Forex E-Book Of Trading Strategies

With Forex trading, you can be in charge of your finances. It has the reputation for being the largest market in the world, and the cost at the beginning is also low. This industry is tuned to several billions of dollars, and there is the opportunity to earn a lot of money by a few hours. All one needs to do this, is the determination and an Internet connection.

When it comes to Forex trades, one must keep growing with learning about methods to make more money. There are excellent Forex e-books that deal with trading strategies, and which are highly informative for the growth of an individual in this industry. There are several Forex trading strategies that are available in the e-book, which will take individuals to greater heights.

The e-book states several methods that can be followed, and not one of them has false claims. Each one has been proved, and the methods will allow you to maintain a consistent trading record. This e-book can be vouched for, because a professional team has taken effort into researching the best ways to optimize the trading strategies.

If you are the one who has lost money in this business, and needs professional help with what you want, there is no better place to look for plans, other than this Forex e-book. In any business, one needs determination and focus to succeed, and so it is with this one. The loss must not stop you from trying these strategies to get where you want to get.

With the help of this e-book, you will be able to understand when and how to enter the market, and also when you need to find exits. This has to be done at the time, when you think you are about to lose money. These Forex trading strategies have been coined in such a way, that a trader needs to spend only a few hours gaining access to success.

Not only is the e-book charted out with simple steps, it is also a moral boost for those who have lost money. It allows the trader to understand the market better. Once these strategies are understood, one can make sure that he is never going to lose money in this business again. Once you understand the methods, you will also know when you need to enter a trade.

This way, you will not be left out from the crowd.

For your Information (FYI) - Bankruptcy

People view bankruptcy as a wake up call and well they should because that means they hit the bottom of the barrel and are now scratching the bottom - for more cash! If you believe misery loves company, be secure in the knowledge that there are at least 1.5 million people in there with you, that's how many filed for bankruptcy in the last year. Anyone can over-extend themselves and many do for more reasons than I could count.

Filing for bankruptcy is not only used by the lower and middle class but the rich as well. Famous people have fallen into the hole and climbed out, people like:
Donald Trump, Filed in 1990 - Kim Basinger, in 1993 - Burt Reynolds, in 1996 Rembrandt, in 1656. I am not sure about the last one; he may still be trying to dig his way out!

In the old days they would send people to debtors prison or even put them to death (not in America though), treating them like criminals. In these more civilized times the government not only banned this kind of barbaric action but made into law rules to protect us.

The bankruptcy code, also known by title 2 of the United States code (11 U.S.C.,101-1330), has been put into place to protect the rights of the individual and corporations, giving them a fighting chance against dept collectors, bankruptcy courts having the final word. There are basically two kinds of dept, secured an unsecured. Secured is where the creditor has some kind of collateral, be it your car, boat, house, or any material thing of value that they can take possession of if the dept is not paid. Unsecured is simply just the opposite, where the creditor has no collateral at all. In this case if the dept is not paid all they can do is use a collection agency where they call you day and night. Also you have to watch out with an unsecured dept because if the balance is large enough the creditor can put a lean on your property by getting a court order. This will prevent anyone from selling their house and moving away in an attempt to hide from creditors.

If you or anyone you know is behind on payments there is something they should know. Since 1997 the government stepped in to stop dept collectors and collection agencies from harassing and threatening people in the middle of the night and using unethical collection practices. The Fair Dept Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) makes collections agencies follow certain guidelines. These are things collectors must do:

*Stop contacting you if the request is in writing and you dispute the dept in writing.
*Within 5 days of there first contact they must send you a letter stating the outstanding dept and creditor.
*If you want to dispute all or part of the dept the collection agency must stop contacting you until the creditor responds to your inquiry.
*If the collection agency wants to take you to court for the dept owed on behalf of the creditor it should summon you to the county where you now live or where you first singed the contract.
Now, don’t be alarmed just because a creditor threatens to sue you because most times it is just meant to scare people into paying on depts.

Under the act (FDCPA) there are many things collection agencies can't do, some of which are:
*No calling you at work
*Indicating they may be working with the federal government
*No calling your friends or family
*Implying that you may go to jail, garnish your paychecks unless the dept holder plans to do it

Our government, in its infinite wisdom reasoned a long time ago that if they send everyone to jail there is zero change of collecting on any dept on behalf of a creditor. You probably have heard of someone that has had there wages garnished, that is creditors who get a court order to take a piece of their check until the dept is paid. This is a common practice in states that allow wage garnishment and there is little you can do about it except for contacting an attorney. Did you know if you have an unpaid school loan or owe the IRS they don’t even need a court order to garnish wages, even in states that normally don’t allow this? You can bet on it, they can also take your tax refunds!

As for personal property, in cases like a store dept (store credit card, personal check or payment plan) on an item like major appliances or furniture you may have bought they still need a court order to take it back, unless you let them in anyway. That’s right! If you let them in without a court order they can come and get it back! Many times if is just not worth it for them to re-possess items because they have to go the process of getting a court order and pay someone to carry it out. Also it may be harder to sell a used item that may be stained or damaged. One final word on this point, remember on secured loans and cars there is a definite risk of repossession if the loan (mortgage or car finance) is not paid. There is usually too much money involved here for creditors to loose so these payments should be on top of your ‘to pay’ list!

If you find collectors are not playing by the rules you should call an attorney or the Federal Trade Commission's response center at 1-877-382-4357 (FTC-HELP)
You can check out FDCPS's website at www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/dcpact.htm for more info.

Fixed APR Balance Transfers: Better Than A 0% APR

0% balance transfers offer great short term savings, free up money to pay down debt quicker, and can ultimately save consumers hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in interest over their duration. However, the very best 0% balance transfer offers on the market only last 15 months. For many, this is not enough time to completely eliminate their credit card debt and they are faced with a decision: pay the new regular interest rate or transfer their balance again. For most, a fixed APR balance transfer credit card never enters their mind. However, this balance transfer offer is often the best option for many credit card users.

First, let me explain a 0% balance transfer worst case scenario. An acquaintance of mine thought he could save a few thousand dollars in student loan interest by transferring his balance to a 0% APR credit card. The student loan had a fixed APR of 7.99%. He figured he’d save $1600 the first year on his $20,000 loan, then transfer the remaining balance to a new 0% APR credit card the next year.

What he didn’t realize was that its not always that easy to get approved for a new 0% APR credit card year after year, especially when you have a high amount of credit card debt. When it came time to transfer the $18000 left on his credit card, he was only able to get a $2000 0% balance transfer. He was stuck with $16000 of credit card debt with a 12% interest rate and the clock was ticking on his other $2000 in debt. Instead of a comfortable fixed APR of 7.99%, my acquaintance got stuck in a credit card nightmare.

Fixed APR balance transfer credit cards provide consumers with a much better way to pay down long term debt such as student loans or car loans at a set interest rate. Currently, some credit card companies are offering fixed APR credit card rates as low as 3.99% for the life of the balance. A rate such as this is lower than many student loan and car loan rates, and can provide consumers savings of 3% or even 10% on long term debt each year.

A fixed APR balance transfer is also a good option for individuals with high credit card debt considering a second mortgage to pay off their high interest credit cards. For example, a 3.99% fixed APR may be lower than a second mortgage’s interest rate and it wouldn’t involve costly refinancing fees. More importantly, however, is the fact that a fixed APR balance transfer doesn’t remove equity from your home.

0% balance transfer credit cards offer consumers great short term savings. In the long run, however, a fixed APR credit card provides a viable, interest saving option for those looking to reduce higher interest loans and credit card debt over a period of more than 12 to 15 months. Imagine how much better off my friend would be if he transferred his $20000 balance to a 3.99% fixed APR credit card instead of getting greedy with 0% APR credit cards.

©2006 Credit Card Depot Inc.

First Of All, Know Thyself

One of the most important elements of success in trading (and life in general) is knowing yourself. If you do not understand how you tick, you will never be truly prepared for the demands of trading, and likely your performance will suffer as a result.

Let me use myself as an example.

I am what might be considered project oriented. By that I mean I like to move from one thing to the next – always have something upon which to focus my attention. As my friends and colleagues can attest, once I complete a project - and sometimes even before I do - my thoughts shift to the next one. I actually get antsy if I have nothing lined-up. Predictably, this is reflected in my trading.

We can actually think of trading as a series of projects. Each position one takes on is a new project which incorporates analysis of some sort (automated or otherwise) and trade decision-making. When a position is closed out, it is like wrapping up a project. It’s over and done - time to move on to the next thing.

There’s a little problem with that, though. This kind of “project” approach, in the case of someone like me, can lead to overtrading. This isn’t the kind of overtrading which is referred to when one speaks of taking on positions which are too large, though. Rather, I am speaking of trading too frequently. In my case, when I close a trade I find myself immediately eager to open a new one. It doesn’t matter whether I made or lost money on that first trade. Because of my “need” to have a project going, my psychological pull is toward finding a new trade to make. (Note: I do not consider this in my case to be like the “fix” trading provides as an intermittent feedback mechanism, like gambling.)

