Things to Keep in Mind While Travelling With Kids at Airport

02 Wednesday Oct 2024

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Smooth sailing through the airports with your kids – All you need to know

Travelling with kids can be both exhilarating and challenging, especially when navigating the bustling environment of airports. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore holistic approaches to make your journey through airports a breeze, ensuring both parents and children experience the joy of travel without the stress.

So, what are you waiting for? Explore below, some secrets put together to make your next airport travel with your young one, a seamless and hassle-free experience.

Book direct flights & minimise stopovers

When flying with kids, especially babies and toddlers, the fewer stops, the better. Whenever possible, purchase a direct flight, so you don’t have to deal with additional headaches like rushing to make connecting flights, delayed layovers, multiple take-offs, and increased risk of lost luggage. Flights with late-night connections or long layovers are best avoided when travelling with kids. Some airlines also allow for early boarding for passengers with small kids to make it convenient for everybody.

Reserve your seats well in advance

When travelling with a kid, pre-book your flight seats together, even if it means you must pay a little extra to get assigned seating. It saves you the hassle of relying on the kindness of strangers or air hostesses to switch you into seats altogether. It also is the only way to ensure your kid is not seated next to a stranger.

Choose an airline with kid-friendly perks

For parents travelling with infants, choosing an airline which has special policies and offers to ensure safer and cheaper travel for infants makes things a lot easier. Reduced fares, baby bassinet on request, changing table and free infant baggage are a few things which make flight travel more comfortable for such parents.

Consider using a small and collapsible stroller

A stroller can be a big help if you’re travelling with a baby or young child, especially at some of the big airports. Long overhauls can mean lugging your child through the long hallways between airport terminals. A stroller can be a lifesaver when sightseeing involves a lot of walking. You can check it in with your baggage. Most airlines don’t charge extra for strollers.

Utilise childcare rooms

Most airports have childcare room facilities, where mothers of small kids can change or feed their kids in comfort and complete privacy. Please make sure to utilise these rooms if you’re travelling with your loved ones.

Plan your packing list in advance

When packing for the plane journey, pack sensibly and lightly. Extra clothes for kids, a couple of pacifiers, sanitiser, wipes, pull-ups, and diapers, Plastic bags for trash, medical kit. Packing in an extra pair for yourself also is a good idea, because kids can feel queasy and might soil your clothes.

Engage in activities to engage the kid (as per age)

You may pack these things for your kid along with your normal luggage- smartphones and tablets loaded with your kids’ favourite movies/shows or games, power banks, child-friendly headphones etc. Colouring books, sticker books, pop-up books, crayons, markers, pencil crayons, and stuffed animals also help.

Best binges for long-haul flights

Carrying snacks which are sugar-free is the best here to avoid the kids getting hyperactive with excessive intake of sweets. Nuts and crackers are good options for in-flight snacks. Keep plastic bags handy for throwing any kind of trash, or even if the child has motion sickness, there are chances of them throwing up.

Prepare for security check

Do keep in mind that travelling with snacks will mean extra scrutiny during the screening process. While packing, make sure items that need to be removed during security are easily accessed. Passengers travelling with babies are allowed to carry a reasonable amount of liquids; milk, juice, formula, or baby food.

Some extra layers of clothing are a good idea!

Make sure the kids are wearing multiple layers of clothing to adapt to the temperature changes. Also, make sure that their clothes are easy to put on and take off so that it gets convenient when they want to use the washroom. Wearing footwear with no laces and just flip-flops will make the security check a breeze. Footwear that is too tight or too loose may make them uncomfortable while walking, so picking the most comfortable ones for airports are key. Carry an extra pair of clothes for the kids in your carry-on, as they’re prone to spilling things and even vomiting due to air sickness. An extra pair of clothes could be a lifesaver at such times. Their own kits with masks, sanitisers, and their extra pair of clothes and tissues can go with their carry-on. This also gives them a sense of independence, helping them to take better care of themselves when they are out on their own.

Miscellaneous checks for parents

If you have a long-haul flight, it’s always best to double nappy your baby with the outer diaper of a bigger size than the inner one. Plane toilets are small, and that makes the diaper tables even smaller. To avoid the mess on a long-haul flight, it’s best to make sure the baby is all set and dry for the journey. The kids have a habit of touching every surface around them, so it’s always better to have the seats, and their tables sanitised to make sure they’re completely germ-free. Carry a travel thermometer and ask kids to keep washing their hands at regular intervals. Putting a pack of wet wipes in their carry-ons serves the purpose. It also gives them a sense of personal hygiene when travelling in public modes of transport. Travelling light is not an option when you have a kid; however, it’s better to limit things you’re carrying to have your carry-on organised in a better way. Carrying bright-coloured bag or those that aren’t generic types help you spot the bag as soon as they’re out on the carousel. If bags are not an option, then get creative with big bag tags that are easy to spot from a distance. Limit your number of bags, as lesser the bags, the lesser confusion. This makes your bag search much easier and faster while you’re already toggling between managing the kids.

