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job

Company outing with a difference: off to the trampoline park with the workforce

Company outing with a difference: off to the trampoline park with the workforce

Company outing as an event: for fitness together in the trampoline park

In the trampoline park, a company party, no matter what time of year, will definitely be great fun for all employees. Older colleagues don’t have to do without the fun in the trampoline hall, because trampoline jumping is easy on the joints, is a lot of fun and is possible at any age. Smiling faces are not uncommon in a trampoline park, because the real jumps in the air release happiness hormones and actively reduce stress. A company can only wish for such success and happy employees after the company party and every participant can work out in the trampoline park to their heart’s content and – despite exercise – finally recharge their batteries.

Let yourself go: the trampoline park offers the opportunity to do so

Romp around on a huge trampoline area together with colleagues and boss, practice ball games or even somersaults – the possibilities are manifold. There is the right thing for every employee – of every age and with every condition. The additional offers such as a scavenger pit, gladiator arena, ninja course and Co. strengthen team spirit and promote competition in a playful way. Here, coaches from the trampoline park can offer guidance and assistance and turn the company outing into an experience for everyone. A trip that no one will soon forget.

Company outing with a difference: a trampoline park offers numerous advantages

In addition to the basic idea of ​​spending time together and using up a certain budget, company outings should also pursue other important company goals. Internal team building, expanding business relationships with business partners – the possibilities in the trampoline park are diverse and everything is possible. Employees, customers and business partners can have fun together on the jumping surfaces and have fun together in a completely informal way and thus get in touch faster. The shared experience connects and offers topics of conversation for the next meeting, albeit in a different setting.

Booked quickly and easily: company outing in the trampoline park

A little research or a good recommendation from the staff will quickly find you the right trampoline park nearby. Click on the home page and look for the reservation calendar. Now all you have to do is select a suitable time slot and send the reservation. The planning for the next trip with the employees is done.

Cooled drinks, a restaurant area and parking spaces are on site – so you don’t have to worry about a nice end to the “work” done. Incidentally, carrying an action cam is permitted on the jumping areas in modern trampoline parks, giving you the opportunity to capture the successful company event in a simple way for funny presentations for posterity. You can also present successful snapshots and short videos at the next annual review or even on your company website. Another good reason why young and motivated employees would like to introduce themselves to your company.

Want more trampolines – How about a trampoline area in the company?

Your employees are so enthusiastic about trampoline jumping that you, as an employer, are even considering having your own trampoline area at work? This is possible and not uncommon, because the Federal Working Group for the Promotion of Posture and Exercise (BAG), funded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, takes care of health at work. For this purpose, the project of the “lovely offices“, in which swinging trampolines also play a major role. The aim of the project is to ensure more movement in the workplace. This not only benefits the employees, but also helps the employer. Namely through more concentrated and healthier employees as well as fewer absences due to illness.

Get your employees up to peak performance

A trampoline in the office may sound unusual at first. But many trampoline models are really ideal for making everyday office life more active. A classic mini trampoline already offers a plus in movement. The elastic rubber bands used here enable swing exercises that are particularly easy on the joints. In this way, employees can swing healthily during their breaks, relieve the strain on their backs and allow their entire body sufficient exercise, especially in everyday work. Of course, it would be even better to set up a trampoline room or set up the company Trampoline in the outdoor area. The advantage is that colleagues can meet together at a trampoline location to work out in a healthy group.

Sports trampoline built into the floor: jumping fun at work

So-called sports trampolines, which are available with and without a safety net, are particularly suitable for sports sessions in between. The advantage of the variant with a safety net is that nobody can accidentally fall next to the jumping mat when jumping higher. If you omit the safety net completely on the sports trampoline, which is set up at ground level, you can also do various exercises such as sit-ups and Co. on the edge protection. The exercises and possible uses are even greater in this case and even Pilates and yoga exercises can be carried out on the soft, springy jumping mat.

