Guest Blogs
Knowitall.ch often invites local experts in their field to contribute to their own blogs on our site. This means not only you will benefit from the useful recommendations that we make on our News pages, but you can also profit from some of the great advice and tips that these experts have to make on their favorite subjects. Whilst each of these bloggers has been recommended to us at some point during the evolution of Know-it-all passport and knowitall.ch, obviously we are not able to test out all the suggestions they make on their blogs, nor do we necessarily agree with all their opinions. So if you do find one of their tips useful (or not!), do let us know!
To make these blogs more accessible to you, we have now decided to group them altogether in one section, entitled Guest Blogs, accessible from our main menu bar. We will also post the most recent blogs on the home page of our site in the right hand column.
We are still building up this area of the site, and are looking for bloggers in a number of sections, including Your Home, Travel, and Leisure, so if you feel you have a useful contribution to make in either of these areas, and have the time to submit blog entries approximately every month, then please get in touch!
By Nicola Ogilvie, Just Sew Geneva
This is not a question I have had to answer for myself as I always make my own curtains. Depending on how many curtains you are making and the size of the window or windows it can be a relatively easy and satisfying project or a big, slightly daunting, but even more satisfying project!
If you would like to learn how to make curtains for yourself, sign up for my next workshop series “Sewing for the home”. We will be making curtains, cushions and Roman blinds. For those with little experience we will start with simple cushions to update your sewing skills, then move on to piped cushions, curtains and Roman Blinds. The series is being held in my sewing room in Commugny, every Wednesday morning for 5 weeks starting 28th October and I have 1 spot left. You may come for the whole series or just for the morning that you are interested in. Take a look at my website: www.justsewgeneva.weebly.com.
However, if you have neither the time nor the inclination to make your own, I have checked out a few places in the area to see what they offer. I started my research with a Google search “rideaux Genève”. I was surprised how many options I found and spent last week touring around having a look at the shops and chatting with the owners. Some keep restrictive hours and some require appointments but the following shops I was able to visit.
By Dr Graham Brown, Forth Capital
Many clients ask if they should transfer their UK pension to a QROPS (Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme) even if they think or know that they will return to the UK in the future. There are a number of reasons why a QROPS should be considered even if you are planning to return to the UK:
1) Avoiding Lifetime Allowance Charge
As discussed in a previous article, a transfer to a QROPS is a Benefit Crystallisation Event and so tested against the Lifetime Allowance (currently £1.25 Million) on transfer. If you have a pension close to this level you should definitely consider a QROPS transfer in case this level is reduced in the future or further changes are made.
2) Reduced UK Income Tax on Foreign Pensions
By concession, you will usually only pay tax on 90% of your foreign pension payments as 10% is exempt from tax.
Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
By Debbie Croft, Croft Coaching
This phase really does feel like a rollercoaster to every woman: excited, energised one moment; sick or tired and fearful of the future the next moment; coupled with a changing body shape and rather adhoc emotions. It’s no surprise that it is a somewhat confusing period in our lives ….(imagine how it is for partners watching on!).
There are many factors that you will not be able to directly control, so focus on what you can control and influence, starting with a positive perspective and taking ownership. Here are a few pointers:
By Alan Turner, Forth Capital
This year’s ‘Expatriate Market Pay Survey’ from ECA International has revealed expat pay packages to be at their highest in the east, and that Japan is the place where expatriates outside of the UK will be given the most sizeable financial package. The average package value for an expat middle manager is currently at 375,000 USD per annum making it the highest paying country, aside the UK, for international talent.
By Tara Lissner, Swiss Gardening School
What a wonderful September we’ve been enjoying. The summer heat may be long gone but gentle temperatures, sunshine and just a touch of rain are spoiling us. The soft September light sets off the brilliant colours of autumn; the orange, yellow and red of flowers, leaves and fruit – a beautiful time, a wonderful season. This time of year allows us to consider where we succeeded and where we need to concentrate our efforts while allowing us to get things into shape before the cold and dark days arrive. I’ve been working on a large plot, removing very old large growth, weeding a lot, turing the soil with the aid of a man with a digger, raking over again and again and finally covering the space with geotextile. Now all I have to do is make a plan for planting. Planning improves our chances of success. Take a close look at your garden and your vegetable garden, what worked, what failed, what did you really enjoy eating and what got left behind – each question has an answer and each answer allows for a change. Photographs also help with planning, take many and remind yourselves later in the year what you loved and what you can do without – make the change, easier said than done I realize but it is important to start.
At this time of year there is so much to do, in fact at almost every time of year there is so much to do. This is the time of that mad dash to get the garden ready for winter before you no longer want to step outside. Tidy up the flower beds, deadhead the blooms that have gone over, allowing energy to be directed to the remaining buds; keep on top of the weeding as weeds continue to grow well; lawn care and repair should be high on the to do list after our scorching summer. Plan some time to buy some bulbs, already now I hear you but yes already now. All local garden centres, DIY shops and even supermarkets carry a vast selection of bulbs. The best choice and the best quality is available now, don’t delay. They may be planted in borders, in the lawn or in pots and will give you tremendous joy in the spring when plants, trees and shrubs are dormant.
