How to Know When to Sell Your Stocks?

While quite a bit of time and research goes into selecting stocks, it is often hard to know when to pull out – especially for first time investors. The good news is that if you have chosen your stocks carefully, you won’t need to pull out for a very long time, such as when you are ready to retire. But there are specific instances when you will need to sell your stocks before you have reached your financial goals.

You may think that the time to sell is when the stock value is about to drop – and you may even be advised by your broker to do this. But this isn’t necessarily the right course of action.

Stocks go up and down all the time, depending on the economy…and of course the economy depends on the stock market as well. This is why it is so hard to determine whether you should sell your stock or not. Stocks go down, but they also tend to go back up.
You have to do more research, and you have to keep up with the stability of the companies that you invest in. Changes in corporations have a profound impact on the value of the stock. For instance, a new CEO can affect the value of stock. A plummet in the industry can affect a stock. Many things – all combined – affect the value of stock. But there are really only three good reasons to sell a stock.

The first reason is having reached your financial goals. Once you’ve reached retirement, you may wish to sell your stocks and put your money in safer financial vehicles, such as a savings account.

This is a common practice for those who have invested for the purpose of financing their retirement. The second reason to sell a stock is if there are major changes in the business you are investing in that cause, or will cause, the value of the stock to drop, with little or no possibility of the value rising again. Ideally, you would sell your stock in this situation before the value starts to drop.

If the value of the stock spikes, this is the third reason you may want to sell. If your stock is valued at $100 per share today, but drastically rises to $200 per share next week, it is a great time to sell – especially if the outlook is that the value will drop back down to $100 per share soon. You would sell when the stock was worth $200 per share.

As a beginner, you definitely want to consult with a broker or a financial advisor before buying or selling stocks. They will work with you to help you make the right decisions to reach your financial goals. Read More...

How Much Money Should You Invest?

Many first time investors think that they should invest all of their savings. This isn’t necessarily true. To determine how much money you should invest, you must first determine how much you actually can afford to invest, and what your financial goals are.

First, let’s take a look at how much money you can currently afford to invest. Do you have savings that you can use? If so, great! However, you don’t want to cut yourself short when you tie your money up in an investment. What were your savings originally for?
It is important to keep three to six months of living expenses in a readily accessible savings account – don’t invest that money! Don’t invest any money that you may need to lay your hands on in a hurry in the future.

So, begin by determining how much of your savings should remain in your savings account, and how much can be used for investments. Unless you have funds from another source, such as an inheritance that you’ve recently received, this will probably be all that you currently have to invest.

Next, determine how much you can add to your investments in the future. If you are employed, you will continue to receive an income, and you can plan to use a portion of that income to build your investment portfolio over time. Speak with a qualified financial planner to set up a budget and determine how much of your future income you will be able to invest.

With the help of a financial planner, you can be sure that you are not investing more than you should – or less than you should in order to reach your investment goals.

For many types of investments, a certain initial investment amount will be required. Hopefully, you’ve done your research, and you have found an investment that will prove to be sound. If this is the case, you probably already know what the required initial investment is.

If the money that you have available for investments does not meet the required initial investment, you may have to look at other investments. Never borrow money to invest, and never use money that you have not set aside for investing!
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Getting Your Feet Wet – Begin Investing

If you are anxious to get your investments started, you can get started right away without having a lot of knowledge about the stock market. Start by being a conservative investor with a low risk tolerance. This will give you a way to making your money grow while you learn more about investing.

Start with an interest bearing savings account. You may already have one. If you don’t, you should. A savings account can be opened at the same bank that you do your checking at – or at any other bank. A savings account should pay 2 – 4% on the money that you have in the account.

It’s not a lot of money – unless you have a million dollars in that account – but it is a start, and it is money making money.
Next, invest in money market funds. This can often be done through your bank. These funds have higher interest payouts than typical savings accounts, but they work much the same way. These are short term investments, so your money won’t be tied up for a long period of time – but again, it is money making money.

Certificates of Deposit are also sound investments with no risk. The interest rates on CD’s are typically higher than those of savings accounts or Money Market Funds.

You can select the duration of your investment, and interest is paid regularly until the CD reaches maturity. CD’s can be purchased at your bank, and your bank will insure them against loss. When the CD reaches maturity, you receive your original investment, plus the interest that the CD has earned.

If you are just starting out, one or all of these three types of investments is the best starting point. Again, this will allow your money to start making money for you while you learn more about investing in other places. Read More...

Different Types of Stock

The different types of stock are what confuse most first time investors. That confusion causes people to turn away from the stock market altogether, or to make unwise investments. If you are going to play the stock market, you must know what types of stock are available and what it all means!

Common Stock is a term that you will hear quite often. Anyone can purchase common stock, regardless of age, income, age, or financial standing. Common stock is essentially part ownership in the business you are investing in. As the company grows and earns money, the value of your stock rises. On the other hand, if the company does poorly or goes bankrupt, the value of your stock falls. Common stock holders do not participate in the day to day operations of a business, but they do have the power to elect the board of directors.
Along with common stock, there are also different classes of stock. The different classes of stock in one company are often called Class A and Class B. The first class, class A, essentially gives the stock owner more votes per share of stock than the owners of class B stock. The ability to create different classes of stock in a corporation has existed since 1987. Many investors avoid stock that has more than one class, and stocks that have more than one class are not called common stock.

The most upscale type of stock is of course Preferred Stock. Preferred stock isn’t exactly a stock. It is a mix of a stock and a bond. The owner’s of preferred stock can lay claim to the assets of the company in the case of bankruptcy, and preferred stock holders get the proceeds of the profits from a company before the common stock owners. If you think that you may prefer this preferred stock, be aware that the company typically has the right to buy the stock back from the stock owner and stop paying dividends.
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Different Types of Bonds

Investing in bonds is very safe, and the returns are usually very good. There are four basic types of bonds available and they are sold through the Government, through corporations, state and local governments, and foreign governments.

The greatest thing about bonds is that you will get your initial investment back. This makes bonds the perfect investment vehicle for those who are new to investing, or for those who have a low risk tolerance.

