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ULIP Plans – Are They Worth Investing In?

ULIP Plans are the subject of considerable debate and discussion with regard to their viability as suitable investment avenues. What is important to understand is that ULIP Plans stand for unit-linked insurance plans. These are also known as endowment policies where there are two parts of the premium that you pay. One portion is used for offering life insurance coverage to the policy holder while the other portion is used for investing in bonds/mutual funds/equity. The investment component functions in the manner of mutual fund investments with customers allotted specific investment units.

Now, the big question is, are ULIP Plans suitable for investments? You should delve deeper into the intricate aspects of these plans before taking a final decision.

Things to watch out for

In mutual funds, management fees and charges are worked into the net asset value or NAV and declared at the outset. However, in case of ULIPs, there are additional charges which may not be part of the investment units allotted to you. Some charges are often imposed through the cancellation of units and hence there may be some confusion about the final maturity amount. Keep an eye out for the same from the start.

ULIPs are good instruments for tax saving purposes. They come with minimum lock-in periods of 5 years. In this period, you will be unable to surrender your policy and you cannot withdraw from the same as well. You will also be unable to change the policy or the insurance provider until the end of the tenor. Make sure that the insurance coverage offered in the ULIP is decent enough. While this will not be as much as a conventional term plan, it should cover your basic requirements.

Tax benefits that you can avail

ULIPs come with sizable tax benefits. Premiums paid for ULIP Plans are eligible for deductions up to Rs. 1.50 lakh annually under Section 80C. The tax benefits may be claimed for policies purchased for yourself, your children or your spouse. These benefits are available even for married daughters who are not staying with you at the moment.

If the premiums payable for ULIPs surpass 10% of the sum assured, then tax benefits will be limited to 10% of the sum assured under the policy. The claim amount upon death of the policy holder is fully exempted from taxation under Section 10 (10D).

ULIPs are suitable for whom?

ULIPs naturally come with varying degrees of market risks since there is an investment component as well. Since ULIP charges are usually issued upfront, it is ideal for those who are in their peak earning years.

Total charges on ULIPs usually come down in a progressive manner within a 10 year period and those with longer investment horizons and in their prime will benefit. It will benefit those who wish to have their investment and insurance goals linked into one integrated policy. The power of compounding through ULIPs and market gains could help you build a sizable corpus for meeting future goals.

The Best Time to Buy a House in Kuwait Is Now

Every year, as the Christmas season gives way to the new year, you resolve to have a better year, a fitter you, and the fulfillment of several wishes. But you look back and realize that there is one wish you have not yet been able to fulfill – buying a house in Kuwait. This year, you resolve that you will finally make this wish come true – and now you can

The rules for expats not being able to buy houses in Kuwait have now been relaxed, albeit with certain caveats. You can contact your preferred bank to find out how you can apply for a home loan and what the procedure for buying a house with a loan is like.

But the first step is to stay firm on your resolve to buy a house this year. If you are still on the fence about whether you should buy a property or wait till you have some savings, then our advice is: buy now, not later. Here’s why:

* Saving money is excellent, but house prices are not going to depreciate soon. Realty is expensive anywhere in the world, and the same applies to the Middle East and Kuwait. You might imagine that you will save up enough money to buy a house that costs, say KD 500,000 at the moment. But do note that by the time you amass the savings equivalent to that amount, the house price will have increased manifold!

* Instead of waiting to buy later and getting a house at a higher price, you should consider taking housing finance in Kuwait. Leading banks offer housing finance like the National Bank of Kuwait and even Islamic banks. The housing loan helps you buy the house of your dreams soon. You can use your savings to remodel the house, or buy a new car, etc.

* Living in rented accommodation as you do now, will only end up draining your monthly resources. The rent money you pay is never returned to you, so it ends up in a huge pile every year. Just think: this could be the money you pay towards your monthly housing finance EMI – and also have a house to call your own. Paying rent does not give you residency rights, or any ownership rights over the property you live in Kuwait.

