Dubai has become known as a millionaire’s playground, with many celebrities and movie stars owning villas and apartments there. However in recent years the Gulf state of Dubai has become one of the most popular destinations for Europeans wanting some sun for a few days, and to party at the many bars and clubs which have sprung up over the past few years. As a result, there is a multitude of choice when it comes to choosing from a variety of Dubai hotels.
There is a huge selection of Dubai hotels, from 7 star luxury, complete with gold plated taps, to more basic 2 and 3 star accommodation for the budget traveller. What is for suredefinite, is that you will be able to find one of the many Dubai hotels which meets your exact requirements.Of the most luxurious and feature packed Dubai hotels, perhaps the Atlantic Hotel wins this prize. This hotel opened a few months ago surrounded by a sea of celebrities, including Robert de Niro and Denzel Washington, and Kylie Minogue even performed a concert (which the organisers reportedly paid $4 million!).
Dubai has long been famous for its wide range of activities on offer – the air conditioning provided by Dubai hotels are great to escape the intense heat of the midday sun, but when it gets a bit cooler in the late afternoon, you can engage in a multitude of activities, such as the world’s biggest indoor ski resort, or even skiing in the desert! However, guests at the Atlantis Hotel hardly need to leave their hotel for the entire duration of their stay, as the activities available are so plentiful – you can even swim with dolphins, or spend time at the enormous water park on the site.
However, the prize for the most elegant and extravagant of Dubai hotels must be awarded to the Burj al Arab. This is the only 7 star hotel in the world, and sits on top of a man made island. This hotel has welcomed millionaires and billionaires from all over the world, and even royalty have stayed at this most famous of Dubai hotels.
However, if you are on a tighter budget, there are still hundreds, if not thousands of other Dubai hotels you can choose from. Before you book a room, however, make sure that the hotel meets all of your requirements - for example – does it have a pool, is there a restaurant, is it close to the beach, or the business district, and how far is the closest shopping mall? Everyone has different requirements when they come to Dubai, so make sure that you choose a hotel which is right for you.
No matter which of the many Dubai hotels you choose, in terms of how much you will have to pay for your hotel room, it definitely pays to carry out research on the internet beforehand. One site I frequently use to book Dubai hotels is Dubai Short Stay.com You can book rooms for any of the above mentioned Dubai hotels at this site, and the prices are the lowest I can ever find.
5.03.2009
A Guide to Saving Money on Household Items Using Gift Vouchers
In these tough economic times, everyone is looking at how they can tighten their purse strings by saving money, whether it be at the supermarket, buying software for your computer, or for your leisure activities. If there is a product or service where you can utilize gift vouchers in order to save money, then you are more likely to buy this product or use the service. What follows is a guide to getting hold of the gift vouchers which offer the customer the best deals.
Retailers such as supermarkets have also been known to give away free gift vouchers. Sometimes these gift vouchers are in the form of stipulating some conditions, for example, you will get £10 off your grocery bill if you spend at least £50. Even deals like this can be valuable, as the weekly shop for most families, even those on a budget, will more than likely exceed £50.
By offering such deals, the retailer also gains. Firstly, by offering these gift vouchers, the retailer has ensured that the customer will return to their store, as opposed to the store of a competitor. Secondly, the retailer may gain in other ways. Sometimes, the gift vouchers can only be redeemed if you fill in a survey, or questionnaire. This way the retailer finds out crucial information about the shopping habits of it’s customers, which enables it to understand its customers more, and provide a better shopping experience.
Other companies offer gift vouchers in the form of free bonuses when you sign up for an account, such as poker and online gaming. This is a very competitive area, and so the various companies in this area offer big bonuses to customers who sign up with them. These will often be in the form of free money to play with, up to a certain amount. For example, if you deposit £200 into your account, the company will match that sum, and place a total of £400, so that you have £400 to play with (although there are sometimes restrictions on withdrawing this amount). Here, you can see that the value of the gift vouchers is very significant indeed.
Some of the best deals to be had at the moment are getting hold of gift vouchers for software. The software companies are desperate to sell as many copies of their software as possible, as they have already spent huge amounts of money to develop the software in the first place. Therefore, you often see some great deals, with gift vouchers sometimes reducing the price of the software by as much as 50%. You need to know where to look, however, as these deals are quite rare. One great site to get the best deals for software gift vouchers is Share Vouchers, which has developed key relationships with suppliers to enable the customer to save as much money as possible when buying software.
The internet is a great way of looking out for the latest gift voucher offers. There are now websites which have been specifically designed to look out for the latest offers offered by a huge variety of retailers. One of the leading websites offering free gift vouchers is Share Vouchers.co.uk, which has a multitude of offers, ranging from discounts on software, to free bonuses on gaming websites.
