Am I the only one worried about getting finger cancer from these track pads on our laptops? Haven't you noticed that after you drag your finger over that thing for a few minutes you can almost feel the radiation being absorbed? I am serious. Mark my words. There will come a day when all the computer geeks will be missing finger tips.
Showing posts with label Articles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Articles. Show all posts
Nail polish chemicals cause cancer
NaturalNews) Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), a chemical used to keep nail polish from chipping, has been connected to cancer in lab animals as well as long-term fertility issues in newborn boys -- leaving the cosmetics industry in a heavy debate over whether to continue use of the ingredient.
Environmental groups are calling for a ban on DBP in the United States, and some big name companies such as Estee Lauder have preemptively removed the chemical from their products, but other brands such as OPI, Essie and Sally Hansen continue to use it. While the FDA must approve nail polishes before they can be sold, there are no laws that require companies to prove their products are safe first.
The European Union banned the use of DBP in 2004, forcing OPI to remove the chemical from its products sold there, but the company reports it has no plans to do so in the United States. They say there is no definitive proof that the ingredient is harmful, and that the level in their products is low enough to pose no health risk. Spokespeople added that most exposure comes from inhalation rather than cuticle or nail contact.
Lauren Sucher, spokeswoman for the Environmental Working Group, noted that products are usually only tested for acute and immediate reactions before they are put on the market; long-term health concerns such as cancer or reproductive toxicity are rarely, if ever, tested.
A September 2000 study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that there was DBP in every person they tested, with the highest levels detected in women aged 20 to 40. The CDC hypothesized that the exposure might be from cosmetics, although people can also come into contact with DBP from vinyl shower curtains or plastic children's toys.
The report prompted health and environmental groups to search for products containing DBP. Nail polish was the only product that listed the chemical in the ingredients; a fact the Environmental Working Group published in a November 2000 report entitled "Beauty Secrets."
A 2002 report, entitled "Not Too Pretty," cited an independent lab that found at least one type of phthalate in face creams, lotions, shampoos, hairsprays, deodorants and fragrances.
Such reports have prompted the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics to call for nail polish manufactures to remove DBP from their products, and sign a pledge to "not use chemicals that are known or strongly suspected of causing cancer, mutation or birth defects in their products and to implement substitution plans that replace hazardous materials with safer alternatives in every market they serve."
The Body Shop, Kiss My Face and California Baby are among the more than 300 companies who signed the pledge as of May 15, and the campaign is working to get the same promise from big names such as Unilever, Avon, L'Oreal, Revlon, and Proctor & Gamble.
Environmental groups are calling for a ban on DBP in the United States, and some big name companies such as Estee Lauder have preemptively removed the chemical from their products, but other brands such as OPI, Essie and Sally Hansen continue to use it. While the FDA must approve nail polishes before they can be sold, there are no laws that require companies to prove their products are safe first.
The European Union banned the use of DBP in 2004, forcing OPI to remove the chemical from its products sold there, but the company reports it has no plans to do so in the United States. They say there is no definitive proof that the ingredient is harmful, and that the level in their products is low enough to pose no health risk. Spokespeople added that most exposure comes from inhalation rather than cuticle or nail contact.
Lauren Sucher, spokeswoman for the Environmental Working Group, noted that products are usually only tested for acute and immediate reactions before they are put on the market; long-term health concerns such as cancer or reproductive toxicity are rarely, if ever, tested.
A September 2000 study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that there was DBP in every person they tested, with the highest levels detected in women aged 20 to 40. The CDC hypothesized that the exposure might be from cosmetics, although people can also come into contact with DBP from vinyl shower curtains or plastic children's toys.
The report prompted health and environmental groups to search for products containing DBP. Nail polish was the only product that listed the chemical in the ingredients; a fact the Environmental Working Group published in a November 2000 report entitled "Beauty Secrets."
A 2002 report, entitled "Not Too Pretty," cited an independent lab that found at least one type of phthalate in face creams, lotions, shampoos, hairsprays, deodorants and fragrances.
Such reports have prompted the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics to call for nail polish manufactures to remove DBP from their products, and sign a pledge to "not use chemicals that are known or strongly suspected of causing cancer, mutation or birth defects in their products and to implement substitution plans that replace hazardous materials with safer alternatives in every market they serve."
The Body Shop, Kiss My Face and California Baby are among the more than 300 companies who signed the pledge as of May 15, and the campaign is working to get the same promise from big names such as Unilever, Avon, L'Oreal, Revlon, and Proctor & Gamble.
How to Pop a Pimple
The reason you're not supposed to pop pimples is that anytime you deliberately break your skin, you risk creating a scar or infection through the break in the skin. In addition, squeezing a pimple can force the bacteria-containing fluid through the layers of the surrounding skin, spreading the infection. But if you don't want to wait around for that Mount Everest on your forehead to erupt on its own, this article will show you the safest way to pop it. Note that these steps are specific to "whiteheads," where the pimple has a white top and liquid pus underneath the skin.
Lead in lipstick causing cancer
This question has come up because an email circulates from time to time saying that lipsticks contain lead and therefore cause cancer. This isn't true. The email appears to be one of the many hoax emails claiming that a variety of everyday products can cause cancer. We've had deodorant, shampoo, washing up liquid and now lipstick. None of these claims are true and just spread alarm unnecessarily.
The UK has strict laws about the production of cosmetic products. Manufacturers cannot sell a new product to the public before it has been safety tested. An organisation called The Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) provides information about regulation of cosmetics in the UK. The CTPA abides by regulations set out by the European Community. These list substances that are banned from cosmetics. Lead is banned from all cosmetics, apart from hair dyes.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the lead content in food and cosmetics. They say that if there is any lead in lipstick, it is likely to be such a small amount that it will not be harmful. Another American organisation called the National Lead Information Centre provides information about lead hazards. We have searched their website and have not been able to find any references to lipstick posing a threat.