The United States Government sells Treasury Bonds through the Treasury Department. You can purchase Treasury Bonds with maturity dates ranging from three months to thirty years.
Treasury bonds include Treasury Notes (T-Notes), Treasury Bills (T-Bills), and Treasury Bonds. All Treasury bonds are backed by the United States Government, and tax is only charged on the interest that the bonds earn.

Corporate bonds are sold through public securities markets. A corporate bond is essentially a company selling its debt. Corporate bonds usually have high interest rates, but they are a bit risky. If the company goes belly-up, the bond is worthless.

State and local Governments also sell bonds. Unlike bonds issued by the federal government, these bonds usually have higher interest rates. This is because State and Local Governments can indeed go bankrupt – unlike the federal government.

State and Local Government bonds are free from income taxes – even on the interest. State and local taxes may also be waived. Tax-free Municipal Bonds are common State and Local Government Bonds.

Purchasing foreign bonds is actually very difficult, and is often done as part of a mutual fund. It is often very risky to invest in foreign countries. The safest type of bond to buy is one that is issued by the US Government.

The interest may be a bit lower, but again, there is little or no risk involved. For best results, when a bond reaches maturity, reinvest it into another bond.
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Determining Where You Will Invest

There are several different types of investments, and there are many factors in determining where you should invest your funds.

Of course, determining where you will invest begins with researching the various available types of investments, determining your risk tolerance, and determining your investment style – along with your financial goals.

If you were going to purchase a new car, you would do quite a bit of research before making a final decision and a purchase. You would never consider purchasing a car that you had not fully looked over and taken for a test drive. Investing works much the same way.

You will of course learn as much about the investment as possible, and you would want to see how past investors have done as well. It’s common sense!
Learning about the stock market and investments takes a lot of time… but it is time well spent. There are numerous books and websites on the topic, and you can even take college level courses on the topic – which is what stock brokers do. With access to the Internet, you can actually play the stock market – with fake money – to get a feel for how it works.

You can make pretend investments, and see how they do. Do a search with any search engine for ‘Stock Market Games’ or ‘Stock Market Simulations.’ This is a great way to start learning about investing in the stock market.

Other types of investments – outside of the stock market – do not have simulators. You must learn about those types of investments the hard way – by reading.

As a potential investor, you should read anything you can get your hands on about investing…but start with the beginning investment books and websites first. Otherwise, you will quickly find that you are lost.

Finally, speak with a financial planner. Tell them your goals, and ask them for their suggestions – this is what they do! A good financial planner can easily help you determine where to invest your funds, and help you set up a plan to reach all of your financial goals. Many will even teach you about investing along the way – make sure you pay attention to what they are telling you!
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Determine Your Risk Tolerance

Each individual has a risk tolerance that should not be ignored. Any good stock broker or financial planner knows this, and they should make the effort to help you determine what your risk tolerance is. Then, they should work with you to find investments that do not exceed your risk tolerance.

Determining one’s risk tolerance involves several different things. First, you need to know how much money you have to invest, and what your investment and financial goals are.

For instance, if you plan to retire in ten years, and you’ve not saved a single penny towards that end, you need to have a high risk tolerance – because you will need to do some aggressive – risky – investing in order to reach your financial goal.
On the other side of the coin, if you are in your early twenties and you want to start investing for your retirement, your risk tolerance will be low. You can afford to watch your money grow slowly over time.

Realize of course, that your need for a high risk tolerance or your need for a low risk tolerance really has no bearing on how you feel about risk. Again, there is a lot in determining your tolerance.

For instance, if you invested in the stock market and you watched the movement of that stock daily and saw that it was dropping slightly, what would you do?

Would you sell out or would you let your money ride? If you have a low tolerance for risk, you would want to sell out… if you have a high tolerance, you would let your money ride and see what happens. This is not based on what your financial goals are. This tolerance is based on how you feel about your money!

Again, a good financial planner or stock broker should help you determine the level of risk that you are comfortable with, and help you choose your investments accordingly.

Your risk tolerance should be based on what your financial goals are and how you feel about the possibility of losing your money. It’s all tied in together.


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Choosing a Broker

Depending on the type of investing that you plan to do, you may need to hire a broker to handle your investments for you. Brokers work for brokerage houses and have the ability to buy and sell stock on the stock exchange. You may wonder if you really need a broker. The answer is yes. If you intend to buy or sell stocks on the stock exchange, you must have a broker.

Stockbrokers are required to pass two different tests in order to obtain their license. These tests are very difficult, and most brokers have a background in business or finance, with a Bachelors or Masters Degree.

It is very important to understand the difference between a broker and a stock market analyst. An analyst literally analyzes the stock market, and predicts what it will or will not do, or how specific stocks will perform. A stock broker is only there to follow your instructions to either buy or sell stock… not to analyze stocks.
Brokers earn their money from commissions on sales in most cases. When you instruct your broker to buy or sell a stock, they earn a set percentage of the transaction. Many brokers charge a flat ‘per transaction’ fee.

There are two types of brokers: Full service brokers and discount brokers. Full service brokers can usually offer more types of investments, may provide you with investment advice, and is usually paid in commissions.

Discount brokers typically do not offer any advice and do no research – they just do as you ask them to do, without all of the bells and whistles.

So, the biggest decision you must make when it come to brokers is whether you want a full service broker or a discount broker.

If you are new to investing, you may need to go with a full service broker to ensure that you are making wise investments. They can offer you the skill that you lack at this point. However, if you are already knowledgeable about the stock market, all you really need is a discount broker to make your trades for you.
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About Online Trading

The invention of the Internet has brought about many changes in the way that we conduct our lives and our personal business. We can pay our bills online, shop online, bank online, and even date online!

We can even buy and sell stocks online. Traders love having the ability to look at their accounts whenever they want to, and brokers like having the ability to take orders over the Internet, as opposed to the telephone.

Most brokers and brokerage houses now offer online trading to their clients. Another great thing about trading online is that fees and commissions are often lower. While online trading is great, there are some drawbacks.
If you are new to investing, having the ability to actually speak with a broker can be quite beneficial. If you aren’t stock market savvy, online trading may be a dangerous thing for you. If this is the case, make sure that you learn as much as you can about trading stocks before you start trading online.

