Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Analyzing Your Investments With The PEG Ratio

A thorough analysis of these dueling indicators reveals that one is definitely superior to the other. The former has been around for as long as the stock market itself, the latter originated more recently. The two most important numbers that investment analysts look at when evaluating a stock are the P/E ratio and the PEG ratio.

The ratio is calculated as follows: Using it, an investor can get a sense of whether a stock might be overvalued or undervalued. It is used to calculate how expensive or how cheap a stock is relative to its earnings. The P/E is the price-to-earnings ratio.

P/E = Price per share / Earnings per share

The price per share is the current market price for a single share of stock. The earnings per share is the net income divided by the total number of shares outstanding. You can find net income by looking at a current income statement, which almost all corporations now make available on their company website.

The lower the P/E, the cheaper the stock is. The higher the ratio, the more expensive the stock is relative to its current earnings. However, that does not give you the full picture. The reason why some companies sometime trade at very high price-to-earnings ratios is because they are expected to grow tremendously in the months and years ahead. So, investors are willing to pay more than what the company is currently worth because they feel the company will be worth a lot more in the future.

So, you should not necessarily run away from a company with a high P/E. In fact, those companies are sometimes the best investments, because if their earnings climb tremendously, then the stock will pay a large dividend in the future (for the uninitiated, dividends are a percentage of the profits of a company that are distributed to its shareholders). So, a high P/E ratio can be a very good thing or a very bad thing.

As with a high P/E, a low P/E can also be tricky. If it is low, this could be an indication that the earnings of the company are expected to plummet, causing investors to run away from the stock, resulting in a low share price.

Or, the low ratio might indicate that the company is currently undervalued, making it a good buy because as long as the company is expected to have stable earnings growth in the future, then the share price will go up. It is not easy to discern whether a high or low ratio is good or bad; you need to take into account the expectations for future earnings growth to understand if the P/E ratio is a positive or a negative.

The pitfalls of using the P/E ratio to interpret the relative worth of a stock resulted in analysts coming up with a better measurement, which is known as the PEG ratio. The PEG refers to the price-to-earnings growth ratio. It is calculated like this:

PEG = (P/E) / Annual earnings-per-share growth

The lower the PEG ratio, the more undervalued the company is. A PEG ratio of 1 or less is considered excellent. For example, if a company has a P/E ratio of 30, and annual earnings-per-share growth of 50%, then the PEG would be 0.6, making this company an excellent buy because it is undervalued and the stock price will almost definitely climb. However, if a company has a PEG of 1.5, that means that the stock price is high relative to the earnings growth, which means that unless the company is supposed to grow at a faster rate in the years head, the stock price might not hold up.

So, it is obvious that the PEG is a much more valuable tool for investors to use. It reveals whether the high price of a stock is justified based on whether earnings will grow enough to continue to drive the stock higher.

Therefore, using the PEG, you can truly ascertain whether the price is currently too high and whether it is a good time to buy the stock. Increasing earnings are the driving force behind an increase in the price of a stock. The P/E falls short in this regard because it does not take into account by what percentage earnings are growing each year.

Research carefully the companies you are going to invest in and you will do fine. They may not go up right away, but in the long run they should increase significantly, unless there is something fundamentally wrong with the company. Try to set aside some money for investing, and begin to analyze stocks and buy the ones that have a low PEG.

I hope this information has helped you form an understanding of how to evaluate stock prices.



Stock Trading, Day Trading & The Truth About The Stock Market

Did you know that the Large Mutual Funds, Money Managers, Broker Dealers, Hedge Funds, Market Makers, Specialists and Floor Brokers are the most active, successful, and profitable day traders

They can and do move markets, and in the process they make millions of dollars every day stock trading stocks with a good portion of that money being made off the backs of the uninformed individual trader and investor who blindly trades or invests in the stock market today. But that is exactly what they are. Most people are surprised when I tell them that. Yes, I said day traders.

in the markets today.


When it comes to stock trading or investing in stocks, most individuals are not at all prepared, or aware of what the Wall Street professionals have in store for them. And they are very good at what they do. Things like questionable analyst upgrades for companies that are clients of the brokerage firm that the analyst works for . . . so as to facilitate the selling of stock by company and corporate insiders at a higher price than normal by selling into the momemtum and price action created by the upgrade. I honestly don't know how some of these analyst can sleep at night, or how they can look at themselves in the mirror in the morning. But those are the facts, and it happens almost every day.

And, did you know about how the big players run and gun stocks, or tank them to make a killing off the underlying put or call options they had previosly loaded up on. Or how they manipulate the financial futures to manipulate stock prices, option prices, or the financial futures prices themselves so they can make large amounts of money, often at your expense. For every winner on a stock trade or investment, there has to be a loser. The market is a zero sum game. Is that loser you?

The truth of the matter is that the market is a game of money flow played by the big players as they move money around from stocks, to options, to financial futures, and back and forth in a number of different ways, all in the pursuit of greed and large profits. And remember, I previously mentioned that "a good portion of that money is being made off the backs of the uninformed individual stock trader and investor who blindly trades and invests in the stock market today."

Education is the key to the success of every indivdual stock trader and investor involved in the stock market today, witkout exception. The good news is that . . . once you learn the inner secrets of how you can trade and invest with them and not against them, like the pros do . . . you can confidently and consistently trade and invest in stocks profitably most days of the year, too.

Once you know what you are really doing, it is not uncommon to make $2,500 to $5,000 and more, per day. I have done it, and continue to do it when I trade. But if you don't know what you are doing, it is not uncommon to lose that kind of money, too. I feel very fortunate that I had the opportunity to learn from the same stock traders and investors you will meet on the pages of this site.

You can become a very successful stock trader and/or investor, but only if you are willing to invest the time and effort required educating yourself about the real workings of the stock market and how everything fits together. You won't find a better place on the internet to get the critical information you need to succeed.

If you are losing money in the markets today stock trading or investing, or not making enough money, it is time for you get out of the markets for awhile and sit back and try and analyze what you are doing wrong. If you are honest with yourself, you are going to realize that you really don't know what you are doing when it comes to stock trading and investing.

The best advice anyone can give you is to take a stock trading or investing traing course, either here or elsewhere, and find out what you should be doing. Some of these courses are not cheap, but the cost is really minimal when you consider the success you can have, and the money you can make in the stock market. You have to decide what you want to do. There is an old saying that goes like this "If you continue to do what you have always done, then you will continue to get what you have always got".

