Simple steps to better night sleep

November 30, 2012 by Okechukwu Nnodim 10 Comments

Sound Sleep
| credits: Neearo

Good sleep recharges the human body for optimum performance at work. Okechukwu Nnodim outlines simple steps to help you sleep better at night after working hard all day

After arduous work hours, it’s saddening to keep tossing and turning on your bed at night in a bid to sleep. Experts say if you spend more time looking at the clock than you do inside of your eyelids, then you may have a problem with sleep, a problem that should be addressed. In whatever form of work you do, sleep is important. If you work at night, you must be able to sleep well during the day; otherwise you are subjecting your body to undue pressure which may lead to ill health in the long run.

Consultant doctors and pharmacists interviewed by this correspondent explain that sleep, though viewed as a common activity which can be suspended, is not optional. They say lack of sleep can cause decreased concentration, irritability, decreased reaction time and daytime drowsiness. Of course, an employee who displays lack of concentration at work may end up being scolded or disciplined by his boss. Below are simple ways to sleep better at night, according to experts:

Eat moderately before going to bed

Avoid filling up your stomach with so much food before bed time if you really want to sleep well. In a recent interview with this correspondent, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oxford Health Consultants, Dr. Abiodun Osiyemi, said it is wise to eat some two to three hours before retiring to bed. According to experts, you may be in for a long night if you go to sleep on a full stomach, as this can increase chances for heartburn. They advise that you limit your use of caffeine, for it can keep you awake and alert longer than you may desire. You may be surprised to know that caffeine can cause sleep problems as it can keep you awake for 10 to 12 hours after you drink it. Consider eliminating caffeine after lunch or cutting back your overall intake. In addition, to get better sleep, try to lessen your intake of nicotine before bed. Nicotine is a stimulant and can keep you up at night beyond your wish.

You should try to make dinnertime earlier in the evening, and avoid heavy, rich foods within two hours of bed as stated earlier. According to medical practitioners, fatty foods take a lot of work for your stomach to digest and may keep you up. They note that you should be cautious when it comes to spicy or acidic foods in the evening. This, they say, can cause stomach trouble and heartburn for an individual and may disrupt better sleep.

Let your bedroom be sleep inviting

If, at times, you find it a bit tough to fall asleep, try and re-arrange your bedroom in a way that it will be welcoming for sleep. Professionals say if you have problems sleeping because of lighting, try and darken your room by using dark curtains for your windows. Some individuals use eye masks to help keep bright lights out so as to be able to sleep fast. Turn off your television, if there is one in your bedroom and fix ear plugs with soft soothing music to help tune out a snoring partner. Experts say you should also consider the temperature of your bedroom and make sure it is not too hot or cold for your comfort, in order not to impede sound sleep.

Get regular daytime exercise

It is important to know that daytime exercise can help you get better sleep at night. Experts recommend that you exercise 30 minutes daily, five days per week. However, all 30 minutes mustn’t be done instantly. You may decide to vary your choice of exercise. The important thing is that you exercise but make sure you do not exercise close to bedtime. This is because exercise raises your body temperature, which can hinder good sleep, experts say.

Avoid alcohol/cigarettes before bed time

It is not always true that some alcohol before bed time will make one sleep better. This may work for some individuals but may not give better sleep to many others, experts say. Many people think that some alcohol intake before bed will help them sleep. But professionals say that while this may make you fall asleep faster, alcohol reduces your sleep quality, waking you up later in the night. According to them, to avoid this effect, stay away from alcohol in the hours before bed and get good sleep afterwards. Also, smoking causes sleep disorder in various ways. As was stated earlier, nicotine is a stimulant, which disrupts sleep. Additionally, smokers actually experience nicotine withdrawal as the night progresses, making it hard to sleep.

Check stress and anxiety

According to doctors, residual stress, worry, and anger during the day can make sleep difficult for an individual. They note that when you wake up or can’t get to sleep at night, take note of what must have warranted the sleeplessness, as this will help you figure out what you need to do to get your stress and anger under control during work hours.

However, if you can’t stop yourself from worrying, especially about things outside your control, you need to learn how to manage your thoughts. For instance, learn how to evaluate your worries to see if they are truly realistic and learn to replace irrational fears with more productive thoughts. This will help when done repeatedly.

Let your bed be for sleep and sex

Undertaking other tasks outside sleep and sex on your bed may lead to difficulties trying to rest on it. It is therefore advisable that you only sleep or have sex on your bed rather than undertaking your day’s work on it, experts say.