How To Get Housing Finance In Kuwait

* Start by researching the housing loan you need. Leading banks like NBK offer housing loans for purchase, as well as refurbishing an existing house.

* Find out your eligibility. Your eligibility for housing finance in Kuwait is determined by your income, age, number of working years left, credit history, and the kind of house you are applying for. Ask the bank for details on your eligibility and how much loan amount you can expect to get.

* Look up the documentation process. Apart from a minimum salary requirement, you must also furnish your civil ID details, income proofs, office/business details, property document (copies), etc. You must also submit a completed application form with your documents. The bank studies the documents and inspects the property before giving the go-ahead on approval.

* Study the loan terms. The bank will have its terms for granting the loan to you. You might have to be an existing customer or at least transfer the salary account to the lending bank. You cannot be over 70 years old when the loan terminates, and your salary should be a minimum of KD 400 per month. Inquire about these terms when you speak to the bank about getting housing finance in Kuwait.

After this, you can apply for the housing loan online and await disbursal. You must give the bank time to check your credentials, the property you wish to purchase, and also verify the information you provide in the application form. Once this process is completed, the loan amount is disbursed to you in your account or cheque form.

Now all that remains is to buy the house of your dreams and move in – just like you resolved to do!

Get Your Parents The Best Bedroom With These Design Ideas

Designing a bedroom is a challenging but fun task. There are many designs you can refer to in architectural and interior design magazines. Brands selling home furnishings and online furniture brands also have many design ideas to share. You can pick and choose between latest trends, different colours and prints, fabrics and textures, and so on.

But designing bedrooms for senior citizens is a different ballgame. Their requirements are different, owing to their advanced years and accompanying health issues. If you are looking to redesign your parents’ bedroom, here are some remodel ideas:

* Check the bed height.

If either or both of your parents have arthritis of the hips or knees, then the bed height should be higher than the standard height of 2’6”. The higher bed makes it easier for the person to sit down on the bed and get out of it. However, the height should not exceed 3 feet. Get the bed height altered by a carpenter so that your parents can use it comfortably.

* Paint the room in a colour of their choice.

Your parents might have a preference for a certain colour scheme for the room. If not, then a simple off white or beige tone to the walls should suffice. You can even try soothing colours like bone green, ash grey or pale blue. But instead of keeping the walls bare, adorn them with photographs of the family, wall art or just a string of fairy lights for a cosy yet dazzling effect.

* Get them bed linen that is easy to maintain.

Your parents need appliances and furniture that will make their lives simpler without expending too much effort. The same applies to the bed linen. If they have bed sheets that require special washing and attention, then they are less likely to use them. When refurbishing their room, get bed linen in colours that they like, and which are easy to maintain.

Get bed sheets in a mix of plain colour block and some in prints. Double bed sheets from leading brands like Welspun are just the thing – you get a wide range of colours and patterns, while the bed sheets and pillow covers are easy to wash and maintain. You should also look at buying new cushions and pillows that offer proper neck support to cause less neck and shoulder pain.

* Install night lamps.

Senior citizens wake up more times in the night than younger people do. When your parents wake up in the night, they should have easy access to a night lamp so that they don’t have to stumble to the bathroom in the dark, or have to fumble around for their glasses.

We hope our tips for redesigning your parents’ bedroom help you in renovating their bedroom and helps you think of your own creative ideas.

How Can You Get A Fast Personal Loans For Meeting Wedding Expenses?

We all know that the wedding season is approaching with a full bang and we all are very excited about it. But are you also one of those who are getting married during the wedding season? If that is the case, then you shouldn’t just sit back and relax because the wedding expenses can be huge and sometimes a burden on your shoulder. If you are getting married this wedding season and if you don’t know what to do with the extreme expenses that happen during a wedding, then all you have to do is look for the different kinds of marriage loans or the wedding loans available these days. If you go online and check the numerous insurance companies, you will see that the various types of marriage loans available are very convenient and easy. They even make sure that the burden on your shoulder is less and they will provide you with the maximum amount which you might need during the entire wedding. Wedding loans are something which is really very helpful these days and if you are getting married, then it is a must to do while you are looking for the best wedding to happen for yourself.