This little personality trait of mine is something I figured out a while back when I realized that I am most comfortable when I have an active position in the market.. It doesn’t matter how large or small that trade is as long as I can check on it periodically and feel like I’m involved. Knowing this, I take two approaches to avoid the overtrading problem.

The first thing I do is trade longer-term. By doing so, I give myself the opportunity to take on long “projects”. I often have trades with durations of weeks or even months. These aren’t all my trades, mind you. I do trade short-term at times, but my schedule is such that longer-term position trading tends to fit best most of the year.

When trading shorter-term, I use a second approach to combat the “project” itch. Specifically, I try to step away from the market for a while following the completion of a trade. It lets me clear out the emotional residue of finishing a project and come back at it fresh. That can quite often make the difference between taking impulsive trades and being properly selective based on my analytic methods.

Of course, this is just one example of the sort of psychological hurdles which come up in trading. We all have patterns of behavior which are based in our personal lives that can quite easily carry in to trading, positively or negatively. Brett Steenbarger’s outstanding book The Psychology of Trading provides an excellent discussion of how this can happen, and ways we can overcome the problematic ones. The primary point is that we need to be able to look at ourselves like an outside observer. In that way we can get to know ourselves, and that’s at least half the battle.

How Should You Prepare For Retirement?

Title:
How Should You Prepare For Retirement?

Word Count:
628

Summary:
If you are nearing the age of 65, it is time to starting planning for what you will be doing when you retire. Planning is the key to success and receiving all the benefits you are entitled to. Do your homework and you will have a wonderful retirement.


Keywords:
benefits, retirement, security, social, social security, *, apply, apply retirement, retirement benefits, birth, plan, don\t, birth certificate


Article Body:
The three major elements of your retirement portfolio are benefits from pensions, savings and investments, and Social Security benefits.

To help you plan for retirement, each year we send you your personal Social Security Statement, which gives you an estimate of the monthly benefit amounts you and your family may qualify for now and in the future. If you've received your Social Security Statement and have questions about it, visit http://www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement/.

Once you've reviewed your Statement, you may want to explore a variety of retirement scenarios using a range of assumptions about your future earnings or when you stop working. You can do that with our Retirement Planner. The Planner not only tells you how to qualify for Social Security benefits, but it also includes Benefit Calculators that help you calculate your own benefit estimates.

When should you retire?

Generally, you should apply for retirement benefits three months before you want your benefits to begin.

* If you were born before 1938 and you meet all other requirements, you can receive benefits beginning with the first full month you are age 62. However, if you choose to begin receiving benefits before age 65, your benefits will be reduced to account for the longer period over which you'll be paid.
* If you were born after 1937, you also can start your Social Security benefits as early as age 62, but your full retirement age is more than 65.

Even if you don't plan to receive benefits right away, or decide to wait until after you reach full retirement age, you still should sign-up for Medicare three months before your 65th birthday.

Choosing the month you start to get benefits is an important decision. If you are not quite ready to retire, but are thinking about doing so in the near future, the Social Security Retirement Planner will help you prepare. If you plan to continue working after you reach age 62, it may be to your advantage to start your retirement benefits before you stop working.

How do you apply for retirement benefits?

You can apply for retirement benefits online, but not for Medicare. To apply for retirement benefits, just connect to the Internet Retirement Insurance Benefits application and follow the instructions. To apply for Medicare, call or visit your local Social Security office.

Or you can make an appointment for your application to be taken over the telephone or in person at a convenient Social Security office.

If you're deaf or hard of hearing, call our toll-free TTY number, 1-800-325-0778, between 7 AM and 7 PM Monday through Friday.

When you apply for benefits, you'll need the following:

* Your Social Security number
* Your birth certificate (if you don't have a birth certificate, you can get one from the State where you were born. See Where to Write for Vital Records for details on where to write)
* Your W-2 forms or self-employment tax return for last year
* Your military discharge papers if you had military service
* Your spouse's birth certificate and Social Security number if he or she is applying for benefits
* Children's birth certificates and Social Security numbers, if they're applying for children's benefits
* Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if you (or a spouse or child applying for benefits) were not born in the U.S.
* The name of your bank and your account number so your benefits can be directly deposited into your account.

Social Security will need original documents or copies certified by the issuing office. You can mail or bring them to a Social Security office. They'll photocopy and return your documents.

Don't delay your retirement just because you don't have all the documents we need--the people in your local Social Security office will help you. Don't wait until you are 65 to plan for your golden years.

How Bankruptcy Assistants Work

More and more Americans are finding themselves neck-deep in debt, and as a result, more of them are filing and declaring bankruptcy. Lawyers are finding big business in bankruptcy laws and handling bankruptcy cases. But they are not the only ones finding money in helping people recover their losses and start anew. There is a new and emerging trend of bankruptcy assistance. There are actually other individuals and companies that know of people's cases other than the court and their lawyers. They are the bankruptcy assistants.

These bankruptcy assistants work in two ways. A debtor has the option to contact a bankruptcy assistance service and have them arrange and compile necessary files and forms for him. This is especially helpful if a debtor wants to apply for bankruptcy the DIY way. However, these assistance service do not provide legal advice, they merely collect all pertinent information that a debtor need for declaring bankruptcy. This lack of legal advice seems to throw people off the service. To address this lack, these companies often affiliate themselves to lawyers. Lawyers get the full benefit of processing bankruptcy case with less stress for a small fee.

Bankruptcy lawyers are often saddled with several cases. They need to file forms, handle inquiries, and prepare petitions for different clients. They get so overworked which increases the chances of missing an important detail or a problem in the proceedings. Bankruptcy assistance companies see this as an opening to have stable clients and a wide market. Before debtors worry about their files sitting on someone else's desk other than that of their lawyers, these companies are certified by the lawyers association. Their staff also have to undergo specific training before becoming bankruptcy assistants.

How do bankruptcy assistance services function? They benefit both debtors and bankruptcy lawyers alike by reducing the hassles of preparation. They relieve lawyers of the client inquiry and updating calls. This saves lawyers the exasperation of listening to several clients asking the same nuisance questions. Debtors need not worry because they connect calls to your lawyer's line if the matter is pressing enough. Otherwise, they handle all general calls such as updates on the status of applications and lacking requirements. These phone conversations or correspondence are filed and documented for the lawyer's review. He does not miss any information except for the frantic sounds of clients's voice. Bankruptcy assistants also alert lawyers of possible problems concerning a client's application. They also conduct interviews and other means to get the necessary information pertinent to the application. Lawyers also save storage space because all files and folders about bankrupt clients are kept by the company confidentially. Aside from more storage space, lawyers also have file back-ups if the need arises.

As money is the main concern of bankrupt clients, they do not have to pay for the service. It is the lawyers who shoulder the amount because it is their prerogative to get a bankrupt assistance service. Clients are able to sit back and wait for their fresh start with constant reminders and updates from friendly bankrupt assistants.

How Much Money Should You Save for Financial Emergencies?

Copyright 2006 Tony Mase

Practically every financial planning and personal finance book you'll ever read advises you to start an emergency savings fund, or rainy day fund as some call it, to meet unexpected financial emergencies, as one of the first steps you should take to build wealth.

Some advise a fixed dollar amount, such as $500 or $1,000, be set aside for financial emergencies. I've seen recommendations ranging from $500 to $12,000.

Others recommend saving a certain number of month's income for financial emergencies, such as three month's income, six month's income, or as much as twelve month's income.

Still others suggest setting aside a certain number of month's living expenses, such as three month's living expenses, six month's living expenses, or even twelve month's living expenses, to meet unexpected financial emergencies.

So...

With all this conflicting financial advice...

How much money should you save for financial emergencies?

Well...

According to Wallace D. Wattles, author of "The Science of Getting Rich"...

If you truly want to be wealthy...

None.

That's right...

Absolutely none!

In an article titled "The Constructive Attitude", Wallace D. Wattles wrote:

"... do not lay up for a rainy day. If you live right, think right, and work right, there will never be a rainy day for you. If you lay up for a rainy day, you will impress the sub-conscious with the fear of a rainy day; with the idea of weakness and incompetence, and so you will cause the rainy day to come."

If you stop and think about it...

He's absolutely right!

I don't know about you, but every single time in my life I attempted to build up an emergency savings fund, guess what happened?

That's right...

A financial emergency would pop up out of nowhere and wipe out my emergency savings fund leaving me right back where I started...

Broke!

Sound familiar?

Until I read those words by Wallace D. Wattles, it never dawned on me that, by my own thoughts and actions, I might be creating the very thing I was most trying to avoid.

Now...

Does this mean you shouldn't keep any extra money at all?

Not at all...

In the same article, Wallace D. Wattles wrote:

"... provide a surplus, so that you may take advantage of any new opportunity..."

