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3 Reasons Higher Education Is Important

10/30/2018

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Higher education is something that many people consider, but not everybody goes into. You can definitely experience success without higher education, but the fact is, you’re more likely to become successful and live a fuller life if you have some kind of degree.

Below, we have 3 reasons higher education is important. 

Take a look:

People With A College Degree Earn More Than The Average Person
People with a bachelor’s degree earn 64% more on average than somebody without one, and 40% more than those with an associates degree. If you want to make sure you’re earning enough money to live your dream life, higher education can help you. 


Gain New Skills To Enhance Your Current Career
Even if you’re already in employment, you can use higher education to gain skills to help you enhance your current career. You can become more employable, get a promotion, and even transition to another department or industry if that’s what you’re looking to do. Alternatively, you may develop the skills needed to build your own business. Higher education can help you whatever your goals may be. 


Expand Your Network 
People will tell you, ‘It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.’ This is true in many instances. Your education can take you far, but networking and meeting different kinds of people will always be a huge bonus. You will usually find you have far more opportunities than those who fail to network. 


As an example of why higher education remains very important, over half of Effat University graduates are employed - see the infographic below.

credit to Effat University

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By Iconic Chica Mag Contributors

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How To Style Your Outfits With Vintage Jewelry

10/29/2018

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Accessorizing with jewelry is one of the easiest ways to take a dull outfit and turn it into something a lot more stylish. But it’s trickier than people realize to get it right. You’ve got to match the right jewelry with the right outfits and make sure that you’re not going overboard with it. Vintage style is one of that hardest to get right when it comes to accessorizing with jewelry but it can look amazing if you know what you’re doing. Here are some basic rules and a couple of ideas to help you accessorize your vintage outfits with jewelry.
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Buy Real Vintage Jewelry
The definition of vintage is pretty loose, anything that’s more than 20 or 30 years old can be considered vintage so there’s plenty of stuff out there for you. But there are also a lot of vintage imitation pieces that have popped up since vintage fashion took off. You can still get some fairly good vintage style pieces of jewelry but they’ll never be the same as the real thing. You need to get original vintage pieces of jewelry if you want to make it work. There are some great companies like Yafa Signed Jewels that specialize in buying and selling vintage jewelry. These authentic vintage pieces of jewelry will be much better than any of the modern imitations.

Mix Clothes And Jewelry From The Same Decade
Different decades all have their own very distinct style and it’s incredibly hard to mix them effectively. That’s why it’s important that you use clothes and jewelry from the same era. If you match a 70’s outfit with a piece of ornate jewelry from the 50’s, those 2 very different styles are only going to clash. In some cases, it is possible to use a few pieces from different eras but tread lightly because it’s very hard to get right.
Use Statement Pieces
One of the most important rules of vintage fashion, in general, is to use pieces sparingly rather than grabbing as many vintage items as possible and throwing them together into an outfit. The same goes for jewelry. A lot of vintage jewelry is very big and bold, especially stuff from the 70’s and 80’s. If you’re wearing a pair of big hoop earrings with a chunky necklace and a thick bracelet, your outfit is going to look crowded. It’s best to use one bold piece of vintage jewelry and pair it with some more understated modern items. It’s all about finding that balance instead of wearing as many different pieces of vintage jewelry as possible. 

Match With Plain Outfits
Matching those statement pieces with an outfit that has a lot of bold patterns and colours is a bit of a risk because it can look quite cluttered and chaotic. It’s often better to match vintage jewelry with a plain outfit instead. Then you can really make the jewelry stand out and elevate a plain outfit at the same time.
If you stick to these basic rules you can pick the perfect vintage jewelry for your outfit every time.

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By Iconic Chica Mag Contributors

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Is Property Investment Still A Viable Choice For Securing Your Financial Future?