Conclusion

Remember, with patience, preparation and a touch of creativity, navigating airports with children can become a rewarding experience for the entire family. Whether it’s practicing mindful techniques, packing smartly, or simple embracing the unexpected, I hope your future travels are filled with laughter, love and unforgettable moments.

Travelling in Kerala exploring Kochi, Alleppey and Munnar

26 Thursday Sep 2024

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Located in the lap of Sahayadri hills adjoining the Malabar coast, Kerala promises a delightful fusion of aromas and breathtaking landscapes. Beginning the trip from Kochi and ending it in Munnar, come follow my journey in Kerala as I eat, explore and enjoy in ‘God’s Own Country’ for five days.

As it was my first trip down South, I was particularly excited about my stay on the houseboat. Landing in Kochi from New Delhi, as I touched down at the Cochin International airport, I was greeted by the aroma of spices, cold breeze and warm people. Walking in the by lanes Fort Kochi, I explored the bustling markets while crossing the colourful houses.

On the second day I embarked on a mesmerising journey through the backwaters of Alleppey. The thing I was most excited about – the houseboat, I was going to stay here for two nights! As soon as I boarded the houseboat, we started to cruise along the tranquil waterways crossing quaint villages and lush greenery. The food served was a feast on a banana leaf with salads, rice, sambar et al.

My last stop was at the tea paradise of India – Munnar. Located amidst the rolling hills of the Western Ghats, I was looking forward to the next two nights on this hill station. The days were spent learning about the art of tea cultivation and processing whereas the evenings were about sipping and savouring the aroma and taste of freshly brewed tea with hot vadas and idlis.

I also gorged on a lot of other local preparations and below are some recipes that you too can try at home and bring South Indian flavours in your home kitchen.

Recipe for Appam

What you need: 1 ½ cups rice or parboiled rice, 2 cups water – for soaking ¼ cup thick poha, ½ a cup freshly grated coconut, ¾ cup water, ½ a teaspoon instant yeast or ¾ teaspoon of dry active yeast, ½ a teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons sugar.

How to prepare? Rinse the rice in water a couple of times. Then soak them in water for around 4 to 5 hours. Drain all the water and then add the soaked rice to a mixer grinder or blender jar. Also add the freshly grated coconut, cooked rice or poha, salt and sugar. Add some water and grind all the ingredients to a smooth flowing batter. Transfer the batter in a medium to large bowl.

With instant yeast: Sprinkle the Instant yeast (or rapid rising yeast) all over the batter. Mix thoroughly and evenly. Cover the bowl and set aside to ferment for 1 to 2 hours until the batter doubles in volume and has plenty of air-pockets.

With dry active yeast: Take about 1 to 2 tablespoons of lukewarm water in a bowl. Then add the dry active yeast and stir to mix well. Add this yeast solution to the batter and mix thoroughly. Cover and keep aside for fermenting overnight or for 8 to 12 hours or more depending on the temperature conditions. The batter will rise and increase in volume the next day.

Heat a kadai or an appam pan with handles at the sides. Spread some oil on the appam pan with a spoon. If you are using a nonstick pan, then skip the part where you smear the oil. Spread a ladle full of the batter (about ⅓ to ¼ cup). Keep heat to medium-low or medium. Regulate the heat as needed when cooking. You can also drizzle some oil on the sides if you prefer. Cover the pan with a lid and let the appam cook. The base would become nicely light golden in color with crispy edges.

Gently remove the cooked appam with a spatula. Make the remaining batches of appam this way. If the pan becomes too hot, then reduce the heat so that the batter is easy to spread when you tilt the pan. Keep the prepared appams covered with a kitchen towel. Serve the appam hot or warm with vegetable stew or coconut milk that has been sweetened with jaggery and flavored with a bit of cardamom powder.