Should my spouse know what I earn?

November 29, 2012 by Ugodre Obi-chukwu (ugodre@gmail.com) 13 Comments

Ugodre Obi-Chukwu
| credits:

Mr. Jike recently got a promotion in his work place, a reward that comes with a car, housing allowance, and of course, a salary increase. As expected, the first person he called to share his joy with was his wife. He told her everything except the actual salary. She is not to know how much he earns even though he demands to know hers. Even the allowances he is entitled to as well as his retirement benefits he also does not disclose to her.

He explains, “This is to maintain ‘world peace’. The less women know about your earnings, the longer the marriage will last.”

“This is Africa my brother, women don’t know how to manage money,” he asserts.

Whilst he believes in being discrete about his salary, he had a more compelling reason to strengthen that belief. His promiscuity had resulted in him transferring money abroad to cater for a child he had outside wedlock.

Mrs. Peters is the head of a unit in a multinational corporation and earns an eight-figure salary. Unbeknown to her husband, she maintains a separate account from her salary account. Once her salary is paid she transfers half into her concealed account, which she uses for investments in stocks, money market and occasionally, on jewellery. She believes in financial independence for women, which of course does not exclude being discrete with what she earns. She has kept to this principle from the very start of their marriage and wasn’t about to change it, well, that is until now. The family is applying for a visa and as is mostly required, they would both have to include their pay slips and bank statements. To make matters worse, her husband is in charge of putting together the documents they needed to file for the application.

Deciding whether it is right to disclose your personal income can be a very subjective and divisive matter for most people. In fact, most find disclosing their income to their spouse very untenable and consider it a sign of weakness. Whilst the reason for this stubborn trait can be attributed to a combination of traditional beliefs and egotistical inclinations, one can’t exclude surreptitious motives as well. In hindsight however as is often the case, the obstinacy can be regrettable when misfortune beckons. Discussing your income with your spouse shouldn’t always be viewed as a sign of weakness. Research on personal finance has shown that couples fair better during tough times when they have a history of sharing honest information about their incomes.

Finance experts advise that the advantages of disclosing your income to your spouse are increasingly relevant to the survival of families during harsh economic times. Despite the sensitivity of the issue, one can’t rule out the mutual benefits this can bring in the long run. One of such is in the event of an emergency. We hear stories every day of people falling into coma due to a cardiac arrest or diseases that do not give apparent warning signs before they strike. In such circumstances, the victim is in no position to tell the other half his or her net worth or how to access an undisclosed account. Nigeria today has over N52bn in unclaimed dividends most of which belong to people who have long been dead without leaving requisite information about their investments and instruction of how to access and utilise them.

Managing expenses is also an integral part of family finance and for this budgeting has to be a major reason for disclosing each other’s income. Experts also advise that at the beginning of every month, a budget should be drawn up detailing how much needs to be spent and on what.

Couples must set family goals at the beginning of every year and review them periodically. Goals can be moving to a new house, going on vacation, investing in a stock, etc. It is easier to judiciously spend money on important items when goals are set. For example, a husband can be planning a family vacation when indeed his wife prefers that the money be used to renovate her kitchen.

Educating your spouse about handling finances is also important. Some refuse to do this because they erroneously believe their spouse just do not understand the basics of handling money. Even if this is so, it is the more reason why they should be educated about handling money. For example,  entrepreneurs who plan to build multimillion naira businesses should consider involving their spouses from inception. Even if issues like the day to day running of the firm may not be necessary to reveal, other issues that border on ownership (shareholding structure), board composition, bank accounts may be disclosed and explained from time to time.

Your spouse must be seen not just as a partner in raising a family but also as a financial partner.  Knowing what he or she earns is crucial to your economic standing as a family unit in the society.

Many reasons to save

Friday, 30 November 2012 00:00 Tiamiyu Adio Ismail

You may be asking yourself why there is so much pressure to save money. If you have enough to pay for everything you need, why should you worry about putting some aside each month? There is variety of reasons. Different people save for different reasons. People should save money for their future. Depending on your age, different people will come across different expenses. For instance: My friend hates saving money.

He thinks there’s nothing wrong with spending it all and ‘enjoying life’. Well, one day he had car problems and the bill was over half a million naira for a new transmission and guess what, he had no money. So above all it’s basically a safety net in-case something should unexpectedly happen. Not to mention what if there is something you want to save up for: house or a car maybe, or a vacation? Here are some reasons Miriam Caldwell of “Money In Your 20’s” listed that you may consider to make savings.