You should also be aware that you don’t have a computer with Internet access attached to you. You won’t always have the ability to get online to make a trade. You need to be sure that you can call and speak with a broker if this is the case, using the online broker. This is true whether you are an advanced trader or a beginner.

It is also a good idea to go with an online brokerage company that has been around for a while. You won’t find one that has been in business for fifty years of course, but you can find a company that has been in business that long and now offers online trading.

Again, online trading is a beautiful thing – but it isn’t for everyone. Think carefully before you decide to do your trading online, and make sure that you really know what you are doing!

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Why Should I Make a Budget?

You say you know where your money goes and you don’t need it all written down to keep up with it? I issue you this challenge. Keep track of every penny you spend for one month and I do mean every penny.

You will be shocked at what the itty-bitty expenses add up to. Take the total you spent on just one unnecessary item for the month, multiply it by 12 for months in a year and multiply the result by 5 to represent 5 years.

That is how much you could have saved AND drawn interest on in just five years. That, my friend, is the very reason all of us need a budget.
If we can get control of the small expenses that really don’t matter to the overall scheme of our lives, we can enjoy financial success.

The little things really do count. Cutting what you spend on lunch from five dollars a day to three dollars a day on every work day in a five day work week saves $10 a week… $40 a month… $480 a year… $2400 in five years….plus interest.

See what I mean… it really IS the little things and you still eat lunch everyday AND that was only one place to save money in your daily living without doing without one thing you really need. There are a lot of places to cut expenses if you look for them.

Set some specific long term and short term goals. There are no wrong answers here. If it’s important to you, then it’s important period.

If you want to be able to make a down payment on a house, start a college fund for your kids, buy a sports car, take a vacation to Aruba… anything… then that is your goal and your reason to get a handle on your financial situation now. Read More...

The Budget – The Ultimate Financial Management Tool

A carpenter uses a set of house plans to build a house. If he didn’t the bathroom might get overlooked altogether.

Rocket Scientists would never begin construction on a new booster rocket without a detailed set of design specifications. Yet most of us go blindly out into the world without an inkling of an idea about finances and without any plan at all.

Not very smart of us, is it?

A money plan is called a budget and it is crucial to get us to our desired financial goals.

Without a plan we will drift without direction and end up marooned on a distant financial reef.
If you have a spouse or a significant other, you should make this budget together. Sit down and figure out what your joint financial goals are…long term and short term.

Then plan your route to get to those goals. Every journey begins with one step and the first step to attaining your goals is to make a realistic budget that both of you can live with.

A budget should never be a financial starvation diet. That won’t work for the long haul. Make reasonable allocations for food, clothing, shelter, utilities and insurance and set aside a reasonable amount for entertainment and the occasional luxury item. Savings should always come first before any spending.

Even a small amount saved will help you reach your long term and short term financial goals. You can find many budget forms on the internet. Just use any search engine you choose and type in “free budget forms”.

You’ll get lots of hits. Print one out and work on it with your spouse or significant other. Both of you will need to be happy with the final result and feel like it’s something you can stick to.
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Spend Wisely to Save Money

Have you ever noticed that the things you buy every week at the grocery and hardware stores go up a few cents between shopping trips? Not by much…just by a little each week but they continue to creep up and up.

All it takes for the price to jump up by a lot is a little hiccup in the world wide market, note the price of gasoline as it relates to world affairs.

There is a way that we can keep these price increases from impacting our personal finances so much and that is by buying in quantity and finding the best possible prices for the things we use and will continue to use everyday… things that will keep just as well on the shelves in our homes as it does on the shelves at the grocery store or hardware store.

For instance, dog food and cat food costs about 10% less when bought by the case than it does when bought at the single can price and if you wait for close out prices you save a lot more than that.

Set aside some space in your home and make a list of things that you use regularly which will not spoil. Any grain or grain products will need to be stored in airtight containers that rats can’t get into so keep that in mind.

Then set out to find the best prices you can get on quantity purchases of such things as bathroom items and dry and canned food.

You will be surprised at how much you can save by buying a twenty pound bag of rice as opposed to a one pound bag but don’t forget that it must be kept in a rat proof container.

You can buy some clothing items such as men’s socks and underwear because those styles don’t change, avoid buying children’s and women’s clothing, those styles change and sizes change too drastically.

Try to acquire and keep a two year supply of these items and you can save hundreds of dollars.
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Rebates – Reward or Rip Off?

Rebates have become increasingly popular in the last few years on a lot of items and certainly on electronic items and computers. Rebates of $20, $50 or $100 are not uncommon.

I’ve even seen items advertised as “free after rebate”. Do these rebates come under the heading of “too good to be true”? Some of them do and there are “catches” to watch out for but if you are careful, rebates can help you get some really good deals.

The way a rebate works is that you pay the listed price for an item then mail in a form and the bar code to the manufacturer and they send you a refund thus reducing the price of what you paid for the item except with a time delay of several weeks.

Rebates have become increasingly popular in the last few years on a lot of items and certainly on electronic items and computers. Rebates of $20, $50 or $100 are not uncommon.

I’ve even seen items advertised as “free after rebate”. Do these rebates come under the heading of “too good to be true”? Some of them do and there are “catches” to watch out for but if you are careful, rebates can help you get some really good deals.

The way a rebate works is that you pay the listed price for an item then mail in a form and the bar code to the manufacturer and they send you a refund thus reducing the price of what you paid for the item except with a time delay of several weeks.


Rule #1. Rebates from reputable companies are usually just fine.

You can be pretty sure you will get the promised rebate from Best Buy, Amazon or Dell but you should probably not count on getting one from a company you’ve never heard of. If you really want the product and are OK with paying the price listed then buy it but don’t count on actually getting the refund.


Rule #2. Check rebate expiration dates.

Many times products will stay on the shelf of a retailer after the date for sending in the rebate offer has expired so check that date carefully.


Rule #3. Be sure you have all the forms required to file for the rebate before you leave the store.

