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5 Practical Tips On Car Financing

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There are certain purchases that we all make that will affect us for years to come. Buying a car is one of those major expenses that we have to plan for on a monthly basis. Between the principle, interest, insurance and skyrocketing gas prices, cars are getting more expensive than ever. So before you leap into such a purchase, there are some basics that you need to know. Here are the absolute most important and practical tips to follow.

5. Improve Your Credit Beforehand

Before you even think about buying a car, do as much as you can to improve your credit. Take care of any delinquent accounts, make sure that all of your payments are on time and knock down the balances to as close as $0 as possible. Doing these things can improve your credit instantly so it’s not like you have to wait several years to improve your score. The higher your credit score, the better your interest rates will be.

4. No One Stop Shopping

One mistake that a lot of people make when buying a car is going straight to the nearest dealership and not considering a different car at any other location. The wisest thing you can do is to shop around and bring up the price that you were offered at that other dealer. Dealers will almost always try to go lower than their competition, so make them bid for your business rather than the other way around. Overall, this can save you hundreds if not thousands on the final price.

3. Shorter Terms are Better

While you’ll have to pay more per month toward the full purchase of your new car, getting a shorter term means that you’re paying much less overall. Shorter terms lead to a much lower total balance of interest. Sure, it would be nice to lower your down payments to something more affordable, but if you have the means, it makes much more sense to avoid higher interest.

2. Work on Your Down Payment

If you have cash on hand that you can spend toward your car purchase, use it. Just like it is with any loan, getting the financed amount lowered is going to help you in the long run. A lower balance, of course, means a lower amount of interest. Because used cars are more valuable now than ever, you can also use your current car as a form of down payment. Adding any extra cash you have on the down payment is a big added bonus.

1. Bide Your Time

It’s crucial that you pick the right time to buy a new or used car so that you’re getting the best deal. The best time to buy a car is toward the end of the year. It’s at that time that dealers are trying to offload the previous year’s inventory while also trying to hit their yearly quotas. Sticker prices will be much lower than they are in the beginning of the year. You should also keep an eye on interest rates. If lower rates line up with the end of the year, then that’s the time to pull the trigger.

5 Weird Magic Principles You Can Apply To Real Life

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The first field that people may think about that’s not related to an office, but you can apply real life lessons to, is sports. There’s a reason why so many people have quotes from players and coaches etched into posters, their email signatures, etc. However, the world of magic has just as many valuable life lessons as sports. Don’t believe me? Here are five principles used in magic that you can use in life immediately.

5. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Of all of the magicians that ended up becoming famous on a global scale, you can probably count on one hand how many of them didn’t have a mentor or teammates. Just like in the professional world, you’re not going to make it very far if you’re not a good team player. Magicians learn from each other, share experiences and help to propel their peers to the next level. This is generally great life advice, as you need to lift people up and, in turn, they will lift you.

4. Impress Yourself First

Have you ever had a time where you find yourself doing something and think “what’s the point?” These are feelings we get when we may accomplish a task we believe nobody will be impressed by. However, if finishing that task made you feel proud and impressed, it doesn’t matter what everyone else thinks. This applies to magic, as well, with some magicians’ favorite tricks being ones that aren’t massive crowd pleasers. As long as it makes you happy, that’s all that matters.

3. Cause and Effect

In everything in life, including magic, there is a cause and effect. After all, every action has a reaction. “We need to believe in free will to live,” magician Penn Gilette said. “Part of built into the way we live in order to remain sane is cause and effect. And in magic, you have separated cause and effect. You have a false cause and an unrelated effect very often.”

2. Misdirection

One thing that you absolutely must be able to perfect as a magician is the art of misdirection. This may sound like a shady thing because the first thought that pops up is lying to people by drawing their attention to something else. However, the magician’s form of misdirection has a more innocent connotation. Think of misdirection as putting someone at ease because they feel confident that they know the right answer. Misdirection is more of a teaching tool in terms of psychology in that people shouldn’t believe what they see or jump to conclusions too quickly.

