Source: Freepik Author: Redaction The summer time is about to arrive , making official the arrival of spring that began on March 20. Now, for those who like longer days, you can wait for next Sunday, when the clocks will advance an hour . This change occurs on the Sunday that celebrates Easter , at dawn from Saturday to Sunday. Yes, this change implies sleeping less an hour, however, the days will get longer and usually warmer and milder! It will transition from winter to summer time, as it happens annually, always on the last Sunday of March. So, you know, in the early hours of March 31, Sunday, before your clocks at 1:00 to 2:00 a.m. If you live in the Azores, the change happens from midnight to 1 am. And if you would like more suggestions to enjoy the longer days, read Discover the wonders of Portugal’s most beautiful roads , Discover the round houses of this futuristic neighborhood in the Netherlands or Piódão Getaway: a natural village
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction The year 2023 is almost over and its the perfect time to look to the future and plan your diary using all the existing holidays and bridges. Its time to organise your calendar and take stock of your holiday days , optimising their management so that you can benefit from a few extra days off! To get a head start on 2024 , and with some advance planning, SUPERCASA Notícias brings you next years calendar, which you can manage as you see fit to make the most of all the days off to which you are entitled, and enjoy a full, restful year in which you can create the opportunity for new experiences and memories . What are the public holidays and bridges in 2024? 1 January, New Years Day, celebrated on a Monday; 13 February , Carnival Day, which will be celebrated on Tuesday, allowing for a bridge on the previous Monday; 29 March, Good Friday, which follows Easter on Sunday 31 March. You can get three days off; 25 April , on a Thursday, marking the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution; May 1 , Labour Day, allows you to take a break in the middle of the week, as it falls on a Wednesday; 30 May , Corpus Christi Day, falls on a Thursday with the possibility of a long weekend break; 10 June , Camões and Portuguese Communities Day, on a Monday; 15 August , on a Thursday, marks the Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary; 5 October, on a Saturday, celebrates the Day of the Implantation of the Republic; 1 November , on a Friday, opens for three consecutive days of rest to celebrate All Saints Day; 1 December, on a Sunday, marks the Restoration of Independence; 8 December , marks Immaculate Conception Day, also on a Sunday; 25 December, Christmas Day, will be celebrated on a Wednesday. As usual in January, the year 2024 opens with the New Years holiday on a Monday, saving you a days work. The same will happen in the last month of 2024, with December giving you a present on Christmas Day, which will be celebrated on a Wednesday, in the middle of the week , preceded by a day off for Christmas Eve, which you can use as a bridge. In February, youll be entitled to a public holiday on Shrove Tuesday, the 13th, if the government decrees it . However, if you cant take advantage of this day, in March you can mark Easter with a long weekend on the 31st, preceded by Good Friday on the 29th. In the second quarter of the year, you can celebrate the 50th anniversary of 25 April with the possibility of a bridge, as the public holiday falls on a Thursday, which you can extend to the Labour Day holiday on 1 May. At the end of May, it will benefit from Corpus Christi Day, on 30 May, which falls on a Thursday, opening up the possibility of a longer weekend. The Day of Portugal, Camões and the Portuguese Communities, on 10 June, falls on a Monday , making for another long weekend, and those who live in Lisbon will have 13 June to enjoy, on a Thursday, with festivities all week long! There are no public holidays to mark the start of the second half of the year, but if you wait until August, you can enjoy the 15th of August and its festivities, with the possibility of an extended weekend, since it falls on a Thursday, so you can combine the useful with the pleasant and book your holidays around this time. October sees the return of a public holiday, this time on a Saturday, to mark the 5th of October. In December, two of the public holidays will be during the weekend , but you can take advantage of the rest, with room to optimise the days you have available for holidays, and plan your 2024 in a big way! Read also: Christmas diary: 5 suggestions around the country to celebrate with the family
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction At the beginning of next year, the biggest increase ever recorded in the Guaranteed Minimum Monthly Wage (RMMG) will be applied, reaching 820 euros, an increase of around 60 euros compared to the current value. Although a pay rise is always welcome in the wallets of the Portuguese, this increase has some implications , which you will learn about throughout this article. Its worth remembering that were talking about the basic amount that employees should receive as minimum remuneration for their work . This amount is only earned by those who have an employment contract and is paid 14 times (12 times corresponding to the months of the year, once corresponding to the vacation allowance and once corresponding to the Christmas allowance). However, the minimum wage does not include food allowances, time off, diuturnities, subsistence allowances or other components that must be paid separately. At the moment, the minimum wage corresponds to 760 euros per month in mainland Portugal, 785 euros in the Autonomous Region of Madeira and 798 euros in the Azores. According to the Decree Law published this month, in 2024 this figure will rise to 820 euros, an increase of 7.9% which is, so far, the biggest increase ever. The guaranteed minimum monthly wage is laid down in the Labor Code (article 273) and is updated annually by the government, after consultation with the