Rebates will almost always require a form to be filled out, a receipt for the purchase and a bar code.

Rule #4. Back up your rebate claim.

Make copies of everything you send in to get your rebate including the bar code. Stuff gets lost in the mail all the time and if the rebate is for $50 it’s worth the trouble to back up your claim.

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Avoiding Impulse Spending

Answer these questions truthfully:

1.)Does your spouse or partner complain that you spend too much money?

2.)Are you surprised each month when your credit card bill arrives at how much more you charged than you thought you had?

3.)Do you have more shoes and clothes in your closet than you could ever possibly wear?

4.)Do you own every new gadget before it has time to collect dust on a retailer’s shelf?

5.)Do you buy things you didn’t know you wanted until you saw them on display in a store?

If you answered “yes” to any two of the above questions, you are an impulse spender and indulge yourself in retail therapy.

This is not a good thing. It will prevent you from saving for the important things like a house, a new car, a vacation or retirement. You must set some financial goals and resist spending money on items that really don’t matter in the long run.

Impulse spending will not only put a strain on your finances but your relationships, as well. To overcome the problem, the first thing to do is learn to separate your needs from your wants.

Advertisers blitz us hawking their products at us 24/7. The trick is to give yourself a cooling-off period before you buy anything that you have not planned for.

When you go shopping, make a list and take only enough cash to pay for what you have planned to buy. Leave your credit cards at home.

If you see something you think you really need, give yourself two weeks to decide if it is really something you need or something you can easily do without. By following this simple solution, you will mend your financial fences and your relationships.
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College vs Retirement

For most people, investing in mutual funds is pretty straight forward. You have specific goals that need to be met. You and your partner are approaching mutual fund investing with your eyes open and you’re both on the same page. Granted, she may want that pretty cottage down by the lake and you want that new speedboat, but both your goals involve water, and that’s close enough for you. But what if you’re in a completely different boat? What if you know you need to invest, but you have two equally important goals pulling you two different ways? This is the case with thousands of parents who see the need to save for retirement but also want to save for the kids’ college education. How can you do both at the same time? Here are a few tips.

One of the biggest factors in the college vs. retirement battle is the fact that people are putting off having kids until later in life these days. Fifty years ago, this wasn’t the case, and saving for both college and retirement usually happened during two distinctly different phases in one’s life. These days, now that we realize that saving for retirement is something that should be started when you’re 18, not 48, the two overlap more than ever.

The gut instinct of most parents is to put the kids’ future ahead of their own and cut back on retirement savings in favour of college. While this is a popular choice, it really only should be a last resort. A technique that is becoming more and more popular with parents who face saving for both at once is offering your prospective college student the chance to get matching funds from you. This is simply the idea that for every dollar they pay for, you’ll match it. If your not sure how junior will pay for half, remember, there are many ways for teenagers to save for college themselves. Almost everyone qualifies for student loans, there are scholarships for good grades as well as an after school and summertime job. Most college students work while they are attending classes, as well.

While walking the tightrope of saving for two goals at once can be stressful, a logical and determined approach to the situation is really the only way to go. Choosing retirement over your kids’ education isn’t a “wrong” choice, and neither is choosing college over retirement. Everyone’s situation is different and you need to make the right choice for your situation. Read More...

Don’t Chase the Best Funds

If you ask a seasoned mutual fund investor what the three biggest keys to successful investing are, he or she is bound to say discipline, discipline and discipline. What does that mean, exactly? It means avoiding the temptation to react with the news.

A common behaviour by many new investors is that when they hear on the news that a particular stock or mutual fund is poised to explode, they run to their computers or cell phones and switch over every penny in investments that they have to this new hot stock. While this practice can work some of the time, if it worked all of the time without fail, investing would be a lot easier and everyone would be doing it.
Discipline is the practice of sticking with your advised investment plan, even if a more tempting offer comes along. When you first start to invest, you should have a good idea of your risk profile, your short and long term goals and the amount of money you’re able to invest. You should pick a fund that meets all of those criteria and then settle in for the long haul. The only way to make a lot of money with mutual funds is to trust that they will give you the returns you desire, and stick with it.

There are times, however, when sticking with a fund may not be a good idea. If your fund is haemorrhaging money and has been for months, you may want to switch to a more stable mutual fund. But you can’t switch over your money with every bump and swerve in the market. Not only will fees and taxes eat your principle up, you’ll have no long term plan to help you invest and meet your goals.

The two biggest demons you have to deal with are fear and greed. Both of which are valid human emotions, but both can get in the way of logical, disciplined mutual fund investing. If you can manage both your greed and your fear, you can stay away from the lemming-over-the-cliff mentality that grips so many other investors. Mutual fund investing is one case where you do want to stay the course.

Temptation is a scary thing in all aspects of life. The temptation to run to the smoking hot and fashionable mutual fund of the week is extremely high, so high in fact that many investors take it like a month to a flame. If you don’t want to get burned, avoid the investment tips from your friends and use discipline as your number one investment strategy. Read More...

Determining Reward vs Risk in Investing Mutual Funds

The concept of risk versus reward is the basis for not only mutual fund investing, but investing altogether. The same system of risk versus reward can be translated to almost every part of life. When you analyze a situation, you can determine the possible risks of doing something and then the possible rewards of doing something and decide what the best course of action is for you. Determining your risk versus reward strategy for mutual fund investing is key.

The first thing investors of all stripes need to learn is that while mutual funds are a fun, exciting and easy way to invest, there is always a chance, no matter how slim, that you could lose every single penny you invest. That is one kind of risk. The other kind is the risk of not meeting your investing goals that you have set for yourself. This is a tightrope that every investor must walk, determining your risk while trying to earn the reward.
The risk associated with investing can be caused by many different factors. Things like general economic conditions, the rising or falling of interest rates and inflation are just a few factors that can cause a stock or a mutual fund to rise or fall. One of the best parts about mutual funds is that the risk involved in each fund is clearly stated BEFORE you invest. If you’re just looking to make a few dollars for holiday shopping, you can do that and keep your risk very low. If you are 25 and have a whole lifetime to invest for your retirement, there are mutual funds that can help you take big chances with even bigger rewards. If you lose your money, it’s not as big of a deal since you have your whole life to make it back.

