The beginning of Heidi’s career

The internationally sought-after German model Heidi Klum originally comes from Bergisch Gladbach. Heidi’s father was initially a production manager in a perfume factory until he founded the model agency “One eins fab” in honor of his daughter’s success. Klum’s mother, on the other hand, was a hairdresser. Heidi graduated from a comprehensive school in her home town in 1992.

• Born: June 1, 1973
• Grew up in: Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
• Height: 1.77 meters
• Shoe size: 41

Model ’92’ was the name of Thomas Gottschalk’s show at the time, in which 25,000 girls had to compete to become a model. Heidi, 18 years old at the time and an aspiring high school graduate, proved her talent and won the competition. Back then, the modeling profession was not as well known as it is today; even Heidi still didn’t know that “being a model” was a real profession at the time.

“When I left school, I didn’t even know that modeling was a job.”

Model business or training?

But modeling was not her only hobby; Heidi was also very interested in fashion at a young age. Now she was faced with a choice: she could either start training as a fashion designer in Düsseldorf or try to build a career as a model. Thanks to her success on Thomas Gottschalk’s TV show, the blonde thought her chances as an aspiring model were excellent. How do you think Heidi decided?

The first jobs in New York: Victorias Secret, Vogue & Co.

Model mom, top model, advertising face, style icon, mother and so much more. We don’t even know where to start with such a huge career, but of course we’ve picked out everything you need to know about the beauty. The top model is the first and so far most successful top model from Germany! Born in Bergisch Gladbach, the model was discovered by Thomas Gottschalk in the casting show Model’92 in 1992. S

hen she was just 19 years old, she won a 300,000 US dollar contract as a model for three years. After graduating from high school, she moved to the United States in 1993.

As you’ve probably already guessed, Heidi decided to give modeling a chance. To actively support her budding career, Klum moved to the United States to New York after graduating from high school, at just 19 years old. Five years later it happened; Heidi landed a job as a Victoria Secret Angel after appearing on the cover of the American magazine Sports Illustrated. As a campaign face for various companies such as Birkenstock, Douglas and even McDonalds, Heidi made a name for herself. Soon everyone knew her and she was a role model for all the young girls out there who also wanted to realize their dream as a model.

Interested in how Heidi walked as a model for the underwear company Victorias Secret? In this video you can see the pretty blonde on the catwalk from 1998 to 2009.

Germany’s next Topmodel, DSDS & America’s Got Talent

Germany’s Next Topmodel, DSDS, America’s Got Talent, Project Runway, Making the Cut etc., Heidi Klum is not only seen on catwalks, but also on TV. Since 2006, she has appeared on television every year to choose Germany’s new top model. As you can see, Heidi is not only in demand as an international model, she also devotes a large part of her life to numerous TV shows, her own collections and, of course, her family.

But that’s not all, Heidi has received many awards over the years, such as the Bambi or the Emmy, which put her unique career in the spotlight. Heidi is therefore not only an idol for Germans, but also inspires people all over the world. Because she shows that the dream of being a model is not impossible!

Your casting show “Germany’s next Topmodel”

At 1.76m, Heidi Klum is not one of the tallest models today. For her own casting show “Germany’s next Topmodel”, which is broadcast on ProSieben, the requirements are to be at least 1.76m tall and 16 years old. The 48-year-old has been choosing the most beautiful girl in Germany every year for 13 years. The first girl to win the casting show was Lena Gercke. A season always consists of 15-16 episodes in which the girls have to complete a wide variety of tasks.

From introductions to major clients for jobs to exciting photo shoots, everything is included. The girls have a very exciting time there. Heidi put together a jury of three people every year. Each time it consisted of her and two famous men chosen for the task, such as Thomas Hayo and Michael Michalsky. The upcoming fourteenth season will be a little different. You can find out more about the jury in the fourteenth season and the latest news here:

• GNTM: All seasons

Your private life: Wedding & children

Such a beautiful, successful woman, but no man at her side? Quite the opposite: at the age of 20, Heidi Klum married hairdresser Ric Pipino. After five years, however, the marriage broke down and the two divorced. During a brief relationship with Flavio Briatore, Heidi became pregnant for the first time. She had her first daughter, followed by the divorce and the typical, private little dramas about moving out, moving house and selling the house after the divorce. At the age of 32, Heidi Klum gave married life another chance and married Seal, with whom she had three children, who adopted her first daughter and from whom she took the surname Samuel.

Heidi’s love life

After 7 years of marriage, the two separated. Heidi currently has the German guitarist of the band Tokio Hotel Tom Kaulitz at her side. The pictures on Heidi’s Instagram make it clear: Heidi is currently overjoyed with her love life! For those who already know Heidi Klum, it is particularly interesting to see how she behaved as a 19-year-old on the GNTM casting show compared to how she appears today. It’s very clear to see: She has developed enormously. Back then she was rather shy and very polite, but today she is a real presence with huge self-confidence!

Heidi Klum: Tom Kaulitz, family & children

After four failed relationships, Heidi has finally found the man of her dreams: Tom Kaulitz from Tokio Hotel. They have been married since August 3 last year, but the age difference of 16 years doesn’t bother them much. On Instagram, the two are more in love than ever. Tom and Heidi met at a party thrown by Michael Michalsky, who was a former member of the “GNTM” jury. They both ignore the numerous criticisms of their relationship and prove to the world that true love really does exist.

What does Heidi’s career look like in the future?

A new TV show? Or maybe baby number 5? Heidi has often surprised us with her plans for the future. Whether it’s a new fashion collection in collaboration with major companies or a new book, she is full of surprises. She is one of the most successful supermodels in the world, because: she’s simply got it!

Models of the 90s

The 90s list of models goes on and on. Family stories, success stories and children of the supermodels. Read all about Naomi Campbell, Eva Herzigová, Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer, Heidi Klum, Nadja Auermanns and Helena Christensen and their successes here! Walking the catwalk was the central element of being a model. In addition to the catwalks, their faces could be seen on advertising posters, on the street or for TV campaigns. No Instagram, no YouTube. Hard to imagine today.

List of 90s models

Here you can see a list of the beauties who walked the catwalks of the big fashion brands in the 90s:

• Model list of the 90s

Naomi Campbell

Cindy Crawford

Along with Naomi Campbell and Eva Herzigová, Cindy Crawford is one of the most famous and successful models in the world. Crawford not only gained a foothold in the modeling industry – a cosmetics line, furniture brand, her own fitness video series and numerous films and series in which she has appeared make up the overall beauty package. From 1990, Crawford made her final breakthrough with a photo series in British Vogue. With an annual income of 6.9 million dollars, Cindy Crawford was considered the best-paid model ever.

• Cindy Crowford

For whom is a property worthwhile as an investment?

Capital investments are currently becoming increasingly popular as protection against inflation. Inflation rates can reduce the purchasing power of your money over time. Real estate can serve as protection against inflation, as it tends to go hand in hand with rising prices. Rental income and the value of the property can thus benefit from increases in inflation.

Acquiring real estate as an investment is already a proven strategy for building wealth and generating passive income. However, this approach is not equally suitable for everyone. To assess whether real estate as an investment is right for you, you should consider your individual goals, financial resources and risk tolerance. In this article, we take a look at those for whom real estate investment might make sense.

Prerequisites for a successful investment

If you want to invest successfuly in a capital investment, you should be able to fulfill the following 5 requirements.

• Financial stability
• Clear investment objectives
• Willingness to take risks
• Market understanding
• Patience

• What is the minimum salary to buy a house?

Clear goals, profitable investments

You should know why you are investing in an investment. Is it long-term capital appreciation, income generation or diversification of your portfolio? Your goals will influence your choice of asset class and strategy.

Risk appetite & risk management

Every investment involves risk. You need to know your own risk tolerance and make sure that your investments match your risk profile. Properties in C locations are usually associated with higher risk. B-locations often offer a good balance of risk and return.

You can find more information on the various real estate locations and which investments you should or should not invest in in our guide for investors:

• Real estate as an investment for beginners

Market understanding is the be-all and end-all

You should understand the specific asset class you want to invest in, be it stocks, bonds, real estate or other assets. Market knowledge is key to making smart decisions. How to build wealth with real estate or investments is still a mystery to you? Then quickly get the most important basics here so that you can start investing in your first capital investment straight away:

• Guide for investors

Patience is handsomely rewarded

Patience is not only a virtue, it also brings you big money. Why? In one word: real estate appreciation. Capital investments often require a long-term view. Patience is necessary to achieve appreciation and returns over time. Real estate as a capital investment is best suited to investors with a long-term investment horizon. The value of real estate usually increases over time, and the rental income can lead to a stable income. If you are prepared to invest your money for years or even decades, real estate can be a good choice.

Tip! Diversification: Real estate investments offer a way to diversify your portfolio. If you already invest in stocks and bonds, adding real estate can provide risk diversification, as real estate markets often perform independently of other asset classes.

What is Fix & Flip?

The Fix & Flip strategy refers to buying, upgrading and selling real estate within a short period of time with the goal of making a profit.

The process begins with finding an undervalued property to buy and renovate. After the upgrading measures are completed, the property is sold on the market at a higher price.

So Fix & Flip is:

• Buy a cheap property
• Upgrade them cost-effectively
• Sell profitably

Buy Fix & Flip property

The first step in implementing a fix & flip strategy is to find and purchase a suitable property. Remember to do a thorough assessment of the building’s fabric to understand what kind of renovations are needed to increase the property’s value and get a realistic estimate of the selling price.