The UK has strict laws about the production of cosmetic products. Manufacturers cannot sell a new product to the public before it has been safety tested. An organisation called The Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) provides information about regulation of cosmetics in the UK. The CTPA abides by regulations set out by the European Community. These list substances that are banned from cosmetics. Lead is banned from all cosmetics, apart from hair dyes.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the lead content in food and cosmetics. They say that if there is any lead in lipstick, it is likely to be such a small amount that it will not be harmful. Another American organisation called the National Lead Information Centre provides information about lead hazards. We have searched their website and have not been able to find any references to lipstick posing a threat.
How to beat market ups and downs smartly
Headlines like 'Investors lose Rs 3,000 crore on Black Monday' or 'Investor wealth rises by Rs 25,000 crores' can make a layman wonder whether the stock market is a place to make money or lose money. Due to this many people either invest when the markets are going up or don't invest in the markets at all, instead opting for the security of bank fixed deposits.
This is a big mistake as the stocks are the best means of building wealth over a long-term while helping you beat inflation.
However over the short-term, markets tend to be very volatile. Market volatility means while the market can rise sharply, it can also go down dramatically. As a result, those who have invested their money will see the value of their investment sway sharply.
Particularly new investors are affected during the market crash, when they see their investments being wiped out. Hence, it is important for every smart investor to tackle market volatility intelligently.
Opt for balanced funds: With the stock markets reaching dizzying heights, investors started choosing pure equity funds over balanced funds. Balanced funds are great for dealing with the market volatility as they give the investors exposure to both equities and debt in the ratio of 65:35 (65% in equities and 35% in debt).
As these funds don't concentrate solely on the equities, they do not fall as sharply as good old equity funds. Alternatively, you can opt for monthly income plans, which are less risky than balanced funds, since they invest just 15%-25% of their assets in equities.
Sunil invested Rs 10,000 in a pure equity fund. His wife Smita invested Rs 10,000 in a balanced fund. Despite Sunil insisting that Smita opt for an equity fund, Smita refused. So when market crash came, the value of Sunil's investment became Rs 3,000, while Smita's investment became Rs 6,000.
Invest in market through SIPs: A Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is the most powerful way to benefit from the market volatility. It allows you to average the cost of your purchase, by letting you buy fewer units of the mutual fund when the markets are high and more units during the market downturn. As a result, your average cost of purchase goes down.
Anita started a SIP of Rs 1,000 in a mutual fund with a NAV of Rs 10. She received 100 units with her first installment. The next month the NAV of the fund went to Rs 20 and she received 50 units. In the third month, the market nosedived and the NAV became Rs 5, giving her 200 units. So by making an investment of Rs. 3000, Anita got 350 units. Her purchase price per unit was Rs. 8.57 units.
Diversify your portfolio: We all love it when a particular asset is doing well. This has been evident in the recent stock market crash where people put all their money in realty and infrastructure sectors, which were badly affected. Since many people had taken massive exposure to these sectors, the market crash ended burning many people's fingers. So as a smart investor, ensure adequate exposure to various asset classes. Though make equities the mainstay of your investment plan, ensure you take exposure to other assets like gold, realty and debt. So in case of a stock market downturn you are sufficiently protected.
John wanted to become rich. He was lured by the stories of people making a quick buck in the stock market. He contacted his broker who recommended him to invest in stocks of Unitech, DLF and other leading realty companies. John followed his advice and invested accordingly. But the market downturn in 2008, saw John losing the value of his investment as all these companies were severely affected.
Moral of the story: don't put all your eggs in one basket.
The primary nature of the stock market is its high volatility. Those who try to predict its course always end up going wrong. So as a smart investor, you should try to handle market volatility. This can be done by investing in bits and pieces, diversifying your assets and trying to book profits at regular interval. This will protect your money when the going gets tough
This is a big mistake as the stocks are the best means of building wealth over a long-term while helping you beat inflation.
However over the short-term, markets tend to be very volatile. Market volatility means while the market can rise sharply, it can also go down dramatically. As a result, those who have invested their money will see the value of their investment sway sharply.
Particularly new investors are affected during the market crash, when they see their investments being wiped out. Hence, it is important for every smart investor to tackle market volatility intelligently.
Opt for balanced funds: With the stock markets reaching dizzying heights, investors started choosing pure equity funds over balanced funds. Balanced funds are great for dealing with the market volatility as they give the investors exposure to both equities and debt in the ratio of 65:35 (65% in equities and 35% in debt).
As these funds don't concentrate solely on the equities, they do not fall as sharply as good old equity funds. Alternatively, you can opt for monthly income plans, which are less risky than balanced funds, since they invest just 15%-25% of their assets in equities.
Sunil invested Rs 10,000 in a pure equity fund. His wife Smita invested Rs 10,000 in a balanced fund. Despite Sunil insisting that Smita opt for an equity fund, Smita refused. So when market crash came, the value of Sunil's investment became Rs 3,000, while Smita's investment became Rs 6,000.
Invest in market through SIPs: A Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is the most powerful way to benefit from the market volatility. It allows you to average the cost of your purchase, by letting you buy fewer units of the mutual fund when the markets are high and more units during the market downturn. As a result, your average cost of purchase goes down.
Anita started a SIP of Rs 1,000 in a mutual fund with a NAV of Rs 10. She received 100 units with her first installment. The next month the NAV of the fund went to Rs 20 and she received 50 units. In the third month, the market nosedived and the NAV became Rs 5, giving her 200 units. So by making an investment of Rs. 3000, Anita got 350 units. Her purchase price per unit was Rs. 8.57 units.
Diversify your portfolio: We all love it when a particular asset is doing well. This has been evident in the recent stock market crash where people put all their money in realty and infrastructure sectors, which were badly affected. Since many people had taken massive exposure to these sectors, the market crash ended burning many people's fingers. So as a smart investor, ensure adequate exposure to various asset classes. Though make equities the mainstay of your investment plan, ensure you take exposure to other assets like gold, realty and debt. So in case of a stock market downturn you are sufficiently protected.
John wanted to become rich. He was lured by the stories of people making a quick buck in the stock market. He contacted his broker who recommended him to invest in stocks of Unitech, DLF and other leading realty companies. John followed his advice and invested accordingly. But the market downturn in 2008, saw John losing the value of his investment as all these companies were severely affected.
Moral of the story: don't put all your eggs in one basket.