Maybe the best advice you can take when analyzing risk versus reward is the fact that every stock, every bond and, yes, every mutual fund will fluctuate. This is an inarguable truism in the world of investing. There may be a few times when you sit down with your morning paper and you need two antacids with your morning coffee because your fund lost a few points. But with smart investing and good advice, you’ll have far more mornings where you leave for work with a smile on your face because your fund is doing well.

Analyzing risk versus reward is a huge part of investing and if you are having trouble figuring out how much risk to take, ask for help. You don’t want to enter into investing with a blurry picture of your risk vs. reward. The more you know about your personal situation, the better off you’ll be. Read More...

Criticism of Mutual Funds

While mutual fund investing has exploded over the past 50 years to become one of the most popular forms of investing anywhere, there are still possible pitfalls that you can fall into if you’re not careful. Investing is still a risky business, even if everyone is doing it. Here are some tips to help you through any problems you might have.
One common criticism of mutual fund investing is that they don’t have a high enough return on their investment and that index funds, which aren’t as popular have historically returned a higher investment than the much more popular actively managed mutual funds.
A second common problem that some have with mutual fund investing is the use of load funds. You have probably seen the phrase “no-load mutual fund” in the newspaper or on television. The reason the no-load type of fund is preferred is because load funds come loaded with fees. These fees can run anywhere between half a percent, all the way up to 8.5 percent of however much you chose to invest. It’s thought that these fees are a clear conflict of interest as they clearly benefit the people making the sale and hurt the person making the investment. Load mutual funds are also thought to make your broker recommend funds that will maximize his fee, and not your investment portfolio.
Some investors also point to a perceived conflict of interest in regards to the size of the mutual fund. Most companies that manage the mutual fund charge a fee of between half a percent up to two and a half percent of the total amount of the funds assets. It’s thought that this fee could cause a fund to spend more on advertising than is actually needed so that they can get more people to invest in the fund and maximize their fee as much as possible.

The mutual fund market isn’t immune to scandals, either. In 2003, a scandal involving the practice of unethical and dishonest trading practices. Many funds were found to have participated in late trading and market trimming, both of which are illegal practices. You obviously don’t want to invest in a mutual fund that is engaged in illegal activities.

Mutual fund investing is gaining in popularity on an almost weekly basis, and a few bad eggs in the business won’t ruin it for everyone. However, it is always good advice to enter into any kind of investing with your eyes open, and if you feel your mutual fund is behaving improperly, there are authorities you can report them to.


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History of Mutual Funds

For many investors, the choice of possible investments can be overwhelming. There are stocks, bonds, commodities, securities and lots of other choices. One of the most popular choices is mutual funds. These diverse and complex investments have become one of the most popular ways to invest and Americans have been taking part in mutual fund investing for many, many years.
The first ever mutual fund, known as the Massachusetts Investors Trust was born in 1924, but the idea of a group of investors pooling their money together for one big investment goes back even farther. Evidence of this style of investing can be traced back to Europe in the mid-1800s. The staff and faculty at Harvard University were the first group to do it in the United States in 1893. It was this group investment that went on to become the very first mutual fund in US history.

To say that this first mutual fund was successful would be an understatement. The fund, which started out with 200 investors and a starting point of $50,000 dollars, grew to a value of almost $400,000 in the matter of a single year. If only every investor could get that kind of return!
To compare those numbers to today, there are approximately 10,000 different mutual funds available right now, representing 83 million investors inside the United States, making mutual fund investing one of the most popular and wide-spread forms of investing in the US.

The rules of investing in mutual funds changed dramatically after the great stock market crash of 1929. The Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) was born, and with the help of two key pieces of legislation, the Securities Act of 1933 as well as The Securities Exchange Act of 1934,the government would take a pivotal role in trying to protect potential investors from getting ripped off. The SEC requires that companies file their financial information with them, so that investors can see which companies are healthy and are ready to grow, and which companies to stay away from.
The creation of the SEC did wonders for consumer confidence in mutual funds, and by the 1960’s the mutual fund market had exploded. There were an estimated 270 different mutual funds that anyone could invest in with a value of about $48 million dollars.
As you can see, mutual fund investing has had its ups and downs, and while a well run mutual fund is likely to make money, remember, there are no sure things in the investment world and you should always be careful when trusting someone with your hard earned money. Read More...

Covering the Basics of the Forex Market

The foreign exchange, or forex, market is relatively young, having begun in the early 1970s after the United States dropped the gold standard and national currencies started to fluctuate widely. For about 30 years prior to that, most nations had agreed to keep their currency values stable in relation to the U.S. dollar, making a forex market unnecessary. With that no longer the case, banks quickly realized that a profit could be made in “buying” currency when it was devalued and “selling” it after it strengthened, just like any other commodity.
Today, the forex market handles about $1.9 trillion in transactions every day, and it runs 24 hours a day, five days a week. (With nations around the world involved, it’s always daytime somewhere.) The most traded currencies are the U.S. dollar, the euro, Japanese yen, British pound, Swiss franc and Australian dollar.
The forex market is overwhelmingly dominated by international banks, government banks, investment banks, corporations, and hedge funds. In fact, individual traders account for only about 2 percent of the market. Nonetheless, a lot of people do try their hand at it, with varying degrees of success.
In the forex market, transactions are always handled in pairs: You buy one currency and sell another one. The idea is to make a trade when you believe the currency you’re buying is going to go up in value compared to the one you’re selling. Then, if it turns out your prediction was correct, you do another trade in the reverse direction -- selling the currency you originally bought and buying the one you sold -- in order to reap the profits.
For example, let’s say the market reports this: GBP/EUR 1.2200. That means the cost of buying one British pound is 1.22 euros. If you believed that course was going to change, and the euro was going to become more valuable than the pound, you might sell 100,000 pounds, buy 100,000 euros, and wait. Then let’s say a few weeks later, the exchange rate fluctuates to this: EUR/GBP 1.3100. Sure enough, the euro is now worth 1.31 pounds, a profit of 0.11 per unit.
The forex market is vast and daunting and mostly inhabited by giant organizations. But it can be navigated by individuals who have studied the finer points and who want to take a risk on something potential profitable. And since the whole world uses money, the trading of that money is always going to be a major force in the financial world. Read More...

