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7 Easy But Less Heard Of Methods To Get Rid Of Your Student Debt

With the gigantic increase in education expenses, student debt has turned out to be the sole means of paying for college for many students.

While a student loan might help a student to pursue a career of his choice to fulfill his dreams, the other side of the coin is that some students take a loan but don’t actually complete their studies, and some students take on more debt than their career choice might allow them to pay back comfortably. Moreover many a time, students fail to understand fully the complete consequences of such a decision as taking a student loan quite early in their careers. Most importantly, a student loan cannot be discharged in bankruptcy except in cases of undue hardship.

Keeping all these pros and cons of student debt in mind, here we enlist 7 effective but little known ways to get out of student debt.

1: Know how much you owe:

It might be that you don’t have a clear idea of the number of loans you have or even how much you owe because perhaps you might have taken multiple student loans. So, first of all, calculate the total cost of your loans. A number of calculators, available online, can help you ease your task. You just need to enter a few pieces of information to get a complete breakdown of your payments and how long it will take you to pay off your student loans.

  1. Getting your loans restructured:

Students can go for some agencies where the interest rate is restructured in such a way that can fit your pocket. These institutions can actually offer students alternate repayment options like extending repayment and providing a repayment scheme which is income-based. These may reduce the monthly payment by stretching out the term of the loan. While such an option brings down your monthly instalment, you may have to churn out some extra money as interest on the main principal. 

  1. Refinance Your Student Loans

Students can consider getting a private loan at a lower rate to refinance their existing student loans they if they have already graduated, secured a job and have become quite stable.

  1. Automate Student Loan Payments

Checking online options of repaying your student loan might be another solution to your headache as you stand a chance of getting a reduction in interest rate if your loan is repaid online. So, talk to your banker for an auto-debit, where your monthly loan amount will be automatically transferred from your checking account.

It might be that you don’t have a clear idea of the number of loans you have or even how much you owe because perhaps you might have taken multiple student loans. So, first of all, calculate the total cost of your loans. A number of calculators, available online, can help you ease your task. You just need to enter a few pieces of information to get a complete breakdown of your payments and how long it will take you to pay off your student loans.

  1. Getting enrolled for Peace Corps

You can get a portion of your student loan forgiven if get enrolled to volunteer for Peace Corps. Should you choose to volunteer as a public school teacher, social worker, a policeman or a firefighter, you can also get a part of your loan condoned.

  1. Creating a repayment schedule by making additional payments

Apart from going for an auto debit option to pay your lender and getting a reduction in the loan interest, you can alternatively make additional payments in small amounts whenever you get hold of some cash. You can just log on to your lender’s website and make the additional payment thereby lowering your principal amount.

  7. Going for an Income Based Repayment Scheme

You would do good to opt for an income based loan repayment scheme which not only matches your loan payments with your income and family size, but also typically reduces the size of your loan to 15% of your income and makes you eligible for forgiveness. The balance of the loan remaining after payment for a period of 20-25 years is generally forgiven.

5 Easy Ways to Save Money on a Tight Budget

Most people all over the world live paycheck to paycheck. This means that they have to live within their means and try and maintain a budget. The economy all over the world may be growing but there aren’t enough high paid jobs available for the growing demands for jobs in the world. Wages have been stagnant the world over and the inflation and cost of living continue to rise at a fast rate.

All over the world, people look to save as much money as they can so that they can pay bills and get through the month without running out of money or borrowing money. Living on a tight budget is very difficult but people start getting more and more used to living like this if there is no other choice. Also saving money starts becoming a habit. People find innovative and effective ways to save money when they are working with a tight budget. Once people get into the frame of mind of saving money, there are many easy ways in which money can be saved. The following are 5 easy ways to save money that helps people who have a tight budget:

  1. Switch to Cash

It has been statistically proven that people tend to spend more money using credit cards in comparison to cash. Actually counting the cash in the purse and wallet and then paying with cash makes people spend less money. Another advantage is that there is a hard limit on the cash that can be carried while going out for shopping even for daily household items. Carrying less money helps people spend less money and is a great tip for staying within the budget.

