A photo of your new house or foreign trip on Instagram, Facebook, etc may lead the tax department to your doorstep.
The Income Tax Department of India has long been on the tail of such evaders and they have struggled to catch up. Black money hence became a mainstay of the Indian economy. High-ranking political and governmental officials have continued to evade taxes, along with a cadre of high-earning businessmen who simply do not wish to pay them
Black money hence became a mainstay of the Indian economy. High-ranking political and governmental officials have continued to evade taxes, along with a cadre of high-earning businessmen who simply do not wish to pay them.
Earlier, the I-T department used to rely largely on bank records of individuals to calculate their tax liabilities. But things have changed after data science came into the picture. Union Finance ministry is planning to implement “PROJECT INSIDER” from April
Insight is the ministry’s flagship project, aimed at widening the tax base by catching tax evaders using technology. The ministry has floated a tender worth over Rs 150 crore to buy a data analytics software and the infrastructure that goes along with it, a person with knowledge of the matter said. The project is also expected to rank tax evaders based on the amount of tax that could be recovered so that the authorities could go after the highest value targets.
It will use data mining, big data and analytics to scoop out tax evaders from social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Now, the I-T department might have a weapon to wield against such individuals. An undertaking that has been over 3 years in the making with a purported cost of ₹1,000 crores may prove to be the downfall of tax evaders in India. The government has also made linking of PAN with Aadhaar mandatory to get a 360-degree view of a person’s income and assets.
Project Insight has been initiated by the income tax department for data mining, collection, collation, and processing of such information for effective risk management with a view to widen and deepen the tax base. It will help the taxmen monitor high-value transactions, and curb the circulation of black money. This is part of the steps the government has taken to unearth and tax undeclared or illegal wealth.
The linking of PAN (Permanent Account Number) with Aadhaar will be a key identifier to be used by the IT Department to link and analyze various transactions relating to taxpayers.
The integrated information technology platform will help in catching tax evaders in a non-intrusive manner using technology and without traditional intrusive methods.
The project will use technology to allow the government to collates databases of IT returns, IT forms, TDS/TCS statements and Statement of Financial Transactions received from financial institutions. As part of Project Insight, a new Compliance Management Centralised Processing Centre (CMCPC) would also be set up for handling preliminary verification, campaign management, generation of bulk letters/notices and follow-up.
If an individual’s income is low according to tax returns but makes big-ticket purchases, they will get flagged. If a taxpayer uploads photos of his foreign trip, which mismatches with his annual income, tax officials will be able to use big data to detect a potential gap between his earnings and expenditure. Income tax department might conduct a raid if earnings and expenditure are found a mismatch.
The model, which is based on Britain’s ‘Connect’ system, will put India in the same league as nations such as Belgium, Canada, and Australia. These countries are already using big data to keep an eye on their taxpayers.
The move will also result in the curbing of the black economy and widespread corruption seen in the country today. The large amount of black money which is processed by multiple high-ranking government officials and tech millionaires will be prone to an eagle-eyed view of the taxman.
The steps include the launch of ‘Operation Clean Money’ after demonetization of old higher denomination currency for collection, collation, and analysis of information on cash transactions, extensive use of information technology and data analytics tools for identification of high-risk cases, expeditious e-verification of suspect cases and enforcement actions.
Life has become easier when fruits like Apple and Blackberry have turned into technological innovations. Technology is incorporated in every field in a humongous manner.
In this era of technology, electronics have been an integral part of every individual. They make our lives simpler and help in reducing a considerable amount of time in our busy life.
This blog is all about some of the coolest gadgets where
you can find on Amazon just under Rs 500/-
Let’s check it out here…
1. DFS 5 In 1 Multipurpose Antenna Pen
Well, this is a perfect corporate thing which is great for presentations. This is a 5 in 1 Retractable laser pointer which includes the following components..
It is great for pointing out the slides on the projector screens. It also comes with the embedded magnet to hold the paper pins while you are on work.
Special
features:
It is easily visible at night since it produces bright color
It weighs around 30g which is very light and has got a length of 15cm which makes it very handy for the user
It comes with a pressure button for switching on and off of LED light and laser beam red light
It is a retractable pointer which makes presentations convenient
It is powered by 3xLR41 cell batteries which can be replaced easily
In addition to all these, it has got a 3 months warranty by which you can claim for a new one if it has been damaged
Please check this item on amazon which costs you just Rs 165/-, isn’t it great??
Every parent wishes their kid to be smarter than others. And of course, kids have become smarter these days especially in studies. Education has become more artificial and virtual along with smart technology.
This CITRA LCD writing tablet is one such cool gadget for smart kids. It’s an 8.5inch Doodle board with a smart stylus for writing, drawing, coloring, etc.
You could become an eco-saver by buying this because it offers a study-friendly environment where you can save 1000 sheets of paper every year.
Salient features include,
Dust-free and ink free
Environmental friendly
The sensitive screen can create lines with different thickness
Erase only by one erase button
Eye protecting
It just costs you 429Rs/- in Amazon and it comes with a 1-year anti-fall warranty.
This gadget is a must in every office premises. It is designed in such a way that 10 of your everyday office things are actually packed in a single compact device making it more handy for an office going individual.
Check here for its specifications,
It comes with a stapler, retractable scissors
Pencil sharper that double up as a pen holder
Single hole punch, carton opener, staple pen remover
1-meter long retractable measuring tape, ring for your belt loop
Storage basket for your paper clips and waste bin.
It is great for office use and for salespersons and it just costs you 488/- at Amazon.
This is a simple but very useful device while you are on your favorite car. If you are looking for a unique device that would let you connect to the stereo receiver of your car without the help of a Bluetooth, then this is the one which perfectly suits your need.
Features:
3.5mm
jack
Wireless
Bluetooth connectivity
Listen
to wireless music from your mobile phone, tablets, PC and Apple devices
Charging
feature for the device
This
music receiver also comes with MIC stereo output which allows you to receive
the calls while you are on car for hassle less speaking. It just costs you less
than 150Rs/- at Amazon.
Here is the link
below where you can look upon
There’s a saying, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail”.
If
you wish to work on something, then proper planning is essential to have
fruitful outcomes.
Experts say that putting the things on paper is more beneficial and makes you stand firm on the work plans. Here’s one such item i.e., Lifekraft’s magnetic whiteboard sheet which you can opt for writing, drawing, scribbling, listing out the events, etc.
This is a flexible magnetic sheet, can be rolled when required. This can be used at kitchens, office pantry or anywhere where you could stick magnets since the full sheet consists of a magnetic backing.
The whiteboard also comes with 3 free pens which have a magnetic tip and can be placed on the metal surface directly. It’s a versatile whiteboard as it allows you dry erasing with no stains left behind.
It’s available on Amazon at just Rs 439/- where you can opt for this budget-friendly item.
