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What to Look at When Choosing A Bitcoin Exchange

Make sure you’re buying your Bitcoin from the best exchange in order to maximize profitability and security. Here are some things to consider when buying your Bitcoin… CONTINUE READING >> 

What a turnaround Bitcoin has had in recent months. From speculation that the price would continue to drop into oblivion it has changed its fortunes and now looks set to have a terrific 2019. This resurgence has led to many cryptocurrency investors looking to buy Bitcoin again and there have been mass scrambles to get the currency while it rises rapidly. Want our advice? Make sure you’re buying your Bitcoin from the best exchange in order to maximize profitability and security. The Singapore bitcoin guide written by Dr Wealth can help.

Here are some more things to consider when buying your Bitcoin!

Compare Price Charts

Comparing price charts is an easy way to determine whether you’re getting the best value for money when buying Bitcoin.

You want to look at exchanges that publish price charts in real time and then make a shortlist of exchanges with the best prices.

Compare Exchange Fees

Exchanges are businesses; they have a profit margin and it means they charge fees. There are three things to consider when comparing fees so pay close attention to them.

Low Fees Might Seem Great but They Have Pitfalls

Be wary of exchanges that have very low fees, especially in comparison to the rest of the cryptocurrency exchanges. Low fees are very attractive to investors because this increases their profit margins. But, low-fee exchanges tend to suffer with the same problem. Simply put, it costs money to run an exchange and it costs even more money to keep the exchange secure and user funds safe.

Low-fee exchanges tend to attract a large volume of investors to generate their profit margin. Beyond that, they tend not to put much money back into the exchange’s security protocols because with less profit there is less scope to be able to afford to.

High-Fee Exchanges Should Also be Avoided

High-fee exchanges tend to be smaller communities that don’t attract much in the way of users because of the high cost associated with transacting on them. For financial reasons, you should try and steer clear of high-fee exchanges as they tend to be less profitable for investors. These exchanges rely on users that aren’t very savvy. People come across them and then invest without checking out the competition first.

Medium-Fee Exchanges Tend to Be Most Reputable

Have you noticed that the most successful exchanges aren’t the cheapest exchanges? That is because the most successful exchanges have been around for a long time and know to charge users a fair price while reinvesting profits back into the exchange. This would ultimately save them from being hacked or being shut down for failing to comply with regulatory guidelines. All of the most reputable exchanges sit very middle-of-the-road in terms of fees. Let’s take a look at one of them as an example.

CEX.IO is a London-based exchange that has been active in the market since 2013. Although it is usually regarded as an exchange with the above-average fees, CEX.IO is still a go-to option for many users and enjoys a base of around 3 million active traders. The selling point of this platform is that it offers various fee plans – for occasional buyers and for regular traders. Thus, if you are looking to buy Bitcoin instantly with a credit card, you will be charged a 7% fee from the total fiat amount you spend. On the other hand, if you aim at trading cryptocurrency on a daily basis, you will be subject to the taker-maker fees. The fee range for trading is 0-0.25%. Mind, however, that this fee schedule applies to your 30-day trade volume.

Ease of Transacting

Your next consideration when buying Bitcoin is how easy it is to transact and actually buy that Bitcoin. Most exchanges will accept credit cards; some will support PayPal; and a few of them will allow you to use debit cards.

You know where your funds are and how you want to buy your Bitcoin, so make sure you have chosen an exchange that works for you. Using a credit card might seem easy, but then you will likely have an interest rate attached to that card (which will erode your profit margin). You might likewise have funds in your bank account without needing to pay huge commissions to buy your Bitcoin.

Although Bitcoin is a coin of the moment, there will be a time when you want to sell your Bitcoin. This might be a direct transaction back to your local currency, or it may be that you have spotted a cryptocurrency or stock opportunity elsewhere, so you wish to trade your Bitcoin for it.

If the latter is the case, you will definitely want to consider a multi-asset trading platform. We have mentioned CEX.IO above on purpose. It has recently added support to CFD trading via its new CEX.IO Broker platform. So, if you are a CEX.IO user and want to try out new Bitcoin opportunities, the platform will be just the thing.

