Work smarter rather than harder! By Alex Tana

We often hear the expression “work smarter but not harder”; but what does it actually mean? Whatever work you are involved, being a parent and running a home or running a home based/small business or working for someone, work takes a lot of our time and energy. And at this time of financial restrictions the temptation is to work “harder”. Why not “smarter?”

1. Work harder ~ A fantastic way to ruin your heath, damage your family and social life, get stressed and in the end…. often…. produce very little additional income. Or you are a maniac of “diy” in the broadest sense… you literally want to do everything yourself in the illusion that you will save money

2. Work smarter ~ using your skills and interests to do what you can and love to do best and delegating to others the rest, having a good time and resources management, focusing on urgencies and priorities rather that your moods.

For Business coaching, life coaching contact Alex Tana www.alextana.com

How to own a house without being on the legal title?

If you own a house then you will have your title registered at the Land Registry. That is simple enough. No more than four people can be registered as the legal owners and it should go without saying that all owners must be 18 or over and not bankrupt.

So how can you be an owner without a registered title?

Answer: A Declaration of Trust.

Under English law, ownership of the legal title of a house is distinct from the ownership of the beneficial title.  In essence, this means that you may own the house but are not entitled to the proceeds of sale when it is sold.

This is arranged by the legal owners stating that they hold the property under a trust on whatever terms set out in the trust deed. The trust can be very flexible and protect monies invested or ensure someone has the right to live in a house.

Some common uses are:-

• Protect parents’ capital invested in a son or daughter’s first purchase

• Protect unequal contributions of capital to a purchase by unmarried couples and provision for sale if required by one partner.

• Set out the terms and proportions under which a commercial property may be held by business partners

• Help protect capital asset of a couple where one owner is self-employed and may be liable to future substantial financial claims against his business.

To be most effective, Declarations of Trust should be signed when the property is first purchased. Remember always take legal advice to ensure that all parties to the document receive independent legal advice.

Paul Wilks

Licensed Conveyancer,

Member of Solicitors for the Elderly.

01983 614657 for see website http://www.paulwilks.com

European judges have ruled it is illegal for insurers to offer different prices to men and women.

The change will come into full force in December 2012.

Martin Lewis, creator of MoneySavingExpert.com says: “This new sexless insurance ruling is a massive game changer.

“With car insurance I think there’s some logic to this ban – gender price differences there are based on behaviour. Why should one man pay more because others behaved badly? Would we allow the same to happen based on racial differences?

“However, in the main it is ludicrous. Most cost differences are because women live longer, that’s not bias it’s biology and there is nothing wrong with factoring that into quotes. For example, it means women get better annuity rates but worse life term assurance costs.

“Luckily, a little common sense prevailed as the ruling won’t have full impact for over 18 months, but technically it means insurers have already priced wrongly by doing this in the past – as it’s a clarification of the law rather than a new law.

“That means it’s likely we’ll see pricing models start to move before the deadline date as they get compliant. Of course, don’t expect men and women’s prices to meet in the middle. In car insurance where women under 40 pay substantially less than men, my best estimate is young mens’ costs will drop a little, womens’ rise a lot.”

Full info at www.moneysavingexpert.com/euinsure

The Baby and Toddler Event is believed to be the Isle of Wight’s first ever show dedicated to bumps,babes and tots, and any island business that caters for them! Held at Cowes Yacht Haven on 2/3 April, The Baby and Toddler Event will have exhibitors includingactivity groups, nurseries, gift companies, baby equipment retailers, photographers, fitness andhealth professionals. There will be a demonstration area for activity groups, and informative talks,dedicated feeding and changing areas, plus a buggy park with baby-slings available. The cafe/snackarea and bar will be open too! Tickets are £5 per family (2 adults & up to 4 children). From each ticket sold £2 will go to Barely Born- the Isle of Wight Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Appeal. Each ticket will also double as a raffle ticket. Check the website www.thebabyandtoddlerevent.co.uk for more details.

