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How to fund your startup

The Editor
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How to fund your startup
Woman at computer

If you want to start your own company, you might be concerned about how you’ll pay for it. Unfortunately, no one is waiting for the perfect moment to give you funds, even if your idea is great.

The good news is that you have options for funding a new company. There are often more options than if you were purchasing a home or car, so do your research before choosing one.

Research student loan deferment

Many college graduates have a nearly crippling level of debt from student loans. If that applies to you, you might feel turned off by the idea of investing in a startup as well.

And if you have a consistent source of income, you may dislike the idea of switching your career at some point for a startup. Your debt doesn’t have to stop you from living your dream. Consider researching student loan deferment to see if you qualify.

Deferments allow you to avoid making payments for a certain amount of time. With certain types of deferments, your loan’s interest won’t accrue. You can then put the money that you would have paid toward the loan toward your company instead.

Small business grants

Some organisations offer small business grants for companies that meet specific criteria. For example, grants might go to minority, veteran, or women-run companies.

Consider contacting the local Small Business Administration chapter to find out whether you are eligible to apply for grant money. Just make sure that this won’t have to be paid back later. Other times, funds can come with strings attached, so ensure you are aware of them. You should know what you might have to do later before you decide whether to accept the grant. That way, you won’t have an unpleasant surprise later.

Don’t quit your job

No one likes to hear this suggestion, but it is one of the most critical. If your current job meets your needs and allows you to put some money aside, keep that job while starting your business.

It takes a while to get a business off the ground, and the first years are among some of the most difficult. Keep your job so you can continue to pay the bills during this time. While you may not like this suggestion, keeping your current job prevents you from having to make as many compromises during the building phase. You can stay true to the original vision for the business. Plus, you will not feel the need to succumb to pressure financially.

If you keep your current job, you might also get experience that will help you keep your startup going later. Of course, if you only run the startup on the side, you might miss out on opportunities. Plus, you will not have as much free time, and there might not be enough hours in the day to get your company off the ground. However, if you are looking for an option that offers financial security, this might be for you.

5 successful ways to beat the bookie’s prop bets on the Super Bowl

The Editor
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5 successful ways to beat the bookie’s prop bets on the Super Bowl

The NFL is one of the wealthiest American sports leagues that feature massive betting games. Every year, it brings many surprises to the fans by highlighting the field’s best players and teams. Not only that, but they partner with many trusted sportsbooks to provide the best price-guaranteed wagering games it carries.

One of the most played betting games in the NFL is proposition bets. Commonly known as “props”, this betting category gives you the power to become a fortune-teller. Unlike the points spread, money lines, and totals, where numbers are your best friend, the prop bets needs the right prediction to the proposition set by the bookies before the match begins.

Hence, it does not require you to analyse the values and lines set by the bookie. Although it can help, your predictions are solely based on the skills of the team of players. Thus, if you visit this page on the FanDuel website and other trusted sportsbooks to fulfill your Proposition betting games, here are ways to ace the bookie and win tremendously.

Find props that are easy to interpret

Strong analytical skills are needed to win at prop bets. Many punters are skipping this kind of NFL betting because guessing equates to losing more money. While it’s true that there is a lower chance to grow your bankroll when you bet on predictions, there is a great profit that awaits when you simply choose prop bets that are easy to analyse.

You don’t have to bet every prop bet that’s offered by every bookie. All you have to do is find a proposition where you think your prediction is the real outcome. With this, you can ensure that you are gambling for the right entry. For example, betting Mahomes to win the Super Bowl MVP is more relevant than other QBs in the league.

Choose the exact term and category

NFL prop bets make vague terms that are sometimes difficult to understand. So, when you opt to gamble for this category, make sure to familiarise terms like touchdowns, yardage, passing yards, fumbles, sacks, interceptions, etc. Others are terms proposing who could be the MVP or  Rookie of the Year.

Apart from that, propositions are also categorised by team or player. That said, do not mix and match your props. When you wager for the team props, put everything in one place. On the other hand, if you would like to predict the players’ propositions, you must also do it in another place to avoid confusion.

Get away with the statistics

For punters who are betting other categories apart from prop bets, statistics will surely help. But, when it comes to wagering your predictions, numbers should not affect your decision because it should be based on the current match. Some bettors would likely look back at how each player started the season to bet for props, but it does not bear weight in reality.

