kachiwaze-blog

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What is a Cardonio Crypto Credit Card?

Crytocurrency entered human consciousness only in the past few years and yet has grown phenomenally due to its revolutionary nature, being a currency tool that is practically unregulated by any formal financial institution other than the “underground” purveyors of the currency who resided online in the virtual world. In short, it introduced a convenient way to hold money, save money and spend money that was invisible but was as efficient as real fiat money itself. It was a radical idea that was quite liberating for the individual. And the fact that it was a growing phenomenon at the very outset brought many to dip their fingers into the sumptuous pie.

It did not take long before the financial regulatory agencies sought to look into this new tool. Recent reports related to cryptocurrency highlighting its supposed failures and abuses, has not prevented many to put their money into this new currency mode. We can practically say with enough confidence that cryptocurrency, just like the gold coin in the ancient world of barter trading, is here to stay.

Considering the nature of cryptocurrency being what it is, making use of it to one’s best advantage requires having easy access to it in the same way that the Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) did to savings banking for the ordinary consumer. Cardonio brought it a step further for people who use foreign currency around the world by coming out with an efficient payment card for those who hold Ether, Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrency accounts.

This solution targets people within the Cryptocurrency community and allows them “to secure instant lines of credit using nothing more than their existing Crypto holdings as security”. This gives immense power to a person, as if he or she virtually owns the world’s banking systems, giving one “complete liquidity of their Cryptocurrency assets, because if the price of their Crypto increases during the 90- day period, they receive the benefits of all upside gains”.

Moreover, every customer can choose whatever percentage they set their “stop loss limits up to a maximum of 35%, meaning even in the event the value of their crypto holdings drops, they are protected at the level they chose”. This assurance gives the individual the confidence that Cardonio stands behind every individual transaction entered into at any location in the world at any time.

One great benefit derived from using a Cardonio Card is that any time a purchase is made, for example, for $10,000 which, let us just say, is worth 1BTC, when the due date comes for paying for that transaction after 90 days, the BTC price might go above $12,000. We can easily see that a savings of more than of 20% has been gained. This leveraging on the potential growth of cryptocurrency may not appear so different from existing currency or price inflation which is but an opposite effect; however, it builds on the innovative idea that cryptocurrency acts in a generally positive curve, whereas conventional currencies act on a generally negative curve. It is no different from the practice of medicine which tries to address symptoms while the new paradigm in wellness and new health protocols depends on nutrition and positive living – in short, positive growth vs. loss of value.

The guardians of conventional currencies may not be so pleased with what is happening. But now, any person can have a better choice through what Cardonio offers.

 For best Crypto Airdrop, check details here

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Offshore Company by Bowman Offshore Bank Transfers

As a quick overview, here are some benefits of offshore companies:

·         Ability to open a corporate bank account

·         No taxes at a corporate level

·         Privacy (for both directors and shareholders)

·         Strong asset protection

·         Professional appearance

·         Debts, assets, licenses, contracts can be made or held by the legal entity

·         Liability is limited, and you distanced from the actions of your business

Incorporate a company is a prerequisite for any serious business.

Going offshore, you can also experience these benefits:

·         Banking/investment opportunities otherwise not available

·         Planting a flag in a strategic jurisdiction

·         Mitigation of sovereign risk

·         Protection from bankruptcy, lawsuits, divorce, civil unrest, and other ‘worst case scenarios‘

·         Access to higher risk merchant accounts

·         Access to funding or investment capital

It should be obvious that there are tremendous advantages for entrepreneurs who have incorporated either an onshore or offshore company.

Some legal entities can even lead to passports or citizenship – A Singapore, for example, is one such jurisdiction which allows for residency and eventual citizenship for individuals who set up a company there.

Not every jurisdiction was built the same

Hong Kong, for example, has yearly audit requirement, something you might not want to deal with. Singapore is great for someone sourcing physical goods, but their requirement of a local director makes it an expensive option.

Incorporation and passports is my business, and every day I’m on the phone with:

1.       Entrepreneurs who need incorporate a company, 2nd passport, or offshore bank account

2.      Service providers across the globe who provide me with a wholesale discount

3.      Lawyers, accountants, agents and bankers with boots on the ground information

The Best Corporate Structure for Your Business

Whether you are sourcing physical goods from Shenzhen, coding in Berlin, setting up niche sites in Cebu, or writing copy in Medellin, you can use our tools to find out the best place where you should incorporate.

Here are some starting options for setting up an offshore company and where you can read more:

·         Wyoming LLC

·         British Virgin Islands IBC

·         Nevis LLC or IBC

·         Belize LLC or IBC

There are also some other places where setting up a company can grant you special benefits, such as residency, and in some cases even a new passport. All from starting companies:

·         Thailand

·         Singapore

·         New Zealand

·         China

·         Cambodia

·         Myanmar

How much does it cost to incorporate?

Short answer: it costs more to get it wrong! If you incorporate in the wrong state in the US (i.e. Florida) and you are the sole owner, you won’t have single member charging order protection – which means that the creditor can easily pierce the corporate veil – simply by nature of you running your own business! And, they can liquidate your assets to pay off creditors. This has happened, and it will happen again, don’t let it happen to you. If you incorporate in Florida, you could literally lose every asset you own (besides your house, which will be protected under a law called the homestead exemption) and pay high tax, but what about if you are smart enough to set up offshore?

Some jurisdictions have hidden costs. A Private Limited Company in Singapore, for instance, requires a local director which can cost $3000 per year, with a $10,000 deposit, and if you want to wind up a company (hey, it happens, not every business works out) it can easily cost you $5000 by the time you get done paying the secretary to get your accounts current with the tax man and you post the mandatory advertisement in the local papers. If a creditor contacts you, you have to start the whole process again. This can easily cost $15,000.

This is our main line of business and it’s what we do on a regular basis for customers. Contact us; we look forward to doing business with you.

Large corporations and multinational companies understand the importance corporate structure, because this can have powerful impact on the bottom line.

The media confounds and exacerbates the problem by publishing misinformation. They have created a label that anything “offshore” means something illegal or are about evading tax. This is a means of scare tactics that confounds the truth of the situation: forming international companies is completely legal, effective, and in many cases, essential.

