For many people, pensions are a black box: you put money in and buy an annuity decades later on retirement, without knowing much about what happens in between. For the ethical investor, this is an unacceptable oversight. Trustee investment planning can give you far more control over pension provision.

The majority of people with pensions invest in either a personal pension plan or have a public sector pension. These are organised through your workplace or are arranged by the individual or on their behalf by an IFA. From the ethical perspective the problem with most pensions is that they offer very little flexibility or control. We typically abdicate responsibility over our money to a pension fund manager, who we have never met and who may have very different principles to our own. In fact, the job of such a fund manager is to maximise returns on his or her clients’ investments at the expense of all else. There are some ‘ethical’ funds out there, but these are limited in scope and number and, once again, offer little flexibility. Trustee investment planning can be a way to invest ethically and far more effectively for retirement.

The range of investments with which a regular private pension plan will deal is generally limited. There may be a large number of funds – perhaps a hundred or more – but that is all. This presents a problem for the ethical investor because, even if you opt for a so-called ethical fund, it is still limited in scope – meaning that your money is not being used to best effect. (Not only that, but because the range of funds is so small you have to settle for someone else’s definition of ‘ethical’.) Trustee investment planning, in conjunction with more flexible pension provision such as SSASs (Small Self-Administered Schemes) or SIPPs (Self-Invested Personal Pensions), offer a much broader and more flexible approach to pension provision, along much the same lines as your regular ethical investing.

Trustee Investment Planning (TIP) is an investment vehicle used by trustees of these pensions. What this means in practice is that you have access to a much greater range of funds, possibilities and expertise. For example, rather than being restricted to a set range of funds, approved by a large pension provider, you have almost complete flexibility. You can therefore treat your pension the same way as you would treat your other ethical investments – with the added bonus of tax relief, as with a normal pension.

So, for example, Trustee Investment Planning could enable you to invest in single companies – perhaps from the AIM index – which have an excellent track-record on sustainability. You are allowed to invest in ETFs, and could therefore reduce your risk and still achieve your aims, for instance by investing in a basket of companies that specialise in developing clean power. Trustee Investment Planning opens the door to some truly sophisticated and flexible options, such as investing in an unlisted company (perhaps a social enterprise or family business whose aims you share and would like to support). You can even invest in commercial property – maybe for a local charity whose work your admire but could not subsidise if you were putting the money into a regular pension instead.

Trustee Investment Planning therefore comes with a range of advantages, particularly if you are keen to invest ethically for your retirement – something that is difficult with a traditional private pension. However, it’s worth remembering that such a bespoke service will come with a price tag attached. Regular stakeholder pensions are put together on the sausage-machine model – cheap and simple with an emphasis on quantity over quality. The additional flexibility and range of options in this case can cost a little extra, something you will need to discuss with your IFA. Nevertheless, for the green and ethical investor these pensions offer a range of opportunities that is second to none.

This article was supplied by FSA regulated Norwich financial advice specialists, SG Wealth Management who serve individuals and organisations throughout Norfolk, East Anglia and the south-east.

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One of the most expensive parts of printing expenses is printer ink cartridges. It doesn’t matter which printer you buy, the recurring costs of printer cartridges remain very high. Increasing raw material costs have added fuel to this fire which has made the printing process painstakingly expensive. The process is not only hazardous for your pocket but also for the environment as more and more cartridges are being dumped into landfills.

An inexpensive and environment friendly solution to this problem is the use of remanufactured or refilled ink cartridges. First let’s see what different types of cartridges are, so that we can under stand which ones are better for us in terms of environment as well as for saving money.

Original Cartridge

Very simple, these are the cartridges which come along with your printer when you buy it. These are usually manufactured by the same manufacturer (as that of the printer). Companies usually sell these at premium prices and thus are not your pocket friendly.

Remanufactured cartridge

A Remanufactured cartridge is the one which has been used earlier and had been originally manufactured by the printer manufacturer (Original Equipment Manufacturer, OEM). This used cartridge is broken apart, cleaned and rebuilt. Essentially, a remanufactured cartridge is made up of a used OEM cartridge that has undergone different stages for recycling and refilling before it is sold in the market. It is manufactured by a third party manufacturer using same process as used by the OEM to maintain the quality.

