4 Vulnerabilities That Necessitate Least Privilege Principles in Cloud Environments

There are several benefits of migrating your business processes and systems to the cloud, like low-cost and faster time to market. However, with the array of benefits come new risks that hold back many enterprises from migrating to the cloud. One of the most significant risks comes from unauthorized access through misuse of employee credentials and improper access controls. 

To thwart these risks, you can use principles of least privilege (POLP) in cloud environments. 

What Is POLP? 

POLP refers to providing a minimum level of permissions and access to the user to perform his/her job functions. The idea behind POLP is every program, process, or user functioning in the cloud environment should have the least authority to avoid any misuse of the permissions. 

Here we have discussed four vulnerabilities that necessitate POLP in the cloud framework. 

 

  • Separation of Duty 

 

Also known as Segregation of duties, it refers to the concept where more than one individual must complete a task. Separation of duty is hard to achieve due to the complexity of internal controls. It focuses on sharing a set of privileges and responsibilities between multiple users to prevent error and fraud. 

Consider an example of creating vendors in a purchasing system. In a traditional scenario, creating fake vendors and invoicing is a common practice followed by fraudsters. Under the separation of duties, you can divide the tasks into two or more users. 

For example, one user can create a vendor; one user needs to approve the vendor. By segregating the task, you reduce the possibility of fraud by forcing two or more users to collude on tasks. 

The principle of minimal privileges ensures the first user cannot approve the vendor he/she created and ensures the second user cannot create a vendor. The dual control separately requires the approval of two users to complete a business function. 

 

  • Dormant Identities 

 

A dormant identity refers to a user that has been not active for a long time. These user accounts do not have any login activity and may not be a part of daily activity logs. Dormant identities are a more significant risk in the cloud environment as malicious users or hackers can access these identities to gain control over critical functions in the cloud environment. 

Malicious parties can use these dormant identities to perform destructive activities to the company’s data, security, and reputation. The principle of least privilege can list all identities as per their access level rights. It gives the administrator a holistic view of which identity has the highest access rights and has the least access rights. 

It can help IT administrators keep a tab on dormant identities and deactivate them from the system from time to time. All of this will reduce the risks posed by unauthorized access to dormant identities. Even if some hacker gets access to dormant identity, he/she cannot inflict much damage to the cloud environment due to limited access rights. 

 

  • Toxic Combination 

 

The idea behind toxic combination is you should never give an entity (human or automated process) exclusive access rights over the system. For example, all access rights to detect violations and evaluate access rights is given to the same person. To reduce the risk of toxic combinations, IT administrators should focus on segregating tasks and giving them access rights to different identities. 

The principle of limited privilege ensures no user enjoys full access rights over the system. All users are granted limited access rights to perform their daily functions only. 

 

  • Privilege Escalation 

 

It refers to an act where a malicious user gains access to another user account’s privileges in the cloud environment. Privilege escalation is often a result of IAM misconfiguration. There are two types of privilege escalations – vertical and horizontal. Both types can cause serious harm to organizational data and disrupt cloud processes. 

Horizontal privilege escalation refers to a scenario where a malicious user gains access to a user account with higher access rights. For example, a trial account user gets access to a premium account. Vertical privilege escalation refers to a scenario where a malicious user gets access to a user with administrator rights. 

The principle of minimal privileges can work to prevent privilege escalation. For example, the POLP can ensure even super users and admins have limited access to the systems they manage. The principle of minimal privileges ensures no user account has broad permission to access all network systems. 

To sum up, the principle of least privilege is a simple yet effective concept to balance risk, productivity, privacy, and security in cloud environments where the workloads and risks are changing all the time. 

Bridal nose ring styles: Which one is best for you?

Nose rings have been an inseparable part of traditional bridal jewelry in India. It adds a touch of tradition while setting you apart. Decadent and exquisite, nose rings are a gorgeous accessory that adds a dreamy fairytale element to your look. We believe that a bride looks incomplete without a beautiful nose ring adorning. her face.

Over the years, the traditional nose rings have evolved a lot with stunning styles and designs. There are numerous nose ring designs available out there to match every kind of style. Here is a guide to the different bridal nose ring styles that you could go for.