  1. Eat Homemade Food At Home

People spend a lot on restaurants, food trucks, fast food chains and buying or ordering food from outside. The food bill is tallied at the month’s end can be substantial. Food bill can be reduced in a real way if people start eating homemade food. Homemade food made of fresh ingredients from the local market is healthy and also very affordable rather than buying readymade food from out. Learning to cook can seem daunting for many people but basic recipes are easy and there are many guides and videos available online to help beginners learn how to cook.

  1. Look For Deals

Whether it is a personal item, clothes, groceries or any type of gadgets most of these items are either bought at departmental stores or online. Nowadays there are many businesses online as well in each locality selling the same type of items. This means that there are a lot of great deals on offers as many of the business need to give deals to stay competitive. Searching for the best deals for any type of purchase is a sensible choice.

  1. Buy in Bulk

There are many offers available for people looking to buy different types of products in bulk. For example, a pack of four soaps is cheaper than buying just a single soap at a time. Bulk purchase is always cheaper and is a great way to save money while living on a tight budget. Buying in bulk is easy in large departmental stores that are known to keep bulk buy options at affordable rates.

  1. Use Public Transport

It is expensive to own and maintain a car especially on a tight budget. There are many cities and towns all over the world with an excellent public transport system which can be used by locals for a very low expense every month. There are private cab services available where people can hire a cab by using popular cab hire apps on phones. These apps also provide many deals and offers to attract customers. It is cheaper to use a transport service than to maintain a vehicle and this saves money on a tight budget.

10 Beauty Benefits of Eggs for Hair and Skin

Eggs are a common food product that has been used in cuisines all over the world. Eggs are a common ingredient in most sweet and savory recipes and are classified as a “superfood” because of its nutritional value and benefits. Eggs provide essential nutrients like proteins, vitamins, minerals and also reduce the risks of various ailments and diseases. The dietary benefits of eggs are phenomenal and many people include eggs in the diet to remain strong and healthy. There are also many beauty benefits of hair and skin as eggs are used in an external way to benefit hair and skin.

Many people have different types of problems with their hair and skin. Long luxurious hair and beautiful radiant skin is something most people want and maintaining beautiful hair and skin take time, work and effort. There are many natural remedies using eggs for different types of hair and skin problems. These natural remedies can be used at home in and it is a very affordable way to maintain the hair and skin.

The following are some of the beauty benefits of eggs for hair and for the skin:

Beauty Benefits for Hair

  1. Conditioning the Hair

Eggs are great for the conditioning and nourishment of the hair. Eggs directly provide proteins and essential nutrients to the hair. Eggs provide nutrition from the roots of the hair to the ends or tips of the hair.

  1. Promotes Hair Growth and Curbs Hair Loss

Eggs provide the hair with proteins, vitamins; zinc and other nutrients that are essential for building the keratin which helps in promote hair growth and also make hair stronger. Stronger hair is essential to curb hair loss.

  1. Adds Shine to the Hair

Egg has a high concentration of protein and regular application of eggs on the hair not only strengthens the hair but also gives a luxurious shine to the hair. Dull and damaged hair makes the overall appearance look less than appealing and regular use of egg on the hair boosts the shine in the hair.

  1. Heals Hair Damage

The egg helps in building the keratin in the hair which is a need for healthy hair. This keratin helps in healing the damage done to the hair because of nutritional and environmental factor.

  1. Improve the Elasticity of Hair

The egg yolks provide the hair with lutein which helps the hair become stronger and also improves the elasticity of the hair which then protects the hair from breakage.

Beauty Benefits for Skin

  1. Skin Tightening

Many people use an egg mask for skin tightening. The albumin in the egg tones the skin and also helps to tighten the skin making it an effective anti-aging ingredient in the pantry.

  1. Oil Blotting

Oily skin is a major problem for many. Egg white masks are a great solution to these problems as egg white suck the oil from the pores and remove the oil from the skin.

  1. Cleansing the Skin

An egg is a great skin cleanser. It removes oil, dust and other bacteria from the skin in a natural way. Egg removes the impurities on the skin and protects the skin from acne.

