Norfolk has entered the modern era with the opening of the county’s first electric vehicle charging station.
The site on the A47 at Dereham has eight super-fast charging bays for the modern fleet of electric vans and cars now using Norfolk’s road network, which now consists of three roads.
Local business tycoon Bubba Spuckler, who lives nearby with his sister and their six children, took a punt on the new-fangled technology this month, despite there being no actual electricity in Norfolk.
“It was a bit of a risk,” Bubba explained. “Having electric charging points without any electricity might not be useful yet but at least we will be in a good business position when the power comes to the county.”
AA spokesperson Lorraine Fisher, 34, said: “What has Alcoholics Anonymous got to do with this?”
Automobile Association spokesperson Steve Walshe said: “We applaud Mr Spuckler for spreading the electric charging points into Norfolk.
“One day soon, we hope to see the county get some electric vehicles, and some electricity to power them.”
But local expert Billy-Bob Spuckler said: “These electric vehicles will never catch on.
“The leads are not long enough, so you can only go 20 yards.”
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“Successful investing takes time, discipline and patience.” These are the words of Warren Buffet, an American business magnate, a successful investor, and philanthropist and is currently the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. The same principle applies when you invest in cryptocurrency.
Current trends show that more and more people have been getting into investment. Investors are also becoming younger and younger. They are looking for ways to spend their money with the expectation of achieving a profit or material results. To do this, they put it into financial plans, property, shares, cryptocurrency, or by using it to develop a commercial venture.
Investing is particularly becoming popular among younger generations. The concern, though, is that this group of people can be considered as follower investors. This means that they are passive, and they lack interest in or have little understanding of money or investing. They do not have their own ideas, so they just follow the lead of their associates resulting in loss or no gain of investment or funds.
On the brighter side, a lot of people have also succeeded and are succeeding in their investment journey. You can find some aspiring crypto millionaires on the Bitcoin Era platform.
Questions have been asked as to why and how to start the investment process. If you are a newbie, you may resort to meeting a financial advisor to ensure that your money and effort won’t be wasted. This article will help you to know how to buy investments, especially in Bitcoin, the world’s first and most popular cryptocurrency.
How you can own bitcoin
The first step that investors take into the world of cryptocurrency is purchasing bitcoin. People are used to traditional financial products, so this stage can be nerve-wracking and foreign.
From the value of $3,237 in December 2018, it has risen to $65,000 in November 2021. Like other cryptocurrencies, bitcoin is risky and liable to change rapidly and unpredictably to worse when compared to many proven investments, such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds.
Bitcoin can be bought through exchanges and stockbrokers or from other owners. Anyhow, always bear in mind the risk of investing in digital assets.
The following is a step-by-step guide to purchasing bitcoin
1. Choose a platform exchange where to buy bitcoin
Do your own research before making the final decision. After the decision is made, you have the option to do cryptocurrency exchanges or traditional brokers. Bitcoin can be purchased from several cryptocurrency exchanges. There are heaps of cryptocurrencies to choose from in the market. Fees and consumer protections are to be considered too. Make sure you comprehend everything before picking a source.
Currently, the number of traditional brokers is few. Robinhood was the first mainstream investment broker to offer bitcoin. It is available in most US states, and it doesn’t charge fees for bitcoin trades.
Here are the legit brokerages and cryptocurrency exchanges that offer bitcoin:
1. Binance.US
2. Coinbase
3. eToro
4. Gemini
5. Robinhood
6. SoFi Active Investing
7. Trade Station
8. Webull
9. Kraken
Coinbase gives you access to buy and sell about 100 cryptocurrencies. It is followed by Kraken with more than 90 cryptocurrencies, Binance.Us with 60 and Gemini with 50. Sofi Active Investing, Robinhood, Tradestation and Webull offer crypto for bitcoin, bitcoin cash and Ethereum, respectively.
Bitcoin ATMs are also an excellent way to buy or invest in bitcoin. It works just like a normal ATM that enables you to buy and sell bitcoin. In the USA, Coin ATM Radar has 27,000 bitcoin ATMs. Buying coins directly from other bitcoin owners is also possible, but you need to be very wary when doing so.