Graceful and minimal hoops: If you’re looking for simplicity and elegance, a classic minimal hoop is the way to go. They add just the right amount of charm without getting overboard. They pair beautifully with heavy necklaces and jhumkas. It is usually very hard to go wrong with a minimal hoop nose ring. Additionally, they are super lightweight and super comfortable to wear.

Double hoops: To add a dash of drama, go for double hoops. Double hoops are currently a huge trend and add just the right amount of glamour to your look. When going for double hoops, look for quirky pieces in interest motifs for the inner hoop and go light on the outer hoop. Refrain from heavily adorned double hooped nose ring pieces as it can easily overpower the look or make you look too done up. 

Oversized hoops with single-chain: Wearing a quirky oversized hoop nose ring with a single chain is a great way to have fun with traditional jewelry. The key is to go for an oversized hoop and go minimal on the chain. You can also go for a double hooped nose ring. However, make sure that the design elements in both the hoops are balanced.

Kundan nose ring: Nothing resonates with bridal look like intricate Kundan work does. Kundan work is versatile and one of a kind. When going for a Kundan nose ring, it is a good idea to look for a piece that can be looped in for not just your wedding but other functions later on as well. You can go for an elaborate piece to add that traditional vibe. If you want to add a hint of modernity, go for a minimal Kundan Nath. Ditch the chain and rock the look like a stunner.

Traditional motifs: Traditional motifs add the much-needed traditional charm to your bridal look. South Indian temple jewelry naths are a great option if you want to add an imperial touch to your bridal look. Motifs like temples, fish, and fruits are great options you can opt for.

Pearl drop nose ring: Pearl drop nose rings are another piece that can transform you into a goddess in a matter of seconds. They are ethnic and gorgeous at the same time. The intricate and elaborate designs can pick up the entire look. Pair it with a minimal chain and you’ll shine like a million dollars.

Small nose ring with pearl chain: If you do not want to go for a big look when it comes to a nose ring, instead of leaving it empty go for a smaller nose ring. A small nose ring when worn with a pearl-encrusted chain will add the perfect balance of elements to your look.

The above-mentioned shortlist can help you pick the best nose ring style according to your face and your entire bridal look. Make sure you try a few different styles and designs of fashion rings before making the final choice.  

5 Business Assets You Should Focus On

Every business will have their own assets that they use to push their business forward. These assets are valuable and can range from tangible to intangible. However, you should remember that your resources are limited and you can only use so much to improve specific assets. So you need to be sure that you know what assets you should be focusing on to make the most out of your investment.

The Business Assets You Should Be Improving

Not every business has the luxury of being able to improve all of their assets at the same time. This is especially true for smaller businesses that have limited resources. Larger businesses can also benefit by focusing their resources on high value assets. We’ve made a list of things that both types of businesses can invest in to ensure that they can make the most out of their available resources.

Customer Goodwill

One of the most important assets that businesses will have is customer goodwill. The main reason why customer goodwill is such a valuable asset is because of how your business won’t function properly without it. Having great customer goodwill also allows you to save resources because your customers will indirectly make various processes in your business cheaper. 

Happy customers can advertise your business for free, improve your rankings on search engines, improve your ability to provide better products and services by providing feedback. 

Your Products, and Services

Your products, and services are the centerpiece of your business. Your customers wouldn’t be interested in your business in the first place if your products and services are lacking. This is why you need to ensure that you constantly push for innovation when it comes to producing excellent products and services. Especially since your competitors will always be trying to provide better products and services than you.

Tools, and Infrastructure

Your tools, and infrastructure should be another business asset that you need to keep an eye on if you want to succeed. We’ve previously mentioned how your products and services can be a deciding factor when it comes to catching customer attention. However, you won’t be able to produce enough of it, or the quality will be lacking if you don’t have great quality tools and infrastructure to support the demand.

Time

Another valuable asset that any business needs to focus on is time. Time is a resource that you spend on every facet of your business. Producing products and services takes time. Planning out how to expand your business takes time. Time is a limited resource so you need to make sure that your business is making the most out of it. 

Your Employees

One business asset that some business owners will forget about are the people that keep the business going: your employees. Your employees ensure that your business can keep customer goodwill high, and produce enough high quality products and services to keep customers interested. Investing in hiring excellent employees and providing the necessary training to keep them competitive is a sure fire way to improve your business.

