Fire your Landlord- own your own home!

Fire your Landlord- own your own home!

Ordinarily, Fred’s family and the landlord’s should not have any reason to clash since both duplexes were detached with a separating wall and different gates. However, it seemed like they were still too close.  The complaints never ended, from accusations of noise disturbance to exposure to danger because of Fred’s frequent late return from work. One time, the landlord’s wife told his wife to dismiss the new help she recently employed because she dreamt the lady was fetish. Even Fred found it difficult to believe that conversation really held.

Not long after, he got a first-hand experience of the landlord’s drama. It was a public holiday that day and Fred was enjoying a beautiful afternoon. Two of his friends had come visiting and his wife also had a few friends over since she loved to entertain. Naturally, the guests had found comfortable spots to park outside the compound. Unknown to Fred, one of them had parked extremely close to the landlord’s gate. The landlord however noticed as he drove in and was enraged beyond reason. He stormed to Fred’s part of the house and made his displeasure known in more than a few words, particularly pointing out that if Fred wanted to throw parties every two days, he would have to build his own house and secure parking space next to it. All of Fred’s attempts to curtail the situation and placate the angry man were futile. A few of the guests had even come out to intervene in the situation. It was quite embarrassing to both Fred and his wife.

That night, Fred made up his mind, he was going to get his family out of this house.

As if the universe could feel his pain, later that week, accumulated arrears from contracts he had executed in the previous year were paid. It was clear the money had to be invested in a good property. What options were available? Purchase landed property and build or buy an already finished house? The decision was hardly a tough one, once he came across the offer, he just knew it was for him. Tastefully finished terrace houses, situated in a serene environment, easily accessible and properly secured. Not to talk of the play garden available to the children and spacious driveways suitable for early morning jogs. To cap it up, there was even a twenty percent discount on the properties. Wow! Talk about ticking all the boxes. His wife agreed with him at their first visit, they had found the perfect place to call home.

No one enjoys the discomfort that often accompanies living in a rented house. If like Fred, you are looking for a way to fire your landlord, now is a good time to put together a concrete plan. As the year winds down, bonuses and allowances are often paid among other unexpected income that trickle in. If you put them all together and channel the bulk of it towards getting your property, you might find that you have enough to make that leap. Especially if you take advantage of price promotions or spread out payment-plan options available. Even if you do not have enough funds just yet, it is a good time to start planning  towards owning your own home. Nothing says ‘security’ like a home to call your own.

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Source: Blog

FOMO: Should we really be afraid or not?

FOMO: Should we really be afraid or not?

F.O.M.O     /ˈfəʊməʊ/  

(fear of missing out)

An all-consuming feeling that you’re missing out on something your peers are doing or are in possession of, often aroused by posts seen on social media.

FOMO is such a global phenomenon that it was added to the Oxford dictionary in 2013. That’s just how big a deal it is! Human beings are social creatures, whether we like it or not. Nobody likes to be left out of a fun event; we all suffer from FOMO one way or the other.

Commonly seen in people aged 30 and under, its symptoms include squandering money and time that should be dedicated to more important things in the name of feeling among. The advent of social media has also created a need for social validation, thereby contributing to social anxiety.

Imagine scrolling through your Facebook or Snapchat and seeing your friends partying without you. That has to hurt a little, right?  Or when everyone is tweeting about the newest bar in town and you know your pockets can’t afford it, but you want to go still.

These are only just some of the problems we face today with social anxiety. We see social media posts of what people are constantly buying and experiencing; leaving us with a feeling of emptiness and a need for inclusion.

We then want to live like they’re living, so we can post on social media like they’re posting. We dig into our pockets in a bid to “feel among” and “look cool”, without realizing that we’re only digging ourselves deeper into a hole of depression and insufficient funds.

If you spend all you have now without a thought for the future, what is going to happen when you retire and your savings are not enough? Do you want to risk waiting till then to realize just how broke the FOMO is making you? Saving might not sound cool but it has been saving lives since 1801.

Now, is this the fault of social media? No. Should we delete our social media? No.

Social media does not force FOMO on us. We are the ones with the power to choose just how social media posts make us feel.

Channel your FOMO into JOMO – Joy Of Missing Out.

 

Photo credit: http://smurfitschoolblog.com

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Source: Blog

A rewarding investment…

A rewarding investment…

They say August is the month of new beginnings. Well, maybe it is. August is however also holiday month for a lot of people. It is the time to travel with the children, put them in summer camps or have those schooling abroad come home for some family time. While occupying children during the holiday requires a bit of planning and budgeting, August more importantly heralds a new school year for your child’s education.

Yes, we are relieved the kids are returning to school, but we are also aware of the financial commitment that will accompany the new school year. In less than a month, school fees, hostel fees and other educational levies must be paid. If we are at that stage where the kids are going off to university or secondary school next year, we may want to start planning now. It is never early to start planning for the years ahead. You might want to buy property in the country where you would like your children to school or put funds away for the years ahead.

