Well darlings,They're back! No, no - I'm not on about another Poltergeist film. It's the official news that Mike, Matt and Pete (Stock, Aitken And Waterman - SAW) are at it again - together. The most successful pop songwriter/producer partnership in the world - ever! - have reunited after 14 years. Contrary to what we may have read in the tabloids, the three men have apparently remained friends throughout the years since they dissolved their partnership - with Pete and Mike still producing records together for another couple of years. Any difficulties there were between the three of them over their copyright shares, although unpleasant, was left to be handled by their lawyers and has now been resolved.Pete, who has been a judge on the pop talent shows "Pop Idol" and "Popstars - The Rivals" decided against appearing on the current X Factor because his eldest son, Paul, was suffering from a severe and mysterious illness at the London's Institute of Neurology. Tragically he died from the illness earlier this year, just days after his father visited Buckingham Palace to receive his OBE. The past few years have not been kind to Pete. It was only in 1999 that Paul's younger brother, Pete Waterman Junior, was also seriously ill and fighting for his life after receiving serious burns following a karting accident. Although still grieving, Pete says on his web site: "I am going to be dedicating myself 100% to Stock Aitken Waterman from now on; I'm not going to be juggling too many things; I am completely focused on making this work. Not that it's going to be that hardbeing back with Mike and Matt is like having some of your old school mates knock on your door and ask you out to play - it's great!" The Stock Aitken And Waterman formula has been criticised by some for (they claim) producing a succession of manufactured acts that were destroying British music. Nevertheless, it has always been a favourite on the gay scene. Who could ever forget such fantastic floor-fillers as these: YOU THINK YOU'RE A MAN and I'M SO BEAUTIFUL - Divine; TOY BOY - Sinitta; WHATEVER I DO (WHEREVER I GO), WHO'S LEAVING WHO, MAYBE (WE SHOULD CALL IT A DAY) and the immortal SEARCHIN' - Hazell Dean; BLAME IT ON THE BOOGIE and HANDFUL OF PROMISES - Big Fun (and they were!); YOU SPIN ME ROUND (LIKE A RECORD) - Dead Or Alive; LOVE IN THE FIRST DEGREE / MR SLEAZE, I WANT YOU BACK - Bananarama; I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY, THE LOCO-MOTION, HAND ON YOUR HEART, WOULDN'T CHANGE A THING, TEARS ON MY PILLOW, BETTER THE DEVIL YOU KNOW, STEP BACK IN TIME, WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO, SHOCKED, GIVE ME JUST A LITTLE MORE TIME, WHAT KIND OF FOOL - Kylie Minogue, to name just a very, very few of their (far too numerous to mention them all here) hits? Many of those past successes can still be guaranteed to fill a dance floor in a gay disco even today. Pete Waterman tells us they've still got the same enthusiasm, and it comes with some new ideas. Not wanting them to be trapped in a "straightjacket" by using an established singer (where they wouldn't be allowed to change how they sound) he's currently looking for a new artist that they can work with, and says that we should expect something from them in the New Year. I can't wait! But meanwhile we can all enjoy the Stock Aitken Waterman Gold CD and DVD that is out now, and in good time for Christmas. Don't forget if you're a SAW fan there's always PWL Radio at: http://www.pwlradio.com to stick in your Favourites Menu - and be sure not to miss the PWL TV section on there where you can view some video clips.And there may be even more good news if rumours are to be believed: It's being said that Kylie Minogue is planning to complete the Australian leg of her postponed 'Showgirl' tour towards the end of next year. A Melbourne newspaper, The Herald Sun, has revealed that an announcement regarding the re-scheduling of dates will take place next month. The last news I heard on Kylie was that she had been given the all-clear and although she was still weak following the chemotherapy in Paris, she was strong enough to fly home to Australia for Xmas. Get well soon, gal! All your gay fans wish you a full and speedy recovery, and eagerly await your return! Moving on: I found the statistics from Road File 05, a publication from the Road Users' Alliance, made interesting reading. They reveal: the UK's motorways are more jammed with traffic than those of any other major European country; lack of road capacity is damaging British business and is responsible for stunting growth in the regions; our roads carry more than 93% of all our passenger travelling undertaken; our motorway system ranks 15th in Europe (measured by length compared to the size of population); car ownership in the UK is still well below the European Union average; we pay nearly 70p (67% - more than two-thirds) of every pound we spend at the pumps on fuel tax; along with having the highest fuel taxes in Europe, we have one of the worst road networks; and of the 43.5 billion a year that is collected in taxes from our motorists, only 6.58 billion is re-invested in the roads.I suppose we already knew, or had a rough idea of, most of that information, didn't we? But what I didn't know, and I find really enlightening, is that our roads only actually occupy less than 1% of the land mass of Great Britain. Somehow, now knowing that, I think I might hereafter find it very hard to sympathise with any objectors to the couple of yards needed on either side of a motorway for another lane. How about you?There seems to have been loads of facts and figures in the last week's news. All in all it's been quite a thinking week. I mean, we all know what binge drinking and yob culture can do to a town, don't we? But I've never before looked at it from an insurance company's viewpoint. The insurance giant AXA surveyed almost 1,000 companies and the results showed that more than half blamed the yob culture for an increase in crimes against their businesses - with those crimes including burglary, assault and anti-social behaviour. Their research showed that businesses are living in fear of becoming victims. AXA believe they have just cause too, as the problem could get worse when new licensing laws allowing 24-hour drinking come into force this week.And that got me thinking: what does an insurance company normally do when they suspect the risk is increasing? Yes, they put up the premiums, don't they? So that's quite possibly yet another downside to the 24 hour drinking that few had thought about until now. Then having started thinking, I put my brain into second gear and I imagined two nearby stores selling very much the same products. What happens, I wondered, if one has its giant plate glass windows broken several times by yobs, and the other one doesn't? Quite obviously, having made some very expensive claims, the already a victim becomes persecuted even more as the premiums rise for that shop - but not for the lucky nearby one. Unless this shop is a part of some large chain where the costs may be spread throughout, any level playing field there would have been where one might have expected some healthy competition is gone. By passing on the additional expense to the customer, as the privately owned shop would undoubtedly need to do, it immediately becomes at risk of being uncompetitive. Being insured may not save this business from a downward spiral into oblivion. I guess that's two things now that I shall be looking at differently. No more will I simply be able to walk past thinking: 'Bl##dy yobs! I'll bet that window will cost a packet to replace. I hope the owner is insured against having the windows broken.' In some cases, being insured may only go to prolong the owner's agony.Finally, you must all have heard of the saying that one knows they are getting old when all the policemen seem to be so young. Well darlings, I have another one for you. You know you are getting old when all the old wives tales you once enjoyed being ridiculed and seeing proved wrong, you now enjoy seeing being proved correct.For years the way that our grandmothers would insist that we should wrap up warm and keep dry otherwise we would catch a chill and fall ill has been ridiculed as simply an old wives tale; something with no foundation. How we loved to prove grandma wrong, didn't we? But now tests done by researchers from the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University have shown that being chilly, cold and wet - even for a mere twenty minutes, really can cause a cold to develop. Grandma was right all along.Other tales once ridiculed, but that have now been proven to have substance: Drinking chicken soup relieves the symptoms of a cold. Feed a cold, but starve a fever. And skipping breakfast increases the risk of catching colds and flu. These, all once old wives tales, have now through scientific tests been proven to be accurate - and somehow I now find myself happy that grandma really did know her stuff. God! I truly must be getting old!I'll leave you with another thing that my grandmother used to tell me: "Spare the rod and spoil the child." With the yob factor that we suffer today, I'm inclined to believe this tale may be correct too! And I'm just wondering how long it will take for science to prove it!See you all next week..."The Bitch!" 18/11/05.