1. Practice Makes Perfect

Whether or not you fully got into magic, there was a time when you were a kid and saw a magic trick and tried to replicate it yourself. Many aspiring magicians tend to give up pretty quickly after finding out just how hard it is to pull off a lot of the tricks, but there’s a tenacity you can learn from magic. Those that end up at the top of the field practice their craft until they can do it without thinking. This applies to just about any professional situation. Think of it like a basketball free throw, where some can do it with their eyes closed because they’ve practiced for so long.

5 Most Expensive Dog Breeds In The World

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Almost everyone loves dogs whether they have one or not. After all, almost 40 percent of homes in the United States have at least one dog, with a strong share of just about every breed imaginable. We all know that owning a dog isn’t cheap, costing around $1,800 per year with vet visits, food and more. What are the most expensive dog breeds, though? Here are the five costliest. Note: This list is in no particular order, also, as prices vary greatly by region. Naturally, there’s no MSRP on a dog.

5. Chow Chow

When you think of fluffy dogs, one of the first breeds that comes to mind is the Chow Chow. A breed that’s native to China, Chow Chows are very sturdy and large dogs that are ideal for families due to their loyalty and ability to protect. Chow Chows require a lot of grooming, which can help rack up the bill for keeping one quickly over its lifespan of about 12 years. At the very lowest, it costs around $1,000 per year to raise a Chow Chow. However, most find themselves paying $2,300 just to obtain one and spending around $3,200 per year.

4. Samoyed

Affectionately referred to as “Sammies,” the Samoyed is one of the most beautiful looking dogs no matter their age. Samoyeds hail from the Siberian region of Russia and are a medium sized breed that grows to around 20 inches in height. Mainly pure white in their coats, Sammies are also one of the most requested dogs for breeders. Getting a Samoyed isn’t overly expensive at around $1,000, but some can be up to $3,000. The average cost per year runs between $750 to $3,600.

3. Afghan Hound

Afghan Hounds are among the most identifiable breeds because of their unique coats and tails. These gorgeous dogs are large, but not very thick compared to those that are in the same height class. Coming in many different colors, Afghans have long legs and live for about 12 years on average. Getting an Afghan from a breeder runs about $1,000 and the yearly costs tend to fall between $2,000 and $3,000.

2. Tibetan Mastiff

One of the largest dog breeds in the world, the Tibetan Mastiff is also majestic and speedy. Keeping itself warm with a double coat, these dogs can thrive in harsh conditions and are used to doing work while also having a longer lifespan than most others of its size. Naturally, these dogs love to eat, so get ready to spend a lot on food. These boys are expensive as puppies, costing up to $5,000 from a breeder and $1,500 as a rescue while also adding $2,500 to $4,000 in yearly costs.

1. Shikoku

Not to be confused with the very similar looking Shiba Inu, the Shikoku is one of just a handful of dogs that are native to Japan. The Shikoku is a blend of several other breeds including Great Danes and St. Bernard’s, making them a very powerful and sought after dog. Standing at around 20 inches tall, Shikokus are a medium size dog that require a lot of care. A puppy from a breeder is around $4,000 with yearly costs reaching north of $3,000 on the lower end.

5 Great Magicians Most People Haven’t Heard Of

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When you think of the most famous magicians of all-time, a lot of them are still alive to this day. Names like Penn & Teller, David Copperfield and David Blaine come to mind, as well as departed names like Harry Houdini. While they’re obviously at the top of the heap in terms of all-time greats, there are some that aren’t remembered as well as they should be. Here are five magicians that most people have never heard of, but really should.

5. Howard Thurston

After running away to join the circus as a young child, magician Howard Thurston would go on to work with many of the others in the field that will be mentioned later on. Thurston, an Ohio resident, became a master of card tricks and his traveling show became the biggest in the United States, earning him recognition as the greatest magician of his time. It has been over 80 years since Thurston’s death, but many aspiring magicians still read his books on how to perform the basics.

