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Is there a loan for the unemployed? A loan is also approved for the unemployed under certain conditions. All tips for approving an unemployment loan at a glance.

Unemployment is a snapshot for many people. It is not easy to get a loan approved by the bank, even if the unemployment benefit is a large amount. In the current legal situation, unemployment benefit is not part of the attachable income. Some conditions must be met in order to receive loan approval from the bank.

Is there a possibility of loan approval for the unemployed?

From the point of view of credit institutions, unemployment is a critical bridging period. The question of whether and to what extent an unemployed person is able to take out a loan must be answered individually. As an unemployed person interested in a loan, it is much easier if there is a business relationship with the bank in advance. In this case, the financial institution can already involve experiences from the time before unemployment. The probability of the loan being approved can have an advantageous effect and the prospective borrower should first contact his house bank.

1) Loan collateral by guarantor or insurance

An unemployed person who receives basic security only gets loan approval from a German bank if he can show a co-applicant or a guarantor. An unemployed guarantor or co-applicant is useless. Here, a regulated attachable income is a prerequisite to increase the chances of an unemployment loan. Endowment life insurance can also be helpful with a loan for the unemployed. It can be used as part of a policy loan. The insurer itself or a separate banking institution can act as the lender.

2) Short-term credit also for the unemployed

So-called short-term loans are an alternative for the unemployed. Suitable for very short-term money problems, people who are not employed can also get a loan approval much more easily here. The advantages are the credit check without a credit bureau entry and the free credit check.

3) Unemployment loans from abroad

Reputable banks at home or abroad do not grant unsecured loans to people who have no income. This also applies to the term “credit without Schufa”. The term refers to loans originating from countries such as Liechtenstein or Switzerland. Schufa is only a purely German company and often foreign banks do not check the Schufa score. When borrowing, there is also no Schufa entry. However, the creditworthiness is also checked here. In the case of a loan for the unemployed, the foreign bank also has certain requirements:

  • Proof of loan repayment
  • Possibly additional security
  • legal age
  • Permanent residence in the Federal Republic of Germany

The first two points are different from German credit institutions. The provision of collateral is not sufficient in Germany because a loan must be paid from current income. If the installments are suspended, the unemployment benefit cannot be seized and is, therefore, an obstacle. In the event of unemployment, only rental or interest income is paid as other income for a loan. When receiving unemployment benefit II or Hartz IV, they are counted again and used up to the minimum amount at an earlier or later point in time.

Banks in Switzerland are a bit broader when it comes to safety assessments and types of income. Conversely, a riskier loan can also be repaid with higher interest rates.

4) Credit through the employment office

The Federal Employment Agency also grants an unemployment loan in urgent cases. The cases covered by this are dealt with in several places in SGB II. A loan for accommodation is regulated in Section 22 of the Second Book of the Code of Social Law: Unemployed people who have received basic security benefits are entitled to a loan if, among other things, they need a repair for the house they live in or cannot pay the rental deposit or heating costs. According to § 24 sentences 1, the Federal Employment Agency grants a loan if there is an unavoidable need. Unemployed people who want to become self-employed are regulated in § 16c SGB II for loans for the unemployed.

The unemployment loan is always granted after the individual situation has been checked and should only serve the previously determined reason. These loans are equipped with very favorable conditions: no interest is charged and the monthly installments are based on the solvency of the unemployed.

5) Loans from individuals through credit exchanges

Another option is credit exchanges. Loans are offered here from private to private. However, a credit check is also mandatory here. However, it is doubtful whether the lender will lend money if the repayment is in doubt due to a lack of regular income. The loan request is free and the granting is trustworthy compared to a loan broker who charges a fee upfront. On the Internet, there is the platform auxmoney.com. At auxmoney.com you can borrow and lend money privately. Small amounts from the crowd bring alternative credit options. The internet makes it possible.

In order to protect themselves from dubious machinations when hiring a locksmith, consumers must select the service provider carefully.