Here are some tips that can help you with this process.

Search undervalued real estate

These can be properties that are in poor condition or whose owners need to sell them quickly. Nevertheless, when choosing a property, pay attention to its location. The location is decisive for the subsequent selling price.

Use of online platforms

There are many online platforms that make it easier to find suitable properties, such as social media platforms or apps and online markets. Also, private contacts can be an ideal way to find lucrative properties for the fix & flip strategy.

Build a network: Brokers, craftsmen & Co.

Making contacts with brokers, craftsmen and other professionals in the real estate sector is very helpful to be informed about possible offers. Here you can simply use online platforms or contact private individuals.

Maybe your uncle knows someone who has renovated a bathroom cheaply before.

Secure funding & capital

Make sure you have enough capital to renovate and sell the property you buy. Many fix & flip projects fail due to insufficient capital. Generous planning of costs and financial resources is therefore very important.

Fix & Flip offers the possibility to finance them. You can find out how that works here:

• Fix & Flip Financing

After the purchase of the property comes the important step of upgrading.

Fix & Flip property upgrade

Upgrading the real estate is the real work. Here you must pay attention to a detailed planning of the work. With the planning you can better estimate expenses for costs and time. The goal of the revaluation is to increase the value of the property by effective measures, in order to achieve profit. With redevelopment, renovation and modernization measures, these goals can be achieved.

In the following article, you will find out exactly what you need to pay attention to, what work is involved and what costs you will incur:

• Fix & Flip property upgrade

Fix & Flip property for sale

The last step after upgrading the property is selling it. This step ultimately leads to your profit, which is why it is important to choose the right approach here.

First, you should have your property appraised by an expert, such as architects or realtors. They will give you a range in which you can set your selling price.

You can see how such a profit calculation looks like in this article:

• Fix & Flip Cost Accounting

Also interesting! Fix & Flip taxes differ depending on the legal form chosen.

Conclusion. Fix & Flip & Capital Increase

If you find a cheap property, the Fix & Flip strategy is a profitable way to invest in real estate. However, you must keep in mind that the strategy can also be associated with risks, such as unforeseen renovation costs or difficulties in selling the property.

High risk but high reward

In summary, the Fix & Flip strategy, when executed efficiently, contributes quickly and effectively to your capital increase. You must make sure that you are well prepared and understand the risks before starting with this strategy.

For detailed information, check out our partners’ Fix & Flip guide:

• Fix & Flip Real Estate

Guide: Taxes, Income & Co. – Everything explained!

Taxes are dry and annoying for most people. But those who deal intensively with the topic can also recognize its advantages. For example, if you know your way around, you may be able to save or avoid a lot of taxes with the right strategy. So it’s worth getting to know and understand taxes, because in the end you can always make a profit from them – and you don’t necessarily need an experienced tax advisor for that!

Taxes in Germany: Income tax, property tax & more explained

Whether income tax, wage tax, real estate transfer tax or trade tax: there are many taxes in Germany. So it’s understandable that many people find it difficult to keep track of them all. Here we present the German tax forms and summarize them roughly. Which tax has to be paid under which circumstances – whether for individuals or companies – and much more you can find out here in a summary. We would like to give you an overview of the common taxes in Germany in the following linked article.

• Taxes Germany

Taxes USA: Buying property and paying taxes in America

What taxes do you pay when you buy a house in the US? In this article you will find a list of all the types of taxes you have to pay, how much they are, what they are used for and where you can learn even more about the subject. Everything you need to know about taxes related to buying a property, be it a house or a vacation home. We answer your questions here like: What are “transfer taxes”? How much is the property tax when buying a property? You can find out all this and more in the article linked below.

• Taxes USA

Inheritance tax on real estate: tax-free amount & market value

Anyone who inherits or wishes to inherit real estate should take a few things into account, as taxes are also levied on inheritances in Germany. The amount of the tax allowance depends on the degree of relationship to the testator. Relevant here is the tax class to which the heir belongs and the tax rate applicable to this tax class. Since 2009, it has been common practice for inherited real estate to have inheritance tax determined according to the market value.

• Inheritance tax real estate

Save taxes: Where do I start? – Examples

Classification, income, turnover, coaching: tax advantages and benefits as well as tips and tricks on the subject of “saving taxes” are essential for entrepreneurs, freelancers, pensioners & Co. in order not to lose track of the many laws and guidelines in tax law. Although everyone is familiar with the word “tax”, only a few people actually know what taxes are. What taxes are there? For what do we pay taxes and how much? To whom do we pay taxes? What tax tricks and tax saving tips are there? And very important: How does saving taxes work at all and which tax saving tools should I use? You can find out about this and much more below, quickly and easily.

• Tips & Tricks: Where do I start? Save taxes

Video Tips: Taxes explained by experts – tricks and more

Understanding taxes is not easy, especially with such a complicated tax system as in Germany. But once you have a grasp of it, you gain many advantages. We have compiled helpful expert videos for you, with which you can understand the world of taxes easier. Whether it’s tax returns, real estate taxes or basic tips and tricks: you’ll get help here, and in an understandable way!

Overview Tips & Tricks: Tax Videos

Tax basics: explanation, definition and settlements

Taxes are extensive and complex. But who understands the principle behind it, also understands more and more connections. In this article, we want to show you videos that teach you what taxes are exactly, what they are used for and what types of taxes there are in Germany. You can also find videos with helpful information on the topic of tax returns, as well as a definition of the differences between direct and indirect tax.

• Video Tips: Tax Basics

Tax return: how, when and where? – Deadlines and instructions

Why, why, why are tax returns so important? Not only professionals, but also students or pensioners can benefit from a tax return. If you have never deducted anything from your taxes and have no previous knowledge, you can get super informed in our tax return guide. We show you tips and tricks on how to avoid mistakes and provide you with tutorials that will help you with your first or next tax return. Here you will find everything important on the subject of tax returns to watch in the most popular and helpful videos. Whether you’re looking for instructions or tips and tricks on how to save even more, we’ve got a video to answer every question.

• Video Tips: Tax return

Taxes real estate: basic knowledge and where you can save

Real estate is basically a big financial issue. Buying, selling, renting, investing, etc. But what about taxes when it comes to real estate? Through tips and tricks you can save a lot of taxes, you just have to know how. In our video list you will find many videos in which experts explain to you what really matters and which mistakes you should avoid at all costs. With this help, you will soon be able to fully understand the topic of real estate taxes and save money!

• Video Tips: Taxes real estate

Taxes & Capital Gains: Capital gains tax and more

Capital gains: One or the other may have heard the term before. However, there may also be people who can not yet do so much with the term. What it is exactly and what it has to do with taxes, you will learn here. Capital gains tax, tax return, dividends and interest in relation to taxes are also adressed. You will also get tips for the tax return and for more net income.

• Video Tips: Taxes & Capital Gains

Tax tips & tricks: recommendations for families, employees & more

Almost everyone knows it, there comes a time in the year when it is called: The tax return is due. For many, this is still a vexing topic, but it doesn’t have to be! With the right tax return and the appropriate tips, you can often get a lot of money back. We have compiled the most important and exciting tips and tricks for you, so that you can also save money and look forward to the next tax assessment in the future!

• Video Tips: Tax Tips & Tricks

Book Tips: Recommendations and tax optimization

Everyone knows them and virtually no one likes to deal with them: taxes. But taxes don’t always have to be something negative. With tips and tricks, everyone can save taxes, be it when buying or selling a home or the usual annual tax return on all kinds of topics. We’ve rounded up the most interesting and informative topics for you. With book recommendations we try to bring you closer to the world of taxes and show you how you can save as much money as possible with as little effort as possible. Find out more here!

Overview Tips & Tricks: Tax Books

Tax basics: tax lexicon, basic knowledge and more

Taxes. Everyone has to pay them, but very few people have a complete overview. Tax advisors, who are well versed in the subject matter, are often expensive and not an option for everyone. In this article, we have therefore compiled book recommendations for you, in which experts discuss the basics around the topic of taxes. Among them you will find, for example, a tax encyclopedia or the basics of the real estate industry in the area of taxes. Find helpful tips and tricks for all your questions here!

• Book Tips: Tax Basics

Tax return: where, when and how? Learn how to do it!

The tax return is an unpleasant task for many people every year. But the world of taxes is not that complicated and inscrutable, especially not the tax return. Who, when, what and above all how and with whom you have to file a tax return, these questions will be answered in the following recommended books. We have compiled the most successful books by experts and professionals on the subject of tax returns, so that with this knowledge you no longer have to worry about your tax return in the future!

• Book Tips: Tax Return

Taxes real estate: buy or sell your own home

Taxes in the field of real estate and home ownership: For beginners, the tax world is already quite confusing, but to combine the whole thing with the real estate world is a whole new world. We want to make this entry easier for you with the best recommendations and tips from the pros. Our book tips will guide you through the whole world of real estate and taxes and offer help for learning the basics, guides for private investors and savings tips.

• Book Tips: Taxes real estate

Taxes & capital gains: Flat rate withholding tax and more

If you are interested in the topic of taxes in connection with capital gains and would like to read an informative and helpful book, then you have come to the right place. The higher the tax burden, the more important the topic of avoiding taxes becomes for you. Especially if your profit is growing and growing. The more profit, the higher the taxes: a vicious circle. But of course, there are also many options that the state provides you with. What’s important for you: Your tax advisor won’t tell you, that’s not his job. Tax avoidance is your job. Because you know your individual financial situation best of all.