The primary nature of the stock market is its high volatility. Those who try to predict its course always end up going wrong. So as a smart investor, you should try to handle market volatility. This can be done by investing in bits and pieces, diversifying your assets and trying to book profits at regular interval. This will protect your money when the going gets tough
What is excise duty all about?
In the Indian tax structure, there are a lot of taxes that people pay for different reasons. Income tax, sales tax, entertainment tax, value added tax etc. All these taxes are existent because in some way or the other it impacts and helps the economy. One such tax that is prevalent in any manufacturing sector is the excise duty.
What is excise duty?
An excise or excise tax (sometimes called an excise duty) is a type of tax charged on goods produced within the country (as opposed to customs duties, charged on goods from outside the country). It is a tax on the production or sale of a good. This tax is now known as the Central Value Added Tax (CENVAT).
Though the collection of tax is to augment as much revenue as possible to the government to provide public services, over the years it has been used as an instrument of fiscal policy to stimulate economic growth. Thus it is one of the socio-economic objectives.
What are the types of excise duty?
There are three different types of central excise duties which exist in India which are as follows:
Basic - Excise Duty, imposed under section 3 of the 'Central Excises and Salt Act' of 1944 on all excisable goods other than salt produced or manufactured in India, at the rates set forth in the schedule to the Central Excise tariff Act, 1985, falls under the category of basic excise duty in India.
Additional - Section 3 of the 'Additional Duties of Excise Act' of 1957 permits the charge and collection of excise duty in respect of the goods as listed in the schedule of this act. This tax is shared between the central and state governments and charged instead of sales tax.
Special - According to Section 37 of the Finance Act, 1978, Special Excise Duty is levied on all excisable goods that come under taxation, in line with the Basic Excise Duty under the Central Excises and Salt Act of 1944. Therefore, each year the Finance Act spells out that whether the Special Excise Duty shall or shall not be charged, and eventually collected during the relevant financial year.
Which goods are excisable goods?
The term 'excisable goods' means the goods which are specified in the first schedule and the second schedule to the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985, as being subject to a duty of excise and includes salt.
Who is liable to pay excise duty?
The liability to pay tax excise duty is always on the manufacturer or producer of goods. There are three types of parties who can be considered as manufacturers:
Those who personally manufacture the goods in question
Those who get the goods manufactured by employing hired labour
Those who get the goods manufactured by other parties
Is it mandatory to pay duty on all goods manufactured?
Yes, it is mandatory to pay duty on all goods manufactured, unless exempted. For example, duty is not payable on the goods exported out of India. Similarly exemption from payment of duty is available, based on conditions such as kind of raw materials used, value of turnover (clearances) in a financial year, type of process employed etc.
What is the consequence of evading payment of excise duty?
Under the different sections of the central excise act, the fines for evading tax can range from twenty-five to fifty per cent of the amount of duty evaded. When you look at the amount of excise you may have to pay, this is a rather large amount and along with the financial repercussions, you also have to encounter a tarnished image.
What is excise duty?
An excise or excise tax (sometimes called an excise duty) is a type of tax charged on goods produced within the country (as opposed to customs duties, charged on goods from outside the country). It is a tax on the production or sale of a good. This tax is now known as the Central Value Added Tax (CENVAT).
Though the collection of tax is to augment as much revenue as possible to the government to provide public services, over the years it has been used as an instrument of fiscal policy to stimulate economic growth. Thus it is one of the socio-economic objectives.
What are the types of excise duty?
There are three different types of central excise duties which exist in India which are as follows:
Basic - Excise Duty, imposed under section 3 of the 'Central Excises and Salt Act' of 1944 on all excisable goods other than salt produced or manufactured in India, at the rates set forth in the schedule to the Central Excise tariff Act, 1985, falls under the category of basic excise duty in India.
Additional - Section 3 of the 'Additional Duties of Excise Act' of 1957 permits the charge and collection of excise duty in respect of the goods as listed in the schedule of this act. This tax is shared between the central and state governments and charged instead of sales tax.
Special - According to Section 37 of the Finance Act, 1978, Special Excise Duty is levied on all excisable goods that come under taxation, in line with the Basic Excise Duty under the Central Excises and Salt Act of 1944. Therefore, each year the Finance Act spells out that whether the Special Excise Duty shall or shall not be charged, and eventually collected during the relevant financial year.
Which goods are excisable goods?
The term 'excisable goods' means the goods which are specified in the first schedule and the second schedule to the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985, as being subject to a duty of excise and includes salt.
Who is liable to pay excise duty?
The liability to pay tax excise duty is always on the manufacturer or producer of goods. There are three types of parties who can be considered as manufacturers:
Those who personally manufacture the goods in question
Those who get the goods manufactured by employing hired labour
Those who get the goods manufactured by other parties
Is it mandatory to pay duty on all goods manufactured?
Yes, it is mandatory to pay duty on all goods manufactured, unless exempted. For example, duty is not payable on the goods exported out of India. Similarly exemption from payment of duty is available, based on conditions such as kind of raw materials used, value of turnover (clearances) in a financial year, type of process employed etc.
What is the consequence of evading payment of excise duty?
Under the different sections of the central excise act, the fines for evading tax can range from twenty-five to fifty per cent of the amount of duty evaded. When you look at the amount of excise you may have to pay, this is a rather large amount and along with the financial repercussions, you also have to encounter a tarnished image.
How to free yourself from personal loan
Any debt is a trap if not handled diligently. And during these tough times managing your resources expertly can go a long way in living a debt-free life.
It takes more than just a steady stream of income and paying your bills on time to save you from falling into a debt trap. There might also arise some real contingencies when one needs to raise money.
And more often than not many of us consider a personal loan as the best option to meet contingencies. But availing a personal loan without studying its terms and conditions and services could cost you more than what you intended.
Evaluate other options before you take up a personal loan
Before you approach a bank for a personal loan, weigh any other option that you may have to raise the necessary money like monetising your assets, or selling off your shares, bonds or debentures or premature closing of your fixed deposits.
If you are a salaried person, and the above options are not available, then the best way to get funds to meet a contingency is to approach the bank where your salary credit is done. Having known your track record and your exact income and withdrawal transactions, the banks are the best option available for you to secure a loan.