These are the same individuals that I originally learned from years ago, and yes there are many days when I make a lot more money than they do. They hold nothing back. There are free trading lessons, free trial offers, and comprehensive stock trading and investing courses from the most successful, market savy and knowledgeable traders and investors in the world. There are free trading lessons, free trial offers, and comprehensive stock trading and investing in today 's stock market.

Here at DowTrend.com you will find everything you need to know and learn to become successful at stock trading and investing in today 's stock market.


I sincerely believe you will like what you see. There is no one around to bother you. Take your time and check everything out.

Spend some time looking around this site.



What You Need To Know About Applying For An International Student Loan

First, know the rules and regulations, and there 's a ton of them. However, for the determined and the focused, there are ways to achieve the seemingly impossible. There are rules and regulations when it comes to these types of loans, and they are also extremely difficult to obtain. Before you get all excited about the thought of obtaining an international student loan so that you can attend college at some exotic university in Beijing or Paris, hang onto your laptop.

And if you thought there was a lot of paperwork for this type of student loan! First, in order to have your application even accepted, let alone approved.

A peek into what will be needed is full contact information, full financial information, and that means don't keep any secrets. Parents are likely to groan when they see what needs to be done. The approving authorities are going to want to know about your mortgage, your credit history, present and past occupations and employer information for verification purposes. They're also going to want to know your gross yearly income and references. Students will be asked to provide proof of enrollment, most likely in the form of an acceptance letter or class schedule from the school they plan on attending.

In addition, a co-signer is often asked for. They must be able to verify a credit history for at least 21 months prior to the time of application, as well as proof of citizenship or permanent resident status. They also will be required to provide proof of income as well as a two year employment history, whether they're self-employed or not. That 's just the beginning, and by the time you're done filling out the necessary papers and forms, there will be no such thing as a private aspect of your life.

Nevertheless, the look in your son or daughter 's eyes when that loan is finally approved makes it all worthwhile. Oh, but don't forget that credit ratings for that international student loan are going to be based on your credit history rating, and that fees will depend on how much of a loan you're asking for. However, balance all that with the benefits of attending a foreign university, and you may just have gotten yourself a deal.

The red tape, processing and waiting times can be excruciatingly slow, so try to get a jump on the thousands of applications that are filed every year. When applying for such a student loan, try to fill out the initial application as soon as they become available for the school year or semester that the student is accepted for.


Monday, September 29, 2008

How To Save Money And Get Discount Health Insurance Virginia

How can we save on health insurance in Virginia? Since we all need it has become drastically expensive over the year. Being imperfect we all get sick and hurt at times, which is why there is a necessity for health insurance. Health insurance is the type of insurance where the insurer pays the medical bills for the insured person when they become sick due to diseases or some kind of accident has occurred.

So coverage for your husband or wife and your children can be added too. Not only do you benefit from this but your family can be eligible too. Usually group health insurance, provides good service with reasonable prices. Many employers offer their employees group health insurance as an group.

Look into Group insurance plans at work. 1.


2. Avoid using tobacco. It 's a fact that smokers have to pay higher rates than non smokers. If you use tobacco if you want affordable health insurance you have to quit smoking from at least 12- 36 months to receive lower rates.

3. Use Comparison. When shopping for health insurance in Virginia you should compare the different quotes you receive. Prices for the same amount of coverage can differ. If you receive various choices of plans for your employer make sure you look into each one and compare their features with the others.

4. Think about high deductibles. The higher the deductible the less you have to pay on your premium. This is definitely good if you are only purchasing life insurance for yourself.

Most high deductible plans family and individual have an maximum amount of money a person can spend out of their pocket on medical costs in one year.

These are just a few easy ways that you can save on life insurance in Virginia. Isn't good to know that you can find affordable discount health insurance in Virginia worry -free?

Affordable health insurance - the thought sounds good to the ears. The cost of monthly health insurance premiums has become the biggest and single expense in most of our lives. Shopping for affordable health insurance is definitely something you have to have an open eye for and be focused. It can definitely be done if you know where and how to look.

When shopping for affordable health insurance ask yourself the following questions:

?Do you or anyone in the family have an health condition or any other special needs that need to be taken care?
?Do you have any children living away from the family or are away at college?

An key to finding affordable health insurance is comparing and analyzing the different insurance policies available to you. You won't save as much if you don't compare them. It is important that you evaluate different offers from the different companies and decide which ones fit within your budget range. Keep in mind that some companies offer a low premium that sounds really good but they come with high deductibles. The higher the deductible the lower your premium payments will be each month. It may sound good but you must determine whether you can afford it when it comes down to you have a hospital or doctor visit.

Make sure you read the companies fine print. No matter what insurance company you decide to go with they will acquire some benefits and you will get some profits. What you have to do is calculate what exactly you lose and what you gain.

It 's good to just keep in mind is that the key to finding affordable health insurance is to protect from major financial loss when a serious health problem arises. As mention the more your deductible the less is your monthly premiums. You can definitely save and find affordable health insurance if you are willing to raise your deductible.

By taking time to do research online on different insurance companies, comparing the quotes you have received you can find affordable health insurance in Virginia.


Credit Card Holders Benefit Through Congress' Pressure

This article offers the whole story. Owning a credit card is fast becoming a better deal for consumers as the credit card industry (banks and other credit card issuers) starts changing their practices and implementing what can only be construed as more lenient practices, under the pressure exerted by Congress.

This was the weakest quarterly expansion since the fourth quarter of 2002 and was well under the 0.8 percent growth rate projected by Wall Street economists. first-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.6 percent. In economic figures released by the Commerce Department at the end of May 2007, the U.S.

Housing continued to be a drag on the economy and was though likely to remain so in the coming months. However, there were positive signs as well, which could signal a healthier rate of growth towards the end of the year. One of these good signs was personal consumption spending ??? which powers two-thirds of the economy ??? increased by about 4.4 percent versus the 3.8 percent figure in April.

In a related report, the Labor Department reported on June 6 that U.S. worker productivity had also increased at a much slower rate than originally estimated. This report raised fears about possible inflationary pressures as labor costs go up.

Most of the performance figures had already been anticipated.

What came as a surprise was that borrowing by U.S. households had expanded by less than half ($2.6 billion) of forecast ($6 billion) as credit card use actually fell for the first time in 13 months. This increase in consumer credit was the smallest monthly increment in seven months, since October.

It seems consumers are pulling back from taking on more debt. Revolving credit, which includes credit cards, declined $403 million in April, the first monthly decline in the 13 months since March 2006. Consumers may be cautious about contracting more debt while housing remains in a slump and economic growth has been so weak. The decline in revolving credit has been interpreted as a sign that consumers are paying off more of their credit card debt.