There are several ways in which we can save tax. Some are popular with salaried class and some are useful to self-employed. Though all the tax-saving instruments are equal- they help to save tax. This post will help you save tax.
It is the most popular tax saving instrument as it comes under E-E-E category. A minimum of 500/- and a maximum of 1.5 lakh can be deposited in a financial year in a maximum of 12 installments. It has a lock-in period of 15 years, extendable for 5 years after maturity for n number of times. A PPF account can be opened in the named individual or a minor. But the total deposit period should not exceed 1.5 lakh. Maximum deduction allowed under section 80C of Income Tax Act 1961 is 1.5 lakh
Public Provident Fund
The government declares the rate of interest every quarter. Currently, the rate of interest is 8% per year, compounded annually. Interest is calculated on the available balance between the fifth and the last day of the month. PPF is a low risk and return- guaranteed investment.
Top tip: 1.5 lakh should be deposited before the 5th of April in every financial year to earn maximum interest and to save tax.
Life insurance policy
Saving tax through Life insurance policies is one of the conventional methods. They not only provide life coverage but also act as tax-saving investments. The premium paid for life insurance policies is deductible under 80C up to 1.5 lakh. There are several types which include pure term plan, endowment plans, and ULIPs, etc. All are eligible for deduction under 80C.
Life Insurance Policies
Health Insurance
Health insurance premiums up to 25000 can be claimed for deduction under 80D. For senior citizens, the limit of deduction is 35000 rupees.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojna (SSY)
One of the recent small savings schemes SSY is slowly gaining popularity. It is an initiative of the Government of India to boost the education of girls. A parent or legal guardian can open an SSY account in the name of a girl child up to the age of 10 years. The account can be opened in a post office or designated branch of a bank. A maximum of two accounts can be opened in the name of two girls, one account each. A minimum deposit of one thousand and a maximum of 1.5 lakh can be deposited in a financial year. The maximum deduction that can be claimed under section 80C is 1.5 lakh in a financial year. The maturity period of the account is 21 years of the when the girl marries after 18 years. There is no limit on a number of deposits in a month. Rate of interest is reviewed by the government every quarter and is generally higher than PPF and interest earned is tax-free as in PPF.
Top-tip: SSY account should be opened as early as possible after the birth of girl child to avail the maximum benefit of compounding and accumulation of a huge corpus.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
Equity-linked savings scheme (ELSS)
Also commonly known as a tax-saving mutual fund, it is the only mutual fund that allows for deduction under section 80C of income tax Act. It is a diversified equity mutual fund that has a lock-in period of 3 years which is shortest among all tax-saving instruments. Since it is market-linked, returns may vary from 15% to 20% but are way better than a fixed deposit. There is an option to invest in lump-sum or monthly.
Top-tip: Investing in ELSS through SIP will average out the purchase cost and maximize returns.
ELSS
National Pension Scheme (NPS)
NPS is a voluntary and defined contribution retirement savings scheme, which enables the subscriber to accumulate savings during his or her working life. There are two types of accounts-Tier I and Tier II. Contributions in tier I cannot be withdrawn till the age of 60. Partial withdrawal can be made in specific cases only. On the other hand tier, II is just like another saving account. Income tax benefits on NPS were announced by the government in Budget 2017. Both salaried, as well as self-employed, get income tax benefits on investing in NPS. An investment of up to 10% (basic + DA) is deductible from taxable income under section 80CCD of the financial year, subject to a maximum of 1.5 Lakh under 80C.
National Pension Scheme
Senior citizens Saving scheme (SCSS)
It is a government-backed saving instrument and is the best saving scheme for resident Indians above 60 years of age. The tenure of SCSS is five years extendable by an additional three years. Investment up to 1.5 lakh can be claimed for deduction under section 80 C of the income tax act.
Tax saving Fixed Deposits
Investing in fixed deposits with banks and post office allows individuals and HUF to claim a tax deduction up to 1.5 lakhs under section 80C. These FDs have a lock-in period of 5 years and can not be withdrawn prematurely. But loans can be availed against the FD at competitive rates. The interest earned on these deposits, however, is taxable as per the tax bracket of the individual.
National Savings Certificate (NSC)
The National Savings certificate is a fixed income investment scheme that can be opened with any post office. It is a small saving scheme. It is a secure and low -risk product. It can be bought individually, jointly with another adult or in the name of a minor. They come with two fixed maturity periods- five years and ten years. There is no maximum limit on the purchase of NSCs but only 1.5 lakhs can be claimed for deduction.
Home loan
Home loan consists of two components: Principal and interest. Deduction of 1.5 lakh under 80C for principal repayment and up to 2 lakh for payment of interest under section 24 of income tax act 1961 are available. Apart from this if you avail a second loan for home repair, renovation or construction then the interest paid will also be eligible for deduction up-to 30,000 rupees. But the maximum interest payment eligible for deduction including both the home loan and second loan for renovation is 2 lakh.
Child’s school and college tuition fees
Sending children to school and college has an inbuilt tax advantage. Yes, you can claim a deduction up to 1.5 lakh in a financial year under section 80C of Income Tax Act. The deduction is allowed for a maximum of 2 children and only on the school or the college tuition fees. If both the parents are working, the tax advantage will be given to the parent who pays the fee. It covers the fee paid from playschool, nursery to higher education. But the payment made in the form of development fee or capitation fee or transport charges is not eligible for deduction. Also, the deduction is allowed on full-time courses only. The school, college or the higher education institution should be well affiliated to the appropriate body. It is available to individual assesses and not to HUF. The amount of tax benefit is within the overall limit of section 80C.
Top-tip: Retain the fee receipts carefully.
Infrastructure bonds
Infrastructure bonds are risk-free tax-saving instruments for the fixed income category. These bonds are issued by companies falling under the infrastructure category and are approved by the government of India. Investment up to Rs. 20000 is eligible in these bonds which can be utilized for deduction under section 80C of the income tax act. An individual, any minor or HUF is eligible to apply for these bonds. LIC and L&T infrastructure are few companies to issue these bonds.
Donation
There are three sections in the income tax act in which a taxpayer can claim tax deductions on charitable contributions: sections 80GGC, 80G, and 80GGA. These sections do not have an upper limit like 80C. As per the provisions of section 80G 50-100% exemption on contributions made to government relief funds and 50% deduction up to 10% of income in case of some NGOs registered under income, tax Act can be claimed. The entire amount you donate is eligible for deduction. Donations can also be made to religious institutions or trusts. But you have to be careful that the entity has been approved by the commissioner of income tax.
Top-tip: Do not donate more than 2000/- in cash.
Paying Rent
Those who live in a rented house can save tax by showing their rent receipt to their employer. You can also pay rent to your parents and can claim an exemption if the house is owned by any of them.
Since its debut in 1997, Robert T. Kiyosaki’s “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” is a landmark among personal finance books, a best-seller that has sold millions of copies worldwide. Rich Dad Poor Dad has been inspirational to many people.