It can be relevant somehow, but coming up with a prediction for a proposed bet is purely situational. It depends on what type of match is going on and who the current players perform inside the field. Also, your predictions might be influenced if you find two heavy favourites jousting or an underdog coming after a more hyped team.

Find the best lines

You have to apply the same idea when you gamble for the points spread, totals, and money lines. Bookies have different marketing strategies to entice every punter in utilising this site. Some are offering big bonuses, while others are making unique promotions. With this, you should shop for the best lines to land a higher payout.

Finding the best lines when betting for the prop bets is also comparing how the proposition looks. You must also balance the value you will earn as to whom pays you better when you hit the bullseye. By doing such, you are sure that you’ll get the best deal and are making the most out of your money.

Keep the good strategies within yourself

There is a greater opportunity to earn more in prop bets as long as you know how to ace the bookie. Once you find a good technique in beating their lines, try to keep these techniques within yourself. Aside from the bookie, other punters do their best to know what you are doing and why you win too much.

Building practical betting ideas and sharing them is not bad, but you don’t have to tell everyone. These are benefits of your sweat and hard work so take advantage of it while it’s still useful.

Takeaway

Prop Bets might not be tempting like the spread, but it’s a good wager to consider. For a punter who does not want to deal with numbers and statistics, props are the best football betting game to play. If you dream of sufficing a fruitful bankroll through prop bets, the tips above can significantly help.

Larry the Cat goes missing from Downing Street

The Editor
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Larry the Cat goes missing from Downing Street
What or whom was inside Dominic Cummings's cardboard box? (Photo: ITV News)
What or who was inside Dominic Cummings’s cardboard box? (Photo: ITV News)

Police have launched an inquiry after Larry the cat mysteriously disappeared from Downing Street.

By Hugh Dunnett, Crime Correspondent

Adorable Larry, who has become a global star, was last seen moments before Dominic Cummings left his post in Downing Street, clutching a large box.

There are serious concerns about what Boris Johnson’s fallen chief adviser had in the box.

While some aides feared it contained secrets and damning evidence of a Government in crisis, but police now believed all it had in it was Larry.

Inspector Lorraine Fisher, 34, of Westminster Police said: “It’s a cat-sized box, after all. We have been told Mr Cummings may have cat-napped Larry and will now hold the country to ransom from a secret lair. In Durham.”

Police are now scouring the land for Larry the cat, who people wish was the Prime Minister.

A pal of Mr Cummings insisted the box contents were simply some Specsavers glasses and his Phil Collins CD collection.

*Hat tip (or is it cat tip?) to Alastair Stewart on Twitter for the inspiration!

Dominic Cummings quits to become CEO of Specsavers

The Editor
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Dominic Cummings quits to become CEO of Specsavers
Cummings announces his Specsavers deal
Cummings announces his Specsavers deal (Photo: BBC)

Boris Johnson’s key adviser, Dominic Cummings has quit Downing Street to take over as CEO of eyesight retail giant Specsavers.

Mr Cummings drove 25 miles for his final interview this week and was given the all-clear to run the multi-million-pound empire.

He accepted the offer, but only after turning down a role with Land Rover, where he planned to promote a new model that lets you drive from London to Durham and back again without having to stop for fuel.

It is believed Mr Cummings will leave Downing Street by Christmas and take up his new position in the New Year. He will make ends meet in the meantime with his energetic Phil Collins tribute act.

Dominic Cummings Specsavers

Political commentator Lorraine Fisher, 34, said: “This is a big blow to Boris Johnson, but great news for Specsavers.

“It ensures they now have a friendly face at the top of the company and staff can’t wait for him to start.”

Mr Cummings’ first task is to create a new advertising slogan. Insiders say he has already decided: “Should’ve gone to Barnard Castle” has a nice ring to it.

He was seen later today walking out of Number 10 with a cardboard box, which did not seem big enough for all the skeletons he kept buried there.

Should’ve gone to Dirty Old Goat

That was the message for those Brits who foolishly didn’t do any Christmas shopping at the Suffolk Gazette’s mug partner, Dirty Old Goat mugs. Everyone knows the mugs make ideal gifts and stocking fillers. Visit the website or buy products direct, below…

Man who paid £35,000 for a camper van now realises he must shit in a bucket

The Editor
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Man who paid £35,000 for a camper van now realises he must shit in a bucket
shit in a camper van

‘Free spirit’ middle-aged man Steve Walshe forked out £35,000 on a cool camper van only to find out he now has to shit in a bucket.