In the middle of these mixed signals from the various sectors of the economy, legislators have expressed their dismay over practices being followed in the credit card industry. The House Financial Services subcommittee hearings last Thursday, June 7, called for stronger action by the Federal Reserve to control what lawmakers called the deceptive and predatory practices of credit card companies. Lawmakers subjected executives of major credit card issuing banks to intense questioning during the hearing.

Saying that the average American household carries $13,000 in credit card debt and overall credit card debt runs in the hundreds of billions of dollars, the panel chairwoman Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., was reported to have expressed fears ???that we will see a perfect storm in consumer credit as these pressures converge on Americans, and that the ripple effect will be felt throughout our whole economy.??? Maloney cited the success of credit cards in providing for the credit needs of the American consumer but also emphasized that with great success came ???great responsibility.???

Lawmakers think the Fed needs to do more to protect credit card users, and propose to give other bank regulators the authority to curb industry abuses, including policies that confuse consumers and push them into more debt. The Fed is requiring credit card companies to extend to 45 days the notification period to consumers before they implement any changes in the terms of an account. The present practice is that when banks want to make any changes, for instance, to increase interest rates or to impose a higher penalty rate for missed or late payments, they will give only 15 days notice.

The Fed???s proposed full disclosure requirements would, among other things, allow consumers a longer time to look for another credit card. But legislators feel this is not enough and want regulators to impose an outright ban on abusive practices. They do not want to create new laws, but prefer to see regulators act on the problems.

Legislators are targeting other practices like charging interest on portions of debt that is paid on time during a grace period, and raising interest rates because a customer is late on payments to other creditors (not the credit card issuer) ??? which is termed ???universal default??? in the industry. Legislation is being proposed that would make some of these practices illegal.

These are serious concerns being raised by our lawmakers. Other regulators appear to agree with the lawmakers. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation chairman is not fully convinced that problems regarding credit card industry practices will be resolved by full disclosure alone. Other federal regulators who were also called to testify expressed support for legislation that would give their offices the authority to curtail practices that are deemed to be deceptive or unfair.

Because of the close scrutiny by Congress, several major banks have started to temper or remove some of their most criticized practices. Banks may need to do more to allay consumer fears, suspicion, and eventually, resentment.

How banks will respond remains to be seen.

Already one of the major credit card issuers, Chase, has begun to articulate its response. The bank has issued a June 12 statement saying that in their view the complex credit card system that exists today will be able to sustain its success if the two principal parties in the relationship ??? the credit card issuers (banks) and the credit card holders (individual consumers) ??? acknowledge that theirs is a shared responsibility. The credit card holder must use the card in a responsible manner; the bank must strive to meet the credit card holder???s needs.

Overall, the bank says the credit card has broadened access to credit to all consumers. It insists that average interest rates have gone down from close to 20 percent to only 12 percent approximately, and in many cases issuers no longer charge annual fees.

The bank has defined what responsibility should mean for the credit card holder: pay on time; keep within your credit limit; and maintain your creditworthiness. By following this simple equation, the credit card holder gets an interest-free loan for a certain period when they pay off whole balances every month, fraud and loss protection, and other benefits, plus instant and constant availability of credit.

The bank also delineates what it sees as its responsibility: make sure customers understand the terms of their credit card account; show them how to manage their credit cards; give them tools that help them pay promptly time and stay within their credit limits; spot those in trouble and point to avenues for financial solutions; and evaluate more carefully the credit applicant???s capability to manage debt prior to credit card issuance.

The bank has implemented a set of initiatives to promote greater customer understanding of the terms of their credit card account and to provide tools for managing accounts. This program is channeled mainly through the company???s special website, which it says details everything in clear and simple terms. Some of these initiatives involve:

Putting detailed instructions and calculations that clarify the implications of paying only the minimum amounts instead of paying more on the balance, if not paying it off entirely; Outlining procedures that allow customers in the military to keep their credit card accounts current when deployed overseas; Allowing all customers to choose their preferred due date for payments; Providing instructional materials for students and first-time credit card users to guide them in making prompt payments and keeping within credit limits; Installing a system of communications where customers can sign up for timely alerts sent via phone, e-mail and text messages to remind them of payment due dates; Providing for a system of automatic credit card payments; and, Creating an outreach program to reach those who may be having financial difficulties and to determine what assistance and financial programs can best help them.

By heeding your opinions, and altering the criticized practices, holding a credit card is becoming even better than before. Individual credit card holders like you have made your opinions heard, to both the legislators and the credit card issuers.


The ABCs Of Fundraising

You've properly prepared for that day taking into consideration almost everything that you could think off. There 's a few days left before the promised fund raising event.

What if there was a low turnout of people? But what if things did not push through as planned? The suspense is killing you. The only thing to do now is wait and see if the event will be successful of not.

It 's not always good to base your fund raiser on "what ifs". It is always best to have a comprehensive plan and specific fund raising strategies to guide you and your group to gather enough support and donations for your cause.

That 's why if you have very limited experience in organizing fund raisers, it might be best to get the help of your friends or the community. Get people involve in your charity work or fund raising activity. However, if you and your group still feel that the activity remains weak, you could always hire some professional help.

Indeed there are several companies that offer their services to schools, churches, organizations, and institutions. These companies are fund raising think tanks. Their job is to come up with great fund raising ideas.

Fund raising has become a science. It no longer involves simple selling of cakes, pastries or food for a cause. It involves a meticulous process of setting goals and analyzing possible actions to attain those goals taking into consideration the various factors like operations costs.

One of the known professionals in the job is the ABC Fund Raising Inc. The company has been a around. You might have seen their fund raising works in various church, school or foundation events. The company began in the early 1990s and has been a great help for communities in and around Colorado.

ABC Fund Raising offers a lot of programs that can be customized to fit the specific needs of a group. They offer quality products that earn very high profits where you can easily raise funds.

According to testimonials from the company 's website, ABC Fund Raising is a great company to work with. The company is said to be a "fair, fun and honest" company to work with. Almost all testimonies claim of having an increase in their fund raisers when they availed ABC 's services.

Sometimes, it better to have some fresh minds to have a go at your fund raising campaigns. That 's why people hire outside help. To maximize their profits and help them reach their desired goals, people hire companies like ABC Fund Raising to keep a fresh flow of fund raising ideas and help ensure a successful campaign.

Raising funds can be really hard especially if your organization is not known or when it is just starting its operations. Face it, with today 's rising commodities, people do not part with their money that easily. They need a very good reason to do this.

