Good Posture Guide, a must know!

History of our famous cartoon character

A guide to marathon running

Fast facts on coffee consumption

12 Things to do after you've written a new blog post

Interesting mobile facts that we may have ignored

How does a touchscreen phone work?

Sustainable paper

How big our cars have gotten!

What is the most popular designer's toolkit?

Here is the answer from the survey carried out by http://blog.bestvendor.com/

The Greener Way to Get Around!

10 Feng Shui Tips

Restaurants and Social Media: The Top 10

Ultimate Guide to Good Posture

Basics of Sleep

Tips on proper use of sunscreen

Personal Brand

Tips! How to keep your laptop in tip-top shape

Caring For Your Pets In Hot Weather

Economic Impact of the 2012 London Olympics

Source: http://wire.kapitall.com/investing-101/infographic-the-london-2012-olympics-economic-impact/

15 Time Wasters Successful People Avoid

Source: N2Growth Blog

The Evolution of Olympic Coverage

London Olympic Venues

What makes the Olympics in London so different from any Olympics before is its use of the whole city throughout the Games. No spectators in central London will ever be more than 30 minutes away from an Olympic venue, with some of the capital’s most iconic landmarks acting as a backdrop for the greatest show on earth. Most events will take place at the ground-breaking 2.5sq km Olympic Park in Stratford, a mere seven minutes away from the city centre by Olympic Javelin train. Other events will be scattered around in all directions at key venues a short journey from the center of town. 9.6 million tickets have been issued for the London Olypmics but the major ticket will be London itself, with the capital set to come alive throughout the summer.

LondonTown.com presents this wonderfully illustrated infographic showing all of the Olympic venues including what events are taking place and the easiest travel plans.

Olympics: Then vs. Now

When Is the Internet Awake?

Internet by day, internet by night; everyone is on the internet at some point. Whether you’re a college student cramming for an exam with a Facebook study-break, or a middle-aged parent catching up on burning through some episodes of Lost, everyone’s got their own time of the day that they like to surf the world wide web. According to Bárd Edlund, as a whole, most of the internet is awake around 9 am EST. With this world clockhe’s collected probability data for 25 countries accessing the internet at a given time of 24-hour day. The x axis describes the time of day by shade of gray (lighter being earlier in the day, and darker shades later in the night), while on the y axis shows the different countries via moon-like circles. The circle size describes the amount of people with internet broadband subscriptions.

This chart is only an rough guide though. Just because a country is awake doesn’t mean that they are necessarily online reading your tweets. It’s meant to be a way of thinking of how the world realizes their sleep schedules and how it could relate to internet surfing.

Fruits/Vegetables/Herbs: When Are They In Season?

There is a lot more to delicious cooking than sound technical knowledge. Knowing your ingredients is just as key. One of the most important ingredients that can affect your cooking and baking is produce. Unfortunately there is a misconception floating around that fruits, vegetables and herbs are naturally available year-round.

Though you may be able to find just about every type of fruit, vegetable or herb everyday of the year in the grocery store, a majority of those items are not in season. If you are buying a strawberry in december, you are likely purchasing a fruit that was picked six months ago and stored in a climate controlled facility. Or you are buying a berry that has spent the last few weeks in a shipping container as it trekked halfway across the globe from somewhere in the southern hemisphere. This extra time between picking and eating means loss of nutrients, flavor and quality and an increase in cost and carbon footprint.

Whether you are a strict seasonal-only shopper or not, knowing what produce is in season when can be very advantageous to successful cooking and baking. Not only will you notice fresher taste and stronger flavors but you will see a marked increase in savings, and a heightened sense of anticipation and appreciation for each season.

Below are three calendars breaking down the seasonal availability of fruits, vegetables and herbs. For more information on produce include tips on how to know you’re buying seasonal produce, check out the original post: Kitchen 101: Fruits, Vegetables & Herbs.

History of gasoline (petrol) prices

Should You Build a Mobile App or Mobile Website?

There’s no doubt that mobile has gone mainstream with consumers increasingly on the move and companies seeking more ways to stay in front of their eyes and right at their fingertips. As a result, businesses are realizing the importance of maintaining a mobile presence, yet many are uncertain whether a mobile application or mobile website is the best way to go to reach consumers on the go. To outline the basics and benefits of a mobile website vs. mobile app, MDG Advertising developed the following informative infographic. It outlines the options and opportunities behind both mobile methods, along with the facts and figures regarding reach and response to help companies make the right move to mobile.