4. Adelaide Herrmann

Many may have heard of Alexander Herrman (or Herrmann the Great as some called him), but his wife was also a legend in magic. So much so, in fact, that Adelaide Herrmann was referred to as the Queen of Magic. Herrmann was an expert in acrobatics and honed her illusionist skills early on in her career. Even after the death of her husband, Adelaide powered on and continued to dazzle audiences across the United States. She passed away in 1932, performing nearly the entire time.

3. Harry Kellar

It has now been over 100 years since the great Harry Kellar passed away, leaving less and less people knowing about his amazing legacy. One of the greatest American magicians ever, Kellar was the man on the scene before the likes of Harry Houdini. A mentor to Houdini, Kellar was famous for his sleight of hand and performed tricks like self-decapitation. During his retirement, Houdini sung Kellar’s praises, acknowledging him as the greatest of all-time.

2. Richiardi Jr.

When we say the name Aldo Izquierdo, you probably don’t know who we’re talking about. That’s the real name of magician Richiardi Jr. Then again, most don’t know that name, either. Richiardi Jr. was sort of a shock magician back in his day that would make appearances on national television, including “The Ed Sullivan Show”. Richardi passed away in September of 1985, but his influence isn’t lost on today’s magicians with many (including Criss Angel) citing him as one of the best.

1. P.C. Sorcar

Perhaps the most famous magician to ever come from India, P.C. (which stands for Protul Chandra) Sorcar was a global icon when he started touring the world in the 1930s. Anointing himself as the greatest magician in the world during his time, Sorcar had an affinity for traveling to Japan where he would put on shows that highlighted his Floating Lady routine. Sadly, he would pass away while in Japan of a heart attack in 1971 before global television could really his skills.

5 Fundamentals For A Long And Healthy Life

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Across the world, the average life expectancy is around 71 years for men and over 75 years for women. Because of these numbers, a lot of people expect that they’ll get to that age naturally without having to do anything extra. However, the people that live to that age and beyond almost all follow basic rules of longevity. There are a few key fundamentals that you must stick to if you want to live a long and healthy life, and here are the five most important ones. 

5. Hydration

Your body is made of water more than anything else, but yet, nearly half of Americans don’t get the daily recommended amount of water. You should make it a priority to get two to four liters of water per day, as the short and long term health benefits are never ending. Good hydration reduces your chances of certain types of cancers by up to 50 percent while also boosting your energy through the day, just to name a couple of the benefits. 

4. Mental Health

Mental health has thankfully moved to the forefront of the public eye and people are becoming more aware of their own mental health and those around them. It’s estimated that now 1 out of every 4 Americans have at least one mental disorder, and that’s just those that are diagnosed. If you feel like you may have a mental illness, it’s important to get help as soon as possible. This is because studies have shown that those with mental illness tend to live 10 to 20 years less than those that don’t.

3. Exercise

Many of us are tied to our desks for at least eight hours per day and then don’t have the mental or physical energy to fit in any exercise. Exercise should be placed into your everyday schedule, though. That’s because studies have shown those that get at least 7,000 steps in per day are likely to live much longer lives. Getting an hour in of brisk walking at the very least will manage your weight and help alleviate a multitude of health problems. 

2. Sleep

Due to the hustle and bustle of today’s world, a lot of people are sacrificing time in which they’d normally sleep to fit in other things. If you want to live a long and healthy life, though, it’s important to get the recommended amount of sleep. This is about 7 hours or more per night, which seems like a lot, but you shouldn’t scoff at that number. Those that get enough sleep greatly reduce their risk of heart disease, obesity, stroke and much, much more.

1. Nutrition

More and more, people are straying away from healthy and nutritional meals and opting for whatever is the fastest and cheapest. This has caused adverse health problems around the world, with the obesity rates in the United States alone climbing to around 42 percent in recent years. Because of this, life expectancy on average has essentially come to a standstill. Those that follow good nutritional habits, though, are seeing themselves live longer and longer. A good balance of vitamins, protein and good fats go a long way in your health.