In raising funds, you need to either have a great project goal which people can identify with or a great product that you can sell, the proceed of which can fund your project. Although there are people who will want to help for a good cause, most remain skeptical about charity fundraising campaigns, thinking that they are bogus operations.

Because of this, some organizations tend to focus on the products that they are selling in order to fund their operations rather than their projects. Although this can also work, a fundraising campaign must have a product or a service that will really stand out. With thousands of products in the market that you can sell, this can be really confusing.

Below are some questions that you must consider in choosing a product that is unique and with a potential for success. How much do you need to raise?

Before deciding on the product, decide first on your target money. How much money do you need to raise for your project? If you only need to come up with a small amount of money, small items that sell fast can be a good product. For instance, candies, chocolates and lollipops may not give you a lot of money but they can be sold faster than you can say fundraising. However, if you need an amount that is over a few thousand dollars, you may want to consider items that you can buy at cheap rates and then resell in a much higher price without being overboard. What product will most fit your organization?

What are your track record? If the organization is for indigenous tribes in Asia, you can look into selling artworks that are made by that tribe. For instance, if you are organizing a project for kids, it is good to sell products or services that are closely connected with kids. With many products to choose from, you can tailor fit the items that you will be selling on the target market of your organization.

Although a unique product can be a big marketing mistake. If your organization has done fundraising campaigns in the past and has been identified with certain products, it is good to stick with that product as long as the track record is excellent.


Sunday, September 28, 2008

How To Get A Bank Loan With Ease

Here are some tips on getting one. If you are a first-time entrepreneur and you want to start your own business you are almost undoubtedly going to need a bank loan.

That doesnt mean you shouldnt try but dont expect the process to be a cake walk. You must realize that because you dont have a business ownership track record securing a bank loan will be an uphill battle.

It wont be. Any bank will tell you that a small business loan has risk factors and that costs of servicing these smaller accounts are primarily responsible for their disinterest in offering a bank loan to an aspiring entrepreneur.

Your first time business bank loan can happen, however, and here are some ideas on how to increase your chances of getting that small business bank loan.

The first thing to remember is to think positive and assume you are entering that bank from a position of strength. Keep in mind that you are customer, not a beggar. Banks sell loans, you buy. For the most part those banks want and need your loan business and the loan officers are tasked with getting your business.

While it certainly is always a good idea to start with the bank that is familiar with you as a person - the one with which youve done business regularly - it is also important that you seek a bank that has underwritten loans for others in your industry and stays familiar with your industry. Look for banks that actively finance small businesses.

There are also banks whose specialty is government programs - participation by the government in funding or guaranteeing loans. Information on the latter would be readily available at your local Small Business Development Center of the Small Business Administration (SBA.)

Keep in mind, however, that no matter how dedicated to small business financing, the bank is going to ask for some fairly hefty collateral for your start up business.

Be prepared to prove to that bank loan officer that lending you and your new company money is not a high risk proposition.

Complete your loan application prior to arrival if you can, bring copies of three years of financial statements such as cash flow, testimonials from satisfied and returning customers, your business plan and a cover letter that spells out why you need the money and how your business is now thriving and will only do better with that bank loan funding.

If you are fully prepared to ask for that bank loan, no question should surprise you. While you should have the details in your business plan already, be prepared to talk about how much money your firm will need and for how long, and what the bank loan funding will be used for.

Youll also need to show a well-thought-out and achievable repayment plan, with a payment schedule. Youll need to talk about whether you are going to buy new equipment, supplies and assets, pay off some old bills, or spend it on operating expenses.

The other is that your documents should all be neat, easy to read, clear and clean. Your garb should be that you would wear to meet a client. The first is that you should dress professionally to meet the loan officer. Two important points that should be made about your face to face bank loan interview are often discounted.


Liability Only Vs Full Coverage: Choosing Auto Insurance Coverage

What are the differences between these two extremes? These are the types of coverage that all other auto insurance plans are based off since they are either some form of liability-based plan or full coverage-based plan. Standing on opposite ends of coverage spectrum are liability only and full coverage. There are plenty of companies out there offering competitive rates and a host of different coverage packages.

For a first-time car owner, one of the difficult things to sort sometimes is the kind of auto insurance coverage you want.


This includes property damage as well. Briefly defined, liability coverage is the level or component of insurance coverage that deals with any damages or injuries where you as a driver were at fault. Of course, the question is this: What is liability insurance? In order to drive legally in every state in the country, you need some form of liability insurance coverage.

These regulations include what the minimum amount of legal coverage required. All car insurance is actually controlled by the individual states with each of the states have their own provisions and guidelines.


Every state abbreviates its minimum liability amounts using three numbers separated by forward slashes. For example, let 's say that you have "25/50/15." Each number represents different component of the liability coverage. The first one stands for the maximum amount that the insurance company will pay for bodily injuries sustained by a single person, per accident. The second number refers to the maximum dollar amount at the company will pay for all injuries in a single accident. Finally, the third number refers to the total amount that the company will pay for property damage, per accident. These numbers are usually in the thousands of dollars so the amounts would be $25,000; $50,000; and $15,000 and are representative of minimum amounts. More coverage per amount may be added at any time.

Full coverage insurance is considered to be a misleading term by many insurance customers since it does not literally cover "everything." If this is not true then what is full coverage auto insurance. Well, in reality, full coverage involves the addition of two other forms of insurance coverage to a foundation of liability coverage. These two types are called comprehensive and collision coverage. Now there can be some flexibility when it comes to this type of insurance coverage since you do not necessary have to add both of these coverage types to liability. Comprehensive can stand on its own without collision but collision cannot do the same without comprehensive.

Collision is mandatory along with comprehensive when you are still paying on a car loan. Collision coverage deals exclusively auto collisions. Comprehensive coverage deals with other areas of damage like that from theft, vandalism, fire, hail, etc.

But, at least you have a better idea of what the car insurance landscape looks like. The costs will vary, as will the customized features that individual companies include in their various plans. Depending on factors like whether your vehicle is new, used, or still under financing will determine whether you choose one or the other. You can see the difference clearly between having liability only coverage and have full coverage options.


How To Apply For A Balloon Mortgage

A fixed-rate mortgage, on the other hand, usually lasts for around 30 years. The first mortgage under it usually has a term of just five to seven years. Balloon mortgages are short-term loans that act similarly to a fixed-rate mortgage.

In a balloon mortgage, regardless whether is the first, second, or third, may have a term of anything between one to twenty-five years.

If you wanted to apply for a balloon mortgage, there are certain steps that you have to understand and go through. To guide you with each, read on the following:

1. Inquire from the financial institution offering the mortgage. Treat the balloon mortgage to be the same as any other mortgage. If you are familiar with the steps in applying for a different kind of loan, the balloon mortgage 's steps are basically the same thing. You have to secure the same documents and sign the necessary papers.