• Book Tips: Taxes & Capital Gains

Tax tips & tricks: recommendations + how to save taxes

Every year it’s time to file your tax return. For many people, this has been an annoying topic for years, but it doesn’t have to be! With the appropriate know-how and tips, you can often get a lot of money back, and the tax return is easy to do. We have compiled the most important and exciting tips and tricks for you in the form of popular books by experts, so that you too can save money and look forward to the next tax assessment in the future!

• Book Tips: Tax Tips & Tricks

Tip! Wealth building XXL: Finance, Investment & Co.

Who wouldn’t like to build up their own assets? Whether you want to be able to afford something or would like to generate a financial buffer for old age, asset accumulation is a relevant and, above all, sensible topic for virtually everyone. But what options are there for building up assets? Life insurance, retirement planning, or investing in real estate? Here you will find an overview of articles, as well as book and video recommendations on the subject of asset building. From saving taxes to passive income to tips on successful investing – experts and professionals share their know-how in their videos and readings and answer all questions about wealth accumulation.

• Book and Video Tips: Wealth Building XXL

Taxes & duties in Germany: income, corporation, assets

Taxes in a nutshell: In general, a tax is defined as a certain financial contribution to the state, which has to be paid on wages, income or assets. The word tax comes from Middle or Old High German and can commonly be translated as “support” or “support”. This is apt in that taxes serve as the main source of government revenue and are thus essential to the state. They form the primary portion of the state budget, which in turn finances and makes expenditures in the interest of the common good.

About three quarters of tax revenue in Germany is collected from just six types of tax:

• Sales tax
• Income tax
• Wage tax
• Trade tax
• Corporation tax
• Import sales tax

Live at it: Tax Coaching – Experience & Tip

Want to become a real estate investor yourself? If you write about real estate, you need to educate yourself. More specifically, when it’s no longer just about owner occupancy, but also renting. Because, the biggest item on the expense side is taxes. The more you earn, the more taxes you have to pay – the problem is clearly defined, what to do? Learn from experience, from those who have made it. Many say that the Next Level Tax Coaching is the best in Germany. Reason enough to be there yourself.

Read more about tax coaching here:

• Real estate: Save taxes

Tax classification – business capital, property, land acquisition, etc.

What taxes are there? In addition to the taxes already mentioned, there are many other types of taxes, from A for general taxes to V for excise duties. For the sake of clarity, taxes in Germany are divided into categories according to certain criteria, depending on the perspective from which they are viewed. The following four tax classifications are common:

• Financial Statistical Classification
• Business classification
• Financial classification
• Classification for tax purposes

Let’s take a closer look at the tax classification: What are taxes on? On the one hand, there are taxes levied on income. These include, for example, trade income tax and trade capital tax, property tax, wealth tax and corporation tax. Together with the other taxes, they can be further divided into income taxes and other taxes.

Examples of income taxes

• Trade tax
• Licence tax
• Property tax
• Business capital tax

Examples of other taxes after income

• Wealth tax
• Income tax incl. church income tax
• Corporation tax
• Inheritance and gift tax

On the other hand, there are taxes on the use of income, i.e. types of taxes that are levied on purchases of goods or services or on savings. In addition to general taxes, these include consumption and excise taxes, taxes on real transactions and special taxes on legal transactions. The best-known types of tax here are sales tax and motor vehicle tax.

Examples of taxes on the use of income

• General taxes: Value added tax
• Taxes on consumption and excise duties: Mineral oil tax, Other taxes
• Real transport taxes: motor vehicle tax
• Special legal sales taxes: real estate transfer tax, insurance tax

Consumption and excise taxes declared as “other taxes” include taxes on salt and sugar, on coffee and tea, and on beverages (plus specific taxes on beer and sparkling wine). Tobacco products and illuminants are also among the products subject to excise duties. Furthermore, they include amusement tax as well as dog and hunting tax. Taxes paid on luxury horses and motorboats also fall under this collective term, as does the tax on second homes. Customs duties and casino taxes are special types of taxes and are therefore not included in the above scheme.

So it’s quickly apparent – if you don’t want to sacrifice your consumption or avoid spending by saving excessively, you should learn how tax saving works properly:

Direct and Indirect Taxes – Burden, Debt & Obligation to Pay

In addition to the general classification of taxes, there is also a distinction between direct taxes and indirect taxes. The criteria used for the classification or allocation are based on the one hand on the assessment and collection technique and on the other hand on the passability of the taxes. Furthermore, the tax capacity is examined.

Which taxes are considered direct or indirect is assessed on the basis of three criteria:

• Assessment and survey technique
• Overwhelmingness
• Tax capacity

In essence, however, only one simple question arises: who is the tax bearer and who is the tax debtor? After all, in the case of direct and indirect taxes, it is a question of the relationship between the person who bears the tax burden and the person who has an obligation to pay the authorities.

Direct taxes explained simply – income, car, corporation & land

Direct taxes are assessed and generally cannot be passed on. They are interpreted either personally or objectively, depending on the ability to pay. If someone is both a taxpayer and a debtor, he is considered a taxpayer and is directly responsible for paying all taxes due to the tax office.

Examples include:

• Income tax
• Vehicle tax
• Corporation tax
• Property tax

Wage and capital gains taxes are considered withholding taxes and are classified as direct taxes, although they do not follow the principle of immediacy.

Indirect taxes explained simply – mineral oil, electricity, tobacco & turnover

Indirect taxes are set on the basis of tariffs and are usually passed on in part or in full to the final purchaser. Their performance is indirect on the use of income and property transactions. If a taxpayer is not also a tax debtor, he pays the taxes due only indirectly, namely to the tax debtor. The tax debtor then forwards these indirect taxes as a taxpayer to the appropriate authority.

Common examples are:

• Mineral oil
• Electricity tax
• Tobacco tax
• Sales tax

It is easy for taxpayers to keep track of what taxes are being paid:

Tax Saving Tips: Marriage, rent, allowances & donations

So there are lots of taxes and many of them we pay without really being aware of it. This can quickly become expensive, especially for high earners who like to invest a lot. Saving taxes by investing is a good option in this context. It is therefore all the more important to know which tax breaks are available, which tax advantages can be of benefit to you and where taxes can be easily and efficiently saved or completely avoided.

Tax relief for child, severe disability, foundation & Co.

Tax allowances are state support measures and are granted in the case of reduced ability to pay, for example due to raising children, in the case of increased costs based on a disability, among other things, as well as for certain actions. The latter includes, for example, donating to a charitable organisation or foundation.

Tax benefits are provided by the following provisions:

• Advertising costs
• Special editions
• Exceptional charges
• Allowances

Tax advantage with marriage, renting, child benefit & Co.

Tax advantages arise from certain events, first and foremost marriage or the registration of a civil partnership, because then the so-called splitting of spouses’ income is applied. The selection of the right combination of tax brackets can also have a noticeable financial and, above all, tax effect in marriage and, last but not least, a partnership can result in a double lump-sum savings amount as well as significantly higher tax-free gift amounts.

Other factors for tax advantages are children in the sense of child benefit or child allowances. Classically, real estate also brings tax advantages: A condominium, for example, can result in tax advantages insofar as craftsmen’s work is carried out in an owner-occupied apartment or expenses are incurred when renting out the condominium.

Tax benefits for marriage, civil partnership:

• Marriage splitting
• Combination of tax classes
• Double saver’s allowance
• Tax-free gift amounts

Tax advantages with one or more children:

• Child benefit
• Child allowances

Real estate tax benefits:

• Handicraft work for owner-occupied dwelling
• Expenses in connection with the letting of property

Tax Coaching: Save taxes like the big boys

Due to the multitude of taxes and the many possibilities to receive subsidies or to secure tax advantages, it is not at all easy to make a general statement about tax savings. In addition, it makes a big difference whether the savings are to apply to a company or a private individual or freelancer in self-employment: A GmbH is set up there differently than a GbR, a pensioner has other possibilities than a sole proprietor or student. Particularly in the case of large and high-value capital investments, caution is required in order not to put one’s foot in one’s fiscal mouth.

Tax saving tools: up to date, high quality & serious

What is the best way to save on taxes? Figuring that out isn’t even that easy, because there is help available through different educational media. Some of them are paid, others are free. The most important criteria when choosing the right tax saving tool are timeliness, quality and seriousness.

Here are some examples of tax saving tools:

• Training and development
• Tax Coaching
• Tax consultancy
• Books and e-books
• Software and mobile apps
• Internet platforms (chats, forums, blogs)
• Internet portals
• Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube)

Tax coaching & personal advice: learning from professionals

Further education and training measures are usually costly and time-consuming. In addition, they are often tied to certain prerequisites, such as a completed vocational training or several years of professional experience. This often lacks the time and financial resources, plus: the know-how to save taxes can only be a long-term goal here and does not give immediate help.

Alternatively, there is the possibility to participate in a tax coaching or seminar or webinar, but also here the factors of time and money are in the foreground. Due to the wide range of offers, it is also difficult to recognize reputable providers as such. An appointment with a tax consultant therefore seems to make sense, but the expertise here is usually charged at an extremely high cost. Precisely because of their studied expertise, it can also be difficult at the comprehension level to communicate clearly and technically correctly or to maintain an overview in the confusion of technical terms.