Recipe for Sweet Appam

What you need: First chop the jaggery. You should be able to get ½ a cup chopped jaggery. You can also use jaggery powder. Then add the jaggery in a bowl or pan containing 1 ½ cups of water. Keep the bowl or pan on low to medium flame and let the solution heat through. Stir so that the jaggery melts completely. Filter the syrup and put it aside. Now chop a small piece of coconut into small bits. You will need about ¼ cup of chopped coconut. You can even use grated coconut, or you can skip coconut altogether.

Making the batter for banana appam: Heat 2 teaspoons of ghee in a pan. Then add the chopped coconut. Stir often and sauté them till they turn light golden in color. In a pan, peel and chop the bananas. Mash the bananas and add the green cardamom powder, ginger powder, and cumin powder and mix well. To the bowl containing the jaggery solution, add the rice flour and black or white sesame seeds. Begin to mix well. Make a smooth batter without any lumps.

Add the pureed bananas to the rice flour mixture along with the coconut. Add the baking soda and mix thoroughly.

Heat the appam pan and add ½ to 1 teaspoon of ghee or coconut oil in each mold. Instead of ghee you can use coconut oil too. With a spoon, pour the batter till ¾ᵗʰ or more than ¾ᵗʰ of the volume in each mould. Keep the heat to low or medium and cook the sweet appams. With a wooden/bamboo stick or skewer, turn over the banana appam after they turn golden. Once done, remove and place them in a casserole. Repeat the process to make as many sweet appams as you wish. Serve them hot or at room temperature.

Recipe for Idiyappam 

What you need: 1 cup rice flour or 130 grams, 1 to 2 cups hot water for kneading, salt (to taste) and ¼ cup fresh grated coconut (optional).

How to prepare? Before you begin making the dough, grease oil on an idli pan or a steamer pan and keep ready. If you have banana leaves, then cut them into squares and place them on the idli moulds. Grease the banana leaves with some oil.

Roasting rice flour: Heat a kadai or pan. Keep the flame low and add 1 cup rice flour. On a low flame stir often to roast the rice flour for 4 to 5 minutes. You do not need to brown the flour. Lightly roasting it helps in making soft idiyappams. Continue to stir and roast till you see steam coming from the rice flour. When you see steam appearing from the rice flour, then switch off the flame. Remove the rice flour in a mixing bowl or pan.

In the same kadai or pan in which rice flour was roasted, add 1 to 2 cups of water and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Let the water come to a boil. The water must be hot but do not let it roll. Then add hot water to the rice flour. Begin to mix with a spoon or spatula. Mix well. Knead to a smooth and soft dough. If the dough looks dry, then you can sprinkle some warm water on it and continue to knead.

Take the disc meant for making the idiyappam and spread some water or oil on it. Also, before you start making idiyappam, heat 2 cups of water in a pan or pressure cooker and let it come to a boil. Keep water on low to medium flame. Divide the dough into 2 to 3 portions. Prepare a log from one portion and place it in the idiyappam/murukku maker. Grease the idiyappam maker with some oil or water before you place the dough in it. Cover the rest of the dough with a kitchen napkin so it doesn’t dry out. Now begin to press the idiyappam/murukku maker directly on the idli moulds in a concentric round circle. Form one roundel of the idiyappam. Continue to make idiyappams this way on all the idli moulds. Sprinkle some grated coconut on top of each idiyappam.

Recipe for Puttu

What you need: 1 cup puttu flour, ⅓ cup water, ⅓ teaspoon salt, ½ a cup freshly grated coconut and 2 to 3 cups of water for steaming.

How to prepare? Take 1 cup of puttu flour in a mixing bowl or a pan and add ⅓ teaspoon salt or as required. Now sprinkle ⅓ cup of water all over. The amount of water required will depend on the quality of rice flour. So, you can add accordingly. Begin to mix the rice flour with the water using your fingertips. To get soft puttu, the amount of rice flour to water ratio is important.

To check this, gently press a small portion of the flour between your palms. It should form a lump. When you press this flour lump more, then it breaks and crumbles. This should be the texture of the flour. Break all the tiny lumps in the flour with your fingertips. You can even grind this rice flour mixture in a grinder to break the lumps. But grind in small batches and use the pulse option of the mixer grinder. Now pour 2 cups of water in the base vessel of the puttu kudam. Keep it on the stove top and let it get heated.