There are many reasons as to why you should get yourself a marriage loan or wedding loan is because it will help you bring down the cost of the entire wedding and will take away the extra pressure which you have on your mind. Why you should avail of a personal loan or a wedding loan while you are getting married is because it is very convenient and easy and it will help you and will make your wedding a success. You will see that getting a wedding loan or marriage loan is not a big deal because everything falls in place kinds and all you have to do is go through the information and the terms and conditions applied to the loan. Once you are well known with the terms and conditions to the loan, all you have to do is check them properly and get yourself enrolled or get yourself one of these wedding loans.

So, if you are getting married this wedding season, you don’t have to worry because you can get yourself the most appropriate marriage loan available in the insurance companies. All you have to do is check the official website online and you can go to the benefits and facilities that come with the loan. You can also see that you can make the payment online; therefore, it is very convenient and easy for you to types the payment. You don’t even have to run from the company to your house or from your home to the company because you can do everything online and it has become very convenient these days.Hence, you can enjoy your wedding and make it a grand success with the help of a simple marriage loan or a wedding loan.

Banking & PSU Debt Funds- Learning More About The Same

Banking and PSU Debt Funds lend only to Banks and PSUs. Banks and PSUs are high-quality borrowers hence, there is no chance of default. This is the reason why these funds are stable and risk-free. Only if the interest rate goes up, these funds are affected. The time horizon for investment in these funds is 2-3 years. As borrowers are either large banks or government-backed organizations, there are zero risks of non-payment. These Banking and PSU Debt Finds give you more returns than Bank Fixed Deposits, and moreover, these are risk-free.

These types of funds are recently introduced. The funds were earlier known as short-term funds. The investment of these funds is mainly in a blend of bonds and debentures issued by banks and public sector undertakings. It makes these portfolios of high credit quality. Bonds and debentures of PSUs enjoy the highest credit rating. The reason for these looked upon with the highest credit rating is these are owned by the government.

Bonds and debentures of these institutions are rated as AA or AAA. A triple-A or a double A-rating depends on the tenure of the fund. These are of highest credit quality. Banking and PSU funds mostly invest in government bonds because it is much safer to invest in them. Safety is of paramount importance in these investments. As an investor, you are secure and safe knowing that your money is invested in government bonds. Though returns are low in these investments, these are popular investment options due to safety and security of investment.

With high credit quality maintained over a long period of time, Banking and PSU Funds have been quite resilient. It has not been hit by the credit upheavals in the market. Due to their high quality and high credit portfolio, these funds enjoy high liquidity. Keeping this fact in mind, these are traded well. Fund managers buy and sell these bonds and, in the process, they capture good pricing opportunities. Fund managers can switch between short-term and long-term maturity. It depends on the interest rate.

In a situation when the interest rate is falling, these bonds have the ability to provide sound capital appreciation. Banking and PSU Funds have benefitted by a repositioning of its portfolio from medium term to long term bonds.

These funds, in the past, have given steady returns of around 9%. These funds are attractive to debt fund investors due to their high credit rating and high liquidity that is inherent in these funds.

Hence, to gain interest higher than Bank FD and to keep the fund risk-free, Banking and PSU Funds are quite suitable.

Why Young Adults Too Need Health Insurance

Life of young adults goes through a critical phase while growing up to be adults. They, too are susceptible to illnesses and medical emergencies like adults. We need healthy, skilled and productive young people in society. It is the responsibility of parents to provide holistic care to them including shielding them against illnesses and medical problems. There are insurance companies such as Edelweiss Tokio Health Insurancewho have attractive health insurance plans for young adults.

