70s 454

A thrifty couple has explained how they saved almost £50,000 for a deposit on their first home by making some serious savings during the coronavirus lockdown. Louise and Mike Zanier saved cash as lockdown put an end to expensive nights out and the couple moved back in with her parents for six months and ditched takeaways. The couple also used Covid restrictions to claw back money and saved thousands by not travelling into work and no longer buying expensive takeaway coffees. The pair already had £17,000 saved for their first home but they were able to claw another £31,790 together in the last 12 months thanks to the lockdown. In total, it meant they had a £48,790 deposit to put toward their £325,000 two bed end terrace in Northfleet, Kent. Content manager Mrs Zanier, 30, says she used spreadsheets to track their spending after being inspired by money saving guru Martin Lewis, who she had previously had a work placement with. Spreadsheets showed they were spending around … [Read more...] about Thrifty couple explain how they saved £48,000 deposit for first home in lockdown

This article was originally published at The Conversation. The publication contributed the article to Live Science's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights. We have only just moved into May and despite being seven months away from next summer in the southern hemisphere, climate researchers are seeing the beginnings of what could be the most powerful El Niño event since 1997/98. An El Niño is a change in Pacific Ocean and atmosphere that typically causes drought, extreme heat and bushfires in Australia. Last year was a neutral El Niño and we have been surprisingly lucky with only a few small El Niño ’s since the 21st century started, despite having two of the hottest years on record globally in 2005 and 2010 . The last really big El Niño was in 1997/98. It is no coincidence that 1998 is the only remaining year from the past century that still sits in the top 10 for the hottest years, globally, on record. By itself, research shows an El Niño event can raise … [Read more...] about Are We Heading for a Worrying Super El Niño?

The trend of e-commerce development differs between slow-growing regions and developed regions. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City continue to lead Vietnam e-business index 2021 (EBI 2021), according to the latest report released on April 20 by the Vietnam E-commerce Association (VECOM) in Hanoi. Source: the VECOM. Chart: Phi Nhat E-commerce gap Ho Chi Minh City leads the e-commerce index with a total score of 67.6 points, followed by Hanoi with a total score of 55.7 points, the central city of Danang with 19.04 points, the southern province of Binh Duong with 14.76 points and the southern province of Dong Nai with 11.14 points. The e-commerce gap between two biggest cities (Hanoi and HCM City) and other provinces remained unchanged. The northern port city of Haiphong was relagated from the third position to the sixth in the e-commerce index this year. The Vietnam E-business Index (EBI) in 2021 was based on three key criteria: human resources and … [Read more...] about Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City lead Vietnam e-business index 2021

McDonald’s opened its third restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City, following the successful operation of the other two in the city. The two-storey building, situated in District 6, with total area of 1,600 square metres and has 280 seats for customers. McDonald’s Phu Lam includes drive-thru service, a children’s playground and VIP rooms for party, and toilets designed for people with disabilities. McDonald's has developed more than 35,000 locations in more than 100 countries worldwide, serving approximately 70 million customers each day. The world’s largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants - McDonald’s inaugurated its first restaurant in the eastern part of HCM City six months ago and the second one in District 1 three months later. … [Read more...] about McDonald’s launches fast food restaurant in Vietnam

Rang Dong Light Source and Vacuum Flask JSC in Ha Dinh, Thanh Xuan, Ha Noi. — Photo cafef.vn A digital transformation strategy helped Rang Dong Light Source and Vacuum Flask JSC increase its revenue and profit in 2020 and in the first quarter, according to the firm's leaders. According to director Nguyen Doan Thang, in the first quarter of 2021, it recorded revenue of VND1.53 trillion (US$65.9 million), up by 38.4 per cent while export turnover increased by 70 per cent and budget contribution increased 78.1 per cent while the firm’s profit increased by 45.7 per cent over the same period to reach VND139 billion. In 2020, Thang said revenue rose 15.6 per cent from 2019, reaching VND4.92 trillion. “Digital transformation is vital for businesses because if done successfully, it will help bring Rang Dong brand to the world," Thang said. He added thanks to the restructuring of appropriate product and market strategies since early 2020, the firm’s LED 4.0 ecosystems won awards in … [Read more...] about Rang Dong enjoys more revenue from digital transformation strategy