Final Thoughts

Your business assets are valuable when it comes to keeping your business competitive in the market. Without proper investment in them, you’re going to lose customers to your competitors. However, that shouldn’t be an issue as long as you invest in the right business assets.

End of COVID? What the Future of International Shipping of Trade Looks Like

Observation by Victor Restis

 

Technology is one of the coolest, most important aspects of human life and it has guided humanity toward a more sustainable future, extended the average lifespan, and has given cutting-edge advancements. Now that we are a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, Victor Restis, a Greek shipping magnate and president of Enterprises Shipping and Trade, touches on new technologies in shipping and trade.

 

The article discusses technological advancements in the shipping and trade industry that were accelerated due to COVID. In the early days, ships sailed (not powered) and were guided by the stars. Today, ships use power (of course) and state-of-the-art navigational systems to chart courses based on time, speed, weather, cargo, etc. and are designed to deliver the most amount of cargo in the fastest, safest, and most cost-effective way possible. Technology drives this process, but it seems that a new era in international shipping may be taking place and a record rate of implementation.

 

Mr. Restis mentions technologies like virtual reality and artificial intelligence being implemented to shipping and trade to not only continue with the fastest, safest, and on-time delivery but with grander targets like reducing the number of carbon emissions and using alternative sources of energy to move ships across the seas and oceans. These technologies are leading not just the shipping and trade industry, but nearly every other industry in the world.

 

Technologies are being directed not only at the machines but toward the human resources that power our international supply chains. Using distance learning and virtual reality for recertifications, safety tests, and other operational programs seems like a cost-effective, and safer, process. Instead of seafarers conducting these tests in a classroom setting, many times, they can now perform these extracurricular, yet professionally mandated courses, from home or while onboard their vessel.

 

Restis does address the idea of autonomous shipping (meaning large cargo vessels being entirely operated by AI machines, or from a remote location) with the caveated that this is an unlikely scenario anytime soon despite the leaps and bounds offered by new technologies. I have to agree with this, but the technology is there. Self-driving cars are becoming more advanced, commercial planes can nearly fly themselves (they can take-off and land by computer operation) with AI, so it makes sense that cargo vessels may get a boost from AI and robotics. In the end, technology is being used to strengthen our processes, while keeping people safe during a global pandemic. It will be interesting to see how this new year plays out, and what further technologies may be implemented.

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How Can You Leverage Online Marketing to Enhance Your Paver Leads

Marketing a paving business is not an easy task. The yellow pages ads, radio ads; door-to-door pitching has become too common and cannot get you good leads. If you have a paving business, you need to invest in robust online marketing for leads generation. To make things easy for you, here are tips to leverage the best techniques to enhance your paver leads

Focus on Local Listings 

You have a paving business but do your customers know where you are located. Hence, local listings are essential for every business. Every new listing you create on search engines like Google, Bing, and other increases prospective customers’ probability of finding your business. 

Today it is common for people to search for a type of business along with a city name, like paving businesses in New York. If you have created a Google My Business listing, the search engine will put your listing on the top of search results. A local listing is a great way to tell your customers that you are there and ready to serve them. 

It would help if you were careful when creating a local listing. Include photos, exact address, opening and closing time, Google Maps location, website URL, contact number, and other useful information. You need to update your local listing regularly and encourage customers to post reviews. All this will enhance lead generation and send quality leads that will hire your services. 

Don’t Forget the Local Directories. 

The local directories have always been a preferred source of information when looking for businesses or service providers. The digital revolution has changed the face of local directories. Today, you have online local directories like Angie List, Yelp, and City Search to provide you with information about paving businesses in your city, state, or country. 

One reason to get your business listed in online directories is the amount of traffic, and the number of paver leads they can generate for your business. Just like Google My Business, you need to optimize your listing in online directories. 

The local directories offer a premium listing option that allows you to enhance your listings and list them higher in the local directories. 

Get Busy Adding Relevant and Unique Content to Your Website. 

Despite the evolution of Internet technologies and search algorithms, “content” continues to play the king’s role in the search engine results. No matter how attractive your website is, it will not achieve top ranking in the SERP if it does not have relevant content. There are thousands of paving websites competing for the top place. The only thing that can enhance leads is content. 