The rate of interest could be relatively lower for you, as you bank with them. The same option holds good for any businessman having a current/savings account with a bank.
But remember, taking a personal loan should be the last resort. A personal loan comes in various packages with varying terms and conditions.
For example, an unsecured personal loan or a signature loan comes loaded with higher rate of interest due to the inherent risk factor involved in it. A single default on your loan payment could not only put you into trouble in paying your current loan but could mar your credit repayment history and subsequently your chances of getting any other loan in the future.
Before going in for a personal loan it is advisable to put in your best efforts to find out the best deals available in the market. Online portals could give you the personal loan details you are looking for. And beware of accepting a flat rate of interest for your personal loan. Superficially it may appear to be the best bet but in many cases and down the road it turns out to be a much expensive proportion.
But if you have already taken a personal loan and thinking of ways to pay off your debt, here are some important tips:
Asset monetisation
If you have one or more of these assets such as car, home, life insurance policies, tax saving certificates, shares, bonds and debentures, or gold jewelry, bank fixed deposits, or mutual funds, you could monetise them to pay off your debt. In fact, some banks offer loan against assets that carry a decent rate of interest which could be used to settle your personal loan.
Consider debt consolidation
Another effective way of dealing with your debts is through what is called debt consolidation. In this method, you could pay a relatively lower installment every month over a longer tenure to the lender who will combine all the components of your debt portfolio into one.
Debt consolidation is an effective option if you have too many loans to take care of and not enough monetary capacity for astute financing as this method will give you a built-in view of your credit worthiness.
Though beware that when you calculate the total loan cost in the long run, it might become expensive. However, the idea is to obtain a short term relief under the current circumstances. Once your finances improve aim to close the loan earlier than planned.
Top up or convert to a secured loan
If you had taken a home loan you can move to a lower cost credit by going for a top up on your current loan. Another viable option would be to talk to your bank and if they agree convert the current loan into a secured loan against your vehicles, house, but only if the property is free form debts, liens or mortgages. This way you can restructure the loan for a lower monthly payment after taking into consideration the loan tenure and the interest rate.
Perhaps, the only drawback in converting a personal loan into other loans having collateral is that you stand to lose the collateral at risk in case of default on your loan amount, which could mean a lot when there is a contingency in the future.
Hence, it is advisable to convert your current debt into a secured loan only after analysing your capacity to repay the secured loan so that you don't stand to lose the collateral at risk.
As said, even a single default on your personal loan could trigger unexpected after-effects in the repayment of your current loan and getting a future loan.
In cases of the first default, it is ideal for you to talk to your lender and find a way out. Under normal circumstances the lender could impose a penalty of roughly around 2 per cent on the default amount, which will only add to your current burden. So strive to discuss any problems you face with the lender to seek advise on possible solutions.
Remember, a personal loan is always a risky alternative finance with a higher rate of interest and it is better to close the loan as early as possible.
It takes more than just a steady stream of income and paying your bills on time to save you from falling into a debt trap. There might also arise some real contingencies when one needs to raise money.
And more often than not many of us consider a personal loan as the best option to meet contingencies. But availing a personal loan without studying its terms and conditions and services could cost you more than what you intended.
Evaluate other options before you take up a personal loan
Before you approach a bank for a personal loan, weigh any other option that you may have to raise the necessary money like monetising your assets, or selling off your shares, bonds or debentures or premature closing of your fixed deposits.
If you are a salaried person, and the above options are not available, then the best way to get funds to meet a contingency is to approach the bank where your salary credit is done. Having known your track record and your exact income and withdrawal transactions, the banks are the best option available for you to secure a loan.
The rate of interest could be relatively lower for you, as you bank with them. The same option holds good for any businessman having a current/savings account with a bank.
But remember, taking a personal loan should be the last resort. A personal loan comes in various packages with varying terms and conditions.
For example, an unsecured personal loan or a signature loan comes loaded with higher rate of interest due to the inherent risk factor involved in it. A single default on your loan payment could not only put you into trouble in paying your current loan but could mar your credit repayment history and subsequently your chances of getting any other loan in the future.
Before going in for a personal loan it is advisable to put in your best efforts to find out the best deals available in the market. Online portals could give you the personal loan details you are looking for. And beware of accepting a flat rate of interest for your personal loan. Superficially it may appear to be the best bet but in many cases and down the road it turns out to be a much expensive proportion.
But if you have already taken a personal loan and thinking of ways to pay off your debt, here are some important tips:
Asset monetisation
If you have one or more of these assets such as car, home, life insurance policies, tax saving certificates, shares, bonds and debentures, or gold jewelry, bank fixed deposits, or mutual funds, you could monetise them to pay off your debt. In fact, some banks offer loan against assets that carry a decent rate of interest which could be used to settle your personal loan.
Consider debt consolidation
Another effective way of dealing with your debts is through what is called debt consolidation. In this method, you could pay a relatively lower installment every month over a longer tenure to the lender who will combine all the components of your debt portfolio into one.
Debt consolidation is an effective option if you have too many loans to take care of and not enough monetary capacity for astute financing as this method will give you a built-in view of your credit worthiness.
Though beware that when you calculate the total loan cost in the long run, it might become expensive. However, the idea is to obtain a short term relief under the current circumstances. Once your finances improve aim to close the loan earlier than planned.
Top up or convert to a secured loan
If you had taken a home loan you can move to a lower cost credit by going for a top up on your current loan. Another viable option would be to talk to your bank and if they agree convert the current loan into a secured loan against your vehicles, house, but only if the property is free form debts, liens or mortgages. This way you can restructure the loan for a lower monthly payment after taking into consideration the loan tenure and the interest rate.
Perhaps, the only drawback in converting a personal loan into other loans having collateral is that you stand to lose the collateral at risk in case of default on your loan amount, which could mean a lot when there is a contingency in the future.
Hence, it is advisable to convert your current debt into a secured loan only after analysing your capacity to repay the secured loan so that you don't stand to lose the collateral at risk.
As said, even a single default on your personal loan could trigger unexpected after-effects in the repayment of your current loan and getting a future loan.