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Devin Fitzpatrick Art Consultants Review: Tee Wall Art yksi ensisijaisista tavoitteista

Tee Wall Art yksi ensisijaisista tavoitteista suunnittelussa kotiisi

Operaattorin Wall Art on usein viimeinen valinta monille tekee niiden sisustus, mutta tama viesti, Devin Fitzpatrick Art Consultants nimet Wall Art yhdeksi paino pisteista. Tassa muutamia hyvia ajatuksia valita seinan taidetta, joka voi sopivaksi nykyinen tila ja antaa enemman harmoninen tunne talosi:

Ensinnakin, valitse seinan taidetta, etta rakastat ja on todellinen arvostusta sille, ja etta taide teos voisi olla kannustin maaritettaessa oman huoneen vari paletti. Tietaen vari paletti oman sisustus usein vie paljon aikaa, koska sinulla on vaikea paattaa, joten jotain saada vari paletti, asiat sitten saada helpommin. Valitse vahintaan kaksi tai kolme savyja seinan taidetta ja valitse hallitseva vari ja muut savyt, jotka haluat tehda niin aksentteja.

Laita kohteet huoneeseesi, jotka vastaavat naita vareja. Voit kayttaa mobiilisovellusta, jonka avulla voit tunnistaa vastaavat vari savyt tiettyihin vareihin. Ja jos etsit enemman ammatillista lahestymistapaa, ota hyva taide konsultti kuten Devin Fitzpatrick Art Consultants.

Toiseksi, seina taide voi tayttaa aseman "keskeinen kohta" on huone. Kun kirjoitat huoneen, siella on elementti, joka vetaa sinut sen lasnaolo, ja seinan taidetta voi olla, etta suunnittelu elementti. Se voi olla paapaino koko huoneen tai valtava tila. Mutta muistakaa sen koko on myös valtava merkitys, ja jos se on liian iso tai liian pieni, se ei ehka tuo hyva tunne kavijöita, joten sinun on maaritettava oikeat mitta ukset ensin.

Kolmanneksi, seina taide voi tuoda esiin tunnetta tekstuurin. Voit myös laittaa erilaisia taiteen auttaa tarjoamaan erilaisia tunnetta tekstuurin erityisesti tilaa. Jotta on enemman syvyytta huoneeseen, harkitse veistoksia tai varjo laatikot teidan sisustus. Voit olla varma enemman visuaalinen paino teidan sisatilat kanssa ylimaaraisia bittia tekstuuri.

Lopuksi, asettaa seinaan taidetta voi myös tarjota tunteen loppuun. Tama taide teos voi vetaa tilaa yhdessa ja tehda se tuntuu taydellinen. Valitse seina taidetta, joka voisi sekoittaa kauniisti valitsemasi koristelu tyyli oman sisustus.

Ottaa mahdollisuus sisustaa huone antaa jannittava tunne, mutta sinun on parasta muistaa, etta edella, etta ennakointi, sinun ei pitaisi unohtaa hyva rooli seinan taidetta voi antaa. Jos oikein tehty, seina vaatteita voi tuoda hyvia puitteita talosi, ja kuten aiemmin mainittiin, se voi olla Keski piste suunnittelussa muun elementit voidaan kayttaa huoneessa. Taide on niin hyva aihe, keskustella taiteen ajatuksia Devin Fitzpatrick Art Consultants ja kerata enemman asiantuntija-apua.

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Devin Fitzpatrick Art Consultants Review: Basic tips on choosing a good art consulting service

To begin, here’s a quote that has been familiar to a lot of people for quite some time, and it goes like this: “The ‘earth’ without ‘art’ is just ‘eh.’” Though it gives a little bit of humor, it signifies the truth. Art gives us a lot of meaning and it doesn’t have to be beautiful to be appreciated. But being involved in the business of art requires careful actions and thought.

Engaging with art often needs the expertise of a professional art consulting service to ensure more beneficial and positive results. Seek the service that is similar with Devin Fitzpatrick Art Consultants to greatly help you in your art venture. You would not have much problem in buying or selling an artwork for example if you have an art consultant besides you.

Each of us has different needs, so it might be hard to find someone who could provide all your individual demands. But with a careful research and selection, you could find the art consultant you need. The following are some basic tips to help you find and choose the best art consulting service for your interests.

Conduct a thorough research

You can search by foot or simply use the internet. And to make things easier, you can discuss this with your friends, relatives or neighbors who have acquired the service of an art consultant. With such, you could gain honest recommendations and could even list the ones that you should avoid.

Select the one who understands

The business that involves art is still a business but always remember that to get the results you’re seeking for, you need to work with someone who really understands you. This way, you can discuss with the consultant all your concerns and preferences with nothing holding you back. Similar to the service of Devin Fitzpatrick Art Consultants, you should choose the one that has a wide understanding and could be flexible in dealing with the differences of each client. Keep in mind that a qualified art consultant service could do such thing with their many years of experience handling a lot of people in the past.

Take into account your budget

Getting the service of an art consultant might be a bit costly, so you need to make sure that you could afford the service of one with your set budget. Choose the one that you can afford and has agreed to your terms including your budget.

Devin Fitzpatrick Art Consultants puts a huge importance on the relationship between the client and the consultant. Both sides should have a mutual understanding to end up with a valuable outcome. It might take you a lot of effort in the beginning, but if you carefully choose the one you’ll be working with, everything will go on smoothly in the end.

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Making plans for the holidays is probably the furthest thing from your mind right now, but now is the time to take advantage of all the Royal Caribbean promotions and rack-up up to $250 in onboard credits!

Royal Caribbean is running 2 special promotions for the month of September. We've highlighted the eligible holiday cruises below. Onboard credit amounts vary based on the length of the cruise and the cabin type.

You can lock in this special by putting the minimum deposit amount down, and take the next 12 months to pay off the balance! Deposits for 4 & 5-day cruises are $100 per person, and deposits for 6 & 7-day cruises are $250 per person.

