Saturday, February 25, 2012

A place to dream



The Taj Mahal, a mausoleum built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, has been immortalized as a symbol of love.




The Alps, a towering mountain range stretching across Europe, spans 200 kilometres and comprises 48 prominent peaks and 1,800 glaciers.

 


The Galápagos Islands, an archipelago in the Pacific, is a national park, and a biological marine reserve, famous for its tremendous natural diversity.

 


Jerusalem, the great walled city holy to Judaism, Christianity and Islam, is 3,000 years old and every street corner tells a captivating story.


 


The incredible landscapes of the Pacific Islands are created by the merging of rainforest and sea.

 



Papua New Guinea is home to many fascinating tribes, countless species of wild life, and stunning natural beauty.


The Amalfi Coast, along the Sorrentine Peninsula, is truly a breathtaking visual, with its deep blue seas, sparkling white villas, and scented lemon groves.




Rio de Janeiro, the cidade maravilhosa (the marvelous city) offers you tropical beaches, lofty mountains, lush rainforests, and gorgeous blue seas.


 


The Seychelles, an archipelago of 115 islands sprinkled in the Indian Ocean will take your breath away with its resplendent natural beauty.





Vatican City, home to the spiritual leader of one billion Catholics, also houses historical gems like St Peter’s Basilica and the Piazza San Pietro.

 


The Amalfi Coast, along the Sorrentine Peninsula, is truly a breathtaking visual, with its deep blue seas, sparkling white villas, and scented lemon groves. 

Tips to start saving today


How can you make a start as a saver today? Here are our top ways to start that saving account, that are easy to implement and won't be too painful to your lifestyle.


An emergency sets people thinking where the money will come from. Most often than not people look at sources outside their savings but most of us do not even have sufficient savings to cope with any extra unforeseen expenses.


It's not rocket science – we all know that having a savings account ensures you are set for these unforeseen circumstances. Anything you can put aside will make you more secure in the coming months and year – keep in mind that saving just Rs 10 a week is also Rs 520 by the end of a year.





Compare
The first thing to do is open the best savings account you can. Compare the interest rates all banks are giving to ensure you are going to get the best possible returns.


Budget

The problem with saving is that you can 'miss' your money – but you can't miss what you haven't had, right? Complete a budget of what you absolutely need to live off of – bills, food expenses, etc. Then, as soon as your paycheck arrives, sweep the rest off into a savings account. If this money is never in your account, you won't feel you're losing out.


Pocket change

At the end of each day, or each week, empty your change into a jar. Go through your pockets and bag - because the loose change really will add up. If you pay this change into the bank each month, then you'll have the interest to add on top of this.


Curb Spending

If you're prone to impulse buys and money tends to burn a hole in your pocket, it might be helpful for you to work out what your post-tax wage is per hour. Once you know this figure, you should look at everything you intend to buy with this in mind. That way you can curb some unnecessary spending on your bags and shoes.


Look for deals

Now, nobody is suggesting that you stop spending money altogether, but perhaps it is time to look at becoming more frugal. Do you need to pay full price for everything? Probably not. You can use coupons at the grocery store, and use restaurant vouchers to enjoy a treat for half the price. And of course, look out for the sale season. Think out of the box and you can get more items for less for you and family.