                                                        Sources: [MDGAdvertising]

The Most Expensive Houses in the World

Which house is your favorite? Let us know!

The Harm of Sitting Constantly

TEDx: Statistics Worth Sharing

TED has become notorious across the globe as one of the most innovative conferences of idea distribution. Standing for Technology, Education and Design, TED has opened millions of minds to a different outlook on a number of subjects. With speakers like Malcolm Gladwell, Jamie Oliver and hundreds more – TED has a specific way of cornering the greatest minds on earth. Now, with the TEDx independent conference, TED has been able to spread their brand across hundreds of countries and thousands of cities.


Below are some statistics of TED summarized in the form of infographic.

Light Sources Tips

Below are some tips for you guys to consider when choosing a light source. Stay green=)



Source: http://www.pegasuslighting.com/

The History of The Calculator

The calculator is something that we all take for granted these days.  You can find calculators on your phones, laptops, PCs, tablets; there’s always a calculator to hand.

The question is, where did the calculator originate from? Who do we have to thank for such mathematical genius? Here is a infographic summarizing the history of calculator shared by Calculator.co.uk.


Click on the picture below for an enlarged version

                                                           Source: Calculator.co.uk

Why Mobile Ads in Emerging Markets are the Future

Some facts and tips for those who are interested in businesses in emerging markets.




Source: http://www.jana.com/

How Your Brain Ages

                                Source:  http://www.termlifeinsurance.org/

The How To Start A Business

This infographic, So You Want To Start A Business, outlined and explained the very basic steps in starting your new business. Have fun!




                                          Source : http://info.boltinsurance.com/

The People Behind the Way We Live

Interesting infographic showing the People Behind the Way We Live

Do you know how the inventions you use every day really came to be?

Source   http://www.bestcollegesonline.org/

The Psychology of Color?

Source   http://www.nowsourcing.com/

What Success Looks Like

Here's something my dad shared with me (via e-mail of course):

Whatever it is that you are doing, it is not easy. Getting to the top isn't like climbing a simple regular ladder, but rather it is a very elaborate and complicated procedure, best defined by the board game 'Snakes and Ladders'. Sometimes, it will be easy, other times it will be difficult.

But remember that no matter what, never give up till you get what you came for.

 Cheers
-Mazaher

Baby Buggy on a Bus

Interesting post relating to Cost benefit Analysis:

Recently the driver of a bus refused to let me on unless 

my baby buggy was folded up. He then sped on, leaving me stranded.� It would have taken only a moment to fold up the buggy. Is this efficient?

Mary McLaren,

Hackney, London

Dear Ms McLaren,

I'm sorry to hear of your distressing experience but the driver did the right thing. You say it would have taken a moment to fold up the buggy. My generous estimate is that you would have delayed the bus by at least 30 seconds. London buses seat up to 75, plus those standing. Let us be conservative and say that there were only 40 passengers on it. By waiting for you to board with your baby and buggy, the bus would have delayed 40 people for 30 seconds, an aggregate delay of 20 minutes.

You and your baby should have picked up the next bus in 'about six to 10 minutes, so the aggregate delay there is around 16 minutes. Sixteen minutes is less than 20 minutes, so the driver maximized social welfare by refusing to wait.

Of course, not every political philosopher accepts the tools of cost-benefit analysis. The two modern greats, John Rawls and Robert Nozick, have different views.

Rawls is concerned with the welfare of the worst-off in society: you, standing at the bus stop rather than the happy multitude already on the bus. Rawls presumably believes no delay is too great to allow you to get your baby on the bus.

Nozick, on the other hand, would say that the rules were clear and you did not follow them. Regrettable as your self-inflicted plight was, perhaps you will be more considerate of other passengers in future.

Tim Harford

Dear Economist columnist

Resolving readers� dilemmas with the tools of Adam Smith

(Source: http://seattlecentral.edu/faculty/jhubert/deareconomist.html)

 Cheers

-Mazaher

Chained Elephant

Cheers

-Mazaher

DrawSomething?

Here's Charles. A month ago he was set to close his business. This week, he sold it for $180 million. That's why he's smiling...