Remanufactured cartridges are much cheaper than the original ones as they don’t carry the Brand value with them. A remanufactured cartridge can save 70%-80% of your printer ink costs.

Refill Kit

A refill kit is a set of equipments and printer ink used to refill the empty or used ink cartridges. It is a perfect, affordable and easy alternative for a regular printer geek. I am saying geek because you need a little bit of skill to use this kit. Before you can actually use this kit you need to know where your printer’s cartridges are then you should be able to get them out and place them back in (after filling ink). This can be a bit tricky on bigger printing systems). Once you know that, the next step would be to refill the cartridge which you can do using ink bottles, cartridge holder and needles that come with the refill kit.

Compatible ink cartridge

A Compatible ink cartridge is actually a new cartridge which is manufactured by third party manufacturer, designed to work in specific printer and is fully compatible to work with it. A Compatible cartridge is usually manufactured under same conditions and specification to provide maximum compatibility and quality. As it is manufactured by third party manufacturers are cheaper than the original ones and save you tones of money!

So if you are looking for cheaper alternatives to your ‘printer ink problem’, you now have options to choose from. Most people trust compatible cartridges as they are original (original third party manufactured and are not used previously).

Those who don’t have any problem using the old cartridges go for or remanufactured ones. Also, remanufactured ink cartridges are made from recycled original cartridges, they are eco-friendly and save environment as they decrease the number of old cartridges being dumped into landfills.

The guys who have a geeky touch can go for the refilling kits, these are also environment friendly as you are using the same cartridge again and again by refilling it and you don’t have to dump anything. (except for the burden of extra printing costs !)

Author Bio: Author is a consultant with InkMan (www.inkman.com.au), an online retail store for all brands of Toner cartridges. InkMan provide its customers options to choose from original, refill kits and compatible ink cartridges for their printers. InkMan is provider of all types of office supplies along with printers, fax machines, scanner and like.

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When people look at furniture within the hospitality industry, what do they see? They may see style, elegance, and beauty in varying forms. These are all important prerequisites for these kinds of furniture because they are the triggers that will draw the client numbers that players in the hospitality industry require to make their businesses profitable. Despite this, there is a general trend in the world to appreciate all things that are considered green. Green is the color of abundant life, vitality and new fresh things. This begs the question, “how can restaurant furniture be considered green?’’ Although not in the traditional sense of the word, some aspects of good furniture solutions serve to answer this point;

• Ease of cleaning – like all renewable things, the ability to easily clean them is very important. Since it is impossible to control the people who will use the furniture it should be totally possible to clean it immediately and impeccably in case the situation calls for it. Furniture that can look as good as new each and every time can be considered green.

• Ergonomics – this is basically the ability of a mechanical object’s ease of use by humans. This means that, majority of the people can use and reuse the item without getting it degraded quickly. It is also strong enough to withstand certain levels of weights from both adults and children. The ability of furniture to keep strong despite the changes in usage can be considered green. Many restaurant chairs are a good example of green chairs because they can be used by adults of different shapes and sizes for long periods of time.

• Enhances the environment – furniture that is aesthetically beautiful always enhances its surroundings by adding its own special beauty. Like the different shades of flowers and other vegetation in nature, green furniture is created in different colors and designs that easily blend in with their diverse environs to make the overall picture more visually appealing.

• Modular – this is the type of furniture that can be designed for a variety of uses and also in a variety of interesting ways. This makes the furniture flexible over a wide scope of functionalities. Green furniture is widely adaptable and easily useable anywhere it is placed.

• Long lasting – like nature, green furniture is designed to be long lasting. Many times it can outlast its owners. This cost effective advantage makes green furniture very economical for its many users in both the short and long term.

• Universally acceptable – nothing can be considered truly green unless it is universally accepted to a majority of people. Restaurant furniture that is popularly used across many industries because of its many benefits can be considered green because it has become an acceptable standard across the industry.
  Elijah Severin is a furniture consultant. He assists many of his clients get the best furniture for their unique environments. He ensures that the commercial furniture he uses is versatile, dependable and solid.

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For the skiing, snowboarding and other wintertime enthusiasts or those who just want to take in the scenery and refreshing air that a ski area provides, there are ways to make a winter trip to the slopes enjoyable and beneficial for the environment.