Remember the website is the online face of your paving business. It should represent the business in the right way and tell what customers can expect from you. All this is achieved by creating relevant and unique content for your website. It’s okay if you don’t have a great looking paving website, but you surely need lots of unique content to generate leads. 

If you want to dominate the paving business niche, you need to invest in SEO and get your website in order. Only then your paving website can enhance leads and bring in conversions. 

Email Your Prospects and Customers

To stay ahead in your business, you should always be on your customer’s minds. In simple words, the connection between your brand and customer should not break. Here, email marketing comes into play. You need to create email newsletters and send them to prospects and customers.

You can send an email with pavement maintenance to the customer to stay connected. For prospects, you can adopt a different strategy. Suppose a particular visitor has shown interest in specific services but not bought it. In that case, you can send a customized offer with a discount to the prospect that will pull the prospect to the website and encourage completing the purchase. 

The real objective behind this is to keep the relationship alive so that next time they need paving business they do not search on the Internet, they call you. 

SEO

The most cost-effective way to enhance your leads is SEO. As part of the initial website SEO, you need to perform adequate keyword research to find keywords with high search volume. It would help if you included these keyword phrases in the description, meta tags, and content. Since many customers access paving websites from mobile devices, you need to ensure the website is mobile-friendly. Some of the crucial aspects of SEO to focus on are

  • Improve page loading time
  • Have a separate page for each service 

Online marketing can help generate hundreds of leads every day provided you follow the right digital marketing strategies to enhance lead quality and quantity. 

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How To Get Student Loan Forgiveness

Student Loan Forgiveness is a procedure of canceling or discharging student loan, usually when you meet specific criteria. With exception of bankruptcy or debt settlement, at which most or all forms of debt can be discharged, student loan forgiveness doesn’t negatively affect your credit, because it can be the best way of helping you pay back. Here is all you need to know.

Differences Between Forgiveness, Discharge and Cancellation

The terms forgiveness, discharge and cancelation entail the same thing, although they are applied in various ways. If you are no longer needed to make payments on your loans because of your work, this is commonly referred to as forgiveness or cancellation. If you are no longer needed to make payments on your loans because of other situations, like a permanent and total disability or the suspension of the school where you received your loans, this is typically referred to as discharge.

How Do Student Loan Forgiveness Programs Operate?

There are several specific sorts of student loan forgiveness programs. Student loan borrowers can take full advantage of, and they always apply to federal student loans. Almost every program can have its specific set of standards and the percentage of forgiveness that it provides. After all, there are really particular qualifications that you must meet in order to be eligible for loan forgiveness or to seek support with repayment. Loan forgiveness ensures that you don’t have to pay back any and all of your loan. You never know exactly what you might be eligible for, so take a closer look at the possibilities below.

1. Teacher Loan Forgiveness

You may be eligible for forgiveness of up to a total cost of $17,500 on eligible federal student loans if you teach full-time for five complete and consecutive academic years in specific educational service agencies. These agencies should support low-income families, and satisfy other qualifications.

2. Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

You will qualify for forgiveness of the whole remaining balance of your Direct Loans, if you work full time for a not-for-profit organization or a government. This will be possible after you have made 120 qualifying payments, that is, 10 years of payments. You can repay your federal student loans under an income-driven repayment plan in order to benefit from PSLF.

3. Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plan

When you repay your loans on a repayment plan based on your financial situation, any remaining balance on your student loans will be forgiven. But this is possible if you make a certain amount of payments for a certain duration of time.

4. AmeriCorps

The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award is received by participants. These participants must complete national service in the AmeriCorps approved program. The program includes AmeriCorps NCCC, AmeriCorps VISTA, or AmeriCorps State and National. Once you have fully achieved your service, you are eligible to receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. It can be used to repay eligible student loans.

5. Closed School Discharge

You may be eligible for discharge of your federal student loan if your school closes while you’re enrolled. Loan discharge is the withdrawal of your responsibility to repay the loan under specific situations. In order to apply for a closed school loan discharge, some eligibility conditions exist. To receive a discharge, you must apply. If your school closes, it is essential for you to obtain your financial or academic support documents. If you want student loans discharged or intend to attend another school, you will need those documents.

6. Perkins Loan Cancellation 

It is accessible only for Federal Perkins Loans. You may be qualified to cancel or discharge all or a portion of your Perkins Loan. It is based on your employment or volunteer service. 