Online Forex Forums Connect Traders around the World

Most forex trading is done online, with investors looking at forex charts, considering trends, and making decisions. There’s very little interaction, even via the Internet, with other human beings. That’s one of the reasons that many traders also spend time in forex forums, chatting with other investors and sharing tips.
There are dozens of forex-related forums and message boards on the Internet. Some are tied to brokerage firms, while others are just freestanding forums on forex-related sites. Since the market is active 24 hours a day, you can usually count on the forums being busy at all hours too.
As mentioned, one of the reasons for visiting forex forums is simply psychological: Humans like to interact with other humans, especially when their day jobs require them to be alone with a computer for hours at a stretch.
Furthermore, there are a lot of emotions involved in trading. It’s real money, after all, and often large amounts of it. Online forums give traders a place to discuss the psychological effects of long-term trading, how it can become addictive and nerve-racking, and what impact it has on everyday life. You could think of message boards as being a sort of support group for traders, or the equivalent of the office water cooler.
Forex forums have more practical uses, too, of course. Traders find the tips and strategies offered by their fellow traders to be invaluable. Forums are often rife with people more seasoned and experienced than the average person, which benefits the newcomers. And many experienced traders enjoy visiting the forums because it gives them a chance to share their wisdom with others.
Forex forums are also useful for gauging the general mood of the marketplace. The charts and rates give you the cold, hard facts. But many times making a decision to buy or sell comes from the gut, based not just on the numbers but on how the market FEELS. The forums are a place to see what other traders are thinking right now. Do they feel optimistic? Pessimistic? Are things looking up? Are they discouraged? All of this information can be taken into account when considering a trade.
ForexFactory.com and ForexForum.net are two very popular, widely visited message boards. There are dozens of others out there, too. All forex forums give traders a chance to connect with their colleagues and to learn from one another. Read More...

Positioning for The New Year - Financial Resolutions

By Altaf Sahibzada
A year comes and goes by. Some realize their financial goals but many do not. What differentiates the successes from failures? It is not enough to make resolutions. The main thing is to have a plan and sticking to that. As Law of Attraction has shown, nothing is impossible for a human being. If you make a resolution and you are positive, it has to happen. Let us make individual resolutions which best suit one's circumstances and draw up an action plan to achieve the same.
To take care of financial health should be the paramount concern of every one of us. Here are a few suggestions for making the New Year a financial success.

High Rate Investments
Most of the wealthy people have gained their wealth by high rates of growth. For this, one should take stock of one's savings, investments and future growth rates. Areas like stocks, real estate, mutual funds and emerging markets have stood well for many rich people. Simply put, you
have to strive for high rates of growth if you really want to be wealthy.

Boosting Savings?
In order to make more investments, it is necessary that one should save consistently. One of the most successful strategies with many rich people has been the principle of paying yourself first. According to this, savings should be the first charge on your paycheck. Experts are of the opinion that one should put aside at least 10% to 15% of one's salary as savings. This should be then invested in areas with more than average rates of growth. So let us start implementing it right away.
For this, make a habit of recording all of your expenses, small or big. Take the help of paper and pencil. Never spend any money before having a look on you balance of payments. Record, analyze and evaluate everything. Never make any major purchase decision on the spur of the moment. Sleep over it at least for a couple of days.

Additional Ways of Making Money
Internet and globalization has created lot of opportunities of making money. Let us look for additional ways to make extra money in our spare time. Let us experiment with at lest one new way of making money every month. It is highly likely that you will find numerous ways to make
more money from the comfort of your own home. The main thing is to look around and strive. This will boost your standard of living and savings.

Eliminate Debt
The best strategy for this is never to spend more than what you earn. If one is feeling short of cash, find additional ways of making money. Remember the saying "cut your shirt according to your cloth". Spend less, buy used things, buy local and buy environmental friendly products.
Never take car loans unless someone else pays for it. The next important strategy will be to eliminate all debt, starting from high interest debt. Obviously credit card debt and lines of credit
should be the starting point. Aim at one each of a bank account, credit card and brokerage account. Too many are confusing, time consuming and expensive.

Take Care of Your Credit Score
Never be late in your payments. Any late or overdue payments will figure negatively on your credit report. Preserve your high credit rating so that you can borrow easily and at favorable rates of interest.

Borrow to Invest
Never feel shy of borrowing for investment purposes. Any borrowing is good so long as it is not for consumption purposes. If you find any investment opportunity, take a low cost loan.

Take Care of Your Retirement
One has to take care of one's retirement. In addition to the above, switch your savings to low cost and no load index funds. Overseas mutual funds are also emerging as additional avenues of investment. Diversify and diversify. Remember never put all eggs in one basket. Not more than 10% of one's savings should be put in one investment place.
There are many more things that one can consider for making the New Year a resounding success. One has to be proactive in one's financial management. Start thinking and planning today. Success will eventually embrace you. Everyone has to make one's own plan according to one's conditions.

