Fun holiday destinations to visit on a budget

The Long holiday is here! Wondering how to wrap it up in style without delving too deep into your pocket? Visit any of these fun countries to experience true beauty and serenity. Not only is it more affordable than your usual holiday destinations, it does not require excessive planning and will offer you and your family a new experience. We also have local destinations which you can discover.

 

Maldives

It is a South Asian island country, located in the Indian Ocean, situated in the Arabian Sea. It is one of the world’s most geographically dispersed countries, as well as the smallest Asian country by both land area and population, with a little over 393,500 inhabitants.

The number of resorts increased from 2 to 92 between 1972 and 2007. As of 2007, over 8,380,000 tourists had visited Maldives and they do not need to apply for a visa pre-arrival, regardless of their country of origin, provided they have a valid passport, proof of onward travel, and the money to be self-sufficient.


Kenya


Kenya has a warm and humid tropical climate on its Indian Ocean coastline. The climate is cooler in the savannah grasslands around the capital city, Nairobi, and especially closer to Mount Kenya, which has snow permanently on its peaks.

Thanks to its diverse climate and geography, expansive wildlife reserves and national parks such as the East and West Tsavo National Park, Amboseli National Park, Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru National Park, Aberdares National Park and white sand beaches at the Coastal region, Kenya is home to the modern safari and has several world heritage sites such as Lamu and numerous beaches, including in Diani, Bamburi and Kilifi, where international yachting competitions are held every year.


Barbados

It is a sovereign island country in the Lesser Antilles, in the Caribbean region of North America.

Despite being classified as an Atlantic island, Barbados is considered to be a part of the Caribbean, where it is ranked as one of the leading holiday destinations. Forty percent of the tourists come from the UK, with the US and Canada making up the next large groups of visitors to the island.


Seychelles

Seychelles, is an archipelago and country in the Indian Ocean. The 115-island country, whose capital is Victoria, lies 1,500 kilometres east of mainland East Africa. Seychelles is famous for having some of the best beaches in the world, pristine and uncrowded. Some are framed by age-old granite boulders and others offer powder-soft sands, turquoiseclear waters and sublime opportunities for swimming, snorkeling and pure relaxation.

There are great opportunities for island-hopping between the 16 islands that currently offer accommodation. These range from sumptuous 5-star resorts to rustic island lodges and cozy beachside bungalows. There are also national monuments, beautiful Creole houses, artists’ studios, national reserves and marine parks, as well as breathtaking natural wonders above and beneath the waves.


Tanzania

It is a country in Eastern Africa within the African Great Lakes region. Parts of the country are in Southern Africa. Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, is in northeastern Tanzania. Three of Africa’s Great Lakes are partly within Tanzania. To the north and west lie Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, and Lake Tanganyika, the continent’s deepest lake, known for its unique species of fish.  The Kalambo water falls in the southwestern region of Rukwa are the second highest uninterrupted fall in Africa and are located near the southeastern shore of Lake Tanganyika on the border with Zambia. The Menai Bay Conservation Area is Zanzibar’s largest marine protected area.

The vast majority of tourists visit Zanzibar or a “northern circuit” of Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro.


Mau
ritius

This is an island nation in the Indian Ocean about 2,000 kilometres off the southeast coast of the African continent. Mauritius is known for its varied flora and fauna, with many species endemic to the island.

Mauritius is one of the major holiday destinations, ranking 3rd in the region and 56th globally. It enjoys a tropical climate with clear warm sea waters, beaches, tropical fauna and flora complemented by a multi-ethnic and cultural population.


Federated States of Micronesia

The Federated States of Micronesia is a country in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. It is composed of four major island groups totalling 607 islands that lie just north of the equator about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia, to the north of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands and to the south of the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam.

The Federated States of Micronesia is generally one of the safest countries to visit.