2. Always know what the interest rate is. In a balloon mortgage, the interest rate is almost always fixed for a certain period. For the most part, it may carry a lower interest for the first few years of the loan. It all depends upon the provider. It is your responsibility to know how much interest you have to pay.

3. Know when the balance becomes due. As stated earlier, in a balloon mortgage, the balance becomes due after a certain period. You pay part of the amount in equal installments for the term specified. When the term is up, you are obliged to pay the entire balance. Knowing when you have to pay for it makes you prepared and enables you to plan ahead.

4. Know if there is an option to refinance when the due date comes. So you won't need to pay the balance in one big sum, ask the loaning institution if they are willing to refinance the amount. This is a good option for people who may not have a large amount of money at once sufficient to cover the balance.

5. Know if there is a possibility to lose the refinance option. Some mortgage companies give out a refinance option to customers but for a set of conditions. They may require mortgagers to be prompt in payment. The refinance option can help a lot. You have to know the guidelines and remember it.

6. Know if you have to qualify for the refinancing loan. Refinancing has become a privilege, and not a right, for people under a balloon mortgage. Some mortgaging intuitions would reassess your ability to pay. Hence, you need to apply for the refinancing loan. The financing institution may require you to pass and sign documents again.

7. Assess your ability to pay. With all of these said, you have to check your financial standing and capability. With the interest rate, the regular payment, and the refinancing option, honestly determine if you can afford a balloon mortgage, or if getting one is feasible. A wrong decision will have big effects on your financial status.

8. Analyze all the possible worst-case scenarios. Before heading on to a balloon mortgage, or any mortgage for that matter, you have to be prepared for the unexpected things. Examples could be losing your job, an income option, or similar situations. The over-all economical condition of the country may need to be analyzed as well.

9. Consult with an impartial expert. Some financing experts and mortgage gurus are more than willing to give solicited advice to people who need it. Some even do it for free. Try to seek the people who can help you the most. And learn from them.

That is the most important thing here. Just make sure that every detail is well taken cared of. After everything was set and the small things are straightened, you should be able to confidently sign the application form and proceed with it.

File for the loan. 10.


All of it are listed so that you will be guided accordingly, as well as determine, if a balloon mortgage is right for you or not. Each step is equally important than the others. These are the 10 things you should do when applying for a balloon mortgage.


Saturday, September 27, 2008

Life After Bankruptcy

THE JOB SITUATION:

You may be upset over the fact that you allowed yourself to get into that situation and have to claim bankruptcy to relieve yourself from the financial strain of too many bills that you are willing to work towards repairing your credit and maintaining good credit in the future. Filing bankruptcy was a hard decision to make for yourself and your family.

There are certain laws that you must abide by after your bankruptcy, regarding your future job. According to the Insolvency Amendment Act of 2001, which was enacted in May of 2001, one who has field for bankruptcy can not manage a business. The Insolvency Amendment of 2001 states that it is illegal for a person who has filed bankruptcy to work in a company that is run or controlled by a relative. It is very important to research the types of details that are associated with your bankruptcy before you decide that this is the decision you are prepared to deal with. You may find that you are required to leave your present job, if it is family owned or family operated. Research online or speak with an attorney to learn other hazards in filing bankruptcy that you may not have considered before now.

THE LOAN SITUATION:

The word bankruptcy is a very scary word for some people, they wrongly assume that once they cross that line things will go on a downward spiral forever. But this is so far from the truth, filing for bankruptcy is not the end of the world. You may have to go through some tough times during or after your bankruptcy but that doesn???t mean you can???t rise above it and make something more worthwhile of your life. One thing that scares people most about bankruptcy is that they feel they won???t ever be eligible for any sort of credit facility again, is that really true? Definitely not!

Getting a loan after bankruptcy is possible and it could be less difficult if you know how to go about it. Here are a couple of tips:

Use The Internet

The internet is a good platform to find anything these days, and getting a loan after bankruptcy is no exception. With the internet you will be able to assess different options, comparing their terms and conditions before making an informed choice on the best one for you.

Consult an Expert

There are a lot of financial experts available that can help make the process of your getting a loan after bankruptcy very fast and painless, use the services of such experts. Such experts know how to use the system to make things work. Consult an expert and you will be glad you did.

Be Prepared

Getting a loan after bankruptcy is a possibility but you must be prepared for stricter terms, remember lenders don???t want to lose their money, so you can???t expect to be treated like someone with a good credit rating. Having a realistic expectation will help prepare your mind so you wont be disappointed by the terms.

Repair Your Credit

Of course, though getting a loan after bankruptcy is possible you must be prepared to work on your credit rating this time around; having a good credit rating will help you get loans with better conditions.

There are so many people out there who are looking to rip people off, be sure you rid the fine print of the terms before committing yourself to anything, getting a loan after bankruptcy is supposed to help you get back on your feet and not drag you further down so be very careful in your choosing who to deal with. After all the tips above into consideration, one final thing you must do is be very careful who you deal with.


Reduce Debt: How To Make It More Manageable

If you are barely making minimum payments or are missing payment altogether, you should start working on reducing your debts as soon as possible. If you are one of these individuals, it might be a good idea to get your debts under control before it is too late. There are an astounding number of people with debt problems, especially with the wide range of credit products available these days.

Paying the minimum on your debts may take decades to pay off in full, so your goal is to make a payment which exceeds your minimum obligations. Then, create a reasonable budget that you can follow to achieve more than the minimum payment. First, you should gather your statements and record the amount of your debt, and how much is required as a minimum payment each month.

Extra Line of Credit
Those with decent credit ratings can also look into opening an extra line of credit, one that has a lower interest rate than the ones that are being paid. This is a debt consolidation option where you are consolidating your debts and making one payment each month. This option is convenient, easier, and can save you much money on interest in the long run. You can also take out home equity loans or personal loans for the same purpose.

Another choice is to call your creditors to see if they can help out in any way. Kindly ask for a lower interest rate, or explain your financial troubles. Usually, they can help in some way, even if it is simply moving your payment date to a better time of the month. Remember, it never hurt to ask; the worst they can tell you is that they are unable to help. If you hear such an answer, it might help to ask to speak to a supervisor or someone of a higher position.

Cut up Your Credit Card
Reducing your debts also means leaving those credit cards at home or stowing them as far away from your wallet as possible. You can do this by cutting up credit cards or by storing them in an inconvenient location, such as a bank deposit box, your attic, or a storage bin. Never take them with you, and remind yourself daily that credit cards are for emergencies only.