Once I began to build up a surplus to take advantage of new financial opportunities, instead of saving for financial emergencies, guess what happened then?

That's right...

Lo and behold...

New financial opportunities started popping up all over the place...

And...

Interestingly enough...

The financial emergencies disappeared!

You see...

There's a Creative Power within you that makes your life into the exact image of that to which you focus your attention.

If you focus your attention on financial emergencies, by thinking about them, by preparing for them, by saving for them, that's exactly what you'll have in your life...

Financial emergencies.

On the other hand...

If you focus your attention on financial opportunities, by thinking about them, by preparing for them, by providing for them, that's exactly what you'll have in your life...

Financial opportunities!

How Many Payday Advances Can You Handle?

Payday advance are the short-term loans, which are convenient and quick way to fulfill the needs of between any two paydays. These loans are termed as payday advance because they are often repaid after one receives the next paycheck or benefit checks. These short-term loans may vary from 10-45 days of duration. For applying for payday advance we need to provide some basic information like source of income, name, address, contact numbers, etc. no credit check is required for applying for any payday advance. After an hour of applying one receives a message regarding approval or disapproval. They give these details after reviewing the information given by the customer. Once the loan is approved the payday advance loans are directly transferred in the checking account. The most convenient thing about payday advance is that they can be availed anytime anywhere.

This also helps in getting good credit history as none of these loans come in transaction history. There should be no check returns for any payday advance loans and no negative balance accounts. If any of these options come into the transactions then bad credit history is reported to the customers account.

Payday advance loans meet the short-term financial but they are definitely no substitute for financial planning. Payday advance can be taken online also, which are very fast. These online facilities are applicable to only those who are above 18 years of age and have steady income with a checking account. Payday advance loans make the transactions very simple and hassle free. The payday advance specialists are available 24 hours a day for their services anywhere. For any amount ranging from $100 to $500 they are always ready with their service. Many moneylenders have come forward for giving away their service.

One should keep that in mind that the payday advance is a part of emergencies only. They should not be kept in practice to take every time. One should borrow only when it is required and can be easily paid back. This saves lot of money and interest in the long run. The interest rates charged are very high for the payday advance. Therefore one should always find out the company report for all these companies before availing any payday advance. More over one should also always check out for any hidden charges before availing any payday advance.

Before availing any payday advance one should also check for budget planning. Payday advance should be spent on necessities and not on luxuries. Loans such as payday advance attract heavy interest charges therefore these should be taken up in case of any dire necessities. Such advances taken for any daily expenses make living very expensive. Thus one should avoid small expenses and loans against such expenses. Moreover, any check returns on such small loans also report bad credit history and can ruin credit rating for any individual. A good budgeted and planned expenditure can save anyone from any sort of loans such as payday advance.

How Rich Is Rich?

Just how wealthy should a person be to be considered financially self-reliant?

To the question "How Rich is Rich", there is no specific answer.

It is likely that there will be a difference in opinion between two persons who may have the same financial status in life. We can expect an even obvious difference in answers between two persons who are not in the same financial status.

Some answers may sound like the following:

* A person is wealthy if he/she has a net worth of at least one million dollars.
* A person is wealthy if he/she is totally debt-free.
* A person is wealthy if he/she can live the lifestyle he/she chooses to have.
* A person is wealthy if he/she has a house, a flourishing business, can afford to take trips every year, and buy most of the luxuries in life.
* A person is wealthy if he/she can afford to give to charities.

Actually, there is no line that divides a person’s financial status to be considered rich or not.

Wealth is in the eye of the beholder. To some (not necessarily financial wealth), health is wealth even if their pockets aren’t.

Still, others may consider spiritual wealth as their foremost priority.

Even for the wealthy, there is never enough wealth. That is why, we see very wealthy people still continually making their assets grow.

Financially speaking, if you have income that is higher than your expenses (including reasonable luxuries) and your asset value stays ahead of inflation rate, you can consider yourself to be financially self-reliant.

Financial income does not retire with age.

That is why, there is a need to make money work for you, which brings us back to the importance of financial knowledge and why financial knowledge is better than money itself.

For as long as your financial mind keeps working, there will never be a hole in your pocket.

True wealth is all in the mind.

How Legalized Online Gambling is Better for Society

The question we should be asking is, by banning online gambling are we going to make things better or worse?

The answer to that question is simple, banning legalized and regulated online gambling in any form, just makes another way for organized crime to get a hold of peoples money, and then no one but the criminals win.

If you want to keep a child from seeing an R rated movie you do not ban the movie from the theaters do you? No that would be silly you just make sure that people are doing there best to check and verify that no one under 18 gets into see the movie. By banning the movie chances are greater that someone will get a bootleg copy and show it to every kid in the town.

So if you want to keep a child from gambling online then all the online casinos should be regulated and monitored, not banned.

The same goes for terrorists. If you believe terrorist groups are exploiting an unregulated and unmonitored industry such as the online gambling industry, then by regulating it you can see where the money is going and make sure it is not going to fund international terrorist attacks. All that is accomplished by banning it is that the criminals get a stronger grip on the industry.

The ban on online gambling is much like the war on drugs. If marijuana was legalized in the USA crimes related to it would almost go away completely, because it would be sold in stores and it would be controlled, another advantage would be that people would no longer be going to jail for marijuana related charges, this means thousands of less people getting arrested and going to jail every year, which would save us tax money that could be better spent.

By making online gambling in the USA a legalized form of adult entertainment it would also bring in an estimated 1.2 billion dollars in taxes to the American government. This money could be used for schools, police and universal healthcare for all Americans.

This is how you improve society, not by telling people what to do. It is human nature to want what we can not have so the more laws you put in place to stop people from doing something the better the chances are that people are going to do it.

People are just as likely to become addicted to gambling at a regulated casino as an unregulated one, but the difference is that in a regulated casino they will not extend you the amount of credit that will get you into trouble in an illegal casino.

And in a regulated casino they will have information on how to get help if you have a gambling problem. In an illegal casino they will not have this type of information, they want you to continue to gamble till you have nothing left, and then they will let you fall and find someone to take your place.

In the long run society can only prosper if we educate people on the dangers of gambling both online and in a casino, and not from banning an industry that employs thousands of people in countries all over the world. No one gains anything from just telling people they can not do something that they are going to do anyway.

It is about time the government learned this and stopped making the same mistakes year after year.

How Much Do You Need for Retirement

With an increasing number of people scheduled to begin retirement in the next few years, it is important to begin thinking about the subject. Even if you’re not near the age of retirement yet, it’s a good idea to begin thinking about how you plan to fund your retirement as soon as possible. The sooner you begin to plan for retirement the more you can be sure your retirement won’t be plagued by money issues.

So, how much money do you need for retirement? A lot of that answer, of course, depends on what plans you have for retirement. If you plan to travel, want to purchase a RV or you have similar specific plans, you will naturally need more money in order to fund your retirement. Above and beyond those expenses; however, it is important to think about your day to day essential needs.

For example, consider whether you will still owe any debt payments when you choose to retire. Of course, many of use would like to think that we’ll be out of debt by then but in reality you may still owe on a vehicle or credit card or even a house. Be sure to calculate those costs into the amount you need for retirement.

You’ll also need enough money to cover such costs as utilities, auto and home insurance, groceries and other miscellaneous expenses we all must pay on a month to month basis.

Healthcare will be an extremely important aspect of your retirement. Naturally, as we grow older our healthcare needs increase and that means spending more money. If you fail to fund your retirement in a sufficient manner, even one serious health problem could wipe out your retirement fund and you might find yourself facing the rest of your retirement with serious money problems. Just for your healthcare costs alone it’s a good idea to plan on budgeting at least $15,000 per year for every year of your retirement.

You also need to consider whether there will be expenses when you first retire that you’ll still need to cover such as support for aging parents (with life expectancy figures today, it’s definitely a possibility) as well as college education expenses for kids.

In addition, don’t forget miscellaneous costs which may pop up that we tend to forget. These costs include home repair costs, such as replacing a roof, purchasing another vehicle, etc.

After adding up all of the costs you’ll need to cover during retirement, don’t forget to take into consideration the effects of inflation. Figure on costs today rising an average of about 4% a year for every year you have left until retirement and then some.

Finally, don’t forget to give serious thought to how long you may need to fund your retirement. Quite surprisingly, many people tend to underestimate how long they’ll live and as a result run out of money. Don’t let that happen to you. The best rule of thumb is to assume you’ll live to at least age 90 and calculate for that.

How Invoice Discounting Helps Your Business' Cash Flow

Invoice discounting helps to identify trade-financing deal that is right for you. It does not require any security and offers lower rates as compared to a loan or an overdraft. Since an external agency takes care of the total transaction it reduces the administration, book keeping costs and the most important benefit of the total deal is that the business owner does not need to chase the debtors. This helps the small or any medium business owner to concentrate more on the business.