This small book completely changes the way you looked at money, income, jobs, wealth creation, etc. The book does a good job of teaching how to think or relook about work, money, education. Take what Robert Kiyosaki says with a grain of salt. It should be read, if not for the motivation, just to get you to think differently than a salaried employee. If you want to get inspired in life you should read these books
There is a word which is emphasized more in the whole book is “Rat Race”. Rat Race is nothing but a cycle most of the people are following it. The cycle is getting up, going to work, earn money pay bill again getting up going to work, earn money and pay bills. This cycle keeps on moving continuously. Even If the income of the professional rises but still they do repeat the same cycle but they increased their spending more.
Have you ever met someone or know someone in your family who never appeared to be wealthy? But at some point, you find out they are financially free or have a ridiculous amount of money saved?
That’s what The Millionaire Next Doorexplores, the people you least expect to be millionaires and how they got there by living below their means.
The fact is, most people who are wealthy can be your
neighbor in a modest suburban neighbor. The book explores this and the common
characteristics of those who obtained wealth.
Another one of my favorite personal finance books and it’s
quite an easy read. But just like Rich Dad, Poor Dad, there is a
lot of knowledge and perspective you’ll come away with.
This book helped me a lot. Another one you might recognize and also not all necessarily about personal finance. However, this was the second book I read when I had just started getting into personal finance.
Timothy Ferriss, nominated as one of Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Business People of 2007,” is the author of the #1 New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and BusinessWeek bestseller, The 4-Hour Workweek, which has been sold into 33 languages.
This book–by New York Times Bestseller Tim Ferris–covers how
to escape the rat race and how earning a monthly five-figure income with zero
management is possible. It also talks about Ferris’s personal life changes to
achieve that status and this updated version includes a lot of new material and
case studies.
It teaches you a lot about productivity, and since reading this book, I’ve become a productivity nut and have applied a lot of the strategies that Tim suggests in this book in my life, to my business. And it’s had a dramatic impact.
The other thing though that you learn from it is Tim thinks way outside the box, and even now, a lot of the strategies here are still way, way, way outside the box. And you don’t even realize that some of these things are possible. That was what I was so excited and interested in reading from him.
But it challenges you to think differently. It challenges you to step outside your comfort zone. It challenges you to look for other ways to accomplish a goal that you may not have ever thought possible
Think and Grow Rich, I’ve been slacking on reading this but based on the feedback I’ve gotten about it, this is a must in your personal finance collection.
In Think and Grow Rich, author Napoleon Hill draws on stories of Andrew and other millionaires of his generation to illustrate his principles. This book will show you not only what to do to build wealth but how to do it. Once you learn and apply the basic techniques, you will have mastered the secret of true and lasting success.
You ask 10 people around you what they want in their life. The answer will vary from Financial freedom, New house, a Better job, etc. These broad terms answers will have no definite plan to achieve what they want but many of us wouldn’t know how to do it. If you have the same wish and dream but don’t know how to do it, then this book is for you.
Napoleon Hill wrote this book as he was inspired by more than 500 business magnates of that time and later with Andrew Carnegie.
“THE INTELLIGENT INVESTOR”
This is an advanced level book compared to other books mentioned above. Readers need to have basic knowledge of the market before getting this book and reading it.
This is not a get rich quick or stock flipping book. This is another big book, but if you are interested in individual stock investing then this a must to add to your collection.
I don’t think most people should be investing in individual stocks. You are exposed to more risk and should really read up (like this book) before even considering getting started.
Here are key lessons from Graham’s book, to help you start investing:
An intelligent investor always analyzes the long-term evolution and management principles of a company before investing.
An intelligent investor always protects him- or herself from losses by diversifying investments.
An intelligent investor never looks for crazy profits but focuses on safe and steady returns.
Who doesn’t wish to look charming and make a long-lasting impression among others? After your outfit, it’s your skin which any person notices in you, and we are sure you do not want to miss out any chance of getting attention from your friends, colleagues or any opposite gender for that case. So here we have brought you 7 easy effective habits to make your skin glow like sun-kissed every time and look as fresh as a cucumber even at the call off of your day.
1. Binge water drinking
Binge-watching is a new fad these days, but why not to try something healthier? You should keep your body hydrated and drink 5-7 liters of water per day depending on your BMI. Drinking a glass of water after leaving bed every morning increases your metabolism. An adequate amount of water in the body helps in releasing all the toxins from the body and apart from keeping your skin healthy it also gives many health benefits. If you struggle to make yourself remember to drink water then you can take the help of water reminder apps available on your phone. Drink water in every hour or two and you will see an observable change in your skin within a week after practicing this.
2. Keep your skin clean
Every little thing needs some pampering, so does your skin. Clean your face with a good face wash (the one that suits your skin) twice a day, after leaving the bed and before going to bed. If your skin is dry do not forget to moisturize your face after the wash. It helps in reducing the large pores in your skin and balances the pH of your skin. For oily skin, preferably one which contains charcoal in it. Regular cleaning of your face helps in removing all the dirt and dust particles from the epidermis and it also removes the dead cells from your skin. Make sure you massage your skin for 2-5 minutes while washing your face so that it can take away all the dirt at once.
3. Use sunscreen
Make it a thumb rule to apply sunscreen of high SPF (depending upon the time your skin is exposed to sunlight) before going out during day time. Normally an SPF of 15-20 is sufficient for your sufficient. But if you are going for prolonged exposure to sunlight or if your skin is tan sensitive then use more than 30 SPF cream. Remember, if your skin is suntanned then you will never get the expected glow on your face. If sunlight work is part of your routine then we suggest you to de-tan your skin with coffee powder on a monthly basis or you can go for professional de-tanning as well. Always mix your sun cream with a pinch of moisturizer if it is not already present in it.
4. Before bedtime
Like your body, your skin also needs some routine. Make sure you take proper care of your skin before going to bed. After washing your face at night, apply aloe vera gel on your face with a pinch of rose water mixed in it. Aloe vera provides essential external nutrients to your skin and rose water gives cool sensation to the skin which again helps in reducing the open pores. You can also use some serum on your skin during night or the pack of any natural fruit/vegetable can also do wonders. Apart from this make sure your pillow cover and your bed are clean and germs free, do not forget to wash them regularly. The dirt of your pillow covers gets logged on your skin pores and makes your face look dirty. You can also use some eye mask or cucumber on your eyes to reduce the dark circles around your eyes.
5. Shed some sweat
USA, Utah, Salt Lake City, Athlete young man drinking water from bottle, cloudy sky in the background
Inculcate any sort of physical exercise such as running, swimming gym or yoga in your daily routine which will not only keep your body healthy but will also help in proper oxidation of your skin and removing all intoxicants. Involving in physical exercises helps in increasing blood flow, the increased blood flow helps in providing oxygen to each part of the body in an adequate amount. Exercise keeps the vital cells of your body active. Also, the increased blood flow provides proper nutrients to your body including your skin. Try to do exercise every morning, if not more then at least for 20 minutes. A proper routine of exercise paves way for healthy body and skin.