Trampolining is extremely healthy, recommended by doctors and offers employees a perfect workout every day – right at work! In addition, trampolining is an ideal support for losing weight and treating physical ailments. It is also interesting that trampoline swinging is three times more effective and healthier for the body than jogging – and it is also easy on the joints! Trampoline jumping – an ideal sport for employees who should get to work healthy and lively.

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Home Garden

Tips for choosing the right shower fitting

Tips for choosing the right shower fitting

Mounting: wall mounting or flush-mounted?

When buying a shower faucet, you should first answer the basic question of what type of installation you want. There are basically two types of mounting: The concealed faucet and the exposed fitting.

In the Shower fitting for flush mounting The technology of the fitting is installed in the wall and thus disappears under the plaster. The advantage is that it saves space in the shower, while at the same time making it appear larger and minimizing the risk of injury.

The second option is the Wall mounted shower faucet It is usually chosen when you do not want to interfere with the existing water pipes and want to replace a defective fitting. Compared to the concealed faucet, the maintenance is also much easier.

service

In addition to the type of installation, shower fittings also differ in their operation. Single-lever mixers, two-handle mixers or shower thermostats are common.

It is undoubtedly widespread single lever mixer. The fittings not only look visually appealing, but are also practical. In particular, setting the water temperature and the strength of the water jet with just one hand and a lever is very convenient. When buying a single-lever mixer, make sure that there is a ceramic cartridge, which is additionally enhanced with technological functions.

two-handle mixer are perfect for a retro-style bathroom, but they are quite demanding in terms of water consumption.

Are very modern and practical Shower fittings with thermostat. They contain a temperature lock and thus prevent the risk of scalding, which is particularly important for children. In addition, the water temperature and the water jet remain constant. You can adjust the temperature and the intensity of the water jet either by turning the appropriate handle or by pressing a button.

Modern technologies and design

Nowadays the choice is on designs almost infinite. While some are inspired by industrial style, others are inspired by nature. There are also fittings in gold tones, white, black, chrome or stainless steel and many other designs. Also pay attention to special surface coatings. These can help increase the mechanical resistance of the surfaces and maintain gloss and color fastness. In addition, they are easier to care for. The shape of the shower fitting is also important. It is best to choose a shower faucet that matches the style of the bathroom and is from the same collection as the basin and bath faucet.

In addition to the design, you should also pay attention to the included technologies throw. There are shower fittings that are equipped with water-saving functions or that make the showering experience more pleasant overall.

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Organization

Get out of the comfort zone – this is how you do it!

Get out of the comfort zone – this is how you do it!

This is often only possible with considerable effort, courage and a willingness to take risks. And who likes doing that? The following ideas show how it can still succeed…

First idea: perseverance is rewarded

self management
means that you are able to set and achieve goals yourself. It is particularly important to have a high level of stamina, because you should not throw in the towel at the slightest difficulty. Whereby: With the best will in the world, it is not always easy not to let yourself be dissuaded from the goal you have chosen, despite the obstacles that arise, and to consistently head towards the goal.

But it can be done. Especially if you not only show perseverance, but also a high degree of flexibility. So be focused on your important projects, but don’t be too stubborn. And then another great danger lurks for you: distractions of all kinds. Allow yourself to get bogged down, your schedule becomes wasteful and you also lose the desire to continue. But if you concentrate fully on your goal, you will achieve it.

Second idea: change your behavior

I might also add: another won’t do it for you. While it’s always easy to blame other people or circumstances – the government, the environment, the economy, the weather – but in reality it’s always up to you. Only when you change, you get a big step closer to your goals. The Austrian-American philosopher and communication scientist Paul Watzlawick said: “If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten. If you want something else, you have to do something else!”

In other words, if you want to achieve something new, you have to get out of your comfort zone and change your previous behavior. It’s difficult, but it’s the only way to gain new experiences and calmly face the obstacles that come your way.

