The Express Tribune hi five - September 28

Ms SEPTEMBER 28, 2014

ISSUE NO. 119

Autumn Fantasies

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Investment Options for the Modern Woman

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inside lifestyle

Photographer’s tips for the ideal pictures

domestic goddess —

Energy-packed granola bars

Section In-Charge: Sarah Munir Sub-Editors: Amna Hashmi Nisma Chauhan Feedback: women@tribune.com.pk

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The Fitness Guru — Jeannette Faruque

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the buzz

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, SEPTEMBER 28, 2014

No Need To Run For Your Money — Banking and Investment Options for the Modern Pakistani Woman by Ans Khurram

Navigating your finances during your 20s, 30s and 40s is no easy feat. Here’s how to sail through successfully

The average woman in Pakistan these days has moved beyond the confines of her traditional arena. In addition to maintaining a perfect household, she can now run full-scale multinational corporations and even government institutions without ever compromising on her personal life. This has prompted the modern Pakistani woman to comprehend and manage her finances herself, a role conventionally undertaken by her male counterparts.

Historically, the ability of women to deal with accounts has always been questioned, not just by men but by women themselves. They generally undermine their own ability to succeed financially and therefore, shy away from trying, without realising that they are both their own best friends and worst enemies when it comes to money. According to Saqlain Hassan, a business development officer at Allied Bank, “Women by nature lack the risk-taking and decisive attitude needed for quick investment decisions.” This is not to say that they are unsuited for the numerical world — Saqlain sees plenty of female entrepreneurs at his desk every day. “On the other hand, women are much more cautious compared to men and calculate risks thoroughly.”

The first step towards financial prowess would be for women to take ownership of their money and understand the variety of banking and investment options available to them. Investing will be different for women in different roles, according to their respective lifestyles. Below are some tips for women to follow, according to the stage of life.

Single women If you are in your early 20s, single and completing your higher education or working fulltime, you literally have your whole life before you. Free from the burdens of household expenses and family planning, you are in the ideal position to invest some of your money and keep the rest for occasional shopping and social gatherings. “At this stage, you have the all the independence you need to take risks with your money,” explains financial consultant Basit Khan.* “It’s the ideal time to start investing!”

Right now, few of you will be thinking long-term and want quick and easy returns on your money. Unfortunately, short-term investments don’t afford ample time for the money to grow. In such instances, it is advisable for you to put your money in traditional instruments like liquid mutual funds or equity mutual funds. By definition, a mutual fund refers to an investment vehicle funded by shareholders (you) that trades in diversified holdings (company stocks, financial bonds etc) and is professionally managed (by the bank or specialist institutions.) Your investment will be monitored by qualified professionals to develop your portfolio and therefore, minimise risk of loss. Open-ended mutual funds are priced daily and you can sell off your holding in the mutual fund anytime, without having to worry about finding a buyer at the right time.

These are also registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), ensuring their validity. “Standard Chartered Bank offers an equity-based, Shariah-compliant option called the Meezan Islamic Fund,” shares Basit. “It is a relatively high-risk, high-return fund which offers good profits. Generally, customers have to wait about a year for the fund to mature satisfactorily.” You and your fellow shareholders share in the mutual fund’s gain or loss equally or in proportion to your respective investments.

Women are much more cautious compared to men and calculate risks thoroughly Business development officer at Allied Bank, Saqlain Hassan

A stock market is another easy option, provided that you have the time and desire to follow its variations daily. Herein, you will be pooling in your money as capital into a company of your choice which will give you a share in its profits in return. “Stocks are the highest-risk, highest-return strategy,” explains private wealth consultant Rafay Haqqani.* “The best time to invest is when a company is coming up or the economy is down as share prices will be low. Once they increase, you can sell off your shares and earn yourself a good amount.” Before investing, however, research your chosen company thoroughly to avoid risk of default!

Committee parties A large number of Pakistani women save by hosting committee parties with their friends and family. Members of the ‘committee’ meet at regular intervals to pool in a specific amount of cash which goes to the host of the party. Each member hosts the party on a rotational basis and must await their turn through the year. Not only does this allow the host to acquire a lump sum amount in one day, committee parties are also a great way to bring your loved ones together for a meal or two.