Retailers such as supermarkets have also been known to give away free gift vouchers. Sometimes these gift vouchers are in the form of stipulating some conditions, for example, you will get £10 off your grocery bill if you spend at least £50. Even deals like this can be valuable, as the weekly shop for most families, even those on a budget, will more than likely exceed £50.
By offering such deals, the retailer also gains. Firstly, by offering these gift vouchers, the retailer has ensured that the customer will return to their store, as opposed to the store of a competitor. Secondly, the retailer may gain in other ways. Sometimes, the gift vouchers can only be redeemed if you fill in a survey, or questionnaire. This way the retailer finds out crucial information about the shopping habits of it’s customers, which enables it to understand its customers more, and provide a better shopping experience.
Other companies offer gift vouchers in the form of free bonuses when you sign up for an account, such as poker and online gaming. This is a very competitive area, and so the various companies in this area offer big bonuses to customers who sign up with them. These will often be in the form of free money to play with, up to a certain amount. For example, if you deposit £200 into your account, the company will match that sum, and place a total of £400, so that you have £400 to play with (although there are sometimes restrictions on withdrawing this amount). Here, you can see that the value of the gift vouchers is very significant indeed.
Some of the best deals to be had at the moment are getting hold of gift vouchers for software. The software companies are desperate to sell as many copies of their software as possible, as they have already spent huge amounts of money to develop the software in the first place. Therefore, you often see some great deals, with gift vouchers sometimes reducing the price of the software by as much as 50%. You need to know where to look, however, as these deals are quite rare. One great site to get the best deals for software gift vouchers is Share Vouchers, which has developed key relationships with suppliers to enable the customer to save as much money as possible when buying software.
The internet is a great way of looking out for the latest gift voucher offers. There are now websites which have been specifically designed to look out for the latest offers offered by a huge variety of retailers. One of the leading websites offering free gift vouchers is Share Vouchers.co.uk, which has a multitude of offers, ranging from discounts on software, to free bonuses on gaming websites.
4.07.2009
The Changing Face of Charitable Gifts
For many years if you wanted to donate to a charity or other good cause you were faced with the option of a cash donation. This article looks at the ever changing face of charity gifts and how donors can now choose from a wide variety of options when it comes to making a donation to their favourite charitable organisation or venture.
Fundraising and charitable donations have, like so many other businesses, have suffered in the wake of the financial problems that all parts of the World have seen in the past two years. And yet despite a downturn in donations to charities, voluntary organisations and community groups, there have been some changes when it comes to the type of donation that is now available to would be donors.
And instead of buying Christmas presents or other gifts, it is now becoming extremely popular to make a donation to charity on behalf of the person you are buying for. This method of donation has been available now for a few years with donations made being used to buy chickens or goats for families in parts of the world where such an item would be extremely beneficial.
And just as the Worlds economy has seen dramatic changes, the type of gift you can now obtain has also changed. In fact the most popular gift according to the independent charities watchdog Intelligent Giving for Christmas 2008 was a Camel which was available from Oxfam. For less than one hundred pounds sterling you could arrange for a camel to be provided to an African family. Not only does the camel give them a great mode of transport but it also gives the family nutritious milk as well as the camel dung being used for fuel or fertilisers. Whereas western families might receive a selection box at Christmas the African family could well receive transport, food and fuel in one package.
Other animal related gifts available still include the old favourites of chickens and goats as well as animals such as donkeys, sheep, cows or snails.
As well as animals as gifts you can now decide to make a donation that will provide a family with food such as coffee or rice or even making sure a certain number of people receive safe tap water.
Other donations can be made that will fund projects in third world countries including well fixing, providing emergency shelters, the building of bogs or just general home improvements.
The truth is the charity and voluntary sectors may have suffered in recent times due to donors being reluctant to donate for fear that their donation was being taken up with administration costs rather than reaching the actual people who need it. This way of donors knowing exactly what the cause is getting is proving to be very popular so if you want to give an unusual but highly welcome gift this year then instead of socks or a jumper remember that fish cages, pineapple plants and bull semen is proving to be very popular.
Fundraising and charitable donations have, like so many other businesses, have suffered in the wake of the financial problems that all parts of the World have seen in the past two years. And yet despite a downturn in donations to charities, voluntary organisations and community groups, there have been some changes when it comes to the type of donation that is now available to would be donors.
And instead of buying Christmas presents or other gifts, it is now becoming extremely popular to make a donation to charity on behalf of the person you are buying for. This method of donation has been available now for a few years with donations made being used to buy chickens or goats for families in parts of the world where such an item would be extremely beneficial.