Third idea: Don’t get discouraged

You all choose your goals for good reasons. Either the benefits are just too great not to tackle them, or the downsides too immense to leave things as they are. And because that is the case, you should also stand by the project you have made. Don’t let notorious whiners, complainers or know-it-alls have their say and, above all, don’t make yourself dependent on their opinion. You can safely do without their advice, because they only want to spoil your goals.

Why? Because they themselves have had bad experiences of one kind or another and now they think they know best what is good for them and what is not. Do not expect any support from these contemporaries. Listen to their suggestions – even if you have to – but then go your way anyway. After all, no one can take responsibility for your actions from you. Go through with your concept and should the obstacles on the way get too big, then adapt your plan and your behavior to the new circumstances.

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Travel

Travel planning 2020 – this is how the holiday will be a success

Travel planning 2020 – this is how the holiday will be a success

set goal

It doesn’t matter whether someone wants to travel alone or with friends or family. The travel destination always has to fit. Of course, it is more difficult to commit to a goal in a group. But how does that work? Some ideas:

  • create a list – each fellow traveler makes a list of exactly three travel destinations. Destinations should be specified as precisely as possible. Example: »Mallorca, Ballermann«. At the end it is compared.
  • find matches – are there certain similarities? It is certainly advantageous if the travel destinations match anyway. However, different goals can also be reduced to a common denominator. Beach destinations have the beaches, the sea and good weather in common.
  • find a compromise – Ultimately, of course, you have to set a goal. If there is no agreement, it makes sense to determine the goal in turn every year. In the long run, no one goes away empty-handed or can feel left out. Tip: Write as many numbers on each piece of paper as you want to travel with. Now the pieces of paper are crumpled up, placed in a bowl, shuffled and finally drawn. Depending on the number drawn, the winners of the next vacations will be announced.

Safe rules should be established in advance for the selection. It makes sense to also tell children what the budget is and to explain that a cheaper holiday leaves more scope for local activities.

Search for offers and determine the best prices

While at that time those who loved to travel had to go to the travel agency and could only choose from the catalogs of the organizers with whom this travel agency worked, today the Internet is available to them. Finding and comparing deals is relatively easy:

  • travel portals – there are many travel portals where vacationers can search for a destination and compare prices. However, it always makes sense to use two or three portals side by side. The prices can vary, especially since individual portals still offer vouchers or bonuses.
  • content – the price alone should not decide, it always depends on the content. How is the tasting going? What does the beach offer? If, for example, there is a charge for sun loungers or parasols for hotel guests and an umbrella costs EUR 5.00 per day, these costs add up.
  • experiences – it’s no secret that the descriptions of hotels and travel destinations sometimes deal with existing problems in a very creative way. A newly built hotel, for example, may not yet have any outdoor facilities, while a “centrally located hotel” may not be close to the beach, but may be on the main thoroughfare. Testimonials from other hotel guests often paint a better picture, although several reviews must be read and checked for consistency.

It is also important to calculate and compare the ancillary costs related to the holiday. What about rental car costs? What offers are there in the hotel or on site for children? What are the costs?

clarify financing

Of course, a vacation can be financed from your own funds, i.e. from your account. However, it is becoming increasingly common for vacations to be funded. There are several options here:

  • tour operator – they offer to pay for the holiday in several installments before departure. However, there are also tour operators who allow complete financing over a certain period of time.
  • own credit – Holiday loans or short-term loans are quite common for travel. The advantage is that the traveler can look for the provider himself online and has the opportunity to compare conditions and repayments with each other. The loans often have a term of only 12 months and are therefore paid off quickly.

Sometimes it pays to finance your vacation instead of using up your own funds. The personal reserve is retained.

Entry and formalities

Depending on the country of travel, special formalities have to be fulfilled. Even within Europe, travelers have to make sure that their identity card is still valid – provisional ID cards are often not recognized at the airport. Passports are required outside the EU. Children traveling with you must always have a passport. Depending on your destination, you may also need a visa.

