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The Top 5 Money Saving Tips

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Let’s face it. Many of us have a hard time keeping track of our finances, especially when money is tight. A whopping 70% of Americans are now living paycheck to paycheck. In fact, 57% of Americans say that they have less than $1000 in savings, ultimately putting their retirement and future in jeopardy. To add insult to massive amounts of injury, 34 percent of Americans have zero money saved. How can this be when America is one of the wealthiest nations in the world? Today, I’m going to be going over the top five ways that you can save money so that you can ultimately create financial wealth and prosperity for you and your family. Let’s get started!

1. Create a budget

Having a budget is necessary if you want to have any financial success whatsoever. At the beginning of the month, create a written budget that is unique to that month. List all of your expenses and the amount of money you’re going to allocate toward those expenses. Once your budget is set, the biggest challenge next comes from the discipline of not wanting to break the budget. Every dollar has a name and knows where it’s going. Overall, creating a budget is arguably the most important step towards reaching financial freedom.

2. Add savings into your budget

Every month, you should be saving at least 10 percent to 15 percent of your income. If you aren’t able to put that amount of money into savings each month, chances are your expenses are too high or you’re just not making enough money. If it’s expenses, cut back on desires such as entertainment. If it’s income, pick up another job or create something that provides extra cash flow every month. By saving early, you’ll be in better shape than the majority of society when it comes to retirement and you will have saved more money for traveling.

3. Know what you’re saving for

When a lot of people think of saving money, they think of saving to save. However, this is not what you want to do! The average rate of inflation per year is around 2%. This inflation rate will eat away at your money over the years. Instead of saving to save, it’s better to save to invest. Invest this money into safe investments that will grow over time like treasury bonds and good growth stock mutual funds. The S&P 500 is setting record highs as it has grown over 20% in the last year. Adjusted for inflation, you would’ve made 18% on your money. Also, save for an emergency fund of $1,000 as well. If you need a title loan, Starfish Lending has you covered. All in all, save for safe investments.

4. Don’t buy a new car

Buying a new car is a very poor financial decision in general, let alone if your don’t have any money for one. Instead, buy one for cash that’s within your budget. Your new car will depreciate nearly 20% within the first year of ownership. If you buy a pre-owned one with cash, it will ultimately cost less and allow you to invest your extra money.

5. Watch the credit cards

This step is pretty straightforward. Only use credit cards if you know you’ll be able to pay them off at the end of the month. You can utilize the points many credit cards offer, allowing you to save money on both accommodation and airfare.

How To Make Money While Traveling!

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Contrary to popular belief, there’s no need to save for all of your travel-related expenses before you catch a plane to a foreign destination as there a myriad of creative ways to make money while you travel the world. If you’re keen to discover a few innovative ways to make money while traveling, which you may not have considered, simply continue reading to discover four ways to make money whilst traveling.

How to Make Money While Traveling: 4 Fabulous ideas which you may not have considered

  1. Consider selling some of your scenic travel photographs

If you’re a talented photographer who has an eye for taking stunning travel photographs, you may want to consider becoming a freelance travel photographer and selling your photographs to travel magazines and travel blogs as well as hotels and resorts.

If you’re an amateur photographer and are not confident that you’ll be able to sell your travel photographs for hundreds of dollars, you may still be able to bring in extra money by selling your photographs to companies who specialize in purchasing stock photographs.

  1. Consider working as a freelance writer

There are a variety of ways to bring in an income, whilst traveling as a freelance writer. As an example, you may want to pitch travel articles to a variety of newspapers and travel magazines. Or you may be interested in starting your very own travel blog. You can find inspiration for your blog at sites like, http://wildfreedesign.com which, you can use to advertise travel-related products and services, in an exchange for a commission.

  1. Consider renting out your home, whilst you travel

One simple way to bring in a decent income whilst you travel is to rent out your home each time that you travel for a prolonged period of time. As an example, if you plan on exploring Europe for a month, you should be able to earn over several thousand dollars by listing your property on a trusted accomodation website such as Airbnb. Of course, to rent out your property, you do have to own the property, which you’re currently living in.