10/26/2018

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In the halcyon days of the mid-00s, property investment was the choice for families looking to secure their financial future. The concept was so simple: you buy a property, likely make improvements to it, and then either sell it on at a profit - which became known as property flipping - or rent it out to generate a consistent income.

The wonderful thing about property investment was that it worked. The market was rising, and people were able to make a profit even without making any improvements to the house or finding a tenant; they could sit back, wait for prices to rise, and sell on at a substantial profit. Those who did choose to flip or rent their property out fared even better, and many families found the financial security they had always craved was suddenly accessible and simple thanks to the world of property.

Then the financial crash happened
The financial crash of 2007/8 took the wind from the sails of the property investment dream. The market crash, mortgage providers became more hesitant to lend, and it seemed the bubble had very much burst. A financial activity that had become so commonplace it was depicted on TV shows - Modern Family is one example of a show that had a property flipping storyline - somewhat fell by the wayside, as families had to focus on financial security in the present rather than looking to their future.

It’s now been ten years since the financial crash, and while property investment has never quite reached the giddy heights of the pre-crash days, it’s still one of the most commonly suggested methods of investing in future financial security. There is, however, one big question that lingers: is it still worth it?

Was the property investment craze a bubble?
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Let’s take the opportunity to take a step back and examine the property investment craze for what it was - something akin to the most dreaded of financial situations: a bubble. 

Bubbles develop when a small group of people, usually investors, find a way to make money, and they tell others about their success in the area. This leads others to jump aboard and try it for themselves. Then there’s the third wave; people who have heard the investment opportunity is producing results, and decide to give it a go… perhaps not always with as much research behind them as one would hope. The bubble expands, more and more people join, and then - pop! The market becomes so saturated, so over-invested, it can’t sustain itself. 

Property investment did reach “bubble” levels before the financial crash. It was depicted as incredibly easy, and plenty of people bought into the concept, only to find themselves losing out when the market crashed. Since the crash happened, many families have written off property investment, seeing it as part of an unsustainable bubble - but this isn’t entirely fair. 


Yes, the property investment scene did begin to resemble a bubble, but it wasn’t a true bubble - because the fundamental principles behind it are sound. True bubbles tend to revolve around an uncontrollable desire for a single product; the Dutch tulip bubble is one of the most famous examples of an unsustainable growth that eventually collapsed in on itself. 
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Tulips, however, are not property - people will always need to live in homes, thus the property investment market was never quite a bubble. Was it overinflated, and did people who didn’t quite understand it get involved? Absolutely, but the core principle behind it made sense. Property investment was more of a victim of a broader financial crash rather than a bubble that collapsed under its own weight. 

So we can conclude that property investment is not inherently dangerous, and is based on simple rules of supply and demand. Property investment made sense in 1950, in 1990, in 2010, and it still makes sense today - the craze has died down, but it’s still a good idea for those looking for a route to financial security.
Assessing the current housing market
Property investment requires good background knowledge of the current housing market, but this is where we encounter our second obstacle to overcome when seeking to ascertain the value property investment offers: no one really knows what’s going on with the housing market.

At present, the US housing market is rather positive… but it is also plagued by predictions of doom in the future. However, to put these predictions into perspective, experts have been predicting a crash for many years, but it has yet to arrive… but they could also be right this time…

It’s confusing. So, let’s say this: the housing market is currently believed to be slightly overinflated and due a correction at some point. This may not happen for many years, or it might happen tomorrow - no one really knows. This means that if you’re considering property investment, you need to keep three critical factors in mind:

  • Don’t invest beyond your means.
  • Don’t invest everything you have saved for the future.
  • Getting a good deal on any property you purchase is incredibly important; if you can’t achieve this, and the market corrects, you could find yourself in negative equity.

When assessing the housing market in terms of property investment, it’s also important to look at demand. In this field, the US market seems healthy: demand has been consistently high over recent years, so those looking to flip a property should have plenty of buyers available to them. There’s also good news if you wish to buy a house to rent it out: renting is becoming more common, so finding tenants should be relatively simple.