Promotion Breakdown

Deck the Holidays Deals

·         Offer Period: Sept 1-30, 2017

·         Onboard Credits:

-  Sailings 5 days and less:

·         Interior & oceanview cabins: $25 OBC per cabin

·         Balconies & suites: $50 OBC per cabin

-  Sailings 6 days and more:

·         Interior & oceanview cabins: $50 OBC per cabin

·         Balcony cabins: $100 OBC per cabin

·         Suites: $150 OBC per cabin

Early Booking Incentive

·         Sailing Window: departing 6 months in advance

·         Onboard Credits:

-  Sailings 5 days and less:

·         Interior & oceanview cabins: $25 OBC per cabin

·         Balconies & suites: $50 OBC per cabin

-  Sailings 6 days and more:

·         Interior & oceanview cabins: $50 OBC per cabin

·         Balconies & suites: $100 OBC per cabin

Click Here For More Information about Galveston Capital Tourism and Marketing

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Cathay Dupont Award: Cathay Pacific Reorganizes Head Office as First Step in Transformation Plan

Cathay Pacific announced that it will be making around 600 people redundant in its head office. This is part of a transformation programme to make Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon more effective by improving the speed and quality of decision-making and putting a greater focus on its customers.

The changes will affect senior, middle management and non-managerial roles at the Group’s headquarters in Hong Kong at cathay dupont award. Around 190 management and 400 non-managerial roles will go, representing 25 per cent of management and 18 per cent of non-managerial positions respectively.

The majority of affected employees will be informed of changes or a cessation to their role today and over the next month, with most of the restructuring completed by the end of 2017. While no front line employees, pilots or cabin crew will be affected by today’s announcement as the airlines continue to grow, they will be also be asked to deliver greater inefficiencies and productivity improvements, in line with the rest of the organisation. Cathay Pacific will continue to invest in its front line capabilities to deliver high-quality products and services to its customers.

Rupert Hogg, Chief Executive Officer, Cathay Pacific, said: “We greatly appreciate and respect our people’s dedication, hard work and achievements. However, we have had to make tough but necessary decisions for the future of our business and our customers. Changes in people’s travel habits and what they expect from us, evolving competition and a challenging business outlook have created the need for significant change.

“Our immediate priority is to support our colleagues affected by today’s announcement, and I’d like to thank them for all they’ve done for Cathay Pacific.

“As we look to the future we will have a new structure that will make us leaner, faster and more responsive to our customers’ needs. It is the first step in the transformation of our business. We want to invest in and improve the experience that we offer people in Hong Kong and around the world, to find new ways to give our customers what they really want and need.”

All employees whose roles will become redundant in the new structure will receive a severance package including up to 12 months’ salary, extended medical benefits including counselling and support, and additional and extended travel benefits. Cathay Pacific will also offer all outgoing employees job search support, job application support and interview training.

To align with the head office reorganization, Cathay Pacific will also restructure its Cargo department. It will streamline the structure by removing the role of Cargo Director. The commercial and planning functions will report into the Director Commercial and Cargo, and be overseen by the Chief Customer and Commercial Officer. The services function will report into the Director Service Delivery.

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Tokyo MK Taxi - Maak uw reis meer plezierig

Reizen – kunnen zij het om persoonlijke of zakelijke redenen-beide een opwindende en stressvolle ervaring. Er zijn vele oncontroleerbare elementen die schade aanrichten op uw plannen grote kunnen, of de bron van frustratie komt uit luchthaven vertragingen, verkeer of weer-gerelateerde problemen voort. Vooral als u van plan bent om te rijden in een onbekende stad in een huurauto, kan het zeker verhogen het niveau van stress aanzienlijk. Daarom is het het beste om de diensten van een kwaliteit-chauffeur te huren.

Een van de voordelen van het huren van een chauffeur service is om te voorkomen dat deze bron van ongerustheid en laten u op uw bestemming aankomen ontspannen en op schema. Tokyo MK Taxi kunt benutten hun enorme schat aan ervaring in het leveren van professionele chauffeur autoservice aan al hun klanten en passagiers in de Verenigde Staten, Korea en Japan. Hier zijn een paar manieren hoe een persoonlijke chauffeur uw reis nog aangenamer maken zal:

Vermijd de stress verloren te gaan. GPS mapping systeem is niet altijd accuraat als er elementen zoals de bouw van een aan de gang zijnde, weg sluitingen en adres verandert in het gebied dat het apparaat niet bewust bent, zodat u niet op deze dingen voor richtingen de allertijden vertrouwen. In plaats daarvan kunt u rekenen op een chauffeur om u naar uw bestemming zoals zij vertrouwd met het gebied zijn zodat u niet ooit hoeft te maken over waar de nabijgelegen restaurants en attracties zijn of waar het hotel gevestigd is.

Aankomen op schema. Chauffeurs zijn vertrouwd met patronen in het netwerkverkeer en alternatieve routes zodat u niet hoeft te maken dat u op uw bestemming op tijd vanwege onverwachte gebeurtenissen die kunnen gebeuren terwijl op weg zal niet aankomen.

Comfort en ontspanning terwijl op weg. Of u van plan reizen voor zakelijke doeleinden of voor plezier alleen, laat een ervaren chauffeur omgaan met de wielen en voel je vrij om te lezen een goed boek en ontspannen van de achterbank van de auto.

Wij helpen onze klanten op hun bestemming stress-vrij komen als onze chauffeurs komen op tijd en in volgens de planning moet u afhalen. Tokyo MK Taxi is van mening dat het om een uitstekende service leveren, moet beginnen met de chauffeur wordt vroeg voor client pick-up, alles dan volgens plan zullen volgen. Zij werken onvermoeibaar om een uitstekende service die u laat ontspannen gevoel en zorgen gratis zoals onze chauffeur zal volledig hun verantwoordelijkheden tot de beste van hun kennis. Tokyo MK Taxi beschikt over Lexus groep enthousiastelingen limo opties zoals LS600hL en Lexus LS460. Bovendien zijn er andere soorten voertuigen voor alle verschillende groepen en behoeften, reizen zoals Mercedes Benz S500L, Toyota Hiace, BMW ActiveHybrid 7 L, Toyota Alphard, Nissan Fuga hybride en Toyota Crown Royal Saloon. Van limos aan taxi, kunt u rekenen op onze service.

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The upper Texas coast transforms into a massive avian frat house this time of year, with countless birds winging northward across the Gulf of Mexico from their Central and South American winter bungalows. That probably helps to explain why birders, nature photographers and naturalists outnumber sun worshipers on Galveston during the spring.

