Usually we see our businesses as in ‘these four walls’. We are in our own bubble of focus and confidence. We know where we’re going, who our rivals are and what they’re doing and how to beat them. All we care about is the progress each day, week and month our business makes. We worry about what our customers want and what the latest trends are as well as whether or not we can keep up with them. All this, every single bit cannot exist without a government. Unless we suddenly wake up tomorrow and decide to live in some kind of anarchist society, it seems like a cooperative and business-friendly government is the end all be all. Yet as business owners we rarely put politics into our daily schedule in any form. It's strange to think that although we don’t interact with politics, it interacts with us all the time. We must obey the economic laws that are put in place. So how can we ever know if the government is on our side?

Without a shadow of a doubt, every single successful business knows that there is a certain philosophy that allows business to flourish. On the other hand, there are ideologies followed by some parties and politicians that treat the business as if they were rabid dogs needed to be brought to heel. The bare bones of the matter that the rest of your opinion can be molded around are the tax laws. Having a high corporate tax environment makes it very difficult for you to expand and grow. It seems like some ideologies are far more concerned with distributing the taxes that allow you to reinvest that money back into your business. With this influx of profits, you can hire more people, expand operations to new factories and commercial offices, as well as implement new structures. No matter what your personal beliefs are, the philosophy and laws of the party in power will have a direct impact on your business. The key is to reject rhetoric and read between the lines of the economic white papers. These national budget papers will have key information and wording that will alert you to any changes being made as well as updates to existing legislation. New economic policies do not need to be ratified by the UK parliament. Direct democracy allows the winning party to immediately implement its economic laws. So watch every annual budget statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer as you would a blockbuster Hollywood movie; i.e. with the utmost interest.

The taxman is no joke for business owners. Violating the tax codes is an incredibly serious offence. It's not something that will be taken lightly by the judiciary system. But not every business owner is an expert at filing their business taxes and nor can everyone afford a top notch accountant to the paperwork for us. One of the key areas that are also perhaps the most complex area of paying business taxes is the employees section. It is your responsibility to pay the national insurance contributions on behalf of your employees. This comes straight out of their paycheck but it's up to you to state their salary, bonuses, time off and paint an accurate picture of how much they were paid as professionals working for you. If this is missed, then HMRC can commence a personal liability notice to your business. This means that they will hold you personally responsible for not only the national insurance contributions but for the late payment also. This can incur in a hefty fine thus it should be avoided at all cost. If you’re looking for a legal team to help you with any HMRC investigations, contact a specialist law firm with expert knowledge. The good thing about such a firm is they don’t judge your business actions and will refrain from any personal view on your behaviour. This means you can trust them to be unbiased and purely give you their best service no matter what kind of circumstance you find yourself in against HMRC.

Is any government on the side of business? That’s almost a too specific question as it's subjective to all business owners. One piece of legislation may go a long way to modernising one industry but the party in charge can forget about your particular industry. It really comes down to how much you are taxed for success. With less taxes you keep more of the money you make and thus can put it back into your business. Doing the annual taxes for your business are always a chore. The employee taxes are your responsibility and any undeclared national insurance contributions can land you on hot water.

Money is something that we should all become a lot more comfortable with talking about. But there’s definitely still a bit of a taboo about it. On the surface, some people can pretend to be doing incredibly well financially and that they have no worries, when really, they're drowning in debt and struggling to pay their bills! So things can all be very deceptive. And no matter what your current financial situation looks like now, you may often feel like you’re the only person in this position. More often than not, you won’t be alone. So it’s time that you stopped feeling stuck, took responsibility for where you are today, and started to turn things around. And here are five different solutions that could work out for you.

A Pay Rise
First of all, you may find that you’re going to benefit greatly from getting a pay rise. Because we all want to be earning more money if we can, right? However, it’s never really as simple as just believing that you’re due a raise. When you want to be paid more money for the job that you’re doing right now, you need to have a plan. You need to work hard, and be able to prove that you’re worth more. This means pulling together some examples and a proposal using Mequoda pitch ideas to help you nail it. Then, you can suitably ask for your pay rise knowing that you’re likely to get it!