Nowadays, disease, disability and death can strike anyone including the young adults. According to data, Indians are more prone to heart disease, kidney ailment and other primary medical conditions that the citizens of the rest of the world. A majority of the population in India who are below 50 suffer from heart-related problems. They require such diseases that require immediate medical attention including hospitalization. Most of the Indians are deprived of proper health care facilities.

With the escalation of the cost of treatment and the spiralling cost of medicines and hospitalization, every person should have a health insurance cover. , buy health insurance coverage for young adults because when they are young, the premium will also be on the lower side. Buying health coverage also means you are buying more excellent coverage. If a member of your family, including young adult, get sick and hospitalized, the cost may be disastrous to your finances. You can protect your finances provided you have bought a health insurance policy not only for you but also for young adults in your family.

Surprisingly a decline in good health is observable among the young population of India. Today’s young generation is subjected to a faster pace of life, stricter competition among themselves, and harder targets to achieve. With the advent of globalization, the burden on the youth to make and keep pace with the fast-paced world is increasing. They suffer from burnout, fatigue and frustration. Frustration leads to depression, a bad psychological condition. All this is telling on their health. Failure leads to disappointment and frustration to deep depression. All his leads to psychosomatic aberrations that might turn into a medical nightmare.

Edelweiss Tokio Health Insuranceoffers coverage to young adults also apart from other members of a family. It provides maximum protection to the insured members at an affordable price. Edelweiss Tokio Health Insurance has many types of plans for different echelons of the populace. The company also provides a provision for inclusion of a beneficiary mid-term in case of childbirth or marriage. The premium will be proportionately adjusted.

Young adults, too need health insurance because they also are vulnerable to diseases and unforeseen medical emergencies.

Shoe Rack Designs- The Latest Ones Worth Checking Out

There are numerous ways in which you can design your shoe rack cabinet. You can even get yourself a shoe rack cabinet that reflects the trendy and latest ideas available in the market. You will find numerous shoe rack designs online and can get the idea on why you need a new shoe rack design. The old ones have already become very very old and you really need a new one and the trendy ones in your place. Therefore, if you want, you can go online and check the numerous designs available and you can even get yourself one of the best shoe rack design and live up to the trendy ideas that are going on these days in the country.

Firstly, you can look for some miniature cubby shoe organiser because it is also which is beautiful and it is unique and trendy these days. You can decorate them properly or you can even give it some bright colours and it will look pretty and unique. Therefore if you are still wondering whether you should get yourself shoe rack design, then this is absolutely a go-to option that you can definitely choose this.

You can even check the wooden shoe cabinet designs which are available online because wooden cabinet designs are always trendy and are always in fashion because it will give your house the vintage yet trendy look. Therefore, if you want a reasonable shoe rack design, then you should definitely look up for the wooden shoe rack designs available in India because you will get the best shoe rack designs and you will be even following the trend as well as give your house a retro yet vintage look.

you can even look for some shoe cabinet folio because this will provide you with some amazingly beautiful and unique look. You can even give it a solid white colour so that it gives them an elegant look to your house and you can even keep it at the side part of your house to make it look cute and adorable. Therefore, it is also something trendy and you can definitely go for this option too.

You can even choose shoe pyramids stairs these days which is really very trendy these days and something which you should choose because this looks pretty amazing and is really very beautiful to look at that. Therefore, you will have a lovely time if you choose this particular design.

These are the following designs you can look for while you are planning to put a shoe rack in your home. These are the shoe rack designs which you can follow. You can even check the online shops that provide you with this amazing shoe rack designs. Check these while you are planning to get yourself a shoe rack.

How To Craft A Successful Campaign For Your Client In Jeddah: 5 Ways

Advertising is all around us. It permeates our lives with both direct and subliminal messaging. And yet, only a few ads remain with consumers long after the campaign has ended. How do brands and advertising agencies ensure recall value via a successful campaign?

They follow these 5 basic steps:

Step 1: Understand the market.