Tax Coaching Media: Book, CD & Mobile App

Books are, of course, a great option for those who love to read and want to gain knowledge in a DIY way. However, books quickly become outdated and the tax topic in particular is revisited every year. Moreover, the only way to tell which books are of quality is by looking at user reviews. However, these can also be purchased and many users prefer to comment rather than provide accurate product reviews. The price range for tax-saving guidebooks is on average 10.00 euros and usually between 200 and 1,000 pages per book.

E-books are often a little cheaper and can be accessed anywhere. The prerequisite here is, of course, a suitable technical device with sufficient storage space. The factors of topicality, quality and evaluation correspond to those of hard and soft cover books.

Books on tax saving are often heavy fare and tedious to read through.

Tax saving software is available in the form of CDs for the computer and apps for the tablet and smartphone owners. Here, too, many products are available and it is advisable to buy the latest version every year in order to stay up to date in terms of tax law. Assuming an end device that meets the technical requirements, the cost range for reputable programs on CD, for example, is around 20.00 euros to 40.00 euros and more.

The range of tax-saving apps is so extensive and confusing that a purchase – especially of a higher-priced product – should ideally only be made on the basis of a reliable recommendation. In both cases, the user-friendliness of the software can usually only be determined after purchase and installation on the end device.

Free of charge: Blogs, Portals, Networks

If you don’t want to spend money to learn more about efficient tax saving, the Internet is the right place to go: For saving taxes without spending money, there are many free online offers in the form of various Internet platforms, portals and social media networks that provide an extensive repertoire of tips, tricks and specialist information free of charge. Here, professional competence is the primary decision criterion, because tax tips should only be accepted from reputable sources.

Internet platforms: Tax saving tips in forum, chat room & blogs

Internet platforms: often dubious and arbitrary – On Internet platforms, for example, there are forums and chat rooms through which users can virtually exchange views on any or a given topic. The focus – and the risk – here is on personal opinions, subjective knowledge and individual thoughts. A blog, unlike forums and chats, is an often diary-like website that is publicly and unrestrictedly accessible to all web users. The information is completely subjective and of arbitrary content and is regularly expanded with further content. A certain seriousness cannot be assumed with internet platforms, as anyone can hide behind a virtual persona, user name or profile picture or pretend to be someone else. There is often a lack of orientation aids and clarity, so that research is time-consuming and yields questionable results.

Internet portals: Tips & tricks from tax experts

Internet portals: semi-serious marketing tools – Internet portals are also publicly accessible websites and usually have a lot of information on a concrete and specific topic. Some portals, on the other hand, publish a manageable amount of information on a variety of topics, so that expertise can only be assumed to a limited extent. Specific information must be filtered out and evaluated independently. However, many operators use Internet portals significantly to attract readers to their site and to win them as potential buyers for their paid products. In this sense, the web articles are to be understood as a marketing tool. Specific questions are not possible or desired, since many portals generate their articles via third-party authors and have only limited expertise in the various subject areas.

Tax optimization: “paying” taxes like Trump, Springer & Co.

If you want to understand how the “big guys” “pay” or save tax, then you should definitely also take a look at Lukinski. Actually a real estate agent for luxury properties, he often writes about tax saving tricks for entrepreneurs and companies in his blog.

• Convert taxes into assets

Here are two more examples of tax models from the blog:

US President Trump pays only 750 euros in income tax, according to the New York Times. It gets even better, Trump paid no income taxes in 10 out of 15 years starting in 2000, according to the New York Times. Are these questionable tax saving strategies or just tax optimization? How does he do it?

• US President pays only 750 euros income tax

Or here: Shares worth 1 billion, almost tax-free. “Billion-dollar gift for Springer CEO: shares largely tax-free”? Can I do that too? The entire share package has a volume of 15%. In the transfer, a law was exploited that should prevent the possible insolvency of companies. Due to the high volume, Axel Springer SE could…

• Gift worth billions: Shares largely tax-free

Social media networks: Influencer tips on Instagram, YouTube & Co.

Social media networks: only to be viewed with scepticism – In recent years, social media products have become more and more prominent and their use is now a matter of course for many. Since social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, for example, are mostly flooded with misinformation and fake users due to a lack of moderation and verification, it is rather less suitable as a reliable source of information for specific and complex topics such as tax saving.

Influencers often use trend waves and marketing strategies to raise their own profile and generate more reach. The truthfulness of their posts should therefore always be met with a healthy degree of scepticism. In addition, most knowledgeable people tend not to publish their knowledge on social media platforms, but rather on their own websites or not at all.

The only exception are verified video channels on various video platforms such as YouTube, which usually provide free insights into their areas of expertise. The high quality of their videos can be easily deduced from likes and comments, whereby the latter, in contrast to product reviews on Amazon & Co. are usually formulated in a more critical and topic-specific manner. Often, a personal exchange with the channel owner via comments or private message is possible. Another advantage results from the video format itself, as the YouTube influencer can explain complex topics clearly and gestures, language and wording often make it much easier for the viewer/listener to understand.

Google Search with SEO, SEA & SEM

In the age of modern media, a general search usually starts with Google. But in fact, the virtual search engine is not that helpful, because the search algorithms are often not intuitively understandable, advertisements are placed upstream and push organic content off the first pages. If you don’t know the right operators, you will often lose a lot of time with Google Search and in the end you might not even find exactly what you are looking for. Search Engine Advertising (SEA) places paid ads for companies and entrepreneurs; keyword research only works to a limited extent because not all relevant content has been designed for Search Engine Optimization (SEO);

When it comes to Google search, be careful because Search Engine Marketing (SEM) doesn’t necessarily show you results that are relevant to you:

Search Keyword: save taxes

With the keyword “save taxes”, the top search results show a colourful mix of newspaper articles, business and employee advice, tax software and tax apps, internet portals and an online platform for scholarships. Stiftung Warentest, of course, also has year-end tax tips. Then there’s YouTube, Amazon and the usual ads from Google itself. So, according to search engine marketing (SEM), the most hits are for sites that offer their own tax-saving products or dispense a broad mass of information to a non-specific target audience instead of subject matter expertise.

Search Keyword: save taxes help

Even with the addition of “help”, Google lists the same suspects almost unchanged. In addition, there are the Aktuell Lohnsteuerhilfeverein e. V. and the Vereinigte Lohnsteuerhilfe e. V., which only make their expertise on income tax available to club members for a fee and are primarily concerned with saving taxes as employees, pensioners, civil servants and students.

Search Keyword: save taxes seriously

Only at “Steuern sparen seriös” you will find a law firm and also a field report on Alex Fischer Steuer Coaching. Further down follows a YouTube recommendation to his YouTube channel.

But who is this Alex Fischer? A brief look at his curriculum vitae shows: Alex “Düsseldorf” Fischer is, by his own admission, an entrepreneur, real estate investor and business strategist. He is a book author and has a website with over 600 videos. Since May 2013, Alex Fischer has built up a following of 102,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel and convinces with almost 450 free explanatory videos on the topics of real estate, financing and also tax saving. His videos have so far (as of 10/2020) generated over 12.5 million views – an impressive figure for this range of topics.

After watching a few shorter videos, it becomes clear: Alex Fischer meets his viewers personally and at eye level. His charismatic demeanor and easy-to-understand explanations of even complex and dry topics such as pension statements and payment flows are certainly one of the reasons for the strong response on YouTube. The most popular video on the subject of “saving taxes” has been the one-hour contribution entitled “Save taxes by really understanding the tax game”. However, his YouTube channel also features many short videos with professional tips and tricks of around five to ten minutes in length, which are perfect for a short educational break to learn how to save taxes quickly and easily.

Theory & practice expertise through tax coaching

In a nutshell: The bottom line says that there are many different mediums and tax saving tools to gain knowledge. Especially the little tricks for everyday life with taxes can often be found without much effort. Ultimately, however, we definitely recommend tax coaching for investors and high earners.

Tax consultants – experts in tax declaration

It is not enough to find a tax expert who has acquired the theoretical knowledge during several years of study. A tax consultant, for example, undoubtedly possesses comprehensive expertise in the subject area of “taxes”, but his or her task essentially consists of keeping records of business cash flows, preparing annual financial statements and tax returns, and reviewing tax assessments. In addition, there are the wage and salary statements as well as the representation of one’s own clients in disputes. Accordingly, a tax consultant can cost a lot.

Their know-how therefore extends primarily to tax declaration and legal enforcement as well as to answering business management questions. In-depth individual and ongoing tax law advice and optimisation of tax structuring is rarely covered and if it is, you may fail due to your own lack of knowledge and understanding.

Are you looking for a good tax advisor near you? Read our recommendations all over Germany here! Find a tax consultant

Tax coaching – numerous offers offline & online

Following the principle of supply and demand in the market, there are masses of providers for tax coaching, design and optimization, and intensive tax consulting. As already mentioned above, the classic self-learning offers and educational media such as books, e-books, CDs and mobile apps are often only sufficiently helpful in terms of saving taxes.

Internet platforms are also full of providers without any significant expertise, let alone field-tested experience in the world of taxes. Especially on social media platforms, there are many young influencers who have just graduated from school or started their studies and, despite their lack of expertise, give lots of tips and advice. Their seriousness can and should therefore be questioned in any case and examined in detail in each individual case.