Married women and homemakers (working and non-working) As wives, mothers and part/full-time workers, you are probably knee-deep, juggling your personal and professional lives. You barely have the time to catch your breath, let alone research financial decisions and calculate potential returns. Nonetheless, you worry about your son’s education, your daughter’s marriage and whether your current apartment is big enough to accommodate your next baby. You want to make the right financial decision — one that will reap the best monetary rewards and require the least scrutiny.

If this sounds like you, then a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is what you need! Flexible and easy, SIPs auto-debit money from your bank account and invest it in specific mutual funds. This allows you to invest a pre-determined amount at regular intervals (weekly, monthly etc). One does not need large, lump sum amounts to make these investments; small portions of your salary or household expenses can be allocated.

Trained professionals will oversee your investments and make timely entry/exits from the market so you need not worry about squeezing a bank visit enroute work. “The MCB Islamic Income Fund and UBL Islamic Sovereign Fund are two good options. They are low-risk, low-return and common amongst working women,” explains Basit.

There are also plenty of Bancassurance (Bank Insurance Model) options available wherein your bank and insurance company partner to offer you collective insurance and pension services. Your wealth manager will continue to invest your money as your please with the added benefit of it being insured against unprecedented circumstances like loss or even death. You will have to pay a monthly or annual insurance premium which will be returned to you at the end of the insurance term as a lump sum. Terms may last up to ten

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THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, SEPTEMBER 28, 2014

Before you invest...

Profitable investing is virtually impossible without understanding the concept of interest rates. Simply put, interest rates are the cost of money — the price you will pay should you borrow money or someone borrow from you. As the economy hums along, interest rates fluctuate. Lower interest rates make way for cheaper borrowing, so individuals like yourself, banks and the corporate sector are more likely to invest. However, if interest rates rise, investment

or 20 years. The First Woman Bank (FWB) of Pakistan offers three popular Bancassurance plans, namely the Sada Bahar Plan, Three Payment Plan and Endowment Plan.

“These offer security and also help housewives earn,” says Alisha Ali*, manager at FWB. “Real estate is also a good option for women,” she adds. “The rent I receive on my property is a great source of income!”

Businesswomen and entrepreneurs Surprisingly, businesswomen are often subjected to gender bias by banks and denied finance for their work.

Oftentimes, they are offered higher interest rates, shortterm borrowing or required to collateralise a greater proportion of their loans. “But FWB provides stringent borrowing services to women,” says Alisha. “The Prime Minister’s Youth Business Loan is ideal for small start-ups, with a charge of 8% and amount limits going up to Rs 200,000. The Micro Loan Scheme is ideal for women in rural areas, offering loans from Rs 5,000 to Rs 100,000 at extremely low mark-ups.”

Single mothers and widows If you are separated, divorced or widowed and solely responsible for earning for your children, you need to be extra careful with money. Not only must you cater to their education and marriage but also plan your postretirement life. You have to plan long-term and so, longterm is how you should invest.

“Gold is very viable in the long-run,” suggests Naila Badar*, a financial analyst at Meezan Bank. “As prices are usually rising, investing in gold is safe and convenient as opposed to holding it in physical form. You need not worry about security or quality of the gold, etc.” Currently, gold is around Rs 43,000 per 22K. Much like gold, real-estate prices are also escalating but purchasing property can be tiresome and risky. Nonetheless, it allows you to pay for investment in instalments, sell it off anytime or rent it out and earn a substantial amount. “I save tremendously on the rent I receive,” admits Naila, offering her own personal experience.” All that is required is for you to locate a reliable estate agent and browse property options.

However, perhaps the simplest way for single mothers is to open a savings account and build an emergency fund for yourselves. “Savings accounts at Allied Bank offer a seven percent interest rate,” informs Saqlain. “Our Plus Deposits Scheme also offers guaranteed fix returns with

will decline as it will be more expensive to take out a loan.

