No such thing as Republic Day. It's about as equivalent as LGBTQ Day. Good to see that €20 million in lobbying is starting to pay off tho.

Would have been a shame to use that money for education or the local economy.

🇲🇪🇷🇺 - Montenegro to introduce visa requirements for Russian citizens who currently enjoy visa-free entry.

Cats are replacing black people in the US - would you eat food prepared by a cat?

🇺🇸🇷🇺 - Financial Times reports that, in Alaska, Putin started to lecture Trump on the past 1000 years of Russia's history and only stopped after Trump repeatedly shouted at him and threatened to leave.

🇷🇴 🇧🇬 NATO conducts “DACIAN FALL 2025” exercise in Romania and Bulgaria

Over 5,000 troops with 1,200 pieces of equipment from ten allied states – Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Italy, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Spain – will take part, between October 20 and November 13, 2025, in the multinational exercise DACIAN FALL 2025 (DAFA 25), held on the territory of Romania and Bulgaria.

Over Half of Bulgarian Homes Now Bought on Credit Amid Record High Property Prices

Bulgaria's housing market saw significant growth in 2024, driven by strong economic performance, easier access to mortgages, and optimism over the country's potential entry into the Eurozone. Prices rose 18% from 2023, with Sofia seeing average prices of 2,080 euros per square meter. Single-family homes in southern Sofia now average 500,000 euros.

Although analysts expect market cooling, housing prices are projected to continue rising due to limited new construction and high savings. Mortgage lending is a key factor, with over half of property purchases in major cities financed through mortgages.

In 2024, housing transactions hit a record, with Sofia leading growth (+10.4%), while Plovdiv and Varna experienced slower activity. Rents in major cities also climbed sharply, with Sofia seeing a 16% increase.
Bulgaria's mortgage rates remain among the lowest in Europe at 2.83%, helping affordability. Despite moderate new construction, Bulgaria leads Europe in housing per capita.

The market is expected to remain active in 2025 with slower growth, more construction on city outskirts, and growing investor interest in rental properties.

Usage of credit in the Balkans is still very much a new thing. However, it can also be a powerful tool so long as you show restraint in usage and consistency in payment.

In your early years (18–25), it's smart to open a starter credit card, use it for small purchases, and pay it off fully every month to build a strong credit history. Any loan that cannot be removed via bankruptcy should be kept to a minimum. As you enter your career (25–35), credit can be used strategically—financing a home or car within your means. Good credit during this phase leads to better interest rates and higher limits as you age.

In the family and growth years (35–50), credit can be leveraged for investments like property or education, but only with a clear repayment plan. Consolidating high-interest debt can also be a smart move.

As retirement nears (50+), it’s best to reduce debt, avoid new borrowing, and maintain at least one active credit account to preserve your score. If all hell breaks loose - your credit line becomes a life line.

Throughout life, credit compounds both ways: strong credit habits lead to better terms, higher credit limits and financial growth, while high-interest debt can snowball quickly if unmanaged and rip years from your labor.

Pay balances in full, keep credit utilization under 30%, and monitor your credit report annually. If you live with your parents and work at a cafe, you shouldn't be using credit to finance anything greater than a bicycle.

If you're near death, alone and your credit line is unused - go out with a bang!