5 Reasons You Should ALWAYS Use A VPN

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If you watch any YouTube video or listen to any podcast, there’s a good chance that you’ve already heard about VPNs but might not know what they are. VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, and allows you to connect to the internet from anywhere in the world safely and securely (are the script reads from the podcast ads stuck in your head now?). If you’ve been curious about what a VPN can do for you, here are five of the biggest reasons why you should dive in and start using them yourself. 

5. Don’t Let the Boss See You

With the advances in IT, there’s a good chance that your company’s department can see every single thing that you’ve done on the internet. Have you tried to download an extension for Chrome or, god forbid, try to play a game for a few minutes? Your boss probably knows about it. If you’re using a VPN, though, you can have more freedom to not be tracked to the point where it feels like a massive invasion of privacy. VPNs allow you to get around network restrictions without revealing your browsing history, which might come in handy if you’re perusing LinkedIn.

4. Staying Anonymous

It isn’t just your boss or IT department that you can remain hidden from when using a VPN. Overall, you can obtain peak anonymity when browsing the internet on a VPN. Your true IP address will remain hidden no matter where you’re connecting. Instead, those that are looking for you will only find a VPN that was generated in the area in which you selected, meaning that there’s no way you can be traced.

3. No More Throttling

Your internet service provider already nickels and dimes you for using just a kilobyte of data, so why not fight back? When you use a VPN, you can set your location to wherever you want and avoid being throttled or even charged more for going over the mysterious (and frankly unwarranted) data cap. Set yourself to a country that has high speed internet without those data limits and you’ll be flying through the web at a lightning pace.

2. Public Wi-Fi Safety

Anonymity tends to go hand in hand with online safety. If you want to prevent people finding out who or where you are when using a public wi-fi server, using a VPN is the way to go. This is also true for people that might be known to the public eye, like a streamer, for example. While using a VPN, your data is encrypted and even on a modem where a password isn’t required, you’re getting the top level of safety.

1. Access to Content

These days, we’re all being stretched pretty thin due to the amount of streaming services that are offered. Between Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and the countless others, there are many that you might only want to use to watch one thing. Instead of subscribing to all of these and using big bucks to watch that one thing, see if it’s available on a free site like YouTube in certain countries. Getting around region locked content is perhaps the biggest reason that casual internet users get a VPN.

5 Most Expensive Countries In The World

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Because of the global economy’s current state, there are a lot of people around the world that are looking for greener pastures, and it makes sense. You want to be able to have financial stability and have a place where you can safely raise a family. With higher quality of life, though, typically comes higher cost of living. What are the most expensive countries in the world? Here are the five that stand out the most.

5. Barbados

The second smallest country in terms of population in the top five, Barbados has around just 287,000 citizens and is situated in the Caribbean Sea. A haven for tourists, Barbados caters more to those that are visiting rather than living there. Though rent is much lower than it is in the US (more than 50 percent less), it still costs around $1,080 for a single person and $4,000 for a family of four to live there before rent.

4. Iceland

The first of the European countries on the list, the beautiful Iceland has a population of just around 370,000 and growing. The total estimated cost without rent for a person in Iceland is about $1,115 while a family of four is about $4,120. So what makes Iceland so expensive? There really isn’t much land on which you can live. The scarce housing and import costs make Iceland a bit more expensive, but with a solid GDP per capita, residents are able to manage.

3. Norway

One of the countries that is seen as a standard for quality of living, Norway has around 5.4 million residents and a very rich history. While it might be cheaper to rent an apartment or house in Norway compared to the United States at nearly 40 percent lower costs, everything else is going to be more expensive. Excluding the rent, Norway’s costs are about $1,100 per person and around $4,000 for a family of four. Norway residents don’t do too badly for themselves, though, with a GDP per capita of $62,183.