6. Weekly routine
To look different, you need to go that extra mile. Apart from the daily routine, try to have some weekly routine for your face skin which mainly involves the scrubbing, exfoliation or face mask. You can use any good scrub available in the market or a homemade sugar powder, baking soda and lemon mixture scrub also do wonder, after scrubbing your face and removing all surface layer dirt apply a face pack for the duration of 15 minutes. Tap your face with a towel soaked in lukewarm water before applying the mask as it opens all the clogged pores due to which your mask is able to remove all the dirt effectively. Fuller’s earth (Multani mitti) can be the best yet cheapest solution for a face mask or you can also use homemade turmeric, besan, and milk paste to apply on your face. Let the mask dry for 15 minutes and then wash it off. Within 4 weeks of this schedule, your skin will show remarkable results.
7. Healthy diet
Last but not least a healthy diet is the solution to all your body related problems. Try to include as many fruits/vegetables in your diet as you can. Eat a plate of salad at least once in a day. Avoid all oily and spicy food and limit the usage of caffeine in your daily life. Too much tea/coffee prevents proper oxidation of your skin and makes it look dull. Fresh fruits and vegetables will give a natural glow to your skin as it will stay healthy internally. If at all you are involved in smoking than say a big no to it as it isn’t healthy neither for your body nor for your skin.
This was all from us in making your skin glow naturally and avoiding those expensive cosmetics. Try to imbibe these habits and do share the results you noticed after experimenting.
We all have heard the saying ‘Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder’. This was said by Margaret Wolfe Hungerford, she included this phrase in her book ‘Molly Bawn’. While this is certainly true it is also true that in this harsh reality, looks matter.
Now we won’t be able to become someone else in order to become beautiful but we can certainly change ourselves for the better. No one is ugly if they become the best version of themselves but if you don’t do anything thinking you can’t change yourself then you might miss out on a lot.
So here I bring you some tips and tricks that will help you change your appearance if followed honestly.
1. Long thick eyelashes
Image source: Pinterest
Who doesn’t want beautiful eyelashes? They catch everyone’s attention instantly and enhance the total appearance. Nowadays fake eyelashes and mascara are in trend but they could cause lots of damage to your natural eyelashes. And honestly its quite easy to grow your natural lashes thick and strong.
All you have to do is apply this mixture to your lashes every night before bed. For this serum you’ll need:
A jar
Castor oil 1/3 of the jar
Coconut oil 1/3 of the jar
Vitamin E oil 1/3 of the jar
Mix all of these ingredients with the help of a clean mascara wand or you could use your fingers and apply the serum onto your eyelashes and let it be overnight. You’ll soon notice results. You can also use petroleum jelly on your lashes.
2. Soft pink lips
Image source: Pinterest
Not taking good care of lips turn them chapped and dark, which most of the time is covered by lipstick, but have you ever tried lip scrub? Continued usage of lip scrub and lip balm gives you naturally supple and pink lips.
Here’s a dray lip scrub.
You’ll need:
Sugar
Salt
Olive oil
Vaseline
Lip balm
Container
Mix them together and there you have your handmade lip scrub. Use your fingers or toothbrush to rub this mixture on your lips in small circular motions for about 30 seconds, rinse it off with water and a tissue.
3. Voluminous shiny hair
Image source: Pinterest
A bad hair day is every girl’s nightmare. Heating and styling hair every day causes the natural shine and thickness to fade away with time, and if you don’t take proper care of your hair if will soon start falling excessively leading to bald spots near the hairline.
Here are a few tips to keep your hair healthy.
1. Minimize shampooing your hair, 1 to 2 times a week, this will reduce the scalp from drying out which may lead to dandruff problems. And when you shampoo your hair, only the scalp needs shampoo the ends need not be scrubbed since that can damage hair. 2. When you apply oil to your hair, try leaving it overnight. 3. Get regular trims. This promotes hair growth as well as reduces split ends. 4. Don’t blow dry your hair every time. Avoid when possible. When blow-drying keep the nozzle at least three inches away from the scalp. 5. Make sure to use a heat protection spray before treating your hair with heat. 6. And of course, use a mask once every week. You can make naturals masks at home using easily found ingredients such as eggs, mayonnaise, aloe vera, etc.
4. Glowing flawless skin.
Image source: Pinterest
It’s the universal truth: we all want clear skin. If feels like we are doing the right thing but we just can’t achieve it.
Now there are few rules for it.
1. Know your skin type and use products accordingly. 2. Do skincare routine in the right order, i.e. face wash, exfoliator (not regularly), toner, serum, eye cream, moisturizer, sunscreen. 3. Remove makeup before bed. 4. Never pick zits. 5. And of course, if you smoke and eat junk foods none of the above might work.
But if you still do all of this and you feel unsatisfied, there are few ingredients in your kitchen that will work wonders, here’s how to use them – 1. Baking soda – • It can be used as an exfoliator by mixing with salt. • Make a facemask out of it by mixing it with lemon juice and honey. • For dark spots mix baking soda, coconut oil, and rosewater. • Mix 1tbsp baking soda and 4 tbsp apple cider vinegar and apply on the affected area and leave for 15 mins, wash and moisturize. Do a patch test if you’ve sensitive skin, it might irritate.
2. Tumeric – • Mix a tbsp turmeric powder, a tbsp honey and a tbsp lemon/orange juice for skin lightening, apply for half an hour and rinse. • Mix half tbsp turmeric powder, 1/2 pureed tomato, and 1 tbsp yogurt to remove suntan, apply for half an hour and rinse. • To treat wrinkles apply a mixture of turmeric powder, coconut oil, and egg white. Tip. If the mask leaves a yellowish color on skin, dab a cotton ball in rosewater or coconut/olive oil and rub your face with it.
So here are all the tips I tell everyone I meet because they really do wonders. Take this as a glow-up challenge, follow rigorously for a month or so along with good nutrition and you can certainly see the results. Best of luck. I will come soon with another set of these tips.
Doing business is all about smartness with a
blended strategy of hard work.
The internet
has really given us incredible opportunities. In fact, never before it has been
possible to start a business with zero investment. There is a new
age business model known to very few people. It is called “Drop Shipping”. It
is very simple and straightforward and very lucrative. The best part of this
business model is that it is entirely different from all other businesses put
together.
Drop Shipping is a business model that allows you to sell physical products without buying the inventory upfront.
Benefits of Drop Shipping
The benefits of this business are many. Let us have a look as to why you can pursue this business.
You need less than $100 to
start making money from it.
You are not required to buy
anything and make your house a warehouse, so this means you do not have to ship
anything
You do not need to stock
inventory.