When the door slams shut and the key is forgotten in the apartment, the realization usually comes quickly: you have locked yourself out. The only way to gain access to your own four walls is through a locksmith.

The risk of falling into the cost trap with these service providers is particularly high when you are under time pressure. Unfortunately, many dubious providers shamelessly exploit the plight of their customers. The result is completely exaggerated bills. Below is a summary of how to reliably protect yourself from fraudulent rip-offs.

Check contact details

The first step to unmasking dubious service providers is to carefully check the contact details. For example, supposed key services that secure the top positions in telephone books with the addition “AAA.” should be avoided completely. This is a clear indication of dubious providers. This usually has nothing to do with fair service. 0800 area codes should also be viewed critically since commissions flow through call centers for the switching of callers, which the customer ultimately pays.

Calling the information desk is not a good choice either. Instead, it is advisable to research local service providers with a short journey. This saves time and the chance of finding a reputable and competent specialist is significantly higher. The websites of the locksmiths are also a good help to identify decent companies. The first glance should wander to the imprint.

If all necessary information such as address and company is stored, this already indicates seriousness. The same applies to reference to membership in a professional association. In addition, it is advantageous to select a service provider with fixed prices, as is the case on the website of the service provider for Frankfurt and Sachsenhausen. The company explains the fixed opening prices directly on the home page so that misunderstandings about the calculation are avoided from the outset.
Useful sources for researching reputable locksmiths:

  • industry association
  • Local Police Department
  • Regional guilds/chambers
  • If there is enough time, it is advisable to call and compare several companies.

Telephone assignment

Once you have found a locksmith that inspires confidence, you place the order over the phone. First of all, it is important to clarify who the contractual partner actually is. Is it actually a regional company based locally or was the call possibly rerouted to a call center and the company is in a completely different location? Companies have to make a clear statement on the phone.

Then the total price including VAT for the required services will be requested. The latter must be clearly formulated by the customer on the phone. For example, if the door just fell shut, the door can often be opened without damage. In addition, you should specifically ask about possible surcharges, since the prices for working days, Sundays, and public holidays can vary immensely. Travel allowances can also drive up the total. In order not to experience any nasty surprises, all eventualities must be clarified. This includes the customer describing his individual case in detail. Among other things, locksmiths charge different flat rates for doors that are only pulled shut and keys left in the lock due to the greater time required.

Furthermore, the arrival time must be clarified. If the fitter is on-site much later than announced, it is advantageous if the cancellation in the event of a significant delay was threatened directly when the order was placed. Ideally, the commissioner will have a witness who can confirm the statements of both parties.

Extra savings tip for locksmiths

Due to the sometimes high surcharges for locksmith operations on weekends and public holidays as well as at night, it can be worth waiting a few hours or days and possibly staying with friends or relatives. Depending on the price scale, even a hotel room is cheaper. If there is no emergency and you do not have to go to the apartment urgently, the alternatives should be weighed up.

Order processing tips

If the fitter is on-site, clients should note the name of the specialist and check the company’s contact details for completeness. The consumer advice center has collected further practical consumer tips on opening doors in an emergency. Among other things, the guide says: “If the locksmith demands more from the start than agreed on the phone or if he comes too late, he should be sent away again. There is no entitlement to payment, not even for travel expenses if more is required for the same work than previously agreed over the phone.” If the invoice is handed over directly, a tax number and the owner of the company must be shown. Under no circumstances should consumers sign blank documents. In general, it is common for the locksmith to be paid directly. You should take your time and go through the positions calmly before handing over the cash.

Prevent demand

In order to avoid unnecessary costs from locksmiths, a spare key can be left with a person you trust in an emergency. Under no circumstances should the key be hidden in the immediate vicinity. This direct access is of course exploited by burglars and in the event of a break-in, the insurance company does not pay. In our guide to avoiding and preventing home break-ins, we have arranged practical recommendations for protection against criminals.