Proshare launched the first bitcoin Exchange-traded funds or ETF in October 2021. This allows you to invest in futures contracts for bitcoin. Grayscale funds can be bought through many discount brokers as they are publicly traded. These are the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) and Grayscale Ethereum Classic Trust (ETCG). There is an extra fee to buy bitcoin through a traditional exchange, but despite this, some investors are willing to do that as they don’t need to worry so much about their wallets and storage.
2. Decide on your bitcoin storage
There are two options for you to choose from as to where you want to store your bitcoin; we call them digital wallets. The first one is called a hot wallet, where bitcoin is stored by a trusted exchange or provider in the cloud and accessed through an app or computer browser on the internet.
It is offered for free to use by any trading exchange you choose to join. It is recommended to choose a wallet from a provider other than an exchange because many of them suffered from security contraventions in the past, and such services don’t provide insurance and security to be used to store money like a bank. Coinbase, Electrum, Blockchain and Mycelium are examples of hot wallets providers.
A cold wallet, on the other hand, is a small, encrypted portable device that allows you to download and carry your bitcoin. These are purchased for about $100, indeed expensive, but are more secure than hot wallets. Trezor and Ledger Nano are good examples of this kind of wallet.
3. Be ready to make the right purchase
It is necessary that you link your bitcoin wallet to your chosen bitcoin exchange first. Then, decide as to how much bitcoin you want to buy. A single bitcoin costs an arm and a leg; however, BTC or XBT can be bought and sold for fractional shares. That means your initial investment in this Bitcoin platform could be as low as $25.
4. Keep track of your bitcoin holdings
Since owning a bitcoin can create a complex tax situation, you can sell your bitcoin to others if and when the value moves higher, which is called day trading, or you can also buy and hold your stocks for as long as you want if you see a future for bitcoin as a digital currency.
How to become a successful bitcoin investor?
All investors want to succeed. But most of the time, success is so elusive that only very few people come out victorious in lucrative endeavours. This is especially true in crypto investment, given that the market is highly volatile and unpredictable. It takes discipline and clever strategies to secure investment returns.
The good news is, you can achieve success by studying the market, especially price movements, by using fundamental and technical indicators. You can also learn from experts in the industry to know some hacks to give you an advantage.
Final thoughts
Taking the first step in whatever you’ve planned to do, especially growing your money through investment, is always difficult and risky. But with the proper attitude, the right skills and enough guidance, you can avoid failures and are able to make better and wiser decisions that will eventually and hopefully lead to success.
Burger King was celebrating the opening of another new restaurant in London today.
The eaterie, in a posh part of the City of Westminster, specialises in signature Whoppers.
Spokesperson Lorraine Fisher, 34, said: “When grilled, the Whoppers are at their best.”
She admitted that large swathes of the population found the Whoppers hard to digest, but tried to deflect criticism.
“Are you looking at my buns?” she asked, before flouncing inside.
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he was not at a Downing Street party because he was tucking into dinner at Pizza Express in Woking at the time.
In a new statement, Mr Johnson says that after strolling into his garden and finding 100 people drinking wine and eating cheese, he was still sure it was a work event.
So, feeling the need to relax, he immediately turned around after 25 minutes and asked his driver to take him to Surrey where he could enjoy tucking into a deep-pan cheese and tomato pizza.
Downing Street spokesperson Lorraine Fisher, 34, said: “The Woking Pizza Express had been recommended to him by Prince Andrew because it is low-profile.
“Certainly, nobody saw Andrew there.
“The Prime Minister was eating alone and did not break any social distancing rules in Woking.
“That is the end of the matter.”
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This exclusive photo of the controversial Downing Street staff party proves social distancing measures were observed at all times.
The Suffolk Gazette was sent the image by regular reader Mr M Gove, who happened to be pruning some branches up a nearby tree when he spotted the gathering on May 20, 2020.
In an email to our editor, tree surgeon Mr Gove wrote: “My photograph shows quite clearly no rules were broken and that the Prime Minister did nothing wrong.