Starting To Save
Next, you may find that it’s in your interest to start saving. If you haven’t got any money behind you, you may feel a bit uneasy about that. Whether you’re in debt or not, having some money in savings is going to make you feel so much more in control of your financial situation right now. So start to commit to a savings plan that will help you to do that.

Finding Finance
Then, there’s the kind of situation where you want to find financing for your financial emergency or just to improve your current situation. And you can often worry about how you’re going to find finance. You may feel like you’re out of options or that you’re not going to get approved for anything. So do your research on everything from Sunny payday loans to long-term bank loans. You should be able to find lending criteria that will help you to work out what you’re likely to be eligible for.

Creating A Future Plan
Finally, you’re then going to want to think about what you can do to improve things going forward. Because right now, your situation may not be ideal but you’re working on improving it. And the last thing you want is to end right back in the same place in a few months or years time. So you have to think about. What will you need to do to be able to enjoy your retirement or to enjoy a better lifestyle in ten years time? Give this some thought and then put your plan into action.

Swimming is one of the most fun activities you can enjoy during the summer months. Whether it's at the pool or beach, it keeps you fit and allows you to show of your style rocking your designer swim shorts or bikini. The only challenge comes in laying your hands on stylish and authentic swimwear tha's perfect for you. To help you out, here are a few tips to finding designer swimwear this summer.

1. Make google your friend
Most swim short designers advertise their products online. As such, a quick google search for designer swimwear should give you list of designers in your region. To ensure that you get the best deal online, go for a designer that has good reviews from people that bought from them in the past. Some of the key factors to consider when checking such reviews include the quality of their products, and the speed of delivery. The last thing you want is to order swimwear only for it to be delivered way after the time when you needed it.

2. Ask your friends for help
We all have that one friend who knows a thing or two about designer wear. Ask them for help in finding designer swimwear, and they will direct you to some of the best designers they know. They can also give you advice on the qualities to look for in such items. You will be surprised at how much difference such advice can make, between buying a knock-off and a genuine designer wear that gives you value for your money.

3. Don’t focus on the price
When most people think of designer wear, the first thing that comes to mind is the price. However, this is a big mistake. When shopping for designer swimwear, don’t assume that the more expensive it is, the better it is. Interrogate the seller on why the price is set at the level they have set it. On top of that, check the quality of the materials used to make those garments. By doing this, you will buy a good quality swimwear and at the right price.

4. Go shopping in the big cities
In case you don’t want to shop online, you can visit designer shops, and check out whatever swimwear they have on sale. However, this is most convenient if you live in a big city. Most top-tier designers tend to limit their physical stores to a few large cities. For instance, if you live in Australia, you would have to visit a city like Sydney or Canberra for you to access a variety of designer stores.

5. Talk to designers in your locality
When most people think of designer wear, the first thing that comes to mind are the big international names. However, many people fail to realize that they are surrounded by designers all around them. They may even be your friends and relatives. Ask them to design swimwear just for you. You will be surprised at how many talented designers we bypass, while chasing the big names.

Have you recently bought or adopted a new puppy, and are a little stumped when it comes to training? You’re not alone; this is a very common problem among new owners. Often time, new owners just give up, stop trying and wait until the puppy grows up, hoping it will be more mature and better behaved. The truth is that the behavior of a pet doesn’t depend on it, rather it depends on the owner and what the owner teaches. Because of this, training your dog of having someone else help from an early age is not a bad idea at all. Watching videos on YouTube can help but is not enough. You need specific methods depending on your dogs character, behavior and most important, breed. Training is not easy but here are some great tips to help get you on the right track:

Know where to start: People tend to get lost on where to even start to get help training their dog! Well, the internet is not a bad place to begin searching for answers. Not watching random videos but reading about dog training from experts that have been doing it all of their lives. For example, there are many blogs like, DOGSBYNINA where you can find all kinds of information related to dog training, among others subjects related to the care of your pet. Don’t get lost in an endless sea of information, focus your reading from trainers who have great reviews.

