New (Tax) Year, New Bonus?
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In the midst of the recession, with massive job losses and pay cuts, many people are searching for new and inventive ways to earn money.
As the new tax year looms, James Davis, founder of online property rental site, www.upad.co.uk, reminds homeowners that they are sitting on a potential goldmine.? Renting out a spare room can provide a significant income with the huge additional benefit of ?350 per month (?4,250 per year) being tax free.???
Davis believes that taking on a flatmate could be the answer for many UK homeowners’ money worries, he comments:
“At a time when many will be struggling to make ends meet, then isn’t this a sensible option? I am sure that most people would rather share an evening meal with a new tenant, than face the prospect of having to take on a second job to pay the bills. And it is also a more pleasant and cost-effective option, bearing in mind additional income from working extra hours is taxed.
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“With average weekly spare room rents standing at ?100 in London, and ?70 in Leeds, homeowners could use the money towards paying the mortgage, saving for essential home improvements, or boosting their monthly income. They may even want to use the additional funds to save for their next home move. And, for first-time buyers, currently unable to get onto the property ladder, this could be the ideal option.”
Davis also offers advice for potential landlords keen to take the plunge and rent out a room in their home. This ranges from setting ground rules but remembering that the tenant is also paying to live at the property, to ensuring legal obligations are met. For more information and useful tips, a free advice sheet is available to download from www.upad.co.uk
upad is ‘reinventing renting’; a new free online service that helps renters to find their ideal place to live. Using upad’s state-of-the-art technology, renters can, for the first time, search properties by key criteria such as availability of parking, outside space, broadband connectivity, a security alarm or even laundry facilities.
The company has the largest choice of homes to rent in the capital (82,000), and will be rolled out across other major UK cities during the second quarter of 2009.
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Will The London Tube Service Be Running On New Year Day? And At What Time Will It Start?
There will be free travel on journeys from 23:45 on New Year’s Eve until 04:30 on New Year’s Day, on the Tube, buses, DLR and Tramlink.
New Years Day:
A reduced train service will run between 05:00 and 10:30, every 15 minutes in the central area and every 30 minutes on the branches.
For the rest of the day a reduced service will operate with last trains at Saturday times.http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/6574…
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Celebrate the Chinese New Year in London
Yuletide celebrations may have come and gone, but Sunday the 10th of February will see celebration of the Chinese New Year, ringing in what is in Chinese astrology, the Year of the Rat. As the biggest city in Europe and one with a sizeable ethnic Chinese population, London’s Chinese New Year celebrations will be amongst the most extravagant around the world – last year it was the largest in the world outside of Asia, attracting over 300,000 visitors.
In London, celebrations of the Chinese New Year are naturally concentrated around Chinatown, located in the Soho area of the City of Westminster and occupying the area in and around Gerrard Street. The site itself is a must-see for any tourist, and contains numerous Chinese restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets and Chinese souvenir shops.
Chinese New Year celebrations start at 11 am with the Grand Parade from Charing Cross Road to Trafalgar Square and admission is free of charge.
Following opening speeches, including ones by appointed officials, such as the President of the London Chinese Community Centre and Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, the celebrations kick off with the ’Dotting of the Lions’ Eyes’. In this good-luck ceremony, two dancers wear a giant lion costume and the eyes are painted in to drive away evil spirits and bring the lion to life. Accompanying the waking lion are drumbeats, gongs and cymbals, starting off softly and building into an erupting crescendo as the lion awakes and begins to flick its ears, scratch and breathe. The lion then starts to dance as firecrackers go off.
Following this is the mesmerising Dragon Dance, an essential part of Chinese festivals for over two millennia. Historically a part of harvest rituals, today it symbolises the bringing of prosperity and good luck in the year ahead. The Dragon itself is a long, brightly painted serpent-shaped body on poles, worn by up to 8 dancers, with an ornamental head and tail.
At 1 pm the centre stage becomes a showcase for different talents from local and visiting performers. These include both contemporary and traditional arts, from dances to martial arts and music. An impressive display of talent, it promises to be one of the must-see parts of the celebrations.
The skies will light up with fireworks around Leicester Square every hour from 2 – 6 pm, and the celebrations then move from Trafalgar Square into Chinatown. Although it is always a lively part of London, this New Year the festive spirit is expected to be higher than ever, with the Beijing Olympics and London 2012 being integrated into the festivities. Home to over 78 restaurants offering everything from westernised Chinese food to traditional and gourmet delicacies, Chinatown can provide anyone with an appreciation for Chinese food something to suit their tastes.
This year will mark the 30th celebration of the Chinese New Year in London, a testimony to the city’s multiculturalism and the popularity of the celebrations, so why not come along and experience for yourself an event bringing together of best of western and eastern culture.
Andrew Regan is an online, freelance author from Scotland. He is a keen rugby player and enjoys travelling.
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