3 steps to prepare for your child’s university education abroad

3 steps to prepare for your child’s university education abroad

Every parent wants the best for their children. For most parents, an ivy league education abroad is what they would like for their child – and who should blame them? Studying abroad not only lets your child grow and expand their worldview, it also gives them the international exposure that makes them appealing to large global employers.

If studying abroad is your dream for your child, these tips can help you on the path to realizing it.

Prepare your child

You need to train your child beforehand to be self-sufficient enough to handle him/herself away from home. Be sure that you’re raising an individual that can cope when they are thousands of miles away from family and friends, in a country and culture they are not used to. Teach your child problem-solving skills to enable them to resolve any issues that may arise confidently, and you can rest easy knowing they have things under control.

Scout for schools

When your child is maybe in junior secondary, you may want to start doing your research for the right university. Ask family and friends who either studied abroad or have their children in schools abroad. Get firsthand testimonial of the schools and determine if any fits your child’s needs.

Search the web to explore more options and where need be, email or put a call across to the school for additional inquiries.

This is also the time to find out what it will cost you – from tuition to living expenses.

Start saving

Sending your child to a school abroad will cost you a considerable amount of money. If your child still has a lot of years before his/her university education abroad, great! It means you have some time to save up for it.

An education plan helps you save and invest your money for the duration of time you need to prepare for your child’s university education abroad – this ensures that you have the amount you need plus interest to cater to your child’s fees especially because the cost will increase with time.

Research shows that this increase is roughly about N1, 800, 000 for a decent private primary education, and another N5, 100, 000 for a private secondary education – a cost that is bound to rise year after year. Now add to it the cost of a university education abroad and you’ll agree that early planning is necessary.

Get an education plan

As you start out making this important decision for your child’s future, keep your eyes on the adult they’ll become tomorrow and smile knowing this step you are taking today will make it possible.

 

Up next: Look out for our article on ‘Preparing your child for a university education in Nigeria’

 

 

The post 3 steps to prepare for your child’s university education abroad appeared first on Realising Ambitions.

4 health checks as you turn 40

4 health checks as you turn 40

Gone are the days when age 40 was associated with a mid-life crisis –  40 is now touted to be the new 20. It’s a milestone worth celebrating, but as you get closer to that age, here are four tests experts recommend you take:

Cancer screening

With the spate of deaths attributed to cancer, it is no surprise experts consider getting screened early a necessity. They advise that not only should cancer screenings be a part of regular check-ups, you should start as early as in your twenties.

Some screenings such as those for breast and cervical cancer should be done more frequently, while colon cancer testing and prostate, are necessary when family history or other factors indicate their likelihood of occurring.

The reason for this is to catch cancer in its earliest stages and begin aggressive treatment options in time

 

Diabetes check

Diabetes is a common life-long health condition and a disease you should test for. Recent surveys s reveal that millions of people die from diabetes every year – one reason to take it seriously.

Because middle-aged and older adults have been reported by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to be at the highest risk of developing type 2 diabetes, you should go for a regular insulin and sugar level test as you edge closer to age 40 just to be on the safe side.

 

Eye exam

Even if your eyesight is good, routine eye exams are recommended for overall health. Eye doctors check for eye diseases and when noticed early, can be treated accordingly.

 

Heart examination

Heart disease is not something to take lightly. According to the CDC, heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women.

For this reason, regular blood pressure checks are important because high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, heart failure and stroke. Ensure you have your cholesterol and glucose levels examined because when high, they could also lead to heart disease.

 

With health, we never expect anything to go wrong but it’s best to avert impending issues. With life, the same thing applies-  averting future financial issues for those you love can be as simple as getting the right plan early enough. Check out available plans here.

The post 4 health checks as you turn 40 appeared first on Realising Ambitions.

5 Rainy Season Tips to Remember

5 Rainy Season Tips to Remember

Is the rainy season officially here? You are probably wondering. We are not certain too, but the rains are definitely pouring down more often these days and it looks like a good time for a few pointers as to having a safe and pleasant rainy season.