Overall, the picture of the US housing market is fairly conducive to those who wish to invest in property. Yes, there’s some shakiness around the sustainability of the market, but this is nothing new - and can be somewhat mitigated by sensible investment choices.

Considering the opportunities for overseas property investment
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One aspect of property investment that is often overlooked is the potential in the overseas market. Many investors choose this route over investing domestically in the hopes of capturing a rising market and benefitting from the strength of the US dollar, and it’s well worth considering.

If you want to contemplate investing overseas, then there are a few pointers to keep in mind:
  • Overseas property investment is particularly worth considering if you focus on tourist-friendly areas. Services such as Airbnb can be a great way of securing a continual income from a property in a flexible, dynamic way - and you’ll even be able to use the property as a holiday home yourself, too.
  • It’s preferable to look for countries that are Anglophone, either as a first language - Australia, New Zealand, the UK - or as a second common language - Singapore, India, China - to ensure you can manage the purchasing process without the need for expensive translation services.
  • You will also need to spend time researching the housing market in your chosen country, as all countries can experience turbulence and even crashes that can disrupt your financial planning.
  • It’s helpful if you know a little about the country before you choose to invest in property there. While you can buy remotely - and many countries have specialist agencies to help facilitate this - it’s also preferable to visit an area, if not an individual property, before choosing to invest there.
  • Investing overseas is often seen as the “cheap” option, but keep in mind you will still be subject to taxation and other fees and expenses, even if the property price itself is lower than it would be in the US. It’s important to take the time to research areas such as stamp duty and other forms of taxation in your chosen country; although these additional rates are unlikely to be prohibitive, they do need to be a factor in your calculations.

So, is property investment still a viable choice?
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While the heady days of the property investment craze have cooled over recent years, it would seem that property investment is still a good choice - with a few caveats. As with most forms of long-term investment, your willingness to research is a key factor; without research, property investment can be an expensive mistake, but done correctly, it can be hugely beneficial.

The second most important caveat is the need to engage with property investment with complete honesty, acknowledging that there is a chance that the market will crash. While a market crash might not necessarily ruin your investment, it can impact the profits you can generate or the rental yield you are able to obtain - problems that take a long time to remedy. As a result, it’s best to start small, spending far less than you can afford - if things go well, you can sell and move on to a bigger property; if they don’t, at least you’re somewhat insulated by the lower investment amount.

However, if you can keep the two factors above in mind, then yes, property investment is still a realistic choice for those seeking a strong financial future for their families.

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By Iconic Chica Mag Contributors
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Loving College: Simple Suggestions For Struggling Students

10/22/2018

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Whether you’ve only just started college or you’re already a year into your course, every student experiences stressful days. It can be tempting to pack it all in and give up, but the important thing to remember is that you can do this; you just need to dust yourself off and get organized. Of course, that’s easier for some people than others. If you’re really struggling to get yourself into a good headspace then here are some simple suggestions for struggling students. 

These pointers could help you  love college again (or love parts of it, at least). 

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Get organized.
If you’re really struggling to keep on top of everything then making a schedule might be the best course of action. Obviously, you can’t plan everything in life, and some spontaneity can be a good thing. If you spend your life in your dorm because you want to study endlessly, for example, then that’s not a very healthy way to structure your day. Making a schedule might help you
set aside enough time for studying whilst also having enough time to relax with friends, do extracurricular activities, or simply sleep (an important thing that many students neglect to do). Get yourself a thick planner and start figuring out how to fit things into your week. You can always talk to your lecturer if you think you and other students have been given too heavy a workload to handle on top of your many other courses. You should also make a budget to keep your finances organized. If you find that you’re living beyond your means then you might want to rethink your expenses.