The author has background in business, economics and finance. He is presently researching in finding ways to make money and working on the following website and blogs:
http://www.businesses-jobs-careers.com
http://makemoneyplans.blogspot.com/
http://www.ReviewAnythingOnline.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Altaf_Sahibzada
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A Forex Demo Shows You How It Works Before You Jump into It For Real

Before airplane pilots actually fly on their own, they usually practice in simulators that re-create what flying will be like without any actual risk. Since currency trading is as dangerous financially as flying is physically, it makes sense that there would be a forex demo available, too.
A forex demo is a smart way for a new investor to start. Reading books and taking online courses can teach you the basics, but the best way to learn anything is to get some hands-on experience. However, with forex, hands-on experience could mean losing your shirt. So a demo gives you real-world training with no actual money being involved.
Usually, the demonstration comes courtesy of a brokerage or other financial Web site that has an interest in currying your favor. The plan is that once you’ve tested your skills in the demo, you’ll get into the real thing and take advantage of the paid services the demo provider has to offer -- forex signals, managed accounts, automated trading, etc. The demo is like a free sample, offered in the hopes that you’ll enjoy it so much that you buy something, too.
For that reason, be should be highly suspicious of any Web site that wants to charge for a demo. Considering there are literally dozens of sites that offer free demonstrations, there is absolutely no reason that you should pay for it.
When you sign up for a forex demo, you’re given a username and password and shown how to use the demo system. Sometimes it involves downloading a piece of software unique to the company; other times it’s simply done over the Internet. (Some demos require Macromedia Flash, which most browsers have installed, but which you’ll need the latest version of.) You determine how much imaginary money you want to start with, and off you go!
Once you’re signed in to the forex demo, you do all the things you would do if it were a real-world situation: reading the charts, following the trends, visiting online forums to get other traders’ opinions, and making trades. The trades are recorded in the forex demo only and don’t go anywhere into the actual market since there’s no real money involved. When the market changes, the program determines how much you’d have gained or lost based on the decisions you made. You’re able to say, “Whew! Good thing this was only for practice!” or “Too bad this wasn’t real!” And once you’ve gained some expertise using the forex demo, you can move on to the real thing and start making some money for real. Read More...

Top 10 Financial Resolutions for the New Year

By Samantha Chang

With the new year just around the corner, most of us are thinking about the holidays and spending time with loved ones. And while Christmas and New Year's Eve are a time to eat, drink and be merry, reality usually sets in on New Year's Day, which leads to the traditional round of resolution-making.
So for the new year (in addition to eating better and exercising more), you might want to consider these 10 resolutions for putting your financial house in order.

1. Think Strategically About Your Money
When it comes to vacations, most people plan months ahead, carefully selecting a destination and the best way to get there. Financial decisions should involve the same type of strategic thinking. You should choose a financial "destination" and then map investment, savings, insurance and household needs to arrive as planned. People who think strategically will know if they're on track to reach their goals and when they need to adjust their plan to match their financial situations.

2. Develop Financial Relationships
It's never a good idea to make major decisions in a vacuum. Ideally, you should try to develop relationships with people who can help guide your financial well-being. Get to know them, and let them get to know you. That way, they're more likely to go the extra mile to provide the kind of personalized service that can keep your goals on track. A good accountant can help you save money. A banker can help with loans when you really need them, and a lawyer can make sure your personal affairs are in order.

3. Boost Savings, Cut Debt
Limiting debt is critical to reaching your financial goals. Therefore, it's important to keep nondeductible interest to a minimum. As you liquidate debt, you may want to direct those dollars to savings. You can also maximize your savings by contributing to company-sponsored tax-deductible savings programs such as a 401(k), a health savings account or a
529 college savings plan. You should also consider making major household purchases on a "pay-as-you-go" basis. Anytime you reduce debt, you are, in effect, giving yourself a raise.

4. Review Household Expenses and Set a Budget
Cash flow management is fundamental to financial planning. Basically, this means spending less than you earn. To do this, you should decide how much you want to save and then adjust your budget accordingly. Try tracking your expenses for three months so you know where your money is going. This way, it's easier to start making intelligent decisions about spending habits.

5. Plan Ahead for Marriage and Family
You may not have tied the knot yet, but if you do plan to marry someday, you should start planning now. For example, do you and your partner see eye-to-eye on financial matters? Do you know whether you'll use a joint checking account or separate accounts? How many children, if any, do you plan to have? How will a family change your insurance and housing needs? Financial arguments can frequently lead to divorce. By planning ahead, you can help minimize stress on your relationship.

6. Review Employment and Education Options
Too many people fail to take advantage of employee benefits, especially when it comes to retirement plans. Most companies match a portion of an employee's 401(k) contribution. Consider it "free money" or a guaranteed return on your investment. An increasing number of companies also match contributions to college and health savings accounts and provide
tuition reimbursement. An advanced degree can enhance your earning potential, so find out if your company can help finance higher education.

7. Develop a Crisis Management Plan
A financial emergency usually strikes when you least expect it. The loss of a job, a change in your personal situation such as a divorce or a health crisis can quickly drain your financial reserves. The best hedge is an emergency savings account equal to at least three-and ideally, six-months of living expenses. Repay the account promptly, even if it means cutting back on other things. The goal is to avoid piling up debt-or worse, bankruptcy. A crisis management plan can provide some peace of mind and keep you moving toward your financial goals.

8. Review Insurance Needs
You can use insurance to protect your assets. Life insurance can provide a decent financial cushion in the event of a spouse's or partner's death. Therefore, it's important to regularly review your policies.

9. Leverage Your Assets
You can leverage assets to take advantage of financial opportunities. For example, if you have a low-interest mortgage, think about directing any extra cash to higher-paying investments rather than paying down the loan. A home equity loan is usually cheaper than a consumer loan, and
interest is tax-deductible. If you have a brokerage account, you may want to consider using it as collateral for a loan. The interest may be lower than your investment return and conventional loan rates.

10. Manage Your Taxes
Taxes can take a huge bite out of income and capital gains, so you may want to consider the following steps:
--Maximize your and/or your spouse's 401(k) and IRA contributions.
--Consider opening a health savings account, even if you don't plan to use the money.
--If you own stock, consider selling it before the end of the year if it's generating losses.
--Think about increasing charitable contributions or setting up a trust.

These transactions can all yield tax deductions. By planning ahead and taking small steps now, you can start getting your finances in order by the start of the new year. Happy holidays!