Cockney Rhyming Slang
Sir Winston Churchill once observed that Americans and the British are 'a common people divided by a common language' ...Never was that as true as when describing the Cockneys.You've certainly heard their accent, made famous in everything from movies based on Dickens and George Bernard Shaw novels to computer-generated gekkos telling real gekkos how to go forth and sell car insurance. The Australian accent has its roots in Cockney culture, as they comprised a large percentage of prisoners who were shipped there by the British when they viewed the Land Down Under as an ideal penal colony. Cockneys are the crafty characters from east London who admire those among their lot who can make a living simply by 'ducking and diving, mate,' which is their version of wheeling and dealing on a working-class level.To be a 'true' Cockney, one must be born 'within the sounds of the Bow bells.' That's a reference to the St Mary-le-Bow Church in the Cheapside district of London 'proper.' Their sound carries to a distance of approximately three miles, which defines the Cockney digs better than any zoning ordinance could do.The term 'Cockney' first appeared in the 1600s, but its actual origins are vague. Its first known reference was related to the Bow bells themselves in a period satire that gave no reason for the association.Some believe that 'Cockney' came from the second wave of Vikings, known as the Normans. These were descendants of the Northmen ('Norman' was the French word for 'Viking') who settled in that part of northern France that came to be known as Normandy when King Charles the Simple ceded it to the Vikings in exchange for ceasing their annual summer sackings of Paris. William the Conqueror was a Norman, and when he took England in 1066, a considerable amount of French influence permeated the Anglican language.Normans often referred to London as the Land of Sugar Cake, or 'Pais de Cocaigne,' which was an allusion to what they saw as 'the good life' that could be had by living there. Ultimately, this gave rise to a term for being spoiled, 'cockering,' and from there, Cockney was a short derivative away.Cockneys are famous for dropping the 'H' from the start of words and infamous in the mind of every grammar teacher for their coining the word 'ain't' to replace the formal contraction for 'is not.' However, their most unique feature is their distinctive and catchy rhyming slang.Legend has it that, during the course of their 'ducking and diving,' they would occasionally run afoul of the law. It was not uncommon for groups of Cockneys to be transported together to and from custody and courtroom, obviously in the company of policemen. So that they could speak openly to each other and deny the officers any ability to understand what they were saying, Cockneys devised a word/phrase association system that only the truly-indoctinated could follow. This became known as their rhyming slang.It's simple, really. For example:Dog-and-bone = telephoneApples-and-pears = stairsTroubles-and-strife = wifeSo, if a Cockney wanted you to go upstairs to tell his wife that there's a phone call for her, he'd ask you to 'take the apples and tell the trouble she's wanted on the dog.'As a general observation, their technique is that the second word of a rhyming phrase is the link between the 'translated' word and the first word in the rhyming phrase, which becomes the word used when speaking. Sometimes, though, to emphasize the word, the entire phrase might be used. Thus, if you are absolutely exhausted and want to make a point of it, you would exclaim, 'I'm cream crackered!' This is because 'knackered' is an English term for being tired; cream crackers, incidenally, go well with tea.There are even dictionaries for Cockney rhyming slang, from pocket versions tailored for tourists to online listings. Two good sites for the latter are London Slang and Cockney Rhyming Slang. As with most slang, its vibrance is cause for constant expansion and/or modification of terms, so the Cockney rhymes are always a work in progress.One note of caution: nothing sounds worse than a visitor attempting to over-Cockney their speech. If you're thinking of touring an East End market or pub and want to pay your respects by using the local vernacular, be prepared with a few simple terms and deploy them with a smile only when the occasion permits. Otherwise, not being sure if you're 'taking the Mickey' out of them or just ignorant, the Cockneys will most likely view you as a 'right Charley Ronce' and turn away.Given that 'ponce' is common English slang for a fool --- which had its origins in describing a 'fancy man,' now known as a 'pimp' in modern times --- you may first need a 'British' translator to tell you what word the Cockney was using. By that time, you'll no doubt agree that Churchill wasn't 'alf Pete Tong (ie- wrong).In fact, he didn't even need to refer to another country in order to be right.
Rv In Australia Part 2
In the first part of RV in Australia, I tried to give a sense of the country from a newly arrived road trave enthusiast's point of view.This time I will be looking at what you can expect to find if you rent a campervan, as we call them. There are two or three National companies, like Kea or Britz that rent these, with availability in all capital cities. There range includes two to six berth vehicles, with all supplies, such as cooking utensils, dishes bedlinen etc. These are roughly equivalent to what would be supplied in a vacation apartment if you stayed for a week.The vehicles are commonly Ford, Mazda or Volkswagen based, 4 or 6 cylinder turbodiesel with manual transmission. They include a 4x4 Land Cruiser conversion.The daily rate for a short term rental (less than 3 weeks) varies up to $300 Australian. (AU$1=US$0.75). Longer periods are slightly less. You will pay up to $345 for a full package with full insurance cover, plus "extras" like outside table and chairs.Even if there are only two people travelling, it is worth getting the 6-Berth for the extra space, plus no folding of seats etc.Many smaller companies serve local areas, for instance 4x4 safaris from Perth.The roads generally good quality on the main routes between capital cities, some of the minor routes can be less satisfactory, some still have no bitumen. A hazard on some long distance truck routes, in the Northern Territory especially, can be the Road Trains. These are large semis with two trailers. It is a good policy to keep out of their way! The drivers are very capable, but their vehicles can only be driven within their limits!Take heed of the long distances I mentioned in the first article. Often in 40+ degrees C (105+F) the hundreds of miles of straight road with a featureless landscape, although beautiful, can be mesmerising.Don't let all this put you off! This is a wonderful country, unlike anything you've experienced. You don't have to stray far from the big cities (Sydney 4 million Melbourne 3.5 etc). But it would be a shame if you missed it! After all, is New york City typical of the US? or London typical of England? Paris of France?I don't think so! Give it a go!
Will New Technology Mean The End Of Audio System Distraction?
We are forever hearing about the number of accidents that are caused on the UK's roads and the desperate need to decrease it. While the most publicised reasons for crashes are likely risk-taking young drivers or drink driving, a substantial proportion of accidents happen because motorists have become distracted while driving. Our ever-busy lives mean that we are always on the go and trying to do more than one thing at once, even when we are sitting in the driving seat.Mobile phones are usually cited as being the main cause of distraction for motorists, which is the reason that the use of hand-held phones while driving has been banned since 2003. Subsequent changes in the law have seen the financial penalties being increased dramatically for committing this offence in order to provide a significant level of deterrence. Drivers now face a fine, points on their licence and a resulting increase in their car insurance if they are caught using a hand-held mobile will driving.However, hand-held mobile phones are not the only distracting thing in the car, although it is one of the few things that action has been taken to legislate specifically against. Motorists who are distracted by eating or drinking, operating a sat nav system, trying to control rowdy children in the back or fiddling with their stereo are all at a higher risk of having an accident than those who are concentrating solely on the task at hand.Most drivers will admit to having been distracted by one or more of these activities at some point because they are such everyday concerns and drivers are just used to carrying them out. One of the commonest activities is changing a CD or the radio station and it is pretty much accepted amongst motorists that this can be done without worrying since stereos have been installed in cars for so long.Unfortunately, even a simple activity such as this can cause motorists to divert their attention from the road for too long. Dangerous situations can develop very quickly on the roads, especially at high speeds, and it only takes a few seconds of looking away for a preventable accident to become unpreventable.An analysis of accidents in America has shown that about 11% of distracted driving accidents occur because the motorist was using his stereo. A run down of accidents in London showed a similar percentage, with 181 accidents occurring in 2002 thanks to the motorist being distracted by action inside the vehicle.Turning to further international research, an Australian study focused on identifying exactly how distracting audio systems are. It found that drivers who were distracted by a car stereo braked 10km per hour slower than those who were not distracted at all. To put this into perspective, the research also tested the reactions of motorists who were using hands-free mobile phones and discovered that these drivers braked 6km per hour slower than those who were concentrating.It is highly unlikely that the authorities will take the extreme action of banning stereos from cars so what can be done to safeguard drivers and put car insurance companies' minds at rest about the danger of distraction?Well, new technology could well hold the answer. Intel has developed a chip that utilises voice recognition technology in order to play songs on demand, which could mean the end of taking your eyes off the road to fiddle around with your stereo to get your favourite CD to play.The company demonstrated the abilities of a prototype chip which selected the correct song to play when asked to. Whilst admitting accents and incorrect pronunciations are one of the most significant hurdles to overcome with this technology, the developers expressed their conviction that the first copies of this software would hit the shelves in 2008.It is likely to be quite some time before this kind of technology is fitted as standard in cars as they roll off the production line. Instead, most consumers wanting to be able to change CD without even touching a button will be able to purchase the device from the shops and then fit it to their car.Whilst this sounds like a blessing for those wanting to see a drop in accident rates - motor insurance companies and car owners alike - the news isn't all good. This same technology may well be utilised in conjunction with ultra mobile PCs and Bluetooth gateways to allow drivers to access the internet, their calendar and even send emails whilst travelling down the motorway at 70mph. Sadly, it is hard to imagine that this will be less distracting than hitting the fast forward button on your stereo to find your favourite track.