After six years trying to figure out how to make games on the iPhone, Charles Forman was about to give up, with his company, Omgpop, set to run out of money by this May. Things changes three days ago. He said in an interview with the New York Times on Monday “I had $1,700 in my bank account yesterday, and now I have a whole lot more.”

So what changed? After 35 attempts at making games that would be successful, the Omgpop team finally found a hit at the beginning of February. The game, called “Draw Something” is like Pictionary for the iPhone. Since it launched on Feb 6th, it has been downloaded 35 million times. It caught the attention of Zynga, the game company behind Farmville and other Facebook game hits. A month after the game launched, Zynga just bought Omgpop from Charles for $180 million.

Do you have the perseverance to try to create a success after 35 failures? Is it worth the six years of trying and failing to reach the runaway success? This is another example of hyper-growth that comes from getting your surf board back out there again and again..

-Not sure how true this is, but the lesson has been learnt from many famous people including Thomas Edison. Never give up trying to get something that you truly want.

-Mazaher

Income Tax Relief Tips

Greetings everyone!

SIFE Taylor’s University Finance Department brings this community message to you J

Income Tax Relief Tips

Live the lifestyle you desire by managing your income tax payments

Income tax time is coming soon. It is the season where employees and business owners try to maximize their income tax deductions. Here are a few simple income tax relief tips especially for resident individuals that you can leverage on for noteworthy income tax savings. Read on to find out how you may reduce your income tax liability by saving for retirement, owning a home and funding your children’s education!

1.  Negotiate for the ‘CEO’ packages

            If you are earning at least RM10, 000 per month and are paying income taxes at the highest bracket (26%), the following methods may be helpful in reducing your income tax liability. You may start by exploring opportunities to discuss and customize your remuneration package with your employer.

Consider converting your gross income into benefit-in-Kind (bIK)

The ‘CEO’ package is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the non- monetary perks that a CEO may typically receive. For example, negotiate your remuneration package to include BIKs such as a company car, reasonable amount of travel benefits, telephone Bill subsidy and so forth, which will result in reduced chargeable income. Although BIKs are still considered income and taxable, the taxable value of BIKs may be lower compared to receiving the amount in cash. For example a car valued between RM150, 001 to RM200, 000 may incur BIK taxes at RM8, 800 per annum compared to the RM52, 000 (RM200, 000 x 26%) you may have to pay if you were to receive RM200, 000 as an income.

Consider negotiating for travel allowances

An employee is provided an income tax exemption of up to RM6, 000 per annum for any travel allowance, petrol card, petrol allowance or toll payment or any of its combination for work related travel.

2.  Buy a home

         If you purchased a residential property and signed a Sale and Purchase Agreement between 10th March 2009 and 31st December 2010, you will enjoy up to RM10, 000 income tax relief on interest expended to finance the purchase, for three consecutive years from the first year the interest is paid. That means, if you purchased a house in 2010, you will receive RM10, 000 income tax relief yearly from 2010 to 2012. If more than one person jointly purchased the property, all of them are entitled for the relief up to a maximum of RM10, 000 jointly. For instance, if David and his wife jointly purchased a property, they will both be entitled to a relief of RM5, 000 each for 3 consecutive years.

3.  Send your child to college

Start saving for your child’s education and qualify for income tax relief on education savings and education fees at the same time.

RM3, 000 income tax relief for child’s education savings (Skim Simpanan Pendidikan nasional, SSPn)

Any amount that is deposited into a savings account for your child under SSPN allows you to claim for income tax deduction up to a maximum of RM3, 000 per annum. If your spouse files a separate income tax return, he or she can also claim this amount. So jointly, if each spouse saves a net contribution of RM3, 000 for their child per annum, the income tax relief chalks up to RM6, 000. If you and your spouse are paying income taxes at the highest bracket, that would translate to a saving of RM1, 560 (RM6, 000 x 26%) per annum.

Enjoy child relief on education fees

RM1, 000 for a child aged 18 years old and above, not married and receiving full-time tertiary education and RM4, 000 for a child aged 18 years old and above, not married and pursuing diplomas or above qualification in Malaysia or Bachelor’s degree or above outside Malaysia in a Higher Education Institute accredited by related Government authorities.