Intermittent fasting is becoming increasingly popular. A study has examined how useful intermittent fasting is to lose weight – and found the answer to the question of whether you can still drink your coffee with milk in the morning.

Doing intermittent fasting correctly: You should pay attention to this

Many people can easily integrate intermittent fasting into their everyday lives. The body is given a break for a certain period of time during which it is not supplied with any calories.

Intermittent fasting is becoming increasingly popular for weight loss or general health and wellness. There are almost no regulations as far as eating is concerned – except that breaks have to be taken in between. Another form of fasting, for example, is therapeutic fasting, which involves fasting for several days or even weeks at a time.

For example, it is possible to eat only eight hours a day and fast for the remaining 16 hours (8:16 method).
Alternatively, one can eat normally five days a week and be largely starved two days a week, that is, consuming no more than about 500 calories (5:2 method).
With alternate-day fasting, you alternate between fasting on one day and eating without restrictions on one day (1:1 method).

Rules for intermittent fasting: is coffee with milk allowed?

For many, coffee in the morning is indispensable. But does the stimulant have to be left out during the fasting phase?

Basically, fasting people can drink coffee, unsweetened tea and water at any time during intermittent fasting. Caffeine even helps you get through “hunger time” by curbing your appetite.

But if you don’t drink your coffee black, you have to say goodbye to it during Lent: Milk and sugar are taboo during this period. Because the body should not be supplied with any calories during the rest phase.

Autophagy: Cell cleaning through intermittent fasting strengthens the immune system

In addition to its function as a diet, intermittent fasting should also strengthen the immune system of the person losing weight. dr Matthias Riedl explains to the NDR how regular breaks in eating can promote so-called autophagy.

Autophagy is the self-cleaning of cells, an intercellular process that breaks down defective or damaged proteins and organelles.

The temporary renunciation gives the body a break in which autophagy is stimulated and stimulated. Degradation can be understood as the body’s own recycling program, which generates energy from cellular waste. The more autophagy that occurs in an organism, the older it gets and the healthier it stays.

Study proves positive health effects

A recent study by researchers at the University of Graz, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, also shows that intermittent fasting has a positive effect on health. Not only did it lead to weight loss after four weeks, but it also regulated cholesterol levels, had a positive effect on blood pressure and abdominal fat, and reduced inflammation.

As part of the study, 60 healthy volunteers were divided into two groups. One fasted intermittently for four weeks, the second maintained the current lifestyle. “The study was supplemented by a further 30 subjects who had been doing alternate day fasting for more than six months,” the study directors explain. “It also gave us a first, unique look at the long-term effects of alternate day fasting.”

The goal of the research team was to study the effects of intermittent fasting on both body weight and molecular mechanisms in healthy volunteers. The strict observance of the fasting days was closely monitored by continuous glucose measurement.

Lost 3.5 kilos of body weight in four weeks

The results of the study paint a clear picture: “Within just four weeks, the study participants reduced their body weight by an average of around 3.5 kilograms, with the average starting weight being 76 kilograms,” reports Thomas Pieber. The researchers not only observed a significant weight reduction in the fasting participants, they also recorded an increase in ketone bodies. “These arise as a by-product of fat burning in the event of a carbohydrate deficiency and are suspected of having age-protective effects. In addition, the fasting cohort showed a reduction in specific amino acid levels, cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, abdominal fat and inflammation parameters .

These effects are associated with positive health consequences, Frank Madeo summarizes the insights into the molecular mechanisms. In addition, the researchers found a mild reduction in the thyroid hormone T3 in the fasting people while the thyroid-stimulating hormone TSH increased – a status that has already been linked to longevity in numerous studies.

“Intermittent fasting is a very simple but extremely effective dietary principle,” says Harald Sourij. Building on these results, the researchers will begin their second study in the fall, which will examine intermittent fasting in patients with type II diabetes mellitus who already require insulin therapy.