Check Your Tax Obligations

Many reputable exchanges have guidance on staying in line with local tax regulations so make sure you have read the legal information that the exchange provides you. Bitcoin is very much in the public eye at the moment, and this means that tax authorities are paying particular attention to those making money from crypto investment and trading. Ensure you’re trading in a legal and tax-safe manner and follow the exchange guidelines.

Stay Secure

Exchanges get targeted by hackers ALL THE TIME. Sometimes these hacks are successful and investors are robbed of their hard-earned money. Exchanges that have suffered repeated breaches should be avoided at all costs as they’re likely not investing in rigid enough security measures.

Transact on exchanges that are known for being safe, and make sure you read about the security policies on the exchanges you’re comparing. Finding an exchange that has never been breached and actively posts about the security updates they’re doing is priceless in the world of cryptocurrency.

An Additional ‘Stay Safe’ Procedure

Even if you are sure that the exchange you have chosen is robust against hacking, don’t be reckless and leave your funds in the exchange wallet. While reputable exchanges are extremely security-conscious, they aren’t infallible. All computer systems that are linked to the internet will have some weakness. So, to make doubly sure your investment is safe, remove your Bitcoin to your personal wallet.

Selecting an exchange with strict security measures and then being precautious about how you protect your investment will contribute to your security and result in a very happy and profitable trading experience without the worry that someone is going to steal your Bitcoin.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

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5 Reasons Why Medellín Should be Your Next Travel Destination

Medellín has transformed into a modern Columbian city over the last 15 years and has become a popular tourist hotspot. Here are 5 reasons that you will want to visit… CONTINUE READING >> 

Medellín has transformed into a modern Columbian city over the last 15 years. The city is known to be much safer. They have added a cable car and a metro system to get around the city and they have built new parks, buildings, restaurants and libraries. On top of this, the tech scene is something else that can be seen growing in the city. Residents of Medellín are extremely proud of the changes that have been made and everything that has been accomplished here. Due to this positive association, excitement and optimism fill this city’s air. Due to the improvements and its temperate climate that lasts all year, Medellín has become a popular tourist hotspot. If this hasn’t convinced you to visit, then here are 5 reasons that may be able to do so.

Entertainment

There are many things to see in Medellín. One of the most popular tourist hotspots is the Plaza Botero, which is famous for oversized statues and drawings of people that have been created by the artist, Botero. There are thought to be around 23 pieces of Botero’s work at the plaza. There are always people around here, plus other artists and street performers, making the atmosphere buzzing. Another popular place to visit is Parque Lleras, located in the middle of Poblado. This location is said to be the most fun area of Medellín. People fill the streets during the day and night and there are many food sellers, musicians, places to drink and street vendors. The final place many tourists like to visit is the sites of the Pablo Escobar tour, however, many locals don’t appreciate these tours as it glorifies something that many of them don’t support.

Explore the Streets

If you are a foodie, love culture and/or want to learn more about the way of life in Medellín, taking a food tour, city tour and/or visiting local markets are brilliant ways to get a taste of real life in this Columbian city. Due to the large number of locals in these areas, knowing Spanish can be very helpful. Fortunately, it is very easy to find a place and to learn Spanish from a local in Medellín if you aren’t very fluent in the language.

Guatapé

Guatapé is a popular destination for a day trip, but spending a full night there is advised. It is a colorful village about 2 hours away from the city which sits on the side of a lake. A party boat or speedboat can be taken to travel to the village and a granite monolith, named El Peñol, is known as its main attraction.

Scenery

The sights surrounding Medellín are natural and take you back to nature. Near the city, in the mountains, you can find Wander Parque Arvi. There is a gondola that can be taken from the subway to the park, where you can hike independently or pay for a guided tour. Jardín Botánico is another place you should explore. It consists of a botanical garden that hosts a number of events, festivals and concerts. The gardens are home to a huge number of plants and wildlife. There is also a restaurant located in the center, which is a great place to relax and take in the scenery.