2. Switzerland

It won’t surprise many to see Switzerland on the list as the country is known for its financial prowess on a global scale. These days, Switzerland has a population of around 8.5 million people and boasts a GDP per capita in the top 10 worldwide at $66,307. The average cost of living without housing for a single person is around $1,500 per month while a family of four will have to spend around $5,400. Switzerland also boasts one of the highest purchasing power index ratings.

1. Bermuda

A territory comprising over 180 islands, Bermuda sits off the coast of North Carolina, although it’s a British territory. The current population of Bermuda is around 64,000. Choosing to live in Bermuda on your own, you’re likely to pay nearly $2,000 per month, and that’s without any rent payment. A family of four can expect to pay nearly $6,900. Bermuda also has the most expensive groceries in the world, as well as restaurants. The import costs alone are what make things so expensive in Bermuda, but the luxury living due to the banking industry also boosts things greatly.

5 Fundamentals MBA Students Master

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For those that have completed their undergraduate studies, there are a few options. You can either go into the working world or start to pursue your masters. For those in business administration, the natural next step is to pursue an MBA, which can be a daunting task. Before you consider making that leap, there are some things that you should already know by heart. Here are five of the fundamentals that each MBA student should have mastered.

5. Know How to Use a Financial Calculator

To the average person, simply looking at a financial calculator may be extremely overwhelming. For an MBA student, though, it’s something that should be used on a daily basis. Forget all of the algebra or graphing calculators, it’s a financial calculator that you should know inside and out. Thankfully, you don’t even have to drop hundreds of dollars on a physical calculator (though you probably should just to be safe) as there are many resources online to help guide you.

4. Learn the Stocks

You don’t have to be the best day trader in the world or lead an online revolution where you get everyone to invest in stocks of a certain used video game company, but you should at least know the basics on how the stock market works. MBA programs tend to not spend much time talking about the stock market, but having an entry level knowledge of its workings will set you up for both professional and personal success down the road. Think of it as an extracurricular activity that some feel should be required.

3. Get Advanced in MS Office

So you know the basics of Microsoft Word and Excel, which is great, but you better get very familiar with these tools (and the other Microsoft Office products) if you’re thinking about taking on an MBA. These are products that you’re going to use every single hour that you’re studying and eventually working in the professional field. Excel especially is perhaps the most complicated in MS Office, and you’ll be using it so much that you should know how to do nearly every single thing it’s capable of.

2. Time Management is Key

It should go without saying that you need to learn how to manage your time effectively. This is even more paramount for someone going through an MBA program. Unlike many other programs, you might find yourself with much less free time than a lot of your college peers. Because of this, always set a schedule well ahead of time, even if it means planning things out over a month in advance. It might not seem like fun now, but you’ll be thanking yourself later when you’ve mastered this skill.

1. Network and Talk with Alumni

For many, especially those that are introverted, it might be difficult to start talking to people about your MBA program. After all, it’s not something that you tend to bring up in a random conversation. Networking is key for MBA students, though, as it leads you down a lot of beneficial roads. Career opportunities will start popping up when you speak with alumni, and you can also get some tips on how to complete your program. The big takeaway is that your network will never be large enough.

5 Countries With The Biggest Defence Budgets

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Even in times of peace, it seems that countries around the world still find themselves in an arms race to be prepared for any sort of conflict and defend their nation from attack. With tensions escalating due to conflicts in eastern Europe, defense spending has only been increasing in the past year or so. With that in mind, which countries are the most well prepared in the event of a conflict on a global scale? Here are the five countries that spend the most money on their defense budgets as it stands right now.

5. Russia

Russia is a country that seems like it would be an obvious entry into the top five, though you might think it would be higher on the list. In terms of its percentage of GDP used on defense, however, Russia ranks higher than any country. It was announced that last year, Russia had spent $65.9 billion in defense. Due to the Ukraine War in 2022, expect that number to have a significant increase when the next reports come out.

4. United Kingdom

It might come as a slight surprise to see the United Kingdom toward the top of the list, but despite its size, no country has had more of a global impact. The United Kingdom was already at fourth on the list with $68.4 billion in spending in 2021, and that’s expected to increase quite dramatically when 2022 is wrapped up. “We need to invest for the long term in vital capabilities like future combat air,” former Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. “Whilst simultaneously adapting to a more dangerous and more competitive world.”