Intermittent fasting as a therapy for diabetes

In addition, the research team at the German Institute for Human Nutrition (DIfE) discovered a connection between the diet method of intermittent fasting and type 2 diabetes. The positive effect of intermittent fasting could be a promising therapeutic approach against blood sugar in the near future.

In contrast, another study found that there is not much of a difference between intermittent fasting and a regular weight-loss diet. Criticism can also be leveled at the study by the Graz researchers: It is not clear whether the positive effects of intermittent fasting are really due to the meal breaks or solely to the reduction in the number of calories. In addition, the study with almost 100 participants is not representative. This leaves the question open as to whether it is really better to fast or whether it is enough to eat less.

From poinsettias and festive bouquets of flowers to the impressive amaryllis blossoms and the Christmas tree, many special plants characterize the atmosphere in the living room at home during the Advent season.

However, the care of such plants is not always easy. The poinsettia drops its leaves after just a few days, the Christmas tree has ugly needles and the recently bought amaryllis won’t bloom. The following tips extend the life of the plant-based Advent decoration and ensure magnificent flowers.

Christmas stars as a gift

Hardly any other plant is bought and given as a gift at Christmas as much as the poinsettia. The characteristic leaves and blossoms radiate a Christmassy atmosphere and bring a festive ambiance to the living environment. Unfortunately, many specimens of Euphorbia pulcherrima, as the plant is called botanically, drop their leaves after just a few days. With the right tips, however, the poinsettia will last for months. First of all, it is important to make sure when buying that the buds are still closed.

If it is already frosty when you buy it, wrap the plant in paper accordingly. She doesn’t like cold drafts at all. The top priority in care: Don’t water too much! The poinsettias like it dry rather than too wet. Under no circumstances should the pot stand in water. If the top layer of soil dries regularly, it doesn’t matter at all. Native to Mexico, the plant is well acquainted with moisture scarcity. A south-facing window is therefore also advisable because the plants need a lot of light for optimal growth.

Cut flowers and Advent arrangements

Bouquets are not only popular for birthdays. Even in the Advent season and at Christmas, cut flowers are often given away to make others happy. Online flower delivery is particularly popular because you can use it to make people who live further away happy. At Christmas time, stylish bouquets of flowers are sent from flower delivery dealers, which serve as atmospheric gift ideas in Advent and at Christmas. The problem is that even the highest quality cut flowers end up in the organic waste bin faster than potted plants. With a few clever tips, the service life can be significantly increased:

  • When buying, make sure that mail-order flowers are sufficiently watered. When buying from a florist, at least have the stems wrapped in damp paper
  • Stir nutrient solutions from florists and mail order companies into freshwater
  • Choosing the ideal vase size: If the vase is too narrow, the sensory pathways of the stems can be injured by bruising
  • Fill the vase with lukewarm water. Temperatures between 25 and 35 °C are ideal
  • Leaves must not be below the water surface. This promotes the formation of rot and makes the water spoil faster
  • Change water every two days
  • Avoid direct sunlight and draughts
  • Do not place in the direct vicinity of radiators
  • Place the bouquet in the coolest room of the apartment at night

Advent arrangements dry out quickly due to dry heating air. The visual attractiveness suffers greatly as a result. To counteract this, it helps to cut the branches as diagonally as possible. Before these are processed into arrangements, they should be placed in water. In doing so, they draw in freshwater, which keeps them fresher for longer. The cuts can be sealed with a hot glue gun or liquid wax so that the moisture does not run out again. Regular spraying of the branches with water can also extend the lifespan. If possible, put the arrangements outside at night, because of the cool temperatures, the branches remain decorative for longer. We have already summarized practical tips for the Advent wreath here.

Proper care for amaryllis

If you already have amaryllis, you will see the flowers turn towards the daylight. This causes the long flower stalks to become crooked, which doesn’t look particularly nice. Therefore, the pot must be rotated regularly in the opposite direction. The stems remain straight and kinking is prevented. Shortly before Christmas, the amaryllis delights us with its blooms. The bulbous plant then loses its flowers and goes into “hibernation”. However, the plant is by no means dead.