Santa Specials – One of the UK’s Best! A national newspaper has named The Isle of Wight Steam Railway’s Santa Specials as one of the UK’s best pre-Christmas attractions! In a recent feature, the Sunday Mirror listed the Railway as one of nine top Christmas attractions around the UK at which to meet Father Christmas in his grotto. Others on the list are as far afield as Scotland, Cumbria, Yorkshire and Kent. “It’s great to be recognized by a national newspaper as one of the best”, said IW Steam Railway Commercial Manager, Jim Loe. “And to be highlighted alongside a major venue such as Lapland UK in Kent is a real accolade!” Santa is expecting to be busy when he returns to The IW Steam Railway from this Saturday 18th December and stays for seven days up to and including Christmas Eve. “We’ve been running our hugely successful Santa Specials each December for some 30 years and there’s no doubt that Islanders love a good-quality day out with the children in the run-up to Christmas,” said Jim. “Although the snow and cold weather affected visitor numbers during our first weekend (4th/5th December), numbers were much better yesterday (Sunday 12th) and matched last year’s excellent figures. With Island schools breaking-up this week, Santa is really looking www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk forward to welcoming lots of children and their families, and ensuring they have a really special pre-Christmas treat!” The IW Steam Railway’s Santa Specials run from for seven days from this Saturday 18th December, on 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th December. • New for 2010 – A bigger and better Winter Wonderland to captivate the children • Meet Santa in his grotto where a quality gift awaits every child • Choose whether to visit the Winter Wonderland and Santa before or after your train ride • Enjoy a relaxing 10-mile round trip on the cosy heated steam train • Entertainment for the Children included in the ticket price – Magic Shows at 11.30, 12.30, 2.30 & 3.30 • Bouncy Castle (under cover) until 4.30pm • New for 2010 – Meet ‘Snowy’ the Owl and other birds of prey • Children receive light refreshments • Adults receive a festive tipple or a soft drink, plus mince pie • Well-stocked shop for Christmas gifts • Fully licensed Restaurant with a wide menu of meals and drinks • Celebration Christmas Lunches available (must be pre-booked) Tickets for this weekend available on the gate: Adults £15.50, Children (5-15) £11.50, Infants (0-4) £9.50. Tickets include a quality gift for every child, train rides and all of the items featured above, For full details please contact: 01983 882204 www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk

Welcome to Preview Boutique Newport. Women’s Clothing Boutique. A little of what you need … A lot of what you want. Sam and her staff welcome you into a warm and friendly atmosphere, offering a personalised service and honest advice.Step inside Preview Boutique and you are surrounded by a stunning selection of unusual day and evening wear for the woman that wants to stand out from the crowd.

The new Autumn/winter collection ranges from casual knitwear, denim and shirts to party and evening dresses. Chic, classic and cool, be on trend this season. You may also want Indulge yourself in our exquisite costume jewellery range, unusual handbags and pashmina’s. They also make the perfect Christmas gift. Can’t find that perfect present ? Treat someone you love to one of our gift vouchers this Christmas. If you have any questions, queries or special requests, send us an email at shop@preview-boutique.co.uk. Or why not drop in and enter your details in our visitors book and receive updates on collections and discounted evenings. www.preview-boutique.co.uk Preview Boutique at 60 The High Street, Newport & 53 Marmion Road,

THE GREAT ISLAND BAKE-OFF

Have you been inspired to get baking, after watching BBC2’s Great British Bake Off?  Well now there’s the chance to enter your best culinary creation into an Islandwide baking competition and win yourself some professional quality Pampered Chef cookware (www.pamperedchef.co.uk).

The Great Island Bake-Off will be held on Sunday 24th October, 2-4 pm,at Nodehill Middle School on Upper St James’ Street, Newport.

It costs £2.50 to enter (£1 for children) and there are two main categories: savoury or sweet.  Prizes will be some fabulous bakeware from The Pampered Chef.  There will also be a special children’s prize for under 10 year olds.  Entries will be judged by the legendary Matt and Cat of the Isle of Wight’s Eating Out Guide (http://mattandcat.co.uk/).

All entrants need to register their interest by Thursday 21st October and must bring their baking entry along to Nodehill Middle School at 1 o’clock on the 24th October.  (In certain circumstances, it may be possible submit it the day before).  Please contact Pampered Chef Consultant, Anna Pocock, on 01983 241616 or e-mail her at annapocock@mac.com.

Do please come along and support the event, even if you’re not entering the competition yourself.  There will be a fantastic raffle of over £100-worth of Pampered Chef cookware to be won, with all proceeds going to Cancer Research.  Tea and cakes will be available to buy and there will also be pink products and the whole Pampered Chef range available to sample and order on the day, with 25% of sales being donated to Cancer Research.  All profits from entrance fees and refreshment sales will additionally be donated to Cancer Research, specifically for research into breast cancer

THE GREAT ISLAND BAKE-OFF

Have you been inspired to get baking, after watching BBC2’s Great British Bake Off?  Well now there’s the chance to enter your best culinary creation into an Islandwide baking competition and win yourself some professional quality Pampered Chef cookware (www.pamperedchef.co.uk).