This method of invoice discounting provides immediate cash flow, which helps in generating working capital for the business. It also helps in providing salary for the employees, paying to the suppliers, obtain discount from suppliers for payments in cash. An important part of invoice discounting is that it solves the cash crunch problems for the business owners. An invoice details the goods or services that had been rendered to a company. It is a legal document that can be used to prove the incurred debt. Invoice discounting can help up generate cash up to the 90% of the invoice value. Invoice discounting is carried out at which rate depends totally upon the discounting agency or the factor.

There are various benefits of invoice discounting. A small business owner can reduce bad debts on his business. It provides professional collections and invoice processing. Invoice discounting offers credit terms to customers as well as meet increasing sales demands. It helps in taking advantage of early payment discounts and advantages of volume discounts. It helps in stopping early payment discounts to customers as well. The business owner whether small or medium does not need to give up equity or incur any debt on the business. Invoice discounting helps clients build credit for themselves as well the business. Invoice discounting is an easy and fast, leverage off the customer's credit. It does not require any personal guarantees or detailed management reports. It helps in getting the invoices paid faster and the business owner can concentrate on growth of the business. Invoice discounting is par any geographical limits so it can be done internationally as well. It helps in early detection and warning of customer service problems. It is also an effective tool for credit screening and credit monitoring.

Invoice discounting also helps to build a credit line from the invoice to the customers for the goods or services rendered to them. It helps to draw cash and manage the business. It offers the flexibility to pay only for the amount used and as much needed. Invoice discounting requires less collateral and also reduces paperwork. It also has a faster turnaround time and grows with the business. With the increased credit line it helps the business owner to avail any loans from the banks. Invoice discounting also free the credit limit and helps the business to avoid the debt trap.

Invoice discounting is an important credit worthy tool. When a business owner offers credit to the customer he becomes a bank himself. This is because when the business owner offers credit to the customer it offers payment terms to the customer. This is what exactly a bank also does. But here the businessman suffers the loss unlike a bank because the business owner loses the interest for the amount of time he has to wait. With the help of invoice discounting the business owner gets paid immediately and rest is paid when the actual goods are delivered.

How Do I Choose A Lender?

The growing demand for various types loan has led to the increase in the population of lenders in the country. Other than Banks and forms of financial institutions there are private lenders and mortgage brokers. What are the guidelines that a borrower should follow while choosing a lender? The choice of a lender must be such that the borrower gets the best deal while not being cheated. Other than the various acts and rules that the Government has imposed along with the respective state laws, there are certain methods by which a borrower chooses his lender.

The guidelines to be followed are a. License: The lender must have a license recognized by the Government to lend, without the license he cannot commercially lend. The license must be issued by the state and he cannot obtain license in one state and lend in another, this is against law. b. Reputation: The lender must have a good reputation wherein the earlier clients can give recommendation to the client as being honest and one who provides good rates. This reputation can only achieved through word of mouth. c. The lender must be honest, he must not cheat the borrower and must put forth all the available options and its pros and cons while choosing them. d. The lender must be transparent while dealing with any of his clients; he must not have hidden claims and hidden costs while processing one loan. He must put forth all the laws and abide by the same. f. All the information given by the borrower must be stored in a encrypted form and this is a norm being followed everywhere. The encrypted form is required because the borrowers information can be kept confidential and is not exposed to others. G. The lender must keep all the financial and personal information of the borrower strictly confidential any steps taken by the lender to breach the same is an offence and can be sentenced for the same. h. The lenders and the borrower must have written agreement wherein the property or the valuable that is kept as mortgage is mentioned. The various terms and conditions while offering the loan must be clearly and honestly written in the agreement. The rates of interest and the principle offered by the lender must also be mentioned. These various guidelines are required to protect the interest of both the lender and the borrower.

It is a great offence if the lender does not provide the authorizing organization the terms and conditions put forth by him while providing loans, in the similar manner the interest rate charged and the securities he accepts while advancing loans must be mentioned. It is also a great offence if the lender discloses any information of the borrower, which is not public. Thus the various acts, rules and the above given guidelines when followed protects the interest of both the lender and the borrower.

Grosses dépenses au casino: comment les éviter

Le casino est soit un lieu de détente et de plaisir, soit un enfer d'ou on sort la tête baissé, si ce n'est pas ruiné a cause d'une folle pulsion qui est de dépenser tout notre argent. Voici quelques conseils afin d'éviter cette ruine.

Le casino doit rester aux yeux du joueur une activité oisive et en aucun cas devenir un endroit ou l'on veut absolument gagner de l'argent.

Le casino ne doit en aucun cas devenir l'espace dans lequel on espère gagner la somme exigée afin de subvenir a nos besoins vitaux. Au casino, nous dépensons uniquement l'argent du compte loisir. (Et pas tout l'argent du compte loisir car il existe encore mille et une belles façons de dépenser son argent loisir : cinéma, restaurants, concerts, surprise a notre conjointe, etc.)


Ne jamais emprunter de l'argent afin de jouer au casino. Le jour où on ne peut pas se permettre d'aller au casino, on ne s'y dirige simplement pas. Le casino est un jeu et ne doit aucunement nous entraîner dans des dettes. Celui qui croit que la somme qu'il va gagner remboursera toutes ses dettes se trompe.

Ne jamais entrer dans un casino avec une carte bleue ou un chéquier en poche. Sous l'emprise du jeu, il est facile de dépenser aveuglement. Tout comme l'amour, le poker également rend aveugle le joueur. Venir au casino avec une somme liquide que l'on est prêt a perdre est la meilleure et seule façon de sortir du casino avec le même sourire qu'on avait a l'entrée.

Evitez de jouer sous l'influence d'alcools ou d'autres médicaments (les lecteurs concernés se reconnaîtront). Au casino, il faut garder sa tête froide et raisonnable.

Ne pas considérer le casino comme une échappatoire a nos différents soucis quotidiens ou psychologiques. Le casino ne peut nous en aider en rien, au contraire, il ne peut qu'aggraver notre situation actuelle qui ne deviendra que de plus en plus mauvaise.

Car le casino a beaucoup de dangers. Et car par sa faute également, il y a une quantité énorme de joueurs pathologiques,maladie grave que l'on a tendance a mettre sous le tapis.

Le jeu compulsif est souvent appelé le jeu "mal caché". Il n'y a en effet aucune signe extérieur qui peut nous alerter de la présence d'un joueur compulsif. Le gars qui a fumé un joint se reconnaît souvent à ses yeux rouges, celui qui a bu un peu trop se fera repérer par une haleine d'alcool inévitable même après un brossage de dents. Mais celui qui vient de dépenser maladivement ses sous au casino est méconnaissable.

Le joueur compulsif peut se retrouver partout et sur pratiquement toutes les tranches d'age. Le joueur compulsif c' est tout aussi bien le jeune adolescent qui pense se faire de l'argent facilement et qui se retrouve a dix neuf ans avec des dettes jusqu'au cou. Le joueur compulsif c'est également cette grand mère qui se retrouve seule a s'ennuyer chez elle et dont le sentiment d'inutilité soudaine la conduit malgré elle vers les jeux a sous. Ces jeux lui feront perdre d'un coup toutes les économies qu elle a prestigieusement gardé au fil des années.

Casino, machines a sous. Que vous dire ? parfois j ai envie de vous insulter et pourtant d'autres fois vos services me plaisent bien. Casino je t'aime,casino je te hais.

Get rid of all your loans with debt consolidation

The high society life style that we lead today requires a lot of investments. We all want to stay in big beautiful houses, own luxury cars, study in leading colleges and universities and enjoy a wonderful holiday in the Caribbean islands. And for making all this possible, we usually borrow loans for loan agencies or banks. However, we forget the fact that our incomes are limited and rates of these loans are high. We fail to pay back these debts on time. As a result, most of us end-up with a huge debt.

To get rid of these debts, many banks and loan companies have started providing the facility of debt consolidation. This means that people can borrow a new loan at low rates to pay back all their previous loans. This facility is also useful for people with a bad credit history. However, these people have to satisfy with a higher rate of interest. So, for a low rate of interest, a person should first make sure that he/she has cleared all his/her previous loans.

A debt consolidation loan can be easily taken against a home. Even if the home has already been mortgaged, you can still go on and get a debt consolidation loan. In fact, with this new loan, you can remortgage your home loan to pay back the original loan and get better interest rates while repaying the debt consolidation loan.

There are certain things that need to be considered while getting a debt consolidation loan.

- Make sure that you have a good credit history. For this, pay your bills on time, and repay the loans that are not to be consolidated.

- Conduct a thorough search of all the companies that offer debt consolidation. Short list the ones that will most suit your requirements.

- Get all the information about the companies that you have short listed. They should be reputed and have a good history.

- Get hold of the interest rates that these companies are offering.

- Provide these companies and banks with your requirements, and accordingly ask for quotes.

- Analyze these quotes and select the one that can be easily afforded by you, and meets all you requirements also.