Save for emergency fund

It is important to have an emergency fund set aside to cover unexpected expenses. This could cover an unexpected car repair, your emergency appendectomy or a sudden job loss. Ideally your emergency fund should be about three to six months of your expenses. If you are just starting out, you should put aside at least for this. In addition to your emergency fund you need to make sure you have a plan and good insurance in place to help you survive the unexpected financial event in your life.

Save for a retirement:

Another important reason to save money is your retirement. The sooner you start saving for retirement, the less you will have to save in the future. You can put your money to work for you. As you continue to contribute overtime you will be earning more interest on the money you have, then you put in each month. You should at least be contributing up to your employer’s match and eventually you will want to contribute ten to fifteen percent of your gross income.

Save for a down payment for a house

Third reason to save money is for a down payment on a house. Your negotiating power goes a lot farther when you have a significant down payment towards your home. You will receive better interest rates, and be able to afford a bigger home. You can determine how much you save towards this each month depending on your circumstances.

Save for vacation and for other luxury items

You can save up for your tour of Europe or that Caribbean cruise. Additionally you can be saving for fun large ticket items such as a Play station 3 or a new boat. Your negotiating power is stronger if you have cash in hand on bigger purchases. Plus you do not want to be paying off your trip abroad in five years. Even if you save up for your vacation, you should try to save for your vacation expenses

Save for a new car

You will be amazed at how much money you can free up in your budget if you do not always have a car payment. You can also negotiate the price of the car much lower if you are willing to pay cash at the dealership.

Sinking fund

Sinking fund is another reason one should consider, sinking fund is money you set aside for future repairs or improvements on your car, home or other possessions. This planning can help you to stop dipping into your emergency fund every time you need to fix your car.

Finally, your future education is also important, more people return to school to earn their masters or doctorate degrees. You may also consider saving for your child’s education when the time comes.

Forbes names Kenya’s James Mwangi 2012 Africa Person of the Year

Page last updated at Friday, November 30, 2012 17:17 PM /

Dr. James Mwangi

The Chief Executive Officer of Kenya’s Equity Bank, Dr James Mwangi, has been named Forbes Africa 2012 Person of the Year.
Dr Mwangi beat the likes of Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote who is Africa’s richest man; Tony Elumelu – Founder and Chairman of Heirs Holding; President of Malawi Joyce Banda and Stephen Saad, co-founder of the Aspen Pharmacare.
The event was held November 29, 2012 at the prestigious Porsche Centre in Victoria Island in Lagos, Nigeria.
The award was presented to him by Managing Editor of Forbes Africa magazine, Chris Bishop.
In his acceptance speech Dr. James Mwangi asked that “all Africans should brace up and take up the challenge of improving Africa as our generation could go into history as those that changed the African continent for good,” reports Kenya Broadcasting Corporation.
Dr Mwangi was honored for playing a central role in making Equity Bank the largest bank in East and Central Africa, with more than seven million accounts in Kenya alone.
The judges said “Mwangi is an example of what it means to make it and to overcome the enormous challenges facing the average person in Africa. His influence and contribution to society, in a difficult environment, is significant.”
Mwangi holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria was recipient of the first award in 2011.
By Ekow Quandzie

Company Finds Way to Make Bread Last for 60 Days

From the unconventional and awe-inspiring to the hilarious and heartwarming, here’s a look at some of the most interesting photos, videos and stories that have our newsroom talking today. What’s capturing your attention, filling your inbox and cluttering your Facebook/Twitter feed? Tweet us the stories you’re talking  about using #InstantIndex or email us at ABC.WorldNews@abc.com and they could appear on World News.
Bread That Lasts Months?
The company Microzap says it has found a way to keep bread free of mold for two months, according to the BBC. The company zaps the bread using a microwave array that kills the spores that create mold. The hope is that the technology can dramatically reduce the amount of bread that is wasted.