Premier supplier of essential and beautiful kitchen tools, The Pampered Chef have supported Cancer Research every October for the past 4 years, raising over £850,000 in the process.  They do this through fundraising cooking shows (call Anna on 01983 241616 to find out more about hosting your own) and by selling exclusive pink products, with £1 of each sale going to the charity.  This year, they’re hoping to top the £1 million mark!

The Great Island Bake-Off will be held on Sunday 24th October, 2-4 pm, at Nodehill Middle School on Upper St James’ Street, Newport.

It costs £2.50 to enter (£1 for children) and there are two main categories: savoury or sweet.  Prizes will be some fabulous bakeware from The Pampered Chef.  There will also be a special children’s prize for under 10 year olds.  Entries will be judged by the legendary Matt and Cat of the Isle of Wight’s Eating Out Guide (http://mattandcat.co.uk/).

All entrants need to register their interest by Thursday 21st October and must bring their baking entry along to Nodehill Middle School at 1 o’clock on the 24th October.  (In certain circumstances, it may be possible submit it the day before).  Please contact Pampered Chef Consultant, Anna Pocock, on 01983 241616 or e-mail her at annapocock@mac.com.

Do please come along and support the event, even if you’re not entering the competition yourself.  There will be a fantastic raffle of over £100-worth of Pampered Chef cookware to be won, with all proceeds going to Cancer Research.  Tea and cakes will be available to buy and there will also be pink products and the whole Pampered Chef range available to sample and order on the day, with 25% of sales being donated to Cancer Research.  All profits from entrance fees and refreshment sales will additionally be donated to Cancer Research, specifically for research into breast cancer.

The opening of a new dancewear shop in Shanklin means that specialist dance clothing,shoes and accessories are now available right here on the Island.

Dancing, whether it’s for exercise, competition, performance or just for fun has never beenmore popular but until recently, people looking for a well stocked, specialist dancewearoutlet have had to travel to the mainland or shop mail order. That all changed when FlexDancewear of 43, High Street, Shanklin (near the pet shop) opened it’s doors in April2010.

When deciding what to stock, shop owner Charlotte Back spoke to the experts, includingdance teachers, professional performers and of course the many keen young dancers onthe Island. Flex is now an authorised stockist for Bloch, Capezio, Freed and Pineapple. If you pop into the shop you’ll normally be greeted by Michelle or Sammie, bothexperienced dancers with a wealth of knowledge, they’re always willing to offer help andadvice. For more information see www.flexdance.co.uk or find them on Facebookwww.facebook.com/FlexDancewear. All in all a welcome addition to Shanklin’s HighStreet.

Launched on the 28^th May 2010, notinthewightstreet.com, has emerged as a clear favourite on the worldwide web. Bringing together many small independent Island retailers and local creative talents it is offering a multitude of unique and special gifts for sale all in one place.

Co-creators, Jo and Mike of Bembridge Emporium, state that “some of the very best beautiful individual shops our Island has to offer are now accessible to all at the click of a button, in addition to established and yet undiscovered creative talents”.

A labour of love, this website has been a year in the planning. Consulting with local retailers the site has adapted and grown. Remaining true to their mission of promoting small businesses and crafts, Jo and Mike continue to scour Island-wide in search of more exclusive retailers whilst hunting out the hidden gems our Garden Isle has to offer.

“Our true aim” says Jo “is to actively display just how wonderful the Isle of Wight shops are. Whilst shopping ever rapidly moves on line we feel it’s important to still enable the consumer to buy with a confidence that can only truly be given by your caring local traders. Furthermore, we see that Island people want to ‘shop-local’ and support our independent shops”.

Highlighting the increasing number of talents being added to their site, Mike informs, “even we were taken aback by the huge amount of interesting and unique crafts the Isle of Wight has to offer. Our only difficulty now is the time it takes to bring them all to you on line, it really is very exciting”.

With independent shops such as Crocus Interiors, IW Natural Candles and Lavender Blue, all in Ryde combined with My House, Newport and both Shorelines and Galerias of Cowes, notinthewightstreet.com brings you an array of established and much loved names. All sat alongside such well known Island creators as Available Light Photography and Dawn Campbell (Pelham House Gallery) Textiles.

The message is clear, Isle of Wight businesses are diverse, adaptable to your needs and most importantly – here to stay. United in a new worldwide venture, who could possibly provide their customers a better service? So take a look now www.notinthewightstreet.com