On the other hand, there is the question of vaccinations or special insurance. The Federal Foreign Office provides information about the recommended vaccinations. There is a rule of thumb here that also applies to ID cards and visas: Inform in good time, because issuing or revaccinating can take several weeks.

packing list

It differs, of course, depending on the type of vacation and destination. But from skiing holidays to trekking holidays to beach holidays, the packing list is important. It should be started early so that all the items that are still needed can be acquired. Especially to think about:

  • adapter – which sockets does the travel destination use? Even if some hotels rent out plug adapters, it makes sense to take your own with you on holiday.
  • charging cable – they must be sought out and laid out in good time. Since almost all devices today have a battery, it can be a daunting task to find the cables and take them all with you on vacation. Tip: Provide each cable with a label that says the device.
  • travel pharmacy – it should also be put together in good time, as it is easy to forget. Which means and aids are needed depends on the holiday.

Conclusion – the holiday can come

Compromises always have to be found in the group, but in the end there is always a holiday destination that everyone involved likes. Now it’s time for the real preparation. What does the expiry date of the ID card say? Is it still valid? For long-distance travel that requires a visa, applying in good time is the be-all and end-all. Depending on the embassy, ​​processing can easily take three months – and the plane will refuse entry if the visa is not available.

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job

Customer loyalty in Corona times: is the crisis really an opportunity?

Customer loyalty in Corona times: is the crisis really an opportunity?

Customer loyalty – does that still exist nowadays?

The ultimate goal of all customer loyalty measures is loyalty on the part of existing and potential customers. Loyal customers are so confident in a particular company or brand that they return not just once, but again and again. Regardless of the product sold or the service offered, companies in the consumer age are under high competitive pressure. Offers are constantly pouring in on potential customers these days. A sea of ​​different providers is at your disposal. Their loyalty suffers as a result. Why should they choose a particular company or brand in the long term? To achieve such loyalty, entrepreneurs must:

  • know exactly what their customers need.
  • Show understanding for the customer’s situation.
  • continually realign their offerings and customer communication with current needs.
  • Make customers feel like they are there for them.
  • maintain constant contact with their customers in order to remain informed and present.

The corona crisis can be an opportunity to achieve precisely these goals. If companies now achieve measurable effects through customer loyalty in marketing, the chances of long-term customer loyalty are good. Because: What helps you through bad times, you don’t just ignore in good times. Entrepreneurs can take advantage of this psychological effect during Corona.

How do customers gain trust during Corona?

In times of crisis, companies have to show their customers that they are there for them and that they can be trusted even in bad times. In times of crisis, people long for connection. Whoever talks customers into words and encourages them in dark days, helps them to overcome uncertainties caused by the crisis and has “a stone in the board” in the long term. It is therefore all the more important nowadays to know the priorities of the clientele and to create a long-term synergy based on this. It’s often the little things in life that bring courage during dark times. In the crisis, companies should therefore, for example:

  • conduct open and authentic discourses with customers.
  • optimize customer service.
  • Implement loyalty programs.
  • plan appropriate social media campaigns.
  • Offer coupons and discounts.
  • regularly inform about their own situation in the crisis in order to create customer proximity.

Reality should not be glossed over during crises. Otherwise, customers feel as if their worries are simply being ignored. Solidarity with customers makes more sense. It is best to show them that you have similar concerns yourself and at the same time offer them positive impulses. Even if it’s just daily encouragement on social media channels.

Together through the crisis

Over the past few months, everyone has had to change their habits. Some may now be reinstated. Others have changed forever. What is certain is that everyday life after Corona will no longer be the same. The world will have to struggle with the consequences of the crisis for years to come. Companies should integrate this awareness into their current marketing strategy. Hardly anyone finds change easy. Ideally, companies help their customers make necessary changes during the crisis and at the same time give them something familiar: a piece of the normality they long for. This can be done, for example, through specific products and services that make it easier to deal with the consequences of the crisis. Where this is not possible, companies can also provide support through pure communication. Dreaming of better times together is just as helpful as overcoming the crisis together.