In cases of the first default, it is ideal for you to talk to your lender and find a way out. Under normal circumstances the lender could impose a penalty of roughly around 2 per cent on the default amount, which will only add to your current burden. So strive to discuss any problems you face with the lender to seek advise on possible solutions.
Remember, a personal loan is always a risky alternative finance with a higher rate of interest and it is better to close the loan as early as possible.
The best ways to save tax smartly
The best ways to save tax smartly
It is that time of year again, when we have to make tax saving investments. But how do we go about choosing the right tax saving instruments that will give you the optimal returns while saving you tax?
So here is how to go about making an ideal tax saving portfolio.
Public Provident Fund
This is the best investment you will ever make. It offers you safety, while providing high returns. Make the most of it as both principal as well as interest withdrawals are tax-free at least till the next Budget.
You can invest up to Rs 70,000 and earn an interest at 8% per annum as of now.
Next on your list should be life insurance. For this, first calculate your actual insurance needs and find out if your current insurance cover meets this need.
If not, you need to go and purchase appropriate cover. If you are willing to take a bit of risk, opt for ULIP. But if you want to save money while enjoying insurance and tax benefits, then opt for simple term insurance.
Pension funds
How about saving for retirement while simultaneously enjoying tax benefits? Then how about investing in pension funds?
You can opt for pension funds offered by both insurance companies as well as mutual funds. However be warned that while you don't pay tax on investing, you will have to pay tax on the pension.
Superannuation fund
If you are working for an employer that offers you a superannuation fund, be sure to join it. The investment amount is normally deducted from your salary.
However the tax benefit is applicable only to the recognised funds.
NSC and bank fixed deposits
As we said before PPF is the best investment in terms of safety and returns. However, its main drawback is that the investment has a lock-in of 15 years. Moreover you must keep on contributing to PPF every year.
If you are not happy with these disadvantages, then you can opt for NSC (National Savings Certificate) and Bank FDs. Bank FDs have a lock-in period of 5 years and the minimum deposit amount varies from bank to bank.
NSCs are available at local post office and have an interest rate of 8%. The minimum amount that you can start investing from is Rs 100. The lock-in period is 6 years. However, the drawback is that if you withdraw the investment amount before maturity, you end up paying penalty.
Equity-Linked Savings Schemes
Ready to take on more risks to earn a higher return while also saving on tax? Then ELSS is a must for you.
The minimum investment amount here is Rs. 500 and has a lock-in period of 3 years.
However, it is important to note that if you try to withdraw your investment after three years, you may not get your original amount back, since these funds are purely market-linked and their fortunes are linked to the performance of the markets.
Other tax savings instruments
Do you have a home loan? Are you paying your children's fees? If yes, then the principal repayment of your home loan and your children's fees do help you save tax.
It is that time of year again, when we have to make tax saving investments. But how do we go about choosing the right tax saving instruments that will give you the optimal returns while saving you tax?
So here is how to go about making an ideal tax saving portfolio.
Public Provident Fund
This is the best investment you will ever make. It offers you safety, while providing high returns. Make the most of it as both principal as well as interest withdrawals are tax-free at least till the next Budget.
You can invest up to Rs 70,000 and earn an interest at 8% per annum as of now.
Next on your list should be life insurance. For this, first calculate your actual insurance needs and find out if your current insurance cover meets this need.
If not, you need to go and purchase appropriate cover. If you are willing to take a bit of risk, opt for ULIP. But if you want to save money while enjoying insurance and tax benefits, then opt for simple term insurance.
Pension funds
How about saving for retirement while simultaneously enjoying tax benefits? Then how about investing in pension funds?
You can opt for pension funds offered by both insurance companies as well as mutual funds. However be warned that while you don't pay tax on investing, you will have to pay tax on the pension.
Superannuation fund
If you are working for an employer that offers you a superannuation fund, be sure to join it. The investment amount is normally deducted from your salary.
However the tax benefit is applicable only to the recognised funds.
NSC and bank fixed deposits
As we said before PPF is the best investment in terms of safety and returns. However, its main drawback is that the investment has a lock-in of 15 years. Moreover you must keep on contributing to PPF every year.
If you are not happy with these disadvantages, then you can opt for NSC (National Savings Certificate) and Bank FDs. Bank FDs have a lock-in period of 5 years and the minimum deposit amount varies from bank to bank.
NSCs are available at local post office and have an interest rate of 8%. The minimum amount that you can start investing from is Rs 100. The lock-in period is 6 years. However, the drawback is that if you withdraw the investment amount before maturity, you end up paying penalty.
Equity-Linked Savings Schemes
Ready to take on more risks to earn a higher return while also saving on tax? Then ELSS is a must for you.
The minimum investment amount here is Rs. 500 and has a lock-in period of 3 years.
However, it is important to note that if you try to withdraw your investment after three years, you may not get your original amount back, since these funds are purely market-linked and their fortunes are linked to the performance of the markets.
Other tax savings instruments
Do you have a home loan? Are you paying your children's fees? If yes, then the principal repayment of your home loan and your children's fees do help you save tax.
-Valentine’s Day Sweet Quotes, -Romantic Messages and -Valentine’s Popular Greetings
Valentine’s Day is the most romantic day of the year especially to the couples. This is the day when people would express their deepest and warmest love to their partners and loved ones. The best way to express the feelings is through the Valentine’s Quotes or Valentine’s Messages which people are looking for. Saying “I Love You” is the best Valentine message which a person could tell but adding more sweet words could add color and happiness to the message.
Below are some sweet and romantic Valentine’s Quotes and Messages. Start sending these sweet quotes now and make your loved ones happy this Valentine’s Day.
- Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being “in love” which any of us can convince ourselves we are.
- Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two.
- “She walks in Beauty, like the night
- Of cloudness climes and starry skies,
- And all that’s best of dark and bright
- Meet in her aspect and her eyes…”
- “… See there’s this place in me where your fingerprints still rest, your kisses still linger, and your whispers softly echo. It’s the place where a part of you will forever be a part of me.”
- “The hours I spend with you I look upon as sort of a perfumed garden, a dim twilight, and a fountain signing to it…you and you alone make me feel that I am alive…Other men, it is said, have seen angels, but I have seen thee and thou art enough.”
