Author Archives: Aidan

Understanding The Mortgage Minefield

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A mortgage is a loan that is taken out to buy a property or piece of land. The loan is then paid back to the lender in monthly instalments over a set term. If the borrower defaults on payments, the lender can ultimately repossess the property and resell it to recover the money.

Borrowing a large amount of money to buy a property is a big commitment, and a mortgage can last for as long as 30 years. This means it can a huge impact on your daily life, as it will form a large part of the household’s monthly outgoings. If taking on a mortgage is in your mind here are some important steps you can take to get off to a good start.

Save for a deposit 

The larger the down payment you make toward purchasing a property, the lower your monthly repayment rate will be. In addition, putting down a larger deposit gives you more mortgage types to choose from, allowing you the possibility of finding a lower interest rate.

Improve your credit history

Lenders will look at your credit report before they agree to lend you money, so a good credit score is essential. You can check a credit record online free of charge through various companies. The report shows any bankruptcies, other applications that have been made for credit, and missed payments on other loans. Before applying for a mortgage, be sure to correct any errors in your report. To improve your score, register to vote at your current address (lenders use the electoral roll to protect themselves against fraud).

Understand your options

The two most common types of mortgage loans are interest-only and repayment mortgages. With an interest-only mortgage the capital debt is not repaid and at the end of the term the full amount will still be outstanding. These used to run alongside endowment insurance policies where the sum assured was set to accrue enough funds to pay off the capital sum when the mortgage term ended. With reducing income on investments and low interest rates endowment mortgages have fallen out of favour.

With a repayment mortgage, payments are made to pay off the capital and the interest so that at the end of the term, the borrower owns the property outright. Interest charges take precedence in the early years so it is some time before inroads are made into the sum owed. Mortgage life insurance is essential with such a big financial commitment. If the borrower dies during the mortgage term the sum assured will pay off the outstanding debt. Some borrowers also take out insurance to cover mortgage repayments in the event of redundancy or an inability to work due to long-term illness.

Research different mortgage packages

Mortgage packages have either a fixed rate (for a set term) or a variable rate. With a variable rate, the rate can increase or decrease with the Bank of England’s base rate. Make sure to perform adequate research to find the best deal.

Start by using comparison websites to determine the different mortgage packages available for first-time buyers. You can also use an online affordability calculator to determine how much you can afford to borrow. Finally, talk to a specialist mortgage broker and consult at least one financial adviser for advice before taking out a mortgage.

Taking out a mortgage can be a daunting task; it can also be very exciting. As long as you carefully consider your options and seek sound professional advice, you can finally own your own home and have a good investment for your future.

 

 

The Pick Of Holland Cooper’s Mens Tweed Collection

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by  tedeytan 

Tweed has seen somewhat of comeback in recent times. This classic material fell out of vogue in the late 20th Century, where edgier materials like leather and denim became the choice of both trendy professionals and fashionable youths.

However, with the emergence of retro trends and vintage chic, tweed has had an impressive comeback in the 21st Century. With flashy trainers being replaced by sturdy brogues and sleek ties outclassed by quirky bow-ties, fashion is truly going full-circle and tweed is the new black.

This country staple has been favoured both by Britain’s aristocracy and agriculture community for centuries, yet now we are seeing tweed becoming increasingly present within urban fashion also. Whilst in the old days, tweed was the staple of the horse-racing track and hunting lodge, today it can be seen everywhere from university campuses to metropolitan pavements.

These days, classically cut garments, in tweed, are often contrasted with other materials and styles for an edgier, more fashion-forward look. Modern tweed can often be seen in sharp blazers paired with tattered Doc Martens and oversized coats complimented by muted skinny-jeans.
Meanwhile, the old-school complete tweed look is also coming back, with colourful socks and flamboyant bow-ties a must. Therefore, regardless of how much or how little you have, tweed is most certainly a material that can be a simultaneously contemporary and timeless edition to your wardrobe.

Holland Cooper have been offering high-quality, British-made Tweed for decades and are one of the most respected and longstanding traders of the material in the UK today. Therefore, considering tweeds re-emergence as a must-have fabric, here is our pick of Holland Cooper’s current collection.

Morrison Jacket (£349)
This striking tweed creation offers a flamboyant twist on a classic design. The jacket’s bold, and enlarged, pattern – which imposes striking hot pink lines on a subdued grey base – makes it a definite statement item in any wardrobe. Meanwhile, the jacket’s out-there pattern is neatly contrasted by its traditional silhouette and two-button design. Made from 100 per cent suede, and from only the finest of British made wools, this jacket is designed to slim the torso and emphasise the shoulders. If you want a proper hipster look, pair this jacket with a light-toned shirt, bold braces and a shiny pair of brogues. However, to grudge it up, add a pair of black skinny-jeans and a vintage band T-shirt, such as Led Zeppelin, to give the look an edge through this contrasting of styles and eras.