Middle ground between automation and personal contact

Smaller companies in particular often do not have enough time to get involved with the situation and needs of each individual customer. You can automate some important customer retention measures so that you too can increase customer loyalty during the crisis. Nevertheless, it is important to remain personally present. Anyone who automates measures such as communication too much is ignoring what is one of the most important crisis needs of customers: proximity to other people.

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Home Garden

Our tip for the garden: go for hybrid grass now

Our tip for the garden: go for hybrid grass now

These types of lawns exist

For most people, lawn is lawn. But garden enthusiasts who take a closer look at their greens know that not all lawns are created equal. As with other types of plants, there are also a wide variety of lawn shapes with different requirements. These types have a wide variety of properties, from the classic play or utility lawn that can be found in most gardens, to shaded lawns for areas with less sunlight, to the classic English lawn.

Hybrid lawn in the garden?

Sports that are played on grass place a few special requirements on the green. Whether soccer, football or hockey, the surface must first and foremost be stable, level and resistant. Therefore, artificial turf is often used, as it is usually more stable. Nevertheless, natural grass has a better feel and is the standard in many competitions. The innovative hybrid turf combines the best properties of natural and artificial turf. Various experts have worked on the perfect composition. Betway Sportwetten dealt with the hybrid turf in the Bundesliga and talked to greenkeeper André Kastigen about the turf innovation. For the expert, the benefits are obvious: “A hybrid turf is the best thing you can build. It can be played in any weather, it is always smooth, level and true to the ball. That makes the game incredibly fast,” says Kastigen.

This is how the hybrid lawn is constructed

The surface of the hybrid turf consists of 25-28 mm long natural blades of grass, which are reinforced by approx. 15 mm long synthetic fibres. With this combination, the lawn can withstand adverse weather conditions. The approximately 12 cm thick lawn-bearing layer is interspersed with synthetic fibers that are up to 18 cm deep, which provides the lawn with optimal growth conditions. Underneath is a drain layer, which protects the approx. 23 cm deep heating loops. With the lawn heating, the lawn can always be kept at the optimum temperature, which is extremely important, especially in winter. Underneath the heating layer is another layer of insulation, which protects the lawn from groundwater and the cold.

Wolfsburg and Dortmund rely on hybrid turf

In the Pitch of the Year award in 2019, a hybrid turf was among the top three twice. Both Borussia Dortmund and VfL Wolfsburg rely on the combination of artificial and natural turf.

Hybrid turf will also become more and more interesting for private use over time. Hybrid turf could be a suitable alternative to rolled turf and the like, especially for lawns that are frequently used.

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Organization

How to optimize your work organization

How to optimize your work organization

1. Tip for a better work organization: Procrastinate less

Getting things done at the last minute should always be the exception, never the rule. Even if there are some “specialists” who think they can get going particularly well with this variant. If you like to procrastinate, you often only complete tasks shortly before the end of the day and under considerable time pressure and self-inflicted stress. You can avoid this with a clever work organization by planning the things you don’t like doing in good time.

Then refrain from making lame excuses or compromises and implement your plan. Get used to this practice and you will be rewarded with more peace and serenity and less stress. Another advantage: You start the day relaxed and work more independently than under someone else’s direction.

2nd tip for better work organization: The policy of small steps

Big projects often seem overwhelming: you don’t know where to start. Here’s a simple but ingenious trick: Break down a large task into several smaller ones. Those that can be done quickly and easily. This results in small successes that give courage. And then it’s only a matter of time before you reach your goal. So take a small first step and your tendency to procrastinate will give way to better work organisation.

3. Tip for a better organization of work: slow down the hectic pace

If you want to do as much as possible in the shortest possible time, you quickly fall into a hectic rush. Because it is not easy to complete tasks and projects in such a way that there is no time pressure. If you don’t master this art, you jump from task to task, change priorities frequently, get interrupted and get bogged down. It is obvious and inevitable that you will not “get smashed”.