1. Lock windows &fix leakages
Nothing is as unnerving as returning home from a hard day’s job to meet a flooded house, wet floors and soaked sofa. Assumptions can be dangerous, always double check that your windows are locked before you leave the house. If you have noticed or suspect any leaks, it’s best to fix it now before the rains become more frequent.

2. Dry clothes only when you are home
No one enjoys having wet laundry for days on end. Apart from unpleasant damp and moldy smell, it could sometimes result in stains and a need to rewash. It is best to do your laundry only when you are home for extended hours.

3. Have an umbrella and sweater on hand
Sometimes, the rain can choose to surprise us, best to be ready for it with a portable umbrella and a sweater (consider neutral colours like black and grey). No one enjoys catching a cold. If you have children, consider leaving a sweater in their back pack as well.

4. Prepare for power interruptions
Rains are more often than not accompanied by power interruptions, especially the windy and thunder wielding types of rain. This could be a good time to buy an Inverter or ensure the one you have is in good shape. You could also service your generator and provide it good protection from the rain.

5. Stock up on teas and beverages
A hot drink can sometimes help balance the cold weather that is often the aftermath of rain, especially for the younger ones. A hot cup of coffee can set you up for work on a rainy day and a cup of hot chocolate can complete the mood if you are under the covers at home.

One thing to remember is that seasons are transient, that is why we must prepare for them. The dry season will be here in no time. Hence, as you enjoy the cool of the rainy season, prepare for the dryness of harmattan. This applies to your finances as well, today is the perfect time to start saving for the rainy day or the dry season perhaps. Explore investment opportunities here.

What do you like best about the rainy season? Will you be planting a garden or anything of the sort? Which of the seasons do you prefer? Tell us in the comments, we’ll be glad to read from you.

The post 5 Rainy Season Tips to Remember appeared first on Realising Ambitions.

Retirement this year doesn’t have to be boring

Retirement this year doesn’t have to be boring

This is a big year for you. You’re retired now and it’s time to rest from all your years of hard work. You are excited to take the much-needed relaxation but somewhere in your heart, you can’t shake that feeling that you may get bored along the way.

But don’t overthink it. You can still have a retirement free of boredom.

Here are some tips to get you going:

Think big, act bold

The fact that you have retired doesn’t mean that you cannot set new goals and aim for new accomplishments. You can pursue a passion you’ve always wanted to like write a book, starting a blog, learning to dance or play a sport, or learning to play a musical instrument. You can also find new ways to employ the skills you developed during your career (such as becoming a public speaker, career coach to help the young ones in your same field) and even earn money doing it.

The point being that retirement shouldn’t stop you from thinking big, taking chances and being a bit audacious.

Make new friends, reconnect with old ones

Research shows that retirees with a firm circle of friends are much more likely to say they’re happy with their lives.

If you don’t have much friends, getting into new relationships may seem like an impossibility seeing as you’ve left work and perhaps have limited chances of meeting new people. Still, it can be done.

You can meet new people by volunteering for charity, taking a part time job, joining online groups that get together to pursue a common interest (Like fitness, dancing, books, writing) and even enrolling for courses at a University – all these are excellent ways to meet new people and widen your social network.

But while you’re making new friends, don’t forget to maintain relationships with older friends, the people with whom you shared life’s earlier experiences with before you became who you are today.

 

Grab opportunities to shake things up

Being able to relax without having a daily to-do list on one’s mind is one of the many perks of retirement. But a daily dose of relaxation or sticking too closely to the same routine can lead to boredom and create a sense of sluggishness. Therefore you should find ways to break out of the usual routine and spice things up occasionally.

That could involve something as simple as taking an unplanned road trip, trying out a new hobby, going away to a new city for some time, learning a new language etc. Do something that pushes you out of your comfort zone.

 

Bottom-line: The most important thing is to enter this phase of life unafraid of redundancy. Instead be open to new possibilities- be ready to seek out challenges and adventures.

 

 

The post Retirement this year doesn’t have to be boring appeared first on Realising Ambitions.