- “From every human being there rises a light that reaches straight to heaven. And when two souls that are destined to be together find each other, their streams of light flow together, and a single brighter light goes forth from their united being.”
10 Best Home Based Business
Due to recession many people in our country have lost their jobs, and I was one of them. But instead of sitting at home and cursing my fate, I thought of starting my own business. The only hitch was that I had no clue of starting a business. So I began researching on various businesses that one can start from home and came up with my own list of top 10 best home based businesses. Since recession has affected each one of us very badly, I thought of sharing this list with you so that you too may benefit out of it, i.e., if you are planning to start a work at home business. So here is the list for you.
10 Best Home Based Businesses
Tutoring
If you have an inclination towards academics and you love being with children, then out of the 10 best home based businesses, tutoring is the one that will suit you the most. For finding out the possibilities of such a business, you may contact the school principals in your area. You can teach children at schools or you may even teach them at your home.
Web Designer
If you have the required skills and creativity to design websites, then you can turn this into a business. Creative and innovative web designers are always in great demand, hence, web designing is among the top 10 best home based business in my list. Read more on work from home computer business.
Exercise Trainer
If exercising and staying fit interests you, then you can start a business by being a personal trainer. For this you will have to visit your clients in their homes and then teach them exercises as well as create workout routines and diet charts for them.
Business Consultant
If you have any experience in marketing, advertising or management in general, you can become a business consultant. You can consult businesses regarding what marketing strategies they should follow or suggest advertising techniques that will work best for them. If you have experience in management, you can even consult people on the businesses that they can enter into. Read more on how to start a consulting business.
Interior Designer
If you are constantly trying to match the color of the walls in your bedroom with the color of the curtains, then interior designing is the best out of the 10 best home based businesses list for you. You may start this business, by first of all asking for work among your friends and family, who have just purchased a new house or who are looking forward to renovating their house. Getting the first assignment can take time, but if you do it well, then through word of mouth, you would not face problem getting new assignments. Read more on home based business opportunities.
Clothes Boutique
If you are creative and have a natural knack for mixing and matching your clothes,then you can start your own clothes boutique in your house itself. If you have the caliber to design clothes, you can even consider starting your own clothes line in the future. Read more on how to start a clothing line.
Event Planner
Another of the businesses which is among my 10 best home based business list is event planning. You can start by planning people's birthday parties and anniversary parties, and then move on to planning weddings and office functions. Read more on event planning.
Daycare Center
With men and women both working these days, there is always a great demand for a daycare center for children. A day care center for children is quite lucrative among the 10 best home based businesses. Of course, to start such a business, love and concern for children is a prerequisite. Read more on how to start a home daycare.
Gift Maker
If you have an inclination towards craft activities, then you can make gift items and sell them to individuals as well as corporates. During Christmas, corporates are always looking for innovative gifts to give to their employees, this is where you can step in. You can create some innovative gift items or prepare some gift baskets and sell in bulk to the businesses. Read more on lucrative businesses to start.
Caterer
If you love to cook, you can offer your services as a personalized chef at various functions and parties. You can also start a catering business and supply food items, for personal parties as well as corporate functions.
10 Best Home Based Businesses
Tutoring
If you have an inclination towards academics and you love being with children, then out of the 10 best home based businesses, tutoring is the one that will suit you the most. For finding out the possibilities of such a business, you may contact the school principals in your area. You can teach children at schools or you may even teach them at your home.
Web Designer
If you have the required skills and creativity to design websites, then you can turn this into a business. Creative and innovative web designers are always in great demand, hence, web designing is among the top 10 best home based business in my list. Read more on work from home computer business.
Exercise Trainer
If exercising and staying fit interests you, then you can start a business by being a personal trainer. For this you will have to visit your clients in their homes and then teach them exercises as well as create workout routines and diet charts for them.
Business Consultant
If you have any experience in marketing, advertising or management in general, you can become a business consultant. You can consult businesses regarding what marketing strategies they should follow or suggest advertising techniques that will work best for them. If you have experience in management, you can even consult people on the businesses that they can enter into. Read more on how to start a consulting business.
Interior Designer
If you are constantly trying to match the color of the walls in your bedroom with the color of the curtains, then interior designing is the best out of the 10 best home based businesses list for you. You may start this business, by first of all asking for work among your friends and family, who have just purchased a new house or who are looking forward to renovating their house. Getting the first assignment can take time, but if you do it well, then through word of mouth, you would not face problem getting new assignments. Read more on home based business opportunities.
Clothes Boutique
If you are creative and have a natural knack for mixing and matching your clothes,then you can start your own clothes boutique in your house itself. If you have the caliber to design clothes, you can even consider starting your own clothes line in the future. Read more on how to start a clothing line.
Event Planner
Another of the businesses which is among my 10 best home based business list is event planning. You can start by planning people's birthday parties and anniversary parties, and then move on to planning weddings and office functions. Read more on event planning.
Daycare Center
With men and women both working these days, there is always a great demand for a daycare center for children. A day care center for children is quite lucrative among the 10 best home based businesses. Of course, to start such a business, love and concern for children is a prerequisite. Read more on how to start a home daycare.
Gift Maker
If you have an inclination towards craft activities, then you can make gift items and sell them to individuals as well as corporates. During Christmas, corporates are always looking for innovative gifts to give to their employees, this is where you can step in. You can create some innovative gift items or prepare some gift baskets and sell in bulk to the businesses. Read more on lucrative businesses to start.
Caterer
If you love to cook, you can offer your services as a personalized chef at various functions and parties. You can also start a catering business and supply food items, for personal parties as well as corporate functions.
Importance of Cash Flow
Importance of Cash Flow
What is Cash Flow?
The concept of cash flow can be defined in different manners. Some people feel that it is fit to define cash flow as an income through sales or a revenue through any economic activity or any expenditure for the organization. Cash flow is a any kind of income or expenditure, that affects the cash accounts. It must be noted that inward cash flow does not include many incomes such as a credit sale of goods or income due but not received. A cash flow must be strictly, financially liquid cash or finances that can be stored in a bank account or in the form of currency. Any financial statement, that shows an inward or outward flow of cash is a proof of cash flow. It must be noted that profits, due payments, and other factors related to credit are not included under the domain of cash flow.
