If you are looking to really take the next huge step in your career and start your very own business, you might be wondering what options there are to get that first lump sum of cash to get things off the ground.

Sure, you could stroll over to your nearest bank and ask for a traditional bank loan, but in 2019, there are so many more options are fingertips. The reason why you may want to consider other options are pretty obvious.

First off, because banks are massive corporations, they have pretty strict guidelines when it comes to who is able to take out a small business loan. If you have any marks on your personal credit, for example, you could be a sitting duck.

On top of that, traditional loans are hard to apply for and can take a long time to gain approval. If you are looking to strike the market fast, their archaic way of business might not suit your needs.

Finally, because banks have a lot of costs to keep their doors open, interest rates can be quite high. Making it harder to actually start making a profit with your brand-new business.

So, what are the alternative options at your disposal when it comes to funding your business?

Continue reading to find out. Read more

The United Kingdom is composed of 70% agricultural land. As such, selling farmland remains one of the easiest ways to gain profit from your property. Traditionally, farms are sold and purchased through auctions. But the age of digital marketing, as well as legislative changes, are reshaping the way farms in the UK are bought and sold.

Auctioning off farmland remains a popular method especially for selling off small blocks or farms and in some cases when it involves a probate property sale. But real estate agents now have the capability of reaching a more extensive clientele because of online advertising and digital marketing. This translates to the increase of conducting farm sales & purchases through a private treaty. Read more

If you’re planning on going into business for yourself, you probably already know it will cost a lot.  What you may not realize is just how much.

According to the AARP, the average cost of starting up a business is around $30,000. That’s a lot of investment for something that has a high potential for failure. Statistics show that 80% of new businesses fail before they reach their tenth year.

If you are committed to starting your own business, be smart about it. Put your money where it will serve you best by investing in these five critical areas. Read more

The American dream has certainly changed. In our parents’ time, the dream was to get a stable job you could retire from, own a home, and start a family. Today, it’s very rare for employees to stay with the same company for 30 years. People are much slower to get married and have children than in the past. Home ownership is now outpaced by renting. It’s safe to say – things are different.

When it comes to work, even the very definition has changed. It used to be defined by an office setting, with a 9 to 5 work schedule, a suit and tie, and saving towards retirement. Now, younger members of the labor force are abandoning security to pursue freedom. They want to work their own hours, be their own boss, and live the life they desire right now, not when they’re 60.

If you’re one of these people, you’ve got a rough road ahead. It’s tough to be your own boss, and cut yourself off from the security of a salary job. But if you succeed, you can join the small percentage of people who are pursuing the lives they always dreamed of, without having to ask for vacation time to do it.

To help you get started, here are five effective ways you can turn your skillset into a sustainable career. Read more

Everybody has an activity that they enjoy doing during their free time. What if somebody told you that you could make your hobby pay?

The internet’s popularity is at its record high. With a little creativity, you could use the web as a platform to monetize your hobbies. This extra income could come in handy in helping you achieve your financial goals. Read more

Earning your living as a full-time freelancer has its upsides, and it’s downsides. On the one hand, your freelancer lifestyle means that you’ll be able to achieve a better work/life balance and set your own schedule. You can even avoid the annoying commute to work each morning if you’re happy to work from home. However, as a freelancer, you’re also in a position where your income is never completely guaranteed.

The good news is that just because your money is often unpredictable as a freelancer, that doesn’t mean that you can’t do things to improve your income management strategy. As a full-time and self-employed freelancer, there are various strategies you can put in place to give yourself financial peace of mind.

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