social partners and employers and trade union confederations. Updating the minimum wage must take into account various factors, such as price policy, workers needs and the rising cost of living. Impact of raising the minimum wage In addition to impacting workers, the rise in the minimum wage also affects a number of situations that use this figure as a reference, such as social security benefits. This means that some aspects may be affected, such as: Compensation for collective dismissal: the value of the basic salary for calculating compensation cannot exceed 20 minimum wages and the overall compensation cannot exceed 240 wages; Wage garnishment: the amount corresponding to the minimum wage is considered ungarnishable, except in the case of alimony; Social benefits: the Corrected Annual Gross Income (RABC), which is used to calculate social security benefits, subsidies and tax deductions, as well as to contest rent updates, is affected. What happens to deductions? Workers earning the minimum wage have a number of benefits, including exemption from paying personal income tax (IRS). They can also deduct IRS if the value of the food allowance is more than 6 euros, if it is paid together with the salary, or 9.60 euros, if it is paid by meal card. As for Social Security , you must contribute 11% of your salary. This means that, with a salary of 760 euros a month, you are paying 83.60 euros, and your net salary is 676.40 euros. With the increase to 820 euros, you will pay 90.20 euros into Social Security , and your net income will be 729.80 euros. Is it possible to pay less than the minimum income? Paying workers less than the minimum wage is only possible in the following situations: Part-time workers , for example; Trainees or other workers undergoing certified training, who can earn 20% less for a maximum of one year; Workers with reduced capacity or disabilities , whose reduction corresponds to the difference between full capacity for work and the coefficient of effective capacity for the contracted activity. Follow these and other topics in SUPERCASA News .
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction In exactly one weeks time, remember to update your clocks, because winter time is coming! In the week leading up to the changeover, start getting used to shorter days, getting up in the morning while its still dark and cooler temperatures, all of which come before winter begins in November. This is the ideal time of year to enjoy the comfort of your home, which you should prepare not only for your comfort, in terms of textile complements such as blankets, rugs or warmer sheets, but also for the usual hardships of winter , such as damp, mould and the normal weather of the season, such as rain and big storms. So, next Saturday, from the 28th to the 29th, Sunday, youll have to turn the hands of your watch backwards, delaying the hour . The truth is that you probably wont have to do this manually on most of your electronic devices, which set it back automatically. So, at dawn on Saturday, when you look at your watch, if it has already changed automatically, 2am will become 1am , which means that 29 October will have 25 hours instead of the usual 24. In the Azores, this change only takes place at 1am on 29 October, delayed to midnight due to their different time zone. SUPERCASA leaves you with some quick tips to prepare for the change to winter time: Make the most of sunlight during the day to keep your home well ventilated and lit, avoiding the proliferation of damp. Replace your summer textiles with warmer, cosier colours so that you feel in perfect harmony with your home. Seal doors and windows and close them tightly on rainy or stormy days. Choose sustainable heating systems that keep your home warm and cosy. Keep up to date with these and other suggestions in SUPERCASA Notícias
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction With the arrival of the heat and the approach of summer, plans for holidays also begin, which can be in Portugal or abroad, close to home or in various parts of the country. And so begins the headache of financial management of the budget available for this purpose, while ensuring the usual expenses. However, you can enjoy your well deserved holidays in total relaxation, as SUPERCASA Notícias brings you today some tips to ensure these situations. It is common for unforeseen expenses to overrun your budget or change the plans initially established, leading you to have to resort to savings or reformulate your accounts. Here are some tips to prevent this from happening! Plan your holiday and anticipate your expenses To begin with it is fundamental to know exactly where you intend to spend your money, since this way you will have greater control over your expenses and therefore planning your holidays in advance is crucial to achieve that stability and security. By planning your destination, k nowing the days you will spend away and having an idea of the estimated amounts , you will know how to manage your budget, being able to allocate certain amounts to certain activities. Furthermore, you will avoid making thoughtless excesses, which could lead you to a vulnerable situation for the rest of the month. Another important reason for planning is to know how much money you will have available not only for your holidays but, above all, for your current expenses , such as water, electricity, food and other unforeseen events that may arise. This way you will be able to avoid slipping in your budget and be able to set your goals in the right way, without leaving anything behind. Monitor your spending To help you meet your goal, why not use an app or keep track of all your expenses? This way you can have more control over the money you still have left, leaving you room for manoeuvre for the following month. Get informed, ask for suggestions and take advantage of your friends advice The surprise factor is always fun, however, it might not be so fun if you arrive in a place and all the average prices are way above your budget. Before you travel, make sure you know the