Pea Coat (£599)
For those who want to utilise tweed but without compromising on their contemporary look, this pea coat – in a subtle charcoal – is the perfect updated design for this traditional material. The lasted addition to the City Collection, this six buttoned number with piped black leather pockets is an understated and classy addition to anyone’s urban wardrobe. The intricate leather detailing, which extends to the sleeves and shoulders, gives this traditional pea coat some bite, whilst the careful construction creates a striking and powerful silhouette for the wearer. Meanwhile, the hand-crafted buttons add a nice level of detail to the coat, which is the hallmark of any quality item. This coat works best with a clean, crisp white shirt – perhaps with a statement collar – which streamlines the whole look without making it boring.

Aviator Gilet (£199)
The aviator gilet is perhaps the most unusual item in the collection and therefore is great for those who like their fashion to be standout and forward-thinking. This crafted item is made from both 100% wool and leather and is individually hand cut, designed and made in Great Britain using Scottish woven tweeds and wools. This design is excellent for those with a defined torso as it accentuates a muscular frame. The pattern is classic tweed but the leather detailing to the pockets and arm cuffs gives this gilet a modern twist. Perfect when paired with classic-cut jeans and for the more experimental wearer, why not match it with a slim-fit denim shirt.

 

 

Why Soccer Is More Than Just A Sport

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For those outside of the sport’s dedicated and passionate fan base, it is difficult to understand why or how soccer can have such a significant and emotive impact upon so many people. It is with almost disbelief that some people view grown men and women crying with joy or wailing with anger over what is just a game to them.

Soccer’s importance and presence within its fans’ lives will likely become even more apparent over the next few weeks with the conclusion of the League Cup, which sees Chelsea being the 4/6 favourite to win in the League Cup betting. This colossal event, which sees all clubs of the Football League compete against each other, has been to known to whip fans into an emotional frenzy each and every year.

But why is this and are those non-fans right to judge soccer fans for their seemingly irrational investment in – to quote many a sceptic – a bunch of men kicking a ball around? Moreover, why is it that many find it understandable for those actually playing the sport to show extremities of emotions, such Steven Gerrard’s passionate leaking of emotion after Liverpool’s win over Manchester City in 2014, but feel that fans are weird for also doing so?

gerrardsoccerfootballsport

by  Calciomercato24

To understand the answer to this question, one has to realise that for many soccer is not just a sport but a powerful narrative that they are both emotionally invested in and mentally involved with. It is not just a defined, and isolated, game but an entity comprising of personal belief, identity and loyalty. It is a funnel for national pride and a uniting factor for many a country’s population.

An excellent example of this is the powerful and symbolic domestic reaction to Germany’s victory at the 2014 World Cup. Many critics and observers commentated that Germany’s joyous reaction to their country’s achievement was one of the first carefree expressions of such a feeling since the twin World Wars cast a shadow over the country’s ability to display patriotism.

This is soccer’s power, its ability to harness a collective pride and feeling of achievement and share it amongst its supporters. It is a form of entertainment that invites its punters to invest, not in fictional creations, but real people and their challenges. Likewise, it welcomes these fans to share the credit and the moment of victory with its players.

If people are allowed to cry over the death of Albus Dumbledore or be warmed by the heart-breaking romance of Fault In Their Stars, why should others not weep at watching an underdog side breakthrough or a former star briefly return to glory? Is seeing a group of individuals – through determination, hard work and ambition – achieve their dreams not worthy of a proper emotional response and vocal appraisal?

The answer is, of course, is because to these dedicated professionals and their passionate fans soccer is not a game of grass and goalposts but of blood and tears and heart.

 

 

 

Bust Boredom Online

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The Christmas season is a wonderful time, families and friends coming together to kick back, relax and enjoy a little time away from the daily grind, celebrating the end of another year. Naturally this was all a lot of fun, though looking past the enormous amounts of food and frivolity, the post-Christmas period can be a rather tedious experience. Bank balances have been drained, the hangover from the season’s parties just doesn’t seem to want to lift, and as such we’re stuck inside, boredom easily setting in. Luckily however, there is one thing that can satiate our desire to actually do something, a cheap, fun, endlessly enjoyable resource; the internet!

ipad tablet

Shopping online is a great way to while away those boring moments, and has long been one of the most popular ways for people to get hold of their favourite wares, and for good reason. There’s hundreds of deals out there, and online retailers are well known for regularly releasing huge numbers of discounts in order to entice wily shoppers. Take, for instance, poster site AllPosters. This site regularly has sales, so if you’re thinking of changing the flavour of your home you should definitely spend an hour or so scrolling through the millions of images on offer.

