Global Pay Scale: Where Are You?

An article on the BBC's News Magazine is giving you the chance to see where you are on the global pay scale, and whether you are above or below the worldwide average.

Taking its data from 72 countries, not including some of the poorest nations, it gives you the ability to see where you monthy wage (pre tax) sits as compared to the world average wage of $1,480.

Though those behind the scheme admit to having to rely on some sketchy results and the lack of some large countries like Nigeria, the chart does give an unvoidable picture of the disaparity between countries. Over half of the countries fall below the world average, many by a large amount.

How to Keep Your Money Safe When Traveling

You have worked hard to save your money for traveling, so it is important to make sure that you don’t lose it to theft, fraud, or other disasters on the road. Keeping your cash safe while you are abroad doesn’t mean that you have to be paranoid; it just means that you need to keep your wits about you and have a plan for managing your money.

Here are some tips which will help you safeguard your money while you are exploring a foreign country:

 

Don’t Flash Your Wealth Around

Especially if you are staying in a luxury resort which is near to an area in poverty, don’t walk around showcasing your expensive accessories. By showing that you own an iPhone, high-end camera, beautiful jewellery, and designer clothes you will be telling every thief in the area that you are a (comparatively) wealthy tourist and this will make you a target for pick-pocketing. 

Try not to draw attention to yourself. Wear basic clothes, keep your camera hidden, and leave the expensive jewellery at home. When you are carrying cash, take out only what you will need for the day and don’t take out large wads of it in public.

 

Keep it Close to Your Skin

Another way that you can prevent against pick-pockets is to keep your cash in a money belt. This is a fabric band which wraps around your torso underneath your clothing. It prevents thieves because they would have to reach under your shirt to access the money. Never carry your wallet in your back pocket or a backpack, because someone with quick fingers can easily slip it out without you noticing.

 

Stick Together

There is safety in numbers, so to reduce your chances of getting mugged you can go out in the evening with a group of friends or at least one other person. Be cautious about walking around by yourself late at night. You might feel comfortable doing this in your own hometown, but where you are traveling you don’t know the area very well and you might accidently wander into a neighbourhood where you could be in danger.

 

Be Informed

One of the best weapons you can have against being robbed, pick-pocketed or taken advantage of is knowledge. Read up on your destination as much as possible before you embark on your trip so that you are aware of the dangerous parts of town, possible tourist scams, and other specific safety warnings. If you know about these risks in advance you will not be blindsided by them when you arrive.

Remember these tips, and you will keep your money safe the next time you are travelling abroad.

Petrol Panic As Strike Threatens

With the threat of a strike by fuel tank drivers lingering like storm clouds, the government  has released recommendations -- some which have come under heavy criticism -- for car owners should it go ahead.

Recent advice is to make sure the car's tank is topped up regularly, and don't let it fall below half (as opposed to the common fill up if it falls below a third full).

Previous advice of keeping some extra in a jerrycan in the garage has been retracted after coming under fire from the Fire Brigades Union and the AA, who say the action could be potentially dangerous. The advice came from Cabinet Minister Francis Maude, who is said to have misunderstood the size of a jerrycan -- which can hold twenty litres, more than the official amount that can be safely stored in households.

The government is keen to stress that people should be taking precautions so as not to be caught out by the strike, but that there is no need to panic just yet. There is no need to queue for fuel, says the Prime Minister. Any strike action will have to give seven days notice, allowing time for people to prepare themselves.

The government has been accused by the Opposition of adding to the panic rather than trying to come to a negotiated agreement with those threatening to strike. In a bid tosort out the jerrycan miscommunication, they have only added to the public's fears about the strike, it has been said, suffering self-inflicted damage.