You may not think that a day or weekend on the slopes has much of an impact on the environment, but it certainly does. As it turns out, such winter activities can and do disturb the natural environment that in many parts of the world lays undisturbed for months at a time in the winter.

If you think that activities such as skiing do not have an impact on the environment, consider:

• The majority of downhill skiing pursuits occur on prepared slopes, meaning a number of trees have been removed and the land has been worked over in order to make for a worthwhile run;
• With more resorts having to rely on artificial snowmaking due to warm spells across the country in recent winters, this means more exposure to chemicals at times which are added to provide the making of snow crystals;
• Wildlife can be and is impacted in order for ski trails to be maintained. With more animal habitats being disturbed, there is an overall effect on the environment;
• Given most people need to use vehicles to get to and from ski resorts, more gas emissions take place, unlike in summer when there is more outdoor activity such as biking to and from locales.

Some folks have taken the initiative to make sure that individuals get the best of both worlds in the wintertime – fun activities and exercise while the environment is more carefully cared for.

Among the things to consider is:

• Cross country skiing – This activity does not require graded slopes and ski lifts, meaning there is less of an impact on the overall environment.
• Recycle as much as possible – It comes as no surprise that drinks like coffee, hot chocolate and tea are popular when paired with wintertime activities. Make sure you recycle cups, cans and bottles so that they are not ending up in a landfill in piles of trash;
• Conserve water – When you head back to your hotel room, reuse towels and linens when possible in order to cut down on water usage by the cleaning staff;
• Don’t litter – It may seem like not a big deal to drop small amounts of litter while on a ski lift or traipsing through the snow, but each time one does that it contributes to damaging the environment;
• Don’t disturb wildlife areas – Given that the downhill slopes have already impacted the area wildlife, don’t go off on side paths where you could further disturb wildlife that is looking for a sanctuary;
• Go green with your resort choice – When searching for a place to stay, track down a green resort. Look for a spot to stay that recycles products and is pro-environment. You can search for resorts that are proponents of micro hydropower systems and wind turbines for starters, which offset damage to the environment and overall energy costs. Some resorts are also proponents of composting programs and providing shuttle services that cut down on the amount of personal vehicles coming into and out of the resorts.

By all means, this is not a knock on skiers, resorts and anyone else who wants to get out and enjoy wintertime weather around the world this month and a few more to follow.

When doing so, however, take a few minutes to remember the environment and how you can slide into a better time for all.

Photo credit: msnbc.msn.com

Dave Thomas, who covers among other items small business loans, writes extensively for Business.com, an online resource destination for businesses of all sizes to research, find, and compare the products and services they need to run their businesses.

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These days, everyone knows that driving habits can have an impact on the environment, and that changing the way you drive can reduce emissions.  This kind of greener driving can also offer the added benefit of creating safer roads – we’ll explain how.

How can your driving habits be bad for the environment?

The more you drive, the greater your greenhouse gas output.  On top of that though, things that makes your car work harder than it needs to will also lead to increased emissions.

This includes anything that reduces the aerodynamics of your car – like roof racks or winding windows down, and additional drains on the power of your car, like in-car entertainment systems or air conditioning.

Another cause of added strain on your vehicle is under inflated tyres – this causes drag which reduces the number of miles per gallon (MPG) you’ll achieve.  Not only that, but under inflation also puts added pressure on the structure of the tyre, reducing its lifespan and increasing the likelihood of replacement.

Keeping your car well maintained and serviced will also contribute to improving environmental performance – if wear and tear or damage to the vehicle is discovered and repaired promptly, MPG can be maintained and disposal of parts minimised.

The way you drive can also have a big impact on your green credentials:

• Speed – the link between speed and fuel consumption varies considerably between car models, but for motorway driving, as you exceed 70mph you’ll begin to suffer a noticeable decrease in fuel consumption.
• Acceleration – consider two scenarios – running 100m in a leisurely 20 seconds, and then sprinting in 10 seconds.  How much more out of breath would the second run make you?  Probably multiple times more than the first.  The same is true of accelerating in a car – increasing speed quickly uses far more energy than smooth acceleration.
• Braking – as drivers, we ‘spend’ energy on increasing our car’s speed.  Of course, we have to regularly use the brakes in order to drive well, but if you leave braking to the last minute and end up at a standstill, you’ll have to ‘spend’ the same energy again to regain your speed.  Braking early and being aware of your surroundings can prevent you from wasting the momentum you have built up.  Harsh braking can also increase repair costs for tyres and brakes.
• Cornering – taking corners at high speeds can contribute to wear and tear on your tyres, which in turn can impact fuel economy and wastage due to tire replacement.