- Make sure that the loans being offered do not involve any hidden costs. These can increase your burden instead of helping you get rid of your loans.

Like every other loan, the person getting a debt consolidation loan is also supposed to fulfill some requirements, and furnish some important information. The person will have to provide the lender with information about his/her credit history. He/she is also supposed to provide some identity proofs like social security number and driving license. The bank account number and cheque number will also be asked for by the lender or bank to counter check the financial status of the person.

These debt consolidation loans have made it easy for people to fulfill their wishes without worrying about the loans that they have taken up. They have also helped in making sure that people do not take up wrong steps in an attempt to get rid of their loan pending loans.

Federal Reserve's Balancing Act Creates Unique Situattion

Tampa, Florida, February 21, 2006 - The Federal Reserve's consistent increasing of rates since June 2004, and recent statements by new Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, have created a unique opportunity for consumers. During a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Thursday, Bernanke refused to say how high interest rates would need to climb in order to balance the economy, but economists predicted at least one more increase at the end of March, when he has his first meeting as Fed chief.

"There are two possible mistakes. One is to go on too long and one is not to go on long enough," Bernanke said during the hearing. "And, it's a very difficult balancing act."

On the future course of interest rates, Bernanke made a statement Wednesday before the House Financial Services Committee saying that he agreed with an assessment made by his Federal Reserve colleagues in January, and that interest rates would probably need to move higher. Because of this gradual increase in the Fed rate, the available rates on fixed and adjustable rate mortgages have converged, and in some cases, inverted.

"For the first time in 5 years, many lenders have rates on fixed rate mortgages that are almost the same as an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM)," said Karen C. Pooley, President of Star Mortgage, Inc. "This means that many people who shied away from refinancing because the best rates were only available on ARMs, can now get a fixed rate that is much better than what they have now. And even people who have seen the rate on their ARM shoot up in the last year can usually refinance at a lower fixed rate."

In a speech to the Credit Union National Association early in 2004, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan had stated that American’s preference for fixed rate mortgages means many are paying more than necessary for their homes, and suggested consumers might benefit from considering ARMs as an alternative. In fact, a Federal Reserve study at the time concluded homeowners could have saved tens of thousands of dollars in the last decade if they had ARMs. But the Federal Reserve’s policy of raising rates 14 times since June 2004 has challenged the validity of that position today. Normally, the difference between rates for fixed and adjustable rate mortgages can be more than 1%, with the ARMs having the lower rate, but now, for most consumers, the rate is almost the same on both.

There are still millions of homeowners with fixed rate mortgages that have interest rates of 8% or more, and they could save thousands of dollars a year by refinancing before the Federal Reserve’s next meeting on March 27-28. Many homeowners may think they have already waited too long, and that rates are now too high, but that isn't the case. There are still many programs available from Licensed Mortgage Brokers, who deal with wholesale lenders, that have fixed rates that are in the 6%-7% range, and actually less than the Prime Rate.

"A drop of just 1% in the rate on a $200,000.00 loan can lower your payment over $1500.00 a year," said Ms. Pooley, "and many times we can actually lower people’s rates by 2% or more."

"They can normally save back the total cost of the new loan in 2-3 years or less," she continued, "and pay little or nothing out of pocket to do it."

Economists are predicting the Fed will boost rates by another quarter percentage point to 4.75 percent at their next meeting, and that the average rate on home loans will increase by another one-half of a percent or more by the end of the year. Although economists, and Fed officials, disagree on how many more rate increases may be coming, most agree that the Fed's rate-raising campaign may be coming to an end soon.

According to Ms. Pooley, "The current situation is something that probably won’t last very long, and anyone who wants to get these below Prime fixed rates on a mortgage needs to act now, before the opportunity is gone."

Star Mortgage, Inc., is a licensed mortgage broker based in Tampa, Florida, and offers prospective clients a free mortgage analysis and consultation. They specialize in mortgages for the Florida market. Further information and a short on-line application are available on their web site at http://www.starmortgagebroker.com. You can also contact them by calling 813-882-8878.

How to get started with Internet Banking

The specific ins and outs of how your Internet banking will work vary depending on which bank you’re with. However, there are many things that banks do the same or very similarly, so it is worth taking a second to learn about how Internet banking works in general as well as reading the information your bank sends you.

To begin with, you have to register for Internet banking, if you didn’t do it when you set up your account. This is generally a matter of simply walking into your bank or phoning them and saying “I’d like to sign up for Internet banking”. They will then send you a series of letters with various PIN numbers and passwords (occasionally including a physical security device with a numeric keypad), along with instructions on how to use them to access your Internet banking.

Once you’re in, you should be presented with a list of your accounts (if you have more than one) or a list of your recent transactions. This allows you to quickly see the status of all your accounts and what has happened to them recently. From here, you can access pages where you can make various kinds of one-off payments, and set up or cancel regular payments.

To make a one-off payment, such as a bill payment or sending money to someone else’s account, you will need the person or company’s bank account number – some banks will have a list of utility bills already built in to the website. Simply type in this information on the payment screen, together with the amount, and click ‘pay’. The money should reach the other account within 2-3 working days.

Setting up regular payments is a little more complicated. Again, you need the numbers and amounts, but you also need to know the start date, end date, and how often you want the payment to be made. Be careful of exactly when you set your payments to leave your account, as the bank will often charge you a large fee if there is no money in the account when the payment is scheduled to be made.

How to get Online Gambling legalized in the USA

For many people the several hors drive to the nearest casino just is not realistic because of their busy lives, in California last week a man was arrested for locking his kids in the car while he went into a casino to gamble, but he would have been able to sit at home and watch his kids if he could have logged into an online casino.

But the law is reversible. Now is the time when politicians who have been eyeing the ultimate seat of power will start declaring their intention on running in the next presidential election.

This is where the American people have the power. Now is the time to start protesting the Unlawful gambling act.

Thru protest at the candidate’s rallies you will tell them this is an issue that is not going away. The issue of online gambling managed to get the American people to put the Democrats into power in congress, and now it can do the same for the highest political office in the United States.

When ever a presidential hopeful is appearing in your area you should hold a rally outside where ever it is the candidate will be appearing. Try to locate the entrance and exit they will use and make sure t have people with signs and chanting slogans.

By making Online Gambling a hot issue the candidate will have to address it. If a candidate can not get votes they will not win so if they think they can win by getting the gambling vote they will take up your cause.

Besides protests, I also recommend

Letter writing campaigns: letter writing campaigns are a great tool it allows you to tell your leaders how you feel and gives them a good sense of how strong the American people feel about the subject.

Petitions: petitions are much the same as letter writing except that instead of thousands of letters the receiver of the petition only gets 1 letter with the names of all the signatures on it.

The internet is a great tool for protesting, it allows you to pass your letter or petition to people not only all over the country but the entire world, and can also help spread useful information about protest marches by being accessible to everyone with an internet connection


There are also several myspace pages dedicated to trying to get the laws changed thru protest. The Angryonlinegambler is one such page. He not only offers an online petition but also a message board for people to leave messages about gatherings, and rants about how the government is making the wrong decisions.

It is also important to highlight the benefits to legalized online gambling

Millions of dollars a year could go to the American Government from taxing American player’s winnings, and if American land based casinos were allowed to get into the action then the government could make hundreds of millions for schools, and to further the war on terrorism.


Legalized Online Gambling in the USA would create hundreds of thousand if not millions of much needed new jobs in the customer service industry in the United States and would there for benefit the government.

How To Budget Money

Budgeting money is something of a neglected necessity in the modern world, with so many people lured into spending regardless of their financial situation. It has become almost the norm to spend each month more than is earned, often without even knowing it. This has led to severe debt problems for millions of people in the US and UK in particular, and an encouragement and acceptance of ignorance in personal money management.

Despite all the bad debt write offs, the banks and other lenders are happy with the situation. They build the risk factor of bad debts into their interest rates to ensure overall profitability, so borrowers are paying for the collective lack of ability to budget properly. Yet, budgeting is easy, so it is baffling in some ways that many people are unsure how to budget money.

Being able to budget your own money is a bit more than listing your incomings and outgoings each month, quarter, year, or whatever period you need to budget for. Yes, you must go through the listing process, and then keep an eye on both sides of the equation constantly. But there are other factors in home budgeting, and that is what this article is about.

The Greatest Incentive

To encourage yourself to budget money is important, as without the motivation, you will probably not budget that well. What incentive can there be to having a home budget and sticking to it? The answer is actually quite simple. Nobody becomes rich by spending more, or even the same, each month than they receive. Wealth grows from surplus; that is, the surplus left over at the end of the month after you have completed your spending.

Recognizing this can provide you with a kick start in wanting to learn how to budget money, and then put that learning into practice. Once you start to see those surpluses build, your confidence in wealth building, and incentive in budgeting, will grow.