Source: Articles

The jiffy that changes everything

The jiffy that changes everything

It was a day like every other.

I had closed from my office in Victoria Island and made my way to the bus-stop to get a cab home. 5.30pm was the usual rush hour in Lagos so I anticipated the heavy traffic- and grudgingly accepted it too. I didn’t wait too long before I got a cab and my long ride home started.

After several hours of snail-speed movement, we got to ‘Cele Bridge’. My cab driver announced that the road ahead was blocked, and it would take more than the expected time to reach my destination. I knew what he was getting at. Before I could voice it, he spat it out “Oga, you go add something for this money o. No be wetin I expect I dey see again”. As a proper Lagosian, I wouldn’t be caught in that trap, so I opened my eyes wide and put on my most intimidating voice before responding “Which kain talk be that one na? Abeg I will give you what we agreed o.” My retort seemed to work as the discussion ended as quickly as it begun.

When I saw that the traffic wasn’t moving, I reckoned that since my house was barely 10 minutes away I could as well alight and pick a bike home. I had done it before, so no big deal.

One minute later, I was out of the cab and about to cross the road to hail a bike when I remembered that my son had been haunting me since last night for his birthday gift. I went instead into an electronic store located beside the bridge to get him the PSP game he had always wanted. I could already hear his excited squeal and I see him doing his signature happy dance.

“Bike!” I shouted, a young bike rider stopped. I told him my home address, we agreed on the price and I hopped on. As he made his way, I thought of my little Sophie who was still down with cold and my wife’s text message earlier that day telling me to buy her drugs while coming home. I quickly told the bike rider to stop at Heavenly Pharmacy just down the road…

Suddenly a boy standing by the road ran right in the middle in a bid to make it across. I heard screams from passersby – and screeching of car tyres.  A failed brake system soon launched the bike rider and myself into mid-air. It all happened in a jiffy!

I landed on my back but a sharp pain in my leg begged for immediate scrutiny. I came to quickly and looked down fearing the worst, but it wasn’t as bad as I suspected. Call it grace or luck, but it would have been another story if I wasn’t wearing a good helmet. My bike rider wasn’t as lucky.

The bike was on him and I suspected his leg was crushed from the way he screamed uncontrollably. One look at him and my fears were confirmed. The onlookers who had come to assist soon got to work removing the bike on his leg. I got up and looked around for my things, gathering them with shaky hands as I made to walk away- but the ‘Good Samaritans’ wouldn’t have it.

They tried to hold me insisting that I may have internal bleeding, but I declared that I was fine. I needed to leave that scene. I was too disturbed to stick around. They let me go. I stepped away from the ruin and tried to walk. One step after the other, I walked steadily with some blood oozing from my wounds till I reached the pharmacy which was already very near. While Oga Chidi dressed my wound, I thought of what would have been if that accident had turned out another way.

Blood stains covered the PSP game I bought for my son. As I took cotton-wool soaked in water and cleaned off every red blotch, I imagined how everything would have changed for my family in just a jiffy.

I was lucky…too lucky. For many, that moment could mean that they remain bedridden for the rest of their lives. For others like Mrs. Abimbola Olamuyiwa and her family, such an instant changed everything. Watch her story here.

As I limped home, my eyes swelled with tears as I hugged my boy’s game, my laptop bag and Sophie’s drugs. I had been given another chance at life, at love, at hope. A chance that many are not opportune to have.

That jiffy of a second could have been fatal changing everything for my wife Blessing and our two children.

 

This article is brought to you by ARM LIFE.

 

The post The jiffy that changes everything appeared first on Realising Ambitions.

Source: Articles

Five people you love who died without Wills

Five people you love who died without Wills

You know those people you admired from afar, secretly wishing they were somehow related to you. Even if they couldn’t be your father or brother, could they at least be a distant cousin? Any form of connection would do. You admired their success, the wealth they had built for themselves, the legacy they had created. You imagined how easy their lives must be, how doors would swing open at the mere mention of their names. Their families are lucky, you always concluded. Their lives would be a lot easier than the average person’s and their future secured. You could only imagine all the wealth they would eventually inherit if anything happened to the famous person they are related to.