Changes in interest rates affect different investments differently: some stock prices may decline as companies pay more for their loans, leading to lower profits. Rising interest rates decrease bond prices while falling rates drive them up. Not to mention, cheaper borrowing will afford cheaper loans and more money for you to invest in the first place.Therefore, it is crucial that you stay mindful of the prevailing interest rates before you jump into an investment!

rates of eight to 10 percent.

Alisha proposes FWB’s National Savings Scheme for single breadwinners saying, “Government securities and bonds offer higher interest rates while keeping your money secure.” Other options you should look into include the Behbud Scheme, designed specifically for widows and senior citizens over 60 years of age. This offers a monthly profit of Rs 1,170 on every Rs 100,000 that you invest.

This way, the profit rate works up to 14.04% per annum.

It is important to remember that investment is a life-long process you must research thoroughly before making a decision. Basic risk theory suggests one should try and diversify their portfolio as much as possible to spread the risk of loss. Once you have invested, be sure to track your money throughout to avoid incurring a loss or embezzling from your advisor. *Names have been changed to protect privacy

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en vogue

An Autumn Fantasy

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Gul Ahmed’s latest semiformal collection Photography, make-up and styling: Shahbaz Shazi Model: Amna Ilyas

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, SEPTEMBER 28, 2014

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, SEPTEMBER 28, 2014

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feature

Picture Perfect Photographers’ picks for the perfect clicks by Nisma Chauhan

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, SEPTEMBER 28, 2014

The past few years have seen photography take over the digital world by storm. Camera bigwigs like Nikon and Canon compete for state-of-the-art cameras, tripods and other photography equipments. Editorial software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Microsoft Picture Manager have revolutionised imagery across the world and mobile applications like Instagram have sparked the layman’s interest in photography to new heights.

Nonetheless, there are but a few who possess the skills and technical knowledge required to take a good picture. They can capture an image but fail to capture the life in the image.

But with a little know-how and experience, you can become a better photographer too! Keep reading for some important tips from professionals working in our three favourite photography arenas — fashion, event and food photography. Happy shooting!

• Highlight the clothing: As Umair explained, clothes are the main focus of the shoot. But getting the right clothes can be challenging.

A sample of event photography by Eema Alvi.

Lights, camera, fashion!

Do you have a loved one who is launching their own clothing line soon and have asked for your help to shoot the models? If yes, then the following tips are for you. According to Pakistan’s leading fashion photographer, Umair bin Nisar, fashion photography is a difficult process where every little detail is scrutinised thoroughly. Not to mention, he says there is no correct angle or lighting that fits all. “Everything depends on the location you choose for the shoot,” he shares. “Whether it is indoors, outdoors or in the studio, the picture depends on the creativity of the photographer and how well they can play with the surroundings.”

Keeping in mind that the focus of a fashion shoot is the

• Gather the troops: You must be a team player to make a difference! Learn to effectively communicate your ideas to the models, designers, hair & makeup artists and technicians to achieve your unique vision.

• Directing the model: You can create magic even with a first time model if you know the right poses to flatter the clothes.

Lastly, don’t forget to use reflectors to bounce the any external light off and fill in the shadows for balanced lighting.

Event management “At special events, one needs to have an eye for a moment that is normal but unexpected,” says Eema Alvi, junior photographer at R Photography. Commenting on the recent shift from ‘proper’ shoots to more natural, casual posing – particularly at wedding functions — Eema adds that, “If a picture is too posed, it loses its magic.”

Did you know?

• It is estimated that the earth’s population had collectively shot over 3.8 trillion photos by May 2014.

The first photograph ever, taken by French scientist Joseph Nicephore Niepce.

clothes, Umair suggests an appropriate background in line with the outfits. “Try and blend the clothes with the location. They must relate to one another in order to bring out the best of the clothes.” For formal clothing, Umair prefers indoor locations and open-air sets for casuals. Running his own studio and years of experience have taught him that a photographer needs to think for at least 10 minutes before pressing the shutter button, regardless of the object in question. “Always remember, you don’t take picture. You make pictures!”