Go above and beyond.
If you’re focused on your studying then that’s the right way to be. However, if you’re solely focused on meeting course requirements then you might be missing other opportunities available to you at college. This is a chance to learn things and gain skills that’ll help you in future life. It’s not just about getting a degree. Step out of your comfort zone; join some social clubs, and get involved with debate teams. Don’t just meet minimum requirements; you need to be adventurous if you want to enjoy college. You could even suggest educational trips to your lecturers and tutors. You might want to show them the Study Link Tours website to help them organize college trips. Showing some initiative could impress your professors. If you go above and beyond then you’ll make your college experience so much better.
Take care of yourself.
Mental health problems are prevalent in all colleges. If you want to love college but you’re struggling to do so then it might be time to prioritize your emotional wellbeing. College is a psychologically-demanding experience for the vast majority of students, so you’re not alone in your struggles. You should start by finding time to talk about the way you’re feeling with friends, family members, 
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and perhaps even counselors. This will help you to open up and release some of the weight on your shoulders. You need to take care of yourself. Make sure you take on board the earlier advice in this article; schedule your time well so that you’re not overworking yourself. Include “relaxation time” in that schedule. Watch an episode of your TV show with your flatmate, or listen to your favorite band for 20 minutes. Small breaks can make all the difference.

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By Iconic Chica Mag Contributors
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The Right Way To Buy Second Hand Clothes

10/22/2018

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Buying second hand clothes is a great way to save a lot of money and get some great vintage pieces that you might not get from newer stores. But when you’re buying second hand it’s easy to get carried away and buy loads of stuff just because it’s cheap. Then you’re left with a wardrobe full of outdated stuff that you’ll probably never wear. You need to know what you’re looking for and follow these simple rules when you’re buying second hand clothes to make sure you end up with things that you actually want and don’t end up wasting a load of money and cluttering up your wardrobe.
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Know Where To Go
The most obvious place to pick up second hand clothes is at thrift stores because you can get some really cheap stuff, which is perfect for moms looking to update their wardrobe on a tight budget. But that’s not the only place you can pick up some great second hand clothes. You can also get some good stuff on auction sites like eBay. It’s not going to be quite as cheap as it would be from a thrift store but you’ll get a better choice of clothes. It’s also worth going to any local garage sales in the area or checking the local community websites as well.

Look For High End Clothes
People often think that buying second hand is all about getting lots of cheap clothes. That is one of the benefits but it’s also a great way of getting high end designer stuff at a discounted price. There are some great companies like The Fifth Collection that specialize in second hand designer clothes. All of that stuff is usually unaffordable but if you go second hand, it’s a lot more accessible.

Shop At The Right Time
Shopping at the right time is the best way to make sure that you’re getting a good choice. If you shop in the middle of a season, you probably won’t find much. But if you wait until the end of a season when people are clearing out their wardrobes to make space for next season, you’ll find a lot more good pieces. It does mean you’ll have to buy summer clothes for next year at the beginning of winter etc. but it’s worth planning ahead if you can get some great deals on amazing clothes.

Look For Quality
Just because you’re buying it cheap, that doesn’t mean you don’t need to worry about quality. If you buy poor quality, you’ll buy twice and you won’t actually be saving any money. But if you can get a great deal on some good quality clothing, you’ll be saving yourself quite a bit. If you’re looking for second hand clothes online, the best thing to do is search for shops and brands that you know are high quality and see what the prices are like.

If you use these simple tips when you’re shopping for second hand clothes, you can save yourself a lot of money and get some great clothes at the same time.

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By Iconic Chica Mag Contributors
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Is Your Furry Friend Out Of Control?

10/19/2018

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Owning a dog can be one of the most fulfilling and wonderful things in the world. They offer companionship and love, they can help your kids learn more about responsibility, and it means that you never have to be lonely no matter what. However, that doesn't mean that owning a dog is always going to be easy. In fact, it can often be incredibly difficult. This is particularly true when it comes to dealing with their behavior. Training a dog is never particularly easy but when they love to move around and have fun and even get into trouble. Sometime the stress does lead to wanting to pull your hair out. They are animals and we are humans and together we can work very nicely... The first thing to do here is look at your options and find out what is the best option for you and your furry friend to make this companionship a lasting one. Sometimes our furry friends are tying to tell us something too! Here are some reasons why your furry friend might be a bit out of control.