 

If your bank balance isn’t up to the task of funding a little online shopping, then injecting some excitement into your post-Christmas period is easy- indulge in a spot of gaming! We’re not talking board games- we want to reduce the levels of stress, after all- but online games. Gaming site Betsson’s selection of titles is very large indeed. With slots, poker, blackjack and plenty of themed games including Game Of Thrones, you’ll have no excuse to go bored this January! If that doesn’t tickle your fancy then there are heaps of apps, downloads and console games that will similarly shield you from the ravages of boredom! Kongregate has a huge number of browser games, many of which are in complete 3D, and if you enjoy the MMO experience, Planetside 2, a first person shooter that hosts literally hundreds of players in battles could be a great way to pass the time!

 

January doesn’t have to be all about relaxation, and if you’ve got a rather large amount of free time until you get back to work then now is a great time to get planning for the year ahead. Been putting off researching that career or education move you’ve been hankering for? Crack out the laptop and get looking- you won’t regret it when you’re sitting pretty in February, all plans having been set into motion.

 

If none of the above has done enough to beat back banality, then there are still better things to do than pointlessly surfing clickbait sites. Instead, sign up to a site like stumbleupon! On these kinds of sites you can choose a number of interests which the website then uses to come up with fun, interesting and thought-provoking content for your consumption. You’ll never be bored again!

 

 

 

Frost’s Editor Writes Wedding Planning Book: The Wedding Survival Guide: How To Plan Your Big Day Without Losing Your Sanity

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Getting married and feeling daunted? Our editor, Catherine Balavage, has written an excellent wedding planning book. It covers very aspect of getting married from engagement to the honeymoon.  This is Catherine’s second book, the first one was about acting and was very well-received.

wedding planning, wedding survival guide, wedding book, wedding books, how to plan a wedding

The book is available in print, ebook and Kindle. The Kindle version is only £2.99. It is also a perfect gift for anyone who wants a wedding book for Christmas.

Buy The Wedding Survival Guide: How To Plan Your Big Day Without Losing Your Sanity here.

 

 

Tech for Little Kids – Good or Bad?

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toptipskidsbathtimefunThis is an important question because, in today’s tech world, almost everything is dependent on technology. Studies show that screen time is not beneficial for very young children. They get distracted when TV is on, but still don’t reap any benefits out of it. However, as they grow older (age 5 or above) they can understand the benefits and accordingly will be able to master them too.

 

Looking at the other side, preschoolers know how to operate an electronic gadget but don’t know how to tie their shoelaces. Yes, this shows that they are technology-friendly. But has technology taken away the simplicity of your children? Is it taking over their lives?

 

Children are spending too much screen time, which is not good for them. But then there are so many sources for them like television, computer, laptop, smartphone, and a number of other electronic gadgets. Agreed, they are still playing in the parks, having regular physical activities and going to their grandma’s house, but the question still is; is technology good for them or bad?

 

Looking at the good side, there are a number of gadgets designed to teach kids. Educational toys, interactive media and other electronic stuff help kids to become smarter. They are able to compete with elder kids and can still be good enough.

But the negative side is terrible. With a recommendation that the screen time of a toddler should be reduced to nil, babies today are logging an average screen time of two hours on a daily basis.

 

Can one do anything about it?

Digital media is a part of our lives and slowly becoming a need for the kids too. There is nothing much that can be done to keep them away from technology. If you stop watching television, shut your laptops and PCs, throw away your smartphones, your kids will still be exposed to technology, in some form or the other. So, it is better to focus on how can one use it to their advantage and make them benefit from it.

 

Here are some cool ways; you can use technology for the good:

  1. Music: If you are playing a song on your TV sets, your iPod, iPhone, or music system, use it to make a dancing session for your kids. This way, you and your kids are a part of a physical activity.
  2. Games: There are a number of educational games available in the market. Buy some for your kid and let them spend more time with it, instead of wasting quality time on watching TV or staring at the laptop.
  3. Mix Flash Cards with TV time: This combination can be a bit irritating, but if you do, there is a possibility that your kid will learn more to watch his favorite cartoon on TV. If you are planning to buy such kid-friendly stuffs, here is a free shipping coupon sears to make your purchase cheaper. These toys help kids learn things quickly and with ease.

 

 

 

What’s Next for Britain’s Got Talent?