Hire an expert: Take the time to search your area for schools or professional trainers. Be sure to check credentials, read online reviews and ask for references. Get different opinions and do a meticulous comparison of the different options available. Always seek out the one that has the most experience with your breed of dog. Pay attention to what the people have to say but be very subjective, as sometimes people say bad things about trainers because they didn’t say or do what the person wanted.

Find options according to your budget: If you start your dog with a professional but know you can only afford part of the program, you will be wasting your money. You will also be wasting the time of the trainer and most importantly, the patience of your dog. Keep in mind that if you interrupt the training because you can’t afford it anymore, it is very probable that your dog will not behave well. This is because there will no longer be anyone to reinforce good behaviors. You will end up confusing it and may do more harm than good. Instead, find the best option for your budget and if you can’t afford a pro, you can follow easy tips to at least teach basic behaviors.

Reward results: Either with an expert or by yourself, if your dog learns a new good behavior, do not forget to reward it. This is one of the best ways to educate and to reinforce your dogs good behavior. MAny animals work by incentive, so a nice petting or a treat can be your best allies on this quest. Always have treats available in your house, so when your dog obeys or does a good action that you were teaching it, you can give him a prize. That will encourage him to keep doing it right!
Establish an itinerary/program: Be very disciplined with daily activities. Any action like walking, playing and going potty should be programmed at the certain time of the day. It is very important to get the full attention of your pet when you train it; follow a schedule strictly and you will get the best results!

Your dog needs proper nutrition for it to remain healthy. That is why you need to choose the best dog food brand that will meet the nutritional needs of your dog. Remember that dogs have different nutritional needs. The kind of food that your dog eats depends on its breed, age, health condition and weight. Some dogs have allergic reactions to certain foods. Given the many dog food brands in the market, it can be confusing choosing the best. Here are tips that will help you to choose the best food brand for your dog.

1. Assess your dog’s needs
Dogs have different nutritional needs based on factors such as age, reproduction and activity level. For instance, a puppy needs more calories than does an older dog. Choose the brand of food that has the recommended calories suitable for your dog. Note that the calories should not come from a single source such as from carbohydrates only or proteins only. It should be from different sources.

2. Consult with your vet
Vets are well-versed with the good brands in the market. Considering that your vet knows your dog in terms of its weight, allergies, breed, and age, he/she is in a better position to recommend the best brand suitable for it.For instance, if your dog has developed problems due to the diet such as food allergy, kidney disease or diabetes, your vet can advise you on the best food brands suitable based on the health of the dog.

3. Check out reputable sources
Research online for advice from veterinarians and dog experts about the best dog food brands. You can also check out reviews from other customers to know which brand will be suitable for your dog based on other people’s experiences. You can consult the many uk dog food reviews available online.

4. Check the labels
The contents of dog food are indicated on the label of the packaging. Check different brands to find out which has the nutrients that you are looking for. Check the list of ingredients given on the package. A good brand will have meat as its first ingredient such as beef or chicken, an indication that it has muscle tissue of the meat. However, if the label has ‘meat meal’ or ‘meat by product’, then the brand is not suitable for your dog. Also, a good brand does not have the first ingredient as vegetable, tuber or grain. Although a dog is omnivores and it can eat vegetables and grains, its diet should have proteins as its main ingredient. The label should also have a proximate analysis that indicates the amounts of fats, proteins and fiber present in the food. The labels indicate the kind of nutrients present. Go for brands that use terms that are recognized by FDA. Do not choose brands that have vague terms such as ‘natural’, ‘premium’ or ‘gourmet’ which are only suitable for selling the food but are not definitive of what is inside.

5. Compare brands
Once you identify brands that have the kind of food your dog needs, then compare the brands so you can choose the best. Compare the actual percentage of the nutrients such as proteins found in each brand and choose the one that has nutrients that meets your dog’s needs.

The garden is the new kitchen. What that means is that, in many ways, it’s the most essential part of any property. When people are going to buy a home, the element that often swings it for them is the garden. A fantastic garden can make all the difference, and will really improve the rest of the home, both practically and aesthetically. So, it’s time to get out there and start giving our garden the attention it deserves. Make sure you do as much as possible to improve and enhance the garden and make it the talk of the town. It is important that you consider what you can do to really make the garden better. Consider the practicalities of what you want from the backyard, and try to make it the go-to place for the family to want to spend time. Here is how you can impress everyone when they come over and step out into the garden.