7. Total and Permanent Disability Discharge

This is available for FFEL Program loans, Direct Loans, and Perkins Loans.

You can qualify for a discharge of your federal student loans or Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) if you are permanently and completely disabled.

8. Borrower Defense to Repayment

This is available for Direct Loans.

If you take out the loans to attend a school, you might be qualified for forgiveness of the federal student loans based on borrower defense to repayment. Depending on when you received your loan, the particular requirements for qualifying for a borrower defense to repayment discharge differ.

9. Unpaid Refund Discharge

This program is available for FFEL Program loans and Direct Loans.

You may be eligible for a discharge of the portion of your federal student loan(s) that the school failed to return if you withdrew from school and the school failed to make a necessary return of loan funds to the loan servicer.

How to Apply For Forgiveness

If you think you qualify, please contact your loan servicer. If you have a Perkins Loan, you should call the school that has made the loan or the loan service that has been designated by the school.

Great Lakes and Student Loan Forgiveness

Great Lakes is a student loan service provider. It owns thousands of federally guaranteed loans across the United States. The organization operates with more than 1,000 lenders and 6,000 schools to assist students attend school. Great Lakes does not provide student loans. It serves as a loan servicer or guarantor to countless number of lenders across the nation. Great Lakes manages a wide range of student loan based services, including federal consolidations, repayment plans, and student loan forgiveness programs. As a result of its collaboration with the Department of Education, a number of loan forgiveness programs are available to qualified borrowers. If you’re looking to explore your Great Lakes Student Loan Forgiveness Options, you can contact local agencies for help such as SLR.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and Great Lakes 

You might qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness with Great Lakes as a full-time public employee in Peace Corps and AmeriCorps. You will need to have loans that are eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Your student loans may become eligible for forgiveness, after you have met the criteria. 

Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Discharge Great Lakes

You may be eligible for a Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Discharge, if you are an indefinitely disabled veteran or an individual with student loans. Once you are approved, all eligible loans will be transferred to the sole service provider of the DOE. It is called Nelnet and is the unique service provider of the TPD Discharge program.

Teacher Loan Forgiveness and Great Lakes

You might qualify for Teacher Loan Forgiveness through Great Lakes, if you work full-time in a poor school. Based on your qualifications, Teacher Loan Forgiveness provides up to $17,500 in loan repayment aid for eligible loans.

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Best Free 3D Printing Software For Beginners In 2021

On the whole 3D Printing technology has to depend on the sum of its parts that constitute it. For example, a 3D printer is one of the most integral parts of this completely new concept manufacturing, 3D printing technology. The other part is a 3D printing software on which you can design the file according to your imagination. The part that goes in the form of an input to your 3D printer is the raw material such as ABS, PLA, etc. So, that’s another one of the most important elements of 3D printing technology.

Each of these elements has got its own significance and is necessary to make 3D printing happen in their own ways. In this article, we are going to lay our spotlight on 3D printing software. As a beginner in the field of 3D printing, to be curious about finding a 3D printing software that is easy for you to operate, that is a little bit more non-technical in its nature and yet technical in its efficiency, is natural and inevitable.

Sensing such an eagerness to learn, we’ve composed this article by collecting multiple software in it, that you can go through and pick one. All of the software we are about to mention are technically well constructed and yet have a non-technical aspect in manifestations to facilitate any person willing to interact with them for the first time. Excited? If not, please be!

1) Make Printable


Link: link

We are coming to the features of this 3D printer software in a moment’s time. But before that, don’t you think the maker is applause-worthy for coming up with such a creatively suitable name? And how else do you cheer the maker than by checking out the product?

Make Printable allows you to prepare as well as print any and every 3D model in high resolution and full-color plastic printing. It’s obtainable in two finishes i.e. full as well as a single color.

Forte of Make Printable:

  • Lets you import files from cloud storage.
  • Permits you to pick your favorite color.
  • Uses the latest 3D model optimization technology.
  • Permits you to have an in-depth 3D model analysis.
  • Proffers you a 3D model thickness adjustment tool.

2) idea Maker


Link: link

“Two clicks is all you need to make your file 3D print-worthy.” No! The company is yet to keep that statement as a tagline of their product. If any of you has some connection with the company, please ask them to do so, because their product actually works in that manner. There are so many customizations offered inside idea Maker that anyone who dares to complete each one has to take more births.