A Guide to Stability Control
Stability Control has been touted as the most important automotive safety device since the seatbelt.Governments in North America, Europe and Australia have plans to make the technology compulsory on all new vehicles because studies have shown it can reduce the likelihood of single-vehicle crashes and prevent roll-overs.It is designed to prevent cars from an unintended skid in a bend. In most cases the technology works without the driver knowing that he or she has had a brush with danger.In essence, protects drivers from minor indiscretions, such as when suddenly finding themselves on wet or slippery pavement, or in an unexpectedly tight corner.However, Stability Control does not (and nor does it promise to) over-rule the laws of physics. If you're travelling way too fast for a corner or for the conditions, you may still run off the road.Stability Control is an extremely worthwhile technology, but it is important to note that some systems are more effective than others.Car makers use different names to describe the technology; there are more than 20 acronyms across the industry.was originally called ESP, for Electronic Stability Program, a deliberate pun on Extra Sensory Perception because the technology uses sensors to monitor driving conditions and driver behaviour.Stability Control first appeared on a production car in 1995, on the luxury flagship sedan, the Mercedes-Benz S Class, although the technology was developed on its behalf by electronics company Bosch and appeared on other vehicles soon after.Today, the technology is most commonly called ESC, for Electronic although in recent times it has simply been called.To understand in the simplest terms how Stability Control works we need a brief history lesson.The roots of Stability Control started with anti-lock brakes, or ABS (Anti-lock Braking System).In an emergency stop, ABS systems automatically clamp and release the brakes up to 20 times per second while the driver is applying full brake pedal pressure.Once again, this often occurs without the driver necessarily knowing that the technology is at work.The benefit is straightforward: ABS prevents the brakes (and therefore the tyres) from 'locking' and gives the driver the ability to steer around an obstacle. It is especially helpful in wet weather braking.For ABS to work, cars had to be fitted with extra sensors to monitor the speed of each of the four wheels.Engineers eventually found a new use for these sensors and created what became known as Traction Control.This is where the speed of the driven wheels is constantly compared to the speed of the other two wheels.When one pair of wheels is travelling faster than the other, the system intervenes and applies the brakes and/or automatically cuts engine power until the vehicle's speed is reduced, and all four wheels are again travelling at the same speed.For example, in a rear-drive car, if the rear wheels started to spin at a faster rate than the front wheels (which indicate the real speed the vehicle is travelling), then traction control would be activated in milliseconds.The same thing happens if the front wheels spin faster than the rear wheels in a front-drive car (when equipped with Traction Control).Traction Control is typically most useful at detecting unintended wheelspin when accelerating from a standstill, such as when trying to drive up a steep wet slope, or when accelerating aggressively out of a corner.ABS and Traction Control then became the building blocks for Stability Control. Once these sensors were in place, it was simply a matter of adding a steering wheel sensor, a throttle sensor and a sensor which detects how much pitch or lean the car is experiencing in a corner.Engineers also found a way to apply the brakes to each individual wheel, to help bring the car under control in the safest and most effective manner possible.Modern versions of the technology is so good, a race driver in a car without Stability Control would unlikely out-manoeuvre the same car with a well-calibrated Stability Control system, because the system can do what the driver can't: brake individual wheels.All this requires an incredible amount of computer power.Stability Control systems constantly monitor and process hundreds of times per second the following information:Vehicle speed (wheel sensors)Steering input (steering wheel sensor)Acceleration (throttle sensor)Braking (brake sensor)Pitch or 'lean' of the car (yaw sensor)Thanks to complex algorithms and thousands of hours of tests and calibrations, engineers develop Stability Control systems to suit each vehicle's characteristics, such as weight, mass, engine power and tyre grip.Some cars are programmed for conservative drivers and so the Stability Control system is prone to intervene at the earliest hint of a skid.Some cars, particularly performance vehicles, often have a slightly higher threshold because they have a higher level of grip.Despite the varying levels of effectiveness, Stability Control is still proven to be a life-saver.Overseas studies of crashes involving cars equipped with Stability Control claim there have been reductions of between 35 and 50 per cent in serious injury single-vehicle collisions.This is one of the reasons that the European New Car Assessment Program (ENCAP) and the Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) recently decided that only vehicles with Stability Control could be awarded a Five Star safety rating.As with its European affiliate, ANCAP is an independent body that crash tests vehicles to higher standards than those imposed by Governments.It is intended to be a consumer guide to car safety and most top-selling models are tested.ANCAP is supported by Australian and New Zealand automobile clubs, the State government road and transport authorities of NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia, the New Zealand Government, the Victorian TAC, NRMA Insurance and the FIA Foundation.When checking the safety rating of a new vehicle on the ANCAP website be sure to check if a vehicle has Stability Control (some older Five Star ratings didn't require the technology).Most importantly, though, when you're looking to buy your next car, check with the vehicle manufacturer that the exact model you are buying has Stability Control.Most modern luxury cars have Stability Control as standard, but on more affordable vehicles the technology may be standard on some variants and optional or not available on others.
NRMA Insurance is a provider of car insurance, home insurance, motorcycle insurance, business insurance, health insurance, travel insurance, boat insurance and caravan insurance in NSW, ACT & TAS.
Preparing Your Visa Requirements For Australia
So, you're eyeballing the visa requirements for Australia, and you're worrying you will be left elbow-deep in a process that gets more and more difficult with each step. Well, you can forget being nervous now. Applying for Australian visas is much easier than you think. Do you know you can even apply online? Here's how you go about it, and what documents to prepare.1. Prepare your passport from your home country. If your passport will expire in six months or less, renew it before you ready other visa requirements for Australia.2. Get a copy of your diploma. This should be from the highest educational level you completed. Americans should present at least a high school diploma while residents of Chile, Thailand, Turkey, and Malaysia must show a post-secondary education diploma.3. Download your own copy of Form 1163i. See if any medical exam requirement is applicable to your application. Note that the requirement can vary depending on where you lived in the last five years and what type of work you will be doing in Australia. Get a medical exam, if necessary, and have your doctor prepare a report which you can show to immigration officials.4. Get a health insurance to cover you for the duration of your Australian visit. If you have the money for it, buy a long-term insurance that you can use online.5. Prepare a police-or penal clearance-certificate. You will need one for every place you stayed in for the past 12 months.6. Phone the Australian Immigration office assigned to your country. Ask for any special or additional requirements that may apply to you. Don't forget to ask about their accepted payment method.7. Print out, and then complete, Form 1208. This is the form for the Application for Work and Holiday Visa, and you can get this from the website of Australia's Department of Immigration and Citizenship.8. Make certified copies of each page of your passport. Don't forget to get two passport-sized photos taken.9. Prepare all of the documents listed above. Then, send them-along with your passport's certified copies and $195, in the form of payment appropriate-to the Australian Immigration Office nearest you. Remember, send certified copies, not the actual passport.After preparing and submitting your visa requirements for Australia, it's time for the most difficult step in the whole process: waiting. You'll have to wait for approval before you do anything. On the upside, you won't actually need your visa to be stamped on your passport. Visa approval is electronically relayed to border authorities. Good luck!