Well, they may indeed have enjoyed benefits by reason of their relationship. But for some  of them, such privileges ended with the person’s demise. Surprisingly, loads of rich and popular people die intestate (without writing a Will), throwing the families they leave behind into conflict and confusion. Let us consider five famous examples.

  1. Bob Marley; Despite his widespread fame and exposure, Bob Marley didn’t write a Will!. He probably had hoped to live to a ripe old age but his four-year fight with cancer could somehow have prepared him for mortality and driven him to write a Will. Well, he didn’t and two decades later, his family are still frequenting court rooms debating the administration of the $30 million estate he left behind.
  2. Abraham Lincoln: Extremely famous lawyer who became America’s 16th president somehow died without documenting his wishes in a Will. Following his unexpected demise, his family had to employ the services of Justice David Davis of the United States Supreme Court to help in the administration of his estate.
  3. Martin Luther King Jnr: He had a dream and a family who loved him, but he didn’t have a Will. His estate has since been the subject of many law suits as his children and family fall in and out of disagreements as to how his estate should be run.
  4. Prince: Still fresh in our memories, Prince’s demise shook the world as did the petition filed by his sister closely after she lost her brother. Although there are speculations of a hidden Will somewhere in Toronto, the signs of a long family feud and court battle for assets are already evident.
  5. Pablo Picasso: One of the most revered artists to walk the earth lived well into his eighties but never came around to writing a Will. His large family comprising of wives, mistresses, children and more children were left to figure out what he had and what to do with his assets on their own.

Maybe you are not extremely rich and famous yet and your family is not large- you only have two children, a few cousins, grandparents, uncles and aunties, etc. It does not matter much. If you have  assets of any kind and people who love you about whom you also care, you should have a Will. Don’t wait until you have a house in Banana Island or Wuse II, start with those share certificates, that Retirement/Pension fund, those mutual funds, that plot of land. If you have any of these and more, my brothers and sisters, you have assets and you need a Will.

Ready to take the leap? Talk to our Estate Planning experts here, we’ll help you get your own EasyWill.

Still not sure you want to protect your family? Let’s convince you some more, learn more here.

The post Five people you love who died without Wills appeared first on Realising Ambitions.

Source: Articles

January salary, is that you?

January salary, is that you?

So you endured the 95 days in January, after balling in December, paying school fees, house rent and a million other bills

 

Then finally your endurance paid off and you see payday just ahead

 

Then you remember you borrowed money from Tunde and even took cash advance from your bank

 

While you are still trying to sort your confusion, you get a ‘just saying hi’ message from bae, because Valentine is around the corner

 

What a wawu! You can already see your account balance laughing at you like this

 

This 2018 must be different o, not that brokenness life you endured last year, you know it’s time to borrow yourself brain

 

You decide to check the ARM Money Market fund thing they have been making noise about

 

Chai, the thing is offering more than 12%  sha and you have been dulling all along

 

Quickly you sign up and set up a direct debit because this investment thing is not a joking sturv, no stories that touch please

 

Finally you can relax knowing you will ball through 2018, issa big boy

 

Wait, you still don’t have Money Market fund? Click here to sign up sharp sharp,  no excuses.

 

Welcome to the balling life, may your year be filled with Paydays!

The post January salary, is that you? appeared first on Realising Ambitions.

Source: Articles

In the news: CBN pumps $304.4m into FX market

In the news: CBN pumps 4.4m into FX market

This Day

BDC Operators Hail Moves to Return Nigeria to JP Morgan Index

The Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) has said the federal government’s plan to open talks with JPMorgan Chase & Co. for their reinstatement in the local-currency emerging-market bond index will bring great benefits to the economy.

Kaduna Refinery Shut over Lack of Crude

The Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) shut down operations on January 15 due to the non-availability of crude oil.

CBN Pumps Fresh $304.4m into Forex Market

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the weekend intervened in the Retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) of the interbank foreign exchange market to the tune of $304.4 million.