Forte of idea Maker:

  • Well-suited with FFF 3D printers.
  • Remote monitoring and controlling of a print job are possible using its application.
  • In case your first language is: French, German, Russian, Italian, or any other, you would not have to compromise to read the content mentioned in it in English.
  • Input file formats such as OBJ, 3MF, and STL will be at your disposal.
  • Sanctions auto-layout for printing multiple files.

3) Ultimaker Cura

Being easy-to-use software, Ultimaker Cura can be integrated with CAD software for an even smoother workflow. The best attribute of Ultimaker Cura is that it’s open-sourced. This 3D printing software empowers you to download material profiles from different brands. Ultimaker is the name you’d also hear a lot in the 3D printer market, because it’s also into the manufacturing of 3D printers. Whether you are a beginner, an intermediate, or the professionals in the field of 3D printing, Ultimaker has got you covered.

Forte of Ultimaker Cura:

  • Grants plug-ins such as Solidworks and Autodesk Inventor.
  • You can choose from various options of print speed and quality according to your 3D printing project.
  • It’s inconsonant with multiple file formats such as X3D, JPG, BMP, PNG, etc.

4) Autodesk Fusion 360

This is Autodesk’s offering in the area of designing engineering parts and functional prototypes. Fusion 360 is cloud-based 3D design software. So, you can easily exchange your files via the internet and save them in the cloud.

Experts recommend this software to educators and students in the field of 3D printing. Autodesk Fusion 360 can be operated from a device running with MAC as well as other operating systems.

Forte of Autodesk Fusion 360:

  • Its collective virtual-system lets you create parts and functional prototypes of the desired quality.
  • Fabricating and improving designs can be done using a sketching tool.
  • Has a high process speed.
  • Lets you design a file that closely replicates your imagination.
  • Programming of your manufacturing process becomes easier.

5) Octoprint


Link: link

The functionality to extend your plug-ins is something that you’ll not only find with Autodesk Fusion 360 but with Octoprint as well. Like Autodesk Fusion 360, and Ultimaker Cura, Octoprint also has an open-source interface.

Forte of Octoprint:

  • Authorizes you to have complete control by allowing you to start, stop, and pause the print job.
  • Gathers printer stats from printer history automatically.
  • Supports all Micro 3D printers and Flashforge 3D printers.
  • Granting you the permission to move the head of your printer along any axis you wish to.

The Conclusion

Based on the fortes of the above-mentioned five 3D printing software, you can check out your favorite. If you have enough time, you can check them out all, one by one.

3D printing Software constitutes a very fundamental element of complete 3D printing. So, you should give utmost importance to the selection of this software. Because your design file; which in this case is going to constitute the making of g-codes based on which your 3D printer will function; is going to be made out of it! You see, there are too many steps that are followed after this, dependent on this crucial step.

We advise you to be wise and take this decision with a hassle-free mind, and only after going through each one of the options mentioned in the list and even more. Good luck!

How You Should Plan For Retirement

Whether you are employed or self-employed, retirement is inevitable, and it’s appropriate to plan for it early to avoid inconveniences. You need to create a plan and focus on it to enjoy the benefits once you retire. However, the earlier you start, the better, and you also need to find ways to increase these benefits. How does one plan for retirement? Here are some ways.

Contribute to Your 401(K)

If employed, it’s definite your employer contributes your pre-tax money retirement benefits. This contribution is a great advantage, but your benefits will still be subjected to taxes, including the income tax, Medicare, and the Social security tax. How much should I invest in my 401k? “According to the experts at SoFi Invest, the contribution depends on how much you can invest without hurting your monthly budget.” Suppose the employer offers a Roth 401(k) feature, which taxes you before making contributions. In that case, it’s better to check its benefits after the tax cut and negotiate on a better contribution mode.

Get a Contribution Match

Most employers do offer 401(k) plan contributions to their employees, which sometimes don’t add enough to meet retirement demands. This situation calls for a personal contribution to match the employers. You should always try as much matching your employers’ contribution to earn the free money. Failing to make such contributions fails your employer to contribute too.