Dominica

It is a Caribbean island country between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago. It is often known as “The Nature Island of the Caribbean” due to its spectacular, lush, and varied flora and fauna, which are protected by an extensive natural park system

Dominica’s mountains, rainforests, freshwater lakes, hot springs, waterfalls, and diving spots make it an attractive eco-tourism destination. Cruise ship stopovers have increased following the development of modern docking and waterfront facilities in Roseau, the capital.


Fiji

It is an island country in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about 1,100 nautical miles northeast of New Zealand’s North Island.

Fiji has several popular tourism destinations. The Botanical Gardens of Thursten in Suva, Sigatoka Sand Dunes, and Colo-I-Suva Forest Park are three options on the mainland. A major attraction on the outer islands is scuba diving. Fiji’s main attractions to tourists are primarily white sandy beaches and aesthetically pleasing islands with all-year-round tropical weather. In general, Fiji is mid-range priced for holiday destinations with most of the accommodations in this range. More budget resorts are being opened in remote areas, which will provide more tourism opportunities.

 

In times like this, the key is to invest more than you spend such that whether the economy picks up or not, you will always have something to fall back on. Talk to one of our expert financial advisors today for profession financial advice on how to grow your wealth in the new year, recession or not.

 

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Luxury on a budget: Tourist Attractions in Nigeria

Take your family on a vacation to any of the amazing tourist attractions in Nigeria. Not only is it more affordable than your usual holiday destinations, it requires less planning and will offer you and your family a completely new experience.

See some suggested destinations below.

Epe Resort and Spa

It is situated at the end of the Epe-Lekki Express Way after having left the busy city of Lagos. This luxurious retreat offers sanctuary to those who wish to rest their weary minds and rejuvenate their spirits.

Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country estate

Tourist Attractions

The Lakowe Lakes development occupies a land area of roughly 308 hectares, and overlooks a 55 hectare man-made lake. The estate comprises a pristine 18-hole golf course and clubhouse with sports facilities such as a swimming pool, squash, tennis and badminton courts.

Tinapa resort

The Tinapa Free Zone & Resort has facilities for retail and wholesale activities as well as leisure and entertainment. For consumers, the resort has about 80,000 square metres (860,000 sq ft) of lettable space for retail and wholesale made up of four emporiums of 10,000 square metres (110,000 sq ft) each and smaller shops, warehouses, and so on. An entertainment strip contains a casino, digital cinema, children’s arcade, restaurants, a mini amphitheater, a night club and pubs.

Kamp Ikare

Kamp Ikare is a beach resort situated on a stretch of Lagos coast near Ikare village and it’s only accessible by boat. The resort is a main communal beach house, 6 duplex cabins positioned around a swimming pool and just meters from the sea. Kamp Ikare is beach resort that offers home-away-from-home facilities and services that combines the rustic environment around it with a Miami-style lounge area creating the most simple, no fuss environment for your relaxation.

Abraka Turf and Country Club

Located in the exotic region of Nigeria’s Delta, Abraka Turf and Country Club has taken on a leading role in the nation’s leisure and catering industry, and prides itself on its ability to deliver exquisite services. The resort includes perfect villas, chalets, and caters to high-end clientelle that includes families, vacation seekers, campers, as well as corporate groups.

Ikogosi warm springs

A tourist attraction located at Ikogosi, a town in Ekiti State, southwestern Nigeria. Flowing abreast the warm spring is another cold spring which meets the warm spring at a confluence, each maintaining its thermal properties. These attributes make the spring a tourist attraction in Nigeria.

Yankari game reserve

It’s location in the heartland of the West African savanna makes it a unique way for tourists and holidaymakers to watch wildlife in its natural habitat. Yankari was originally created as a game reserve in 1956, but later designated Nigeria’s biggest national park in 1991. It is the most popular destination for tourists in Nigeria and, as such, plays a crucial role in the deve.

Obudu Cattle Ranch

The resort is found on the Obudu Plateau, close to the Cameroon border in the northeastern part of Cross River State. It is about 30 minutes drive from Obudu town and is about a 332 kilometres (206 mi) drive from Calabar, the Cross River State capital. Charter air service is available to the Bebi Airport which lies between the village of Obudu and the resort.