prices in your destination , and for that you should get information, either on the internet or with friends who have already made the same trip, and make a list with an estimate of what you are going to spend, so that you can save the most. Extra tips to help you save! Choose to have your meals at home. We are not saying that you cannot, one day or another, go to a restaurant or try the local gastronomy of your destination, but if you want to save during your holidays, the ideal is to opt for home-cooked meals, making a smart management of your trips to the restaurant. Take advantage of all the discounts. There may be last minute promotions that will save you a lot of money, be it on transport, accommodation or meals. Keep an eye out for anything that may have relevance to you and your holiday and activate all possible coupons and promotions to be able to stretch your budget. Avoid using your credit card. The idea is not to create additional expenses that you may have difficulty securing later on, so set your budget, be realistic about your possibilities, and find the right destination according to your financial availability, avoiding the use of credit that may give you a false sense of comfort. Other tips that might interest you: Campsites: 5 ideas for an adventure in nature , Summer sales 2023: find out all the dates
Source: Pexels Author: Redaction Its just over 24 hours until the clocks go back forward one hour, starting Daylight Saving Time in Portugal. This change brings with it longer days, more hours of sunshine and, if temperatures cooperate - and there are already indications that this will effectively happen - warm weather! The importance of the time change For many, this time change represents one less useful hour of sleep, however, and in practical terms, this is not true, since you will adjust your routines according to the longer days. In fact, it may even represent an advantage, since you will have more hours of sunlight, longer days and more pleasant temperatures. All of these factors contribute to greater productivity, higher serotonin levels and physical energy. Currently, the time change regime is governed by a European directive, leading to a seasonal change of timetables, and always takes place on the last Sunday in October - for winter time - and the last Sunday in March, for daylight saving time, which happens tomorrow. So, mark it on your calendar and dont be surprised if, when you wake up, you feel that the time has changed. Tomorrow, in Portugal and in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, at 1 am, your watch will go forward one hour, to 2 am. In the Autonomous Region of the Azores, the same will happen at midnight, bringing the time forward to 01h00. Stay tuned with SUPERCASA Notícias !
Source: Pexels Author: Redaction The results of the World Happiness Reports ranking of the happiest countries in the world, which evaluated 146 countries worldwide, were once again released. F or Portugal the result was similar to what had already been registered in 2022, once again occupying the 56th position as the happiest nation in the world , well below what would be expected. However, considering the six different aspects under evaluation, there is no great surprise, since they may have contributed, for the second consecutive time, to the final results. The six different factors of evaluation were therefore GDP per capita, life expectancy , social support in times of greater vulnerability, levels of corruption , feeling of trust in society, level of personal freedom and, finally, the rate of generosity of the community. These were factors whose evaluation was based on data from 2020, 2021 and 2022 and, following the trend of the last six years, the nation that continues to obtain maximum marks in this ranking is Finland, having once again come in first place. Portugal is quite far from these results, occupying a modest 56th place, behind countries like Argentina (52nd), France (51st), Spain (32nd), Italy (33rd) or Poland (39th). Did you find it interesting? Read also Decoration tips for spring or Portuguese Consumers show more empowerment
Source: Pexels Author: Redaction Census 2021 data revealed by the National Statistics Institute shows an increase in the disparities of residence of the Portuguese , given that, in the last ten years, there has been an increase from 32.8% to 34.1% of the Portuguese employed population working in a municipality other than the one where they live. In the study presented by the statistical office, called what the Censuses 2021 tell us about territorial dynamics, we read the following information: in Portugal, 34.1% of the employed population worked in a municipality other than that of residence, 26.2% worked in the parish of residence, 27.4% in another parish in the same municipality, while 5% worked from home. Another 1.7% worked abroad and 5.4% had no fixed place of work. These data require an analysis of the means of transport used by the Portuguese in this situation, with a picture made more difficult by the residence situations presented and, since more than 30% of these people need to make long home-work journeys , it is important to understand how they are being made. The 2021 Census provides a look at this information, showing the car as the preferred means of transport for these journeys, with 72.6% of the employed population using it for these trips. Walking to work , on the other hand, seems to be a less frequent trend, being practiced by only 12.7%. Similarly, the use of public transport has dropped from 15.6% of users to 12.2%. More on Portuguese Consumers Show More Empowerment