“He’s in there somewhere with Carrie, towards the middle, holding a large chunk of cheese and a bottle of red wine.
“All the people you see are individually mixing with just one other person.”
Invites to the drinks party were originally sent to only 100 Downing Street staff, but like all house parties, it soon got out of control with thousands turning up.
But Mr Gove insists the Government will be cleared of all the allegation of lawbreaking. “It seemed a small and socially distanced event,” he said.
But Labour activist Lorraine Fisher, 34, was not convinced by the photo: “Who is this mysterious Mr Gove who happened to be up a tree?
“The photo is clearly fake, but the fact remains that Boris Johnson has a lot to answer for. He should resign for misleading the public.”
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Scammers have always been around, but now that we have so much technology at our fingertips, fraudsters can target people in so many more ways than before.
It’s completely understandable to be worried, especially if you’ve been reading stories in the news about the countless people who have lost their money to criminals. But don’t worry, there are lots of things you can do to protect yourself and your personal information. After reading this blog, you’ll hopefully feel much better and in control. One of the first steps to tackling scammers is feeling confident enough to challenge them and their tactics.
Be wary of unknown numbers
Not all unknown phone calls will be scams, but any one of them could be. Rather than answering a call from a number you don’t recognise, use a service like unknownphone.com to determine whether other people have had a negative experience. If you don’t check who the caller is beforehand, you might end up paying a premium rate after answering. While there’s no guarantee that you’ll be safe to call back after checking this service, you’ll have a much better idea of who is on the other end. Don’t forget to have your wits about you anyway just in case.
Avoid clicking on suspicious links
Another way that lots of people fall victim to scams is through links in e-mails and text messages. While the sender might have a name you recognise, the link could be taking you to a website full of viruses. It’s important to check the e-mail address of the sender and hover your mouse over links before following them to check the address. Sometimes web addresses will be subtly different from the one you expect, so be sure to look closely. If you do happen to accidentally land on a scam website, don’t input any of your personal details into forms or boxes. Close the window and report the e-mail you received straightaway.
Don’t give anyone access to your computer
Lots of scammers will call you claiming to need access to your computer to fix a problem or save your personal information. By doing this, you’ll give them permission to steal all your files and potentially even install damaging software. These types of scams are often used to target older people who might know less about technology, so make sure any of your elderly relatives are aware of the risks.
Be suspicious of offers that are too good to be true
For years criminals have been targeting people with scams that tell them they’ve won a competition or can receive a high-value item for free. Whether it’s the lottery or the promise of a new car, avoid engaging with these types of e-mails and calls. Unless you’ve recently entered a competition and know to expect communication, it’s likely that a scam artist is trying to get their hands on your money.
Even the most streetwise people have fallen victim to scams, but you’ll be less likely to get stung if you remember not to trust everyone for who they say they are.
An electric car that can go up to ten miles on just one token has been invented by an innovative Suffolk engineering firm.
Haverhill-based Billy Bumper Ltd believes the attractive vehicle, which is a two-seater convertible, will take the eco-friendly automotive market by storm.
“It’s sleek, aerodynamic design will be a hit with buyers, and it even has inbuilt safety features to protect pedestrians,” a spokesman said.
At a special launch of the Lightening Bolt in a field outside Haverhill, executives showed off the car’s brilliant handling skills.
“It really does turn on a sixpence,” said head of public relations Lorraine Fisher, 34.
“You can really throw it around and it sticks to the road like glue. Topless motoring has never been so much fun.”
She explained that owners simply have to buy some round plastic tokens that will then power up the car for at least ten miles a time.
“Simply insert the token and away you go,” Ms Fisher explained. “Feel the wind in your hair as you take to the open road.”
Electric car
The Lightening Bolt has a novel safety feature, a deep rubber bumper that goes all around the vehicle.
“This is a bonus for any pedestrians, but it also means the car will not be damaged if it bashes into another one.”
The clever bumper also means a person can stand on the back of the vehicle as it moves along, so long as they hold on to the tall aerial.