And just as the Worlds economy has seen dramatic changes, the type of gift you can now obtain has also changed. In fact the most popular gift according to the independent charities watchdog Intelligent Giving for Christmas 2008 was a Camel which was available from Oxfam. For less than one hundred pounds sterling you could arrange for a camel to be provided to an African family. Not only does the camel give them a great mode of transport but it also gives the family nutritious milk as well as the camel dung being used for fuel or fertilisers. Whereas western families might receive a selection box at Christmas the African family could well receive transport, food and fuel in one package.
Other animal related gifts available still include the old favourites of chickens and goats as well as animals such as donkeys, sheep, cows or snails.
As well as animals as gifts you can now decide to make a donation that will provide a family with food such as coffee or rice or even making sure a certain number of people receive safe tap water.
Other donations can be made that will fund projects in third world countries including well fixing, providing emergency shelters, the building of bogs or just general home improvements.
The truth is the charity and voluntary sectors may have suffered in recent times due to donors being reluctant to donate for fear that their donation was being taken up with administration costs rather than reaching the actual people who need it. This way of donors knowing exactly what the cause is getting is proving to be very popular so if you want to give an unusual but highly welcome gift this year then instead of socks or a jumper remember that fish cages, pineapple plants and bull semen is proving to be very popular.
The Best Way to Set-up and Maintain Your Superannuation Fund
Superannuation is a method of financially preparing yourself for your retirement. Both yourself and your employer can contribute to it over time and this money is then invested into a variety of appropriate investments such as shares, property, savings accounts and government bonds.
When you retire, or qualify for your superannuation due to disability or death you will receive the money (less charges and taxes) either as regular payments made periodically, a lump sum payment, or a combination of the two.
The Superannuation Guarantee came into effect on July 1, 1992, making it compulsory for employers to contribute to an employee's superannuation fund.
The minimum amount of the contribution is 9% of an employee's wages. This excludes overtime, fringe benefits and leave loading).
However, not all employees are covered by this “guarantee”. The Superannuation Guarantee Act states that employers are not required to contribute to the Superannuation Guarantee in certain circumstances.
Some of these exceptions include:
• If an employee earns less than $450 per month;• If an employee works 30 hours per week or less and is under the age of 18;• If an employee is over the age of 70;• If an employee is paid to do domestic or private work for 30 hours per week or less.
Can the employer make contributions above the compulsory limit?
An employer is allowed to make higher contributions than the amount specified in the superannuation guarantee, but only as:
• a reward based on the performance of an employee;• an employers contribution that increases in line with the employees voluntary contribution;• a ‘salary-sacrifice’ - this is where the employer makes a contribution which tend to be benefits such that would otherwise be paid as salary.
By seeking advice from a financial advisor you can find out how to get your employer to pay more, but you have to remember that employers are limited by the amount that can be claimed as a deduction for superannuation contributions made.
These limits can change annually so check with your superannuation fund or the Australian Tax Office to find out.
Should employees contribute too?
If you have more disposable income than you require, and feel you are in a position to save this money towards your future, it may be wise to consider making superannuation contributions as opposed to investing it elsewhere.
There are aged limits that dictate whether or not you can contribute to superannuation – for more information on this, see the Australian Taxation Office web site.
Some of the advantages are:
• you generally pay less tax on interest accumulated from superannuation savings than you would on interest from a bank, although it is worth looking into deals on savings accounts as interest rates can work out higher, thus providing better rewards in the long-run;
• the 'salary sacrifice' scheme automatically takes the the superannuation contribution from your salary, which eliminates the possibility of you being tempted to spend the money on anything other than savings.
• There are limits involved to the amount that can be added to the salary sacrifice;
• the interest on superannuation savings is added onto the total investment, so effectively the interest earns more interest.
• The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) estimates that a sum of money ‘compounded’ at 7% a year will double in value in ten years;
• you may be able to take advantage of Government incentives offered such as the co-contribution scheme. This scheme allows you to be given up to $1500 from the government when you contribute to your fund.
Go to the Australian Taxation Office web site for details.
tax advantages
• The maximum tax rate for contributions made by your employer is 15%.• The income earned through the fund's investments is also taxed at a maximum rate of 15%.• Salary sacrifice contributions are taxed at 15%.• When an employee reaches the age of 60 they can withdraw their superannuation as a one-off lump sum or tax free income stream.
laws
The main laws that apply to superannuation are the:
• Superannuation Industry Act and Regulations;• Superannuation Guarantee Act and Regulations;• Income Tax Assessment Act.
Jargon definitions
Accumulation funds – this is the money is invested and the final benefit depending on the overall contributions, plus earnings of the fund.
Annuity – This is much the same as a pension. You receive regular payments that are made periodically for either a specified amount of time or until you die.
Benefit - the money paid to you out of the superannuation fund or kept on your behalf within the fund.
Contribution - the money paid into the superannuation fund by either yourself or your employer.