You do not need to ship
anything.
You can work online from
anywhere in the world.
If you are a frequent
traveler, your business will not even get affected.
You do not even have to use
your own money to pay for the goods, so just relax and you can even start the
business with zero capital.
You only have to work a couple of hours every week to keep everything the business running smoothly.
Requisites of a
Drop Shipping Business
After knowing the benefits and ease of doing drop shipping business why the delay in starting one?
Let us start one immediately.
However, before that, it is essential to know what is needed and how to move on with it.
The first thing that you require is hot and trendy products that customers prefer.
Last but not least one needs an effective marketing strategy, unique advertising campaign, and negotiation skills to be successful in this business field.
Now let us discuss the products and their availability.
You can find trendy products from the largest online retailers like Amazon, Flipkart, SnapDeal and many more.
You can look for popular
Gadgets, popular fitness items, popular pet products be it their foods,
clothing or other accessories. You can even look for “whatever you want to sell”
from these sites.
Once you narrow in on the list of items that you want to sell, focus on those products that were created or uploaded with the last 18 to 24 months. The reason behind this is quite simple, the public demand. Once you have a good list of around 20 products or equivalent, then it is time for the scaling of the dropshipping business.
In the next part, we will understand the step-by-step process of how to scale a dropshipping business.
Scaling a Drop
Shipping Business
Step 1
Go to ShopifyCommerce and open a new store. It’s free for 14 days, and if properly utilized you will make plenty of sales during this trial period.
Step 2
Go to OberloCommerce and create an account. Then add the plug-in to your store. You can do this from the back-end of your store.
Step 3
Set up your payment processor using either Stripe or PayPal.
Step 4
Go to AliExpress, open a new account, and import your desired products to your store using the plug-in.
Marketing the
Business
Now comes the most difficult part, i.e. marketing your dropshipping business.
Decide and prepare a budget plan for your
advertising campaign.
Start with say about $100.
Now if you think that $100 is too much and
you don’t want to part with your personal cash, you can opt for an idea. Sell any
item on eBay or Craigslist that you no
longer need or is now obsolete. You will get liquid cash for yourself and will
also save your personal cash if your business goes on a downside.
As soon as you get the desired amount to divide it in half. This will suggest you spend and invest wisely.
Now it is creativity time. Set up a Facebook
page for your store and run test ads until you find a customer or a buyer of
your products that you wish to sell. Plan you daily budget. Say about $10 per
day.
At times, people think as to what if my products are not sold out. Since you are selling trendy products, everything will get sold off.
As said earlier, you have divided the budget
and kept the other $50 aside. Now it is time to utilize the other half of the
budget. Here you need to find large Instagram pages of size at least 50k+ and nearly
1 to 3 % engagement. You can calculate engagement using likes. Add the total
number of likes for their last 10 posts.
Now divide the number of engagement with 10
to get the average number of likes. Once you derive the average number of
likes, divide that number by the total number of followers. Now, the final
number will be your average engagement.
Now it is time to promote your product. Send an email to the Instagram page that you have previously selected and enquired if they are ready to promote your product. Here your negotiation skills should play a crucial role. For the page size of 50,000, you should not pay more than $15. And for 100,000 you should not pay anything more than $20 to $25 and finally, for 200,000, the pay should not exceed $30 to $50.
Pain Points
Suppose you are planning to sell goods for pugs. Do not ever try to advertise on pet pages. Never think of advertising in on dog pages. Advertise only on pages dedicated to pugs. The selection of advertising pages also matters.
“Two weeks is more than enough to set up your own gold mine”.
Sunny Side
Now as soon as you turn on to make profit, it
is only then you can try to expand your business. With $50 in hand, you can
easily manage 2 to 3 Instagram pages with the requirement and calculations
discussed previously.
Finally, by the end of the week you will sell
a lot and keep making profits. Now you can re-invest you profit that you earn.
This will again save your personal hard-earned money (if any) from going on a
tussle.
Once your store gets big enough and you are going consistent business, you will have the choice to sell it for big profits or keep it as a passive source of income.
“Where do you stay my friend? Come, let me drop you.” These were the words of my classmate I believe were sent by God as I wished him to get me home early. It was a tiring day for us. I was willing to walk until my friend offered to drop me. On the way, we were talking about how to spend our study leave apart from studying. He told me that he was planning to open a stationery shop with all possible facilities at a discounted price and make huge profits. We had a great laugh hearing his funny but beneficial idea. The discussion came to an end as I reached my place. I waved at him and left.
Our Day
The entire day was rolling in my mind as I cleaned myself, secretly wishing to run far away from this chaos. My father was viewing the highlights of a previous match. As I sat on the sofa, he asked me, “It’s been a while since we went on a vacation. Any place that you wish to visit?” That was something my ears were eager to hear. My mother suggested some places which were good but quite expensive. Then my father talked about Hyderabad. We gave it a thought and in no time agreed to visit.
The Tickets
The tickets were booked later that week. I was excited since we were traveling by airplane after 12 years! Our flight was 3 months away from the day of the booking. Quite a long time, though it went in a snap. I didn’t realize how three months passed while being occupied with exams. We prepared a list of that stuff that would be required. As it was the rainy season during that time, rainwear was on top of the list.
With a handful of days left, it was time for packing things. Most of us don’t like to do this part being boring and crucial. Since my last trip, I had an idea about it and thus packed my bag with the utmost care. For those who wish to travel by air someday must know that proof of identity is required along with the tickets during the entry to an airport. My father reminded me of this thing repeatedly as he safely kept the documents with him.
CSIA Terminal T2
The Excitement
All of us were excited with a few hours left to leave. A cab was booked to the airport and we started for the most awaited moment. As we arrived, I was left in awe with the glamour of the new terminal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. I saw this majestic creation for the first time since it was inaugurated in 2014. They had allowed people to roam inside the airport during that period for a limited time.
After acquiring boarding passes, we spent most of the time in the waiting zone, later realizing the existence of another section at the bottom. It is the heart of the airport with sparkling brands of clothes and accessories along with food. But our eyes caught the sight of the airplanes. Those flying beasts which included Airbuses and Boeings were waiting for passengers to occupy them. It was a fascinating sight.
Getting ready for the next flight
During all this, we reached the entry gate which was displaying ‘Status – Final Call’. My body gave me a good adrenaline rush due to the thought of missing the flight. My father got to know that he had a missed call from the airline people with whom we were flying with.
The crewmembers greeted us while entering the plane. I had a desire to see the winglets of a plane while in motion and so, a window seat was reserved for me. The flight instructions were given by the crew members as we were nearing to depart. I was in position with my phone to record the take-off.
Seeing me like this, a flight attendant approached me with her concern that whether my phone was in flight mode or not. I told her it was. She allowed me to record, smiled at me and left for her seat. The plane started off from the parking area towards the runway. I was getting more excited as we progressed. After all the months of waiting, with full throttle, we took off for Hyderabad.