They can help by setting up a budget, managing your payments, and negotiating repayment terms with your creditors. You can find a decent one by looking around online or by browsing your phone book. Credit counseling agencies are available at your disposal for this purpose. If your debts are unmanageable, or you are unable to reduce debts on your own, it is okay to ask for help.

Try it! Reducing debt can also mean reducing stress. It is easy to slip into debt in a short amount of time. Once you are on the path to a better financial state, you should do your best to keep it.

Whichever option you choose, it should be one that suits your budget and lifestyle.



Stock Market And Stock Exchange Basics - More Info To Help To Help You Master Stock Trading

To use more specific language for where stocks are actually traded, the term 'Stock Exchange' is used. We can speak in broad terms about the Market being up or down and mean the general performance of many individual stock exchanges in the country, such as NYSE or Nasdaq in the United States. 'Stock Market' as it is used in general conversation has taken on the meaning of both the business being conducted in investment markets and the physical place where most of the transactions are taking place.

Notable among these big players are the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Shanghai Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq, the NYSE, the AMEX, the London Stock Exchange, Frankfurt Stock Exchange, and the Bombay Stock Exchange. Japan, India, England, Germany, Switzerland, China, and the United States host the major world Stock Exchanges. Exchanges in New York are open from 9:30am to 4:00pm Eastern Time and other exchanges have similar trading hours in their local time zones.

Trading times are similar to, but slightly shorter than, a regular business day. As long as operating hours are obeyed, people around the world can trade in any country 's Exchanges. Each country may have several Exchanges where different companies are listed. Each company will generally trade its stock on one Exchange, unless the company is very large and, for example, trade in multiple countries.


Stock markets can be used as a barometer for economic health of a country. When production is high, unemployment is low, and inflation is low the market gains total value. This rise is a bull market. When stock prices start falling in a bear market, the economy is generally on a downturn. High inflation and high unemployment are usually seen at this time.

Changes in stock prices aren't entirely dictated by the health of the economy. A large part has to do with investor psychology and how it relates to changes in supply and demand. When one stock becomes a hot commodity, other investors try to join in and the price is driven ever higher. Conversely, if a number of people start to sell a stock and the price drops, others will try to sell before it drops more. This push to sell just drives down the price faster though. These psychologically driven market changes tend to be short lived and balance out in the long run. It is the economic health over time that is reflected in the long-term trends of the market.

Stocks are not the only place to invest though. Other major investment markets include Foreign Currency Exchange, Futures, and Options markets. Globally, the largest single segment of the investment sector is in Foreign Currency Exchange. Currency traders move very large sums of money between different currencies very quickly to take advantage of small fluctuations in the exchange rate. These trades usually are only owned for a day and are only profitable if the trader is very attentive to factors influencing the day 's rates.

When the market then fluctuates, the locked in price for the contracted good means that the value of having that price fixed against the changing actual price of the goods. The price for a quantity of goods is fixed in the contract, as is the time of the delivery. Futures Markets are designed to give buyers and sellers in volatile markets fixed prices at set times.

Stock traders can invest in certain ways intended to change the value of holdings very quickly, but the majority of investors put their long-term investments into stocks. Stocks require less specialized knowledge to invest in with relative safety because the market as a whole changes more gradually than options on the market change. Most traders also benefit from having experience in a market.

It requires a specialized knowledge of the option itself as well as the market it is trading in to make a profit. These investment tools have a high risk of loss. The Options themselves may be bought and sold, or used on a higher-risk investment as insurance. The difference from the Futures market is that Options allow the owner to buy at a specified price before the date given, but does not force the owner to buy that item. The Options Market also deals with contracts for future prices.



Friday, September 26, 2008

Better Credit Scores - 7 Tips

These agencies then report your scores to any lender who requests it. There is no way to avoid having credit scores since the Big Three consumer reporting agencies - Equifax, Trans Union, and Experian - keep tabs on your credit situation daily. Credit scores are the equivalent of a financial report card.

Your low score can also actually contribute toward your financial woes since it usually means higher monthly payments on any money you borrow. If you have a low credit scores you could be turned down for home or auto loans. A credit score is also called a FICO score.

There is hope, however! By taking the right steps, you can improve your credit scores significantly. Here are 7 tips for improving your credit scores.

Tip #1: Check your latest credit reports from each of the Big Three bureaus:

The first step toward better credit scores is to find out your current score from each of the Big Three consumer reporting bureaus. You can find a number of Web sites that give you access to this information for FREE. To find one, run a search in your favorite search engine using the keywords free credit report.

Tip #2: Immediately correct any blatant mistakes:

Download and review each report item by item, circling any blatant errors you find. Of particular importance are inaccurate unpaid balance flags, the existence of credit accounts that you never opened, and incorrect information concerning your current address. You must take each of these mistakes quite seriously and address them to both the relevant credit agency and, when applicable, the lender in question.

Tip #3: Pay your bills on time:

This is a common sense item, but people having credit problems often neglect it due to the snowballing nature of their debt situation. Paying your bills on time is very important, and nowadays even utility companies are reporting your payment history to the credit agencies. Hint: to improve your score even more, make your monthly credit card payments before the end of the statement period. This has the positive effect of keeping any charges made that month from even showing up as a balance on your cards, thereby improving your ongoing debt-to-credit limit ratio (see Tip#4).

Tip #4: Improve your debt-to-credit limit ratio:

In calculating your credit worthiness, the Big Three credit agencies factor in heavily your debt-to-credit limit ratio. As the term implies, this ratio is simply the result of dividing your total current credit card debt by the total credit limit across all of your cards. The ratio is always a number between 0 and 1, with numbers below 0.5 being most favorable. There are two ways to reduce your debt-to-credit limit ratio. One way is to simply reduce your credit card balances by paying them down. Another option that many people fail to consider: request an increase in credit limit from your creditors.

Tip #5: Pay off debt, don???t just move it around:

While it can be a smart move to transfer debt from your higher interest credit cards to your lower interest cards, this does not substitute for actually paying down your overall debt. Just moving your debt from card to card is not going to improve your score.

Tip #6: Avoid closing credit cards just prior to a loan application:

Some people believe that closing out some of their credit cards immediately prior to applying for a loan is a good idea. However, this is not true. On the contrary, it has the effect of suddenly increasing your debt-to-credit limit ratio, which is a credit score no-no. In fact, as long as you have the will power to use your credit cards wisely, it can be a good idea to keep multiple cards. Then, use these additional cards from time to time, charging small amounts and then quickly paying them off. This reflects positively in your credit scores as your having a healthy ability to manage your debt.