Of course, none of this is significant if you don’t understand the process of fashion photography first. For this, invest in a copy of world-renowned photographer Melissa Rodwell’s DVD Fashion Photography Exposed: From Fantasy to Reality which highlights the lifecycle of a good shoot. Melissa summarises it as follows: • Preparation makes perfect: Remember to take crucial care of every little detail beforehand, in fact, days before the shoot. This includes equipment, scheduling, models and conceptualisation, etc.

A sample of food photography by Rahat Rafiq.

With the winter wedding season just round the corner, you might want to follow Eema’s pointers and seek out special, spur-of-the-moment shots rather than staged ones. She also specifies that science has proved that our eyes move from left to right or vice versa. Therefore, it is best to avoid pictures where the subject is centered. “They should be on either sides, with little gap on each side. This gives the picture an edge and makes it visually pleasing.” Light should always fall on your subject, rather than behind them or on the camera.

Remember there is much more to event photography than purchasing a DSLR and taking snaps of random things around you. “Consider the attendees as your subjects,” advises Alvi. “Look at them from different angles and perspectives. Most importantly, understand the technical aspects of your camera well. The more you play around with it, the more comfortable you will be.”

Like the foodie in you Share your passion for food with the rest of the world? Stilllife photographer Rahat Rafiq has the tips you are looking for! “Food photography is all about light, colour and composition, with the subject’s vibrancy adding to the overall picture,” explains Rahat. “Play with the composition of the subject while shifting angles and always go for a bigger light source,” he adds. Small apertures with still life setups are also highly recommended.

“If you are shooting food items for commercial purposes then bright, crisp and clear photos focusing largely on the subject are the ones that sell well,” says Rahat. “With the changing trends, you carry your phones more than a camera. Practice with them, wherever you go as that is the start of you being an awesome photographer!”

recipe 7

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, SEPTEMBER 28, 2014

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Homemade Granola Bars

By Syeda Kiran Zahra Hussain

Bored of your everyday cereal? Try my recipe for dense and hearty granola nut bars, sweetened naturally with maple syrup. An early morning energy boost is guaranteed!

ingredients Nuts (walnuts, pecan, cashews and macadamias) 4 cups

Vanilla extract 1 tsp

Dried fruit (apricots and cranberries) 1 cup

Shredded coconut 1 cup

Seeds (sunflower and pumpkin) 1 cup

Maple syrup (organic) 1/2 cup

Did You Know?

It is hardly breaking news that nuts raise body temperature and also gives your memory a boost but did you know that some nuts also reduce blood cholesterol levels? Incorporating just a handful of walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts and pistachios, etc, can reduce the risk of heart disease by keeping cholesterol at bay. However, these nuts are also high in calories so just a handful is what you want to have. And avoid salted or sugar-coated, packaged nuts as they will only boost your cholesterol!

Coconut oil 1/4 cup

Method • • • • • • • • •

Preheat oven to 150 degrees Celsius.

Line a baking tray with butter paper to prevent the bars from sticking.

Chop the nuts in a blender. For best results, blend one cup of nuts at a time.

Mix the chopped nuts, dried fruits, coconut and seeds in a large bowl.

In a saucepan, melt some coconut oil on low heat. Remove the saucepan from the flame and pour maple syrup into the oil, whisking continuously.

Add vanilla extract to the oil mixture and whisk thoroughly.

Pour the mixture into the bowl and mix it with the nuts, fruit and seeds well.

Place the granola mixture on the lined baking tray and bake it for approximately 30 minutes, tossing after every 10 minutes.

Once removed from the oven, allow the granola to cool for 20 minutes.

Once cooled, break it into chunks and serve warm.

Note: • This recipe serves eight.

• Granola bars taste even better with warm coconut or almond milk.

Top five foods to control cholesterol • High-fibre foods like oatmeal and bran • Baked or grilled fish • Olive and other vegetable oils • Apples, grapes, strawberries and citrus fruits • Soybeans and food items made from soy • Chocolate, taken in balanced quantities • Tea, consumed in controlled portions

woman of the week 8

What makes you different from your competitors?