As a result, you push a mountain of unfinished business in front of you and in the evening you ask yourself why you got so little done. Therefore, practice the art of slowing down the rush and coordinating the time available with your activities. This is definitely how you optimize your work organization!

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Travel

City trip to Miami

City trip to Miami

Gigantic skyscrapers, beautiful districts that invite you to go shopping, the surrounding Everglades that inspire with a unique nature.

Miami attractions

During a city trip, numerous sights can be visited. Many visitors are drawn to Miami Beach, where a fine sandy beach invites you to relax in a dreamlike Caribbean atmosphere. Here you also get the best view of the skyline with the gleaming office buildings.

The well-known Four Seasons Hotel and Tower is the tallest building in Miami at 240 meters. You can enjoy a magnificent view over Miami from up here. Many vacationers leisurely stroll to the harbor to admire the luxurious yachts. Boat trips are definitely worth it. During a city tour you can marvel at the Freedom Tower, the Villa Vizcaya or the “Hard Rock Café”. The famous Ocean Drive is also one of the top addresses.

If you want to offer your children something very special during your city trip, you should visit Jungle Island Park on Watson Island. This 7.5-hectare tropical park enchants with numerous animal shows and other attractions, such as parrot feeding or safari tours.

activities

For many tourists, trips to the popular Florida Keys are a must on a city trip. The beautiful coral islands inspire with white, palm-fringed sandy beaches and crystal-clear water. Numerous diving fans use these excursion destinations because of the species-rich underwater world. A trip to the sea aquarium is very worthwhile, where various shows take place several times a day, for example with giant killer whales. A visit to the Everglades National Park is also recommended. Here you can spot raccoons, flamingos and pelicans in their natural habitat.

shopping and nightlife

The center of shopping is Ocean Drive. Here you can shop extensively in large, modern malls and exclusive designer shops. The Bayside is very nice. This shopping center is located right on the water and offers a fantastic view of the Miami skyline. In addition to numerous shops, you will also find restaurants and cafés here.

Miami is known as the true center of nightlife. With a bit of luck, you might even meet a star at a party night. Numerous small, exclusive clubs make up the charm of nightlife in Miami. Here you can party until dawn, for example at the Nikki Beach Club.

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job

Further training: Which criteria should a provider meet?

Further training: Which criteria should a provider meet?

The range of seminars and training courses is immense; it is easy to lose track. In addition, profit is made from necessity: dubious providers promise education, but then reduce it to high costs without added value. How can you recognize reliable and reputable providers if not all providers are the same? This article provides answers and important points of criticism along the way.

First step: select the appropriate further training

In which area should the training take place? When it comes to soft skills, time management and personal growth, providers such as official distance schools are suitable. In addition to further training in the field of personality, these also offer language courses and school certificates. Even IHK-certified courses are mostly in the repertoire as well as certificates for further training in advisory areas, eg nutritionists or rhetoric. Such courses are ideal for strengthening your own core competence and for scoring points in the next discussion about a possible promotion.

If you want to study part-time, there are two options:

  1. The State Distance University

In Germany there is a state distance learning university which, in addition to law and economics, also offers cultural and social sciences and psychology as well as mathematics and computer science. Because the university is treated like a state school despite the asynchronous course, the costs are a lot lower than from private providers

  • private distance learning universities and distance learning colleges

Several private distance learning universities and distance learning colleges offer a colorful potpourri of courses. With the exception of medical fields, almost everything can be found and studied here. The first four weeks are usually free of charge, after which monthly costs of €200 – €600 should be taken into account. The costs vary greatly depending on the provider. It is not unimportant that special requirements often have to be met in order to start the course, eg professional experience or previous training.