They're not getting the exercise they need
One of the most common reasons why your dog might be acting up is that they simply have too much energy. If you come home from work and you find that your dog has knocked over every plant in the house and torn through all of your cushions, it's probably not because they're trying to be aggressive, they probably just really want to run around and play. Different breeds need different amounts of exercise and the answer to the question "what kind of dog do I have?" is often a lot more difficult than you might think, especially if it's a mutt. Figuring out your dog's breed can be a great way to better understand exactly how much exercise it needs to stop it from raising hell when you're not around.

They suffered past abuse
As unpleasant as it is to think about, a lot of dogs have suffered horribly at the hands of their previous owners. It's awful, it shouldn't happen, but sadly it does. And a lot of the time this kind of past trauma can manifest in strange or aggressive behavior from your dog. The key to this is to be as patient as possible. Getting frustrated or angry is just going to make the situation worse. Make sure that your dog always feels safe and loved, no matter what.

You've spoiled them
Then again, it could be the other way round. If you've spent your dog's entire life giving them anything they want and never disciplining them or setting boundaries, then there's a good chance that you're going to end up spoiling them. You need to make sure that you're setting clear and consistent rules for your dog. Otherwise, they're just going to end up doing whatever they want.

Of course, it's important to remember that if you're really struggling to get your dog under control, that doesn't mean that you've failed in any way. There are plenty of professional trainers and training courses out there who can help you take control of the situation and help you and your dog have a much healthier and happier relationship.

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By Iconic Chica Mag Contributors
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3 Things That Can Affect A Relationship

10/1/2018

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No matter what kind of relationship or how far along it is, there will always be factors that may affect it. As long as you can develop a good understanding of those factors, you can much more effectively understand how to manage the relationship and work through issues that arise- which happens to everyone. In this article, we are going to take a look at just a few of the ordinary, but important things which can affect a relationship. As long as you work through your issues, appreciate each other and the following topics, you can manage your relationship effectively.  Let’s take a look.
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Assumptions
Each person in the relationship has their own assumptions, and ultimately what this means is that they have their own views, which is totally fine. However, assumptions are just that and these can sometimes damage a relationship, especially since these are essentially unexpressed demands placed on your partner/friend/family member. For that reason, it is important to make sure that you are going to express any of these which you feel cropping up for you, and that you ask the same of the other person. As long as these are clearly expressed, you can be sure that you are going to be able to master them in such a way that the relationship is better off as a result.

Cultural Expectations
Sometimes the problem is that there are cultural differences between the two individuals in a relationship, and this can lead to a number of problems which can be hard to manage if left unchecked for too long. It could be anything, such as one person having an understanding of a marriage based on what a Muslim Marriage should be, and another coming from a different route altogether. Whatever it is, it can be hard to see through these simply because they are so deeply embedded. But as usual, with constant talking it out, and making sure that the other person is aware of one’s own cultural expectations, you can be sure that you are going to be able to get past even these deeply embedded expectations.
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Lack Of Communication
What a lot of this boils down to is a lack of communication. As long as you and the other individual are speaking openly and honestly, you will find that there is not nearly quite the same level of difficulty, but if there is a lack of communication then suddenly everything becomes much more difficult. For this reason, you should aim to speak openly whenever you can, even if it is difficult. Relationships and communication work together. One does not work without the other. Bring up your thoughts and have some drinks and/or snacks over it and disucss openly your views, agreements and disagreements. We are all entitled to our opinions and our views, but in all relationship we have to talk, speak up,   and make our voices heard even if you both have to compromise. That will really make a world of difference in the long run.

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