  1. Whitehead and Blackhead Remover

Egg white masks on the nose and other areas of the skin with whiteheads and blackheads help gently remove these skin problems. Applying the egg white masks and then reaping it off after it dries helps remove the blackheads and whiteheads from the skin.

  1. Nourishment of Skin

Egg provides different forms of nourishment for the skin. It provides moisture for the skin, hydrates the skin, improves the texture of the skin, and provides essential proteins, vitamins, and nutrient directly to the skin.

Audi SUV Q2 – Booking Open in India For the New Luxury Car

Audi AG is one of the top luxury brands in the world in the automobile sector. This is a German automobile company with many subsidiary brands. Audi operates in the Indian market providing the market with different types of luxury vehicles. Audi is known for its engineering, stylish designs, and has many different models that are available for sale in India. One of the models that the Indian customers have been waiting for is the Audi Q2 which was recently announced in India.

  • Audi Q2 Announcement

The Audi Q2 was expected to start sales in India soon and on the 3rd of October 2020; Audi started taking bookings for the Audi SUV Q2 in India. Audi India has had a relatively active year this year and this has been Audi’s fifth launch in the country in 2020. The Audi India website has all the details about the booking information including information of all the company’s dealerships across the country. The booking amount for the Audi SUV Q2 is Rs 2, 00,000 and there are some key offers available as it is a launch of a new Audi car in India.

  • Introductory Offers For Audi SUV Q2

The Audi SUV Q2 is a luxury all-rounder which is a large car with many features and is a top choice in the luxury SUV sector in the Indian market. The introductory offer is called the “Peace of Mind” offer which means that the offer is related to efficiently using the car without problems for at least a few years to come. The “Peace of Mind” offer includes a 5 years service package with a 2+3 extended warranty. It also comes with 2+3 years of roadside assistance which means that the Audi SUV Q2 offers customers a 5-year package deal to maintain the car effectively.

  • New Market Segment For Audi

Audi is a brand in the market that is associated with ultra-luxury car models. Some of the models of Audi cars sold in India are extremely expensive and not in the price range affordable for even some within the upper-middle class range of the market. With Audi SUV Q2, Audi is trying to enter a new market segment in India.

This is going to be a luxury all-rounder vehicle in India that is not as expensive as other Audi models in India and is going to be filled with features that the modern Indian successful families like in the country. This car is perfect for the first time luxury car buyers in India as it is a starting option in the luxury market in India. This car makes buying an Audi much more accessible to customers in the Indian market than before. This car has many features, has a two- litre petrol engine and is known for its “Quattro” technology, superior handling and good grip.

  • Audi Q2 – India Plans

The model has specific requirements that meet European and Japanese standards and the Audi SUV Q2 will come to India from Germany. The Indian government has a rule that 2,500 units of a car model can be imported into India and Audi is using this law to sell this car in India.

Mahindra Group Launches its New Generation Mahindra Thar in India

The sports utility vehicle market in India is a fast-moving and popular segment of the Indian automobile market. Though many people consider this market segment as part of the SUV segment of the Indian market, these cars are slightly different than the average SUVs. These are the original “Jeep” style SUVs that are not just suitable for city roads and highways but are also suitable for rugged terrains. Mahindra and Mahindra on 2nd October launched its new generation sports utility vehicle or SUV called Thar into the market.

  • Price and Models of Mahindra Thar

Mahindra Thar is a popular automobile in India and its new-generation models are excitedly welcomed into the market. The Mahindra Thar is available in two series that represents two separate market segments in terms of price. The Mahindra Thar’s ex-showroom price is Rs 9.8 lakhs starting for the AX series and the price range extends up to 12.95 lakhs for the LX series. The LX series is an expensive and lifestyle focus series whereas the AX series of Mahindra Thars new generation models is the more affordable option.

  • Availability in India

Mahindra and Mahindra are a leading automobile company in India and have a pan India reach. This means that Mahindra and Mahindra plans to launch the new generation Mahindra Thar all across India. Initially, the test rides begin in 19 cities across India which will then extend to 100 more cities by 10th October. By the middle of the month, around October 15th test drives for the new Mahindra Thar will be available across India. The Mahindra Thar is a new generation SUV and is likely to be as popular as the new generation XUV and Scorpio also introduced by Mahindra. Deliveries for the new Mahindra Thar will begin on November 1st 2020.