Stacey Prieur is the co-creator and co-host of an exciting new Australian travel show. On their website, you can get your hands on loads of information including the visa requirements for Australia. You can learn more about their exciting Australian adventures and get access to tons of helpful tips at JillandStaceyDoTheRoo.com.
50 Ways to Save Money
There are countless ways to save your business money. Unfortunately, many Australian businesses are overlooking them, or simply don't have the time to go searching them out.Buyer's remorse is not a new idea. You may have experienced it right after a friend revealed he'd paid $100 less for his state-of-the-art golf clubs than you did. But what's $100 between friends? Better luck next time, you think.Now consider how you'd feel if the same friend told you he was saving $100,000 a year on running costs for his business. Suddenly, buyer's remorse takes on a much more serious face.Cost cutting may not be glamorous, but it is vital to ensure the stability and progress of every business in today's competitive world. Fortunately, you don't have to do it by yourself. There are consultants, such as Expense Reduction Analysts (ERA), available to help you manage costs. They scrutinise the 'little things' that are often overlooked, and yet add up to big costs - things like stationery, printing, telecommunications, couriers...you get the picture. Once scrutinised, they offer a solution tailor-made to that company."Our clients always make the decisions about which alternatives are most suitable for them, and are included in the process all the way through," says Fred Marfleet, Chairman of ERA Australia. "But our help and guidance ensures they make the right decisions."To give you an idea of the kinds of things that a company like ERA takes into consideration when investigating a cost-management solution, we've put together a list of 50 ways in which your company might cut costs.Starting with the big picture1. Centralise purchasingYou may be buying the same goods from different suppliers! Coordinate the spending of different departments to maximise discounts through bulk purchasing power.2. Cut the paperworkRequest monthly consolidated invoices to improve cash flow and reduce administration costs.3. Ask for a reasonDon't accept a price increase without challenge.4. Get a second opinionObtain alternative quotes - on everything. Advise existing suppliers that the business is being tendered, and give them a chance to reduce their prices.5. Call in a negotiatorNever allow the person in daily contact with a supplier to negotiate price. Use the good cop/bad cop approach, calling in someone else, so that emotion is not involved in the process. This also allows the day-to-day relationship to remain unaffected.6. A beautiful friendshipBuilding good relationships with suppliers can result in reductions in costs. Ask them for suggestions on how to improve the way in which you work together. Could ordering weekly instead of daily allow them to reduce their own admin costs and enable them to pass the savings on?7. Improve cash flowReduce your stock levels, and encourage suppliers to hold stock.8. Review product specificationEnsure that products being used do not exceed requirements. Can you use second-hand pallets for transportation? Recycled toner cartridges?9. Establish a caring cultureCaring is a pre-requisite to effective cost-management. If staff and executives are complacent, it's difficult to implement savings.10. Commit to stamping out unnecessary costsLead by example and demonstrate to employees that you care about saving money, even on the smallest items.And now for the detail...11. AdvertisingDon't just take their word for it: conduct regular research to ensure that your advertising budgets are being used effectively.12. About the creative...Remember that outstanding advertising creative work generally costs no more than ordinary creative. Having said that, ensure that you are not funding the creation of campaigns that win awards, but do not sell your product!13. Bank chargesReview them regularly - at least once a quarter. Ask your bank manager to suggest ways in which you could reduce them.14. Competitive bankingWhile it's easy to be complacent and leave all your banking in the hands of one institution, it pays to shop around. Many banks specialise in different areas of expertise, and you can use that knowledge to serve your needs - and save you money. Plus, you won't be fully dependent on one bank!15. Challenge the managerWhen you receive the statement of charges from your bank, take five minutes to consider ways in which the bank has added value to your business. Challenge the bank manager to come up with five himself - and ask yourself whether his list justifies the charges.16. CleaningAsk your staff regularly whether cleaning services are meeting their requirements.17. Communicate your needsTo ensure your cleaning contract - or, in fact, any contract, meets your needs, make sure the contractor knows what you expect. Let them know if there is a problem - but also give them feedback if things are going well.18. Couriers #1Understand how your couriers charge their clients. Some charge per consignment, others per parcel. Work out which service will be most effective for you and, if necessary, switch suppliers.19. Couriers #2What's your courier company's specialty when it comes to service? Some specialise in overnight delivery, other in international distribution. Use the courier that is most appropriate for the job, as this will be most cost-effective.20. Couriers #3Planning can add up to big cost reductions in this area. Timed deliveries are significantly more expensive than next-day deliveries. How soon does it really need to be there?21. Couriers #4If you help your courier company by minimising collection and waiting time, you become a more 'attractive' account, which can be a good negotiating factor.22. Couriers #5Look at instigating standard daily courier runs, which can be negotiated over and above the rate card.23. Expiry can be expensiveBe aware of the expiry date on contracts for services such as electricity, gas, and phone. Suppliers often revert to a much higher penalty rate once the contract expires.24. Freight costsConsider handling costs and packing when putting together a consignment. Does it fill one container, or is it made up of several items that can be packed on pallets so that you can minimise transport handling costs and stock damage?25. Investigate insuranceAllow time to investigate and negotiate your insurance policy before the renewal deadline. Make a note of when policies are due - many brokers wait until so close to the renewal date to contact their clients that they leave little time for negotiation.26. Know your insurance needsHave you worked out the latest level of cover you need? Is it more or less than last year? Can you cut out brokers, have your policy repackaged, or cap excesses?27. Making spaceDo not allocate a specific car park to a specific staff member. Have seven per cent fewer car parks than the number of staff entitled to them. On any day, you'll find that there will be a certain number of absentees - you don't need to pay for empty spaces.28. Making the most of fuel cardsHave you reviewed your fuel card system? While most oil companies offer rebates, they do not do so in a directly comparable manner. Some will offer a rebate off the pump price, others choose different bases (eg, area averages) from which to make their rebate. Research will show which will work best for you.29. Owning the office equipmentTake into consideration the total cost of ownership of your office equipment for the full life of each machine. Consider not only present needs, but future ones, before you purchase new equipment. Will new equipment offer a better, alternative way of doing things?30. Office supplies #1Decide on a comprehensive product range and stick to it. Be wary of 'stationery cupboards'. While they may seem an easy way to deal with this 'chore' item, they cede control of the ordering and stocking to the stationery company.31. Office supplies #2Try suppliers' own-brand products. This can reduce costs by up to 40 per cent.32. Order it backRequest that all staff hand back the unused items of stationery lurking in their desks. You may find that you do not need to re-order for many months!33. Packaging #1Standard cartons are much more cost-effective than special-sized ones.34. Packaging #2Review your packaging - invite suppliers to make recommendations for cost reduction.35. Packaging #3Printed cartons are expensive. Consider using plain ones, and sealing with printed tape instead.36. Pesty businessCheck the hours agreed for pest control services. If the supplier is charging more for after-hours service but using safe chemicals, it may not be necessary to have the services delivered when your offices are closed.37. Pesty chargesExamine the charges from suppliers who have been in place for some years. Look out for them posting increases without changes in service specification.38. Postage #1Clean up your database to reduce returned mail and coordinate your marketing mail-outs to exceed threshold quantities.39. Postage #2Investigate alternate methods of information delivery. It may be that your message can be delivered via an alternate method to conventional mail (eg email), and there are companies that specialise in distribution methods to suit your preferences.40. Printing #1Do you really need printed envelopes, when plain might do just as well?41. Printing #2Always use standard paper sizes.42. Printing #3Order larger quantities at one time, but don't get caught out. If you only need 7000 brochures, it's still cheaper to order that