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»New banknotes featuring the face of King Charles III instead of Queen Elizabeth II«

Jessica Simpson celebrates the holiday with her family!

Monday’s Instagram image featured the actress celebrating the holiday season with her husband, Eric Johnson, and their three children.

“Faux-sure feeling merry with my gorgeous family during the Holiday Season,” the 42-year-old fashion designer captioned an outdoor photo slideshow.

In the social media post, the “Employee of the Month” actress wore numerous ensembles, beginning with a red sweater and a penguin headband.

Simpson wore a blue fuzzy coat, aqua spectacles, and a beanie while he rode the carousel later on.

In the family photographs, Maxwell, 10, Ace, 9, and Birdie, 3, were all smiling.

Paris Hilton remarked, “Beautiful family,” while Rachel Zoe added, “The most beautiful smiling children.”

Earlier last month, Simpson and Johnson, both 43, enjoyed a snowy Colorado vacation with their children. They were accompanied by the parents of the “Irresistible” vocalist, Ashlee Simpson, Evan Ross, and their three children.

Jessica captioned her “winter wonderland” photographs with “Snow Bunnies.”

Last month, Simpson responded to critics who had raised concern about her appearance.

A month prior, the singer-songwriter described how “mad and protective” she felt after trolls voiced concerns about her appearance.

Jessica stated in November, “As much as I’ve learned to tune out destructive sounds, people’s words and judgments can still hurt deeply.”

The “Newlyweds” alum went on to say that she is “capable of almost anything” because of her five years of sobriety.

“Don’t give up on yourself because someone else did,” she ended.

In her biography “Open Book,” Jessica addressed her addiction for the first time. In the past, she has been open about her difficulties with booze and medications.

“When I eventually confessed I needed help, it was as if I was that little girl who rediscovered her purpose in life,” she wrote in the 2020 publication, which will be adapted into a “fictional coming of age series” for Amazon Freevee.

“I found direction, which was to proceed fearlessly straight ahead,”

»Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson share joyful family photographs with their three children«

If you’re a graduate student, your loans are more than you’d like. If so, refinancing them may be the answer for lowering payments and saving money on interest. So here’s what you need to know about refinance graduate student loans option. 

Refinancing

Refinancing is a way to consolidate your existing student loans into one new loan. You can refinance your graduate study loans with a lower interest rate, or you may want to refinance them for longer repayment terms. Lantern by SoFi advisors suggests, “lowering your interest rate could result in major savings over the life of your loan.”

Online marketplaces

Online marketplaces are an excellent option for borrowers with a good credit score, as they provide borrowers with a wide range of loan options from different lenders. These online marketplaces typically match you up with multiple lenders and give you the power to choose which one will be your loan servicer.

They also make it easy to compare interest rates and repayment terms. This can help you choose the right type of financing for your needs, whether an income-driven repayment plan or refinancing into a lower interest rate.

Check the websites of your current loan servicer to see if there are options to help you lower payments.

If you have federal student loans and are having trouble making your payments, contact your current student loan servicer. Many services offer a variety of options to help borrowers lower their monthly obligations, such as:

• Payment plans (e.g., extended repayment plans)
• Debt consolidation or refinancing through a private lender

If you need help figuring out where to start or if there are no options available for you, talk to financial experts. They’ll do their best to help determine whether refinancing makes sense for your situation.

flexible repayment plans

You can also consider flexible repayment plans. These options allow you to repay your student loans on a schedule that fits your life and budget rather than being forced to make a fixed payment every month. Your lender may offer these plans if you’re having trouble making your payments or if they know you have another source of income coming in that will help ensure the payments are made on time.

Contact multiple lenders.

In addition to the federal government, you can refinance your loan through a private lender. If you’re considering refinancing with a private lender, try to find at least three lenders that offer student loan refinancing. Each lender will have different eligibility and interest rate requirements, so comparing them is important before deciding which company you want to work with.

Determining whether or not you should refinance your graduate study loans is a complicated decision. The process can be overwhelming, and the best way to get started is by talking with financial experts who understand your unique situation. So don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!