Leading advertising agencies in Jeddah rely on the latest market insights to craft the brand message. However, the advertising and marketing effort will come to nought if the agency fails to crack the brief on the market itself. Market understanding is backed by targeted research and deep study of ground realities: there is no point releasing ads for products and/or beverages that are not allowed to be consumed, by law, for example. Sensitivity to local customs and norms, and a thorough understanding of history and culture are crucial to the success of the campaign.

Step 2: Formulate a clear strategy.

Advertising agencies work closely with sales and marketing teams to formulate a strategy that is succinct and impactful. All teams work in tandem to crack the client’s brief before crafting the message. The ad agency must understand the brand ethos while crafting the campaign around the end user. From here emerges the strategy that the marketing and sales teams will run with. The final strategy incorporates client vision, brand/product USP, the creatives, promotion objectives, ROI plan, and so on. It is then approved by the client before being implemented.

Step 3: Have many backup plans.

We’ve all heard the term ‘Plan B’: it indicates a contingency plan to be used when the main plan goes awry. When working on a campaign, it is always the brightest idea that becomes Plan A – but advertising agencies also keep Plans B, C, D and E in reserve. These may be less impactful than Plan A, but they are still bound to get the message across. For example, suppose an advertising agency in Jeddah crafts a campaign to be released in malls. But on the day of the campaign, they must pull the plug on it due to a sudden technical glitch. In this case, the agency must be ready with Plan B, i.e. a digital ad blast for the product.

Step 4: Be current.

It is important to study successful campaigns of the past. But what worked, say, five years ago, might seem dated today. Agencies must target a generation glued into social media and mobile phone technology with messaging that is relevant to the times. Innovation is a buzzword for successful advertising in Jeddah.

Step 5: Use tools wisely.

Every campaign has its own unique tech demands. An OOH campaign requires different tools from say, a billboard or print campaign. Also, not every campaign needs every possible channel. Client budgets and the medium that will best articulate the messaging, are crucial. For example, a new campaign for baby food may target only social media and malls/grocery stores, but not billboards.In advertising parlance, the medium is the message – but only when backed by budget, an ROI plan and a clear strategy, as the above points illustrate.

How to spruce up a drab bathroom: Simple tips

The bathroom is one of the most .important but often the most overlooked space in most homes. Most people’s idea of bathroom redesign involves laying new tiles and changing the water closet and wash basin. But a well-furnished bathroom is an inviting space, which draws you in with a soothing ambience, a mild fragrance and soft lighting.

Here’s our list of simple tips to enliven your bathroom from drab to fab:

* Redo the bathing area. Whether you have a shower stall or a bathtub in your bathroom, the bathing area must be demarcated from the rest of the space. You can depress the shower stall about two inches lower than the rest of the floor level – this provides the necessary division and helps to drain the shower water. A bright shower curtain in the area also works. Or you can set a side table next to the bathtub, with a stunning bath mat on one side. The side table is not just chic but practical, too – store your soaps, hair and skin products inside it, and decorate with a slim vase of flowers on the top.

* Do away with boxy cabinets – fit a shelf above the wash basin. Most bathrooms have personal hygiene, hair, skin and cosmetic products in the bathroom. These can be stowed away conveniently in a cabinet above the wash basin – except, it takes up too much space and is not an aesthetically pleasing option. Instead, fix a long shelf – about triple the length of the wash basin – above the basin and place your products in a neat line on the shelf.

* Towel baskets. Towel baskets offer a visually pleasing and practical solution to the problem of where to keep your bath linen. Instead of punching holes and hooks in the walls to hang your towels and napkins, get a towel basket to hold your bath linen like bath towels, hand towels and even bathrobe. Roll the towels neatly after they are dry, and place the basket near the bathtub or shower stall.

* Get new towels. While we’re on the subject of towel baskets, it would be prudent to suggest buying new towels online. You can get superb towels online from leading brands like Spaces, in different colours and prints. You can buy special kids’ towels, hand towels and face flannel as well. Display your new bath linen well in your bathroom for a much-needed colour pop.