Steaming the Puttu: Meanwhile, place the perforated disc inside the cylindrical vessel. Then add 2 to 3 tablespoons of freshly grated coconut in the cylindrical vessel of the puttu kudam and spread it along evenly. Then gently add the puttu flour till it reaches half of the cylindrical vessel. Again add 2 to 3 tablespoons of grated coconut and spread it evenly. Then add the puttu flour again. Cover the top portion with 2 to 3 tablespoons of grated coconut and spread evenly. Cover with the top lid. Place the cylindrical portion on top of the base vessel in which the water must have come to a boil. Steam the puttu on a medium flame till you see the steam releasing from the top vents of the cylindrical vessel. Switch off the flame and remove the cylindrical part from the bottom vessel and allow the puttu inside to cool down for up to 3 to 4 minutes. Then using a wooden skewer or the stick that accompanied and remove the steamed puttu. Serve the puttu hot or warm with kadala curry, veg stew or potato stew. It will also go well with south indian chana masala.

For a perfect stay in Kerala, Kochi, Munnar, and Alleppey offer some of the best hotels to experience the region’s charm. In Kochi, enjoy luxury at waterfront hotels or boutique stays in Fort Kochi’s heritage quarters. Munnar, surrounded by tea gardens, offers picturesque resorts and eco-friendly retreats. Alleppey is famous for houseboat stays and scenic waterfront hotels. You can easily book online hotels across these destinations, ensuring comfort and convenience. Whether you’re seeking relaxation or adventure, Kerala has it all. Make your online hotel bookings early to secure the best deals and enjoy a seamless travel experience.

Conclusion: As I bid farewell to Kerala, I am always going to reminisce the colonial architecture, Chinese fishnets and stunning street art of Kochi, rowing my boat in the backwaters and the vast tea plantations of Munnar.

What to Do in Butuan

27 Wednesday Jun 2018

Posted by in Accommodation, Hotels

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No choice on the favorite city bit, this is the closest city from my place so how can it not be my favorite? If you can’t at least like the place you’re currently living in, you should either move to another place or buy a rope. There’s nothing more miserable than continuing to live a tortured existence

Alright, let’s get to the new things, the cool things, and the changes that happened to my beloved city. Please note that I don’t exactly live within Butuan. The biggest change is the arrival of Robinsons Mall. Before it was Gaisano that lorded over Butuan City, but now with Robinsons joining the mall fray, people should now be flocking to this modern, airconditioned mall with awesome theaters. Right? Wrong.

Gaisano Butuan

Like some folks, I really thought that Gaisano would become a shopping wasteland, if you will, with the entry of Robinsons. After all, who would want to shop in a department store that looks like a dolled-up baratillo shop when you have a polished, airconditioned mall like Robinsons as an option? Apparently, a lot of people still prefer going to Gaisano. Much to Robinson’s dismay. In a short amount of time, a few shops that rented space in Robinsons have already closed.

I think two factors contributed to this sorry situation for Robinsons.

First, it’s not as accessible as Gaisano is. You can commute to Gaisano via multicab or tricycle. With Robinsons, you can only ride a multicab. Sorry, but tricycles can’t take you there.

Second, a huge chunk of the Butuan demographic belong to the C, D, E market. Most of these folks are more comfortable roaming around Gaisano than Robinsons.

Both of these factors contributed to lesser foot traffic in Robinsons, leading to lesser business for the shops. So there you have it, my own little foray to consumer economics. Now off to better things. Robinsons is big enough to take those kinds of hits so I’m not really worried about them.

Food and Restos

Some folded in a couple of months, while some have gained enough traction to continue operating. A select few have done very, very well. Chief among these few is Barons. This is where you get the best kinilaw in town. It’s located along JC Aquino boulevard near Veterans Bank. It’s a carwash by day and a seafood place by night. Well not exactly like a normal seafood resto. For one, it only serves kinilaw, sashimi, sinugba, and tinuwa. It’s actually more of a SuTuKil place (like that area in Lapulapu, Cebu) but they do serve liempo as well. The fabulous Carlos Celdran once had the kinilaw in Baron and declared it to be a life changing experience (his words, not mine). Baron’s has opened another branch a stone throw away, still along JC Aquino but I don’t feel the need to try it out yet. Should be the same thing.

Another good seafood restaurant is Islands. If you prefer a cozy atmosphere (unlike the open air, smoky ambience of Barons), with proper waiters and tables and menus and of course good seafood, Islands is the place to be. They’re located in an arcade that also houses Bo’s Coffee and Mandara Spa. Before Baron’s, Islands was THE place for kinilaw. For the past 6 years whenever I arrive from Manila (after visiting the office there) lunch is ALWAYS at Islands. To me the combination of kinilaw and manok inasal is killer. Did I mention that Islands has the best manok inasal in town? Forget Weegols and Aling Cora(two of the old guards), Island’s manok inasal reigns supreme in this part of CARAGA. When you order the inasal, you don’t get it within 5 minutes. You wait a little bit longer. But that waiting assures you that you’re getting quality cooked food.