Taxes are a matter for the boss – practical experience counts

It is therefore essential to find a specialist who can come up with practical knowledge and knows the mistakes and pitfalls in tax law from personal experience. Someone like this has already experienced and overcome the problems you may be facing at the moment and knows exactly what you need to do and what works.

“Taxes are a matter for the boss” is a principle that is fully applicable here. Tax structuring can hardly be delegated to the tax advisor you trust, since he does not know your actual situation at all and even less knows which ideal you are aiming for. In the end, the management itself must develop a professional understanding in order to lead the tax advisors and staff positions in a targeted manner to where their knowledge can be used in the best interest of the company in order to advance and continuously improve the entire company.

Tip: Professional online tax coaching

With the above information and tax saving tips you are well prepared for saving taxes in everyday life. However, if you have already built up a certain amount of assets and invest a lot in capital and financial investments, you will only smile at these tips and tricks. With an annual income of more than 80,000 euros, the little 1×1 of tax saving is no longer enough, because then it gets really complicated and instead of cent amounts, it’s about four- and multi-digit euro amounts. For this reason it is often said: “Taxes are a matter for the boss”. Because only a boss who knows about taxes himself can take his company to the next level.

Successful real estate investor and entrepreneur Alex Fischer has already proven his expertise and has been playing in the top league in terms of tax law and entrepreneurship for several years. He shares 80% of his experience with the world for free via his YouTube channel. However, if you want to take your life into your own hands and reach the next level as a tax-savvy top entrepreneur, you should consider a comprehensive and content-rich tax coaching.

Apply for the Next Level Tax Coaching

After the application process, the welcome area awaits you with a personal video welcome from Alex Fischer. In addition to the basics and typical mistakes and traps in tax law, you can expect numerous chapters on the topic of “tax planning and tax optimization”. You will not only learn how to save taxes efficiently and how to take advantage of subsidies, but also how to structure your company better or how to put real estate into constructs. In total, you will receive eight weeks of professional tax content with a high level of information, you can personally exchange ideas with like-minded people and specialists and even participate in the success of the tax coaching yourself. The testimonials of those who have already participated in a tax coaching by Alex Fischer speak for themselves.

If you would like to learn more about Next Level Tax Coaching by Alex Fischer:

• Alex Fischer Tax Coaching – Application
• Tax Coaching Experiences – Participant Interviews

If you would like to read up a bit first, I recommend the FIV experience report. Here you can learn everything about the basics of Next Level Tax Coaching and follow our personal experiences week by week:

New! Finally done: Tax Coaching from AF

If you write about real estate, you have to educate yourself. More concretely, when it is no longer just about personal use, but also about renting. Because, the biggest item on the expense side is taxes. The more you earn, the more taxes you have to pay – the problem is clearly defined, what to do? Learn from experience, from those who have made it. Many say that the Next Level Tax Coaching is the best in Germany. Reason enough to take part yourself. You want to become a real estate investor yourself?

Read more about tax coaching here:

• Tax optimization: Coaching

Tip: Capital investment – portfolio, facts, risks

Our XXL guide to investments tells you everything you need to know about investments. From stocks and cars to precious metals and designer fashion to jewelry and asset management.

Capital investment XXL – real estate, cars and much more

Capital investment – 1,000 euros, 10,000 euros, 100,000 euros, 1 million euros from when is it worth investing in real estate, shares, funds, overnight money, cars and art? Consumers can use different possibilities to invest capital. There are many mistakes. Therefore, investors should know in advance what risks they actually want to take. For the final selection of the individual capital investment is important, how much capital you want to invest. Already knew? Real estate can offer additional tax advantages when investing capital.

• Investment XXL

Finance: Basics & Explanation

Finance is the general term for finance and financial management, specifically public finance. Colloquially, it refers to the financial resources and creditworthiness of economic entities. The finances of a state are also generally referred to as the “state budget”. Records should always be kept of income and expenditure. This means that you need to constantly have an overview of finances. This task is taken over in companies and firms by the accounting department. In the following video you will learn everything you need to know about finances!

Tip! Overview Wealth Building XXL – Book, Video, Tips & Tricks

If you want to build up private wealth and create financial reserves, there are a few things you should keep in mind. In addition to the tips you get in this article, you might also be interested in our extensive overview page. There you will find an overview of articles, as well as book and video tips with successful and helpful books and videos on the subject of wealth accumulation – including tips and tricks from professionals and experts.

• Book & Video Tips Overview: Wealth Creation XXL

All you need to know: In 10 minutes

Finances: Importance & Know-How

Why should you concern yourself with finances? In this video you will learn about the importance of finances in your life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWGxYWULMuE

Organize finances

Organising your finances is difficult for you? Don’t feel like keeping a budget book? Here you can find experiences with apps that can help you manage your finances better.

Apps & Tools for Organizing Your Finances

In the following video you will be given tips and tools on how to better organize your finances. Here you will learn 15 tips that will simplify your life.

Finances over the course of life

What finances do you encounter during the course of your life? We have the answers!

Finance: Tips & Tricks

Want to organize your finances? Then you should use money apps. These little tools are useful helpers. You can use them as a budget book. We also introduce you to trading apps. This way you can easily invest your money via your smartphone!

Finance: Mistakes & Risks

What mistakes can you make when managing your finances? Here are the most common mistakes you can make when managing your finances.

Stock Exchange & Shares

Stocks and the stock market explained for beginners! This video introduces the 2 main approaches to investing in the stock market. First, however, we explain what stocks are, how they are traded on the stock market and how a stock price is created.

Shares: Income & Wealth Creation

How much money can you earn with shares? In the following video you will learn all the important information about shares.

Related links about the topic Finances

Do you want to know how to invest successfuly? What are the most popular mistakes you can make and how can you avoid them? Here you can find more video recommendations on the topic of finance, investment & stocks.

Successful investing

Successful investing is a dream of many people. But unfortunately, it is not as easy as it seems. How can you start as a beginner in the investment industry? What do you have to consider and which mistakes should you try to avoid? What is worth investing in? And what does the term “investment” actually mean? We enlighten you!

• Video Tips: Successful Investing
• Book Recommendations: Successful Investing

Real Estate Investment

Earn money with real estate – this is a plan that some people have. What one or the other hopes for: to get extra money in old age. Thus, one gets not only the pension, but for example, even rental income. The idea behind this is that someone buys a property and then rents it out to earn money. In this article you will learn how much passive income you can expect, what different ways there are to invest in real estate and whether you can buy real estate at a young age – during your education. Furthermore, you will learn how you can invest in real estate without already having the big money.

• Video Tips: Real Estate Investment
• Book Recommendations: Real Estate Investment

Taxes real estate / home

Taxes on real estate/home ownership – what tips and tricks are there to consider? Our videos show you how you can best save on the taxes that apply to real estate and how you can best reconcile real estate transfer tax and income tax.

• Video Tips: Taxes Real Estate & Home Ownership
• Book Recommendations: Taxes Real Estate & Home Ownership

Sell property

You have invested in your own property or inherited a house and now want to sell it at a profit? But you don’t know exactly which factors, circumstances and rules to consider or which mistakes you should avoid at all costs? We have compiled the most exciting, helpful and informative videos for you to prepare you perfectly for your upcoming house sale!

• Video Tips: Sell real estate
• Book Recommendations: Selling real estate

Taxes & Investment Income

Capital gains – Some people may have heard the term before. However, there may also be people who can not yet do so much with the term. What that is exactly and what that has to do with taxes, you will learn here. Capital gains tax, tax return, dividends and interest in relation to taxes are also adressed. Also you get tips for the tax return and for more net income.

• Video Tips: Taxes & Capital Gains
• Book Recommendations: Taxes & Capital Gains

Advisor Wealth Accumulation XXL: Finance, Investment & Co.

Who wouldn’t like to build up their own assets? Whether you want to be able to afford something or would like to generate a financial buffer for old age, asset accumulation is a relevant and, above all, sensible topic for virtually everyone. But what options are there for building up assets? Life insurance, retirement planning, or investing in real estate? Here you will find an overview of articles, as well as book and video recommendations on the subject of asset building. From saving taxes to passive income to tips on successful investing – experts and professionals share their know-how in their videos and readings and answer all questions about wealth accumulation.

• Book and Video Tips: Wealth Building XXL

Daughter of Yolanda and Mohamed Hadid

As the daughter of the Dutch model Yolanda Hadid, Bella Hadid was born in 1996 in Washington, D.C. into an already very successful family. She grew up as the second born, sheltered on a ranch in Santa Barbara and got to know the model business at an early age. A successful model mother, a real estate mogul father and an older sister who climbs the Model Olympus. You could say that the 23-year-old was born with a career as a model. As part of the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”, mother Yolanda regularly took the young Hadid sisters to the set or to photo shoots. Although it wasn’t Bella’s dream to become a model, she followed in the footsteps of her mother and sister Gigi in 2014 and worked her way to the top.

Career in the shadow of the family: Gigi Hadid, Anwar Hadid

But how must it feel to be compared to her sister all the time? To constantly have the feeling to be better? Even though the two have a close relationship, Bella seems to be in the shadow of her one year older model sister. A family competition fueled by family ambition and a fashion industry that forgives nothing. So both have already had to take a lot of criticism and bad headlines. And then there is Anwar Hadid. Anwar Hadid who? The youngest brother of the Hadid clan and candidate for the model throne. The Hadids seem to be a real hotbed for models. Even though Anwar hasn’t had a worldwide breakthrough like his sisters, he’s well on his way. In any case, he is learning from the best.