Which green driving characteristics encourage safe driving?

Most of our points covered above have a close link to safe driving – there’s certainly a considerable overlap between driving safely and driving economically.

Tyre condition has a real impact on stopping distances, which increase dramatically when the tread depth falls to 3mm.  An example of how tread depth can affect braking distance – according to Continental, if two cars hit the brakes at 70mph, one with 3mm tread and one with 1.6mm, the latter would still be travelling at 50mph by the time the former had already stopped.

Speed also has a dramatic effect on stopping distance, while also reducing the time a driver has to react to nearby hazards.  According to Dr Lisa Jardine-Wright, a physicist at the Cavendish Laboratory, based at Cambridge University, driving at 80mph rather than 70mph on the motorway would add 26m to your stopping distance.

Quick acceleration is also dangerous from a hazard perception angle – with a rapidly changing speed, everything happens more quickly, leaving both the driver and other road users little time to respond to potential dangers.  Similarly, rapid acceleration and harsh braking can catch other road users unaware and increases the chances of a collision.

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There are a plethora of reasons you may want to make your home more eco-friendly. It’s easy to get people on board with an eco-project for their home once they start to grasp how much energy their homes are actually wasting.

Here are three factors you need to consider when making your home eco-friendly.

1.      Insulation, Insulation, Insulation

If you are serious about making your home more eco-friendly, then the first thing you need to consider is how well it is insulated.

Before the days of central heating, the Victorians would design smaller rooms in houses, so it would be easier to keep them warm during the harsh winter months.

Now though, with central heating, architects have free reign to layout the design of the house how they want; the energy efficiency of the home can often become a secondary consideration.

If you’re not sure what type of insulation you’ve got in your roof, your chartered surveyors should have provided you with that information in the report they gave you when initially surveying your property.

Get back in touch with them and they’ll be able to make recommendations as to the changes you should make based on the survey of your building.

Apart from improving the building’s insulation, there are other ways you can cut down on the heat your home wastes.

2.       The Little Things

If you don’t want to , (or can’t afford), to implement wholesale changes to your building’s insulation structure then don’t worry, there are plenty of little changes you can make to your home that will slowly but surely make it more eco-friendly.

For example, you can’t start draught proofing your home, which is one of the cheapest and most effective means of saving both energy and money. To draught proof the building, you need to block up all unwanted gaps where cold air passes through.  Make sure you check all:

• Windows
• Doors and keyholes
• Loft hatches
• Suspended floorboards

The next thing to do is to choose the type of material you’re going to fill the gap with. Really, there are two options here: self-adhesive foam strips or metal strips with brushes or wipers attached. The foam strips are cheaper here, but they may not last as long.

 3.       Window Areas

The windows in your home are where the property loses a lot of heat.  This occurs when the warm air inside comes into contact with the cold glass and then escapes onto the outside; a process called radiant heat loss.  In order to reduce this occurring you should make sure that you have adequate curtains hung over the window; preferably ones with a lining.  Blinds are not as affected at keeping heat in as curtains are, so if you have some installed you may wish to consider using curtains in conjunction with them.

4.       Return on Investment

The final factor you want to consider when making your home eco-friendly is your return on investment. Making eco-improvements to your home can often involve a large initial investment.

This isn’t to say that you won’t see some ROI on making your home more eco-friendly. Often, insulating your loft can cost somewhere in the region of £750; in five years though, it will have paid itself off and you will start to make money.

If you’re planning on selling the home in the short term, it is perhaps worth waiting until you move to a new property. That said, implementing these changes can increase the resale value of your home.

Bio:

Andrew Jackson tries his hardest to run an energy efficient home.  A key step in achieving this goal was following up on the advice that he received from his chartered surveyors in Leeds and installing roof insulation when he purchased his new property.

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Whether you’re planning your summer getaway or a winter sun break to get away from the bitter cold of home, it’s important to know that sun exposure can cause significant damage to your skin, so it’s always sensible to take precautions.  Everybody knows the importance of using sun protection with SPF while out in the sun, but in addition you should care for your skin by using a daily routine including natural beauty products designed to combat the damage caused by the sun.