On the contrary. If stored and cared for properly, it can flower again next winter. So that you can look forward to flowers in December, you should water the amaryllis a little at the beginning of December and expose them to daylight. Therefore choose a nice sun-drenched place by the window as a location. Once the flower stalk is visible, water regularly once a week. When amaryllis blooms, enjoy.

More and more people are skipping breakfast. They either grab a quick bite to eat or just a small espresso. Nutrition expert and sports lecturer Ingo Froboese now explains that this is anything but healthy.

“Breakfast is essential for the organism,” says the expert

In addition, you would trigger the metabolic rhythm with a boisterous and nutritious breakfast. In addition, the expert advises to compensate for the loss of fluids. “We lose around 1.5 liters of fluids during the night. That’s why before you eat anything, you should drink a lukewarm glass of water to replenish fluids and cleanse the body.”

After the alarm clock rings, the happiness hormone “serotonin” and the drive-enhancing hormone “adrenaline” are ready to push you through the day. These effects can be further intensified with a carbohydrate-rich breakfast, because the hormones can be supplied with the necessary nutrients. If you skip breakfast, for example to save calories, this can lead to a lack of energy and also to listlessness. “The body then shuts down on the back burner,” explains Froboese in his blog.

The need for energy is particularly high after getting up. The brain, muscles and organs would need “fuel” to function. “A healthy and balanced breakfast gets your metabolism out of the basement and lets you start the day with vigour. Your body is dependent on the energy it needs for breakfast, if you deny it this energy this can lead to ravenous hunger attacks or an increased desire for unhealthy ones Snacks before it’s time for lunch,” explains the expert.

His five best tips for a balanced breakfast:

1. Whole grains are better than white flour. Whole grain is an essential source of fiber that fills you up and also regulates intestinal activity. In addition, complex carbohydrates are found in whole grain products. That means you have a low “glycemic index”. This gives you more energy in the long run. In comparison, white flour products are rich in carbohydrates and therefore have a high “glycemic index”. Therefore, these products get into the blood much faster and only provide the body with energy for a short time. Once this first phase has subsided, ravenous hunger attacks can increase, because white flour does not have a filling effect in the long term.

2. Muesli with fruit. This combination supplies the body and in particular the brain and muscles with energy and increases resistance to the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With increased tension, the liver produces more sugar, which is supposed to mobilize the activity hormone adrenaline. The muesli with fruit would reduce this adrenaline release and thus prevent stress and hectic.

3. Good fats matter. Fats in general stimulate the most important metabolic activities in the body. Namely, this is the carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Nuts in particular or a little butter accelerate the processing of fat throughout the day. Hence Frobo’s recommendation: “Cover 30 percent of your daily fat requirement with breakfast!”

4. Protein is a must. Proteins are essential fuel suppliers for the brain and muscles. So we only remain efficient if we eat enough protein. However, the expert advises against powder. “You will find sufficient sources on a balanced diet.” Particularly good sources of protein are: eggs, cream cheese, quark, milk or soy milk, yoghurt and nuts. Getting enough protein not only benefits the brain, but also digestion, detoxification, and cell repair. About 15 percent of the daily requirement should already be covered with breakfast.

5. Drink water. The expert considers a glass of water, preferably right after getting up, to be useful. It is particularly important for “filling up the liquid storage”. He also has a tip for people who don’t like the water that much per se. “You can give the drink a flavorful touch by adding some ginger or lime. It will give the metabolism an extra boost.”

Nowadays we have a wide range of greenhouses of different sizes and designs. In the shops, we find not only easily reconstructable models but also expensive, complex designs. We give advice on the different possibilities.