One added benefit of renting your home out whilst you travel is that your home will be far less likely to be targeted by thieves as there will be someone in your home and thieves prefer to target properties which are vacant.

  1. Consider applying to work at a ski resort

If you can competently ski or snowboard you may be interested in applying for a position an instructor, whilst if your ski or snowboard skills are a tad bit rusty you may be able to find a job operating a ski lift or working in a ski resort’s cafe or ticket booth.

One of the distinct advantages of applying to work at an international ski resort as most ski resorts will be able to assist you with obtaining a valid working visa. As in most countries, it’s illegal to accept a paid job without first applying for a working visa. Especially as most visitors enter countries for recreational purposes.

So if you’re looking to bring in an income whilst you travel the world, or even just tips on how to save money monthly so that you can travel more often, it’s well worth investigating at least one of the four opportunities listed above.

How To Choose Real Estate In Australia

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Buying a new house or a place to live can be super expensive. Especially, when it comes to paying for other living expenses in life and just how quickly those can add up. Fortunately, if  you have debt and are struggling or simply looking to improve your cash flow, Debt Collectors Perth can help you find a resolution to pay off those seemingly impossible debts so that you can move forward in life. This will help give you peace of mind and have a handle on your financial situation when looking to buy a house.

Now that you have a handle on your financial situation you need a plan on how to find the perfect place to live. Whether you’re looking to purchase real estate to live in or you’re looking to purchase an investment property, continue reading to discover a few handy tips on how to choose real estate in Australia.


How to choose real estate in Australia:

1. Decide whether you’d like to live in a gated community or apartment, which boasts a wide array of on-site facilities

If you like the idea of being able to cool down in a community pool and to be able to work out in a fully equipped gym instead of driving to an expensive private gym, you may want to look for a property in a gated community or apartment complex. Some complex’s even offer on-site cafes, where you’ll be able to pick up a morning coffee and enjoy meals with friends.

Just keep in mind that some gated communities and apartment complexes charge weekly, monthly or yearly maintenance fees, to maintain community facilities such as pools and fitness centers.

2. Decide whether you’d prefer to live in a rural area, an urban cityscape or in the suburbs

If you plan on living in a major city such as Sydney, you’ll have to decide between paying a premium to live in an inner-city apartment or whether you’re comfortable living in one of Sydney’s safe suburban neighborhoods. Make sure to pick a neighborhood which is within walking distance of a wide variety of amenities such as grocery stores, cafes, bars, shops, and restaurants.

3. Think about your daily commute before choosing a property

It pays to look for properties within a 30 km radius of your current work place as you don’t want to spend hours each morning and evening commute to and from work.

4. Decide whether you’d prefer to purchase real estate through an agent or through an auction

If you’re not in a rush to purchase property, you may want to consider attending a few auctions, as you may be able to pick up your dream property for $10,000 less than you’d pay if you choose to purchase a property through a real estate agent.

However, if the thought of bidding for a property at auction intimidates you or you’d like a real estate agents help in finding your ideal property, it’s well worth getting in contact with a variety of real estate agents. So that you can find a real estate agent who you trust and who you believe can help you find a great property at a great price.

5. Make sure to get an independent house inspection, before signing a contract

When you’ve found a property which you’re interested in purchasing, make sure to hire an independent accredited home inspector to give the property you’re interested in a comprehensive evaluation. After all, the last thing you want to do is waste hundreds of thousands of dollars on a property which has serious structural damage, which may cost a small fortune to repair.

If you’re serious about getting onto the Australian property ladder, it’s well worth keeping the tips listed above in mind.

The Rise of Bitcoin and it’s Use in Online Casinos!

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In recent years Bitcoin has taken the world by storm, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Bitcoin is now being accepted as a form of payment by a wide array of popular online casinos. You can use your Bitcoin wallet to play with live dealers and purchase other products online too. To discover how Bitcoin is being used in online casinos, simply continue reading to find out everything you need to know about Bitcoin’s use in casinos!

The Rise of Bitcoin and it’s Use in Online Casinos:

Bitcoin is the world’s first decentralized digital currency and was released in early 2009. Unlike other forms of currency which are regulated by financial institutions such as banks and governments, Bitcoin is anonymous currency which in stored in anonymous digital wallets.