Source: Pexels Author: Redaction Consumption today is very different to what it was, for example, twenty years ago. With more possibilities, accesses, facilities and shortcuts, there is a need for greater research before making a purchase, which reveals a more thoughtful, demanding and empowered consumer profile. According to a study by Portal da Queixa, called Current Consumer Profile, these new characteristics of the current consumer are also materialised in more complaints, claims and questions and, in the survey carried out, the behaviour and consumption habits of the Portuguese were analysed. What was concluded is that the consumer pattern is changing, with the consumer paying more and more attention to what he/she is buying, carrying out more research and having more presence in the digital world. For this type of consumer, the opinions of other consumers are also fundamental, influencing purchase decisions. As for brands, the typical Portuguese consumer is increasingly attentive to the reputation of the brand and respective products, with a feeling of trust involved in their relationship with them. The data from this study reveal that 91.4% of consumers have already made, at some point, online purchases, and 84.9% admit choosing the brands reputation as the main factor of trust, rather than its reputation, something which only 15.1% of consumers attach importance to. On the other hand, 69.8% of consumers have already made an online complaint. The type of products or services that are most commonly purchased are Technology , with 61.1%, Clothing , with 55%, and Beauty and well-being , with 34.3%. As for travel , only 37.9% of consumers invest in this type of segment. Keep up with SUPERCASA Notícias and read also Foreign Consumption in Portugal rises 101%
Source: Pexels Author: Redaction The search for a more sustainable environment is one of the most sought after goals and in Europe this has been felt with the various demands to bring all sectors closer to an environmentally friendly future. In this article we will address the various ways of how to make your home more sustainable and how to apply environmentally friendly mechanisms, whether in our home, in a future construction or even in a work environment. #Betting on green energy Generated from natural resources and renewable sources, this energy aims at a complement of your daily needs with the protection and preservation of the environment. Solar, wind, tidal, water, biomass and heat energy are the sources of green energy. You can bet, for example, on solar panels that use solar energy for your consumption, which in the long run will also be reflected in savings in your home. #Retrofit Solutions Although the cost of construction is a little higher with this system, you can guarantee greater sustainability. Retrofit is a strong trend in the recovery of old properties, being the new trend of construction in the sector, because they allow the continuity of the old property only with its restoration. Although it is very similar to Rehabilitation, Retrofit aims to renew the spaces in a deeper way and according to the needs that the property may need for a more secure future, on the other hand, rehabilitation involves the restoration itself, but that implies losing the memory and architecture of the property in question. #Simple and sustainable equipment Efficiency is one of the qualities of this type of mechanisms to increase sustainability in your home, so betting on LED lamps and HVAC equipment that offer greater energy efficiency, even if in their acquisition seem a little more expensive, in the long run will reverse all the investment and still help the environment. # Decrease in consumption Reducing our energy expenses at home, at work or in public, is one of the main steps to create a sustainable environment and safeguard future generations. Saving water is a key point for the future of all of us and therefore, we should pay attention to the consumption that exceeds our basic needs. We can adopt a discipline for saving, or for the more distracted, use devices that remind us to turn off the tap, such as, for example, using reminders or alarm clocks for short baths. In some workplaces, we can see that many companies have also adopted timer systems for water and electricity consumption. #Reduce, Reuse and Recycle As it indicates, reduce first, reuse whenever possible and recycle to save the environment. This technique, aimed at the environment, not only helps reduce our footprint on the planet but can also help you in your home in matters of small savings that will help you after a while. One example of this, is home gardening. Creating small gardens, reusing water for washing the car or terrace, or even betting on DIY are great opportunities for savings combined with sustainability. Since 1995, water consumption has increased more than 30%, reflecting a daily average of 100L per person this year.
Source: Pexels Author: Redaction Black Friday , in Portuguese sexta-feira negra , appeared in the 1990s in the United States. It is a promotional event with great promotions of items and thus inaugurates the Christmas season. Black Friday usually takes place on the fourth Friday of November , so this year it will be held on 25 November. This event aims to stimulate the sale and purchase of products, thus providing companies with the opportunity to sell their stock and increase their profits, because despite the considerable drop in prices, they have a large volume of sales. Every year there are long queues of consumers waiting to get the best products at the best prices, however, this madness of prices and the desire of consumers to purchase certain products can also be done online . In addition to Black Friday , some companies extend the discounts, which can be found in some shops: Black November - brands start the Black Friday offers at the beginning of November and extend them throughout the month. Black Week - the brands anticipate the promotions on the Monday before Black Friday Black Weekend - They run their promotions over the weekend to give those who missed out on the Friday a chance to take advantage of the promotions. Cyber Monday - Promotions continue on the Monday following Black Friday. Previously this day was geared more towards technology products, while nowadays, all kinds of products fall within the promotion. Mark it on your calendar and ensure you get the biggest discounts and products at the best prices.
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