Soccer

In Medellín, soccer is a religion and if you are visiting, you should see a game. It isn’t expensive and provides a few hours of entertainment, while taking in the city’s culture. Supporters of the two local teams found here are separated in the bleachers due to how intense the rivalry is between the teams.

There are so many reasons to visit this city. Being aware of the local history and the traditions of the local is advised. This way, you will be able to become part of the city and show the least amount of disrespect to its residents.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

Financing Your Lifelong Commitment To Travel

Once you’ve decided that you want frequent travel to be a part of your life, it’s time to think about how you are going to afford the expenses associated with regularly being on the move. Luckily, there are a number of creative methods for funding travel that help offset the cost of living an international lifestyle… CONTINUE READING >> 

Once you’ve decided that you want frequent travel to be a part of your life, it’s time to think about how you are going to afford the expenses associated with regularly being on the move. Travel is increasingly expensive, with the average cost of global airfare steadily rising as demand for airline use increases. Luckily, there are a number of creative methods for funding travel that help offset the cost of living an international lifestyle.

Review Your Funding Options

Many people set aside money in a savings account to fund their travel, although this mentality changes slightly when travel is a very frequent aspect to your life. If you don’t have time to save, you can apply for a personal loan to help finance your travel expenses. Take your time to shop around for the right loan, as competitive interest rates vary between different banks, even for individuals with consistent credit scores. The biggest component to saving for an international lifestyle is sticking to a specific budget and deadline to meet your expenses. Aside from your regular budget, you should always keep an “emergency fund” when traveling that you can access easily from abroad. Emergency funds are an important safety net, especially if you do not have healthcare in the country you are traveling to and require medical attention.

Develop A Global Career

There are generally two ways to mold your job into a jetsetting lifestyle: you can choose a career path that involves regular travel, or you can work remotely, thus allowing you to explore the world at your leisure with the blessing of good wifi connection. For the first route, careers with international airlines, corporate agencies, or teaching English as a second language (TESOL) are all common options, though there are countless others. TESOL programs are popular amongst recent retirees looking to put their language skills to good use: many government agencies and private companies offer schemes that place English teachers in schools all over the world.

Learn The Frequent Flyer Code

Cashing in on your frequent flyer miles isn’t as straightforward as it used to be. Every airline has their own frequent flyer program where you can accumulate loyalty points for discounted airfare. To help gather your points, a frequent flyer account with three different airline alliances will allow you to earn frequent flyer miles for most flights: these are American Airlines (Oneworld), Delta Airlines (SkyTeam) and United Airlines (Star Alliance). Once you register with a flyer account, keep everything in one place, and log in all your flights after your journey has ended to earn points towards your reward system. You can also earn frequent flyer miles by signing up for a credit card that offers miles for spending your credit line.

When you’re saving for something big, like a global adventure, it’s important to prioritize your needs and determine how important international living is to you. Keep working towards your dream of constant travel through smart financial strategies and steady patience.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

The Inside Scoop on Alaska’s Inside Passage

Join us for daily updates while we head north to Alaska for a celebration of David surviving sixty trips around the sun and a cruise through the Inside Passage. All of our young’uns, along with their significant others, will be joining us, so we are looking forward to lots of laughing, eating, and amazing sightseeing… CONTINUE READING >> 

We are heading north to Alaska for a celebration of David surviving sixty trips around the sun and a cruise through the Inside Passage.

All of our young’uns, along with their significant others, will be joining us, so we are looking forward to lots of laughing, eating, and amazing sightseeing aboard The Royal Princess.