Samantha Chang is the executive editor of The Improper, a lifestyle magazine in NYC. A business and lifestyle journalist for 12 years. Samantha writes about personal finance, fashion and health/fitness. Visit her out at http://www.theimproper.com
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Finding a Forex Broker in a Crowded Marketplace

So you want to get involved in the foreign exchange market, or forex. You’re itching to trade one currency for another and make some profit. But you can’t just barge into Citigroup of Merrill Lynch and start throwing euros and yen around. To participate, you need a forex broker.
The preeminent forex broker for day traders (i.e., average Joes) is Advanced Currency Markets, or ACM. To many people, the Swiss company, founded in 2002, is synonymous with “forex broker,” trading about $70 billion a month.
There are dozens of other brokers, though, who service day traders. It’s done almost exclusively online, and in fact ordinary citizens rarely got involved with forex trading at all until the computer boom of the 1980s, and then exponentially more with the advent of the Internet in the 1990s. Since then, forex brokers have proliferated.
As you might expect, levels of reliability and competence vary from one broker to another. The Internet is rife with unsavory types seeking to take advantage of suckers, so you would do well to investigate thoroughly any broker you’re planning to use. Does their Web site look professional and reassuring, or is it riddled with dead links and spelling errors? Google the broker to see if they’ve been mentioned in news articles. Ask about their track record. And above all, avoid anyone who promises things that sound too good to be true, or who downplay the financial risk involved in forex trading.
Look for a broker that seems to genuinely want your business. Does the firm have customer service representatives available? Is there a phone number you can call to speak to a live person? The Web site should explain things clearly. If the site is full of language that seems designed to go over your head, look for a different broker.
If you set up an account with an online forex broker, it will work like this. First, you must apply for an account, which most brokers allow you to do online. This is to verify your identity and the validity of your bank accounts and financial records. Some brokers also require you to download their forex trading software, while others let you use whatever software you prefer. You will also have to transfer a minimum deposit to your account with your new broker. The minimum can be anywhere from $100 to $2,500.
Ideally, the broker you choose should offer service and support when you need it but should mostly simply stay out of the way and let you conduct your business. If you can find a forex broker who is professional and helpful, your experience in the forex market should be full of smooth sailing. Read More...

Setting New Financial Goals For the New Year

By Martin Lukac

The first step in managing your money is having financial goals. The New Year is the ideal time to review your financial goals.
Your goals help you to guide your finances on a daily basis. You have something that you are working towards every day. You plan and follow a budget, using your goals as your map.
Without your financial goals, you don't really have the proper motivation to get out there and save. Without a plan, you aren't getting anywhere. If you don't set financial goals, you may never see financial independence.
If you've never set yourself any financial goals, you need to sit down with a pen and paper and look at what you want to accomplish. There is a reason you want to change your finances. Make a list of the things you want.
Your list will probably start with getting out of debt, starting a retirement account, saving to buy a home and the basics. But don't let that hold you back. Include everything you want to get out of your money to your list. If you want new furniture or a trip to Europe, include
them. These are money goals that you can work towards.
Prioritize your list. While getting out of debt is a top priority, going to Europe would be something that could wait. Some goals you will be consistently working on at the same time. Others will wait until something else is accomplished.
Look at each of your goals and set yourself time limits. For example, you may know that you have 25 years to prepare for retirement. You might want to be debt-free in 6 years. Set these goals reasonably and remember that they can always be modified if necessary.
Then start breaking down your goals into short term goals. When you break a large task up into small steps, you are motivated to stay on task. Plus, it simply makes the tasks easier.
For example, if your goal is to get out of debt, your short term goals may be:
* Form a debt master list that lists each debt, contact info, interest rate, payment and balance for each debt you owe. (1 Week)
* Set up a budget and find ways to cut back on spending in order to put more towards monthly debt payments. (3 weeks)
* Call credit cards and request lower rates. If denied, start shopping for lower interest rate cards and transfer balances. (4 Weeks)
* Sell boat and put extra money towards paying off debt #1 on master list.
And so on. These lists can be never ending. As you think of a new "to do," simply add it to the list. Remember, things are set in stone. Management means that you are flexible, yet dedicated.
Once your goals are set, you need to review them often. Keep them in front of you constantly. Every time you pay bills or balance your accounts, you should look to see if you are working towards your goals. Keep them in mind. If you find that you aren't making progress on a goal, you should evaluate why you are failing and make the changes that are necessary.
Having goals helps you to stay on the right track financially. They are essential when you are looking towards financial freedom. But you must work towards them. Don't just set them and forget them. Review and revise as needed.

Martin Lukac represents RateTake Mortgage marketplace. RateTake matches consumers with multiple lenders offering low Refinance rates from our network of accredited lenders. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Martin_Lukac



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How to Read a Forex Chart

The forex chart is among the most basic tools in a forex trader’s arsenal. Simply put, it is a graph of a particular currency pair’s performance over a given period of time. Reading forex charts is essential to a trader’s business, so it’s important to know how to read them and understand what they mean.
Every forex chart will be labeled with a currency pair: EUR/USD, USD/GBP, etc. Remember, all forex trading deals with different countries’ currency in relation to each other. The EUR/USD chart, for example, tells you how the euro and the U.S. dollar compare.
Along the bottom of the chart is the timeline -- 15 minutes, an hour, a day, a week, or some other period. Going up the right-hand side are incremental amounts. For the EUR/USD chart, the amounts might be 1.2531 at the bottom, going up to 1.2561 at the top. And of course the middle of the chart shows what position the EUR/USD pair held at what time.
The forex chart is useful because it shows in graphic terms how a currency pair is doing. You can see at a glance whether a currency is getting stronger or weaker, and you can act accordingly. Choosing the time frame helps you see very minor trends (in a 15-minute period, say) or more long-term ones (over the course of several days, perhaps).
You can find forex charts all over the Internet, on Web sites for forex brokers, tutors, and on other forex-related sites. Those are fine for glancing at trends now and then. But to be a serious trader, you need to have access to charts much more readily, without having to go to a Web site. That’s why trading software gives you forex charts, too (you need to have broadband Internet so you can be “always connected”). Obviously, if you’re going to be trading, you need to have convenient access to the very latest charts.
With dozens of world currencies, there are far too many possible currency pairs for anyone to keep track of mentally. Forex charts show at a glance what any currency pair is up to, and good software allows you to save multiple charts as “favorites.” Naturally you’ll want to keep an eye on the charts representing investments you’ve already made, and it’s smart to have a few additional ones saved, too, so you can watch for trends in currencies you haven’t traded yet. You never know when a lucrative new opportunity is going to be revealed. Read More...