Lifting off towards Hyderabad
During the flight, we were offered snacks. The high altitude had a great impact on my body making me stiff the entire time. When the plane took off the runway, I felt all the forces – lift, drag, gravity, and thrust. My mother was always checking on me. In all of this, I didn’t realize how 1 hour passed.
I was happy that we landed safely at Hyderabad. On arrival, another cab was to be booked at our hotel. The cab approached us and the driver took us to our destination. Another thing, it is mandatory to pay an airport toll at the exit gate. This is usually included in the cab’s fare or we may have to pay them separately.
We asked the driver about better places to visit while in Hyderabad. He told us to visit Tank Bund, Salarjung Museum, Hussain Sagar, Chowmahalla Palace, Charminar, Birla Temple, Ramoji Film City, Golkonda Fort and many more. All of us were arguing about which place to visit first. This went on until we deboarded the cab.
The hotel is another part of our journey. The lobby felt as if we were in a first-class lounge. The bellhop took our luggage to the room. All of the working staff were very kind and always smiling. Being excited, I took the key provided to us at the reception and unlocked the door. That moment we were surprised to see a clean, fresh and cool room. My mother thought of seeing such a room at our home every time we make a mess.
Our hotel room
The first thing I did was removed my shoes, placed my bag in the wardrobe, went to freshen up and got comfortable on a two-set chair arranged in the corner from where the entire room could be seen. Every one of us had the privilege to experience such a luxurious room together for the first time. To our surprise, the hotel provided us complimentary water bottles and breakfast.
The long drive from the airport to the hotel made us prolong our hunger. A food hunt was initiated and it ended soon enough when we found a place called ‘Dosa Spot’ next to our hotel. No time was wasted to place the order as soon as we grabbed a table to sit. Every bite of that paneer dosa and onion uttapam tasted so good! We wrapped up for the day, watched TV and dozed off.
Birla Mandir
The next day, we planned to visit Birla temple, Salarjung museum and local market. We sought blessings of Lord Venkateswara at Birla Mandir which is located on a hill named Naubath Pahad. It is a decent trek towards the temple. Keep in mind that there are rickshaw drivers waiting for devotees at the entrance fooling them into believing that it requires too much to walk till the temple. Politely ignore them and follow the route upwards. All the devotees were chanting ‘Govinda, Govinda!’ as we were waiting in line for the darshan. It was a pleasant environment. You will be in for a treat when you will see the entire Hyderabad city from the hilltop.
After visiting the temple, we visited the Salar Jung Museum. It is one of our country’s national museum which has the belongings of the Salar Jung family. The prestige of the family is greatly showcased through their vivid collections of paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, ceramic and metallic artifacts, carpets, weapons, armor from around the world. The major attraction is a 200-year-old musical clock that has a mechanism functioning at every 60 minutes. People gather every hour to see the clock. Overall, it’s worth to visit. A ticket is to be purchased and photography is strictly prohibited.
Salar Jung Museum
It is better to take a rickshaw for nearby places and book a cab for places far away. If you are a solo traveler, bus traveling will be less expensive, but proper routes need to be enquired. The local market has products available at any market place and the prices are quite high. Strolling for a while we were hungry. Café Bahar, one of the famous places to have biryani in Hyderabad is a must to visit. This place has people waiting in line most of the time. We ordered a normal chicken biryani with chicken tandoori and it tasted as delicious as claimed by the many people who visited this place.
Cafe Bahar
This is how Day 1 at Hyderabad ended. My utmost reason for visiting Hyderabad was to visit the sets of the blockbuster movie Baahubali which was filmed at Ramoji Film City (RFC). I wasted no time in preparing my next day attire and went to sleep. The thought of visiting the set was itself making me asleep.
Day 2 of Hyderabad didn’t go as planned. I was the only person to get ready first and the rest of my family got up late. The entry gate supposedly gets closed after 11:00 AM. Plan to visit RFC got postponed to the next day. Nothing to think about a place to visit, the local market was the only option left. My mother looked for silk saree shops. They were having an expensive price tag and so it was dropped. Shopkeepers at the market know local people and tourists and thus sell their products.
For lunch, a place called Chutneys near Banjara Hills is good if you love thalis (a proper full meal course). The food was above average. I didn’t have rice as my tummy got full. Coming back to our room exhausted, the rains started. It was the month of June where we got to witness the first rains of Hyderabad. After the rain stopped, we decided to walk around the hotel area. Bikanerwala, a popular sweet and snack shop was the latest shop to open in that locality. It is a restaurant as well as a shop providing lip-smacking dishes which we couldn’t resist to try.
Chutneys restaurant
This city has a different space altogether. Unlike the metropolitan cities, Hyderabad reprises an authentic culture and people who have a less complicated life. Coming back from exploring the streets, we had dinner at a restaurant near our hotel. And like this, our second day at Hyderabad ended. I dozed off in excitement for the next day’s adventure.
The third day went in my favor. Everyone got up early and we left for Ramoji Film City. A carnival was happening there and it ended on the second day of our visit. During this event, RFC gives special tours to its guests with updated activities to be a part of. I had a fear of missing out on the tour of Baahubali movie set. The place is on the outskirts of the city and a cab is convenient to commute. Other less expensive routes need to be asked from locals or search on the internet.
When you enter RFC, a ticket is to be purchased. Although online booking is available on their website, some might prefer going there and buying tickets. As expected, the carnival got over a day before. While buying the tickets, ask for a map that has the directions. Security checking is done and a bus is waiting for people to board it. Once full, the bus leaves for RFC.
I wasn’t sure when the Baahubali movie set would come across and so I started recording just when the bus moved. It was quite a long distance until the main gate arrived. You then get to see the huge Ramoji Film City structure welcoming the tourists. Most of the famous locations used in movies begin to appear as and when you enter. The bus drops you at a point inside the film city and from thereon, you are on your own.
Ramoji Film City
Ramoji Film City is built on a land which is spread across 1666 acres, making it the largest studio complex in the world. It is recommended to wear light clothes to walk across this huge place. If you are visiting in the rainy season, be sure to carry an umbrella since there are limited shelters if rain falls abruptly. The adventure starts from the starting point of the tour where you are dropped off.
Major attractions are Action Theatre, Filmy Duniya, Ramoji Tower, and Borasura. Nearest to the starting point is Fundustan and Borasura, especially for kids. A show is performed at Fundustan followed by Borasura, a magician’s workshop which is filled with surprises at each step you enter. It is kind of a spooky house.
You can directly go to Action Theatre first as people wait in long queues. What I liked was that they showed the process of film making with the audience volunteering for them. We missed Filmy Duniya due to time constraints and went towards the starting point. Here again, buses are waiting to give a tour of RFC.