The sun is a primary cause of premature ageing and can be responsible for fine lines and wrinkles on the face, because it can reduce skin elasticity.  UVA from the sun has an ageing effect because it damages collagen, the protein which keeps skin strong and smooth. 

It is vitally important to keep skin moisturised by using a good natural cream daily.  The sun can make skin feel dry, so restoring the hydration levels of skin is essential day and night.  Many natural creams contain vitamins, such as A, C and E, which have an antioxidant effect.  The aim of antioxidants for the skin is to counter the effects of UVA exposure and help to promote healthy collagen, meaning fewer wrinkles.

Whether you’re planning a holiday or not, we all like to get out in the sun when we can so it’s sensible to remember, in addition to SPF protection, to take care of your skin with natural beauty products which can help reverse the damaging effects caused by the sun.

Remember that prevention is better than cure and it is never a good idea to have extended exposure to the sun, and you should use a good quality natural cream all year round to maintain the best skin health, not just when you’re going to be out in the sun.

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Unlike the previous couple of years winter has, so far, been reasonably kind to us. Indeed experts have even been telling us that 2011 was the second mildest Christmas since records began.

This run of unseasonably warm weather has meant that the council gritters, and their mountains of de-icing salt, have barely seen any action in comparison to previous years. However the weather men are now starting to get a little twitchy, with many predicting that winter is indeed on its way, which will see the country’s army of gritter lorries take to the road in force, spreading road salt across the county’s highways, helping them to remain open and stay safe.

Of course it’s not just public roads that will suffer when winter eventually decides to make an appearance, pavements and cycle routes as well as private roads and driveways will also require attention. Whilst local councils will attend to pavements and cycle lanes in the most severe weather conditions, businesses and private individuals will be expected to fend for themselves.

Last year saw many people afraid of taking to the streets to help clear pavements, fearing they may be held responsible should anyone slip on the area they had cleared. However several councils moved to reassure locals by confirming that this was not the case and that the public and private businesses could rest assured that clearing and spreading de-icing road salt on the walkways in front of their homes and businesses should not see them being held accountable for slips and falls.

Whilst anyone is free to use the salt stored in community salt bins for public footpaths, pavements and roads, it is not for private use and must not be used on private roads, car parks, driveways and paths. Such areas are the responsibility of the individual home or business owner and, as such, they should be equally prepared by purchasing their own stocks of de-icing salt.

The milder weather has also played havoc with Britain’s plants and animals with the first signs of spring being spotted in parks and gardens as early as Christmas day. Blossom, snowdrops and daffodils are already bloom and butterflies and bumblebees are already in flight. Whilst these yearly events are lovely to see, there is a real risk that extensive damage due to frost, ice and snow may still occur.

So when should you stock up your supplies of de-icing salt for 2021? Well, according to James Madden, a UK Long Range Forecaster for ExactaWeather.com, the answer is now.

Madded predicts cold and snow for both Scotland and northern England for later January with February predicted as the most likely month to see severe weather.

Mr Madded write “February should prevail further in comparison to January, and this is when I feel we are likely to see the most severe part of this winter. A cold start to spring 2012 is also possible, with some especially heavy and widespread snowfalls across Britain and parts of Ireland.”

When then time does come it is important to take care when spreading your de-icing salt.  Obviously you need to use enough that is has the desired effect.  However, try not to let any get into your flower beds or on the lawn, as it will have a detrimental impact on growing capabilities once spring really does arrive.

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You might think that renting an eco-friendly home means getting into a property that is festooned with unsightly solar panels or made entirely of concrete.  But the truth is that green home technology has come a long way, and you don’t have to go whole-hog in order to make your home more conducive to sustainable living.  In fact, the best green homes look just like average ones these days.  The difference is that they come with built-in benefits for the environment – and for you.  So if you’re interested in the prospect of a green home but you’re just not sure it’s right for you, here are a few hidden benefits that may change your mind.