4.  Start a business

            If you are an entrepreneur or have a side business, you can claim deductions for all expenses related to the business when calculating business income other than expenses disallowed under the Income Tax Act 1967. For example, if you provide IT consulting work on a part-time basis, you can claim an income tax deduction for office rental, cost of stationery, printing material or training manuals. If your spouse or family members are employed to help you in the business, their salaries are also deductible.

They, however, will need to file personal income taxes for the income received from you.

 5. Invest in yourself

Sharpening your skills is often the best investment you can make. Plus, you get income tax relief for your efforts too.

Read as much as you can

You will enjoy an income tax deduction of a maximum of RM1, 000 on the purchase of books, journals, magazines and publications.

Further your learning

Enjoy a relief of RM5, 000 per year for any course of study at the Master’s or PhD level. The course does not have to be full time, but must be in an institution or professional body in Malaysia recognized by the government or approved by the Ministry of Finance.

Get fit

You may claim up to RM500 for a complete medical examination. To encourage a healthier lifestyle, the government also allows claims of up to RM300 each year for the purchase of any sports or exercise equipment for any sports activity (Sports equipment does not include attire and shoes). Now that’s an incentive to start exercising.

6. Invest in income tax-efficient instruments

Look for investments that offer lower income tax rates to enjoy greater income tax savings.

Real Estate Investment trusts (REIt)

Invest in REITs to enjoy concessionary income tax rate of 10% as opposed to dividends on normal shares that are taxed at 25%. Since the REIT distributions you receive are already subjected to the 10% tax, you are not required to declare the amount in your income tax return.

Invest in overseas stocks with lower corporate income tax

Corporate income tax rate in some countries may be lower (eg. 17% in Singapore compared to Malaysia’s 25%), which may mean you save on income taxes. As the income is already taxed in the country of origin, it will be tax-free when repatriated back to Malaysia.

7. Save for your retirement

Sign-up for a Deferred Annuity Retirement Scheme to enjoy an income tax relief of RM3, 000 annually on premiums paid.

For instance, if you sign up for a new annuity scheme (including Private Retirement Schemes approved by the Securities Commission) in 2012 and pay RM3, 000 in premiums, you can claim RM3,000 for income tax deduction the next year. Should you be at the 26% income tax bracket, you would have made a saving of RM780. Better yet, and you would have also invested in your future.

(Source: HSBC Malaysia Liquid Newsletter Issue 12, March 2012 @ http://www.hsbc.com.my/1/PA_ES_Content_Mgmt/content/website/flash/liquid/newsletter_en.pdf)

All the best in managing your personal income taxes J

Best Regards,

Aaron Lee

Vice - President of Finance

SIFE Taylor's University

21st March - Down Syndrome?

Hmm. Did you know 21st March was actually World Down Syndrome Day? Im not really sure what Down Syndrome is, but I did some research and thought that I'd help spread the msg.

What is Down syndrome?

Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition that is associated with intellectual disability, a characteristic facial appearance, and poor muscle tone (hypotonia) in infancy. The degree of intellectual disability varies, but it is usually mild to moderate.

People with Down syndrome may be born with a variety of birth defects. About half of all affected children have a heart defect. Digestive abnormalities, such as a blockage of the intestine, are less common.

Individuals with Down syndrome have an increased risk of developing several medical conditions. These include gastroesophageal reflux, which is a backflow of acidic stomach contents into the esophagus, and celiac disease, which is an intolerance of a wheat protein called gluten. About 15 percent of people with Down syndrome have an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ in the lower neck that produces hormones. Individuals with Down syndrome also have an increased risk of hearing and vision problems. Additionally, about 1 percent of children with Down syndrome develop cancer of blood-forming cells (leukemia).

Adults with Down syndrome have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer disease, a brain disorder that results in a gradual loss of memory, judgment, and ability to function. Although Alzheimer disease is usually a disorder that occurs in older adults, about half of adults with Down syndrome develop this condition by age 50.

Source: http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/down-syndrome

Do you know anybody with down's syndrome? Share your experiences with us in the comment section below :)

Best Booth Award

CLUBS & SOCIETIES DAY (1^ST FEB 2012)

BEST BOOTH AWARD

Congratulation to the SIFE Taylor's and the winning clubs!

Well done to everyone who has put in effort in recruiting new 

members.

It is such a big achievement for a new team like us to outperform the more established team in the first recruitment drive. Keep up the good work people!