»Ways to Refinance Graduate Study Loans«

Exterior improvements improve the appearance of your home and may have positive recreational effects. However, not every improvement generates a return on investment, and certain improvements (like swimming pools) detract from your home’s appeal to future buyers.

 Let’s see what backyard renovations you can use to boost your home value.

Build a Fire Pit Outside

Nothing like eating marshmallows and telling tales around a blazing fire during the summer. In addition to making wonderful memories, homeowners who install an outdoor fire pit will see a 67 percent return on their investment. 

According to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) and National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), gas-burning fire features with patio areas cost an average of $6,000 to build, and you’ll regain roughly $4,000 when you sell your house.

Deck addition

Do you like to spend time outside? Consider building an attached or detached wood deck, which will provide you with the ideal area for entertaining, cooking, and sunbathing. Another important selling element is wood decks. 

According to Remodelling Magazine, a 16′ x 20′ wood deck with stairs and railings costs, on average, $13,333, but you’ll get back $10,083 of that when it comes time to sell. That is a profit of roughly 76 percent.

If you’re planning on building a pool, we suggest you hire professional swimming pool builders to do the work for you.

Change the garage door

You might believe that your current garage doors are adequate, but replacing them will significantly increase your home’s exterior appeal and value. 

The 2019 Cost vs Value Report from Remodeling Magazine estimates that replacing a garage door can expenditure up to $3,600, but that you can expect to recuperate roughly 98 percent of that cost. Your house will already be creating a good impression on potential buyers when they arrive.

Change the front door

Upgrade your front door while you make exterior house improvements. A steel door with window panels, casing, and new hardware costs about $1,800 to replace your boring door with, but according to a report from Remodeling Magazine, you’ll recoup over 75% of your costs. The tone of the rest of the house tour is set by a stunning entrance.

Implement a program for lawn care

You must provide enough fertilizers and take measures to lessen weeds if you want a well-groomed lawn. A 2,835-square-foot lawn will require an average of six sprays of weed and fertiliser every year, costing around $375, according to the NAR and NALP. Your efforts could increase the value of your house by $1,000, yielding a ROI of 267 percent.

Adjust the facade

According to Remodeling Magazine, replacing the outside siding is one of the most affordable methods to increase the value of your home. It only needs to be done correctly because it sounds like a huge, expensive project.

The research recommends utilizing artificial stone veneer and concentrating efforts primarily on the front of the house. Nearly $9,000 is the anticipated cost, but you should make that money back in 95 percent of cases!

Revitalize Your Landscape

The likelihood of a home sale increases with lush landscaping. Furthermore, an outside makeover might result in a solid 83 percent return on investment, says the NAR and NALP. According to the group, a “landscape makeover” consists of adding a natural flagstone walkway, stone planters, mulching, a few flowering plants, and a big tree to your property. These tasks will cost you, on average, about $6,000.

Build a patio in the backyard

Another project that expands and improves your outdoor living space while raising the value of your property is installing a patio. An 18′ by 20′ concrete paver patio costs about $7,200, and you’ll make roughly 69 percent of that price, according to the NAR and NALP.

Purchase an outdoor kitchen

Although an outdoor kitchen may not be on the must-have lists of the majority of buyers, it is a feature that could make a difference in the sale. According to the NAR and NALP, installing an outdoor kitchen will cost you around $14,000, but you’ll make back roughly $10,000. Keep the project straightforward to provide the highest return on investment. 

Add Lighting Outside

The wonderful ambience that outdoor lighting produces in your yard deters intruders. Furthermore, attractive, functional outside lighting (such as low-voltage landscape alternatives or motion lights) can significantly improve the curb appeal of your property. You should budget up to $5,000, although the NAR and NALP estimate that you might get a 50% average return on your investment.

The value of your home might increase even with only one of these exterior repairs completed! If you have the funds, go ahead and employ a handyman to fix any problem around the house.

»Backyard Renovations That Will Boost Your Home Value«

For many, Pep Guardiola has already pulled up a seat and positioned himself at world soccer’s top table. Given all that he has achieved in the coaching game, some are happy for him to rub shoulders with the very best to have ever occupied a dugout.