It’s also the reason why the FeatherFest Birding & Nature Festival, scheduled for April 6-9 and celebrating its 15th anniversary, has grown into one of the preeminent events of its kind in North America. Presented by the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council, FeatherFest regularly attracts nature lovers from around the state and the nation intent on two things: spotting as many varieties of migratory birds as they can and soaking up the camaraderie of hanging out with hundreds of like-minded outdoorsy folks.

Feather Fest combines classroom workshops and films with real world field trips that take participants ranging from casual birders to professional nature photographers to some of the prime birding locations around the island. Participants spotted nearly 300 different types of birds at last year’s event, ranging from regular visitors like the Great Blue Heron, Brown Pelican and the Common Loon—no, we’re not talking about your weird Uncle Pete—to rare and elusive specimens like the Hudsonian Godwit and the Buffle Head.

Don’t think that you have to be a lifelong birder or naturalist to have a good time during the festival. Organizers work to group participants based on their photographic or naturalist skills, while the cost of individual workshops and field trips, all of which are led by expert birding and photography pros, varies.

But all birding and no play makes for a … well … happy naturalist, but there are also several social events on the agenda, including the always popular Raptors Uncorked (April 8), which allows you to enjoy an evening of aviary photo ops and a great meal at the Olympia Grill at Pier 21. You don’t want to miss The Big Year With Greg Miller (April 7), a free event with renowned birder Greg Miller, portrayed by Jack Black in the 2011 film “The Big Year.” He’ll provide comments and answer questions following a screening of the movie that is to birders what “Titanic” is to cinema buffs.

The Feather Fest Photo fest gives you the chance to pit your photographic skills against some of the best nature photographers in the area, while Hawker’s Alley and Avian Alley are home to numerous nature-related vendors.

The campus of UTMB’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in the Island Community Center (4700 Broadway) serves as the festival headquarters.

Experience this “causeway cure” where flip-flops replace dress shoes and the scenery at Galveston Capital Tourism and Marketing Review Singapore Texas, Jakarta, Singapore.

Join a group thrilled you have decided to explore Galveston Island.

[kachiwaze-blog]

Careconnect Health Insurance Group Review: 5 Numbers for the 4th of July

Happy birthday to our nation! Here’s to celebrating with barbecues, the great outdoors, fireworks and friends!

And yet -- not to rain on your parade, snuff your sparklers or put a cramp in your cookout – we want to share a word to the wise: Besides being our national birthday, the Fourth has also been called the most dangerous holiday of the year. Do have fun! Just take a look at these numbers and adjust accordingly in order to keep your family safe, sound and happy.

2,000

Hand-held sparklers burn at approximately 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Consumer Products Safety Commission – as hot as a blowtorch. Always supervise any fireworks activities closely, including those that “just” feature sparklers.

181

Independence Day is the deadliest day of the year for motor vehicle crashes, says the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, with 118 lives lost each year, on average. A life-saving move: making sure that everyone in the car buckles up on every trip. According to estimates by the National Safety Council, if everyone used their seat belt at all times, 181 lives could be saved over the three-day weekend.

1 in 5

Newsflash: Your dog would not enjoy watching the local fireworks display. When a pet goes missing, loud noises like fireworks and thunderstorms are responsible nearly 20 percent of the time, reports the ASCPA. Make sure your pooch is kept securely indoors or on a leash throughout the night.

30

Don’t let mosquitoes ruin your picnic or barbecue – consider wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and use an EPA-registered insect repellant, says the CDC. Consumer Reports tests show that repellants containing 30 percent DEET provide just as much eight-hour anti-mosquito protection as stronger formulas, but are less likely to cause side effects like rashes or even seizures. (Used as directed, the CDC says, an EPA-registered repellant is safe during pregnancy. Don’t use repellant on babies younger than 2 months old.).

1/2

A 2014 British study found that the average barbecue-goer eats and drinks about 1,800 calories at a backyard cookout. To avoid developing a barbecue bulge, fill half your plate with fruits and veggies.

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Investment Tips: Learning How to Invest

What is investing all about? How do you start?

If you have decided to enter the world of investing, learning how to invest must now dominate your time and focus. Two steps will help you on your way.

Defining investing

In essence, investing involves spending your time, effort and resources to attain a higher objective. For instance, you spend weekends with a social group to do charitable work, use your talent in the arts to create works of beauty and value or apply your profession in your job or your business to earn a living. In the same way that you do these things hoping to gain valuable rewards, you likewise invest your money in a bond, mutual fund or stock, just be careful of investment scams online, but with the goal of achieving material benefits in the future.

Eradicate your debts now

Now that you are eager to go ahead and start investing once you learn how to, you certainly would want to know the next step. But rein in your enthusiasm for a while. Hold your horses while you check if you are really ready to take the ride of your life in investing. Now that you see the possibilities opened to you through the magic of compounded returns, you have to protect yourself from the same trap which you could be unwittingly locked in. Do away with high-interest debts that you may have at the present.

Reward yourself first of all

To succeed as an investor, you must make investing an integral part of every day. That may sound difficult or tedious; but not really. You must realize that the act of buying something, say a cappuccino, will influence your daily finances as much as acquiring a home-equity loan to cover your credit-card payments.

Active and passive methods of investing

There are two primary methods of stock investing: active and passive management; and they differ on how stocks are chosen, not on how you choose your verbs. Active investing involves selecting stocks yourself or you can ask your brokers or fund managers to pick the stocks, bonds, and other forms of investments. Passive investing requires you to let your holdings follow an index which a third party makes.

Speculating versus investing

Perhaps, you may have heard of a close friend who struck it rich with options. Or you may have had moments of lucky streaks in the past where you won a sizeable amount of cash from a raffle or lottery. Why should you then enter into a long and slow process of investing your money which can only bring you a double-digit gain and not bundles of cash right away? Investing demands years of patience before you can finally reap the good harvest. What if you cannot wait that long?

Planning and setting objectives

Investing is a long-term process, like planning a long vacation. Ask yourself these questions before you embark on this endeavor:

• What is your destination? (What financial goals do you have?)

• How long is your vacation? (What is your time frame in investing?)