Keeping Detached

It is important when budgeting to maintain a detached view of the figures. Think of yourself as a finance professional helping a consumer set and manage a home budget, and set yourself aside from any emotions that may seep out during a review of your budget. Some parts of the budget can arouse emotions, and thus distort sensible decisions. Things like cutting out a family holiday or weekend trips, that new bike for your son or designer outfit for your daughter, can be emotional sparks. It is important not to allow those sparks to set light to your well drafted budget.

Be Open

If you have a family, the household budget affects those closest to you. The budget is a family affair, and it does help to talk openly about it with your spouse and children who are old enough to understand. Children may not like sacrifices, but they will understand eventually. It can be an important part of their education if you involve them. If you can give them some incentive, too, such as building their own savings scheme into the budget, then they may even start to enjoy it and truly see the benefits.

Ignore Peer Pressures

Your personal budget is simply that, personal. It is therefore something you should see in the context of your own circumstances, not somebody else's.

To budget your money effectively you really need to be able to ignore peer pressures that may force you into unnecessary or unwise spending. Just because your neighbour or best friend is having two foreign holidays this year does not mean you need to also. Just because your brother or other relative has a new home cinema system does not mean it is essential for you too.

If you can let peer pressure run off you, like water off a duck's back, then you have made a big breakthrough in learning how to budget money.

Those are just a few of the other factors that come into play in learning how to budget at home, but they are all worth considering as you focus on your incomings and outgoings while home budgeting.

How To Choose and Use Credit Cards

Credit Card Terms

A credit card is a form of borrowing that often involves charges. Credit terms and conditions affect your overall cost. So it's wise to compare terms and fees before you agree to open a credit or charge card account.

The following are some important terms to consider that generally must be disclosed in credit card applications or in solicitations that require no application. You also may want to ask about these terms when you're shopping for a card.

Annual Percentage Rate. The APR is a measure of the cost of credit, expressed as a yearly rate. It also must be disclosed before you become obligated on the account and on your account statements.

The card issuer also must disclose the "periodic rate" - the rate applied to your outstanding balance to figure the finance charge for each billing period.

Some credit card plans allow the issuer to change your APR when interest rates or other economic indicators - called indexes - change. Because the rate change is linked to the index's performance, these plans are called "variable rate" programs. Rate changes raise or lower the finance charge on your account. If you're considering a variable rate card, the issuer must also provide various information that discloses to you:

• that the rate may change; and
• how the rate is determined - which index is used and what additional amount, the "margin," is added to determine your new rate.

At the latest, you also must receive information, before you become obligated on the account, about any limitations on how much and how often your rate may change.

Free Period. Also called a "grace period," a free period lets you avoid finance charges by paying your balance in full before the due date. Knowing whether a card gives you a free period is especially important if you plan to pay your account in full each month. Without a free period, the card issuer may impose a finance charge from the date you use your card or from the date each transaction is posted to your account. If your card includes a free period, the issuer must mail your bill at least 14 days before the due date so you'll have enough time to pay.


Annual Fees. Most issuers charge annual membership or participation fees. They often range from $25 to $50, sometimes up to $100; "gold" or "platinum" cards often charge up to $75 and sometimes up to several hundred dollars.

Transaction Fees and Other Charges. A card may include other costs. Some issuers charge a fee if you use the card to get a cash advance, make a late payment, or exceed your credit limit. Some charge a monthly fee whether or not you use the card.

Balance Computation Method for the Finance Charge. If you don't have a free period, or if you expect to pay for purchases over time, it's important to know what method the issuer uses to calculate your finance charge. This can make a big difference in how much of a finance charge you'll pay - even if the APR and your buying patterns remain relatively constant.

Examples of balance computation methods include the following.

Average Daily Balance. This is the most common calculation method. It credits your account from the day payment is received by the issuer. To figure the balance due, the issuer totals the beginning balance for each day in the billing period and subtracts any credits made to your account that day. While new purchases may or may not be added to the balance, depending on your plan, cash advances typically are included. The resulting daily balances are added for the billing cycle. The total is then divided by the number of days in the billing period to get the "average daily balance."

Adjusted Balance. This is usually the most advantageous method for card holders. Your balance is determined by subtracting payments or credits received during the current billing period from the balance at the end of the previous billing period. Purchases made during the billing period aren't included.

This method gives you until the end of the billing cycle to pay a portion of your balance to avoid the interest charges on that amount. Some creditors exclude prior, unpaid finance charges from the previous balance.
Previous Balance. This is the amount you owed at the end of the previous billing period. Payments, credits and new purchases during the current billing period are not included. Some creditors also exclude unpaid finance charges.

Two-cycle Balances. Issuers sometimes use various methods to calculate your balance that make use of your last two month's account activity. Read your agreement carefully to find out if your issuer uses this approach and, if so, what specific two-cycle method is used.

If you don't understand how your balance is calculated, ask your card issuer. An explanation must also appear on your billing statements.

Other Costs and Features

Credit terms vary among issuers. When shopping for a card, think about how you plan to use it. If you expect to pay your bills in full each month, the annual fee and other charges may be more important than the periodic rate and the APR, if there is a grace period for purchases. However, if you use the cash advance feature, many cards do not permit a grace period for the amounts due - even if they have a grace period for purchases. So, it may still be wise to consider the APR and balance computation method. Also, if you plan to pay for purchases over time, the APR and the balance computation method are definitely major considerations.

You'll probably also want to consider if the credit limit is high enough, how widely the card is accepted, and the plan's services and features. For example, you may be interested in "affinity cards" - all-purpose credit cards sponsored by professional organizations, college alumni associations and some members of the travel industry. An affinity card issuer often donates a portion of the annual fees or charges to the sponsoring organization, or qualifies you for free travel or other bonuses.

Special Delinquency Rates. Some cards with low rates for on-time payments apply a very high APR if you are late a certain number of times in any specified time period. These rates sometimes exceed 20 percent. Information about delinquency rates should be disclosed to you in credit card applications or in solicitations that do not require an application.

Shopping Tips

Keep these tips in mind when looking for a credit or charge card.
• Shop around for the plan that best fits your needs.
• Make sure you understand a plan's terms before you accept the card.
• Hold on to receipts to reconcile charges when your bill arrives.
• Protect your cards and account numbers to prevent unauthorized use. Draw a line through blank spaces on charge slips so the amount can't be changed. Tear up carbons.
• Keep a record - in a safe place separate from your cards - of your account numbers, expiration dates and the phone numbers of each issuer to report a loss quickly.
• Carry only the cards you think you'll use.

How the Internet can help your finances

The Internet always struck me as a brilliant invention.
The concept was brilliant right from the very start but, these days, as it got so incredibly big, you can order electronics, clothes or even food online.
You can also play games, talk with people all over the World and, finally, organize your finances online.

For example, one of the smartest things you could possibly do online is to get a free credit report that many companies such as credit.com offer. It's easy, fast and, most importantly, free.

Lots of companies also offer free debt consultation. It's one of things you have to shop around for as some are offering debt consultations for prices as high as $300 per hour while others are offering the same (or maybe even better) service absolutely for free.

Lastly, these days it's also very comfortable to get a payday loan (some call this type of loan also cash advance loan) online. It's not something I would recommend as the interest is usually huge when compared to a personal loan, for example, but it's the quickest way to get the money you need.
The requirements are very minimal (it's usually enough to be 18 years old and to make at least $1000 a month) and some companies, such as credit.com, let you have the money in just 24 hours.
Here are the credit.com requirements for a cash advance:
“
• US resident over 18 years old
• No outstanding payday loans
• Active checking account
• $1,000 minimum monthly income
• This service is not available in Illinois, or Massachusetts. Nor is it available in Georgia or any state where prohibited by law.
“
These were just a few examples of things you could do online; I'm sure you can come up with other ideas that are way better than this.

How to Automate Your Trading Profits?

As an entrepreneur, you will find this information useful. For the first time, there is a way to trade forex as a professional trader even when you don't have any background or experience in trading Forex at all. A Goldman Sachs' former Quantitative Analyst has revealed his secret automated trading system that helps people who really want to step in the world of Forex trading and start making some profits out of it but are afraid of learning complicated Technical Analysis or reading Forex chart.

Normally, to be able to trade Forex, one must spend at least 3-6 months to learn about Forex basics, reading Forex charts, using technical indicators to determine buy/sell/exit signals. Even learning so many things like that still can not guarantee profits because trading is ruthless, no one can predict the market. The only way to be profitable is to identify the trends and ride the trends to maximum. Only a few elite individual traders can do that! The fact is 95% of traders lose their money! (And the winners are always the big 'sharks' banks or financial institutes which have thousand of brightest brains working for them and many complicated trading systems that run on power of thousands of super computers).

However, there are still chances for small investors/traders if they are equipped with the right trading systems with good enter/exit strategies, stable money management methods... Forex Autopilot System is among those systems. It was designed to run on autopilot, just plug-and-play, to bring in profits. It is actually an Expert Advisor that runs on the platform of MetaTrader4( which is the most popular free-to-download trading platform in the industry). It is easy to install and run. It requires less than 20 minutes to monitor. That helps traders to have more free time (not sitting glued in front of computer anymore). It can work in any country, at any time.