Image credit: Ross Durant/Getty Images

Avoid knee pain by taking up low-impact exercises: study

AFP Relaxnews | 26 November, 2012 13:55

Suffer from knee problems or have a family history of osteoarthritis, joint replacement or obesity? You may want to consider sparing yourself from debilitating knee pain by taking up lower impact sports like walking and swimming rather than running and tennis, says a new study

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Presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America in Chicago this weekend, researchers also said that the degeneration of knee cartilage was observed equally among the sedentary type who engage in little physical activity.
For their study, scientists from the University of California in San Francisco analyzed 205 patients aged 45 to 60. Participants used a questionnaire to record their physical activity, and researchers measured the evolution of degenerative changes in the knee by looking at the biochemical and molecular composition of the cartilage.
According to the results, those who participated in regular high-impact activities like running were at high risk of developing osteoarthritis and degenerated cartilage.
At the same time, given that those who had low levels of activity also demonstrated cartilage degeneration, researchers conclude that there may be an “optimal” level of physical activity to preserve the connective tissue.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly one in two people in the US are at risk of developing knee osteoporosis by the age of 85.
By 2030, an estimated 67 million Americans over the age of 18 are projected to develop arthritis.
A study presented this month at a rheumatology meeting in Washington DC found that the consumption of sugary soft drinks can also accelerate the progression of knee osteoarthritis, particularly among men.
In addition to cutting out soft drinks, another simple way to reduce knee pain is to lose weight, said another study out of Penn State College of Medicine in the US, which found that shedding pounds reduced stress on the joints and improved stiffness and overall well-being.

Gates joins Africa's richest man to fight polio in Nigeria

(AFP) – 33 minutes ago 

KANO, Nigeria — The richest man in Africa and the wealthiest man from the United States joined forces Monday in the battle against polio, which has seen a resurgence in Nigeria despite efforts to eradicate it.
Microsoft founder Bill Gates' foundation and that of Aliko Dangote, the Nigerian businessman labeled Africa's richest by Forbes, announced an alliance during a ceremony in Kano, Nigeria's second city.
Nigeria is one of only three countries still considered to have endemic polio, alongside Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Under the four-year alliance, the Bill and Melinda Gates and Dangote foundations would provide funding, equipment and technical support to the Kano state government to strengthen polio immunisation.
Eradicating polio "will be Kano's gift to Nigeria and Nigeria's gift to the world," Jeff Raikes, the head of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, said at the ceremony.
Dangote, whose Dangote Group includes interests ranging from cement to flour and real estate, said "myself and Bill Gates met in New York and agreed to partner and intervene in polio eradication."
"There is no reason for any one of us not to assist in keeping our people healthy," said Dangote, who is from Kano.
Forbes has labeled Dangote Africa's richest man, while the magazine says Gates is the richest man from the United States -- as well as "the planet's most generous person."
The amounts the two foundations intend to commit in the partnership were not disclosed.
Since 2003, Kano has been especially hard hit by the transmission of the polio virus in Nigeria following the state government's suspension of immunisations for 13 months.
The suspension followed allegations by some Muslim clerics that the vaccine was laced with substances that could render girls infertile as part of US-led Western plot to depopulate Africa.
Despite the resumption of polio immunisations, Kano has continued to record polio cases as many parents still reject the vaccine.
According to the most recent World Health Organisation weekly report on polio, Nigeria accounts for 104 of the 193 cases so far recorded worldwide this year, with Kano having 22 cases.
In 2011, Nigeria recorded 62 polio cases, including 17 in Kano.
The WHO said earlier this year that an Islamist insurgency in the country's northeast was harming efforts to eradicate polio due to insecurity.
Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation and its largest oil producer, has pledged to stop polio virus transmission by the end of 2013 although it has failed to meet previous deadlines to stamp out the crippling disease.

Owning your own home

November 26, 2012 by ‘Nimi Akinkugbe (nakinkugbe@punchng.com) 

Nimi Akinkugbe
| credits:

An investment in real estate is likely to be one of the most significant financial decisions you will ever make in your life. A tremendous sense of pride, fulfilment, stability and security comes with owning your own property, especially your own home.

Increasing property prices and the demand for quality rental accommodation mean that, with a carefully selected and well managed rental property, landlords can enjoy a steady income stream. Such passive income supplements current income and can be a wonderful boost in retirement. Even where there are downturns in property values, in general, rental properties will continue to rent and often without a corresponding decrease in rental income.

Most people have to borrow to buy a property. Before you buy a property, be sure that you can afford it and are able to service interest and repay the loan over time. Spending more than you can afford can cause a huge strain on your finances; if you default on your mortgage, you could lose the property through foreclosure.