• What should you bring along? (What investments forms will you choose?)

• How much gas do you need to use? (How much will you invest to achieve your goals? How much can you invest a regular plan?)

• Do you have stopovers on the way? (What short-term financial expenses do you have?)

• How long is your vacation? (Will you have to retire using your investment?)

• If you run out of gas because you frequently stop to rest and drive through the night, you are bound to spoil your vacation. So it is if you do not save enough money, if you invest haphazardly or fail to invest at all.

How stock trading works

Now that you have set your finances in order and you have also established definite financial objectives, you are now ready to learn how to begin investing. With mutual funds, the procedure is quite easy: Call the fund company and request them to open an account for you. Dealing with stocks can be a more challenging endeavor.

The dangers of margin

Through a brokerage account, you can choose between a cash account or a margin account. A cash account allows you trade using available money you are willing to invest. A margin account allows you to buy stocks using other people’s money – which you borrow. Margin accounts can be attractive for obvious reasons; however, the risks can be significant.

Summary

Now that you have gained enough background information on how to start investing in stocks, as well as what your financial goals are, how much money you will need to invest, how long it will take to recover your investment, the next move is to begin considering where to invest and the kind of potential gain you hope to make.

You can get more info from our newsletter services which we offer free for one month. Our contributors may have diverse views on many issues; but this fact helps to provide you with a wide selection of insights and perspectives on how to succeed in investing. We have a disclosure policy which allows us to be fully transparent in all transactions.

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Careconnect Health Insurance Group Review: 5 Steps to Perfect Grilling

Planning a cookout for Memorial Day? That’s a great idea: Grilling is a naturally healthy way to prepare food, says Jessica Palumbo, RD, a dietitian at Glen Cove Hospital -- as long as you take a few simple precautions and make smart choices about the menu.

For summer celebrations that are safe, nutritious, and, of course, delicious, take these easy steps when you fire up your grill.

1. Marinate your meats.

Marinating steaks and poultry for at least 30 minutes before grilling has several pay-offs: First, it adds flavor and helps tenderize meat, so you can choose a leaner cut. And second, it seems to act as a barrier against the grill’s high heat. That’s important, because the char that can form on well-done meat, poultry, or seafood contains chemicals that have been linked to cancer. (A chemical reaction between animal proteins and high heat seems to be to blame.) “Just be sure to discard any marinade that was in contact with raw meat,” says Palumbo. “Don’t use it to baste your food while it cooks.”

2. Give your grill the brush-off.

Give your grill grates a good scrubbing before every use. Not only will this remove grease that could start a fire; it will also help remove potentially harmful bacteria that can breed in leftover food particles. Just be sure to inspect the grill if you’ve used a wire brush -- every year, a few people end up in the emergency department after swallowing bits of wire bristle that are left behind and stick to food like hamburgers. Another smart move: Check the brush before you use it, and toss it out if the bristles are loose.

3. Bring out the fruits and veggies.

“People forget that you can grill fruit,” says Palumbo. “The natural sugar in peaches and pineapples can caramelize and make them even sweeter, so they’re really delicious fresh off the grill.” Also extra-tasty: veggie kebabs, made with onions, peppers, zucchini, mushroom and tomato. Brush with a little olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning to bring the flavor out.

4. Cook it just right.

Undercooking meat can put you at risk for a food-borne illness, but you don’t want to overcook it, either—remember those dangerous chemicals formed when meat gets charred. Flip meat every minute to reduce the chance of burning it, and check it with a thermometer before taking it off the grill. Cook chicken to 165 degrees, ground beef or pork to 160, and steaks, chops or fish to 145.

5. Store leftovers promptly.

Don’t let perishables like burgers, hot dogs and dips sit out for more than two hours, says Palumbo, and if it’s 90 degrees or hotter, put food away within an hour. This protects against bacteria that can cause food poisoning, so you can enjoy your leftovers—if you have any, that is!

[kachiwaze-blog]

Investing Review: Be Debt-Free in 9 Ways

Some things you can easily neglect or forget without causing any harm, such as what the last two answers are in the crossword puzzle today; but you cannot do that to a debt. Debt stays like a recurring nightmare in the night, haunting us and chasing us like Mr. Anderson in a Matrix world, charging compounded annual rates of 20% or more of monthly interests. We are stuck in that world’s system – with no escape in sight. But there is a way out of debt, using our free debt-crushing strategies -- and with the help of some of your rich friends and wealthy relatives (see tip No. 5). The nine ways to escape this enslaving system follow:

1. Exceed your monthly dues

The first step toward freedom from debt is to pay above the demanded minimum monthly payment. Do not extend your burden of paying the usual 2% to 3% of the outstanding balance for the required payment term. Moreover, banks would enjoy such subservience, even wishing you would pay for longer terms to increase their profits. Tell yourself now that it is time your own happiness is your priority, not the bank’s.

The strategy is to pay as much as you can afford regularly for every month. For instance, if your minimum amortization is $200, make it $150 or 200 even more. Try to look into your daily or monthly expenses to see where you can get the extra money. (To find some tips on how to do this, read our Living Below Your Means discussion forum.) For example, minimize or eliminate dining out and cook at home. Desserts are things we can do without, if you think about it. Happy hours would not be so happy if you think you have a debt to pay off. "Luxuries", in short, are things you can do without and are rich sources of hard cash.

The operative word (as in, you need to get it out of your system through some form of mental surgery) is “sacrifice”. Then, you will find a way to drastically up your debt amortizations and avoid getting scammed. It is the best way to save valuable money that would go into paying interests. Moreover, you will have a faster way of escaping your “debtly” situation. There is no joy in that kind financial crisis, having to live in constant penury and fear.

2. Snowball your debt payments

If you have credit cards, think seriously of how you can win some more points. Which one gives the lowest rate of interest? If you have not gone beyond the highest amount allowed on that card, try moving your higher-interest bill to it. This is allowable in most cases. Why pay 18% if you can pay only 12%?

In case your total credit balance does not fit on your low-interest card, pay at least the minimum amounts required for all cards except for one. You can then transfer most of your debt repayments into that one credit card, and do it as fast as you can. Once the balance on that card is zero, transfer the next by applying the same rapid repayment scheme.