number at $3.30 per unit than it is to pay for 10,000 at $2.80. Companies over-order to get the price down and then don't use the stock!43. Printing #4One way to get the best out of volume-sensitive ordering is to print the items that require the same paper stock at the same time.44. Records managementDon't continue to pay for the storage of boxes simply because you haven't worked out whether you need to keep them. Review!45. Telecommunications #1Be aware of flag falls or connection fees per call, and your call duration, when assessing telecommunications contracts. Most businesses have low call durations, which means the flag fall is a large part of the cost of the call.46. Telecommunications #2Treat loyalty discounts with caution. They usually apply to eligible calls only and amount to very little on your total bill. Check the fine print.47. Telecommunications #3Have you achieved any real savings on your phone bills over the past 12 months? How many lines do you really need? Asking yourself some questions can save you a lot of money.48. Travelling lightSavings can be found in managing your travel well. Avoid last-minute bookings - you can save more than 30 per cent by booking weeks, not days, in advance.49. Travelling oftenIf you or your staff are using a lot of hotel rooms, look at negotiating a better rate with one hotel chain.50. Workers CompensationBe aware of the rollover date on your workers comp insurance. The time to review the level of premium is before it falls due, not afterwards!Making real changesThere's a lot of food for thought in our list, but even more in this fact: experts estimate that 90 per cent of Australian businesses are overspending on day-to-day expenses - by as much as 75 per cent! Are you one of them? ERA suggests that if you answer 'yes' to any of the following, there's a good chance that you can reduce business operating costs and free up profits.Do you have a centralised purchasing system with each department having its own favourite suppliers and its own purchasing processes?Do you always seem to be purchasing in an ad-hoc, as-needs manner?Do you seem to stick to the same supplier and trust that they're giving us value for money?Got a yes or two in there? Don't be disheartened. In fact, look at the positives: chances are there's heaps of money to be saved within your company. Give ERA a call to find out how - and how much! ERA is an independent cost management consultancy and works on a 'no savings, no fee' premise. If they don't find any savings for you, you pay nothing. You have nothing to lose - except a lot of unnecessary costs!To find out more visit www.expense-reduction.com.au or call +612 9922 7999Fred Marfleet is Chairman of Expense Reduction Analysts Australia, a global franchised cost management consulting group. More details can be found at http://www.expense-reduction.net
The American Express Platinum Credit Card Is The Card Of Choice For Big Spenders And Big Rewards!
American Express is known for their high quality credit cards on various levels, from Gold packages to student designed credit cards. One of their most popular Australian choices however is the American Express Platinum credit card. The Platinum card comes equipped with many of the benefits that an individual would look for within a card, especially someone with a bigger budget with an appetite for rewards. The American Express Platinum credit card is a card that has a potentially large credit line and an even bigger rewards program. Let's take a closer look at these extraordinary benefits:The Platinum card from American Express offers up to $100,000 in credit line available dollars. While it will depend highly on your own credit history, the Platinum card is known as being one of the most generous charge cards in giving credit line increases, and this generosity is enhanced the longer you are a customer.There aren't too many credit cards that can compete with the Platinum's 1.5 membership rewards points per dollar spent. The Platinum credit card is one of the most rewarding cards because each time you use it you will get those 1.5 points credited to your rewards package, which can be used in relation to frequent flier programs on one of American Express's various travel partners. You get 1.5 points per dollar for up to $100,000 in purchases and then it drops down to 1 point per dollar.There are a lot of benefits that come with the Platinum credit card from American Express that extend beyond just the credit line and rewards program listed above. A few of the benefits that you can expect to receive are: travel insurance (international as well as domestic); as many additional cards as you would like with no charge, special deals on plane tickets to select cities in Australia, ECT.Many people turn to this card risk free because American Express offers it interest free for the first 55 days; which means you can purchase as much as you want without paying a dime of interest if you choose to hold off on paying. You have almost two months to enjoy the card while sampling all of the benefits/ rewards that are offered in full.Whatever your reason for choosing the American Express Platinum credit card, you can rest in knowing that you have one of the premier credit cards in all of Australia.
Ski Japan - FAQs About Resort Work
Recently, resort work in Japan has become a popular way for many foreigners to ski Japan, and experience the Japanese culture too. If you're interested in coming to work at a ski resort in Japan, below you should be able to find the answers to any questions you may have. We hope you find this information useful!How much will a resort work program cost me?You have to pay for your own airfare and travel insurance. Expect to pay around USD$1,500 for everything.Do I need to pay a registration fee for ski jobs in Japan?No - as long as you complete your contract, you don't pay any fees.Will I really need $4,000 for the visa application?The actual amount depends on your country, but at the time you apply for your Working holiday visa you must show that you have a few thousand dollars available in your bank account. The visa office wants to see that you have sufficient funds to pay for your airfare and support yourself while in Japan. You'll need to submit a bank statement as proof.How will I be paid?Once you arrive, you'll be shown how to open a Japanese bank account, into which your salary will be paid monthly. Banks are located near the resorts, so withdrawing money won't be a problem.Will I be paying tax?According to Japanese law, all foreigners must pay 20% income tax.Will I need to work overtime?Yes. During the busy holiday periods (Xmas/New year break, Jul-Aug Summer vacation), your resort will ask you to work overtime, as they tend to be understaffed around this time. After the busy period though, things quieten down a lot, and you'll have about 6-7 days-off a month, working a standard 44-48hr week.I'm a Vegetarian / diabetic / allergic to dairy foods - will that be a problem?Unfortunately, resorts can't cater to specific dietary needs (vegetarian, diabetic etc). If you're particular about your diet, you'll need to buy your own food each day (as staff aren't permitted to use dorm kitchen facilities to prepare their own food).Will I have internet access?Ski jobs in Japan give you a taste of rural life - you won't be living in the big city. The air will be fresh, the nature vast, and the scenery spectacular. On the other hand, you may have to walk 20 mins to the nearest convenience store, and use a public phone because there's no internet access nearby. You'll never have to go too far (more than say 30 mins), but at some resorts, you may have to travel, or pay a little, for internet access.What happens if I have an accident?All ski and summer jobs staff must have valid travel insurance for the entire period of their contracts, so in case of an accident, you're completely covered by your insurance policy for the costs. You'll also be covered by "rousai" Japanese work insurance while on the job.Will I need to buy my own ski gear, or can I just rent at the resort?We recommend you rent ski gear, as it's convenient, and if you're lucky, you'll get a good staff discount from your resort! Buying and bringing your own board/skis over on the plane can be expensive if you exceed baggage allowances, and can be troublesome to carry around.What kind of protective gear will I need for skiing/boarding?Unfortunately, each year a few staff are injured as a result of a snowboarding or skiing accident, and are forced to give up their ski jobs in Japan. The most common injuries are to the head and wrists. Fortunately, these injuries can be easily prevented by two simple items of safety gear - a helmet and wrist guards.How long is a Japanese Working holiday visa valid for?A Japanese Working holiday visa is initially valid for 6 months, but can be extended up to a total of 12 months (18 months for Australians!). To extend your visa, you'll have to visit your nearest immigration office, fill out some paperwork, and pay a JPY4,000yen (USD$35) processing fee.Can I get another Japanese Working holiday visa in the future?No, you can only get a Japanese Working holiday visa once. If you want to return to Japan to work/live in the future though, you can. Like many foreigners do, you can enter Japan on a 3-month Tourist visa, then get sponsored by a Japanese company (eg. English language school), at which point you'll receive a 1 or 3 year Working visa.Can the resort sponsor me for a visa?No, unfortunately, they can't offer visa sponsorship. A company has to guarantee you a job for 12 months continuously, in order to provide sponsorship. As ski jobs in Japan are only seasonal, this isn't possible.