Cash Inflow and Outflow
The concept of cash flow can be broadly divided into two categories, namely the inflow and outflow. The cash inflow, which is also known as inward cash flow or just cash flow is generated as a result of financing, ventures and sales. The cash outflow which is also known as onward flow of cash is seen as a result of many factors such as purchases, investments, salaries and administrative expenditures. The importance of cash flow statement was realized in the wake of the 2007 recession cycle. Business organizations have realized the importance of cash flow analysis, and have started regular audits of cash outflows as well as inflows. This study of inflow and outflow tends to play a highly instrumental role on general financial planning and financial management.
Importance of Cash Flow
There is a significant importance of cash flow to a business. Cash flow as defined above, is the inflow and outflow of cash or liquidized finances. The following are some advantages of inward and outward flow of cash.
What is Cash Flow?
The concept of cash flow can be defined in different manners. Some people feel that it is fit to define cash flow as an income through sales or a revenue through any economic activity or any expenditure for the organization. Cash flow is a any kind of income or expenditure, that affects the cash accounts. It must be noted that inward cash flow does not include many incomes such as a credit sale of goods or income due but not received. A cash flow must be strictly, financially liquid cash or finances that can be stored in a bank account or in the form of currency. Any financial statement, that shows an inward or outward flow of cash is a proof of cash flow. It must be noted that profits, due payments, and other factors related to credit are not included under the domain of cash flow.
Cash Inflow and Outflow
The concept of cash flow can be broadly divided into two categories, namely the inflow and outflow. The cash inflow, which is also known as inward cash flow or just cash flow is generated as a result of financing, ventures and sales. The cash outflow which is also known as onward flow of cash is seen as a result of many factors such as purchases, investments, salaries and administrative expenditures. The importance of cash flow statement was realized in the wake of the 2007 recession cycle. Business organizations have realized the importance of cash flow analysis, and have started regular audits of cash outflows as well as inflows. This study of inflow and outflow tends to play a highly instrumental role on general financial planning and financial management.
Importance of Cash Flow
There is a significant importance of cash flow to a business. Cash flow as defined above, is the inflow and outflow of cash or liquidized finances. The following are some advantages of inward and outward flow of cash.
- Income Assurance: The biggest importance of cash flow is that the business organization tends to have an assured income irrespective of the outside economic condition. Many business corporations have a very well balanced and uniform inward and outward cash flow.
- Ensures Timely Payment: The uniform and assured cash flow, in both the directions, ensures two principal payments, namely, the salaries of employees are paid on time and installments of all loans are made on time. This safeguards the trust of employees and upholds the credit rating.
- Return Ratio: The analysis of cash flow ensures that the business is not investing finances in the wrong avenues, and investments already made are paying off well. This ratio is often termed as return over asset ratio.
- Keeps You Out of Debt: The timely cash inflow plays a very instrumental role in keeping you out of debt, as a timely inflow of cash prevents you from taking small loans.
- Saves Unnecessary Expenditure: The use of inward and outward cash flow, prevents all unnecessary expenditure such as piled up interest, late payment charges, etc.
- Timely Investments: As the inflow and outflow of cash is on time, you are left with adequate free and liquid finances, which you may invest in time bound instruments and securities.
Government shutters half its websites
Nine-hundred-and-seven of the government's 1,700 websites have closed following the recommendations of the Varney report in 2006.
A further 479 are "committed to be closed", according to a written answer from Cabinet Office minister Angela Smith on 27 January.
She was responding to a request for information from shadow Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude, who also asked for details of the numbers of websites operated by different organisations in Whitehall.
Smith said that as of 31 December, 2009, 793 central government websites remain open and of these 182 are run by departments and 611 by executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies.
Two years after his Service transformation report, published in December 2006, Sir David Varney called on the government to speed the transformation processes he had recommended. He said progress had been made on combining government websites with Directgov and Businesslink, but added that four unnamed departments were responsible for 80 percent of sites that had not been planned for closure.
Oldest Living Person in the World Unofficial
It is a ritual that Mrs Amash has performed many times in her life.
According to Mrs Amash, she was born 120 years ago - a claim, if confirmed, that would make her the oldest person in the world.
The Guinness Book of Records currently lists 114-year-old Edna Parker of Shelbyville, Indiana, as holding the title.
But Mrs Amash - who lives in the predominantly Arab town of Jisr az-Zarqa in northern Israel - views her rival as a relative youngster.
"Yes, I am the oldest person in the world," she says, her family crowding around her.
"I eat, I drink, and I take showers. I hope to keep going for another 10 years."
Mrs Amash has 10 children, 120 grandchildren, 250 great-grandchildren, and 30 great-great-grandchildren, according to relatives.
The discovery that she may be the oldest person in the world came by chance when she applied for a new Israeli identity card.
"She rises every morning around five for prayers," says one of her grandsons, Majid Amash, 46, an engineer.
"She then goes for a walk and then spends most of her day with the family. She recognises all of us."
But, he adds, her grandmother's long-term memory is fuzzy.
For her part, Mrs Amash has one piece of cautionary advice for younger generations.
"They drink too much Arak (an Arabic alcoholic drink)," she says.
In order for Mrs Amash to be officially declared the oldest person in the World she must submit documentation to the Guinness Book of Records.
A spokesman in London for the publication says the family has yet to do that.
This question has come up because an email circulates from time to time saying that lipsticks contain lead and therefore cause cancer. This isn't true. The email appears to be one of the many hoax emails claiming that a variety of everyday products can cause cancer. We've had deodorant, shampoo, washing up liquid and now lipstick. None of these claims are true and just spread alarm unnecessarily.
The UK has strict laws about the production of cosmetic products. Manufacturers cannot sell a new product to the public before it has been safety tested. An organisation called The Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) provides information about regulation of cosmetics in the UK. The CTPA abides by regulations set out by the European Community. These list substances that are banned from cosmetics. Lead is banned from all cosmetics, apart from hair dyes.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the lead content in food and cosmetics. They say that if there is any lead in lipstick, it is likely to be such a small amount that it will not be harmful. Another American organisation called the National Lead Information Centre provides information about lead hazards. We have searched their website and have not been able to find any references to lipstick posing a threat.