Mark Copeland, the creator of Forex Autopilot System, does not make any outrageous claims about his system. He understands that Forex trading involves risk, and sometimes software and machines are not as accurate in making decisions as human beings. Therefore, from his experience and knowledge of working as a senior Quantitative Analyst in a big investment bank like Goldman Sachs, he only claimed that his system can make 5-25% return per month.

So, if you think you have tried everything in forex trading and you never get to the profitable status you wish, Forex Autopilot System should be in your consideration. It can have a direct impact on what you think you can achieve in Forex Trading. In the case you have no idea about Forex trading but still look for opportunities to make money from home, this system also might be able to help you because the system includes a software and a comprehensive guide about how to use the software. Given that you have no experience with MetaTrader or Expert Advisor, just read the short guide and you also can start trading with the system.

How Is Your Cash Flow And Factoring

How did your company do this month with the cash flow? Why not let the question go; how has your cash flow been this year?

Did you sweat it out worrying you might not make payroll, get that vendor off your back, pay that tax bill that was due and it was a lot more than you expected?

For those of you that have a line of credit, did you get close to maxing out your line and have concerns that your line of credit is no longer an adequate facility.

For those of you that use your personal money or credit cards to fund your cash flow, did you have moments you thought about getting a loan or a line of credit from the bank because the pressure is mounting, but you still are unable to get the banks to lend to the money.

For those of you that have been sailing on smooth waters lately but you can see the approaching storm over the horizon and you dread approaching your bank “again” for an increase because they complained the last time because your growth is heavily centered around accounts receivables and they are getting uncomfortable.

Well, you may say that the checks seem to always come in the mail just in time to get you over the hump. I say, just keep throwing the dice, the numbers will not come up one day if you keep pushing your luck!

I could obviously continue with the examples but you get the point. The fact of the matter is that Factoring could be your solution for these and most scenarios when it comes to inadequate cash flow. Get informed about this form of finance and spread the word to your business associates. It could be what they are looking for also!

How Do Interest Rates Work?

One of the most confusing things about borrowing money is calculating the interest rates. Interest rates vary and when you go to take out a loan or a mortgage it might seem intimidating when the loan officer starts talking about interest rates per annum, nominal rates and market interest rates.

There are different types of interest rates depending on whether you are borrowing money or investing money.

When you are borrowing money you have to pay interest back at a set rate. These rates are determined by several factors. One of these factors is risk. If you have a bad credit rating the rates at which you pay interest on loans may be significantly higher than someone who has a pristine credit rating.

The reason for this is that the lender sees you as a risk. When you are a risk, the rates applied to your lending rise. This can make it especially difficult for someone with a bad credit rating to purchase anything major including a home or a vehicle. They may be able to afford the initial payments, but once the interest rates are added, the amount exceeds their budget.

Another factor that determines interest rates is the length of the loan. Lower interest rates are often offered if the consumer extends the period of the loan. To the consumer this may seem like a windfall. They view the smaller interest rates as a savings to them. Short term it is but since the loan is being extended to take advantage of the lower interest rates, they are actually paying out more money in interest over the length of the loan.

Interest rates do not only affect just the consumer but they have an impact on the economy as a whole as well. When interest rates climb, people are less likely to purchase goods that aren’t essential to their lives. Car sales drop and home sales often plummet as well. The average consumer doesn’t want to spend the extra money on the increased interest because the rise in rate just means less money in their pocket. The cost of the goods they are purchasing hasn’t changed, it’s the cost of purchasing those goods that has.

On the other side of the interest rates spectrum is investing. People want to invest when interest rates are high so as to yield the biggest profit. Years ago the traditional savings account was often viewed as the traditional investment tool. The bank would post their interest rates and people would save their money in the hopes that it would grow substantially over the course of a number of years.

Today you are more apt to find people investing in many diversified things; money market funds, the stock market and bonds. If you decide to invest in bonds they will have a posted interest rate. The rates on bonds might be slightly higher than other investments because with many bonds you have to lock your money in to the investment for a specific amount of time. The period can be anywhere from several months to several years.

Interest rates impact our lives everyday whether we are aware of them or not. To keep on top of both your borrowing and investment needs it’s a good idea to follow interest rates.

How I spent my Vacation in Amsterdam

During the vacation I got to see many of the wonders that Amsterdam has to offer. One of the first things I went to see was the Van Gogh Museum. Having just gotten off the plane I was tired, but some of his art is just amazing to see, and I did not want to wait to see them.

After going to the museum I headed into the city center to look around, maybe do some shopping and get some food.

I had herd many things about Amsterdam and just thought that many of them were blow out of proportion, well I am here to tell you that they are all true. The first thing that hits you is the strong smell of Marijuana, and then you start to see the almost completely naked girls in the windows.

As if the prostitutes in the windows were not enough there are live sex shows and sex shops selling every imaginable sex toy known to man on every street, but this was not what interested me.

Then as I continued walking around I started to notice something besides pot, and naked females, I saw casinos.

I grew up in New Jersey, just about 2 hours from Atlantic City, and after my 18th birthday I spend a good amount of time in the casinos. So I decided to go in and check some of them out.

Well I wound up spending most of the rest of my time in those casinos. The first one I went to was Video Gaming machines only, but they had video poker, video blackjack and Video Slot machines as well, I did not really do well her in this place so I only spent about an hour, and about 100 Euro, then left.

The next place I found was a nicer place. Unlike in New Jersey, in these casinos people are dressed up in their nice clothes instead of jeans, sneakers and T-Shirts. This casino had actual table games so I tried to play some Blackjack, but there was a player at the table that either had no idea on how to play or he was somehow involved in cheating with another player, but I am inclined to think he just did not know how to play blackjack.

So I started playing at the Roulette table, and I was doing really well, at one point I was up about 400 Euro before I started losing. So I decided to leave this casino and go walking around for a while.

The next day I found myself in another casino, and I decided to see if my luck was back, I went to a slot machine and put in some money and on the third spin I won another 200 Euro, so feeling lucky I decided to enter the poker room, and that is when things got really interesting. I got into a game and boy were these guys good, but I was winning just as much as I was losing, and in the end I may have even walked away with a few Euros more then when I walked in.

After playing for about 5 hours I decided to go outside and walk around a bit to stretch my legs. I would up deciding to sit down and have a cup of coffee, but I did not know the difference between a coffee shop and a caf?.

In Amsterdam a caf? is a place to sit and have a coffee, but a coffee shop is a place to purchase and smoke Marijuana. So as I was sitting there drinking my coffee I noticed several people rolling joints. Now I have herd about this and I hade smelled plenty of pot while I was there, but I did not realize it was sold out in the open like this. So I decided to buy some pot and try it.

I went to the counter where I saw others buying their weed and the guy behind the counter was very nice and showed me a menu of what they had for sale. I wound up buying a joint of white widow. The man behind the counter told me his was very strong stuff, but I was not prepared for this.

I managed to smoke about half of the joint, before I was hit with this feeling. I have been a drinker for many years, but even in my college days I was never out of my head like this.

Eventually I managed to get out of there and get some fresh air, and some waffles. I decided, this was the time to back into the casino and win my money back, and in the end I lost another 600 Euro, and wound up falling off my chair in the casino and needed to be helped out.

So if you are going to be going to Amsterdam, be careful the grass is really strong.

Housing Market Cools But More Needs To Be Done To Assist Buyers

The figures show that house price inflation slowed to only 0.1% in April, significantly slower when compared with a 1.1% increase for March, and the annual house price change fell to 4.8% in April from 5.3% in March, leading to an average UK house price increase of £1490 to £163,573, from £162,083, up by nearly £7,500 more than at this time last year. This is equivalent to a price increase of more than £20 per day over the last twelve months.

According to Nationwide's Group Economist, Fionnuala Earley, “The cooling in prices in April was not unexpected given the surge in March and shows the wisdom of not placing too much emphasis on one month’s set of numbers. However, the underlying picture remains reasonably healthy as demand conditions have remained quite firm. While the number of house purchase approvals fell back sharply in February, from 121,000 to 115,000, this remains a buoyant level of activity, well above the ten year average of about 100,000 per month.”

On the whole, this represents good news for the housing market, as prices settle following on from the high levels of house price growth seen throughout the rest of the year, however a legacy of price increases has lead to the nation’s mortgage debt burden hitting the trillion pound barrier. Deirdre Hutton, Chairman of the National Consumer Council warned, “With 6 million families already struggling to keep on top of their credit commitments, even a small increase in interest rates could tip many more into a spiral of financial despair. Stories of individual misery lie behind these headlines. Now is the time for people to take stock of their borrowing commitments and to think twice before taking on further debt.”