Ski Japan for free, experience the world-class powder, and learn about the Japanese culture too. Choose from a variety of different jobs, in all the best regions of Japan.
http://www.boobooski.com/contactus.html
Ski Japan for free, experience the world-class powder, and learn about the Japanese culture too. Choose from a variety of different jobs, in all the best regions of Japan.
http://www.boobooski.com/contactus.html
Ski Japan, Working at a Resort - FAQs
If you're thinking about working in a Ski Resort job in Japan this year, you probably have many questions. Here are the answers to the most common questions you may have!How much will this cost me?To participate in Ski jobs in Japan, you have to pay for your own Airfare and Travel Insurance. The cost varies - expect to pay between USD $1,500 - $2,000 for everything.Do I need to pay a Registration Fee for Ski jobs in Japan?No - as long as you complete your contract, you don't pay any fees.Will I really need $4,000 for the VISA application?The actual amount depends on your country, but at the time you apply for your Working Holiday Visa you must show that you have a few thousand dollars available in your bank account. The Visa office needs to know you have sufficient funds to pay for your airfare, and support yourself while living in Japan. You'll need to submit a bank statement as proof.How will I get to the Resort?Once you arrive in Japan, you'll be met at the airport, delivered to your Resort by bus, and your experience of a lifetime begins!How will I be paid?Once you arrive, you'll be shown how to open a Japanese Bank Account, into which your salary will be paid monthly. Banks are located near the resorts, so withdrawing money won't be a problem.Will I be paying tax?According to Japanese law, all foreigners must pay 20% income tax. All figures quoted on this site are after income tax.You can only file a Japanese tax return, to try to get some of your tax back, if you stay in Japan for more than 12 months. Otherwise, you can't. In addition, filing a tax return is a complicated process - for help/information, you can contact the "Japan Association of Working Holiday Makers".Will I need to work overtime?Yes. During the busy holiday periods (Xmas/New Year break, Jul-Aug Summer Vacation), your resort will ask you to work overtime, as they tend to be understaffed around this time. During this period, please accept you may not have much free time (in some cases, staff have to work up to 50-60hrs a week!). After the busy period though, things quieten down a lot, and you'll have about 6-7 days-off a month, working a standard 44-48hr week.*NOTE: Work hours depend on snow conditions - if there's no snow yet, you'll be working less (because the resort won't be busy yet).I'm a Vegetarian / diabetic / allergic to dairy foods - will that be a problem?Unfortunately, Resorts can't cater to specific dietary needs (vegetarian, diabetic etc). If you're particular about your diet, you'll need to buy your own food each day (as staff aren't permitted to use dorm kitchen facilities to prepare their own food).PLEASE NOTE: Japanese food is high in fish and meat. In the past there have been vegetarian staff who could only eat the side salad (very small) which accompanies the regular menu, and as a result, they began to complain of lack of energy / became sick etc. Please understand that kitchen staff prepare food in bulk, for hundreds of staff dishes every day, so you can't expect them to go out of their way to prepare something especially for you. If you have particular dietary needs, please think seriously about whether you'll mind making a trip to the nearest supermarket / convenience store every day to purchase food (as there won't be kitchen facilities for you to use). Thanks for your understanding.Will I have internet access?Ski jobs in Japan give you a taste of rural life - you won't be living in the big city. The air will be fresh, the nature vast, and the scenery spectacular. On the other hand, you may have to walk 20 mins to the nearest convenience store, and use a public phone because there's no internet access nearby. You'll never have to go too far (more than say 30 mins), but at some resorts, you may have to travel, or pay a little, for internet access.There are a number of free wireless networks to access near many of the resorts, so if you're an email junkie, it may be a good idea to bring your laptop with you. However, if you can give up your daily emails for a few months, and immerse yourself in the Japanese lifestyle, it'll be a much more rewarding experience, and the best way to improve your Japanese!What if I can't complete my contract at the resort?Any staff who break their contract with the resort, must vacate the staff dormitory within two days of their final day of work. Staff who leave early inconvenience the resort by leaving them short of staff, and may result in future foreign staff not being able to work there.What happens if I have an accident?All Ski and summer jobs staff must have valid Travel Insurance for the entire period of their contracts, so in case of an accident, you're completely covered by your insurance policy for the costs. You'll also be covered by "rousai" Japanese Work Insurance while on the job. In case of an accident, you'll be taken to a local hospital for treatment.In the event of an accident which prevents you from performing your job, unfortunately your resort will be forced to dismiss you. For this reason, we can't stress enough how careful you should be - please be responsible!Will I need to buy my own ski gear, or can I just rent at the resort?We recommend you rent ski gear, as it's convenient, and if you're lucky, you'll get a good staff discount from your resort! Buying and bringing your own board/skis over on the plane can be expensive if you exceed baggage allowances, and can be troublesome to carry around. In addition, there's no way to send objects larger than 150cms from Japan back home, so if you do decide to bring your own gear, make sure you don't go over the airline baggage allowance limit, as you'll have to bring them back with you on the plane.We recommend you first check out the Rental deals at your Resort after you arrive. Then, if you're not satisfied, you can make a trip to the nearest city and pick up some good deals on gear. Here are some rough prices you can expect to pay for average-quality gear in Japan:Board/binding/boots or ski/boots/poles sets = 30~40,000yen.Jacket / Pants = 20,000yen for a set.Gloves / Goggles = up to 10,000yen each.What kind of protective gear will I need for skiing/boarding?Unfortunately, each year a few staff are injured as a result of a snowboarding or skiing accident, and are forced to give up their Ski jobs in Japan. The most common injuries are to the head and wrists. Fortunately, these injuries can be easily prevented by two simple items of safety gear - a Helmet and Wrist Guards. Don't be cheap about safety - it will cost you!How long is a Japanese Working Holiday Visa valid for?A Japanese Working Holiday Visa is initially valid for 6 months, but can be extended up to a total of 12 months (18 months for Australians!). To extend your visa, you'll have to visit your nearest immigration office, fill out the relevant paperwork, and pay a 4,000 (USD$35) processing fee. It takes a few weeks to process, so be sure to get it done before your current Visa expires.Can I get another Japanese Working Holiday Visa in the future?No, you can only get a Japanese Working Holiday Visa once. If you want to return to Japan to work/live in the future though, you can. Like many foreigners do, you can enter Japan on a 3-month Tourist Visa, then get sponsored by a Japanese company (eg. English language school), at which point you'll receive a 1 or 3 year Working Visa.Can the Resort sponsor me for a Visa?No, unfortunately, they can't offer Visa sponsorship. A company has to guarantee you a job for 12 months continuously, in order to provide sponsorship. As Ski jobs in Japan are only seasonal, this isn't possible.Can I travel around before or after my contract?Of course! As long as you can be at the airport when everyone else arrives, you're welcome to travel wherever you like. After your contract, you can travel on by yourself too!