* Change the lighting. After a long day of work, all you can think of is soaking your exhaustion away in a bathtub of warm water. While you might have a magazine, your favourite music and scented candles to create the right bath ambience, the harsh overhead light ruins the mood. A relaxing bathroom ambience is created with soft uplighters. Install dimmer switches so that you can control the intensity of light in the bathroom based on your needs.These simple tips will change the look of your bathroom without breaking the bank. Which ones do you like?

How to Get Even With Acne In Dubai

It is fast becoming a watchword in acne treatment, and Isotretinoin is something of a star in this arena. It is an effective treatment for severe acne that appears discoloured and which leaves scarring and pits on the skin.

What Is Isotretinoin?

Severe forms of acne call for inventive ways to deal with it. Many women in Dubai experience acne outbreaks from time to time. They may be brought on by stress, unhealthy diet or poor blood circulation, among other factors. Aging and internal health issues may also cause or aggravate acne.

When acne becomes a severe problem and starts affecting your looks and confidence, then you might need a more stringent method to control it. Experienced dermatologists in Dubai are increasingly using substances like Isotretinoin to treat the problem.
Isotretinoin is a chemical available in capsule form. It is a retinoid that works on severe acne by changing the sebum profile of the skin. It also influences the skin texture since it works on the skin’s inner layers and tissues.
It is used on acne that does not respond to other treatments and medication. It is a strong chemical that must be strictly taken under doctor’s supervision in the required doses. The doctor may also recommend a specific diet for a few months while you take Isotretinoin.
It gets to work by blocking the skin’s oil ducts for a temporary time. Severe and recurring acne is seen in those that have overactive sebaceous (or oil) glands. The chemical shrinks the glands in size, and this helps in controlling the production of sebum. Soon, less acne appears on the skin since excessive oil is not present to trap dirt and cause bacterial build-up.
Isotretinoin is also beneficial in killing acne-causing bacteria. With the bacteria gone, less acne is created and there is a reduced chance of blemishes and scars as well.
With the skin now able to regulate the secretion of oil and with less bacterial build-up, new skin cells can be generated and existing ones repaired. The skin is able to trap more moisture to keep the skin plump and soft. Meanwhile, it starts to regain elasticity and works on removing the blemishes and scars left behind by acne.

It Also Has Other Benefits

Since it has a corrective effect on the skin’s tissues and inner layers, Isotretinoin also shows other benefits for the skin. Apart from correcting scarring and severe acne, it also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Your skin also feels plumper and more elastic than before. In some cases, it has been seen to reduce pigmentation and dull patches on the skin. But do note that Isotretinoin is primarily and strictly used only on severe forms of acne, and not for other skin problems.

But Here’s the Thing…

Dermatologists are increasingly using Isotretinoin for acne treatments in UAE. But it is a treatment to be administered only by experienced doctors who have tested its efficacy over a certain period. It cannot be taken by yourself at home, and is only useful under the guidance of the doctor.

Leading skin care clinics like Kaya are recommending Isotretinoin for acne in UAE, based on the severity of the problem, the composition of your skin, your health profile, and so on. Women who are pregnant, or those with pre-existing conditions like diabetes, liver disease, Autism Spectrum or mental health issues like depression, heart disease and asthma cannot use this treatment plan.
You might need the treatment for about 6 to 8 months. During this time, you must adhere to the doctor-prescribed diet, stay away from waxing and sunbathing, and limit the use of skin serums and creams unless prescribed by your dermatologist.
There are some side effects entailed in the treatment as well. These include headaches, blurring of vision, hives or rashes on the skin, weak muscles, joint pain, respiratory issues, and even excess hirsuteness on the face.

Your path to acne-free, unblemished skin is now easier with the use of Isotretinoin. But be sure to enlist the help of expert dermatologists from leading skin care clinics like Kaya before choosing it.