In recent months online casinos, have begun to accept Bitcoin as an official form of payment. One reason why some gamblers may prefer to use Bitcoin to credit their accounts, is in the hopes of winning a jackpot of Bitcoin.

Why do players want to win Bitcoin at online casinos?

When a player receives their Bitcoin earnings, as the Bitcoins contained in a Bitcoin wallet are unmarked and can’t be easily tracked by governments and tax departments, players may be able to keep, save and spend their Bitcoin, without having to declare any of their winnings to their government. However beware that choosing not to disclose your winnings as income to your government, could still get you into trouble as different countries have different regulations when it comes to the declaration of Bitcoin.

Another reason, to try to win as much Bitcoin as you possibly can is that the earnings which you collect, willmost likely double in value over the coming years. As an example, if you purchased $100 of Bitcoin in 2010, your investment would now be worth $75 million dollars. While you may not be able to turn $100 which you collect in a Bitcoin casino today into $75 million dollars, if you were to win $100 dollars worth of Bitcoin, the same amount of Bitcoin could double or triple, in the next few years.

As an added bonus if you’re uncomfortable with the idea of giving an online casino access to personal information, which is linked to your credit card such as your full name, your address and your credit card number itself, it’s far safer using a Bitcoin to credit your account.

Where can you spend Bitcoin?

You may be curious as to where you can spend your Bitcoin earnings. The great news is that you can use Bitcoin to book overseas vacations on sites such as Expedia and use Bitcoin to purchase electronics, clothing and gifts from a wide array of well known stores. You can even use Bitcoin to purchase online gift vouchers for popular shops like Sephora and Wholefoods. Alternatively, you can use Bitcoin to purchase goods in physical stores as well as online stores.

If you are excited by the idea of being able to win Bitcoin, by playing online casino style games, it’s well worth searching for a reputable online casino which accepts Bitcoin as payment!

How Technology has Changed the Way We Play Online Casinos

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Today’s online casinos have evolved and developed as a result in a variety of technological advances. In order to discover how technology has changed the way which we use online casinos, simply continue reading to find out.

How Technology has Changed the Way we Play Online Casinos:

1. You can credit your accounts with online currencies such as Bitcoin 

In the past online players would have to use their credit cards, to top up their online accounts to play online casinos for money. However with the recent popularity of digital currencies, which are stored anonymously in online wallets, players around the world are now able to use cryptocurrencies to credit their accounts.

Not only can you use Bitcoin to play blackjack or other games and you can also use it to purchase tangible items in the real world such as a cup of coffee or an ice cream.

2. You’re able to win digital currency instead of traditional cash

With the rise of digital currency, such as Bitcoin which is not stored in a bank and can’t be tracked by banks or governments, online casino players can now win cyrptocurrencies, for playing their favorite online casino games.

If you’re looking to acquire Bitcoin, which is set to rise in price for the next two years, it’s well worth playing casino games as a way of acquiring Bitcoin. Which can be incredibly expensive to purchase.

Once you win your first share of Bitcoins, you’ll be able to store your winnings in an anonymous Bitcoin wallet. Which means that it’s up to you if you want to declare your earnings as income or not!

3. You can trust online casinos to follow international regulations

When online casinos first emerged, there were a lot of illegal online casinos, which weren’t properly regulated which would take customers money, without actually paying out any jackpots or winnings. However, online casinos are now automatically regulated to make sure that each game does pay out winnings and that each player has a real, legitimate chance of winning a prize. This makes it helpful if you’re location independent or traveling as well.

4. Most individuals now favor using smart phone applications to play online casino games

In the past the majority of players would access casino websites via a laptop. However, as smart phones have become more and more popular, most online casinos now offer downloadable applications, which make playing your favorite casino games on your smart phone as simple and as enjoyable a process as possible.

So you won’t have to scroll around a giant website, in order to play your favorite games. Examples of which may include poker, slot machines and roulette. As an added advantage, all of the games which you play on your smart phone or almost any digital gadget with wifi, will boast rich, high-resolution graphics.