Open an IRA Account

Even when employed, it’s necessary to have an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to supplement your retirement benefits. You can open a traditional IRA account whose contributions are tax-deductible with taxed benefits, or the Roth IRA, which comprises after-tax contributions with no withdrawal taxes. You can do a Roth IRA when you suspect taxes will be higher during your retirement period. All these are withdrawn after attaining 59 ½ years. A lot of financial institutions offer both types of IRA accounts, but it is up to you to research and pick the best investment account to suit your needs.

Take Advantage of Catch-up Contributions

In most cases, annual contributions to 401(k) and IRA accounts are limited to specific amounts. If you want to save more and you are past 50 years, you can make catch-up contributions. Catch-up contributions are done separately to 401(k) or IRA accounts and significantly boost your overall retirement savings.

Automate Your Savings

Besides having retirement savings accounts, you can also make automated bank savings for your retirement every month. With automatic funding, money gets deducted and saved to your savings account on each payday. There are also apps and software to guide you through these processes, which you can combine with your IRA or 401(k) account for a substantial amount after retirement. You can increase the savings percentage each month, depending on your income.

Reduce your Extra Expenses and Stash the Extra Cash

You can reduce your working days expenses and put the saved amount in a savings account for retirement use. Besides reducing the expenses, you can commit your pay rise, bonuses, and overtime payments to savings account to be used after retirement.

There are many ways you can plan for your retirement, with the primary ones listed above. You can create your retirement plan and then plan your savings to meet your goals. If not achieving the set targets, you can combine two or more of the tips highlighted above while diversifying your income-generating venues.

Complete Guide to Voluntary Liquidation

Unlike Compulsory Liquidation, where a company is forced to close, Voluntary Liquidation occurs when the directors and shareholders decide to wind-up the company and place it into Liquidation. This is an entirely voluntary process that brings the company’s trading and operations to an end.

As a formal insolvency process, a licensed Insolvency Practitioner must be appointed to carry out the Voluntary Liquidation process, and it is not a decision to be taken lightly.

If you are considering Voluntary Liquidation, there are some essential factors and questions to take into consideration.

To help, Clarke Bell has put together this complete guide to Voluntary Liquidation, covering what it is, how it works, and who should take this route.

What is Voluntary Liquidation? 

Voluntary Liquidation process is initiated by a company director or owner and can only be carried out upon approval of 75% of the shareholders.

Voluntary Liquidation is the process of officially winding-up and dissolving a company, letting it liquidate its assets, which can, in turn, be used to free up funds or pay off debts.

Once Voluntary Liquidation has been completed, the company is dissolved and taken off the registrar of companies.

Why choose Voluntary Liquidation?

There are several reasons a company would choose to go into voluntary Liquidation.

This is often the route taken by insolvent companies that are no longer sustainable and are operating at a loss. However, solvent companies can also enter into voluntary Liquidation.

Many solvent companies will choose this option as a tax-efficient way of closing their business, perhaps because a key staff member is retiring. The director is taking a step back to an employee role or moving abroad.

Whatever the reason for going into voluntary Liquidation, we will look at the different types of voluntary Liquidation available to find the best option for you.

Members’ Voluntary Liquidation

One form of voluntary Liquidation is Members’ Voluntary Liquidation (MVL.)

An MVL is a route open to solvent businesses that can pay their bills and typically have assets of £25,000 or over. This is usually the route taken by directors that no longer want or need their company. As we have already mentioned, this could be for many reasons, whether they are retiring, moving away, or they opened the company for a specific purpose that has been fulfilled.

This is a prevalent option for company directors of solvent businesses as it allows them to close their business in an HMRC approved, tax-efficient manner.

With an MVL, any funds taken out are subject to Capital Gains Tax rather than income tax. There are also further advantages for those that qualify for Business Asset Disposal Relief (this was known as Entrepreneurs’ Relief before 6 April 2020.)

With Business Asset Disposal Relief, eligible directors who are selling all or part of their business will pay just 10% in Capital Gains Tax on profits over the business’s lifetime up to a limit of £1 million. This is a considerable saving compared to income tax, which they would otherwise be charged, set at a rate of 18% at the basic level and 28% at the higher level.

Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation

An MVL is an option available to solvent companies, but what about insolvent companies?