Seminars and direct vocational training are often partially or completely financed by the employer. This can be workshops and symposiums, seminars lasting several days or further training lasting a few hours. Depending on the profession, there are also several portals that offer further training. These usually take place in attendance and on site. Your own employer or relevant portals of the respective industries can provide the necessary information. A new provider on the seminar market should always be checked for certain criteria. Important aspects are practicality and transparency.

What should be considered when choosing a provider?

The selection of a suitable further training and the cooperation with a provider should therefore be subject to a few points of criticism.

A small checklist for support:

  1. The purpose or: where do I want to go?
  2. What is the purpose of the training?

The exact purpose of the training should be known before blindly clicking on an offer.

  • Am I just interested in a topic?

Further training can be considered not only for your own career, but also for expanding your personal horizon. Language or writing courses or more knowledge of historical facts are very popular and are already considered a hobby.

  • Do I want to boost my career with it?

If the further training is to have a direct impact on work, it is advisable to speak to the supervisor before the course begins. A feedback discussion shows strengths and weaknesses. Accordingly, further training can be selected in a targeted manner.

  • Should the training make me more confident and sociable?

If a new project is pending or if you would like to get involved in conflict management, further training in the areas of personality and soft skills are suitable. They can also help if you feel insecure in the team or would like to get more involved in other ways.

  • The provider or: Who do I pay so much?
  • Does the provider give his data in the imprint?

An imprint is mandatory. If there is none, it is simply not a reputable provider. Point.

  • Does the provider allow monthly installment payments?

Experienced providers know that education is a cost-intensive good, but also that participants cannot pay amounts in the four-digit range directly. If the total price is less than one thousand euros, a one-off payment can also be made with certified and reputable providers. However, many private schools and institutions offer the option of paying in installments.

  • Are there certain prerequisites or can anyone take any course?

A high school diploma is required to study (there are exceptions), certain training courses require specialist knowledge before beginning. The same is true of continuing education. There are certainly courses that participants can complete without any prerequisites. Nevertheless, the majority of specific further training is aimed at a specific clientele. Providers who offer all courses without prerequisites always require a closer look.

  • Can teaching content be viewed before purchase?

A syllabus or rough content should be available before purchasing the training. After all, you want to know in advance what you are paying for. If there is no information about the content even when asked, it is probably not a reputable provider.

  • How is the provider rated on rating portals?
    → Pay particular attention to the negative reviews

Positive reviews are often bought these days, it’s no secret. Therefore, when researching, it is important to pay attention to the negative experiences in rating portals.

  • Does the provider have certifications such as TÜV, ZFU, ISO or test results from newspapers?

In order to receive a valid certificate, the provider must be able to offer certified further training. The state central office for distance learning (ZFU) is the right contact and can tell you whether a provider is approved or not. If a provider is approved, the certification can also be found on the website.

Conclusion: further education yes, but right

Although there are black sheep among the providers, some distance schools, universities and other distance institutions have survived for several years. If you are interested in such educational offers, you should carry out a thorough check of the providers and ultimately make a well-founded decision.

Categories
Home Garden

Buy a rental apartment or real estate? Which is still worth it in 2021

Buy a rental apartment or real estate? Which is still worth it in 2021

The reason for this is, on the one hand, the currently still extremely low building interest rates. On the other hand, there is a whole range of state and church funds that make buying real estate even cheaper.

To receive non-refundable grants, either an apartment for personal use or a house for the family can be purchased. The state contributes with the highest possible grants if your own children live in the household or if the new apartment is furnished in such a way that it remains livable for a long time even in old age.

The KfW Baukindergeld will no longer be available in this form from 2021, but the Kreditbank für Wiederaufbau has plenty of subsidies and discounts available if an energy-saving house is built. These houses are referred to as “eco-house”, “zero-energy house” or, for example, “passive house”.

Where can I get state subsidies for buying a house or apartment?