5. You’ll find yourself playing head to head against players from across the world

As internet access has become prevalent in most parts of the world, you’re just as likely to find yourself competing in an online poker tournament with players in Russia, the Netherlands and Australia, as you are to find yourself playing against American competitors.

One of the distinct benefits of online casinos becoming so popular world wide is that the prizes offered have skyrocketed as a result!

Successful Business That Is Location-Independent

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Regular Economic Influx

It’s actually possible to make a great living traveling abroad, and there are many different ways you can go about it. You can make money traveling locally as well, and you might want to start here, first. Either way, there are a few practices you can put into effect immediately in order to expand your abilities.

First, know what your overall goal is. Do you want to be a large organization, or do you just want to support yourself while you see what there is to see? Knowing your goals will help you to reach them, and others. Also, shoot high. If you overshoot your target, you’ll still get further than you could have if you had a smaller target.

Consider technological advantages available today. It’s actually possible to make $40k+ a year working online less than 40 hours a week, on average. Furthermore, all you need is a laptop and the ability to connect to the internet. There are task-related things you can do, there are errands you can run, there are articles you can write—there’s a lot you can do individually, and profit.

If you’ve got a continuous revenue stream like this, and you’re willing to work hard, you can use such an option as seed money, and increase your workload. Imagine pulling in a middle-income career at thirty hours a week, then spending the other thirty hours putting that income to work acquiring something bigger.

Having Capital To Pursue Your Passion

Say you’re in a band. You can work online to get the travel money, get your bandmates involved doing the same, then spend the rest of your time practicing, marketing for gigs, and acquiring gigs. If you can get four people together willing to do that, you can operate at the level higher-priced bands do, while making money.

Eventually, when your secondary stream of revenue eclipses your “seed money”, you can shop off the sustenance work and focus on your passion. It may take five to ten years, but it’s not an impossible enterprise.

If you’re going such a route, you’re going to encounter many diverse characters—a traveling roadshow will need to sell merchandise at all kinds of theaters. For this kind of work—and most location-independent business—you want credit card processing solutions that are secure and affordable.

Solutions like Dharma Merchant Services provide credit card encryption solutions which increase security; according to the site: “Credit card encryption is a set of security measures put into place that drastically reduces the chances of private and valuable card information being subject to theft, which includes the card itself, the terminal where the card is scanned, and the transmission of information between that terminal and its systems back end.”

Working With The Right Business Professionals Toward Success

Lastly, you want to be sure that those with whom you work while traveling can be properly trusted. You’ll need to do your homework.

If you discover the need to check whether or not a given business is trustworthy, you can find more details here; according to the site: “You can find information on any corporation or business entity in Virginia or another state by performing a search on the Secretary of State website of the state or territory where that corporation is registered.”

If you are strategic about your location-independent work, you branch out as you’re able to, vet your business partners, and you have the courage to pursue such a venture for several years, you’ll likely find you can very realistically secure a profitable portion of pie from the confectionary table of successful enterprise.

Does Photocopier Leasing Make Sense for Your Company?

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The need of many companies to reduce costs has generated a broad market regarding new solutions for this problem. In this sense, the purchase of printers and photocopiers of the latest generation is simply something difficult to afford for many; however, the market also offers excellent alternatives in the form of renting or leasing this type of equipment.

Nowadays it is possible to get very good prices in relation to the rental of photocopiers, an option that has been growing considerably in popularity among SMEs in recent times. In part, because it allows small and medium-sized businesses to access equipment and brands of the highest quality, which, otherwise, would have been very difficult to buy.

Why is it necessary?

Experts in photocopier leasing in Newbury explain that a company might not require large amounts of copying or printing during many months of the year. Accountants make an interesting case study: for many months they use their photocopiers and printers at a fairly regular pace, but in the months prior to the filing of tax and tax returns, they may need support in terms of additional equipment.

Faced with this, the company or business can opt for the purchase of new equipment, or to simply lease it. This presents a clear advantage because the cost is much lower, and also adjusts exactly to a precise period of time, thus avoiding unnecessary expenses in terms of supplies, maintenance, etc.

As for the brands of equipment, the best brands are available from established suppliers, and can be leased and incorporated into the work dynamics to maintain a highly efficient team and at a considerably lower price than if it had to be purchased outright.