For starters, there are the environmental benefits, which are the main reason most people go looking for green homes in the first place.  By utilizing natural light, alternative sources of energy (solar, wind, water, geothermal, etc.), recycled building materials, and conservation practices, these houses cut down on all forms of pollution (air, water, soil) and waste, not to mention reducing the carbon footprint of anyone residing there.  In short, they are all about doing less damage and providing for a sustainable environment that lets humans live in harmony with the world around them.  Anyone looking to preserve the Earth for future generations is likely on board with that kind of thinking.

But let’s be honest here; you’re worried about the cost.  And historically speaking, eco-friendly homes do tend to be on the pricy side when held against comparable properties without environmental upgrades.  These days it’s a different story, though, and you might be surprised to find that green housing can be just as affordable as the average fare, depending on the types of amenities included.  For example, houses built with recycled or local materials can be a lot less expensive than those that rely on imported or manufactured goods.  And many homes that are slightly more expensive in the beginning can save you a ton of money over time.

Did you know that renting an eco-friendly home (or installing green upgrades) can come with incentives like tax rebates?  You will have to check to see if there are any that apply, but this could be a great way to cut your upfront costs.  Of course, homes that are built to conserve will also save you money, mainly on utilities.  Alternative energy can save you lot on your gas and electric, but you don’t even have to go that far.  Good insulation and an energy audit to locate and seal leaks can bring about massive savings on heat and cooling costs; low-flow toilets and a recycled-water system for your lawn can cut back on water consumption; and CFLs, energy-star appliances, and a tankless water heater can help you to conserve energy.  There are so many inexpensive options for green homes that you stand to save a lot of money over time.

Of course, there’s also the benefit to your health.  With less pollution and waste comes cleaner air to breathe, water to drink, and soil to grow our foods in.  Unless you’re totally fine with ingesting harmful toxins at every turn, it behooves you to start finding ways to green up your act.  So when it comes time to make a move to a new rental property, think about asking your residential letting agent to show you properties in your price range that come with eco-friendly amenities.  You could just get your rental home in a pleasing shade of green.

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When you think about your duty to protect the earth, you can consider the multitude of ways that exist to travel in “green” style.  Since 2012 is still young, still have the opportunity to make a New Year’s resolution to travel in a more eco-friendly fashion this year.  Here are several tips that will help you have a greener 2012.

Your destination.  If you are staying in a hotel, use only what is necessary.  Many places will encourage you to reuse your towels, asking that you leave them on the floor if you would like to replenish your supply.  While it is tempting to take advantage of amenities such as a seemingly endless supply of bath towels, make an effort to resist.  In this same vein, you can also take shorter showers that are not scalding hot.  You also have the opportunity to cut down on waste by refilling bottles of shampoo or bringing along your own soap in a travel canister.  Don’t use disposable cameras, and always use rechargeable batteries. 

Travel.  When flying, use an e-ticket.  This will save on paper, plus it’s a more convenient option.  Walk as much as possible.  It’s eco-friendly and it’s good for you as well.  If you have a lot of sights to see, try to rent a hybrid vehicle or a bicycle.  Bring your own water bottle that you can refill on your travels.

Souvenirs.  Don’t disturb nature areas by picking flowers, destroying trees or plants, or picking up pretty stones.  You can also support local communities by shopping at the farmer’s market for locally grown produce or hand-made souvenirs produced by community artisans or craftspeople.

Packing.  The lighter you pack, the less fuel required to transport your luggage.  If you bring your own bags (i.e., totes, duffel bags, or Ziploc bags), you reduce waste by using them to carry any purchases you make rather than take a plastic bag from a store. Plan to wear the same jeans and tee shirt two or three days in a row (this is usually a sound ecological choice unless you’re visiting a climate that will cause you to sweat excessively).  By reducing your laundry use, you will cut down on the amount of water and energy it takes to clean them.  (This practice applies to the hotel’s sheets as well.  Do you really need them changed every night?)  You can save more energy by air drying your clothes.

Eating.  Avoid fast food restaurants.  Reduce the amount of meat you consume – cows in particular are responsible for creating methane pollution, and going vegetarian, even just a few times a week or for the duration of your vacation, will eventually help cut back on air pollution.  Eat at local restaurants and purchase organic food or food that has been locally grown, thereby reducing pollution caused by the fuel burned to transport imported foods.  If your eyes are bigger than your stomach, don’t throw the food away:  save it to eat later.

Begin your earth friendly vacation now by taking advantage of travel credit card rewards.

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