Lump sum – the entire fund received in a single one-off payment.
Preserved - money that is held on your behalf that you cannot access until retirement or certain other circumstances, such as reaching a certain age or leaving employment either temporarily or permanently. This includes money contributed by an employer, interest earned on the fund or contributions made by a self-employed person which have been claimed as a tax deduction and any contributions not deducted made after 1 July, 1999.
Rollover - moving money from one fund to another.
What you are entitled to know
You are entitled to certain information from your superannuation fund. This includes:
• a member statement showing the amount of your benefit at the beginning and end of the related period, the amount that is preserved and contact details;
• a fund report showing the fund's financial status;
• notification of any changes that affect you;
• a statement that shows your benefit
When you retire, or qualify for your superannuation due to disability or death you will receive the money (less charges and taxes) either as regular payments made periodically, a lump sum payment, or a combination of the two.
The Superannuation Guarantee came into effect on July 1, 1992, making it compulsory for employers to contribute to an employee's superannuation fund.
The minimum amount of the contribution is 9% of an employee's wages. This excludes overtime, fringe benefits and leave loading).
However, not all employees are covered by this “guarantee”. The Superannuation Guarantee Act states that employers are not required to contribute to the Superannuation Guarantee in certain circumstances.
Some of these exceptions include:
• If an employee earns less than $450 per month;• If an employee works 30 hours per week or less and is under the age of 18;• If an employee is over the age of 70;• If an employee is paid to do domestic or private work for 30 hours per week or less.
Can the employer make contributions above the compulsory limit?
An employer is allowed to make higher contributions than the amount specified in the superannuation guarantee, but only as:
• a reward based on the performance of an employee;• an employers contribution that increases in line with the employees voluntary contribution;• a ‘salary-sacrifice’ - this is where the employer makes a contribution which tend to be benefits such that would otherwise be paid as salary.
By seeking advice from a financial advisor you can find out how to get your employer to pay more, but you have to remember that employers are limited by the amount that can be claimed as a deduction for superannuation contributions made.
These limits can change annually so check with your superannuation fund or the Australian Tax Office to find out.
Should employees contribute too?
If you have more disposable income than you require, and feel you are in a position to save this money towards your future, it may be wise to consider making superannuation contributions as opposed to investing it elsewhere.
There are aged limits that dictate whether or not you can contribute to superannuation – for more information on this, see the Australian Taxation Office web site.
Some of the advantages are:
• you generally pay less tax on interest accumulated from superannuation savings than you would on interest from a bank, although it is worth looking into deals on savings accounts as interest rates can work out higher, thus providing better rewards in the long-run;
• the 'salary sacrifice' scheme automatically takes the the superannuation contribution from your salary, which eliminates the possibility of you being tempted to spend the money on anything other than savings.
• There are limits involved to the amount that can be added to the salary sacrifice;
• the interest on superannuation savings is added onto the total investment, so effectively the interest earns more interest.
• The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) estimates that a sum of money ‘compounded’ at 7% a year will double in value in ten years;
• you may be able to take advantage of Government incentives offered such as the co-contribution scheme. This scheme allows you to be given up to $1500 from the government when you contribute to your fund.
Go to the Australian Taxation Office web site for details.
tax advantages
• The maximum tax rate for contributions made by your employer is 15%.• The income earned through the fund's investments is also taxed at a maximum rate of 15%.• Salary sacrifice contributions are taxed at 15%.• When an employee reaches the age of 60 they can withdraw their superannuation as a one-off lump sum or tax free income stream.
laws
The main laws that apply to superannuation are the:
• Superannuation Industry Act and Regulations;• Superannuation Guarantee Act and Regulations;• Income Tax Assessment Act.
Jargon definitions
Accumulation funds – this is the money is invested and the final benefit depending on the overall contributions, plus earnings of the fund.
Annuity – This is much the same as a pension. You receive regular payments that are made periodically for either a specified amount of time or until you die.
Benefit - the money paid to you out of the superannuation fund or kept on your behalf within the fund.
Contribution - the money paid into the superannuation fund by either yourself or your employer.
Lump sum – the entire fund received in a single one-off payment.
Preserved - money that is held on your behalf that you cannot access until retirement or certain other circumstances, such as reaching a certain age or leaving employment either temporarily or permanently. This includes money contributed by an employer, interest earned on the fund or contributions made by a self-employed person which have been claimed as a tax deduction and any contributions not deducted made after 1 July, 1999.
Rollover - moving money from one fund to another.
What you are entitled to know
You are entitled to certain information from your superannuation fund. This includes:
• a member statement showing the amount of your benefit at the beginning and end of the related period, the amount that is preserved and contact details;
• a fund report showing the fund's financial status;
• notification of any changes that affect you;
• a statement that shows your benefit
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