Tip #7: Understand the influence that bankruptcy has on your score:

Bankruptcies can stay on your credit report for 7 to 10 years. As a final note, beware that having declared bankruptcy in the past can make it especially hard to achieve better credit scores.


What Loan Options Are Available To Those With Bad Credit?

Here are some of the various types of loans that you can get - even if you have bad credit. The truth is, nowadays, that loans are just about as available for people with bad credit. When it comes time to look around for the money you need to buy that thing you want, whether it is a car, a vacation, electronics, or whatever, you do not need to restrict yourself just because of bad credit.

Anyway, whatever the reason, if you have bad credit there are different kinds of loans that will help you when you need it. This, of course, means more profit to the lender. It may be that one of the reasons that someone with bad credit can more easily get a loan these days is because most people will come back to a lender sometime and get another loan.

One of the most common and easy to get is called a cash advance, or payday loan. These loans are unsecured, and for this reason are often referred to as being signature loans. These loans are available for emergency cash - up to $1,000, and are electronically deposited into your checking account within 24 hours. Some will put the cash where you need it in much less time. A word of caution about these, though, is that the interest is very high - usually around 30%, and will need to be paid back within two weeks.

Another personal loan, which would be your best option, is a secured loan. Collateral will need to be given, such as a house or car. Bad credit is accepted, and having collateral will enable you to get better rates than if you offered none. Although a bad credit loan is secured, you still will get higher interest rates than someone who has better credit. So if you need the money now, you have access to it.

You will want to remember that with any money that you borrow, that it does effect your credit rating. By making your payments on time each time, you slowly build your credit rating and work to bring it back to where it should be. Getting a loan with bad credit can help you, but you might want to think about trying to keep them small or you will be paying more interest than necessary. It might be more profitable to you if you wait a little longer until your credit is repaired with small loans and credit cards.

You will also have smaller amounts that you can borrow, and shorter periods of time to pay the loan. Having no collateral, though, and bad credit, will mean that you pay more in interest. You will also have smaller amounts that you can get which do not require any collateral.

Having no collateral, though, and bad credit, will mean that you pay more in interest. You will also have smaller amounts that you can get which do not require any collateral. Having no collateral, though, and bad credit, will mean that you pay more in interest. Unsecured loans are personal loans that you can get which do not require any collateral.


You can easily get a loan without this clause and it could allow you to save even more money. In addition, be sure that there is not any early closure penalties that charge you for paying it off early. You should get several online quotes to see which bad credit loan is best for you.

However, many lenders will charge higher interest than others will and it will be up to you to look around to get the best deal. Bad credit should not stop you from getting the money you need.



Buying Your First Home? No Need For Confusion About Canadian Mortgage Rates

But it doesn?t need to. Now, add into this daily news mix analyst and industry uncertainty about where mortgage rates are headed and it seems enough to keep any levelheaded first-time homebuyer on the sidelines. If it is not more dire news coming out of the United States about their ongoing housing crises, it seems to be confusing and conflicting speculation about the state of our housing and real estate markets.

If you are a Canadian buying your first home, it is hardly surprising if you feel overwhelmed by the bombardment of daily news and advice that seems to impact on your home purchasing decisions.


Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke, and other central bankers from the G7 group of the West?s leading economies had been talking for weeks about the portential for renewed inflationary pressure resulting from the surge in oil, natural gas and commodities prices. Carney, the U.S. Mr.

Carney elected to leave the BofC?s main rate at its current low level out of an abundance of caution that rising energy and commodity prices could herald a surge in consumer inflation. Instead, Mr. On June 10th, the head of Canada?s central bank, Bank of Canada Governor, Mark Carney, went against what were widespread predictions by financial analysts that he would drop the Bank of Canada?s main rate from its then (and now) current 3.0% in an effort to stimulate Canada?s economy.


In his most recent address, to Calgary?s Haskayne Schol of Business, on June 19th, Mr. Carney made it clear that ? like all central bankers, it seems ? that monitoring and curbing inflation is his primary focus. ?At a fundamental level,? Mr. Carney declared, ?the primary goal of monetary policy should be to keep inflation low, stable, and predictable.? Noting that ?commodity-price shocks,? like the recent spikes in energy and food prices Canadians have experienced raise what he called ?complex issues,? Mr. Carney nevertheless stressed that ?a relentless focus on inflation clarifies policy decisions, makes communications easier, and maximizes the likelihood that expectations will remain well anchored.? He touted the benefits of keeping to what he called a ?credible inflation target? in order to keep the cost of borrowing down and to allow individuals and firms to make better investment decisions.

Canadian banks and other lending institutions appear to be factoring in the likelihood of such a rate increase into their fixed-term mortgage pricing. The Bank of Canada press release accompanying Governor Carney?s most recent public address noted that, ?The best contribution that the Bank of Canada Governor may call for a moderate boost to Canada?s main lending rate, likely a 0.25% increase to 3.25%.

Canadian mortgages still remain at near historically low levels, consulting with a professional who can comparison shop the fixed rate and variable-rate mortgages available for first time home purchasers should help flesh out a mortgage market that is still somewhat in flux as the central bank shifts its emphasis away from providing economic stimulus to the Canadian economy and towards keeping an ever-watchful eye on the potential for rising inflation. Consulting an experienced and well-resourced Canadian mortgage broker who can provide advice for first-time homebuyers on the wealth of mortgage types and features that are currently available should be a first step for tentative first time purchasers. In the short term, mortgage rates are likely to rise. If you are buying your first home, the indications from Canada?s central banker are that mortgage rates have bottomed out for now.


Thursday, September 25, 2008

How To Best Use A Personal Debt Consolidation Loan

In considering different solutions that are available to you today when it comes to debt problems, you will want to seriously look at how a personal debt consolidation loan might play a role in a more comprehensive plan. In this regard, you may be interested in developing different and effective resources that can best aid and assist you in dealing with overwhelming debt. You may have reached a point in life at which rising debt has left you feeling as if you are twisting in the wind.

This article has been prepared to provide you with an overview of how you can best use a personal debt consolidation loan can best be used by you, you will no longer be left swinging and twisting in the relentless wind of bad debt.