Steve, 45, from Woodbridge in Suffolk, had long yearned for the freedom of the road, going wherever he and his partner pleased for exciting long trips or weekends away.

But after spending his life savings on a converted VW van with a fold-down bed, kitchen equipment for a midget and a table big enough for a cup and saucer, he realised there was no lavatorial equipment on board.

His furious partner, the fragrant Lorraine Fisher, 34, said: “You’re not telling me I have to shit in a bucket.

“And I’m not going outside into the woods in middle of the night to dig a hole and squat like a cat.

“Steve said this would be the ideal way to rekindle our youth, but I don’t think he has thought it through.”

Lorraine said she would only agree to park up and camp within ten miles of their home, so that if she felt the need, she could get back and use the loo.

“I suspect it won’t be long before the van begins sitting on the drive for longer periods at a time before being sold off for a £10,000 loss.

“Steve is an idiot.”

Joe Biden to make Barack Obama ambassador to Norfolk

The Editor
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Joe Biden to make Barack Obama ambassador to Norfolk
Barack Obama getting his first look at Norfolk
Barack Obama getting his first look at Norfolk (Photo: Joe Biden)

By Ian Bred, Norfolk Correspondent

US President-elect Joe Biden shows he’s not afraid of tackling major world problems – by appointing Barack Obama as ambassador to Norfolk.

Mr Biden will move the popular former President to an official residence in Downham Market, tasked with making the unruly UK county safe.

The US has key military airbase interests in Norfolk, and Mr Biden needs Mr Obama to cajole the locals out of the dark ages.

Washington political commentator Lorraine Fisher, 34, said US bases in East Anglia were critical to the US’ wider military influence and standing as a geopolitical force.

“Unfortunately, while the bases are in a superb strategic position, they are in Norfolk. Locals are backward and lawless, and there is no better man than Barack Obama to win them over and protect our interests.”

News broke earlier this week that Mr Obama was being lined up to be an ambassador in London.

But while some speculated it would instead be ambassador to the EU, we can reveal his appointment is really ambassador to Norfolk.

One early problem will be finding an official residence in Downham Market, where most properties are hovels with straw on the floors.

Recipe box demand surges during pandemic

The Editor
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Recipe box demand surges during pandemic

Without a doubt, the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted economic and social activities globally. We have seen the world go from normalcy to lockdowns, border closures as well as other myriads of restrictions. Millions of people have struggled with economic hardships, mental health issues, homelessness, domestic violence and isolation, just to mention a few.

With millions of enterprises facing an existential threat, businesses have been forced to adapt to the pandemic. For one, the online space has not only been an important part of business operations but has also been essential for their survival during this period. This has helped businesses centre their operations online and deliver to customers in the comfort of their homes. 

The pandemic has also led to the loss of incomes, with millions facing unemployment as a result of the closure of businesses. Many people have also been forced to work from home and with restaurants closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the majority of people have been forced to cut on restaurants dining and takeaways and search for online recipes and meal boxes.

According to newbie deals, here are some of the recipes boxes you should try out. They are inclusive of all including vegans and contain healthy recipes for an individual or even the whole family!

Vegan recipe boxes

If you thought vegan meals are boring, you are wrong. With a wide variety of simple ingredients not to mention incredible and thought-out recipe boxes, you will be spoilt for choice. The pandemic has seen people take extra care of what they eat, mostly to boost their immunity.

People have shifted to vegan meals, with Mindful Chef seeing a 345% increase in vegan recipe box demand. These recipe boxes contain interesting meal plans such as the red peto jackfruit and chickpea stuffed peppers, kung pao tempeh with baby corn and broccoli and the parsnip, kale and kidney bean hotspot recipe box, just to mention a few. These recipes are easy to follow and take less than 30 minutes to prepare. How convenient!

With deliveries starting on Mondays, this helps you jumpstart your vegan meals with no delays whatsoever.

Family recipe boxes

The mindful chef is also inclusive to cater to families with a variety of recipe boxes that are not only healthy but are also easy to prepare. This is especially helpful for those who have to cater to the needs of their families while also working from home.

In the healthy family recipe boxes, a weekly box contains 2 to 3 healthy recipes that cater to 3 to 5 people and 12 recipes to choose from.

Among the recipes in the family recipe box include harissa salmon, potato fries and sundried tomato, chicken pesto and sweetcorn penne, honey and harissa chicken skewers with quinoa, Spanish rice with cod and portobello mushrooms with Mexican-style rice.