Our tour guide was an amusing person with a great sense of humor. He spoke in Hindi with a Telugu accent which made me smile more. This ride covers the spots where famous movies and television shows were shot. Now what made me disappointed was that they didn’t take us to Baahubali’s film location and it was only included during the carnival period. I literally missed it a day before. Please take a note of this carnival period (available on their website) before planning to visit RFC.
We were dropped near the bird sanctuary at the end of the tour. It was an amazing sight to see a variety of birds. For a detailed experience, it is recommended to visit this place and you will not regret it. Coming back from sanctuary to the starting point, we were caught by rains. Fortunately, our bus arrived and we wasted no time for boarding. Like this, our day at RFC ended. It is suggested to book a cab before arriving at the main gate as people are already acquiring taxis and waiting for other cabs which creates a lot of delays.
Finally, the day of our departure arrived. Our days spent here went so fast that we longed for more. As a tradition, we got some souvenirs to distribute amongst our friends and neighbors. The place which has earned customers across the country and the world, Karachi Bakery is one of the popular bakeries in Hyderabad. We got to taste their delicacies which led us to buy a dozen of their products. Fruit biscuits, dil kush, and plum cake are few of their famous bakery products. This was our last stop before leaving Hyderabad.
Karachi Bakery
Entering the airport wasn’t that exciting. With only limited days, we couldn’t explore more. I would recommend to take at least a week off to properly explore Hyderabad. The flight was full while leaving compared to the almost empty flight coming to Hyderabad. All those memories were flashing in my mind as I sat on the flight seat. The overall experience was quite enjoyable. Most people prefer going to tourist dense places in India. Less popular locations like Hyderabad will fetch you with unexpected surprises and costs comparatively less fare to travel.
Reaching Mumbai, we booked a cab back home. The discussion of going to other destinations in India was already started. My heart still remained in Hyderabad. The feeling of not getting to see the movie set for Baahubali was almost gone. I discussed the events with my friends and they were happy to hear them. In the near future, I will definitely revisit Hyderabad, but this time the route will be by road.
App Development has become a passion for a modern-day high school pass out students. Either out of curiosity or for the need of some pocket money, the students start to invest some time in making apps. Later they may commercialize them and even launch their own Start-ups.
Let us now see some examples of websites that have their app versions prevalent in the market.
App Creation
One
of the most popular forms of mobile marketing is campaigning through mobile
applications (commonly known as apps).
Users can download some of the apps that ensure an ‘on-the-go’ shopping
experience and also serves as a marketing channel.
Example 1: Shopping websites like Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra have developed app versions of their e-commerce platforms that act as mobile marketing-plus-e-commerce engines.
Example 2: A content curation app, such as InShorts, serves users the content they like to read or view or listen, and serves as a gateway to online media outlets, blogs, and E-commerce sites. Ads are interspersed with news and information content in the app.
Example 3: Many small and medium businesses such as interior designers, modular kitchen makers, and real estate agents use mobile apps to showcase their capabilities, services or products. As a CTA, users could be asked to contact the company.
Example 4: Mobile gaming apps are a very popular way of marketing a product or service. American TV channel PBS Kids released a gaming app titled “The cat in the hat knows a lot about that” as part of their marketing campaign to promote a TV special on well-known author Dr. Seuss. Closer home, “Chota Bheem Jungle Run” by Nazara Games is a mobile gaming app that acts as “gateway marketing” for the Chota Bheem universe of TV programs and merchandise for children.
Did
You Know?
Mobile
apps have spawned an entire industry in app development.
Getting Started with
App Development
As
with other marketing forms, identifying the target audience is the critical
first step of designing apps. Existing customers can be asked to test this new
platform post-development. Feedback and suggestions should also be considered
for iterative improvements.
In addition to this, a suitable budget is allocated for app development. App developers visualize how a particular app will feature on a mobile screen.
Steps for App Development
Steps for App
Development
The first step towards app creation is defining the primary and secondary purposes of the app. For example, the primary purpose of an app might be brand awareness, but the secondary purpose may be lead generation.
Next, define the objectives and outcomes that you would like your app to achieve.
The next step is finding and integrating the right resources. This involves phone calls and consultation with app developers and designers. This is followed by a mutual agreement or contract.
After a contract is signed, the visual appeal, content, and structure of an app are finalized. This is called Wireframing.
The development team works on a particular app and fixes errors in the testing phase. The team ensures that the app is user-friendly.
The app is launched through app stores that cater to various mobile operating systems. Apple’s App Store sells apps for iPhones. Google’s PlayStore is one of the most popular stores for Android-based phones.
Customer reviews or feedback are then taken into consideration and the performance of the app is tracked.
Takeaways
Ever
wondered how mobile apps are created?
Watch this video on YouTube, as to how mobile apps are created:
Creating a successful Android app is a goal worth pursuing. If
you can create a genuine hit, then you will have a source of passive income
that can generate money while you sleep for years to come. What’s more, you
will have the immense satisfaction of being able to tell people you are an app
developer; and of knowing that thousands of people around the world are using
something you created.
There is a lot of money on apps. Billions of dollars are invested.
Most people who want to start developing apps will have one ‘big
idea’ initially. At some point, they get their ‘eureka’ moment and they just
know that they have stumbled onto something that will make them rich and change
the world!
Here I would like to state that using www.andromo.com, you can create the app you want and that too without using any code. Andromo 2.0 is one of the #1 Android App maker platforms.
The App Market Overview
The global app economy is large and it’s going to keep growing. As of 2016, there were more than 2 million applications in Apple’s App Store and 2.4 million in Google Play Market, making it the most popular distribution platform in the world. It is projected that revenues generated from mobile apps, including advertisements and in-app purchases, will double by 2020.
Taking
into account that tablet and mobile device usage has reached unprecedented
records, it is the right time for your business to have the own app if you do
not have one.
However,
what app type should you choose?
How
can you get revenue from free apps?
Let us have a closer look at the mobile app market.
Paid vs Free Apps
According to TechCrunch, more that 90% of apps on the market now are free. Revenues generated from apps like Uber, that charge for download are expected to go down in incoming years.
How to make money with free apps
Key app monetization strategies include:
Advertising: interstitial, video, native, incentives, display ads, and banners
Email marketing
Sponsorship
Subscriptions
In-app purchases
Freemium upsell
Amazon Underground
Physical purchases and merchandise
Collecting and selling data
Affiliate income and referral marketing (from CPA to CPI)
Pros: Compact and good-looking, a great set of photo and video-recording features, intuitive interface, lots of optional accessories to choose from
Con: Expensive.
Key Features:
4K video capture at 60 fps, 1080p video capture at 240 fps
12 MP still images, optional RAW format capture, 30 fps bursts
Digital video stabilization
2-inch touchscreen
Wi-Fi connectivity, built-in GPS
Waterproof up to 30 feet without a housing
GoPro’s range-topping HERO7 Black is the best action camera worth your attention today. It has a sleek yet rugged design, an intuitive touchscreen interface, and an amazing array of photo- and video capturing capabilities. It also comes with the best selection of optional accessories in the industry.