Bradford & Bingley, has highlighted difficulties experienced by first-time buyers and the trend for reliance on parents in order to get onto the housing ladder. Their survey suggests that about 40% of first-time buyers get financial assistance from parents, with half of those parents providing a large proportion of the initial deposit required, while 15% actually contributed towards the monthly mortgage repayments and 10% helped out by taking out a joint mortgage with their offspring.

According to Richard Brown, Chief Executive of financial data comparison site Moneynet (http://www.moneynet.co.uk ), changes are needed to redress the balance within the financial industry, “It’s not rocket science, and it does not take a genius to work out that, as more and more people throw off the shackles of PAYE wage slaving in order to strike out on their own, they are going to require more flexible and enlightened lending strategies. As much as anything else, the professionals who control the credit purse strings need to keep up with our changing times, as it has longer term ramifications for all of us and the well-being of the wider economy. If mortgage lenders turn away applicants who do not meet their rigid criteria of so many times salary and the like – even though they are well able to repay the loan- then this will ultimately have a knock on effect on housing market growth. We need new borrowers to keep the market ticking over. It’s time to overhaul core lending policy,”

The main highstreet lenders such as Barclays Bank mortgages (http://www.barclays.co.uk/woolwichmortgages-index ) have seen the need to provide different products that meet the requirements of many different groups of consumers, especially first time buyers by providing cashback, lifetime tracker and fixed rate options, and even arranging discounts with major stores for the necessary household purchases required by first time buyers. While these tailored mortgages help many buyers to get onto the property ladder, a period of stability within the market is also highly desirable to encourage buyers to commit.

Fionnuala Earley predicted, “Looking forward, we continue to expect some month to month volatility in the house price numbers as the market settles down after the unseasonably strong winter months and adjusts to the economic conditions on the horizon. While we do not expect any early move in interest rates that would stimulate or dampen the market, there are other economic factors that will affect it through their impact on disposable income and confidence.”

Disclaimer:

All information contained in this article, is for general information purposes only and should not be construed as advice under the Financial Services Act 1986. You are strongly advised to take appropriate professional and legal advice before entering into any binding contracts.

Hotels: How to Get Free Gifts

Planning to visit Las Vegas or any other vacational resort where casinos are a major portion of their business? I have just the thing for you. Here, I will show you how to pass off as a High Roller and collect many complimentary items and gifts.

What is the Secret?
The Secret is that you have to make them believe you are rich and love gambling. In short you have to impersonate a High Roller.

Why?
Hotels love high rollers because these players leave behind thousands of dollars each visit. And the real cool part about this is that if you act the role, casinos will lavish you with the same gifts and complimentary items that a real High Roller would receive.

How ?
It is not that difficult to fool the hotel and resorts with some finesse and true self-confidence. It can be done.

1) The Way you Dress:
Elegant and smart is the way to go. Opt out of the baseball cap, t-shirt and jeans. Try and wear a suit or at least a regular buttoned shirt with an elegant dark jacket. It was Shakespeare who said that the clothes maketh a man, and so too, when going to a hotel resort. They judge you according to how you dress, so dress according to the role.

2) A Large Pad of Notes:
Yes. Just like in the movies. Carry a large bundle of notes with you and keep them in plain sight. You do not have to really take with you that much. Instead, take a few notes and place them at the top and at the bottom of real note-size paper cuttings. Just remember to never expose this while you are in the casino. Use other notes you’re your wallet instead. But do it nonchalantly so that none of the casino personnel will notice.

3) Always Flash Your Notes Around: No matter where you go, whether its to the hotel restaurant for lunch or for to the bar. They will be watching. From time to time, use that money to play at a range of table games or video game and bet some of that money. Remember you must use some of your money to play but just do not use all of it.

4) Play Complicated Games:
This is one of the more problematic things to do and requires some training at home. Learn on your own how to lay and how to bet on the high rolling games such as roulette, baccarat and craps. You could also play poker or Texas holdem in one of the larger ante tables, but in any case stick to your plan and you will soon reap the flowers.

Conclusion:
Above, I have outlined some of the more practical methods by which one can save money by receiving gifts from the casino. These gifts range from casino comps (free money to play), room deals that can get nearly free and many others such as free drinks, clothes, coupon to stores in Las Vegas and many more. Note that what you are doing here is completely legal provided you don't take up a false name or falsify your passport card.

Home Loan Interest Rate

A home loan is the security for the repayment of a debt, such as the one incurred upon the purchase of that home, whereas mortgage means a loan secured by a real property. In other words it is a loan on a property that has been taken as security by the lender against the loan. Home loan interest rate is the financial charge for availing the authorization of using the future capital. Sometimes this interest rate becomes one of the very important factors that you must think before applying for any loan.


You can get a lower home loan interest rate if you constantly keep an eye on the various updates of the banks. In order to carry on with the market competition and to expand their business, the banks often try to offer the lowest interest rate and hence you will be getting better values. If you go back less than a decade ago, you will find that the bank used to enjoy more benefit over their customers because majority of the clients lacked what we call bargaining power; this is because there was less competition. With the gradual passage of time many banks came into existence that started offering lower home loan interest rate and the previous situation reciprocated and now the customers have started enjoying more power.


The credit card report in certain cases also acts as an important factor in determining your home loan interest rate. A credit card report contains information about the form of credit you have obtained, bankruptcies, history of bill payment, and court history at each and every phase of your life. Not only this, each time a creditor's admittance is also noted down in your credit card report.


The various reasons for which a creditor will access your credit report are for home loans, personal loans or credit cards etc. One thing you must keep in mind that a creditor only will be allowed to access your credit report with permission only. This factor is important because what happens is, if in a short period of time quite a lot of lenders have accessed your credit report then either the lenders will deny your loan applications or you may get a higher interest rate offer.



The type of occupancy determines the home loan interest rate because if the loan is meant for the home, where you will be living in for full time, part time or rent affects. In general those who live in their homes for a longer duration enjoy the best rates. Just like when you buy something in bulk, you get to pay for the reduced price; this same thing also takes place if you borrow larger sums of money. It may help you to land up with a discounted interest rate.

Sometimes the business costs also decides this interest rates. Like different states have different business costs owing to their respective rules and regulations. For the lenders they pass or add this cost to you in the form of interest rates. Hence, fluctuating cost means fluctuating interest rates.

Highway Robbery

Beware; we have modern-day “Dick Turpins’” at work on our roads. Not quite “Stand and deliver” at gun point, but there’s a striking similarity.

Innocent drivers are being targeted in this frightening new crime which appears to spreading across the country. Effectively, we have an ambush situation.

This is what can happen:

· You may be following a vehicle, generally an ageing car or van, onto a roundabout or slip road. This vehicle, which often has no brake lights, brakes hard and you cannot avoid slamming into it.

· There may be two cars involved. One is in front of you and another one may veer into its path, the car in front of you brakes hard and you crash into it.

These “set up” crashes commonly occur at really busy roundabouts or motorway slip roads. The instigators of these incidents are skilled at pinning the blame on the innocent motorist. These modern day highwaymen work in teams, owning and managing repair garages and car hire companies. These firms present falsely inflated invoices for work carried out, hire of a car whilst the car is off the road and so on. They then make a bogus claim on the blameless motorist’s insurers, often inflating it for maximum pay-out and claiming for compensation for so-called injuries to the driver and passengers. Often the vehicle which they use is an old banger, which will probably contain the maximum number of passengers, all claiming to have been injured in some way and seeking compensation for this and probably loss of earning too. In this way a minor accident claim can escalate into a claim of £20,000 or more.

Insurers are quite rightly extremely concerned about the scale of these so called “accidents” and believe there could be as many as 10,000 of them occurring per year. A single insurance company may not easily pick up on the organised fraud but working with other insurers will give benefits. With this in mind the Association of British Insurers have created an Insurance Fraud Bureau. They will monitor details of suspect claims and scrutinize millions of them to find patterns or links. It is intended that the bureau will liaise with police and hopefully will take civil prosecutions against these fraudsters to recover money which has already been paid out.

There was a case of insurers linking 400 “staged accidents” to one particular gang, involving other crimes in addition to the insurance fraud, where the police would only get involved if the investigation was funded by the insurers. Insurance fraud may be low on the priorities list as far as the police are concerned but in view of the danger to drivers as a result of these unpleasant incidents their reluctance to get involved will have to change.

A Home Office fraud review is due out in the summer of 2006 and hopefully the Association of British Insurers concerns will be addressed in this.

In the meantime, some advice from Norwich Union’s head of fraud, Chris Hill, who says “Keep your distance from the car in front at roundabouts and slip roads and cut your speed. Keep an eye on the vehicle in front. The occupants may turn to look at you or may even make a gesture just before the trap is sprung.”

If a crash does happen, remember to get as much information as you can. Note how many occupants were in the other car, their sex and as much detail as you can about how they were dressed. Make a note of these details and make sure your insurer is aware of them.

These gangs are putting innocent drivers and their passengers at risk. It is vitally important that insurers and drivers work together in a concerted effort to stop this crime.