It could be the solution to many potential homebuyers’ dreams – a massive house of around 2,500 sq ft costing just £40,000. Now that really would be a ‘home-sweet-home’ but what’s the catch? It’s made of gingerbread! At this time of year, it’s a popular tradition in many countries to create gingerbread houses and stuff [...]
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Switching a UK pension in to a Malta QROPS
May 15, 2013
Malta QROPS are the talk of the offshore pensions market but switching a retirement savings out of a UK fund involves more than writing a cheque. The first step is asking the UK pension fund to give a written transfer value – if you have more than one find, then get a transfer value from [...]
Dubai Mortgage Cap Could Scupper Property Recovery
May 14, 2013
A move to cap mortgage loans could put the skids under Dubai’s hesitant property recovery. The issue was flagged up by a note from Bank of America Merrill Lynch to clients, stating that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Central Bank was seeking to restrict the mortgage value to 50% of the purchase price. The move, [...]
Free Satellite TV Switch Off For Expats
May 13, 2013
Tens of thousands of British expats face losing their favourite telly channels across Europe after TV stations switched to using a new satellite. Fears are running high after many lost Channel 5 early in 2012 and now there could be even more channels lost as the new Astra 2F satellite comes into service. The plan [...]
PAYE Real Time Reporting For Expats (RTI)
May 12, 2013
Employers with expats on their books will have to gear up for major changes being made to the pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) system by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Real Time Information (RTI) requires all employers to send data electronically to HMRC ‘on or before’ an employee is paid, starting from April 6, 2013. Currently, HMRC will [...]
Expat Managers Cost More, But Are Worth The Money
May 12, 2013
Expat managers cost firms three times as much as hiring a local manager – but they bring better value for money, according to a survey. Executive search firm Pedersen and Partners asked 297 global and regional HR directors from international companies what their thoughts were on hiring expats. Their findings show that a local manger [...]
Dubai Dispels Property Doom And Gloom
May 11, 2013
Dubai’s booming demand for property has seen rents and house prices increase by 17% and 16% respectively in the past 12 months. Property experts are pointing at a growing population and a fast-growing economy as being the main reasons for the rise. The figures come from commercial property services firm CBRE Middle East which says [...]
Slowest Growth For Indian Economy In 10 Years
May 11, 2013
India’s economy is beset by a number of worrying factors which will see the country post the lowest GDP growth figure for a decade. Unofficial figures suggest India’s growth last year was around 5.4%, down from 7.4% in 2011. The downturn is underlined by the country’s wholesale price-based inflation which fell to a three year [...]
7 Steps To Your Financial Freedom
May 10, 2013
Taking control of your finances will ensure that your future is free of debt and brings the potential freedom to live life as you want. You will also have the money to provide for your loved ones more effectively. This is our seven step plan to helping you gain financial freedom. Start with a plan [...]
Even Experts Get Confused Over Expat Health Cover
May 8, 2013
Huge differences between international private medical insurance and domestic policies leave many employers making basic mistakes over provision for expat workers, says a new report. With 75% of employers providing their expat workers with private medical insurance, it’s the most important benefit after housing. Now a report, entitled ‘A Guide to International PMI’ says there [...]
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