For businesses that are no longer sustainable, can’t cover their day-to-day costs, pay their bills, and are being chased for payments, a Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation (CVL) is the best option.

Again, this is an entirely self-imposed process compared to a Compulsory Liquidation in which a company is forced to close.

A CVL is usually the best route to take if you have creditors asking for money to be repaid and you wish to avoid being forced into compulsory Liquidation. It also allows you to protect your finances from your business debts.

Whether you use the MVL or CVL process, both are legal procedures, and therefore, a licensed Insolvency Practitioner must be appointed to carry out the Liquidation.

How to choose the right Insolvency Practitioner

Entering into voluntary Liquidation is a big decision, and the Insolvency Practitioner you appoint can significantly impact the outcome. That’s why it’s essential to do your research and find the right Insolvency Practitioner to work with.

There are a few key things to look out for in an Insolvency Practitioner. First, you must ensure they are fully licensed. A qualified, licensed Insolvency Practitioner can only carry out voluntary Liquidation as a formal insolvency procedure.

You should also check that the Insolvency Practitioner has experience in your industry and with similar cases to yours. This will ensure they can bring their expertise to find the best solution for you.

Finally, it is crucial to ensure the Insolvency Practitioner has a good reputation, has been trading for a long time, and has a proven track record of success.

6 DIY Home Decorating Tips

Professional home stagers know how to play up your house’s strengths, hide its flaws, and make it appealing to just about everyone. We talked to several pros across the country to get their tips for freshening up the rooms in your home without breaking your budget. Check out Home Cares for home improvement tips.

1. Set The Tone at The Front Door

If you want your house to make a great first impression, paint the front door a fun, glossy hue. “Red is a lucky color in many cultures,” says Lara Allen-Brett, a New Jersey-based stager. A red door meant “welcome” to weary travelers in early America, and on churches it represents a safe haven.

Two other hues gaining favor: orange and yellow, according to San Francisco-based stager Christopher Breining. Both colors are associated with joy and warmth. One thing that should go: an outdated screen door. Get rid of it or replace it with a storm door with full-length glass that you can switch out for a screened panel.

2. Paint Wall Colors Light and Neutral

Stick to colors like beige or gray, especially on the first floor, where flow is important. “You want to minimize jarring transitions,” says Breining. Neutral walls give you the greatest decorating flexibility, allowing you to easily switch up your accessories.

And if you have two small rooms next to each other, painting them the same neutral color helps them feel larger. Look at a paint strip and move up or down a shade or two for a subtle variation from room to room, suggests Allen-Brett.

3. Living Area: Make Sure Your Sofa Talks to Your Chairs

Think of a nice hotel lobby: The furniture is arranged in groupings that invite conversation. When you place the furniture in your living room, aim for a similar sense of balance and intimacy.

“A conversation area that has a U-shape, with a sofa and two chairs facing each other at each end of the coffee table, or an H-shape, with a sofa directly across from two chairs and a coffee table in the middle, is ideal,” says Michelle Lynne, a Dallas-based stager.

One common mistake to avoid: Pushing all the furniture against the walls. “People do that because they think it will make their room look bigger, but in reality, floating the furniture away from the walls makes the room feel larger,” she says.

4. Let The Sun Shine In Your Kitchen

“When it comes to heavy, outdated drapes, a naked bank of windows is better than an ugly one,” says Lynne. Ideally, window dressings should be functional and elegant: Think sheers paired with full-length panels.

If your room gets a lot of sun, opt for light colors that won’t fade. The most recommended lightweight fabrics for panels are cotton, linen, and silk blends because they tend to hang well.

5. Hang at Least One Mirror in Every Room

“Mirrors can make space feel brighter because they bounce the light around the room,” says Breining. But placing one in the wrong spot can be almost as bad as not having one at all.

Put mirrors on walls perpendicular to windows, not directly across from them. Hanging a mirror directly opposite a window can actually bounce the light right back out the window.

6. Scale Artwork to Your Wall

“There are few things more ridiculous-looking than hanging dinky little art too high on the wall,” says Breining. The middle of a picture should hang at eye level. If one person is short and the other tall, average their heights.

Also take scale into account; for a large wall, go big with one oversize piece or group smaller pieces gallery-style. For the latter, don’t space the pictures too far apart; 2 to 4 inches between items usually looks best.