Bella Hadid interview

The famous Vogue interview format “73 Questions with…” meets Bella Hadid at her riding stable and learns exciting details about her life as a rider, her family and her passions. To the question: “What are you addicted to?” the charming model answers confidently: “Chocolate”. A real surprise with the dream measurements. Learn more about Balla Hadid in the video and let yourself be surprised.

Blows of fate and missed opportunities

Becoming a model is a dream that often does not come true for many young girls. A popular job in which only few can establish themselves. Unlike sister Gigi, however, little Bella did not want to become a model. Bella Hadid wanted to go to the Olympic Games. As a teenager, Bella was a successful rider and almost achieved her dream of winning the Olympic Games in riding. Unfortunately, the then 17-year-old had to face a much greater challenge. Like her mother Yolanda and her brother Anwar, she fell ill with the incurable disease Lyme disease. This manifested itself through severe exhaustion, headaches, neck and joint pain and in severe cases, high fever and paralysis. With a heavy heart the young brunette gave up her passion and devoted herself to modeling.

Most beautiful woman in the world? Julian De Silva knows it!

In 2020 the English plastic surgeon Julian De Silva announced that he had found the most beautiful woman in the world. But the parameters and criteria for this discovery were criticized worldwide. For Silva calculated the most beautiful face in the world on the basis of the golden section, which already in ancient times served as the principle of aesthetic proportioning. Using a new computer technology based on values from antiquity, calculate beauty? Many women in the world have a problem with this and Bella Hadid becomes the focus of a discussion about body concepts and ideals.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCtQPJsAxRe/

Bella is more beautiful than Beyoncé

According to Siva’s analysis, the model fulfills the highest beauty factor, 94.35%, making her more beautiful than Beyonce, who takes second place. But in an age where authenticity is worth more than beauty standards and supposed perfection, the plastic surgeon’s test seems completely outdated. It is also not surprising that the result of the test reignited the discourse on possible cosmetic surgery at Bella Hadid. Has Bella Hadid had something done? For some time now, rumors about beauty ops have been circulating in the beauty industry.

Bella Hadid: Plastic surgery?

Watch the video to learn more about the cosmetic surgery the model is said to have had.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBC9JVdKuzI

What makes a (super)model?

Supermodels like Eva Herzigová or Heidi Klum fulfill the (external) clichés of a model in many ways. Perfect measurements, clean skin and full hair. But the supermodel as it used to exist, does not exist anymore. The demands on the model, how she has to look like, generally how she acts in the world have changed. Herzigová, for example, even goes one step further and calls the activist Greta Thunberg a supermodel. The status of a model and its definition are at a turning point. A model is no longer just an empty canvas, but a person with a voice.

“Models today receive more attention for what they are – and what they say,” said Eva Herzigová (source: Süddeutsche Zeitung)

• What makes Bella, Gigi, Taylor and Haily so special? Find out in the article about the Millenialmodels. —LINK—

Influencer Marketing

Even supermodels like Eva Herzigová, Heide Klum or Naomi Campbell use the possibilities of digital presentation in the age of Instagram and Facebook. Through clever posts and a well-considered marketing strategy, they are gaining attention and are better known as influencers than ever before.  The word “influencer” is not a modern invention of marketing, but a business model that has worked for thousands of years, also known as “recommendation marketing”. A recommendation means that people (with influence) have an effect on other people through positive opinion making. People who receive the recommendation will usually stick to it, once the willingness to buy is given.  The goal of successful marketing is to introduce products or services to a previously determined target group through interesting and creative content and to motivate the target group to act.

• More about Influencer Marketing (at Social Media One).
• Marketing strategies at a glance.

Virtual Influencer: The future of tomorrow?

Lil Miquela, Zoe, Ella, Bermuda, Daisy Page, Shudo. What do these six people have in common? They are successful influencers and models on Instagram and Co. They are considered the new discovery in social media. But what makes them so special? They are not alive. The pixel-creatures only exist online and thus fool some people. Their whole appearance seems so real that even big fashion brands book the influencers for shootings and fashion shows.

The trend of virtual influencers is a phenomenon of the 21st century. After Facebook and Instagram came the bloggers, real people who exploit the platforms to their advantage and entertain their fans on various topics. At the latest since the advent of digital photography and Photoshop, the difference between real and fake can no longer be seen anyway. The advantage of a virtual character: He can be everything and very fast! The developers behind the virtualities create an answer to a prominent demand. In elaborate miniature work a story around the person is invented, character traits are cultivated and pixel by pixel new marketing possibilities are created. In this way, new opportunities open up for the fashion world.

• Lil Miquela and Co.: digital models and influencers Read more here.

If people are already able to design virtual people whose fiction you can’t even look at, where are the limits and does this change influence the traditional, already critically eyed model world? Are the digital newcomer models a competitor to the real supermodels of the 90s, like Naomi Campbell or Heidi Klum, as well as the hip models of the 21st century, Gigi Hadid or Haily Bieber? But the effort of a virtual model should not be underestimated. Because behind the perfect appearance and the unmarked life are several hours of hard work. Moreover, digital influencers are not cheaper than real ones of their kind. Besides the development costs, the team behind all the steps of Shudu and Co. must not be forgotten. Italians, design specialists, marketing managers and so on. However, this development does not pose a threat to the demand for real models, says Cameron Wilson.

Advantages of virtual influencers at a glance

• They are immortalized, the career could take decades, even centuries
• Companies can build their own virtual models / influencers
• Managing brand image
• Messages which are to be conveyed to the target group can be better controlled
• Appearance and personality can be tailored to specific industries
• Any background can be mounted
• inexhaustible workspace
• no short term hype – seven digit financing reasons into the Tech start UP brother (Creator of Lil Miquela)
• in the future, more art figures from different industries will populate the social media

Virtual Influencer booking

Virtual influencers are becoming more and more popular, and in a few years they could possibly take over the entire fashion market. But where do I go as a label to book a digital influencer? Meanwhile there are several agencies that specialize in virtual avatars and models or influencers.

CM Models is the first model agency in Europe with virtual influencers. Hip digital influencers like Ella and Zoe can be booked there. Ella is the first digital model of the agency and is in the starting blocks of an ambitious career. Two beauties followed her: Zoe and Linda. While Zoe is already running her first fashion show at the Russian Fashion Week, Ella is becoming a hip Instagram Influencer.

• • Virtual supermodels at CM Models: Ella, Zoe and Linda. Click here to find out more.

“Miss Wonderbra”

Imagine them driving by Times Square in New York one afternoon in 1994 after work and suddenly a huge picture of a blonde in provocative underwear with the slogan “Hello Boys” or “Look me in the eyes and tell me that you love me” appears next to her. Would you have kept the track? A bra of all things helped the up-and-coming model to make her breakthrough in the 90s. The “Wonderbra” adorns the screens of Times Square and in it is the newcomer Eva Herzigová. The sight of her surprised even some car drivers who were distracted by the campaign. With the increase of car accidents in Times Square, Eva Herzigová gained more and more attention. The Czech woman joined the ranks of supermodels and is still considered one of the most successful models in the world.

Model, actress, entrepreneur – The facets of Herzigová

As a model at only 16 years of age, she had to realize early on how hard life can be. She fought her way to the top and held on to the top, but modeling alone is not enough for the disciplined blonde. A career as an actress is not far away, where she herself often claimed to play only one role as a model. In front of the camera a supermodel who knows what people want, behind the camera an attention-shy girl. Is the person Eva Herzigová a lie? There is nothing wrong with that in the true sense of the word, if you consider the fact that her job as a model requires her to be whatever is expected of her.

“I just pretend all the time.” (Source: World)

Herzigová seems to have become older not only biologically but also mentally. She is aware of her value and takes risks. Her excursion into acting does not seem to have been a mood for a long time, but a fulfilled dream. In 1992 she celebrates her acting debut in the film “Inferno” by Ellen von Unwerth. Smaller roles followed, but the big breakthrough failed to materialize.

Besides modeling and acting she tries her hand at being a designer. Herzigová can already look back on her own swimwear line and a cooperation with Gerry Weber. It seems that the supermodel is far from being ready to explore the world and life in all its facets. What will come next?

The floor nut

After many years and an eventful career as a catwalk icon, Herzigová founded a family and is today a proud mother of three children. Like no other supermodel, she lets the world take part in her life. On Instagram and Co. the 47-year-old presents herself as a down-to-earth mother who stands behind the stove and presents her “normal” life. A normal life is certainly characterized by other aspects of life than that of a supermodel, but Eva’s values have changed over time.

“Family, work, independence. And continue studying to grow, to learn.” (Source: Kölner Stadt Anzeiger)

However, the mother of three is not very enthusiastic about the social media. Although she participates in this movement, she does not believe in its sustainability. Today’s models see themselves essentially as influencers and advertising spaces. Their catwalk is the Internet, especially Instagram. The platform shows models as persons who can be approached, who can influence the appearance of their person through postings. Eva Herzigová likes to look back on past times and remembers the personality cult around supermodels. Even if influencers of the 20th and 21st centuries are certainly justified, she is sure that this is a trend that would not come close to the status of supermodels.

“I don’t think that this movement will be as present in 20 years as the supermodels are today, for example.” (Source: Gala)

Besides Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Heidi Klum etc. wrote and continues to write the almost 50 year old history and yet success never went to her head. In her meanwhile second marriage with the Italian entrepreneur Gregorio Marsiaj she finds the role for life as a loving mother.