Owu water falls

Owu Waterfalls is located at Owu Isin local government, Kwara. It is the highest and most spectacular natural waterfall in West Africa. With its Ambience, cool environs and lush tributes to nature, everyone is invited for a dip.

Oguta Lake Holiday Complex

Oguta lake with its clear blue color, non salty taste is the perfect holiday destination for splashing around, boat cruising and many more. The second largest lake in Nigeria welcomes fun seekers, tourists and adventure lovers.

In times like this, the key is to invest more than you spend such that whether the economy picks up or not, you will always have something to fall back on. Talk to one of our expert financial advisors today for profession financial advice on how to grow your wealth in the new year, recession or not.

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Nigerian Inflation – food pressures dictate CPI tone

Inflation

Nigeria’s inflation decelerated for the fourth consecutive month in May 2017 to 16.25% YoY (Year on Year) as core inflation dropped sharply in line with our earlier surmise relating to pass-through from high base effect from elevated fuel prices in 2016. However, food remained at an elevated 19.3% YoY in the review month as structural setbacks, such as higher transportation cost, offset potential gains from an appreciating naira.

Going forward, the Ramadan-associated strong demand for cereals should leave pressures on cereal prices largely intact in June. Thus, aided by still elevated transportation cost which have also limited gains from an appreciating naira, we remain bearish on food inflation despite ongoing green harvest in the Southern part of the country. That said, the cumulative benefits of sustained FX policy gains appear to have finally caught up with energy prices given the subdued MoM(Month on Month) growth in prices of PMS and cooking gas as well as the decline in diesel prices in recent readings. We expect this to lead to a moderation in monthly core inflation reading in June—albeit expected to have a relatively pale influence on YoY reading compared to that from the just ended high base effect from 2016. Overall, our expectations across the core and food inflation buckets should translate to an unchanged headline reading of 16.25% YoY in June 2017.

See full report here.

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Economic Update: May 2017

In this Economic Update, we discuss recent developments and our expectation for same over the near term.

Nigeria’s equity market received a kiss of life following the introduction of a market-driven FX window called the “Investors and Exporters FX window”. Foreign investors once shy of naira assets returned while their domestic counterparts followed suit, with the knockdown effect driving monthly return on the Nigerian bourse to an eight year high in May. The Q1 17 GDP was released over the month and it indicated an extension of the recessionary trend to a fifth consecutive quarter. Nonetheless, the underlying picture showed signs of recovery given the rebound in non-oil GDP as well as slower contraction in oil output.

Against this backdrop as well as the still elevated inflation rate, which printed at 17.2% YoY in April, the apex bank maintained its hawkish policy in a bid to ensure stability in the currency market. Unsurprisingly, the liquidity sapping effect of sustained OMO issuances and elevated FX sales drove the naira yield curve higher. Overall, whilst CBN’s FX policies had been a strain on economic activities in the past, the recent introduction of the IEW appears to have brought the economy back on course.

Read more on our economic update here

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Source: Blog

Economic Update: May 2017

In this Economic Update, we discuss recent developments and our expectation for same over the near term.

Nigeria’s equity market received a kiss of life following the introduction of a market-driven FX window called the “Investors and Exporters FX window”. Foreign investors once shy of naira assets returned while their domestic counterparts followed suit, with the knockdown effect driving monthly return on the Nigerian bourse to an eight year high in May. The Q1 17 GDP was released over the month and it indicated an extension of the recessionary trend to a fifth consecutive quarter. Nonetheless, the underlying picture showed signs of recovery given the rebound in non-oil GDP as well as slower contraction in oil output.

Against this backdrop as well as the still elevated inflation rate, which printed at 17.2% YoY in April, the apex bank maintained its hawkish policy in a bid to ensure stability in the currency market. Unsurprisingly, the liquidity sapping effect of sustained OMO issuances and elevated FX sales drove the naira yield curve higher. Overall, whilst CBN’s FX policies had been a strain on economic activities in the past, the recent introduction of the IEW appears to have brought the economy back on course.