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My new @ArcidoTravel Faroe backpack was perfect for a day trip up Mount Roberts high above the capital of The Last Frontier, Juneau, #Alaska. So far it has handled everything I could throw at it, Guess I’ll just have to keep going. #hike #travel #mountain https://t.co/1fOmtzImta pic.twitter.com/qC3Etapm1L

— The GypsyNesters (@gypsynester) May 29, 2019

From 16 decks up – #iceberg pile-up. The #glaciers are #calving like CRAZY! #Explore #Alaska with us as we #cruise the #InsidePassage! #travel #traveling #traveltips #vacation #ig_alaska #ig_usa #mytravelgram #instapassport #travelgram #instagood #igtravel #GlacierNationalPark #glacier #icebergs

A post shared by The GypsyNesters (@gypsynester) on

We had the remarkable good fortune to be on her maiden voyage across the Mediterranean Sea a few years ago and from that experience know just how fabulous she is.

Join us right here for frequent updates and fantastic photos of the incredible scenery that we will be sailing past along the way. We will also be posting fabulous photos and you can follow all of our adventure with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

We begin by attempting to pack everything we will need for the journey in two carry-on bags. Are we crazy?

Probably, but it’s hard to say for certain…

… Click here to find out if we pulled it off.

We will be too busy having shipboard fun, watching for whales, exploring the ports along the way, or gazing at glaciers to report all of our escapades in real time, but will certainly be updating as often as possible right here and across our social media channels.

So be sure to follow all of the adventure along with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Then check back here over the next few weeks for in-depth coverage after the trip.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

See all of our previous adventures in Alaska!

A Potentially Preposterous Packing Proposition

We decided to challenge ourselves. Could we pack everything we need for a two week getaway in two carry-on bags? Adding to the conundrum is the fact that the trip includes a cruise to Alaska (where temps may dip down to near freezing) with a formal night… CONTINUE READING >> 

We have decided to challenge ourselves.

Can we pack everything we need for a two week getaway in two carry-on bags? Adding to the conundrum is the fact that the trip includes a cruise with a formal night.

That means this ain’t a throw a few tee shirts in a bag kind of a journey. On the other hand, we are loath to check a suitcase. So just how far will we go to avoid that?

Bagail Packing Cubes

Let’s find out.

Luckily, in our endeavor to make this happen we got some help from the folks at Bagail. They asked us to try using their system of Packing Cubes to organize and compact everything we will need.

Normally packing is not a problem for us; we do it all of the time. Depending on the trip, we just grab some jeans, shirts, and maybe some bike shorts or a bathing suit and we are pretty much ready to go. But this is journey will be a little different.

We are meeting up with our entire family, all three kids along with their significant others, for a cruise and sixtieth birthday celebration for David.

Here we go. How will all of this ever fit?

Not only will we need a suit and formal dress, along with the proper shoes, we are also going to Alaska. This means the weather could be anything from 30 to 80 degrees and sunny or pouring rain… maybe even a little snow, so we will be expected to have the ability to dress accordingly.

On a positive note, the ship does have laundry, so we can wash some things and won’t have to bring everything we require for the entire fortnight. That means we can get by with about half of some of the essentials that we otherwise would have needed for the whole time. Still, it’s a lot of stuff.

First we decided to lay out all of what we wanted to bring so we could eyeball it and develop a battle plan. Seeing it piled up, we were not feeling very optimistic about our prospects for success.

Everything for a two week trip has to go in these? Are we crazy?

Looking at the Bagail six piece system, which includes two of each large (17.5” x  13.7” x 4”), medium (13.7” x 9.8” x 4”), and small (13.7” x 5” x 4”) cubes, we were definitely apprehensive, but hopeful they could somehow give us enough room.

To provide a little more space, we also had two medium Bagail Compression Packing Cubes. These feature a dual zipper system that compresses the clothes to about half of their original size once they are packed inside.

Still we have to admit that we were more than a little apprehensive about our chances of fitting all of this stuff into our little rolling bags.

Our chances look even worse with everything laid out in the suitcases.

While we began to formulate our ideas of what might go where, we happily noticed that the cubes fit perfectly into our suitcases. The large ones precisely fill the bottom of our carry-ons, with the medium and small stacking exactly on top, since the size of those two cubes equals the size of the large cube.

That should certainly make things easier, so now all we had to do was start stuffing these babies like a Thanksgiving turkey.