The UK has strict laws about the production of cosmetic products. Manufacturers cannot sell a new product to the public before it has been safety tested. An organisation called The Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) provides information about regulation of cosmetics in the UK. The CTPA abides by regulations set out by the European Community. These list substances that are banned from cosmetics. Lead is banned from all cosmetics, apart from hair dyes.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the lead content in food and cosmetics. They say that if there is any lead in lipstick, it is likely to be such a small amount that it will not be harmful. Another American organisation called the National Lead Information Centre provides information about lead hazards. We have searched their website and have not been able to find any references to lipstick posing a threat.
Kidney Function: Keeping the Body
Kidneys are shaped like small beans, which are no bigger than your fist. They are located on either side of our backbone under the ribcage.
The diagram illustrates how the kidneys are constructed. First, the blood comes into the kidney through the renal artery and leaves in the renal vein, traveling on the same flow as blood that goes in and out of the heart.
Filtering the blood is the responsibility of about one million nephrons located in each kidney. These serve as the primary tool behind your kidney function. Nephrons use a glomerulus and a tubule to conduct the filtering process. What this system determines as waste gets flushed out of the kidneys in the form of urine along with extra water that the body does not need. Waste products are produced from food and fluid intake as well as normal tissue breakdown after the body has used what it needs for nutritional balance, energy, and self-repair. This process of food and tissue breakdown is known as your metabolism.
The urine travels through tubes called ureters into the bladder. It is here in the bladder where urine is stored until it is excreted out when you go to the bathroom. Normal kidney function produces one liter of urine from approximately 1,000 liters of blood that is processed by these two tiny organs.
Life Sustainers: Kidney Function
Kidney function is vital for life. Their true value becomes obvious to a person whose kidney function is lost. If both kidneys fail and can no longer purify your blood, the result is deadly. Even survival on one kidney is difficult and requires the use of dialysis. This is because the waste products would build up in the blood, raising toxicity. This poisonous imbalance can lead to severe organ damage and even death. Kidney function can also be disrupted by the appearance of kidney stones.
As a life sustainer, kidney function involves receiving, cleaning and chemically balancing 20-25% of the blood that is pumped by the heart. That equates to 1200milliliters of blood per minute. The kidneys are able to separate the useful substances from the harmful by-products, such as urea and creatinine. It is up to kidney function to maintain the right levels of certain chemicals in the blood that are necessary for a body to operate at its optimum. These vital chemicals include potassium, sodium, phosphorus, calcium, bicarbonate, magnesium and chloride.
Working with the skin and the respiratory system, another kidney function is to balance the amount of water in the body. Excess amounts of fluid are removed as determined by the kidneys.
The diagram illustrates how the kidneys are constructed. First, the blood comes into the kidney through the renal artery and leaves in the renal vein, traveling on the same flow as blood that goes in and out of the heart.
Filtering the blood is the responsibility of about one million nephrons located in each kidney. These serve as the primary tool behind your kidney function. Nephrons use a glomerulus and a tubule to conduct the filtering process. What this system determines as waste gets flushed out of the kidneys in the form of urine along with extra water that the body does not need. Waste products are produced from food and fluid intake as well as normal tissue breakdown after the body has used what it needs for nutritional balance, energy, and self-repair. This process of food and tissue breakdown is known as your metabolism.
The urine travels through tubes called ureters into the bladder. It is here in the bladder where urine is stored until it is excreted out when you go to the bathroom. Normal kidney function produces one liter of urine from approximately 1,000 liters of blood that is processed by these two tiny organs.
Life Sustainers: Kidney Function
Kidney function is vital for life. Their true value becomes obvious to a person whose kidney function is lost. If both kidneys fail and can no longer purify your blood, the result is deadly. Even survival on one kidney is difficult and requires the use of dialysis. This is because the waste products would build up in the blood, raising toxicity. This poisonous imbalance can lead to severe organ damage and even death. Kidney function can also be disrupted by the appearance of kidney stones.
As a life sustainer, kidney function involves receiving, cleaning and chemically balancing 20-25% of the blood that is pumped by the heart. That equates to 1200milliliters of blood per minute. The kidneys are able to separate the useful substances from the harmful by-products, such as urea and creatinine. It is up to kidney function to maintain the right levels of certain chemicals in the blood that are necessary for a body to operate at its optimum. These vital chemicals include potassium, sodium, phosphorus, calcium, bicarbonate, magnesium and chloride.
Working with the skin and the respiratory system, another kidney function is to balance the amount of water in the body. Excess amounts of fluid are removed as determined by the kidneys.
Lead in lipstick causing cancer
This question has come up because an email circulates from time to time saying that lipsticks contain lead and therefore cause cancer. This isn't true. The email appears to be one of the many hoax emails claiming that a variety of everyday products can cause cancer. We've had deodorant, shampoo, washing up liquid and now lipstick. None of these claims are true and just spread alarm unnecessarily.
The UK has strict laws about the production of cosmetic products. Manufacturers cannot sell a new product to the public before it has been safety tested. An organisation called The Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) provides information about regulation of cosmetics in the UK. The CTPA abides by regulations set out by the European Community. These list substances that are banned from cosmetics. Lead is banned from all cosmetics, apart from hair dyes.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the lead content in food and cosmetics. They say that if there is any lead in lipstick, it is likely to be such a small amount that it will not be harmful. Another American organisation called the National Lead Information Centre provides information about lead hazards. We have searched their website and have not been able to find any references to lipstick posing a threat.
The UK has strict laws about the production of cosmetic products. Manufacturers cannot sell a new product to the public before it has been safety tested. An organisation called The Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) provides information about regulation of cosmetics in the UK. The CTPA abides by regulations set out by the European Community. These list substances that are banned from cosmetics. Lead is banned from all cosmetics, apart from hair dyes.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the lead content in food and cosmetics. They say that if there is any lead in lipstick, it is likely to be such a small amount that it will not be harmful. Another American organisation called the National Lead Information Centre provides information about lead hazards. We have searched their website and have not been able to find any references to lipstick posing a threat.
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