Ski Japan for free, experience the world-class powder, and learn about the Japanese culture too. Choose from a variety of different jobs, in all the best regions of Japan.
http://www.boobooski.com/contactus.html
Kangaroos and Their Interesting Ways
Kangaroos are possibly Australia's most famous animal. They are a marsupial and only found on this continent and come in a variety of sizes, the Red Kangaroo is the largest wallabies are smaller members of the kangaroo family. The Kangaroos should also be considered a danger to cars while driving down the roads in Australia.Kangaroos, especially larger species, have adapted to the Australian landscape and weather. They hop, as this is the most efficient way to travel at a decent speed. The energy of the Kangaroo's bounce is stored in their leg tendons, While the intestines bounce up and down, emptying and filling the lungs. This efficiency is important when the kangaroo is required to travel long distances in search of food. A comfortable speed for a kangaroo is around 25 kilometres an hour, but they have been known to go as much as 70 kilometres over short distances; faster then most cars on the road.The name kangaroo is from an Aboriginal word gangurru. Male kangaroos are also known as bucks, boomers, jacks or old men. The female kangaroos are known as does, flyers or bills, while their young is known as joeys. Kangaroos have muscular hind legs, large feet and a long muscular tail for balance. In order for the kangaroo to walk at slower paces they do what is considered a crawl walk. This is simple when they put their tails on the ground to form a tripod and lift their hind legs up bringing them forward.The joeys are born after 31 days and continue their development in the mothers pouch, known as the marsupium. They will remain in the pouch to continue postnatal development and will only come out for short periods of time until they are eighteen months. This whole time their main food source is from the mother kangaroo. The kangaroos evolution is a very interesting development as they mother has the ability to freeze embryo development in periods of drought or in areas with a lack of food source. Female kangaroos will also not conceive in periods of drought and male kangaroos will not produce sperm during these times.By nature the kangaroo is a shy animal. They box amongst other kangaroos, however they are no danger to humans. A kangaroo will only attack a human unless provoked. The main danger that humans face, when talking of kangaroos is if they accidentally hit one while driving. These animals are extremely heavy ad the force of impact can total a car. It is important to look for kangaroo crossing signs while driving on the Australian roads. It is also extremely important to take out renters insurance when using a car hire for your Australian travels.
When planning to travel to Australia be sure to check out www.budget.com.au. They will be able to help you with all your car rental Brisbane needs. You will after you have you will feel secure that you have the best car hire Brisbane has to offer.
Credit Card Review - American Express Qantas Premium
I don't speak much Italian. I'm pretty much limited to 'Buon Giorno!' (even if it's night time) and just putting an 'o' on the end of every word and hoping for the best. So you can see how much success I had attempting to communicate with the Al Italia representative at Venice Airport when I arrived six days ahead of my luggage.Anyone who has had the pleasure of dealing with Italian airport staff will testify to the futility of the exercise, particularly if you're as debilitating monolingual as I am. They just assume you're American, give you that contemptuous look they reserve for all westerners and shrug.Now, if I were an American Express Qantas Premium card holder, I wouldn't have spent the better part of a week wearing the same clothes and brushing my teeth with the complimentary toothbrush I received on the flight. The card offers Travel Inconvenience Cover, which covers you for flight delays, missed connections or delayed luggage.As you may have guessed, this card is intended for travellers. In addition to the inconvenience insurance, the card comes with free domestic and international travel insurance, global customer service and emergency worldwide credit card replacement.The rewards program is Qantas Frequent Flyers (in my opinion the best Australian travel rewards program available). The earn rate is impressive - 1.25 points per dollar spent, 1 additional point for every dollar spent on your card in Australia on selected Qantas services and another point for every dollar spent with Qantas American Express Card Bonus, with no caps on the number of points you can earn.There are also a range of bonuses available including 5000 bonus points after your first card spend and 2500 bonus points after your first card spend on selected Qantas services.Card holders also receive two Qantas Club invitations after the first Card spend every year in Australia on selected Qantas services.As a high-end card, the American Express Qantas Premium comes with all the additional features you'd expect, like purchase protection and extended warranty. However, it also has a high-end annual fee and interest rate ($249 and 19.99%).Overall, this card is ideal for those looking to boost their Frequent Flyer points or to take overseas. We've never seen a card with so many travel related features. Keep in mind that it's a premium card and isn't for everybody - if the high annual fee or interest rate make you uneasy, there are cheaper options available.
Cameron Price-Austin runs http://www.iwantacreditcard.com.au/ - an Australian consumer credit card site featuring articles, reviews, tools and forums.
Top Ten Holiday Destinations For 2009
Recession? Resmession! Despite the financial pinch, the public are still keen to go on holiday. Indeed, trips away are one of the last 'non-essential' expenses that consumers will axe when cutting back on their spending. And rightly so - it's important to get away and unwind once in a while. Possibly even more when times are tough.But where to go? With the Pound faring poorly against the Euro, trips to the Eurozone are less than ideal from an economic point of view. So holidaymakers are increasingly going to mid and long-haul destinations. With this in mind, here are our top ten holiday tips for 2009:1. TurkeyA typically sunny day at Ephesus, Turkey. Turkey was a notable beneficiary of travellers looking a little further afield in 2008, and should do well with British tourists this year too. Why? Well, it's not only because the Pound will have legs there. It's a top spot for culture vultures, due to its rich history and sites of archaeological interest - including Ephesus, Pergamon and Troy.And on the days when you don't fancy looking at magnificent old historical structures, there are beaches a-plenty, and great spots for diving. Plus it's nice and hot. Lots of boxes ticked there.2. IcelandIceland has been a particularly expensive destination traditionally. However, its economic plunge in the second half of last year now means that the cost of living is entirely reasonable... Which is great news for bargain hunters.Iceland is the perfect spot for adventure sport enthusiasts, with plenty of opportunities to go kayaking, cycling, and zipping around on glaciers on a snow-mobile. And if you're not thrilled at the prospect of releasing lots of adrenaline, there's plenty of other stuff to do - including watching geysers, fishing, spotting whales, and lazing around in geothermal pools.Note that although your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) will only cover you for urgent medical treatment here - but not repatriation, ongoing treatment or anything less than a medical emergency. As such, comprehensive travel insurance shouldn't be overlooked.3. LithuaniaThis year could well be a good one for Lithuanian tourism. Firstly, this is the millennial anniversary of its name. And secondly, the capital Vilnius is the European Capital of Culture for 2009. The country offers national parks, spa towns, a selection of UNESCO heritage sites such as the Old Town in Vilnius - its historical centre, hearty food, and a bronze statue of Frank Zappa. What more could you possibly want?4. USAThe Manhattan Bridge, New York, USA. Although the Pound isn't as strong against the Dollar as it has been, the US is still likely to be a popular destination for Brits abroad in 2009. Why? Well, the election of Barack Obama has brought about a lot of good feeling regarding the US. But that's not all. One of the alluring factors of the States is that there's just so much to see and do. It gets a lot of repeat visitors because it's virtually impossible to do everything you'd want to do in just one trip. And as extra incentive, this year marks the 400th anniversary of the discovery of New York - a city which is already a firm favourite.If you're heading off to the States, please bear in mind that it is now compulsory to fill in an online ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) form before doing so. For more information, read our article 'Going to the USA? Then Don't Forget ESTA '.5. South AfricaSouth Africa is becoming increasingly popular among British holidaymakers. Sterling is faring well against the Rand at the moment, so visitors are likely to get more pow! for their Pound. Which is just as well, because the food is well worth wiring into. Plus rugby fans may well be keen to catch some of The British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa this summer, between the 30th of May and the 4th of July.A few pointers, though. Medical treatment can be very expensive in South Africa, so going there with anything less than a comprehensive travel insurance policy isn't advised. Also it's well known that there is a lot of crime in South Africa - although this predominantly occurs in the townships, rather than tourist areas. Still, it's an idea to have cover for all eventualities. To find out the latest travel information and advice, go to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office's South Africa page.6. EgyptBargain hunters could do a lot worse than heading towards Egypt. There are countless iconic sights for visitors to experience first hand: the pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, the Valley of the Kings near Luxor, the Temple of Ramses III, the Aswan Dam... We could go on.Beach lovers are spoilt with a selection of Red Sea resorts. And Egypt's not just exclusive to culture vultures... For those who are up for some Club 18-30 shenanigans, Sharm el Sheikh will be beginning just such a programme this year.Be sure to read up on the customs