Hassle-free operation

Another advantage that is worth noting is that companies that are dedicated to the rental of photocopiers and printers have very good guarantees against different risks, and also are responsible for carrying out the corresponding maintenance tasks, so that this cost is also reduced and helps the business save money when taking advantage of leasing such equipment.

In this context, the rental of printing equipment perhaps constitutes a really specific solution for many small and medium-sized companies that, in principle, cannot afford to invest in new photocopiers or printers, but that can also serve as support during seasonal demand where the use of such equipment increases considerably.

Flexibility: exactly what your business needs, when you need it

In any case, the companies providing this service are highly reliable and respond promptly to any requirements by clients, whether in terms of equipment, brands or models. However, it is always advisable to act with a certain degree of foresight and be informed in order to negotiate the best possible leasing deal.

Companies that are dedicated to the rental or leasing of photocopiers and printers can offer personalized advice regarding the specific needs of any business, and only then present the optimal leasing solutions to cover them.

Crowdsourcing Software Made for Businesses and How it Can Help with Job Hunting

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If you have ever tried to find a new job in the corporate sector, you will know how difficult it can be to find one. Yet, did you know that crowdsourcing software made for businesses has made finding such a job a lot easier? Examples of this include job websites such as Monster, but also huge social media platforms such as LinkedIn. Indeed, thanks to the internet, the crowd – the general public – has access to thousands of jobs each and every day. And crowdsourcing software for job hunters have made it possible for businesses to quickly and easily sift through the average of 250 resumes they receive for each posting.

Crowdsourcing Software Made for Businesses Makes the Innovators Stand Out

Working in HR is a thankless task. However, crowdsourcing software has made things a lot easier for these managers. No longer do they personally have to read the hundreds of cover letters and hundreds of resumes. It is a known fact that around 75% of applicants aren’t even qualified, which shows just how much time can be wasted. Indeed, out of all the applications, only 2% will ever be asked for interview. Thanks to crowdsourcing software, however, managers can get to those 2% in a much quicker manner. And one of the things they make their software look for is innovation and creativity.

Knowledge Is Power

Crowdsourcing software is fitted with a number of parameters that applicants must meet. If used properly, the organization’s innovation team will have set those parameters, so that everybody agrees on the type of person that would be suitable for the role. Standard parameters include education and experience, although none of this demonstrates whether or not someone fits in with the company’s culture. Hence, what these systems now look for is evidence of creative thinking and ideas.

Innovators Are in Demand

It helps, of course, that most roles available today are those that specifically look for innovators. Indeed, some of the most in demand positions include computer programmer, healthcare professional, and network architect, all highly creative roles. These are sectors where the workforce is dwindling, and insufficient new talent is generated.

What these talent gaps also tell us is where stagnation is. True innovators stay on top of trends, and they try to come up with ways to resolve areas where there is stagnation. An innovator never stands still. They find opportunities and they take action. They think big and they are there to stop an organization from becoming stale.

A final thing that crowdsourcing software for HR managers looks for is people who take control of their own life. They want to see someone who is applying for a job they actually want. They stand out from the crowd by approaching the company directly and by coming up with more ideas than what is asked for on the application form. They don’t wait until an opening exists, they show where the opening should be, in other words.

Top Tricks to Find the Best SEO Firm

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Even if you know a lot about SEO (Search Engine Optimization), you may still want to call in an SEO firm to help grow your own business. Safari SEO Agency UK states that having a base knowledge of SEO is unfortunately not enough, because SEO is constantly updating and changing with each and every one of Googles algorithm updates. But how do you find an SEO firm that is actually any good, when everybody seems to call themselves experts nowadays? Below are 10 top tips to look for.