Install a Water Feature
So many gardens lack character and personality, and this is an issue that can be solved by installing a water feature. This is a great way to add some flair to the garden and breathe a bit of life into it. There are a couple of things you can do when it comes to choosing a water feature, and the two most common would be a pond or a water fountain. The amount of space you have will determine which you go with, but this is definitely a great idea.

Build Some Decking
Decking is another excellent addition to the home that is both practical and looks great. Think about how much the right decking could transform your home and make it look better. You create more of an area to utilize, and you make the garden much more homely and practical as a result. Just make sure you plan it out before getting started with any work you might want to do, and ensure you don’t need planning permission.

Throw Unforgettable BBQ Parties
Throwing BBQ parties is another excellent hack that will make your garden one of the go-to places in the neighbourhood. A great way to boost the status of your garden is to have people over and entertain them, and associate the garden with positivity. This is why BBQ parties are so crucial, and you need to check out new BBQs & outdoor ovens to make your next gathering even better. Get something that looks great and is going to allow you to prepare a feast for your guests without stress!These are just a few of the great hacks you should be using to make your garden even better this year. Turning it into the talk of the town is so important, and something you have to make sure you focus on. There are a lot of other extra things you might consider as well, like designing a cool patio. Make sure you take the time to assess how to make your garden better and make your neighbours envious in the process!

Selling your home doesn’t have to be difficult, and believe it or not, you don’t have to compromise on the price either. This is a concept that a lot of people find hard to understand because when you get an offer for a property, you want to take it regardless of whether it is a low-ball and the main reason for this is because you have no idea whether or not another offer will come along. This is something that you will want to avoid, and this is because it is possible for you to get the full amount if you take the right steps.

Your Estate Agent
Selling a house is stressful. Choosing the right estate agent is crucial here because you need someone who is actually able to minimise the worries that you have and you also need someone who is able to go that extra mile for you as well. When choosing an agent, it helps to make sure that they are up to date with all of the latest marketing techniques and it also helps to see if they can pull more viewings in for you when compared to your other choices. On top of this, they need to be good value for money. Hiring the best real estate agent is no good if they are ultimately going to sap all the profit from your home. If you can’t decide then it is more than possible for you to have your property advertised by multiple agents. You may end up paying more than one fee when you do this however, so it helps to look through the fine print before you make a decision like this.

Home Prices in Your Area Aren’t Everything
Housing prices tend to rise and fall – all the time. It can be hard to know whether housing prices are actually rising or not because there is so much data out there. These contradictions often exist because the data that is used to come to that conclusion comes from many different sources. The land registry is able to show you what home changed hands and how much it went for, and this is the property that you want to take into account. These are averages at the end of the day and the price that your home fetches will depend on the side of the street your home is on, what kind of area it is in, the state of the home and more. For this reason, you should not always focus on the average housing prices seen in the newspaper alone.

You need to Focus on the Kerb Appeal
A potential buyer may be put off your property before they even step onto your doorstep if you don’t try and make a good impression. You want them to walk down the driveway or even down the pathway and see what a nice home you have, and you also want them to leave with that impression as well. For this reason, it is worth going the extra mile to try and create that great, first impression. You have to make sure that the front door and back door are stained or painted, if possible. You also need to make sure that the door is clean and if you have some garden plants then these are great to have by the door as well. If you have a patio then it is certainly worth you doing a quick search for “patio cleaning near me” so that you can get the result you need without having to spend hours over it.

It’s Time to Spruce Things Up!
Making your home attractive to a buyer doesn’t mean that you have to go out and buy a ton of expensive décor. There is a high chance that the décor you choose won’t actually reflect what they are looking for anyway. There are things that you can do to make the room look appealing to everyone who walks in, and this means utilising bright and warm colours throughout. You want to try and add a neutral colour scheme to your property and you also want to try and make sure that each room has as little clutter as possible. There is a high chance that you will de-clutter when you move house anyway, so why not do this beforehand so that you can make a really good first impression? This can make a huge difference to your property value and it can also help you to really nail that first impression as well.