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britainsgottalentSince launching in 2007, Britain’s Got Talent has gone through some ups and downs that, truthfully, are to be expected. When a TV program achieves what feels like flash-in-the-pan success, it can be difficult to continue on at that same level. That’s particularly the case with talent shows like BGT, whose livelihoods hinge on the whether or not a contestant wins over the audience (both during and after their appearance on the program).

For BGT, they’re obviously hoping to recapture the magic of previous series by looking forward to 2015. They recently put out a call for applications and auditions through ITV. Would-be superstars have the chance to try out for a spot on the show through the middle of December. Given that this year’s series began in April, it’s likely that the next one will launch at a similar time in 2015.

What’s been frustrating for fans of the show and the team behind it is the following: Both the popularity of the program and its winners have been on the decline over the past few years. In 2012, for example, the planned live, touring version of BGT was axed because of lower-than-expected ticket sales, as reported by The Sun.

Additionally, the winners have had a difficult time pushing their debut albums to listeners. No one has had quite the success of Susan Boyle (a runner-up in Series 3) and Paul Potts (the Series 1 winner), though that’s not to say the others have done terribly. Considering the fact that album sales are not quite what they used to be, it’s commendable that some finalists and contestants have moved at least 100,000 copies of their first albums.

Those same stronger years—the Potts-to-Boyle era, if you will—also led to increased revenue for BGT in other outlets. Namely, they branched out to and found success in merchandising. Among the products released, there were a few that are especially enjoyable as they double-down as games and not just, say, a buzzer from the judge’s panel (yes, that’s a real piece of merch). As you can see on Betfair, the online gaming platform teamed up with BGT to create a gaming experience that utilises music, sound effects, and images from the show to create a unique experience for players. It’s worth noting that similar talent shows (The X Factor) and generic game shows (Deal or No Deal) have also found a new life on this platform.

Similarly, the BGT empire was expanded to board games back in 2009 with an electronic board game. The only downside in that case, though, is that the reviews don’t seem too hot for the game. According to Amazon, players either love or hate it—perhaps an update or new version is in order, then, to coincide with the upcoming series.

All this being said, could the next series of BGT be what the show needs to regain the attention of its once huge audience? We’ll have to wait and see if those taking on the call of the show’s producers have what it takes to be the next Susan Boyle, though no one’s holding his or her breath.

 

 

Looking for Tech Gifts for Women?

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tech gifts for womenIn today’s world, everyone is associated with technology. Some used advanced tech solutions, while some use basic techie stuff. So, if you are planning to gift your special lady a tech gift, look out for the following items. It can help you decide, sitting at your very desk or couch.

 

  1. Apple iPad Air: Apple has set standard for everything; phones, tablets, PCs and laptops. However, with the recent updates, it has only got better. Talking about Apple iPad Air specifically, it sports a better battery and a much-improved processor. So, buying this piece will never hurt you. It is slightly expensive, but you can look for ChameleonJohn. They offer coupons to help you buy the same piece for a cheaper price.
  2. Stun Gun Smartphone case: This is as smart as your smartphone. This can prevent unexpected use of the smartphone. It conceals a 650,000-volt stun gun, to keep it safe from an attacker. However, this feature does not affect your phone negatively. Currently, this cover is available for selected devices only.
  3. Beat bottle: This is one interesting item, which will be appreciated by runners and joggers. While running or jogging, you can place your mobile in the bottle, and you will never have to worry about it. Don’t worry! One does not have to keep their phone in the bottle, but a pocket is dedicated to help you keep your phone steady and with ease. Again, this is a waterproof area so that should not be of any concern. If you are planning to buy this cool silicon bottle on Amazon.com, check out chameleonjohn.com. You can find exclusive discount coupons to make the transaction even cheaper.
  4. Boltbox: This little piece can be a good gift for your geek girl. It is a little box which stores a lightening charged in it. Extend it and drag it around. It is three foot long. So, this can be a good option when one is at home or while out travelling.
  5. Epic Keyboard: This is not a normal keyboard. It is a digital keyboard projector. Project it on a flat surface and you will find that the keyboard appears on the surface. You can even use it via a Bluetooth mode for the mobile phones. It is a compact item which gives you a handy option across operating systems. So, gift it to your lady and let her enjoy a digital keyboard for any platform.
  6. Fitbit Force: A health-conscious woman would love to keep a track of her weight. This gadget is an activity tracker, which is a movement motivator. It tracks calories, distance, steps and stairs. It has a trendy look and has a vibration alarm too.

 

Concluding, these six gifts are trending on a number of online portals. If you are planning to but any of these, visit chameleonjohn.com and make the most of exciting discount coupons available for every online portal. Make your shopping easy and gift your lady a tech piece today!