Reviewers from Engadget, Mashable, and Wired praised the image stabilization and the live stream capabilities of the GoPro HERO7 Black. The camera is universally regarded as a top pick in its product category.
When it comes to available options for capturing video and still images, the HERO7 Black is truly second to none. The gadget can record 4K video with stereo sound at up to a brisk 60 fps, as well as Full HD footage at up to 240 fps, among many other formats.
The camera has industry-leading, gimbal-like digital image stabilization tech on board. It enables the HERO7 Black to capture incredible content that’s in a league of its own in terms of smoothness.
The still photography capabilities of the device include the ability to capture bursts of 30 shots, as well as a dedicated wide dynamic range mode. Advanced photographers will appreciate the option to save images in RAW format for in-depth desktop editing.
You can transfer photos from the camera over Wi-Fi or by removing its microSD card (not bundled in the retail package). GoPro has a duo of mobile apps to help you make the most out of the gadget — one for previewing and sharing content, and another for editing it.
The HERO7 Black has a 2-inch color touchscreen, which makes navigating through its features and previewing content a breeze. Other highlights of the camera include the ability to control it with voice commands, built-in GPS, and a user-replaceable battery.
The HERO7 Black is waterproof up to 33 feet without a housing. An optional GoPro housing extends the depth rating of the gadget to a whopping 196 feet.
Pros: Affordable, easy to use, a good set of photo and video-recording features
Con: Not waterproof without a housing
Key Features:
4K video capture at 30 fps; 1080p video capture at up to 120 fps
12 MP still images
Digital image stabilization
2.2-inch touchscreen
Wi-Fi connectivity
Waterproof up to 132 feet when putting in the bundled housing
Priced well below $200 with waterproof housing, the YI 4K is a great starter action camera for buyers on a tight budget. It has a sleek design, intuitive touchscreen controls, and impressive battery life for its price tag (up to 2 hours of 4K recording between charges).
The YI 4K is equipped with a high-quality Sony image sensor, which allows it to capture 4K video at 30 fps, or 1080p footage at up to a rather brisk 120 fps, as well as nice-looking 12 MP still images. The camera’s electronic image stabilization is excellent for its price point.
Reviewers from CNET and Wired liked the YI 4K action camera for offering solid performance and a nice set of available features at an attractive price point. However, they also observed that you need to spend extra on accessories to make the most out of the camera’s capabilities.
There are a plethora of YI 4K shooting modes to choose from. They include time-lapse, slow-motion, and burst image capture, among others.
The gadget has Wi-Fi connectivity, so you can connect it to your smartphone. You can view, share, and edit the content you captured via a free mobile app.
It’s imperative that you order the YI 4K action camera with the manufacturer’s official waterproof case because the device isn’t water-resistant without it.
Pros: Incredibly compact, handy voice controls, good video quality
Con: Some might find the controls a bit limited
Key Features:
4K video capture at 30 fps, 1080p video capture at 90 fps
10 MP still images, 30 fps bursts
Digital video stabilization
Available voice controls
Wi-Fi connectivity
Waterproof up to 30 feet without a housing
The GoPro HERO5 Session delivers 4K video recording in an ultra-compact form factor with a no-frills design (there’s no touchscreen to distract you). Combined with the manufacturer’s superb selection of accessories, it makes the camera our favorite option for mounting (on a helmet, bike, car, etc.).
The camera’s 4K video recording capabilities top out at 30 fps. There’s also the option to capture Full HD video at a snappier 90 fps, as well as 10 MP images in bursts of up to 30 fps. Like all GoPro cameras, the HERO5 Session has digital image stabilization.
Like its more capable HERO6 Black relative, the HERO5 Session can reach depths of up to 33 feet without a housing. The camera also has Wi-Fi, so you can download your videos to your favorite mobile device (via an app).
Pros: Exceptional image and audio quality, great waterproof rating with the included housing
Con: The controls could be better
Key Features:
4K video capture at 30 fps, 1080p video capture at 120 fps
12 MP still images, 10 fps bursts
Optical and digital video stabilization
Built-in LCD display
Wi-Fi connectivity, built-in GPS
Waterproof up to 197 feet with the bundled housing
What sets the Sony FDR-X3000 action camera apart from all of its competitors is the presence of optical image stabilization. This means that there are actual hardware components to make up for the camera’s shaking — not a software algorithm.
A PC Magazine review editor gave the action camera high marks for its ability to capture high-quality 4K content with optical image stabilization. The tester also noted that the camera’s controls are not as intuitive as those offered by similarly priced GoPro offerings.
Combined with an excellent Zeiss lens, the optical image stabilization helps the FDR-X3000 deliver 4K video and 12 MP images that are arguably the best in its class. You can record high-resolution footage at 30 fps, as well as a rather cinematic 24 fps. Full HD video recording is also available at up to 120 fps.
The quality of the sound captured by the FDR-X3000 is also superb, thanks to a built-in stereo microphone. There’s also the option to easily connect the camera to an external microphone.
The camera has an impressive set of wired and wireless connectivity features that include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth with NFC for easy pairing, and GPS, as well as micro USB and microHDMI ports. The FDR-X3000 can go as deep as 197 feet when equipped with its bundled housing.
It’s worth noting that compared to GoPro’s finest offerings, the Sony FDR-X3000 has inferior controls. The camera lacks a color touchscreen, so navigating through its shooting modes and settings isn’t as intuitive. You can’t preview content on the camera, either.
Pros: Rugged body, good image quality, the built-in sensors, and LED light are handy
Con: The mobile app experience could be better
Key Features:
4K video capture at 30 fps, 1080p video capture at 60 fps
8 MP still images
Digital video stabilization
Tilting 1.5-inch display
Wi-Fi connectivity, built-in GPS
Waterproof up to 98 feet, crushproof
The Olympus Tough TG-Tracker is an excellent option from one of the most storied names in photography. The camera has the ability to capture 4K video at up to 30 fps via an ultra wide-angle lens, as well as 8 MP still images. Like most action cameras, the TG-Tracker has digital image stabilization.
The rest of the camera’s key highlights include five built-in sensors (GPS, a compass, a barometer, an accelerometer, and a thermometer) and Wi-Fi connectivity. In addition to being waterproof up to 100 feet, the camera is also shock- and crush-resistant, as well as freezeproof.
The camera has buttons for navigating through its features, as well as a tilting 1.5-inch display for previewing content. You can also use the screen to check out data from the camera’s sensors. Unlike any of its competitors, the TG-Tracker also has a built-in LED headlight that’s really handy while exploring in the dark.
You can download and share videos from the camera to your phone via an app. However, the overall experience is far behind the best in this price range.