I am very passionate about what I teach and I feel my clients feel the positive energy when they come to my class. I tend to introduce new techniques and keep myself updated in the fitness world. I am very committed to giving my clients the very best! Studio X offers such a variety of fitness classes and I think that’s what sets us apart from other gyms

Diaries

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e world A glimpse into th rhouses we po i of Pakistan

How has the Pakistani fitness industry changed over the past years?

It has evolved immensely!Individuals are more aware of the benefits of staying fit and healthy. We are seeing more gyms coming up, restaurants with healthy options, bakeries with multigrain bread, juice bars, ready-made salads and much more. Even at corporate levels, fitness is considered one of the most important variables for the performance of individuals at work.

What inspires you?

My inspiration hit when I incorporated fitness into my lifestyle, because of how it made me feel afterwards. I felt peaceful, complete, healthy, energetic, happy, fulfilled and most of all beautiful inside out.

The Superwoman Syndrome is the desire to do everything perfectly, without any time to you. What do you have to say about that?

It’s easy to say that you don’t fall into that category but honestly every woman wants to do everything herself and do it perfectly. On the other hand, perfection can be boring and extremely stressful. Every woman needs time to herself. I always take some ‘me time,’ if not daily then on weekends. This can include a massage, blow dry, pedicure, reading a book before I sleep, a hot bath or a five-minute meditation.

An idea that changed your life?

Establishing a fitness studio in Karachi as there was a vacuum in the awareness and education of fitness and its benefits.

How has doing what you do changed your life?

My job brings me such joy and happiness.

The best part of it is when I see clients come in and experience the same journey I did when I first started. You can automatically see the change in people when they start exercising! They’re happier; they’re glowing and so full of energy! I feel very honoured and humbled to help my clients achieve their fitness goals. By guiding, teaching, and improving the quality of life for other individuals, my own quality of life improves.

What’s the best way to deal with failure?

The best way to deal with failure is to be patient. Patience is a virtue and I strongly believe that any failure we encounter is a great tool to grow wisely and achieve whatever we want. Every failure in life is a lesson to learn from and move forward.

Tell us why you chose to become a fitness trainer?

I attended fitness classes that existed back then, went to the gym and kept fit. However, the lack of qualified fitness trainers drove me to pursue my passion, educate myself and turn it into a career.

Any advice for aspiring female fitness trainers?

The best advice I always give it to my trainers is to be consistent, professional, honest, dedicated and remain passionate in what they are doing. Anything they feel reflects on the class they teach. Most of all always smile!

With my frie nd

Maheen Karim .

Jeannette

Faruque

At work.

Personal trainer/ Entreprenuer With my family.

Word Around Town

— Celebrities on their favourite books

My favourite book is Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist. I am into philosophical books so found this one very interesting and meaningful. The different experiences of the protagonist makes one realise their own journey and experiences, the story is very relatable. There are a lot of meaningful quotes from the book that I often recall but one of my favourite is “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.

VJ/Model Urwa Tul Wusqa

I don’t have one but many favourite books, like The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy it is written beautifully!

I personally prefer reading books by writers from the sub continent as they have so much expression and flavour in their writing and so much culture and heritage. There is so much more that really enlightens me.

Fashion Guru Frieha Altaf

I generally don’t get the time to read books but when I do, I love exploring regions and their fashion and craft. My favourite these days is Russian Elegance: Country and City Fashion from the 15th to the Early 20th Century by L V Efimova. It’s all about how women dressed in 1730s, when the sheer fabrics and rather clinging styles of neo-classical dresses became fashionable.

Designer Huma Adnan

It’s a tough call to choose one book to name as my favourite. However, if I do have to choose I would pick Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead.

The story is about two parallel worlds, the protagonists in the story become architects despite the differences in their backgrounds. One hails from an ordinary family and is a self-made man while the other has been privileged and is born in a wealthy family.

It teaches one to strive hard in ones journey, believe in what they do and ignore any criticism they might hear.

Actor Fahad Mirza