Basically, a distinction must be made between concessions on construction loans and state subsidies that do not have to be repaid. Everyone in the household is given a certain amount of cash to build a house. Here is a complete selection of current KfW funding programs for real estate purchases. Especially in the field of e-mobility, KfW has many other exciting funding programs available, which can be combined with the purchase of a new apartment or house. Practical if the zero-energy house not only produces more electricity than it needs, but also if the environmentally friendly e-vehicle can be charged directly on your own property with green electricity.

Concessions are advantages in the modalities of loan repayment. In this way, church congregations can give building money to families for whom the interest burden can be fixed for many years at the current low interest rate. Anyone who takes care of their family, i.e. their relatives in need of care or their own children, usually receives further discounts when buying real estate. So it’s worth not only contacting your house bank about a building loan, but also asking social organizations about regional options or seeking advice directly from the responsible parish.

Who gets a real estate loan?

It is sometimes not that easy to buy a new apartment or house or to convert it in a natural way with a loan. Incidentally, subsidies and subsidies are not only available for the purchase of new real estate, but also for a handicapped-friendly, barrier-free conversion of house and apartment. It is important to make a good impression at the bank. Think of your loan interview as a job interview in which you have to score points and convince your bank advisor that you will be able to pay back all monthly installments on time and reliably over the entire agreed loan term. Of course, this includes a flawless visual appearance as well as complete documentation. In addition, you should already have gone through various modalities of the future real estate loan at home and selected a suitable variant for your individual situation. When buying a property, it is important to be able to cover at least the ancillary purchase costs with your own financial resources. If this is not the case, 100 percent financing is often rejected by most large banks.

Underestimated additional costs when buying a house: This is how much a notary, appraiser and interest cost

It is not possible to say in general terms how high the ancillary construction costs are in individual cases. The location of the new property is important. Real estate in a good to upscale location can cause higher brokerage costs, which drives up the additional purchase costs, as Maxi Schwarz from the wohnung-jetzt.de portal has observed. For a notary or the entry in the land register, however, there are regionally uniform fees. The creation of the necessary documents, which often have to be certified in triplicate, causes additional additional costs. A key factor, however, is the interest over the agreed term of the real estate loan. In the case of a repayment agreement without a fixed interest rate, it can happen that the construction interest suddenly increases after a short time. If interest is locked in for a period of 20 years or more, however, the interest rate will be higher. As a rule of thumb, the real estate loan should be negotiated in such a way that it can be repaid in the shortest possible time.

How long does it take to pay off the house or apartment?

In order to be able to get the real estate loan at all, some cuts and restrictions are necessary in many households. For example, the second car can be sold, which on the one hand immediately provides more equity, but on the other hand also reduces the monthly burden if taxes, insurance and fuel bills are eliminated in the future. It can have a positive effect on lending if the bank advisor is given specific considerations and concrete implementations in this regard. In this way you underline that you prioritize credit financing and are ready to minimize unnecessary special expenses.

If the real estate loan expires soon, it can make sense to transfer the remaining debt to another bank. The new bank pays the outstanding amount all at once, and the monthly installments are then repaid to the new bank on new terms. There are often benefits in the monthly interest, which can make the overall repayment easier. Follow-up financing is worthwhile in 2021 for property owners who took out a building loan about 10 years ago and now want to benefit from the low interest rate for building projects. A real estate loan can be concluded for 10, 15 or 20 years. In individual cases, a credit term of up to 30 years is agreed. In any case, it remains to calculate how the additional costs will develop with such a long repayment period and what the dream property will ultimately cost more as a result.

Conclusion: Buying an apartment or house will be more worthwhile than ever in 2021!

Anyone who is still benefiting from the low building interest rates and buying their own home usually does not need more than around 20% of all real estate costs in equity. With some credit institutions in some economic regions it is only around 13% equity, while other banks can demand 25% equity plus the self-financing of the ancillary construction costs. A supposedly cheap real estate loan can quickly turn into a cost trap if the currently low interest rates cannot be locked in for the entire repayment period.