Read more on our economic update here

Economic Update: April 2017

In this Economic Update: April 2017, we discuss recent developments in currency and fixed income market and our expectation for same over the near term.

  • Sustained dollar sales to keep naira range-bound: As part of efforts to ensure currency stability at the parallel market, the apex bank introduced a special FX window for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) which would allow SME applicants to access $20,000 per quarter for the payment of eligible imports. The foregoing, as well as a follow-up doubling of weekly dollar sales to BDCs to $40,000 weekly, fueled improvement in CBN’s FX supply to ~$1.9 billion, by our estimate (+58% MoM) to help keep the parallel market rate at N385/$.  Given investors’ reference to parallel market rate as the anchor for fair valuing the naira, we expect the apex bank, boosted by accretion in the reserves (+19.4% Year to date to $30.9 billion in April) to sustain its FX sales. Impact of this should leave the naira range-bound at the parallel market.
  • Yields to remain elevated on liqudity strain: Over the prior month, the apex bank intensified its liquidity mop-up measures via higher OMO issuances (+16.4% MoM to N151.5 billion) as well as increased dollar sales which drove average overnight rate 32pps higher MoM to 52.50%. The effect of the foregoing also underpinned yield uptrend across bond instruments (+27bps MoM to 15.99%). At the other end though, an influx of N654 billion bond maturities tapered effect of sustained monetary tightening and drove moderation in T-bill yields (-34bps MoM to 20.4%), leaving naira yield curve 4bps lower MoM at 18.12%. Going forward, with CBN’s shift in focus to persisting MoM inflation reading effectively nullifying arguments for YoY inflation-induced tilt to monetary easing, FX market activities now assumes principal importance in determining interest rate trajectory. In the near term therefore, the introduction of a market-driven FX window for Investors and Exporters, whose rates are a shadow of the parallel FX market, should incentivize CBN into sustaining sizable FX supply and aggressive OMO issuances, with the liquidity sapping effect of the duo leaving short term interest rates elevated.
  • Base effects and naira gains to drive inflation lower: Largely reflecting high base effect from 2016, YoY headline inflation declined for the second consecutive month in March 2017 to 17.3% YoY (-53bps from prior reading) with both core and food readings moderating. On a MoM basis however, both core and food inflation printed higher in the review month. Over the near term, we expect impact of high base effect to continue to dictate core inflation and overall headline trajectory despite concerns on the food inflation front. Precisely, high base effect from the 45% hike in PMS prices in May 2016 should leave YoY core reading subdued with recent gains from Kerosene, and Diesel prices leaving sizable scope for sustained decelerations. However, we are less sanguine on the food side of things over the near term owing to recent pressures from higher transactions and transportation costs. That said, the more recent retrace in energy prices, owing to naira appreciation, suggests that pressures from the transport front would be less impacting in coming reading. Furthermore, with FEWSNET’s report already indicating favourable output from April’s dry season harvest, scope for gradual moderation in food pressures remain on the cards. Against this backdrop, we now look for headline reading of 16.7% YoY for April.

Nigeria Strategy Report: Q2 2017 Outlook

In this edition of our quarterly Nigeria strategy report, we take an in-depth look at economic indicators on the global and domestic scenes over Q1 17 as well as isolate influences of more recent developments on our outlook for the rest of Q2 17.

The ever-reverberating twist in global economy was again the toast of discuss over the past quarter, with investors ruminating over fledging recovery in advanced economies and what turned out to be a mixed growth picture for Africa. On the former, a combination of healthy jobs data and rising inflation in the US, export-led growth in Japan, as well as a shock economic expansion in the Euro zone appears to have catapulted economic growth expectations across DMs to a place of relative comfort. Elsewhere though, dour outlook for soft commodities and broadly expanding oversupply picture appear to have thrown a spanner into works across emerging and frontier economies with Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) indisputably on the receiving end. Expectedly, the IMF swiftly revised its 2017 growth expectation lower for the region.