It is difficult to argue against such a standing, with domestic title and cup successes enjoyed on Spanish, German and English soil. Guardiola has certainly been no one-trick pony, as Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City will happily testify.

Triumphs

Another trophy for Pep Guardiola’s collection 😅 pic.twitter.com/Zm1mcvqcNZ

— GOAL (@goal) May 22, 2022

There is, however, no escaping the fact that European triumphs have proved hard to come by. At the moment, Champions League betting has Premier League title holders City at +163 to claim the ultimate prize for 2022-23. Champions League tips have been weighted in the Blues’ favor before, though, only for continental lines to be fluffed when the going gets tough.

City did make it all the way to the final in 2021, with stars appearing to align for them at one stage, but Chelsea proved to be one hurdle too far and Guardiola once again found himself hitting the deck after suffering an unfortunate stumble.

Not since 2011 has he been able to get across that particular line. Back then, the presence of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta at Barcelona ensured that the Catalan giants could probably have dragged somebody off the streets, handed them a clipboard and still walked off with an enviable collection of major honors.

The same is true of the Bayern side that Guardiola took under his wing, with it hardly the most arduous of tasks to get a tune out of Robert Lewandowski, Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and Manuel Neuer. Yes, somebody had to get the tiki-taka moving, but established superstars would have figured it out themselves eventually.

The fact that Guardiola has been unable to deliver European glory alongside numerous trophy wins on home soil forms an annoying stick that continues to be poked in his direction. He admits to having complicated matters at times in a bid to bring a surprisingly barren run to a close, saying: “In the Champions League I always overthink. I always create new tactics and ideas. I overthink a lot. I love to overthink and create stupid tactics and, when we don’t win, I am punished.”

Others have also pointed out that such patience is unlikely to have been shown to them had they failed to deliver on ultimate targets quite so often, with former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino saying: “If [I left] PSG for not winning the Champions League, Guardiola should have already been sacked seven or eight times! These are different realities.”

Faith

Pep Guardiola in the #UCL

🏆 1992
🏆 2009
🏆 2011
🏆 _____ 🤔#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/IvtEFj0PWM

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 29, 2021

City’s current coach is unable to ignore the reality of the situation that he currently faces, with considerable faith continuing to be shown in him after committing to a new contract at the Etihad Stadium.

There is every reason to believe that he will be allowed to see that agreement out, taking him through to 2025, but is there a case for arguing that in order for him to have cemented a place among the all-time greats by then, another Champions League winners’ medal will need to have been added to his collection?

»Does Guardiola need another Champions League win to join the greats?«

There’s no better time for making home decor improvements than the start of a new year. But with everyone feeling the pinch, many of us have simply given up hope of making our homes nicer in 2023. In fact, the cost of living crisis isn’t just affecting South Africans, it’s being felt all across the world, having a big impact on everyday lives. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to save money on your home decor, from self-made art to upcycling, or adding foliage to your favourite spaces. So don’t let another year of rising bills and watching the pennies stop you from creating a better home aesthetic. Check out our low-cost home decor hacks.

Create your own artwork

There’s no need to source overpriced prints or even original pieces of art, as there’s plenty of other ways to lift your walls. For example, a child’s bedroom or playroom can be adorned with a framed page from a beloved picture book. If you have any patterned wallpaper leftover, perhaps from a design that you simply adored, just cut it to size, frame it and place it in a room that has plain walls. Children’s paintings are also a great shout, and they can really add a playful touch to bathrooms, hallways, and kitchens. Old photos are yet another great way to update your walls. It’s cheaper than ever to order digital photo prints online, and many companies can even improve the look of older photos too. Or, have a go yourself, even if you’re not the most gifted artist in the world, just try something abstract and see what happens.

Soft furnishing reboot

So, there’s not enough money for a new sofa or armchair…but never fear! You can simply update your existing seating with washable covers. Consider adding some new cushions and throws too. This will instantly refresh your living room for around a tenth of the price of new furniture. A new rug is another option, but even this can be costly. However, there’s nothing like good rug clean to give it your old one a new lease of life. 