Margie’s is still holding its own in the Butuan food scene. It has in fact, for a time, opened a space and a kiosk in Robinsons Mall. For some reason however they decided to close after less than a year. Margie’s also opened Boy’s Asian Cooking, a watering hole for the, well, more affluent set. They offer craft beer as well as imported beers on top of the usual local beers. Boy’s is located right behind DBP.

After a full night of drinking, most folks would crave for bulalo. The best bulalo I’ve tasted so far is Uncle Sam’s bulalo right beside City hall. They close early though, around 2-ish in the morning. Kixx, along JC Aquino, however closes much, much later if at all. Sam’s is more expensive but at least you get to sit in a proper table.

My favorite dawn food place is Pan de Pugon. Lately they’ve upped their offering to include silog dishes. I always go for their Bagoong rice with chicken fillet. It’s fried rice mixed with bagoong and sprinkled with crispy danggit bits. It’s awesome. I go to Pugon at least twice a week around 3-4am. I work nights you see. I think the tinderas there hate me. I always wake them up. Lol. Pan de Pugon is located in the same building as Margies. They’re competing in the cake space but I think Margie’s with their decadent monster cake is the front runner.

Pizza Places

A lot of pizza places has also mushroomed these past few years. Honestly, the pizzas are OK. Not great, but ok. I go to Caldas however for the pizza, not that I think it’s the best pizza out there but because they have a cool place and you can order beer as well. The combination of pizza and beer is the perfect foundation for a beer belly. So if you’re going for that Dad Bod, it’s the place to be. Caldas is in the Guingona area near the Provincial Capitol grounds. If you’re in Butuan and you’re craving for pizza and beer, that’s where you go. It’s pretty well known so the tricycle drivers should know it. They close around 2am though so better go there earlier.

Calda pizza

Butuan Secret Eating Spot

Fine this is not actually a secret. But for some Butuan folks, it may still be. There is a little carinderia along Langihan road called . They only serve food during lunch. I go there before 12pm to ensure that I arrive before the local offices pause for their lunch break. The halang-halang and the lechon kawali is awesome. I’m not sure how long they’ve operated but I feel they’ve been there for a loooong time and their offering hasn’t changed at all. It’s a closed space if you’re a bit finicky. It’s not like other carenderias where the flavor of the food needs the exhaust from vehicles to give it that peculiar zing.  You should try it out some time.

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Barbara Elliott is well-experienced writer and blogger at PhDify.com. She travels a lot and can tell some interesting tips and secrets about successful trips. Barbara has been practicing yoga for ten years and has been teaching meditation for more than three years

Real Estate Checklist: What Makes a High-Quality Condo?

26 Tuesday Jun 2018

Posted by in Real Estate, Real Estate in Manila

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A high-quality doesn’t always mean they are the most expensive. You can assess the quality of a condo from its construction up to the track record of its developer.

Choosing a well-maintained and managed condo is ideal for investment. It places your money on the right type of property. Moreover, it makes you a credible buyer or seller because of the kind of condo you offer in the market. An park central towers, for example, is a high-quality condo. It encourages an active and engaged lifestyle with the community.

To ensure your investment, check these ten characteristics of a high-quality condo.

1. The space considers the need of future homeowners.

The measurements of the floor area are exactly as advertised. At the same time, the floor layout is spacious. The whole unit is ergonomic and moving from one place to another is comfortable and feels natural.

2. The finishing touches follow a high-standard.

Expensive and well-made condominiums use real wood, high-quality cement, and other types of rocks. Its materials – from doors to windows – are thick and sturdy. It also has customized knobs and cabinets.

Other than hardware, wall paint and flooring speaks for itself. The colors and texture are in sync with the overall theme and design of the unit. Some homeowners prefer a soundproof condo unit for added privacy.

3. The unit is fully furnished or has state-of-the-art fixtures.

Not all condo units come with pieces of furniture. However, those with furnishing has the best in the market. Luxurious condos have SMEG kitchen appliances or Canadian kitchen cabinets. For a luxurious bath, it has Kohler and Grohe bathroom fixtures. These are well-known brands producing quality products in the market.