What makes a supermodel?

Eva Herzigová fulfils the (external) clichés of a model in every respect. Perfect measurements, clean skin and full hair. But the supermodel as it used to exist, does not exist anymore. The demands on the model, how she has to look like, generally how she acts in the world have changed. Herzigová even goes one step further and calls the activist Greta Thunberg a supermodel. The status of a model and its definition are at a turning point. A model is no longer just an empty canvas, but a person with a voice.

“Models today receive more attention for what they are – and what they say” (Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung)

Influencer Marketing

Even supermodels like Eva Herzigová, Heide Klum or Naomi Campbell use the possibilities of digital presentation in the age of Instagram and Facebook. Through clever posts and a well-considered marketing strategy, they are gaining attention and are better known as influencers than ever before.  The word “influencer” is not a modern invention of marketing, but a business model that has worked for thousands of years, also known as “recommendation marketing”. A recommendation means that people (with influence) have an effect on other people through positive opinion making. People who receive the recommendation will usually stick to it, once the willingness to buy is given.  The goal of successful marketing is to introduce products or services to a previously determined target group through interesting and creative content and to motivate the target group to act.

• Read more about Heidi and Co. the supermodel league here.
• More about Influencer Marketing (at Social Media One).
• Marketing strategies at a glance.

Virtual Influencer: The future of tomorrow?

Lil Miquela, Zoe, Ella, Bermuda, Daisy Page, Shudo. What do these six people have in common? They are successful influencers and models on Instagram and Co. They are considered the new discovery in social media. But what makes them so special? They are not alive. The pixel-creatures only exist online and thus fool some people. Their whole appearance seems so real that even big fashion brands book the influencers for shootings and fashion shows.

The trend of virtual influencers is a phenomenon of the 21st century. After Facebook and Instagram came the bloggers, real people who exploit the platforms to their advantage and entertain their fans on various topics. At the latest since the advent of digital photography and Photoshop, the difference between real and fake can no longer be seen anyway. The advantage of a virtual character: He can be everything and very fast! The developers behind the virtualities create an answer to a prominent demand. In elaborate miniature work a story around the person is invented, character traits are cultivated and pixel by pixel new marketing possibilities are created. In this way, new opportunities open up for the fashion world.

• Read more about heid and Co. here.
• What makes Bella, Gigi, Taylor and Haily so special? Find out in the article about the Millenialmodels.
• Lil Miquela and Co.: digital models and influencers Read more here.

Controversies and dangers

If people are already able to design virtual people whose fiction you can’t even look at, where are the limits and does this change influence the traditional, already critically eyed model world? Are the digital newcomer models a competitor to the real supermodels of the 90s, like Naomi Campbell or Heidi Klum, as well as the hip models of the 21st century, Gigi Hadid or Haily Bieber? But the effort of a virtual model should not be underestimated. Because behind the perfect appearance and the unmarked life are several hours of hard work. Moreover, digital influencers are not cheaper than real ones of their kind. Besides the development costs, the team behind all the steps of Shudu and Co. must not be forgotten. Italians, design specialists, marketing managers and so on. However, this development does not pose a threat to the demand for real models, says Cameron Wilson.

Advantages at a glance

• They are immortalized, the career could take decades, even centuries
• Companies can build their own virtual models / influencers
• Managing brand image
• Messages which are to be conveyed to the target group can be better controlled
• Appearance and personality can be tailored to specific industries
• Any background can be mounted
• inexhaustible workspace
• no short term hype – seven digit financing reasons into the Tech start UP brother (Creator of Lil Miquela)
• in the future, more art figures from different industries will populate the social media

Virtual Influencer booking

Virtual influencers are becoming more and more popular, and in a few years they could possibly take over the entire fashion market. But where do I go as a label to book a digital influencer? Meanwhile there are several agencies that specialize in virtual avatars and models or influencers.

CM Models is the first model agency in Europe with virtual influencers. Hip digital influencers like Ella and Zoe can be booked there. Ella is the first digital model of the agency and is in the starting blocks of an ambitious career. Two beauties followed her: Zoe and Linda. While Zoe is already running her first fashion show at the Russian Fashion Week, Ella is becoming a hip Instagram Influencrin.

• Virtual supermodels at CM Models: Ella, Zoe and Linda. Click here to find out more.

Claudia Schiffer: This was her breakthrough

Schiffer comes from a small town called Rheinberg in North Rhine-Westphalia. Schiffer was discovered at the age of 17 while celebrating in Düsseldorf by the head of the “Metropolitan” agency. And then everything happened very quickly. Law studies or modeling career? From today’s perspective, one can certainly say that she made the right decision.

After just two years, she outstripped everyone else as a photo model in terms of pay. She probably wouldn’t have even finished her law studies. She was also photographed for Guess by the well-known photographer Ellen von Unwerth. Schiffer ran for the big names like Chanel or Victoria’s Secret and adorned the cover of Vogue – and not just once. And that was by far not all.

Café Woman Fragrance Campaign (1991)

Valentino Fashion Show (1996)

Claudia Schiffer & Family

Today Claudia Schiffer has been married since 2002. From her marriage to Matthew Vaughn, who is known as a director, among other things, three children are born. However, she tries to keep family and business apart so that her family is not constantly in the public eye. Beautiful London is her home these days.

Additional great successes to be celebrated

Schiffer even got film roles like in “Tatsächlich … Love”. Claudia Schiffer x Beauty: In 2017, she also launched a beauty products collection together with Artdeco. Another exciting highlight in her career is probably her own fashion label called “Claudia Schiffer Knitwear”. Claudia Schiffer has achieved what many people dream of: She has not only been honored with one, but already with two bambis.

And now all fashion fans from Düsseldorf pay attention: in 2021 an exhibition will be curated by Claudia Schiffer. The 90s of fashion photography will be shown in the Kunstpalast Düsseldorf.

Claudia Schiffer & Karl Lagerfeld

If you are considered the muse of Lagerfeld, then you have probably made it really far. That is exactly what Claudia Schiffer was for him. Karl Lagerfeld even had his own nickname for her.

Versace Fashion Show Spring/Summer 2018

One of the most unforgettable moments: That was definitely a big surprise. For the Milan Fashion Show Donatella Versace unites the well-known 90s models. Together they walked down the runway in golden dresses. This moment caused a lot of attention. Donatella Versace dedicated this appearance to her brother Gianni, who had already died 20 years earlier. Cell phone cameras as far as the eye can see: Claudia Schiffer ran here together with Naomi Campbell, Helena Christensen, Cindy Crawford and Carla Bruni. A special comeback of Schiffer at an equally special fashion show after her 15-year catwalk break.

A woman who also supports others

Claudia Schiffer is ambassador for Unicef and travelled to Bangladesh in 2000. Furthermore, together with Naomi Campbell, she promoted a handbag by Tommy Hilfiger. This is about the non-profit organization called “Breast Health International”, which among other things aims to provide financial support for women with breast cancer.

50 years Claudia Schiffer

Only recently, on 25.08.2020, she celebrated her 50th birthday. Towards the end of the year 2020, some brands will probably even bring something to Schiffer’s birthday – limited. When you see what Claudia Schiffer has achieved in 50 years, it can knock your socks off.

And if you imagine that she hadn’t felt like going out to celebrate in Düsseldorf that one evening, her life would probably have been very different. Then she might have eventually studied law, which means she would have taken a completely different direction. Surely you can be curious about what you will hear from her in the next few years. She proves that you can change your whole life with a small portion of luck and a little magic.

Interview with Claudia Schiffer

Here you can see an interview with Claudia Schiffer.

Interview with Jonathan Ross

Wardrobe: Claudia private

90s, Millennials & 20s

The supermodels of the 90s are well known: Cindy Crawford, Helena Christensen or even Heidi Klum. But with the time, new models are always coming, who shape a model generation. For example Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner or Taylor Hill. But also a completely new kind of model has already made it to big advertising campaigns and into the world of influencers.

We are talking about virtual influencers here. These are not real people, but quasi digital avatars, which look quite similar to humans. They can act as models, influencers or even singers. Every single digital model then has a personal past – just like us humans. One of the benefits is that the models can be made to look as they wish, just like the actions they perform. So a whole character can be created easily. Some of the virtual models are listed here:

• Shudu
• Bermuda
• Daisy Paige
• Lil Miquela
• Zoe

Will they be the supermodels of the 20s? It remains exciting. Virtual model Zoe, for example, has won a contract with the modeling agency CM Models. Just a few days ago she walked the runway for Chain in Moscow. That was during Fashion Week in Russia. It is also possible to digitize the designers’ outfits so that the virtual models can present them.

Influencer marketing ensures cooperation

So that the correct fire finds also the correct advertising partner, there are agencies, which help here with the switching. One of them is Social Media One, for example. Here, virtual models can also get a cooperation with a label through the agency. The agency then checks who would be a good match here. The influencers then have the opportunity to present the products to their followers via Instagram, for example.

Interview with real estate expert Jan Rickel from IHV – Die Immobilien Makler.

Possibilities for real estate heirs

FIV: Let’s start with the exciting case “I inherit a house or an apartment and don’t want to live in it myself”. Renting, selling – what’s the best thing about it?

For this decision a lot of things play a really important role regarding the private situation of the heir and regarding the condition, location and size of the property. A simple “right or wrong” gibt´s with this thing unfortunately not.