before you go however, as what may count as acceptable in the UK may not necessarily be so here. In particular, it's important to dress modestly - especially when visiting traditional spots.7. MexicoFor lovely beaches, great food and atmosphere, a trip to Mexico is difficult to top. There is an excellent range of all-inclusive deals available, and a trip to this gateway to central America is widely considered to be great value. There will be a number of resorts on the beautiful new Riviera opening this year. And there are now more flights available, as Mexicana airlines launched a new service in January linking Gatwick and Mexico City twice a week.If saline activity is your thing, then Banderas Bay has a wide range of water activities available - including diving, sailing and even deep sea fishing. There are plenty of fascinating landmarks to see, such as Meso-American ruins, pyramids... And then of course there's the wonderful cuisine and the tequila!Do bear in mind that English is not as widely spoken outside the major cities as one might expect. So - if you're planning on having a bit of a wander - be sure to at least familiarise yourself with some useful Spanish phrases.8. ThailandBeautiful Krabi, Thailand. For friendly folk, enormous cheap fresh fish and among the world's best beaches, Thailand simply rocks. From the temples and tuk-tuks of Bankok, to the white beaches of Krabi and the surrounding islands, you're simply never going to forget a trip to Thailand.There's something here to suit all budgets. Backpackers are very well catered for, as are flashpackers - travellers with a bit more cash to spend. Although the pound isn't faring against the Baht as well as it could, you're still likely to find that everything is great value - from the five-star hotels all the way down to the cheap market shopping.Unfortunately at the time of writing, there is uncertainty concerning the political situation in Thailand. Before travelling there, it's recommended that you check out advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office's Thailand page.9. AustraliaThe Pound has strengthened against the Australian Dollar, so - despite the initial large expense of a flight to the other side of the planet - British tourists should at least get good value while they're there. But they're assured to get good value in terms of sunshine, and things to see and do. Whether you're intending to explore the outback, find out about Aborigine culture, go surfing or sample the nightlife, Australia is sure not to disappoint.British tourists need a visa to enter Australia, even for a short holiday... So don't leave home without one.10. The UKAccording to a survey in November last year, one in five Britons claim that going abroad for a holiday in 2009 is a luxury that they are unlikely to be able to afford*. But it's well worth bearing in mind that our very own isles are well worth exploring further. Plus you're unlikely to meet with any language barrier, or lose out due to fluctuations in exchange rate.There are far too many great places in the UK to hope to list here. But just a handful of places that we love include Bath, York, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Pembrokeshire, and Monkey World in Dorset. Plus the number of diverse festivals in the UK has really blossomed over the last few years. Our favourites include Latitude in Suffolk, the Edinburgh Festival, Truck in Oxfordshire and Brecon Jazz Festival... But what type of festival you can attend is nowadays limited only by your imagination. Read our guide to festival survival to get you in the mood and for some handy tips.
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Renting a Car Can Prove More Expensive Than Originally Budgeted For
Most of us need to hire a car at some time or other. Going on holiday, making a business trip or your own vehicle is in for repairs.We will often book a rental car, more and more people do this on the Internet and arrive at the airport or rental dealer and discover there are extras there that you had not taken into account when you made the booking.You realise that you need an additional driver so there is often a daily charge for the extra driver/s. You are told that the car comes with a tank full of fuel. You are charged an amount to cover this and when you get into the car discover that there is a sticker saying, "return empty". If you do this you could most likely find that had you filled the car up it would have cost less than the amount the rental company charged for the fuel.What about the insurance?You are told that the insurance cover will not cover you if the car is broken into, a wing mirror broken. You will be responsible for the Excess. At most European, South African, New Zealand and Australian car rental locations, the customer is responsible for the excess this can be the first 500 and up to 1,600 on the rental vehicle in case of an accident or if the vehicle is stolen. As you are not willing to take on this responsibility you immediately agree to pay additional insurance - It can mount up particularly if you regularly hire a car.You can of course purchase car rental excess insurance. There are policies available on a daily rate, annual and for families covering a fair proportion of the world's countries. These policies work in a similar way to an annual travel insurance policy. It doesn't matter how many times a year you rent a car, you are still covered.When you go to collect your rental car remember the following:Most car rental locations require a credit card Most car rental locations will not accept debit or switch cards You must have held a valid driving licence for one year There is often a minimum and maximum age to hire a car Always ask what is included in the rates quoted Never initial or sign an agreement without asking about each item Do not over insure. If you have travel insurance you do not need personal effects or personal accident insurance Pre-purchase or Pre-reserve your car rental Purchase from agents within your own country in case you need refunds or assistance When you pick-up your vehicle determine where the drop off point is for your return Ask if the return area has an attendant. If not, who do you return the car to and who will check it over for damage?When you actually get to the vehicle - even if you are tired after your trip remember the following: If you leave the vehicle without check-in, examine it for damage and photograph it from every angle. Check the vehicle for damage Check the spare tyre If the fuel tank is meant to be full, make sure that it isDo take great care, as the reasonable car rental rate you originally found could be a lot more than you expected.Philip Suter is a Director of JML Property Services http://www.jml-property-insurance.co.uk, a UK based company offering Insurance Products on line, property rentals in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, England and an International self catering vacation home advertising service http://www.jmlvillas.com. He is also involved with management training companies operating in the UK and Internationally.He is a very experienced property consultant with over 30 years work in the Residential letting business and served in the national council of The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA). He is a Fellow of the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) and a Member of The association of Residential Letting Agents.
Australian Mortgage Brokers - Should You Use One?
What Is A Mortgage Broker?Mortgage Brokers act as an intermediary who serve to bring Home Loan borrowers together with suitable mortgage lenders. Mortgage Brokers do the shopping around for the borrower and in most cases collect their fee from the chosen lender rather than from the borrower.Should You Use A Mortgage Broker?The easiest way to look at it is you engage a Mortgage Broker for the same reason you take your car to a professional mechanic or book your holidays through a Licensed Travel Agent. They have specific industry knowledge and daily experience in the complex Home Loan Marketplace. This often means that borrowers end up with a more suitable mortgage than if they did all the research and "leg work" themselves.What Do Mortgage Brokers Actually Do?The basic tasks of an Australian Mortgage Broker are listed below, these duties differ on a case by case basis: Discuss the borrowers needs and preferences regarding Home Loan Finance. Determine the borrowers current financial situation. Determine the clients borrowing power - find out how much they can borrow. Shop around for the borrower to find the most suitable Home Loan available. Gather together all the documents the banks and lenders will need when assessing the application. Provide a clear loan comparison in writing. Help with preparing and then lodgement of the loan application forms. Track the loans progress with the lender and keep the borrower informed right through to loan settlement. Stay in touch with the borrower throughout the term of the loan and assist with loan top ups or refinancing. How To Choose A Reputable Mortgage Broker In AustraliaLike in any industry, there are good and bad Mortgage Brokers. In Australia three of the biggest mortgage broking companies are Mortgage Choice, Aussie Home Loans and Australian Finance Group. They all offer a similar service but there are some things you can do to ensure you end up with a qualified, experienced and trustworthy broker. Some questions you should consider when choosing a Mortgage Broker: Do they charge for the service? Are they paid the same commission no matter which loan or lender the borrower chooses? Do they explain all of the fees and charges associated with the mortgage? Are they independent or do they only deal with a certain lender? Are they qualified, experienced and have testimonials from happy clients? Do they explain the effective interest rate of the loan? Do they justify their recommendations? Do they carry professional indemnity insurance? (which protects the borrower) Do they have access to a wide range of lenders and therefore loans? Do they belong to a reputable industry association? (The MIAA in Australia) Mortgage Choice has developed a Consumer Checklist to assist borrowers when choosing a Mortgage Broker.How Much Does A Mortgage Broker Cost?In the vast majority of cases Mortgage Brokers do not charge their client (the borrower) anything for the service they provide. The brokers are paid by the lenders for introducing a customer to them.Chris Smith works for Mortgage Choice in Victoria, Australia. For more information or advice please visit http://www.mortgagechoice.com.au/cheltenham1
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