Vanguard

Nigeria’s external reserves hit 4-year high of $40.3bn

Nigeria’s external reserves rose  to $40.33 billion last week, the highest in four years.

9Mobile: Stakeholders seek review of criteria for finalist bidders

With the nod said to have been given to Teleology Holdings as the preferred bidder for 9Mobile by the interim board of the company, all eyes are now on industry regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, to authenticate or disavow the said sale.

$16bn Egina probe: NASS to amend Local Content Act

The Senate has said it will amend the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Content Development, NOGICD Act, 2010, noting that the existing law was not achieving the aims for which it was enacted.

The Nation

NSE implements new kobo-based pricing rules

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) will today begin the implementation of its amendments to the pricing methodology and par value rules, which remove the stopgap that has supported stocks at their nominal value and will allow shares of quoted companies to trade as low as one kobo.

Equities lose N462b amidst profit-taking

Nigerian equities came under intense profit-taking pressure last week as investors turned round to monetize capital gains that had accrued in three consecutive weeks of strong rally.

Nigerian Breweries lists 67.8m scrip shares

Nigerian Breweries has listed 67.8 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each, increasing its outstanding issued shares from 7.929 billion ordinary shares to 7.997 billion ordinary shares.

Guardian

Insurers to lose N30b statutory deposit over unpaid claims

Underwriting firms in the nation’s insurance industry, who fail to pay genuine claims, risk losing substantial part of their cumulative N30billion statutory deposits, while managing directors of such firms would be sacked, industry regulator, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has warned.

Bloomberg

Gas Flaring Law Error Cost Nigeria Billions of Dollars

Africa’s top oil producer plans to make gas flaring more costly for companies that have escaped the payment of billions of dollars despite being fined, Nigeria’s Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun said.

MTN Sees Return to Profit for 2017 After Loss From Nigeria Fine

MTN Group Ltd., Africa’s biggest mobile-network operator by sales, said it returned to profit in 2017, recovering from a $1 billion fine it paid for its Nigerian business in the prior period.

The post In the news: CBN pumps $304.4m into FX market appeared first on Realising Ambitions.

Source: Articles

For smart investors only…

For smart investors only…

2017 was an eventful year for many. While the nation struggled to climb out of the muddy waters of recession and inflation, majority focused on getting. A few, however, discovered opportunities to thrive amidst the difficulties. Whatever side of the divide you belong, congratulations are in order, because you made it through and have now been presented with another chance.

Already, 2018 is proving to be quite a package. January is barely over and we have witnessed the recurring inconvenience of petrol scarcity, the buy-over of communication giants, the increasing popularity of cryptocurrencies and a host of other occurrences. All these coloured with the usual shenanigans of a pre-election year. Never the less, the year appears to be quite promising financially, particularly for those who are able to identify and latch on to opportunities.

Back to the Farm

For instance, avenues for wealth abound in the agricultural sector as attention is gradually shifting to agriculture as a source of national revenue. Investors who are savvy might reap bountiful returns in that sector. For palm oil companies in particular, we expect positive earnings growth in 2018 driven by a recovery in sales volume as we foresee subdued domestic prices over the year.

Going Up and Up

Also, reports of steady crude production and uptrend in crude prices allow for general optimism that the year ahead would be brighter than 2017 as these factors combined would drive further growth in the nation’s foreign reserves and fiscal revenues. This already suggests currency stability and higher economic growth in 2018.

Dollar Good. Naira Better.

Regarding opportunities in the stock market, we see value in the financial sector, particularly tier 2 banks. Earnings recovery is expected for those banks in 2018 as the general macroeconomic environment improves. Also, compared to their peers, the banks are undervalued which informs our view of sizable upside potential. Moving over to consumer stocks, there is strong prospect for even better earnings in 2018 because of the improved dollar liquidity which bodes well for expansion in profitability margins, and lower interest rate would drive a moderation in interest expense. For fixed income, the ongoing monetary easing, stability in currency and expected tamer inflation guides to lower yields on average in 2018 which would drive slower activities within the market.

Look out!