This is what “snowballing” means – one small step at a time until you accomplish more. While the debt is decreasing, the money you will need to undo your debt will increase. The money you use to pay off “snowballs” until your debt disappears. You see how easy it is?

One alternative means of moving higher-interest debt to a lower-interest card involves the use of promotional offers from banks which provide credit card facilities. Note such ads offering to "Transfer all your credit card balances” to them at only “5.9%" for a period of a year. Why not? 5.9% is far beneficial to you than 18% interest. It would be unwise not save all that money in interest which could be funneled to reduce the principal every month, effectively decreasing the outstanding debt balance even more.

But think before you bite into any offer. Check properly the details for any possible catches. For instance, find out whether the interest rate will remain at the offered rate after the introductory period expires or revert to what you pay now. This would mean changing again and other possible surprises along the way. Banks have become wary of credit card holders who jump from one card to another to avail of the low introductory interest rates. Many such offers now stipulate that once you move outstanding debts from the new card within a year, the regular interest rate will revert retroactively to all outstanding balances. That stipulation might come as a big burden to bear for cash-strapped individuals, giving no relief whatsoever. The fine print tells it all – if you can read patiently.

3. Withdraw your savings account

You can decide to withdraw your savings and investments and slowly pay off your debt using the proceeds. It might appear unwise; yet, sometimes one has to play the fool to survive. Even at 12% rate, your investments would need to bring in above 18% before paying all taxes to match the dollars flowing out. Besides, the money in your savings account will not earn you close to that rate of interest. Terminating the debt this way, amounts to achieving that 18% gain, minus any risks involved otherwise. The greater the interest rate you pay, the more desirable repayment becomes against any existing investment.

4. Take out a loan using your life insurance policy

Does your life insurance policy provide a cash value? Then, make us of it by borrowing your own money. The interest rate is usually way below commercial rates avoid online fraud; and you can have longer terms to repay the loan. Be sure you pay it faithfully. In case you die prior to repaying the debt, the remaining loan balance and interest will be taken from policy’s face value due to the beneficiary. Indeed it is a small burden to carry now to try to remove a debt than allowing your loved ones to carry the burden, if you leave them permanently before paying it back.

5. Persuade family and friends for help

There must be a relative or friend who trusts you and cares enough to reach out to you with a helping hand. If so, you stand to get a loan at a bargain rate with less pressure on the payment schedule. In order to keep your relationship intact, frame up a formal agreement on paper to clarify expectations on either side as to interest and repayment scheme. This will do away with any hurt feelings or doubts in the future. And try to stick to the agreement if you want to remain welcome at family, office or school events.

6. Acquire a home equity loan

If you have a home whose equity has piled up over the years of paying the mortgage, why not get a home equity loan (HEL) credit facility at the highest allowable amount?

There are two ways that a HEL can help you save: first, applying the loan amount to your debt repayment, which allows you to exchange an 18% loan, for example, for a 6%-7% loan; second, itemizing deductions when you file your income tax credits HEL interest as a deductible item in most instances. A 25% marginal tax bracket will provide the 6% loan an effective rate of 4.5%, which is probably the best deal you can get on a personal debt.

Avoid, however, the common pitfall of getting an HEL, paying out your current debt and then ringing up credit card charges once again. That will give you two birds to shoot at with a single bullet, since you cannot afford another bullet to solve both challenges. Avail of HEL to erase your credit card debts, and then pay off HEL as well. Makes you appreciate your dire situation and the meaning of the saying, “There’s HEL to pay!”

7. Avail of a loan through your 401(k)

If you have a 401(k) retirement plan, yours may have a facility for loans up to 50% of your account's value, or $50,000, whichever is smaller. Usually, the rates are one or two points above prime, making them lower what credit cards charge. This makes 401(k) plan loans a way to pay off your debts. The best thing about this scheme is not just the lower interest but that you pay it back to your account as each dime paid on interest goes straight to the borrower's 401(k) account and not the lender's.

The downside on this plan includes the following: first, you repay the loan and interest with after-tax dollars, and the interest will be subject to tax again when you finally withdraw money from the 401(k) in the future. Moreover, the loan repayment period is five years. Leaving your work before repaying the whole loan will, therefore, require you to immediately pay off the loan. If not, that amount will be considered as a distribution to you and subject to tax at regular rates. And in case if you are below 59 and one-half years old, an additional 10% excise tax will be charged as penalty for cashing out your retirement funds early. Hence, make certain your 401(k) loan can be fully paid prior to leaving your job.

8. Restructure your loans

Are you at your rope’s end? No savings left. Friends and relatives cannot be of help. You do not own a home or a 401(k) account to loan against. In short, you are wiped out and you consider filing for bankruptcy. Wait! Hope always shines in the darkest places. Ironically, the prospects of bankruptcy can be of use to you.

If your creditors become aware of your situation and that you cannot renegotiate, your only recourse is to declare bankruptcy. You may seek a lower repayment term; ask for a lower interest rate; and satisfy their demand for payment. Creditors, more often than not, will choose to receive any deal where they get to recover some of their investment rather than nothing at all.

The transaction table is always open to a reasonable compromise where everyone wins and no one loses anything. It is worth a try and in time you will realize such recourses do work for the best. There are even organizations which will do it for you, in case you are not sure what you need to do.

9. Final option: Declare bankruptcy

If it comes down to the last option you have left, file for bankruptcy. As much as we all want to pay our debts, sometimes repaying is not at all possible. But be aware of the consequences.

For ten years, you will have a credit record with this bankruptcy information, making it hard for you to acquire a loan for that long. Furthermore, it is ironic that filing for bankruptcy requires a lot of money. Hundreds of dollars of lawyer fees and court filing expenses have to be met to get the relief you seek. With tougher bankruptcy laws in the offing as well, you might end up not obtaining any relief at all.

Two kinds of personal bankruptcy relief are available: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 7, called straight bankruptcy, provides almost total relief from debts, not including such items as alimony, taxes, child support, loans acquired through filing false financial records, loans not included in the bankruptcy petition, student loans and legal decisions against the petitioner.