The greatest return on investment will typically come from capital appreciation. As the value of your property increases, so too does the equity you own in it. Such equity is usually accessed at the point of selling the property, but an investor can also take out equity loans for further investing or other necessary expenses. Be aware though, that as you dip into your equity, you are converting it into debt which must be serviced.

Apart from the actual purchase price of a property, which reflects its location, features, age and condition, there are other significant transaction costs to be taken into account including lenders fees, valuation and survey fees, estate agents fees, legal fees, transfer taxes, stamp duty and insurance cover. In addition, there are the maintenance and repair costs of holding the asset.

Don’t be tempted to keep up with the Jones’ by building a mansion that you cannot afford in your village or hamlet. As the old adage “location, location, location” suggests, the value of property is largely dependent upon its location. Neighbourhoods change; market conditions, community issues, the local economic and political environment, poor enforcement of regulatory policies; these can all affect an area adversely and diminish property values considerably and are critical to the success or failure of such an investment.

As far as possible, try to do some research on the areas current prospects as well as about plans for it over the coming years. This will help you to avoid buying a property that may not be in demand in future and is particularly important where your intention is to sell the property.

Every investment comes with some degree of risk and real estate is no different. Whilst many investors have made significant returns on their investments, many others have been badly burnt as things can go terribly wrong.

Real estate is illiquid and should not be viewed as a “get-rich-quick” investment outlet. It is risky to invest with a short-term view, as like stock market investing, real estate goes through up and down cycles. It can be hard to find a buyer if you need to sell the property quickly or are trying to hold out for the “right” price. Whilst there are boom periods in which one can re-sell quickly, have a long term outlook, as it usually takes time, patience and energy to reap the benefits from this investment class.

Unfortunately, the property market can be fraught with some unsavoury characters so be very careful with whom you are dealing. There are stories abound of landlords in Nigeria, who visited their property after a time only to find a building and inhabitants comfortably settled on their plot of land; it had been offered and sold to several different parties simultaneously.

Choose your real estate agent carefully; a tested, dependable, and responsive professional who comes recommended, has sound market knowledge and is aware of the current market trends. In a market where property prices appear to be softening, there may be opportunities to buy below market. Be wary of high pressure sales pitches and seminars with the hi-tech brochures and slides which can be very persuasive. A “once in a lifetime opportunity you cannot afford to miss” can turn out to be the worst investment you ever made.

The right tenant can be a joy, but the wrong tenant can make a landlord’s nightmare. Some tenants appear to be pleasant and civilised but you could end up with no rent and a property in a deplorable state. Request for references and do follow up on them. 

Whilst documentation requirements can be cumbersome and can make investing in real estate tedious, safeguard your investment by ensuring that all documentation reflecting the true title of the property is in place.

Real estate is a tested investment class that has proven its worth over centuries to be a stable and profitable investment. However, diversification across a range of asset classes including stocks, bonds and cash is necessary rather than focusing purely on the property market, as performance in one asset class will help offset any downturn in another, as economic and market conditions change over time.

10 Jobs That Pay $30 An Hour

November 22, 2012 · Posted in Uncategorized 

It is easier to find than you might think well paid job. In fact, people such as medical technologists, social workers and store managers earn about $ 30 per hour. Full time job that pays about $ 30 per hour may be around $62,400 a year, which means a comfortable life, and exceeds the national average. We look forward to earning a higher than average?

Consider these 30 jobs, figures about $ 30 per hour and see how your own work stacks up: 

1. An Anthropologist

Hourly wage: $30,81.

As: Anthropologists never stop to learn about the natural history of the world. The work is challenging, but fun.

Jobs That Pay Well

2. Consultant

Hourly salary: $ 33.71.

Like this: help for children, conflicts can lead to a career, especially if you’re interested in human behavior.

3. Medical technologists

Hourly salary: $ 29.87.

Like this: working with a variety of disease States, most medical laboratory technologists work in hospitals.

4. Financial services representative

Hourly wage: $32,35.

As: financial services reps sell a wide variety of banking services.

5. Technical writer

Hourly wage: $33,80.

What it means: write something from thick technical manuals, textbooks is comprehensive knowledge in a particular topic.

6. Executive Assistant

Hourly wage: $31,85.

What it is: a high pressure job can be heads of administrative services.

7. Nurse

Hourly salary: $ 34.47.

Like this: rewarding career can make working directly with patients.

8. Shop Branch Manager

Hourly salary: $ 33.14.

Like this: management of retail stores and working with corporate leaders can help open other doors to retail customers.