4. A professional designed the condo’s interiors.

The condo did not end up looking like a real-life magazine catalog on its own. Several homeowners seek the help of interior designers to elevate the look and ambiance of their interior. For an elegant and polished appeal of the condo, these units follow a theme. A home looking like a work of art is an inspiring and exciting place to stay.

5. The condo receives enough light and is well-ventilated.

A well-designed condominium has enough lighting and ventilation. It receives has access to natural light from the windows and has enough fixtures in the unit. It has the right combination of warm and cool lighting as well as the necessary light installation for each room.

The room also doesn’t feel stuffy. It has air wells along with floor-to-ceiling glass or steel windows to refresh the quality of air in your home.

6. There are amenities within the complex.

A well-planned condo keeps comfort and convenience in mind. It caters to various lifestyles and ideas of relation. The property must have a kiddie pool and a lap pool, playground, jogging or walking path, and a gym. These amenities encourage chilling during weekends or keeping up with an exercise routine. The property must also house meeting and function room for business and entertainment.

7. The condo must prioritize safety.

The complex must be in a quiet, family-friendly location. It must also have 24-hour security, cameras, and regular maintenance to prevent safety hazards.

8. The property maintains its greens.

Luxury condos offer an escape from the demands of urban living. One of its notable features is landscaping. The greens in the complex must welcome you in an oasis or relaxation. The refreshing outdoor area with impeccable landscaping encourages a mini-retreat in the middle of a bustling city.

9. The management is on top of the homeowner’s well-being.

It’s not enough for management staff to be friendly. The security guards, sanitary workers, electrician, or receptionist must be responsive and on top of their job. They are there for a quick fix or assistance.

10. A reputable property developer with track record built the condo.

Well-known and trusted developers deliver their promise. They finish their projects on time and use high-quality materials to ensure there are no mishaps or rejects in their construction.

The best condos in Manila or Makati, Philippines are available at a premium price. It is double the price of an ordinary condo as it guarantees quality. Before purchasing a luxury condo, assess your needs. Use this checklist-slash-guide to make an informed decision on the condo unit you plan to buy.

Ways to Get Started in Real Estate While Saving Money to Invest

14 Wednesday Feb 2018

Posted by in Real Estate

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“Real estate is an imperishable asset, ever increasing in value. It is the most solid security that human ingenuity has devised. It is the basis of all security and about the only indestructible security.” –Russel Sage

Real estate is one of the excellent ways to financial freedom. As a result of your endeavors, you will have a better leverage on your finances. Unfortunately, even when you do have the drive to succeed, pecuniary setbacks would often deter you from accomplishing your goals. There has never been any doubt that getting started in real estate investing would require money and if you lack capital, more often than not, you are out of luck. However, this does not mean that dabbling in real estate would be rendered impossible owing to your lack of funds. You do need to work a little hard and b committed to your cause. There is a myriad of ways to get started with investing even while you are building your capital and if you are lucky, you might even be able to invest sans the capital.

In any case, whether you are looking to invest on your first property in cloverleaf or elsewhere, here are some ways to get started while you build your capital:

  1. Working on your current job (or something like it)

If you are patient enough, you can build your capital by saving whatever you earn with your current salary. However, this takes a great deal of discipline on your part—so much so that you should learn how to curb your expenses. If your earnings are not that high, you might want to consider working overtime or at least taking side jobs doing things you have a natural flair at.

  1. Wholesaling

While wholesaling has been largely misconstrued as an investment, it is actually still working a job. It is not investing, but it does give you a little background on the comings and goings in the investing world. Wholesaling is an avenue for you to connect with buyers and sellers of distressed properties. However, as you do not necessarily have the funds to time the closing between buyer and seller, what you can do is to essentially charge a “finder’s fee” for being the middleman.

  1. Work as a referral agent

Although this is a relatively less-known practice, it is still an excellent way to create capital. One great advantage of being a referral agent over a regular real estate agent is that the former is a lot easier and requires much less of your time than a full-time real estate agent. All you would really need is a steady stream of connections which you can connect to real estate agents who you then charge a referral fee. This is one of the easiest jobs you can take to complement your current full-time job and it pays well as well.

  1. Partnering

If you no money of your own, find a partner that does have the financial resources. However, you need to be able to bring something to the table such as your exceptional skills in marketing or your connections. Remember to be meticulous with your partners, however, as you do not want to be stuck with a partner who would potentially swindle you or would cuckold you. Do not be willing to partner up with a stranger. Start business relationships with people you already know or at least develop a strong relationship with them first before partnering with them. Lastly, ensure that you are adequately protected by consulting a lawyer to ensure legalities are covered.