Against this backdrop, this report seeks to distil possible pass-through to the Nigerian market fettered by a three-quarter old economic recession for which emerging forward indicators have failed to provide tangible hopes for forbearance despite sustained gains in oil prices and a CBN-induced improvement in FX liquidity. On the issue of currency, the apex bank’s reversion from a celebrated entry into a fully float regime to a controlled float in less than 3 months is hardly news. Thus, our research focuses more on the sustainability of ongoing market interventions as well as a realistic fair value for the naira.

By way of linkage, we also investigate the implications of currency developments on overall inflation basket with keen attention paid to an over six month’s old food demand pressures from neighbouring West Africa. Perhaps adding more strength to our enquiry is the conscious effort made to situate Nigeria’s economic dilemma in the context of its volatile socio-political environment that could very easily revert to boiling point if the shenanigans embroiled in the last two gubernatorial elections and the characteristic unpredictability of the Niger Delta is anything to go by.

Read detailed report here

Build the tomorrow you want

Build the tomorrow you want

Build the tomorrow you cannot see, the tomorrow you want”, my father’s exact words …

As I grow older, I understand that every activity is a puzzle piece for a bigger picture which has guided my journey all through life. Growing up I felt I had everything figured out, graduate at a certain age, get a well-paying job and start a family. The “happily ever after “story like they call it, but then reality sets in I graduated at the “right” age, got a job with the salary barely enough to pay for my recurrent expenditure.

My greatest worry has always been to measure my fulfillment or how one works and spends daily and still have enough when the unforeseen happens. Ever since my father died, I have come to understand the true meaning of “responsibilities”, having to take care of my mother, my siblings and “bae” who is trying to get us hooked despite my meager salary. Every morning when my alarm rings, it is a constant reminder that days pass by swiftly and I have little or no time at all to get it all together.

 “Build the tomorrow you cannot see, the tomorrow you want”, my father’s exact words anytime he’s about to scold me for spending lavishly. A day came when I finally understood this phrase, the day tears I couldn’t hold back dropped down my eyes as I spoke to the ARM agent over the phone, who told me I was the major beneficiary of his ARM LIFE Protection Plan and I thought to myself “This is the Tomorrow he built yesterday”.

I finally realized there is a way to measure fulfillment and be ready when the unforeseen happens. I have found a solution, building my tomorrow by putting something away in an ARM LIFE Protection Plan is indeed a wise decision.

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If you’ve Ever Fallen For A Mumu Ponzi Scheme, Allow Us To Tell Your Story

If you’ve Ever Fallen For A Mumu Ponzi Scheme, Allow Us To Tell Your Story

So you’re sitting on your own, minding your business, listening to DavidO singing ‘THIRTY BILLION FOR THE ACCOUNT OH!’

 

And you’re there thinking about your last debit alert like

Next thing, your phone is ringing, so you pick up like

And somebody is telling you that you can make 200% more than what you currently earn. IN ONE WEEK!

 

So what do you do? You take the deal of course! Because Pastor said all those Blessings of Abraham are your own now

 

But you quickly realize this thing is not that straightforward oh. You have to Get Help from someone, who needs to Get Help From someone, who has to Get Help from another person before your own money can ‘complete’

Next thing you hear they’re freezing accounts and your hopes of joining Forbes list are slimming down quick

Your Investor Friend takes you on a date and tells you to keep the change #KeepTheChangeBae

Because you’re a smart person who learns from their mistakes, you ring up your happy investor friend like:

And they show you the beautiful mysteries of investing wisely and the joy that addeth no jibiti

Wise investments….like the ARM Money Market Fund.

 

…because it’s a jungle out there and you always have to keep your eyes peeled (‘_’ )

We’re assuming you want more mileage for your kobo, and you want better financial security than you have right now

Would you look at that?

ARM Financial Advisers are offering free financial advice services to save you from yourself.

Send an email to: [email protected].

Or call: 0700 CALL ARM.

Or…go disturb their Twitter and Facebook.

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Source: Articles