Although Chapter 7 frees you of the duty of paying back most creditors, you may need to give up a big part of your property to partially pay off the debt. Nevertheless, some states have different laws providing exemptions on particular types of property, for instance, a specific amount of home equity, an old or low-value vehicle, minimal worth of jewelry and other personal belongings, and tools used in the pursuit of one’s business or occupation. Although such exemptions are quite small, no one will need to start over from zero.

Chapter 13, also referred to as the "wage-earner plan," is quite different. You can hold on to your property but give up all financial control to the bankruptcy court. The court recommends a repayment scheme based on your financial capability for paying off all or part of your debt for period of 3 to 5 years, during which creditors cannot harass you for any payment. You are also free of any interest charges on your debts during that period. Once the requirements of the court-approved scheme have been satisfied, you come out debt-free from the bankruptcy.

[kachiwaze-blog]

Careconnect Health Insurance Group Review: Hay Fever by the Numbers

Ah, spring! Warm breezes, chirping birds, blooming trees – and sniffling, congestion and all-around misery. Spring allergies, AKA hay fever, AKA allergic rhinitis, can last for weeks or even months, says Sherry Farzan, MD, an allergist at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and North Shore University Hospital. But paying attention to a few critical numbers may help you find a little relief.

2 weeks

If you experience symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and red, watery eyes for more than two weeks, it’s a good bet you have allergies, not a cold -- see your doctor. (On the other hand, a fever suggests that a cold is to blame.)

20 million

In the United States, nearly 20 million adults and more than 6 million children have hay fever. If you suffer in the springtime, you’re probably sensitive to pollen or mold spores. An allergist can do a skin or blood test to identify your individual triggers.

5 degrees

This past winter broke records in the United States, with temperatures averaging nearly 5 degrees above the 20th-century average. Warmer winters mean earlier, longer and more severe allergy seasons, experts say.

5 to 10 a.m.

Pollen levels are usually highest between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., so try to stay indoors during those hours, with the windows closed. If you have to go out, wear a hat and sunglasses to shield yourself from pollen, Farzan says.

3 to 4 days

An over-the-counter nasal decongestant can relieve stuffiness in a pinch, but if you use it for more than three or four days in a row, it can cause a rebound effect that makes your nose even more congested. If you need longer-term relief, an allergist can prescribe you something that won’t backfire.

90 percent

Allergy shots, also called immunotherapy, can reduce symptoms in 90 percent of people with seasonal allergies, Farzan says. You’ll need them weekly at first -- but eventually, once a month will do the trick.

[kachiwaze-blog]

Careconnect Health Insurance Group Review: Easy Ways to Protect Your Vision

Did you know that eye exams are an important part of your overall health -- even if you have perfect vision? It’s true: Starting at age 40, every adult should see an optometrist or ophthalmologist at least once every two to four years. As you get older (or develop vision problems), that frequency should increase.

“A lot of eye-related conditions -- like glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration -- don’t cause symptoms until they’re quite advanced,” says ophthalmologist Carolyn Shih, MD, assistant clinical professor at Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine. “If we catch them early, we can treat them or prevent them from getting worse.”

In case that’s not enough to convince you, eye exams may also help identify health problems that have nothing to do with your vision -- like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, even a brain tumor. “Examination of the eye’s retinal blood vessel or the optic nerve can tell us a lot about what’s going on elsewhere in the body, even if you don’t feel anything out of the ordinary,” adds Shih.

March is Save Your Vision Month. If you’re 40 or older and can’t remember the last time you had a comprehensive eye exam, make an appointment to get one soon. In the meantime, here are four more easy ways to protect your peepers every day.

Sport the right sunglasses. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can increase your risk for cataracts and macular degeneration. Choose lenses that promise to block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays, and wear them year-round -- not just in the summer.

Follow the 20-20-20 rule. To avoid eye strain while working on an electronic device, take a 20-second break every 20 minutes and look at something 20 feet away.

Practice good eye-giene. If you wear contact lenses, always wash your hands before putting them in or taking them out. Be sure to disinfect your contacts between uses, and never wear them for longer than instructed.

Watch the scale. Being overweight can raise your risk for diabetic eye disease and glaucoma. Talk to your doctor about how diet and exercise changes can help you shed unwanted pounds.

[kachiwaze-blog]

Careconnect Health Insurance Group Review: The New Rules for Eating Right

Every few years, the federal government comes out with advice about one of the most important things you do every day—eating. The new recommendations came out last month in the form of an update to the official Dietary Guidelines, and they include some big changes that are meant to help Americans make smarter choices about the food they eat in order to lower their risk of obesity and chronic disease.

“People whose diets match these guidelines stay healthier than those whose diets don’t,” says Nancy Copperman, RD, assistant vice president of public health and community partnerships for Northwell Health (formerly North Shore-LIJ Health System). “And as our understanding of nutrition gets more sophisticated, those guidelines get tweaked based on the strongest and most recent science.”

While many of the government’s suggestions will seem familiar (yes, you still have to eat your veggies), you may be surprised by some of the other recommendations in the new guidelines. One of the most important changes: Limit added sugar.

Dietary experts have cautioned for years against eating too much of the sweet stuff, but for the first time they’ve singled out added sugar, meaning sugar that doesn’t occur naturally in whole foods like an apple or glass of milk (although milk doesn’t taste sweet, it naturally contains a sugar called lactose). Americans should consume less than 10 percent of their daily calories from added sugar, say the new guidelines; for someone who eats about 2,000 calories a day, that’s just 200 calories.

“That’s equal to about 12 teaspoons of sugar, total,” says Copperman. “Most of us currently consume about 22 teaspoons a day, so we need to basically cut that in half.” The easiest way to do that is to read labels, she says; choose foods with less than 5 grams of sugar per serving. If the label lists anything over that level, the item probably contains added sugar. “That should make you think twice about whether that snack is really worth it,” Copperman says.

Worry less about cholesterol

Research has shown that cholesterol in food isn’t a major factor in raising the cholesterol level in our body. Instead, the new guidelines suggest limiting saturated fat. How? Try reducing your intake of fatty cuts of meat, and increasing chicken, fish and plant-based proteins like beans and nuts.

Get pickier about protein

Dovetailing with the above, another of the new guidelines says that many of us—specifically, many teen boys and adult men—eat more than the recommended 26 ounces of protein from animal sources per week. The problem is, a body can process only so much protein at a time, says Copperman. Anything it doesn’t use is stored as fat.