3. India

India hasn’t exactly been involved in many conflicts over the past several decades, at least not on a large scale. However, India clocks in with the third highest defense budget at $76.6 billion. The reason for the increase in recent years is India’s desire to be more self-reliant and join the ranks of the financial elite in the world. Rajnath Singh is the defense minister of India and says that using local infrastructure “will certainly boost the domestic defense industries,”

2. China

Countries like India, the United Kingdom and Russia have some fierce competition in the top five as numbers 6-10 are all very close, but China is a massive leap ahead of India in spending with $293 billion in 2021. That budget isn’t going to shrink anytime soon, either, as China is beefing up their defense to the tune of 7.1 percent over the next year. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said “We will move faster to modernize the military’s logistics and asset management systems, and build a modern weaponry and equipment management system.”

1. United States

You’re probably not shocked to see the United States sitting at number one by a comfortable margin, are you? With a defense budget of $801 billion, it’s not even close. That’s more than the rest of the top 10 combined. Just like China, the US defense budget won’t be going down, either. An increase to $813.3 billion was already approved for next year. With that, the United States and China will make up around 44 percent of the entire global spending on defense.

5 Magic Tricks That Went Spectacularly Wrong

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When magic tricks go right, it can be one of the most incredible sights in the world. People will gaze in wonder and attempt to figure out how that trick was pulled off. Unfortunately, there are times when magic tricks go horribly wrong. These miscues can end up injuring the performers, audience members or even result in death. There have been many instances where magic tricks have gone awry, but there are a handful that truly stand out, making global news in the process. Here are five of those tricks that magicians wish turned out differently.

5. Marcin Poloniewicz Hurts News Anchor

Not many people in the magic world know the name Marcin Poloniewicz, but the Poland native had a magic trick that went viral for the wrong reasons. While appearing on a morning talk show, Poloniewicz had one of the anchors take part in a three card monte variation where there was a nail hidden under a paper bag. He then took her hand to what he thought was the bag without the nail, but instead impaled that hand, which put her into obvious and immediate pain.

4. Princess Tenko

Born as Marikoa Itakura, Princess Tenko has been practicing magic since the mid 1970s and is thankfully still with us today. While performing a trick called ‘The Spikes of Death’ in Sabae City, Japan, Tenko placed herself into a box that had 20 blades drop down. However, the trick went awry and instead of avoiding the blades, she was struck multiple times. Tenko suffered injuries to her chest, back and head, nearly losing an eye in the process.

3. Wizard Mandrake

Tragedy struck in 2019 when Chanchal Lahiri attempted a trick where he was submerged underwater while wrapped in chains. Better known by his stage name Wizard Mandrake, Lahiri was in the Bengali River, but didn’t emerge from the water when he was supposed to. As a result, a search for his body took place, and it was too late. The 40 year old magician passed away, telling photographer Jayanta Shaw before the trick that “If I do it right, it’s magic. If I make a mistake, it becomes tragic.”

2. Joe Burrus

In 1990, a magician named Joe Burrus idolized Harry Houdini and considered himself to be his generation’s version of the legendary performer. With that, he attempted to escape from a concrete filled coffin on Halloween night. Sadly, the coffin would collapse under the weight of the mixture and those on hand rushed to save Burrus, but he was buried alive, passing away at just 32 years old.

1. Several “Bullet Catch” Tricks

One of the oldest magic tricks in the book, but also the most dangerous, is the bullet catch trick. This is when a magician looks like they’ve been shot at directly, only to emerge safely with a bullet between their teeth. While this has been pulled off countless times successfully, it has also resulted in multiple deaths. The first notable death came in 1840 when Arnold Buck was killed after his blank bullet was replaced with nails. The most recent came in 1918 when Chung Ling Soo attempted it, with technology cutting down on the accidents since then.