Once we filled the large cubes things looked a little better.

We both started by filling our large cubes with a remarkable amount of said stuffing. David’s easily held a suit, jeans, ties, and half a dozen dress shirts while Veronica had no trouble with two dresses, jeans, cargo pants, half a dozen shirts, and some jammies.

She then chose two bulky sweaters, which are normally a real pain when packing, to load into one of the compression cubes and was pleasantly surprised that they squished down with no problems.

After stuffing the compression cubes we were getting downright optimistic.

Meanwhile, David fit all of his tee shirts and some flannel pajamas into the other compression bag.

With that accomplished we felt a rush of hope that we might just pull this off after all.

The medium sized cubes easily held two pairs of David’s pants, along with swimming trunks, shorts, a hoodie, and a heavy pullover. Veronica had no trouble putting three more dresses and, not to be caught off guard in case it gets pretty cold, a down parka in hers.

Looking good.. but wait… oh no, SHOES!!!

Socks and underwear all fit into the small cubes, so it looked like we got everything in, right?

Right.

But wait just a dad-blame minute. Not so fast there Gypsynesters.

Even with everything in the cubes, we were still faced with one last obstacle… shoes!

Turns out they fit nicely between the cubes.

Well it turns out that the cubes indirectly helped with them too. Individual shoes slid nicely between the cubes throughout our suitcases and much to our surprise everything fit.

We did it!

We have to say that so far we are loving the Bagail Packing Cubes system. Without it there is no way we could have managed to bring everything without checking a suitcase, which would break our One Trip Rule.

So, two thumbs up.

We did it!!!

Also, since these handy cubes are new to us, we will be learning more about them as we travel and posting updates along the way on our Instagram and Twitter pages.

Be sure to follow along with us while we cruise Alaska’s inside passage and celebrate David’s sixtieth.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

A big thank you to Bagail for providing the packing cubes for us to try and, as always, all opinions are our own.

How the Right Radar Can Save You from Countless Speeding Tickets

We’ll be giving you some reasons that will help you see for yourself how using the right detectors can save you from a lot of unfair speeding tickets and money… CONTINUE READING >> 

Police speed radars are devices that send invisible electromagnetic waves and receive them; they are used by the police to determine if the speed of a vehicle is over the allowed limit or not. A radar detector can work in a similar way to detect such waves emitted from a police radar gun, it can give you a visual and audio representation of the length of the wave. By using a radar detector, you omit the element of surprise of police radars that can catch you off-guard. A radar detector is used not only to contest wrong readings by radars or officers, but also used to avoid them altogether. We’ll be giving you some reasons that will help you see for yourself how using the right detectors can save you from a lot of unfair speeding tickets and money.

Techniques Used to Detect Vehicle Speeds

Pacing is a technique that relies on a police officer following the speeding vehicle around for a certain duration at a close distance, then relying on the officer’s speedometer to determine the speeding vehicle. Aircraft speed detection uses two possible methods to calculate the speed of a vehicle on the road; one, by using highway markings with a known distance to calculate the time it took for the vehicle to pass in-between; second, by pacing with the aircraft over two marks which distance is known already and using a stopwatch to compare it to the vehicle’s time.

Wrong Readings are Common

Most of the time, the human element accounts for a lot of mistakes and unfair readings. In the above-mentioned scenarios, which are the most common, pacing and calculations can be confusing and cause a mishap in identification of the vehicle and its speed. Radar detector gives you the jump on police radars to know if they are active or not, slowing down can help you avoid a lot of needless tickets like being 5-10 mph over the speed limit.

Quality of Radar Detectors

When you buy a radar detector, you shouldn’t expect to pay a fortune since they are relatively cheap, this is why it’s recommended not to pick the cheapest option. You should consider if the design, size, and features are going to be suitable for you. Some would prefer to choose a small discreet detector so it won’t take much space off the dashboard, others go for ones with big screens that provide a lot of useful information. You can check some reviews of the Uniden R7 to know what top-of-the-line radar detectors can do. A radar detector can be also be custom built and then integrated in the internal body and functions of your car.

