to creating your overall estimate of how much putting together an American barn will cost:

You will first need to arrange any required demolition, excavations and site preparations.
You will then need to pour a concrete foundation and floor.
You will need to build wood framing using solid woods.
You will need to install high quality wood siding.
You will need to build a roof.
You will need to provide suitable plumbing and drainage.
Proper electrical wiring and lighting will also be needed.
Lastly, your carpentry must be up to code and you will have to hire a contractor.

The overall price of your barn project will greatly depend on the materials you use and methods of construction that you follow.

Prefabricated barns will offer you major savings on costs associated with labor and materials.

A traditionally built barn will cost around $45 a square foot.

However in contrast a prefabricated metal barn can roam in the price ranges of $7 to $25 a square foot.

Ultimately using a steel building will be the cheapest solution when it comes to building an American barn.

Your next best option is using a prefabricated do it yourself barn.

Lastly building a barn using wooden materials will require that you employ a general contractor so that your barn is built up to the codes needed and required in your area.

The overall size and complexity of your American barn will determine the price and costs associated.

However, they do add value to your home if you were deciding to resell it with American barns bringing 77% resale value of their original costs.

Providing your horses with adequate protection from the weather and elements will make them much more comfortable and happy.

Also, consider that being able to feed and maintain your horses in one single area makes it a top choice for people rather than building traditional stables.

The costs associated with building American barns will go as far as your imagination in terms of complexity and details that need to be met.

They are a sound investment and are becoming more popular across the United Kingdom.

Article Credits

The author wishes to acknowledge the following sites for use of images, text and reference material in the creation of this article:

Aug, 2017

Modern White Kitchen with Slate Flooring

How a kitchen makeover can improve the quality of your life

Changing the design of your kitchen and remodelling is a popular home renovation concept that many people choose to do.

Not only does it give your home a new lease of life, it adds value and increases the usability of this hugely important room.

In this detailed article, we discuss the various ways a kitchen makeover can improve the quality of your lifestyle.

As long as you set a budget and go for the optimal style you will know where you can go in terms of upgrading your kitchen.

And kitchen upgrades are one of the best ways you can increase the value of your home if you choose to sell it.

Consider Your Main Priorities

When it comes to remodelling your kitchen, it is something that requires careful consideration and planning ahead of time.

With the kitchen being the hub of your entire home, it needs to be designed in a triangular concept with a focus on the sink, stove and refrigerator.

When many different home owners were asked what they would upgrade in their homes, nearly all of them said that they would upgrade their kitchens.

It is a great investment when it comes to adding comfort and style to daily use and as I mentioned, will also add resale value to your property when it comes time to put it up for sale.

Most people who own their own home will agree that their kitchen is one of the most important spaces in the house.

Kitchen upgrades is a great way to increase the overall value of your home.

You can change an old living area into something exuding style and elegance with as little as new kitchen cabinets and countertops.

You will have to dream up a theme and idea of what you want your upgraded kitchen will look like.

Plan an Outline of Your Dream Kitchen

It is always a good idea to sketch it down on paper or you can even draw rough outlines on a computer.

Keeping your goal in sight with a visual display of what you are working towards will keep you more focused and efficient on detail and renovating your cooking area.

As you plan in detail what you want your dream kitchen to look like, also be aware of the space you have and use all of it to the best of your abilities.

You can include such things as putting up shelving units on the walls and installing rolling shelving units to utilise every inch of your kitchen space.

Update Your Appliances

Another factor for making your kitchen the best it can be is by adding new appliances.

When you choose to remove the worn out and outdated fridge, stove and dishwashing machine you will make your life a lot easier with brand new appliances.

It will make the chores of cooking and cleaning that much better and will give you a modern and clean updated look that will enhance the appearance of your kitchen.

Consider Adding an Island

When you add a kitchen island you can provide much needed extra counter space and enhance the over all feel of your kitchen.

With an island, you can make a feel safe family area for quick snacks or small meals.

It also provides you with extra space for other kitchen utilities.

If you choose to add a kitchen island to your cooking area be sure that the style, colour and size enhances your kitchen and accents the style already present in the room.

An island can do a world of wonders allowing for extra space and if you need the extra space, by all means, add this to your renovation budget.

Knowing When a Kitchen Facelift is Overdue

So how can you tell that it is time to upgrade and change your kitchen?

The first thing that should be on your list if it is time for a change is whether your kitchen appliances are falling apart.

Another factor would be your kitchen cabinets losing their colour and shine.

If this happens, it is time to replace your kitchen cabinets with something new, fresh and modern.

When you no longer feel comfortable in your own kitchen is a good sign it is time for a change just like if you choose to not host visitors in your kitchen as well.

There is a lot of different things that come into play when it comes to remodelling your kitchen.

You may need to change the fixtures, the walls, ceilings or it may just be better to change the cabinets.

There is also plumbing, electrical and heating systems that need to be changed before a kitchen can be completely overhauled and renovated.

However you must keep these things in your mind as well as counter space, available storage space, appliances that are built in, sinks and lighting when it comes to making your kitchen that much more comfortable and pleasing for cooking, cleaning, and baking tasks.

When you are searching for methods to add value and comfort to your kitchen you will need a solid blueprint.

Your kitchen is one of the most used rooms in the entire house and should be high on the list of renovations when it comes to remodelling your home.

You should keep your kitchen remodelling ideas to be aimed at upgrading the value of your home as well as making it more user-friendly and convenient for cooking tasks and duties.

Don’t Forget About Flooring

Lastly we would like to point out that changing your flooring to a better quality material is always a great idea to make your kitchen more comfortable and your home more valuable in the resale market.

Getting yourself a new floor is always a great way to improve your kitchen without spending a lot of extra money.

Upgrading your kitchen to make it more comfortable and usable should be your top priority followed by increasing the value of your home.

Since the kitchen is such a frequently used area of your home choosing to remodel it to add comfort is a great idea that we recommend you start planning today.

So speak to a specialist kitchen makeovers firm and you’ll soon be offered a whole world of amazing ideas that can transform your kitchen without breaking the bank.