9. Budget Analyst

Hourly wage: $34,16.

Like this: help departments to keep their budgets is an ideal role for an expert mathematician.

10 Accounts Sales Manager

Hourly salary: $ 32.17.

Like this: sell products or services shall be taken into account reps stellar interpersonal skills.

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Nokia Lumia 920 vs iPhone 5 vs HTC Windows Phone 8X: Specs, Price, Choosing the Best for the Holidays [POLL]

| Jessica Durham

Updated: Nov 23, 2012 06:15 PM EST

(Photo : Reuters) HTC Windows Phone 8X vs Nokia Lumia 920 vs Apple iPhone 5: Which smartphone is best for you?

It looks like the holiday season is coming off to a great start with Black Friday deals, and with Cyber Monday and the holiday season coming up, shoppers want to know which of these three popular phones should they get: Nokia Lumia 920, Apple iPhone 5, HTC Windows Phone 8X.

Spec Comparisons

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The iPhone 5 comes in with 16GB or 32GB for $199 or $299 in black, and 64GB for $399 for the white version. It comes with Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology with a 4-inch widescreen Multi-Touch Retina display with 1136 x 640 pixel resolution at 326 ppi. It has an 8 MP iSight camera with 1080p HD video, FaceTime HD camera with 1.2MP photos and LED flash. It has up to 8 hours talk time and up to 10 hours Internet use via Wi-Fi.

The HTC Phone 8X runs on Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 and features a Qualcomm S4 1.5 Ghz dual-core processor with 16GB storage and 1GB RAM. It has a 4.3-inch super LCD 2 touch screen with 1280 x 720 resolution with HD 720p resolution Gorilla Glass 2. It has an 8-megapixel camera with a dedicated HTC ImageChip and a 1800 mAh battery and 2.1 MP front-facing camera. It also comes with Beats Audio built-in. It comes in various colorful designs. It is priced at $100 for the 8GB model available in blue and yellow with AT&T and the 16GB is $200 only in blue.

The Lumia 920 also runs on Microsoft Windows Phone 8. It takes many of the physical design elements from previous generations of Lumia handsets, but improves on internal hardware and display technology. Some of the new tech specs include PureMotion HD+ 4.5 inch display (1280 x 768 resolution), Dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 processor, NFC chip with 332ppi and Corning Gorilla Glass 2, 2,000mAh battery, and Qi wireless charging. It has an 8.7 megapixel PureView camera with Carl Zeiss lens. It has rounded edges and comes in colors black, cyan, red, white, and yellow. The 32GB version sells for $99 with an AT&T two-year contract.

Reviews

Chris Weber, marketing head of Nokia, said that what makes the Lumia 920 stand out is its five distinct areas: Imaging, wiresless charging, screen, location and music, according to PCMag, which he refers to as the "Nokia secret sauce."

Compared to HTC's Phone 8X, the Lumia 920 took brighter low-light images than the 8X. Also, the Nokia maps app has a better global mapping database, while the 8X could not find much restaurants in Spain or Canada.

In a spec comparison by Digital Spy with just the Windows 8 smartphones, the Lumia 920 "is a much heftier handset than the HTC Windows Phone 8X" with better features: "The camera set-up is superior; the display is bigger and better (with sensitive touch included); and wireless charging is a decent addition."

In terms of talk time, the Lumia 920 wins because it promises 9 hours of talk time while the iPhone 5 and 8X say only 8 hours. And who wouldn't want to have more time to talk to their family and friends?

In a comparison by Auto-o-Mobile with the iPhone 5 vs Lumia 920, the 920 has a better resolution and larger display with also a better front camera than the iPhone 5, with the rear-camera being the best for low-light conditions. The Lumia 920's battery also wins with a 2,000 mAh battery vs iPhone 5's 1,440 mAh battery. The Nokia phone is also cheaper.

However the iPhone 5 wins when it comes to operating systems. Although it could be a personal choice, consumers want more apps on their smartphones, and Apple provides it. With iOS 6, the App store has over 700,000 apps for the iPhone 5. Also, the iPhone 5 has more storage options, while the Lumia 920 has only one.

In a camera comparison by CNET, the report said that while the Lumia 920 had strong photo quality and the HTC's camera took "some pretty nice photos," the iPhone 5 retained the most consistent although it won some and lost some, but it's better to see for yourself.

So, which phone is right for you this holiday season? VOTE NOW!