Top Tips to Find a Great SEO Firm

  1. They should complete a site evaluation. This means they tell you how you currently rank and whether or not your design is any good. They should also provide you with a custom work proposal based on this information.
  2. They should use advanced keyword identification tools. They need to explain how they find keywords, using things like Google AdWords and more, and why they choose the ones they feel matter most.
  3. They must explain where they will find backlinks, which are vital to full optimization. These links should be of high quality, because quality is more important than quantity in the eyes of Google.
  4. They should be able to explain what they will charge for what and why. The quote should be very detailed and there shouldn’t be any misleading fine print.
  5. They should be able to tell you how long they expect to take to see some results, and what kind of results you can expect. However, they should not be able to provide you with any guarantees, as they have no control over what other people do. A good SEO campaign usually takes between six and 18 months to show any real results.
  6. They must be able to explain the techniques and strategies that they intend to use. Be wary of black hat tactics such as spam advertising or deceiving the algorithms of the search engines.
  7. They should be able to provide you with targeted traffic and explain how this differs from plain traffic. Plain traffic actually gets your site ranking down. Targeted traffic is obtained through press releases, social media, and other relevant channels.
  8. Their deliverables should be transparent. This means they should be happy to provide you with regular reports and updates on how they are performing and on whether or not they are meeting the targets that they had expected. These reports should be highly detailed, showing exactly where which traffic is coming from, and which strategies are proving to be the most successful.
  9. They should offer monthly or quarterly reports to showcase whether you are seeing a return on investment.
  10. They should guarantee their performance. This is not the same as guaranteeing results, however.

With these 10 considerations, you should be able to find an SEO agency that works properly and delivers what you need. Do your research, find reviews of the company, and ask for a portfolio. In so doing, you will make sure their work is most likely to become successful for you.

How to invest in Bitcoin: Your Guide to Purchasing Bitcoin

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If you’ve decided to take action and invest in Bitcoin, simply continue reading to discover how to go about investing in Bitcoin. The world’s number one cryptocurrency! Tips and steps on how to invest in Bitcoin can be found below.

  1. Decide whether you’d prefer to purchase Bitcoin through a broker or through a Bitcoin exchange

 

As a potential investor, you have two viable options, when it comes to purchasing Bitcoin. You can choose to purchase Bitcoin through a Forex website such as eToro, Robin Hood or Coinbase. If your knowledge on trading Bitcoin is limited, purchasing Bitcoin through a reputable Forex site may be your safest option.

 

Alternatively, if you’re comfortable trading Bitcoin with individuals who are looking to sell their Bitcoins without the need of an intermediary, you may want to visit a traditional Bitcoin exchange. In some cases, you may be able to purchase Bitcoin at a lower rate if you choose to purchase Bitcoin from a reputable Bitcoin exchange.

 

  1. If you plan on purchasing Bitcoin through a Bitcoin exchange, make sure that you have a Bitcoin wallet to store your coins in

 

If you prefer the idea of purchasing Bitcoin directly from a seller, you may need to set up a Bitcoin wallet to store your coins in. If you choose this option, make sure that your Bitcoin wallet is adequately protected. As there are individuals who try to hack Bitcoin wallets, in order to steal Bitcoins. Especially as the average price of a single Bitcoin has skyrocketed in the past 7 years and once a Bitcoin has been stolen, there’s no simple way to prove who is the rightful owner is. As Bitcoin is an anonymous currency which isn’t stored in a traditional bank and instead is stored by its owner.

 

  1. Keep an eye on current Bitcoin prices

 

As Bitcoin has a tendency to skyrocket in value over a period of several days and can also lose a significant amount of money in a single day, it’s well worth starting and ending each day off by checking the current price of Bitcoin. As in the event that Bitcoin’s value starts to plummet, you’ll have enough time to sell the Bitcoins which you’ve collected before the value of your Bitcoins dropped below the price which you purchased your Bitcoins for.

 

Just remember not to be too rash in selling off your Bitcoins as Bitcoin has a tendency to recover from any price drops and the last thing you want to do is to prematurely sell of your Bitcoins right before Bitcoin soars in price.

 

  1. Think about your individual goals as a Bitcoin trader

 

As an example, you may be happy keeping your Bitcoins for several months, before selling them off for a sizeable profit and may be unwilling to hold on to your Bitcoins for several years. In which case it pays to check on Bitcoin prices every day. If you’re looking to make a huge return on your Bitcoins, you’ll have to sit tight and ride out any turbulence which Bitcoin may experience.

 

So what are you waiting for, if you’re keen to jump on to the Bitcoin bandwagon there’s no better time than the present to get started!