Intriguingly, the automatic vehicle does not have a reverse gear. Instead, drivers are taught how to turn the steering wheel repeatedly until it locks, which then makes the car go backwards.
The steering wheel is in the middle of the dashboard, while the car’s seatbelt mechanism can be shared by the two occupants.
Billy Bumper Ltd, which employs 27 people at its Haverhill plant, already has hundreds of orders from coastal towns such as Blackpool, Clacton and Felixstowe.
“Our order books are full,” one excited member of staff said.
Each Lightening Bolt is priced at £2,499 and comes with a range of optional colours, including red, yellow, orange and the ever-popular blue.
Buyers should be aware that although the vehicle has lights, there is no radio or heating system. Or doors.
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A recent study revealed that COVID-19 is the top financial concern amongst high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), and as result of the pandemic, they are reassessing what they believe it’s worth spending their money on.
According to the Saltus Wealth Index — an extensive survey conducted by Saltus, a financial planning and investment management firm — almost a third of respondents believe that the pandemic, and its potential long-term effects, are the greatest threat to their wealth.
But how does this view vary between age groups, and what other factors are HWNIs concerned with? Perhaps, most importantly, how has the coronavirus crisis affected their spending habits?
Read on to find out more.
Identifying the biggest financial risks
The Saltus Wealth Index revealed the attitudes of HNWIs towards the UK economy, their own wealth, as well as what matters most to them personally. It surveyed over 1,000 respondents with investable assets over £250,000.
As previously mentioned, the coronavirus crisis came out on top as the greatest concern for HNWIs. However, the research found just 19% of those aged over 65 were worried about COVID-19 when it comes to their wealth. In fact, this age group was more concerned with inflation (50%) – in comparison to the younger generation, where just one in five under 35s cited this factor as their most significant worry.
According to the survey from the wealth management firm, other significant worries amongst HNWIs included:
Low interest rates and financial returns
Brexit
Climate change
These factors, and the ongoing uncertainties they inflict, are causing some HNWIs to become nervous about their own position and wealth. However, this does not falter their confidence in the future of the UK economy (80% of respondents think so), and in particular, London’s place as the financial capital of Europe.
Again, this varies between age groups. As little as 5% of over 65s say they have confidence in the UK’s economic future, while, 37% of those aged between 18 and 54 feel very confident about the future.
Views differ across regions too. The most confident HNWIs reside in Northern Ireland, with 91% of respondents being positive about the state of the UK economy over the next 6 months. On the other hand, 36% of respondents in Wales are not confident about the UK’s economic prospects.
Those living in Greater London (41%) are more than twice as likely to feel confident about the UK economy over the same period than those living in the West Midlands (18%).
The impact of COVID-19 on spending and lifestyle
Those surveyed were not just asked about their thoughts on the economy, and how the pandemic has financially impacted the UK. The HNWIs were also questioned on their own personal circumstances.
It seems that the pandemic has also caused a shift in attitude towards lifestyle choices, as one in four respondents stated they have become more charitable as a result. This is most apparent in those aged 35 to 44, where one in three stated they are now more philanthropic.
Relationships are also at the forefront, valued more so now than before the pandemic, as the research revealed that 24% of individuals are spending more time with their children and grandchildren, and 28% are more attentive to their spouse.
When it comes to finances, COVID-19 has also driven HNWIs to reassess their expenditure. As a result of the pandemic and recurring lockdowns, more than a third of those surveyed said they have spent money on products and services that improve their experience at home.
The research also found the most money was spent on experiences, such as holidays, dining out and going to the theatre, whereas only one in five said that owning property was their biggest splurge.
Although it can be assumed the pandemic has influenced the way HNWIs value experiences over assets when it comes to their lifestyle, from an investment point of view, only 3% of respondents valued experiences and intangibles, compared to 81% ranking physical assets as better use of their money.
Disclaimer: Information is correct to the best of our understanding as at the date of publication. Nothing within this content is intended as, or can be relied upon, as financial advice. Capital is at risk. You may get back less than you invested.