  • Strategy Behind the New Mahindra Thar

The SUV segment of the Indian market is getting saturated because of a large number of SUVs that have entered the Indian market which are soft-roaders that are primarily meant for urban use. There are many Indian, Korean, Chinese, Japanese and other international brands in the urban use SUV segment of the automobile market in India. Mahindra and Mahindra have shifted their focus on this segment and now are primarily focusing on the rugged “Jeep” style segment of the Indian automobile market. This means that these cars will be not just suitable for urban use but also rugged terrains in India.

  • Clever Strategy By the Mahindra Group

As mentioned above, Mahindra has renewed its focus on a targeted section of the SUV market. This strategy has been adopted because the larger SUV market share is difficult for Mahindra to capture as it lacks a competitive advantage in the larger SUV market in India. The strategy is to not blindly chase the market share in the SUV segment but to focus on a subcategory of the segment where Mahindra has a competitive advantage and where it is likely to do well.

Mahindra Groups’ launch of the new generation Thar is based on the popularity of its earlier models in this segment and is likely to be a successful launch in the Indian Market.

Tesla is Likely To Enter the Indian Automobile Market in 2021

Over the last two decades, there has been a lot of innovation in the fields of automobile engineering as well as clean energy in the United States and one of the leading companies in these sectors is Tesla, Inc. Tesla is a top American company today with a diverse range of products and is known to be one of the key futuristic companies in the country. Their core focus is sustainable energy, electric cars and clean energy products. This company is known for its clean energy cars and clean batteries that do not harm the environment. One market that Tesla has not captured in the automobile sector is the Indian market.

  • Companies Leaving the Automobile Market

Over the last five years, many international companies in India have left the automobile sector in the country. The Indian auto sector is considered a difficult space for many international auto-makers in India. Auto companies from the United States like Harley-Davidson and General Motors have exited from the market and Ford also has stopped all independent operations in India. The most common problem in the Indian automobile sector has been the weakness in demand in this market. The sales for these companies in India have been weak that makes sustaining operations in a country like India extremely difficult.

  • Elon Musk & Tesla Statements

Elon Musk is the CEO of Tesla and has been quite vocal about the desire that Tesla has to start operations in the Indian market. The latest statement by Tesla CEO has been on Twitter where he has said “Next Year For Sure” at a question about Tesla’s India plans. This means that Tesla could enter the automobile market in India in the year 2021. But Tesla has had problems with these plans because even in March 2019, they had been optimistic about an earlier date for entering the Indian market. In March 2019, Elon Musk had said “We would love to be there this year. If not, definitely next”. It means that in March 2019 Tesla was hoping to be in the Indian market in 2019 or 2020. The delay in plans has been because of many reasons and 2020 has been a difficult year for most people in the automobile sector.

  • Delay in Tesla’s India Plans

Tesla has been looking at an entry into the Indian markets at least from 2018 if not before that. It has many models of vehicles that could work with the Indian target customers. However, the main reason stated for Tesla’s delays to enter the Indian market is governmental regulations in this sector in India. India’s tax regulations and tariffs make it difficult to enter and thrive in this market for many foreign automobile companies. However, looking at the latest statements Tesla is looking optimistic about entering the Indian market in 2021.

Tesla offers clean-energy cars and India is a leading country in pollution due to automobile traffic. The entry of companies like Tesla in this market is seen as a positive step by many in India. There are many car models on offer by Tesla and its 2021 India plans are keenly followed by many in India.

The Future Role of Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace

Overview

The Digital Age is sweeping past and captivating millions and millions along its path. It has impacted the whole generation owing to its many miracles, and it continues to do so with its many gifts. One such offering is the Artificial Intelligence which is incredibly advanced and is touted to be the future of the Digital Age.

With numerous such things befalling under the purview of Artificial Intelligence, it will revolutionize how we perceive the world. The one industry which is positively impacting would be the workplaces. It is estimated that the workforce might be entirely replaced with robots being the next obvious choice for running the company. As convenient as it may sound, it could bring us eternal convenience or eternal disaster.