Although you might not consider it as such, but the thousands of Dollars/Pounds or millions of Naira you shell out regularly to finance your child’s education is in every way an investment. It is an investment in your child’s ambition, a deposit made into their future. While the returns may not be measurable in currency notes, this investment is by all means the most rewarding of your investments and should not be handled with levity.

An investment of such great magnitude deserves to be protected in every way possible. It is important that regardless of the turn of events, your child is able to get the quality of education you desire for him/her.

Whatever stage your child is on the education ladder, a Trust is extremely beneficial. You could want to build up funds for your child’s education in the future or ensure continuity of the same quality of education in the face of unforeseen circumstances. There is so much you can benefit from setting up a Trust.

Wondering what a Trust entails and how it can benefit you particularly? Talk to us today, let us collaborate with you to map out a fool-proof plan to finance their education and secure your children’s future.

Click here to schedule a meeting with your Relationship manager.

Trust

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Source: Blog

August Break…Preparing for your child’s education

August Break…Preparing for your child’s education

They say August is the month of new beginnings. Well, maybe it is. August is however also holiday month for a lot of people. It is the time to travel with the children, put them in summer camps or have those schooling abroad come home for some family time. While occupying children during the holiday requires a bit of planning and budgeting, August more importantly heralds a new school year for your child’s education.

Yes, we are relieved the kids are returning to school, but we are also aware of the financial commitment that will accompany the new school year. In less than a month, school fees, hostel fees and other educational levies must be paid. If we are that stage where the kids are going off to university or secondary school next year, we may want to start planning now. It is never early to start planning for the years ahead. You might want to buy property in the country where you would like your children to school or put funds away for the years ahead.

Although you might not consider it as such, but the thousands of Dollars/Pounds or millions of Naira you shell out regularly to finance your child’s education is in every way an investment. It is an investment in your child’s ambition, a deposit made into their future. While the returns may not be measurable in currency notes, this investment is by all means the most rewarding of your investments and should not be handled with levity.

An investment of such great magnitude deserves to be protected in every way possible. It is important that regardless of the turn of events, your child is able to get the quality of education you desire for him/her.

Whatever stage your child is on the education ladder, a Trust is extremely beneficial. You could want to build up funds for your child’s education in the future or ensure continuity of the same quality of education in the face of unforeseen circumstances. There is so much you can benefit from setting up a Trust.

Wondering what a Trust entails and how it can benefit you particularly? Talk to us today, let us collaborate with you to map out a fool-proof plan to finance their education and secure your children’s future.

Click here to schedule a meeting with your Relationship manager.

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Source: Articles

Don’t ask me to trust him!

Don’t ask me to trust him!

Cynthia looked at the wall clock for the umpteenth time, willing time to fly. It was barely 15 minutes into the one-hour counselling session and she was already exasperated. Much as she loved her job as a marriage/relationship counsellor, there were those days and those couples capable of making her rethink her career choice. The Agbabiakas were on the top of that list. How they manage to stay married is nothing short of a miracle. Mrs Agbabiaka disbelieves everything her husband says, certain he has coloured the truth, at best. Mr Agbabiaka is tired of being perpetually labelled a liar. If only his wife would trust him!

Before you label Mrs Agbabiaka an unrepentant doubting Thomas, you might want a sneak peek into her history. Her father started the trail when he persistently lied to her mother that he had an active textile business in Lome. He would go for days and return with goodies for the family. It was only after his life was cut short in a Customs shoot-out that they realised he was a smuggler. Her uncle reinforced the lying trend with the empty promises he made to take care of her and her siblings. She ended up hawking on the streets after he took away everything her father left behind for them. Kunle, the love of her youth too could never be caught telling the truth and Ben, the sales boy she employed when her provision store started to thrive would effortlessly triumph at a lying competition.

To cap it up, Mr Agbabiaka had also lied to her, that one time, when he told her he was off to a business meeting when he was actually hanging out with the boys. If not for Gregory, his loud-mouthed friend who asked how he was coping with the hang over after last night’s fun, she would never have known. He says he only lied that one time, but who can tell? Who knows what else he is lying about? Heaven forbids that she trusts a lying man.

Trust! That thing everyone gives sparingly. Every time someone demands your trust, you weigh them to determine their integrity level. Previous actions and the opinion of other people about them often inform your decision to place or withdraw your Trust. That is why we are confident to demand your Trust. It is because we can boast of a track record of keeping our word.  It is because of the clients whose children could complete their education because they Trusted us. It is because of the numerous assets we have successfully managed for tons of people and our consistency at delivering on the wishes of our clients. Setting up a Trust  means you trust us to manage your assets, preserve your legacy, protect your loved ones, and follow your wishes to the letter.

Wondering what will happen to your assets should anything happen to you? Want to ensure a seamless transition of your assets to those you love without any hassle? Looking for a fool proof way to preserve your legacy and manage your estate?

Trust

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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.


Mauritius

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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