Before you rush and go on a radar detector shopping spree, you should always check if such devices are legal in your state or city or not. They are legal in most states, but checking if yours is legal or not can help you avoid even bigger problems. Consider it as an investment that can help you drive safely and give you accurate depictions of construction work, stopping cars, and police radars.

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Tips To Learn Mandarin Chinese When Living In Singapore

If you’re living in Singapore and you want to be acquainted with the other official languages, mainly Chinese, here are some tips on how you can learn to speak a different tongue quickly… CONTINUE READING >> 

Since Singapore is considered as a melting pot that houses a lot of nationalities in the country, there are four official languages that the government recognizes. These are English, Malay, Tamil, and Mandarin. Most Singaporeans know how to speak in English and can speak their native tongue.

If you’re living in Singapore and you want to be acquainted with the other official languages, mainly Chinese, here are some tips on how you can learn to speak a different tongue quickly:

1. Enroll in Mandarin classes

Enrolling in Mandarin classes is the best way to learn the language well. Lessons will cover the basic words that you frequently use in everyday conversations, up to the coherence of words that will build your language skills at the conversational level.

Since Mandarin is a complex language, it’s better if a language professional can guide you. Especially if you’re learning to write Chinese characters, it’s challenging to do it all on your own and learning it without supervision. One single stroke can mean a different thing and can mess up the whole thought.

Choose an academy or language institution that conducts short-term classes on Mandarin. Find a reputable institution based on the instructors and their credentials, as well as the testimonials of their clients.

One of the language centers that you can check out is Yi Mandarin as it’s strategically located in the central part of Singapore. The company boasts of a wide range of clients, usually multinational companies that have businesses in Singapore. Especially if you’ll be learning Mandarin because you need it in your career, this training school will be a huge help.

2. Through online tutoring

Virtual learning is now popular nowadays. In the comfort of your home, you can even earn a certification or an online degree without having to go to a university.

You can choose to get a paid online tutorial session through companies that specialize in teaching Mandarin Chinese for foreigners. This option provides a deeper understanding of the complexities of the language. The process of learning is similar to when you’re taking actual classes. However, if you want to learn with a more personal approach, it’s best to choose online tutoring over a traditional classroom setup since you’ll have a one-on-one session with your instructor. Also, the schedule is more flexible and can usually be arranged with your instructor. If you’re busy working and you can’t squeeze in time to attend classes, this option is perfect for you.

3. Do it yourself

If you want to learn the most basic of Mandarin Chinese, you can do so by self-studying. There are a lot of books that can serve as your references when learning the language. You can also look for online resources online that can provide you with additional information.

The other option is to search for online videos about basic Mandarin, where you don’t even need to spend a single penny. However, the extent of the knowledge you’ll be having is quite limited. Also, if you have difficulties and are fond of asking questions, you can’t rely on someone that will respond and correct your mistakes.

4. Daily communication

Another great way to learn the Mandarin Chinese language is by incorporating it in your daily activities. You’ll hear people speaking in Chinese even in food courts. Since most of the people residing in Singapore can speak Mandarin, you can immerse yourself with them and try to learn from them.

Don’t worry as you can start with a few words, then build your vocabulary as time goes by. You can also establish friendships with Chinese speakers, and during your conversation, you can learn a few words from them. Most people find it easier to learn the language if they can use it frequently and can practice it in their daily conversations.

5. Read, listen, and translate

You can also practice your Mandarin in different ways like listening to simple Chinese audio or simple written phrases, then translating them to English or vice versa. This is a simple task that you can devote even an hour every day to practice both speaking and writing the language.

If your knowledge is still limited, you can use some mobile apps that will translate these simple phrases to English syllables so you can practice speaking and writing as well.

Final thoughts

Learning another language is useful, especially if your work involves building collaborations and working with a lot of people. Mandarin is one official language in Singapore that can be handy if you’re living in the country. There are lots of ways to learn the language, but to be good in it requires a lot of practice due to its complexity.