Furniture upcycling

You don’t need an art degree to successfully upcycle furniture, and that’s because it’s far easier than you realise. If you have an old wooden piece of furniture that’s past it’s best (chair, table, bookshelf), simply sand it down, fill any holes with filler and then paint it a colour of your choice. Sometimes just a new varnish or a set of knobs is enough to completely transform an old piece of furniture. 

Switch things round

The easiest and cheapest way to freshen up a tired room is to change the furniture around. If you didn’t do it the first time round, why not consult the ancient art of feng shui, it’s amazing how much difference it makes to the flow of a room. Key takeaways from feng shui include decluttering your hallway and ensuring there is space on either side of your bed.

Go Green

One of the fastest, most affordable, and healthiest ways to improve the look and feel of a room is by adding plants. Many indoor plants can be purchased for less than 300R. Top budget buys include a Chinese money plant, or a stunning ‘string of turtles’ plant, as well as gorgeous succulents that are low in maintenance too. Place your plants in highly visible places so they make a statement when people enter the room. Proven to improve your mood and even the quality of the air in your home, this cheap decor tip is about more than simple aesthetics. You don’t even need to buy new plant pots. Simply fix up your old, cracked and broken pots using super glue, paint, and varnish.

As you can see, it’s possible to make significant changes to the look of your home without spending more than the price of a meal out. Rather than undergo huge decorating jobs, simply update rooms with plants and soft furnishings, or consider moving your furniture around. Create your own artwork or try out a spot of furniture upcycling. These low-cost tips can help you transform the home, just in time for a bright new year. 

»Affordable Household Decorating Hacks«

The Lagos State Government, via the Office of the State Auditor-General, has organised a two-day training workshop on Financial Statement Audit Software for Auditors, with the mandate to learn the best Financial Audit Practices to match global standards.

Mr. Moshood Adewale Adewuyi, Acting State Auditor-General, issued the recommendation today at the start of the training session conducted at the Training Centre of the Lagos State Ministry of Science and Technology, Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.

He noted that the training is intended to expand the participants’ understanding, particularly on how to do the majority of their audit work in the office and get supporting evidence when they go out on assignments.

While conceding that the Audit Software includes five statements, Adewuyi noted that only Statement of Performance, Statement of Position, and Statement of Cash Flow have been included into the software to far.

He advised the Auditors to get as much information as possible throughout the course, underlining that the Office is dedicated to exposing them to more sophisticated audit training so that they can achieve worldwide auditing standards.

Adewuyi went on to say that the Financial Statement Audit Software would give the platform for the Auditors to assess financial statement reports via examination of trial and reproduction of reports for re-validation and discovery of discrepancies for proper reconciliation.

»Lagos State Government has conducted a two-day training workshop on Financial Statement Audit Software for Auditors«

The first phase’s infrastructure of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LMRT) Blue Line is completed, according to the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).

The completion of the infrastructure fulfils the commitment made by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, that the project would be finished in the fourth quarter of 2022, with the start of passenger operations scheduled for the first quarter of 2023.

He said that the LRMT Blue Line is one of the six rail lines and monorails included in the state’s Strategic Transport Master Plan for Lagos (STMP).

According to him, the LRMT Blue Line runs from Marina to Okokomaiko for a distance of 27 kilometres. The construction has been separated into parts for simplicity of execution, and it is anticipated that the finished line would transport more than 500,000 people.

In his statements, “Governor Sanwo-Olu had, while campaigning for the office of Governor, promised to complete the infrastructure for the first phase of the LRMT Blue Line and bring it to passenger operation”.

“The first phase is a 13-kilometer stretch from Marina to Mile 2 and has five stations at Mile 2, Suru-Alaba, Orile Iganmu, National Theatre and Marina. It is expected to move about 200,000 passengers daily”, he added.

Ojelabi said that the rail system would be fueled by an independent power plant that would be constructed specifically for its operation.

Similarly, the Managing Director of LAMATA, Engr. Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, said that the completion of the infrastructure for the first phase of the LRMT Blue Line demonstrates the significance of public transportation to Governor Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES agenda.

»LAMATA has announced that the first phase of LMRT Blue Line infrastructure is ready«