Boon or Bane              

2019-2020 has seen a very visible spurt of Artificial Intelligence in many quarters. Companies realize the emerging potential and capital that might come with the inclusion of Artificial Intelligence in their core. It is being used to amplify human intelligence and get access to real-time data values.

Since the benefits concerning the usage of intelligent systems are at the peak, the eyes of the world are upon Artificial Intelligence and its many advantages. One of the big four organizations, Ernst and Young has researched the A.I. at the workplace, which states that many of the companies and organizations around the world are accepting A.I. in workplaces which have led to elevated levels of operational productivity. Decisions are swifter; technological innovations are rapid, giving mounds of yields that are unlike anything that has been witnessed.

The organizations which take in A.I. have seen advantages in terms of tackling their competition, minimizing any company costs that might prove to be a hindrance, and streamline the recruitment process. This might prove to be an unconventional practise since many people from the boardroom would think that this is unfair. Employee unions are consisting of so many millions who will be rendered jobless if the A.I. culture is brought forth into existence.

Every job sector would face massive cutbacks, and this would not be limited to lower levels, but also the higher-ups. Another Big 4 organization, PricewaterhouseCoopers predicts that there would be as high as 30% cutbacks by the year 2030 owing to the entry of Artificial Intelligence in the market.

So, in essence, Artificial Intelligence has its fair share of advantages and disadvantages in the employment sphere.

Time Management: 5 Simple Tips for Entrepreneurs

Nowadays, prolonged working hours have become compatible with different types of companies, businesses, and enterprises all over the world. For entrepreneurs, managing work is a 24/7 job, and time management plays an essential role in this. Like managing other areas of business, time management plays a vital role for entrepreneurs to be able to handle their businesses efficiently.

The following are some simple tips for time management effectively:

5 Simple Tips for Time Management

1. Time Planning – Short Term & Long Term

Planning is an essential aspect of business in today’s times, as the environmental and market factors around the company are continually evolving and changing. Financial planning, business planning, operational planning, and product development are all done using appropriate planning tools.

Time management is a critical factor in keeping up with deadlines and managing the business on a day to day basis. Short term and long term time planning range from planning several days of business activities to allow time for a long term project.

2. Daily Scheduling

A secretary or pool of secretaries is an essential asset to any business. This is because they help manage and schedule for entrepreneurs all over the world. Secretaries maintain daily diaries and sometimes busy business entrepreneurs have their day planned on a minute to minute basis for efficient productivity and management of their time.

3. Focus On Important Tasks

Busy entrepreneurs usually have a lot of demands for their time and not enough time in a day to meet all the daily demands of the business. Entrepreneurs need to understand which tasks are essential and how much time each task deserves during the day. This will help entrepreneurs manage their time in the best possible way.

Once business operations have taken place for several years, entrepreneurs and their secretarial staff become aware of the type of tasks that require the full focus of the business owners or CEOs of the company.

4. Delegate

Most business entrepreneurs like to run a tight ship and have complete control over their business. However, one of the most straightforward time management tips for business persons is to be able to delegate in business. This means that they should have the ability to hire senior management and should be able to delegate responsibility and decision making powers in some areas to the senior management of the company.

5. Make Timely Decisions

There are two types of decisions that need to be taken in any business. This includes daily operational day to day decisions and long term decisions that could impact the future course of the business.

For good time management, it is essential to have the skills and ability to take accurate yet fast and timely decisions in business. Entrepreneurs have the skill sets to assess the pros and cons of an impending decision on time, and they should have the courage to make the decisions without spending too much time agonizing over them.

Time management is possible for even the busiest business persons running multinational organizations, and time management are critical for the right work-life balance.

5 Gym Accessories Must-Have to Boost Your Confidence Along with Fitness Clothing

One of the daily routines of many people’s lives is going to the gym. Many people visit the gym daily or many times a week as it is one of the best ways to remain active and stay fit. Many people are also looking to join the gym but do not know much about the accessories required and what it is like to join a gym and visit the gym regularly.

