Along with many others I am sure, I still tend to consider credit cards as something akin to the latest piece of gadgetry, the only thing I need to have in my wallet to purchase almost anything I can think of, subject to credit limit and the small proviso that I am able to pay off the debt.

In fact Barclaycard launched it’s first credit card in the same year as the England football team won their only World Cup, forty five years ago on 1966!

That it has stood the test of time is testament not only to forward thinking banks, but also to their constant updating of a basic system that has over the years progressed from rudimentary to state of the art with the latest chip and pin technology.

I was encouraged to take out my first Barclaycard in the early seventies as a means to pay for fuel rather than paying out cash, in those days credit cards were still misunderstood by many and outlets accepting them few and far between, the most likely businesses being garage forecourts and restaurants.

In the passage of time credit cards have become ever more popular and their must be few places around the world where cards are not accepted. But the growth in credit card use and the readiness of banks to allow their customers increased credit limits and lower minimum payments led to much abuse long before anyone had ever mentioned the words ‘credit crisis’.

For many years before the crisis, financial institutions inundated the public with unsolicited mail with offers to transfer their debt to another bank with an interest free period.

Nothing much has changed it seems and this week Barclaycard Platinum are making the longest interest free transfer offer in todays market – 0% on balance transfers for 20 months.

Terms and conditions ensure that you are in employment and earning at least £20k per year amongst the other important stuff that should be considered before signing up for this deal.

But if you have a credit card load of debt, why not apply for the Platinum card and continue making your regular payments to reduce the amount that you owe with 0% interest?

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Most contractors enjoy the variety and flexibility of their working lifestyle, but find that the responsibility that comes with it can be a burden. Keeping track of timesheets, invoices, payments and taxes can be a struggle and for footloose and fancy free contractors can prove a real pitfall of what is otherwise a great way of working.

Why Choose a PAYE Umbrella Company?

This is where the PAYE umbrella company comes in. Independent contractors can choose to become an employee of the umbrella company and in so doing can lose a lot of the responsibility while keeping to a working pattern that works for them.

Working for an umbrella company allows employees to continue to seek and accept work in the same way they would as an independent contractor, however, when they find a fitting position the umbrella company will enter into a contract on their behalf and ostensibly supply them as an employee to the company seeking their services.

Employees of umbrella companies need simply to keep a record of the hours worked or contracts completed and submit these to their account manager who will, in turn issue invoices on their behalf and collect their earnings.

At this point the umbrella company will deduct the contractor/employees tax and national insurance contributions on a Pay As You Earn (PAYE) basis before forwarding the balance of earnings on to the worker.

As such independent contractors can leave the responsibility for the tiresome element of flexible employment, such as bookkeeping and chasing payments, to a third party, freeing them up to spend more time working, or simply enjoying the fruits of their labour safe in the knowledge that their financial affairs are in the hands of the experts.

And, as an employee of a PAYE Umbrella company, workers are entitled to all the same statutory benefits as those employed in a more traditional role – including statutory sick pay, statutory maternity pay and even child care vouchers to help them return to contracting work even after they have had a family.

How Does PAYE Umbrella Employment Benefit My Employer?

Umbrella companies charge a small handling fee to process the affairs of contract workers on their behalf and so, essentially they take a small amount out of each of their employees earning that is put towards their own profit.

However, when workers weigh up this expense against the cost of their peace of mind and the convenience of a hands-off approach to their taxes most feel it is well worth the investment.

A report released way back in December 2006 from Merrill Lynch suggested quite rightly that the online betting industry was at that stage in its infancy, yet still generating a staggering $15billion.

The online betting and gambling industry had at that time already grown at a steady pace from around $3Billion in 2001, with year on year increments of size-able proportions.

In 2006 in the UK, government figures suggested that players throughout the UK and Europe were already playing their part in the industry spending around £3.5billion during that year alone.

At the time of the 2006 report Merrill Lynch predicted that the industry would continue to grow at a rapid rate and expected earnings in 2010 to be as high as $24billion.

Having brought in around $22million in 2009 it is  safe bet that the prediction is going to be close for 2010 but experts have put a figure of $25billion as more likely.

Incredibly the growth of the online betting and gambling industry continues to rise year on year at alarming levels, but it has plenty more growing to do to fulfill the prediction made by Merrill Lynch in 2006 – That the industry would be worth a colossal $528billion annually worldwide by 2015.

They have been spot on with their predictions so far, so is this figure really possible?

Incidentally, the latest survey into the online gambling industry found that 50% of gamblers are women.

There are plenty of different stands to choose from in the Nimlok exhibition stands range so you can be sure of finding the ideal one for your company, no matter what type of business you are in.

Nimlok’s stands are made from the highest quality materials and are designed to be practical, lightweight and extremely effective.  All you will need to do is to decide which style will bring you the best results.

Here are 3 of the most commonly chosen displays in the Nimlok exhibition stands range –

1.    Banner Stands

It is easy to see why so many companies will opt for banner stands.  They are one of the easiest displays to set up at a show and are very lightweight when they have to be moved around.

Banner displays can also be used alongside many of the other products in the Nimlok exhibition stands range, so this can be a great way of creating something a little different!  A very good idea if you want your company to ‘stand’ out from the crowd…

2.    Customised Exhibition Stands

In many ways, customised stands are the daddy of all exhibition displays!  You can choose your own layout, colours and graphics.  Plus, they are a great way to make visitors familiar with your company’s logo!

There are plenty of ideas in the Nimlok exhibition stands range and many of these can be incorporated into your own unique design.

3.    Modular Exhibition Stands

These stands are another popular choice because of their simple assembly.  They are also available in a variety of sizes so they are suitable for any type of venue.

Putting modular exhibition stands together is quick and easy and will result in a really eye-catching display.

With so many options available for cell phone service, it can be overwhelming to narrow down the best option. Whether you need a personal plan or cell phone plans for business purposes, being informed is always best.

Traditional vs. Prepaid Cell Phone Plans

Traditional Plans. The United States has a different approach than other parts of the world. Traditional cell phone service plans are often attached to a service contract: one to two years at minimum. Sometimes there are incentives such as a free cell phone or a reduced price cell phone in exchange for signing such a service contract. By signing the contract, the consumer agrees to stay with a certain cell provider (unless a fee is paid to get out of the contract) and this then allows the consumer to pay for their phone usage on a monthly basis, after the service has already been used. Many utilities function this way as well — cable television, Internet, etc.

Of course the drawback to a traditional plan is that the consumer must pay the same amount (based on the plan) whether or not he uses all the designated minutes, texts, etc. If the consumer exceeds her plan limits, additional minutes/texts are often charged at a much higher rate.

Prepaid Plans. On the other hand, many parts of the rest of the world function in a very different way, where pay-as-you-go systems are considered the norm. Instead of paying for a service after using it, the other option is to pay for cell phone service on a prepaid basis. This means that consumers pays for their service ahead of time, and therefore they can use the minutes as quickly or slowly as they wish and pay only for what is used.

In summary, it is important to consider both options when reviewing cell phone plans.