Before that, however, an action is very important for the heir: The heir must be entered in the land register as a new owner within the framework of a “land register correction”. Incidentally, the simple handwritten will of the heir is not sufficient for this! You need a certificate of inheritance from the probate court or a testament of the testator drawn up by a notary. Anyone applying for the transfer within two years of the death of the previous owner does not pay any fees for the entry in the land register and no land transfer tax.

And something else is very important in the case of inheritance! Is the property of value or over-indebted? Is the house in need of renovation or are there already high land charges registered? After all, I can also refuse the inheritance if the costs or debts on the house are higher than its current market value. But in the end only a real estate expert can determine that.

FIV: What do you mean by private situation of the heir?

Anyone who is in acute financial difficulties as an heir, for example, and has possibly even taken over debts from the testator, will certainly immediately think of selling the property. An understandable thought, but not necessarily the best. Finally, there is also the possibility of borrowing on the property as collateral for a loan. With this credit you can repay your debts, for example. I then repay the loan from the rental income. This variant makes sense if I have very personal ties to the house as an heir and do not want to sell it without further ado. Maybe I can even imagine as an heir living in this house later on. In discussion with the banks, it can then be clarified whether the loan can be arranged in such a way that the house is available to me again debt free at the desired time.

Broker, Energy Performance Certificate & Tax Aspects

FIV: But how well do I have to know about real estate in such actions?

The estate agent or a proven real estate expert can also help with such questions. For example, there is a big difference between renting a detached house in the countryside and inheriting a large apartment building in a big city with, say, a dozen apartments. The question of whether the house already has an energy certificate or not is also important.

FIV: What does an energy certificate show and how do I get it for my inherited house?

Since 2010, the presentation of an energy certificate or passport at the request of the buyer or tenant is mandatory. Special guidelines apply to commercial properties or houses with a commercial share. Basically, this passport shows me how high the energy consumption in this object is in relation to an average comparable object. For this purpose, the consumption values for heat generation in different years are usually averaged and entered on a multi-level scale. For a better understanding, there is a classification into colour levels in addition to the energy efficiency classes with letters A to E or similar. Green is the best color. When it’s red, a lot of energy really goes out the window.
An alternative method is to calculate the energy demand of a property. The degree of insulation, the design and the age of the object are taken into account.
The energy passport is issued by companies or persons, the building specialists – engineers, master craftsmen, etc. – are. It doesn’t cost much, by the way.

Renting a detached house is a very demanding business. As a rule, the tenants themselves are very demanding when it comes to the quality of the property. The landlord is always required to maintain an optimal building condition. This costs money – and sometimes even nerves if the tenant regularly arrives with wishes.
Economically – i.e. in terms of rental income – letting a single-family house means that I have to take into account loss of rental income. At least if the house is in a less sought-after area. The first problem for the heir is finding tenants. When they move out again – because they are building or buying their own house – it becomes difficult to find new tenants. In metropolitan areas, of course, this is less of a problem…
My tip: If the house is within the reach of larger companies that regularly have to accommodate employees from abroad, the rental of single-family houses is going very well. In most cases, the leases are concluded by the company for two to three years. This gives you flexibility as the owner. In addition, the companies usually pay well above average, because they attach importance to rapid availability of the property. Of course, the house must be in perfect order for something like this!

Fiscal aspects

FIV: Are there any tax aspects to inheriting a house?

Oh, yeah! Own use of a property can be tax advantageous. If the heir is the spouse of the deceased, for example, he does not have to pay inheritance tax on the property if he/she remains in it for at least ten years. This also applies to the testator’s children if the living space does not exceed 200 square metres.

If, on the other hand, the property is leased or is leased, then 90% of its value is subject to inheritance tax. By the way, the rental income is also taxable. On the other hand, you can of course credit certain expenses for tax purposes, but these are things that you discuss with your tax advisor.

FIV: Do I actually have to renovate an inherited property?

In a case like this, no one has to “have to” anything. If I want to sell the object, the price depends also completely crucially on the building condition of the house. The condition of the property as such is also important for a good selling price. The Basic Law states that property obliges the owner. So also obliged to maintain the property in good condition. It really depends on the individual case whether renovation is necessary or not.

Leverages & all about apartment buildings

FIV: Let’s go back to the subject of debt. How can I tell if my inherited property is in debt?

The insight into the land register is indispensable! Even those who believe they know if and what debts are encumbering the inherited property should ask for an extract from the land register. There may also be unknown encumbrances, such as rights of way to neighboring properties, third-party residential rights, redevelopment notices, etc. Since the heir enters into the inheritance with all rights and duties, one can also experience nasty surprises.

And finally it can be also that the inherited real estate is not yet paid off with the bank. If you want to sell hastily, you may have to include the fees for the early redemption of the loan in your bill when you redeem the loan. So it can be cheaper to enter the credit and wait for the remaining term until you sell. These are just a few aspects that need to be considered. But quite serious…

FIV: And what about an apartment building? Let’s start with renting out an apartment building.

Strictly speaking, renting an apartment building is something for professionals. But you can also become a professional over time. Also here I recommend – at least in the beginning time – to cooperate with a broker with the letting. For example, if there are vacancies in the house or if new tenants are to be sought.
The easiest way is, of course, if the house is well rented and the tenants do not cause any problems. If you don’t want to deal with the tenants yourself with regard to utility bills, renovation work, etc., you can fall back on property management.

FIV: Surely selling an apartment building is not easy?

I don’t necessarily want to call it the “supreme discipline”, but it takes a lot of experience to do something like that! This begins with the professional and market-oriented evaluation of the house, the appraisal of the building condition and continues with the preparation of the exposé, the coordination and execution of viewing appointments to the accompaniment of the sales process at the notary. Also real estate owners with a lot of experience like to use the help of real estate agents at this point.

All the other things we have talked about also apply to the sale or rental of an apartment building or an inherited flat.

Find help & use

But I would like to emphasize that nobody needs to be afraid of all these things. In addition to estate agents and real estate experts, there are tax specialists and lawyers who answer the heir’s questions. First aid can also be obtained from the appropriate websites. However, the individual appraisal of the inherited property should always be carried out personally by an expert.

FIV: That’s really encouraging! What is – to conclude the topic – if there are several heirs for the property?

Basically simple, but sometimes complicated in its effects: The individual co-heir cannot in any case dispose of the property alone. It is best if the community of heirs reaches an agreement and the property can be sold by private contract – i.e. in the normal course of business. However, I have often experienced that the heirs cannot agree on the sale. If that degenerates into a long dispute, then the property loses value day by day…

FIV: Then let’s talk about your job and living in general. Being a real estate agent means being available at all times. Buyers and sellers certainly often want immediate service, whether in the morning or – I exaggerate something – at night. With all the questions, calculations and valuations: What do you like most about the real estate business?

It’s not that exaggerated with the service even at night times – you add 22 o’clock to the night time… It’s really rare, but there are also customers who still have urgent questions at these times. In any case, weekends are often enough times for business with visits, inquiries about valuations and exposés, etc.
My parents already put the occupation with the building of houses, the trade with real estates into my cradle. But that doesn’t mean that I never wanted or could have done anything else! I really enjoy holding a really tangible and almost living product in my hands with the property. An apartment or a house is not just a simple enclosed space. Even if there are no people living in the property, the property has changed a lot over the years. By that I don’t mean the building condition, but the value. It changes with the value of the city, the district, the street.

But the main thing is the people who live, work and grow older in the property. They give every house, every apartment its individual character. I find it absolutely exciting to think about every property I build, sell or rent: How would I live and work here myself? Are the rooms cleverly arranged? Is there enough light at the right times of day? What type of person is this property best suited for?

Realtor philosophy

All these are the questions and considerations that help to connect man and property. It is a real feeling of happiness for me when I notice that the customers I have searched for and found for the property are just as enthusiastic about the property as I am. Of course, this does not always succeed. But in the course of the years not only the customer file grows but also my experience. The seller and buyer of a property then also profit from this.

FIV: What philosophy do you follow in your advice when helping customers sell their property? Is there a kind of philosophy that you follow as a broker or do you calculate sober prices and square meters?

Sobriety with regard to the valuation of an object is absolutely part of the business. It is she who gives the real estate agent the opportunity to evaluate a house, an apartment etc. without a personal history with the object. But for me, real estate is not just the proverbial concrete gold. Real estate is a living and working environment that should suit its inhabitants. When I now say that I am bringing both – property and owner – together like a marriage broker, it sounds strange, but it is a good comparison.

FIV: If I look for a real estate agent now, what do I have to pay attention to? What makes a really honest and good broker?

Until today the professional title broker is not protected. Although there are trained and partly studied real estate specialists, in the end every real estate agent who wants to can call himself a real estate agent. Also the membership in one of the many professional associations of brokers is not necessarily a quality criterion for a good broker.

Everything starts with a good gut feeling towards the broker. If I get along with his individual nature, this is the basis for a trusting cooperation. Objective criteria are then further whether the real estate agent knows the area where the property is located. he should be able to provide comprehensible information about the current market situation for purchase, sale or lease. You can also ask other buyers in the broker’s vicinity – for example – how the cooperation went. References are of course also available in bulk via corresponding portals on the Internet.

Thank you so much for the interview.

Interview with real estate expert Jan Rickel from IHV – Die Immobilien Makler.