To boost the confidence of the people joining the gym, it is a smart choice to know the type of gym accessories required while joining a gym. Nowadays there are many trendy and fashionable options available in the market for fitness clothing.

The following are 5 must have gym accessories that help boost confidence for people to visit the gym:

5 Must Have Gym Accessories

  • Gym Bag

The most obvious type of gym accessories that are needed for joining and going to the gym is a duffle bag that can be used as a gym bag. There are various items that people carry to the gym that includes towels, water bottles, smartphones, snack bars, and other items. The good handy gym bag is the perfect accessory and to be trendy it should be a stylish bag that matches the women’s workout clothes.

  • Deodorant

One of the best ways to boost confidence in a person is a good deodorant or perfume. This means that carrying a deodorant is a very important gym accessory while visiting the gym. Workout clothes tend to get sweaty and stinky after a regular workout. So using a strong deodorant before and after a workout helps people smell good in the gym which helps in boosting confidence in the gym.

  • Towel

As mentioned above, going to the gym is about working out and exercising at the gym. Gyms make people feel sweaty and dirty after a long workout. Many times people also have a shower after the gym. It is a good idea to carry a towel to the gym also for just wiping off the sweat at the gym.

  • Resistance Bands

There are resistance bands that are used for different types of exercises at the gym. Gyms provide these bands but many people prefer to use their own resistance bands. People buy resistance bands with fitness clothing as it is a great confidence booster to be prepared before visiting the gym.

  • Running Shoes

Some workout sessions like cardio training on the treadmills need good quality running shoes. Whether people visiting the gym are wearing yoga clothes or other types of clothes, footwear is also a major accessory.

There is a long list of gym accessories that a person can carry to the gym. Some women like to carry makeup, some men like to carry energy drinks and most people like to carry their smartphones to the gyms. The above mentioned top accessories are the basic types of accessories needed for people who want to visit the gym in a confident way.

What Education Might Look Like in a Post Pandemic World?

The coronavirus pandemic ultimately shaped the world in a matter of weeks and has made every sector of the economy rethink their business models. One of the fields which did very well over the last few years is the education sector. In almost all developed and developing countries, higher education, foreign education, education at top institutes and some professional degrees have helped educational institutions mint money over the last two decades. Before the pandemic students were paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for degrees in top universities.

Pandemic Influence on Educational Institutions

The new academic year starts from between June and September of 2020, and most top institutes like Cambridge in the UK and ISB Hyderabad have started classes online. Most universities all over the world are expected to create online courses, and the college campus experience is non-existent in most places around the world. Till the coronavirus pandemic ends, educational institutions cannot function in the usual way, and this disruption will have a lasting impact on education in a post-pandemic world. The following are some ways how education might change in the post-pandemic world:

Education in the Post Pandemic World

Change in Business Model for Top Institutes

The decentralization of education has taken place over the last few decades. It means that there are more and more universities and colleges opening and education not concentrated in only IIMs, IITs, or Ivy League Schools. This pandemic will shut down many colleges and will again make the top schools with large endowments more popular. These schools like Harvard, Oxford, and other top schools will try to expand their student base and will control education in a much more centralized way.

The Hybrid Educational Model

The universities and colleges that survive the pandemic will likely have a campus experience, and an online experience degree offered to students. The fee structures will have to be reworked after the pandemic as students will not pay exorbitant fees for their degrees. The campus social distant experience in colleges could have an expensive fee structure. Hundreds of thousands of students could also get the same degree online at a much cheaper rate from top universities around the world. There will be no geographical limitations on education.

Investment in Education

Digital access is critical for education in the future as online education will become an essential part of education. Investment in new methods of education and also in educational apps is likely to increase over the next few years. Many corporate businesses looking for sectors to make new investments after the pandemic are likely to look at the changing education sector soon.

Adult Education Online

Educational degrees in the traditional sense are likely to change in the future. This means that as the world changes, old degrees will become outdated, and people will have to keep taking refresher courses in their fields every year to learn new aspects of their profession. Adult education is likely to flourish after the pandemic.

The COVID 19 crisis has changed the world, and education is likely to ultimately see overall as universities and colleges will learn to adapt to a new post-pandemic world.

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