How to get Free Shares?

How to get free shares?

For a limited time (offer expires 26 June 2023) Trading212 is offering free shares worth up to €100 if you successfully sign up using this link: https://www.trading212.com/invite/Gbasu6a4 

(Naturally a minimum investment is necessary for the bonus).

Though I am not a financial advisor, and one should always be aware of the risks before investing, my personal experience with Trading212 has been a positive one.

So often the recommendations and advice for investing apps comes from an American POV, which is often less than helpful for those of us living in Europe. Trading212 allows anyone living in an EU country (and some outside the EU) to open an account and start trading. 

The list of current countries includes: United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Czech Republic, France, Spain, Slovakia, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Hungary, Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Switzerland, Romania, Poland, Mexico, Honduras, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain.

Another new benefit is that any money in your account but not actively invested still earns interest (better than most of the German banks TBH).

Some pros that I have experienced using Trading212 include:

- mobile app

- real time exchange

- huge amount of stocks to choose from

- available in Europe and for expats

- very easy navigation and comprehension

- fractional shares

- optional automatic pie investing

If you're already using Trading212, drop me a message below to let me know how your experience has been. Or if you have other platforms that you would recommend, please write that too, as I would be interested in researching other possibilities. 

How to invest in European property

How to invest in European Property

If you're like me and have an interest in building up an investment property portfolio but don't know where to start, or how to get enough capital to purchase a property yourself, then you might be interested in Rendity. It is an Austrian crowd investing platform, which I have found super accessible to use and invest through. 

I'm by no means a financial advisor; all I can impart is that my personal experience has been very positive, and that to-date my investments have been on track (even one already paid back in full).

A couple of facts:

minimum investment amount €100 (maximum €25.000)

mobile app connected to account

easy to open an account

automatic savings strategy available (I haven't used this function)

And as a bonus, if you use this referral link you will receive €25 once you've made your first minim investment (€100). That's 25% return instantly!!

https://rendity.com/en/referral?u=9A33 

Lucy's The Deli

Lucy's The Deli

Finally a new cafe has moved into the long-unoccupied space at Torstrasse 116 near Rosenthaler Platz. "Hermann's" had a couple of successful years, but has been vacant for quite a time, which has been a loss to the area, as it has one of the biggest physical spaces in the area. 

Thankfully "Lucy's The Deli" has arrived (moving down the hill from Brunnenstrasse) and the atmosphere is very calm, with friendly staff and good food and drink. Much of the layout, furniture, and ambience has been inherited from "Hermann's" - all the better though, since it is very open, spacious, and calming. There are even booths if needing to work a little. 

For all those looking for vegetarian or vegan options, you will find a great selection of fresh options. And there are a couple of Keto options too, if you ask nicely. 

Being summer, I can definitely recommend the iced-matcha latte and the protein balls (different flavours available).  

Here's wishing Lucy's The Deli a strong survival, but not at the loss of the current atmosphere and vibe. 

CHARITABLE Donations

We might be experiencing one of the most notable signs of inflation, but that is all the more reason to help organisations that are donating their time and efforts for selfless causes. 

I have three recommendations here:

The first doesn't actual require you to donate your own money, but rather that of the business whom you're purchasing from. 

Buy your my Deutsche Bahn tickets through the following link, and the Deutsche Bahn then passes on a donation of €0,90 up to €4,50 depending on the type of fare. Ikea also have an arrangement of donating 9% of your purchase, and there are many many more businesses with this arrangement. 

This specific page supports Samojden Nothile - a nordic breed dog rescue organisation.

https://www.wecanhelp.de/485113001/shopsearch

An organisation that I have been very involved with actively assisting, is one that has unfortunately come about because of the war in Ukraine. Partners in both Germany and Ukraine are helping stray dogs (often born in the city dump, or left at the market square to die) to have medical assistance, be sterilised, and re-homed. The organisation is looking to expand, but is currently reliant on direct GO-FUND-ME contributions:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-for-stray-and-disabled-ukrainian-animals

And finally particularly those in the UK, a friend is "Hiking against Hunger", raising money for two charities who are combatting UK food Poverty - “Magic Breakfast” for kids who start school hungry and also the Tri Services Veterans Centre who supply emergency food parcels to Ex Armed Forces, on hard times. His hike is the 3 peaks of Yorkshire this Wednesday (17. May)!

£25 feeds a whole classroom of kids for 3 days.... £55 provides one child with breakfasts for a WHOLE YEAR. You can donate by clicking on the link below:  

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/get-up-give-back-2023---hike-against-hunger-11

So the next time you are needing to make an online purchase and like the idea of helping out a charity directly, use the links and see the donations and good work grow!

21 gramm

21 gramm

Looking for a great brunch place in Berlin? Wondering what to do on Sunday in Berlin when almost everything else is closed? Desperate for a decent flat white? 

You might be close to death trying, but only in location of this place, since it is part of the cemetery of St Thomas (St Thomas Kirchhof). 

21 GRAMM

A bruch place in the former chapel of the St Thomas Friedhof (cemetery), the wait-staff cannot afford to rest in peace, since this place is extremely popular, and it's not hard to understand why. 

As a former chapel, 21 gramm have managed to create a cosy ambience within quite an open space, while making the whole aesthetic quite unique and inviting. 

You can find their entire menu via their website here:

https://www.21gramm.berlin/

Though in the heart of Neukölln it is well located on the U8 (southern entrance of U-Leinestrasse) or a manageable walk from the S-Bahn_Ring via Hermannplatz.

Brunch is served 09:30 to 15:45 Wednesday through to Sunday (Monday, Tuesday closed) with dishes priced from €9,50 to €13,90 (without added extras). 

We shared dishes in order to enjoy more variety, but certainly the BBQ noodles were our favourite. Followed closely by the pancakes...

And most important, the flat white was just right: Slightly darker in colour, served in a glass with the correct amount of milk froth, and a strong brew without being bitter. €3,90

BEST THAI FOOD in BERLIN

BEST THAI FOOD in BERLIN

Naturally opinions are personal, but we were super excited and relieved to have found a truly exceptional Thai restaurant last summer in Berlin. 

TALEH THAI

Taleh Thai has exceptional fresh dishes, friendly and polite staff, and at reasonable Berlin prices. 

You can find their entire menu via their website here:

http://www.talehthai.de

 

Close to Volkspark Friedrichshain, and a very quick tram ride from Alexander Platz makes this place still quite central. 

Obviously due to Covid-19 restrictions, one can't enjoy the full dining experience at the moment, however they are still serving take-away options from 12:00 midday until 20:00. You can place your order by telephone: 030/42851030

Try it for yourself, support this local business, and let me know in the comments below what were your favourite thai dishes. 

VALENTINE'S DAY 2021

 HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY ALL

Check out a really fabulous 4K Romantic Piano Music playlist that should last you 90 minutes, probably just long enough to read the news somewhere other than FB

It's a really big help / support if you check it out and take a listen. It's a mix of German lieder and opera classics.

4K HD LINK: https://youtu.be/U8qrJ8SknB4