And while the guidelines single out guys, Copperman says that most of us (of either gender) can benefit from eating less animal-based protein. “Choosing smaller portions and filling our plates with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains instead is never a bad thing,” she says. “That’s advice that has stood the test of time.”

[kachiwaze-blog]

Online Security: Dumb WhatsApp Scam Spreads Malware - Beware

Dumb WhatsApp Scam Spreads Malware, Touting 'Free Internet' Without Wi-Fi: Beware

A pretty dumb WhatsApp scam is making rounds in chain mail form, promising "free internet" without Wi-Fi on an invite-only basis.

First of all, the scam is quite dumb to begin with because the only way to use WhatsApp without Wi-Fi is to have a cellular data connection and WhatsApp cannot offer data - it's just an app, not a provider.

Secondly, the scam is spreading because it prompts victims to forward the message to 13 friends or five groups on WhatsApp to activate the "free internet."

How It Works

"As usual, the message spreads via WhatsApp groups or comes from a friend who 'recommends' the service - often unaware of it. In this case, you receive a special invitation with a link," explains the WeLiveSecurity blog of antivirus and security firm ESET.

"You can already get Internet Free Without WI-FI with Whatsapp, and it is by means of invitations, here I give you an invitation," reads the poorly written message.

Upon clicking on the included link, users are taken to a website mimicking the WhatsApp domain. It detects the device's language based on the browser settings and invites users to pass along the invitation to more people, ensuring that the scam keeps spreading.

The message also shows fake reviews from fake users, claiming to be incredibly satisfied with this amazing offer. Those users don't even exist, much like this "free internet" invite-only deal. Don't fall for it, or you'll get more than you bargained for - and not in a good way.

Surprise! Malware

After sharing the message with at least 13 people or five groups, users who have fallen victim to this sham end up on various sites where a number of malicious actions can wreak havoc.

According to WeLiveSecurity, such actions range from subscriptions to premium and expensive SMS services to installing third-party apps on the device, of course aiming to generate some money for the scammer on the victims' expense.

Victims will see various offers, but they obviously will not get any "free internet." The only way to use WhatsApp to communicate with people is to have an active internet connection, be it cellular data or Wi-Fi, and the scam does absolutely nothing to change this reality.

At best, victims waste their time and end up disappointed that the magical chain message didn't work. At worst, they end up with malicious software on their phones.

How To Avoid Such Scams

First of all, keep in mind that any message that shows up out of the blue, poorly written and making seemingly attractive promises are most likely fake, part of a scam. Raising awareness regarding these scams plays a crucial role in limiting their damage and slowing their spread rate.

If you've received this "free internet" offer or some other dubious message that looks like a scam, warn the sender and your friends so that they're aware it's a scam. Moreover, reporting the fraud is also important and it's not that big of a hassle - just flag it in your browser as you'd normally report any phishing campaign.

[kachiwaze-blog]

GAC Group Singapore R&D International Consulting: Innovation News

Below, you will find out about opportunities to improve your savings and results and receive a few of our tips to finance your innovation.

We wish you a pleasant reading!

PIC SCHEME

Optimize your PIC claims!

Did you know that companies can combine for YA 2013 to YA 2015 the yearly cap for each qualifying activity at S$ 400k? Companies are allowed to claim up to S$ 1,2M of eligible expenses for each qualifying activity by combining the three Years of Assessment. For example, if you haven’t claimed R&D costs in YA 2013 and YA 2014, you can claim up to S$ 1,2M of R&D costs in YA 2015. Do not miss this opportunity to optimize your savings!

PIC Bonus: get it while you can

The PIC Bonus is a S$ 15,000 dollar-for-dollar matching cash bonus on top of the PIC cash payout and the enhanced tax deduction available for YA 2013 to 2015. The PIC scheme will remain active at least until 2018. It is still time to get the PIC Bonus by optimizing your PIC Claims for YA 2015.

PUBLIC FUNDING IN SINGAPORE

Innovation Capability Voucher (ICV)

ICV is a public financing tool for local SMEs helping them to purchase integrated IT solutions and to get access to consultancy services for innovation, productivity, HR and finance management. Local businesses can get up to S$ 40,000 with 8 different vouchers.

iSprint Funding for Intermediate Packaged Solutions

This funding program initiated by IDA for local SMEs reimburses up to 70% of the buying cost of numerous pre-approved packaged solutions up to S$ 20,000 as well as consultancy and training costs related to packaged solutions such as SaaS, PoS, Accounting Management Systems, etc.

GAC EXPERTISE

Assistance to IRAS technical queries

More and more companies have seen their claims rejected or challenged by IRAS. It requires a specific expertise to claim technical staff salaries and outsourced R&D projects under the PIC scheme. We were expecting an increase of the controls, as it happened in other countries, with similar schemes. Make sure to secure your R&D tax credits by following all regulations and expectations from IRAS to avoid troubles and delays in the process.

R&D Tax Credits

From IRAS perspective, R&D includes the notion of innovation whereas it is excluded in OECD definition. Several countries use the OECD R&D definition for R&D tax credits, such as France, England or Canada. In Singapore, the definition of R&D is broader and therefore, the notion of eligible R&D activity of the PIC is larger than scientific research and is not limited to lab work and PhDs teams. Our consultants are R&D experts with either a MSc or a PhD who successfully claimed R&D projects in different fields such as Software Development, SaaS, Energy, E-commerce, Microsystem, Healthcare, Water, Big Data, Web technologies, etc.

GLOBAL NEWS

Singapore is becoming a global IP hub

The government has been implementing effective tax measures to encourage the anchoring of intellectual property in Singapore for the past few years. By helping companies finance acquisition and registration of Intellectual Property Rights through the PIC scheme, among other initiatives, the objective of the Government is to help Singapore become a global IP hub in Asia.

Top 20 Hottest Startups

Released in the Singapore Business Review, the Singapore's Hottest Startups 2015 awards the most innovative startups in the country. Five of our clients are ranked in this top 20! This shows the strong links between GAC and the technology-oriented startups ecosystem of Singapore. We help innovative companies finance their technical projects by claiming the salaries of their technical teams through the PIC scheme.