Having your own greenhouse offers you a new and exciting area of ​​gardening. You no longer have to worry about extreme weather conditions for your garden under glass. In your greenhouse, you can organize the amount of water your plants need yourself.

Which greenhouse model?

Many greenhouses are glazed to the ground. This is a great advantage because a lot of sunlight gets in, and the light is better stored and used in glass greenhouses. This way, more plants can benefit from the heat and thrive better and faster. A wide variety of plants can be grown in a greenhouse made of glass, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and indoor plants.

Greenhouse planning

If you want to buy a small greenhouse and set it up in your garden, you should make sure that you don’t break any regulations. For example, it is important for a tenant to obtain the consent of the homeowner. If you move, you can of course take the greenhouse with you. You do not need a building permit to construct a greenhouse. You only have to take into account the minimum distance to the neighboring garden.

Before that, you also need to think about the foundation of your prospective greenhouse. You can use old railway sleepers or lay a concrete foundation on which the greenhouse will later stand freely or be bolted. A path made of concrete, stone slabs, or bricks in the greenhouse is useful and practical at the same time. On the one hand, this gives you dry feet and, on the other hand, you can work more cleanly.

Location of the greenhouse

Freestanding and rectangular greenhouses make the best use of sunlight when one long side faces south. If your greenhouse is only glass on one side, you should attach the glass side to the south. In this way, you ensure that as much light and sun as possible are stored in winter.

Racks in it should always be on the north side. A house wall to the east or west of the garden would be advantageous, as this would give the plants in the greenhouse both light and shade. If it faces north, it will be very shady and would only do well with pot and house plants (primrose, cyclamen, slipper flower). A house wall facing south can get very hot in summer. If you don’t have prospects for shading, you should choose sun-loving plants.

Who doesn’t know it: the fear of exams! The trembling knees on the way to the driver’s license test or the sweaty hands during the oral Abitur, almost everyone has experienced this feeling at some point. If you have very strong exam anxiety, which can manifest itself in sleep disorders or depression, for example, you should definitely seek help from a professional advisor such as a psychologist or psychotherapist. This can be done in individual talks or in a group.

Causes of test anxiety

This emotional-physical reaction can be caused, for example, by social pressure to perform, a strict upbringing by anxious or overly demanding parents, or negative experiences in previous exams. In order to properly deal with a stressful situation of this kind, the symptoms must first be interpreted and accepted as test anxiety. Only then can one begin to find out and apply the method that is most suitable for oneself against inner tension and nervousness.

1) Anchor positive feelings

With regard to the average level of nervousness before an exam, there are a number of ways to calm yourself down, such as this little trick: press the thumb and forefinger of one hand together and think for about 3 minutes about an experience that you personally found pleasant, e.g Walk on the beach with the warm sand on your feet and the smell of the sea in your nostrils. If you repeat this process frequently, after a while you will feel relaxed and positive just by pressing your thumb and forefinger together. In psychotherapy, this process is called “dropping the anchor”.

2) Attend anxiety courses at college

Courses are offered at various German universities in which you can learn to reduce or overcome your fears in relation to exams. They are led by professional advisors.
Talking to other participants in the course and the feeling that you are not alone in the face of the problem can also help. In these anti-stress and anti-anxiety seminars, oral or written exams are often re-enacted to familiarize course participants with the exam situation.

3) Use Bach flowers or relaxation exercises

For some, it is the Bach flowers, for others relaxation exercises such as autogenic training, yoga, or Thai Chi help. However, sports such as jogging and cycling or mental anticipation of the exam situation can also reduce stress. A certain fear of exams is normal. This well-known worry about the upcoming event, which manifests itself in the form of inner restlessness, tingling in the stomach, and sweaty hands, tends to have a performance-enhancing effect in the exam itself.

Professional help with severe test anxiety

On the other hand, very strong test anxiety with far more severe symptoms can also have a negative effect on concentration and memory. It is advisable to talk to a professional advisor here in order to track down the cause of test anxiety and tackle the problem personally.