As always, there is still need to thread in caution as electioneering is often accompanied by complications. The slightest indication of a likely change in leadership could adversely affect investor interest. We however believe the excitement over growing reserves and improving economic growth will outweigh this concerns and drive activity, particularly for equities, at least in the first half of the year. In addition, despite the rally in equities in the prior year, our market remains undervalued when compared to emerging markets peers which should attract foreign investors with the stability in our currency ensuring this possibility.

Let’s Help You

One thing that will work for you this year is staying abreast of occurrences in the market. Fortunately for you, you can access real-time updates, market news and research on ARM Stocktrade. As long as you are trading on ARM Stocktrade, you shouldn’t go wrong.

We wish you a profitable 2018.

The post For smart investors only… appeared first on Realising Ambitions.

Source: Articles

Ask Shade- My father had a secret family

Ask Shade- My father had a secret family

Dear Shade,

Please help us. Until my father’s unexpected demise (he slumped and died), we did not realise he had a secret family. We always thought his frequent visits to Ibadan were business related but apparently, we were wrong. The Ibadan woman bore him two sons and a daughter while my mother has just my twin sister and I. While he married my mother traditionally, he married the other woman at the marriage registry. The problem now is she has proof that over half of my father’s property were purchased in her name and she is insistent on claiming ownership, as there is no Will. If this is allowed to happen, my mother would be left with just the house we live in and a plot of land. The company, buildings and trucks carry the woman’s name. My mother is devastated, how would she be able to cope, he has given everything they worked for to another woman. The extended family supports his second wife because she has sons and her children are still young. Is there anything we can do?

Bimbo, Lagos

Hello Bimbo,

I sincerely empathize with you. Dealing with such daunting discoveries after losing a dear person can be quite overwhelming. The situation is a little complex given that your father married both women.

It is important to note that the law recognises both the statutory marriage (court marriage) and the customary or traditional marriage. The major contrast between the systems is that while the statutory marriage speaks to monogamy, Customary or Native law is potentially polygamous. From your explanation, your mother’s marriage to your father falls under the category of the customary marriage while his marriage to the other woman is a statutory marriage. Although a part of the Nigerian law upholds the potency of the customary law as binding, other legal principles suggest that any Customary marriage which precedes subsequent Statutory marriage would be rendered void by the subsequent statutory marriage

For the distribution of your father’s assets, if most of your father’s properties were purchased in the other woman’s name, then those said assets would be presumed by the law as belonging to her and it would be impossible for such assets to form part of your father’s assets or Estate. You may however be able to prove that the presumption of the other woman’s title to the assets if you can present any evidence of fraud, misrepresentation or show that she was only holding the assets on behalf of your late father.

Since your farther died intestate (without a Will), a critical point of concern is the subject of obtaining a letter of administration.  Particularly as there is a hierarchy of persons authorised to apply for this letter. The first person with a right to apply for the letter of administration would be his statutory wife (provided the Statutory Marriage is not voided) and the children (who are adults) following in order of priority.

If your father’s statutory marriage is found to be void by a court based on the provisions of the Marriage Act, then his assets will be distributed based on the existing customs that govern asset distribution in his culture. Otherwise, the distribution of your late father’s assets would be based on the relevant Administration of Estate Law. Most of those Laws (particularly in Lagos State and the States of the Old Western Region of Nigeria including Oyo State) provide that where the deceased had a statutory marriage, the surviving spouse would be entitled to the personal chattels (such as clothes, cars, furniture, jewellery etc) and a third of all assets of the deceased spouse.  The remaining two-thirds of the assets may then be shared amongst all the deceased’s children.

This situation shows why it is important to have a Will to prevent any sort of confusion as to the distribution of one’s assets. It also reveals that a Statutory Marriage offers greater advantages in the event of the demise and intestacy of a spouse than the traditional marriage. It likewise points to the fact that women should not assume the state of their husbands’ estates. They should themselves plan their estates and encourage their spouses to do the same.

The post Ask Shade- My father had a secret family appeared first on Realising Ambitions.

Source: Articles