Healthy recipe boxes

If you are mindful of your health and what you consume, I’m sure you have or will be on the lookout for the healthiest recipes that suit your needs. Handcrafted by qualified chefs, the mindful chef has recipe boxes that are dairy and gluten-free.

They are packed with quality and nutritious ingredients most suitable for the microwave air oven in as little as 8 minutes. Among the available and affordable healthy meal boxes include chicken satay chicken, Smokey chipotle chicken, comforting veggie lasagne, chicken tikka masala, Smokey pulled jackfruit and cashew chickpea korma.

Riverford recipe box is also an excellent choice. Delivered once a week, this recipe box has the highest quality and organic produce farmed with the highest standards. All ingredients are also seasonal and are developed by a team of excellent chefs. They also change every week hence breaking the monotony of having the same meal over and over. From this recipe box, you can make a cashew stir fry with cauliflower rice and tofu among other fantastic meal ideas.

Smoothie recipes

You might also want to add smoothies to your diet. These provide the body with essential minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and fiber. Whether you are looking to incorporate banana smoothies, green smoothies, mango smoothies or even berry smoothies, the mindful chef has a wide array of pre-prepped frozen fruits, healthy grains and vegetables. The ingredients also have no added sugar, stabilizers and preservatives.

Among the smoothie options available at mindful chef include the passion fruit breakfast smoothie, apple blackberry smoothie, banana cocoa smoothie, berry blast smoothie and super green smoothie, all available in a pack of 5. Others are available in a pack of 12 such as the tastier smoothie bundle.

The lean green smoothie is an excellent choice for a start. The smoothie box is pre-packed with spiced ginger, zippy lime, spinach and crisp apples and pears. You can also opt to add chia seeds for that protein boost. And to add to this, you don’t need to worry about the availability of small pears, they are frozen and packed for your ready use!

Police ‘to stop’ investigating crime

The Editor
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Police ‘to stop’ investigating crime
crime scene tape

By Hugh Dunnett, Crime Correspondent

Swingeing budget cuts and COVID-19 measures could force the police to cease investigating crime, according to a leaked top-level report.

The report, from a multi-agency body called Policing Economics in Norfolk, Ipswich and Suffolk, details how years of budgetary restrictions, government interference and pressures on the police service from COVID-19 could lead to ‘expensive’ crime investigations being halted.

The controversial report – entitled Policing Post-Covid: A new Social Dynamic  –  says cash-strapped police should not have to deal with investigations of crime which are ‘time consuming’, ‘complicated’ and ‘wasteful on resources’.

Instead, police should focus on the existing procedures of arriving late to a scene before handing out crime prevention leaflets, a crime number and retuning to their station to fill out the appropriate reporting forms.

The report outlines how refined protocols could include virtual officers answering FAQs in an updated website, leaving them more time for vital paperwork.

“During Covid, petty crime has rocketed,” states the report. “And in spite of the Prime Minister’s promise of extra officers, the police simply no longer have time to chase down criminals as this creates an intolerable threat of time and cost overruns.”

Under guidelines recommended by the report, police officers will be required:

  • To assess a report of crime for protocol nuisance value
  • To establish a probable cost report
  • Make an assessment of PR value in investigating the alleged crime
  • Risk assess the probability of an investigation of causing offence among minority and/or specialist socio-economic groups

Once a report has been filed, suggests the report, a senior civilian will decide, based on the evidence, whether or not to offer the victim counselling.

“I was afraid something like this might happen,” said a recently retired senior officer who asked not to be named. “Crime, quite honestly, is a pain in the police backside. It simply interferes with day-to-day policing.

“Have you any idea how long it takes, per call out, to verify the ethnicity, faith and gender preferences of every potential victim, witness and suspect in an alleged crime?”

Professor Lorraine Fisher, 34, of the Suffolk Institute of Studies, said: “I hasten to add we were not consulted on this saddening report. The simple matter of fact, however, is the poor old bobby in the beat no longer exists.

“Current policing skills involve creating soothing messages on long telephone queues and directing victims to the website. Leaving the police station in this day and age is expensive, inconvenient and simply not cost-effective.”

Prof Fisher also pointed out that after months of coronavirus lockdown, the courts were so back-logged the chances of prosecuting perpetrators of crime anywhere in the next decade were ‘slim to none’.

Despite numerous attempts by the Suffolk Gazette, no-one at Suffolk and Norfolk Police could be reached for comment.

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