When it comes to best understanding how you can make the best use of a personal debt consolidation loan, you should appreciate that in very vast majority of instances obtaining a personal debt consolidation loan alone will not be enough to provide a calm course of financial freedom into the future. Rather, when considering how to best use a personal debt consolidation loan, you need to realize that a personal debt consolidation loan should be one element (and an important one at that) within a large arsenal of tools that can be used to effectively and more permanently deal with debt problems. Other tools that you will want to consider when incorporating a personal debt consolidation loan into a master plan regarding your debt are:

-- a budget

-- debt counseling

-- proactive credit report repair

-- future limitations on additional debt

-- a concrete savings and investment plan

-- a realistic retirement program

In many cases, a person will end up haphazardly making application for a personal debt consolidation loan and end up with too much money or too little money through a personal debt consolidation loan ends up not effectively and appropriately meeting that person???s actual debt consolidation needs. In other words, the personal debt consolidation loan. When it comes to learning how to best use a personal debt consolidation loan before he or she really understands what their needs are in the way of this type of financing.

Once again (and as has been noted) a personal debt consolidation loan can turn out to be a very effective tool in your overall debt management scheme. Once again (and as has been noted) a personal debt consolidation loan will be a prudent decision for you. By understanding how a personal debt consolidation loan can best be put to use, applying for a personal debt consolidation loan can best be put to use, applying for a personal debt consolidation loan will be a prudent decision for you.


Should You Get A Home Equity Loan When Refinancing?

However, be sure to refinance with extreme caution. There are a lot of advantages to a home equity loan. They are generally flexible and generally offer you the best rates available.

Depending on your personal financial situation, some of the interest can be used as a tax deduction. Among the most economical lending solution available today are home equity loans and home equity lines of credit.


Often times, this creates a lower overall monthly payment. When consolidating your debts, such as student loans, credit cards, car loans or doing some home improvements, a homeowner will obtain a home equity loan to consolidate their entire payments inro one easy to pay bill. This type of loan is ideal for someone who has a precise amount in mind.

Also fixed is the payment. The actual loan usually has a fixed rate with a precise period of time in which the loan needs to be paid off. There are two different types of home equity loans.


A more flexible option is a home equity line of credit. This is an open ended loan meaning the payment and rate usually tends to be lower and is variable. A line of credit is generally used like a credit card, with tax benefits. Interest is only paid on the portion of the line you use. The rest is available for when and if you need it. Whenever you make a payment, that portion that is applied to the principle and is then available to use again if need be. Some lenders will offer a card for easier access. This option is great for when you do need to use the money immediately or would like to have the flexibility to keep using the money without going through the loan process over and over again.

If you have equity left over, when you refinance your current mortgage, often times you will be offered a home equity line of credit or home equity loan. If you have other debts that are above and beyond your original mortgage, a good way to go is a home equity loan. You are probably wondering why you wouldn't include all of your debt in your original loan. Well, often times, in order to keep the loan amounts under 80%, debt is split into two different loans. This allows people to take advantage of the best rate available. If you are able to keep the loan amount under 80% of the home appraisal value, then you can easily avoid paying Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI.

Whenever you do not have a need for a second loan when you are refinancing, you can then just put the money towards a line of credit. It is a good thing to have, should an emergency arise. When the need arises, the money is ready for you to use. This will save you the hassle of going through the entire loan process time and time again.

Sometimes they are willing to negotiate with you so that you will take the offer. Be sure to ask your bank about specials they may be running in order to offset the cost. One note of precaution though, a line of credit usually has an annual fee attached to it. Another great benefit is the loan company can simply use the same credit inquiry for this loan that they used for the first loan.

So that you are able to make a more informed decision, talk about the cost and ask if there are any hidden fees Before making a decision, be sure to weigh all of your options. As you can clearly see, there are a lot of benefits to both a home equity loan and a home equity line of credit.


Trading Problems - Maintaining Focus

get rid of the thought and think something else.? I once heard a statement by Rebecca Fine of www.scienceofgettingrich.net that says something along the lines of ?If what you?re thinking about isn?t something that you want to have happen in the next three minutes?

While that?s a great way to live your whole life, and I certainly try to do so, it equally applies to the process of trading, specifically ensuring that we maintain focus during the conduct of our analysis.

Maintaining focus can be difficult. Not only will you face distractions from external sources, such as the phone ringing right during a prime setup, or your partner asking for a lightbulb to be changed, or your children asking for help with their homework, but you also face internal distractions from your negative fear-based trading mindset. These internal distractions may be less obvious to the novice trader, but the results can be devastating for your profitability.

If you have not yet mastered your negative fear-based trading psychology, then you are going to face never ending distractions that divert your focus from the job at hand ? consistent implementation of your trading plan.

Regardless of how these fears manifest within your trading ? complacency, boredom, doubt, procrastination, denial ? they will lead only to inconsistent and unprofessional application of your trading plan. And that cannot lead to long term consistent profits.

How do we deal with this negative fear-based trading psychology? Well, that subject cannot be addressed in one article. I?m currently working on a complete home-study program on the mastery of trading psychology, which will provide you with the tools, strategies and techniques for overcoming these issues.

However in the meantime this statement from Ms Fine provides you with a really simple tool to add to your trading toolkit, to ensure you maintain focus during your analysis despite any internal or external distractions.

The process is similar for both long term traders and short term traders. But let?s talk short term first, because that?s primarily what I do.

As a day trader, your success comes from consistent application of your trading plan. Success comes from conducting analysis on a regular basis throughout the trading session, either on the close of each candle or on a price-alert as price reaches a certain preset level, and then acting appropriately to enter, manage or exit your trades.

What do you need to do to ensure that your focus remains on the process of trading?

Here?s what I do:

1.???Document the analysis and decision making process. Have clearly defined actionable steps that you need to carry out every candle to reach your decision to hold, enter, exit, or adjust your stop loss or profit targets.

2.???Set an alarm to go off prior to every candle. If I trade off 5 minute charts, I have an alarm go off 30 seconds before the close of each candle to allow me to pause and check my thoughts. If my thoughts are not related to the objective analysis of the market and the correct implementation of my plan, then they?re discarded. My focus is then returned to the documented trading process.

This works regardless of timeframe. If I was trading off one hour charts, I?d set an alarm to activate just prior to the close of each one hour candle. If I was trading off one minute charts, I?d still set an alarm to go off just before the close of each one minute candle. If I was just waiting for a price setup at a particular price level, and had no intentions of trading until price hit that level, then I?d just set an alarm for price hitting that target.

Setting an alarm for timeframes of 15 minutes upwards is certainly a great idea, as you won?t necessarily be sitting watching the screen the whole time in-between candles. However, you might ask whether it?s really necessary for very short timeframes, such as one minute charts. The fact is though, that it is necessary, and it does work. It is amazing how often I find my mind wandering elsewhere. More often than not, it?s thinking about something unrelated to my trading plan. The alarm interrupts this thought pattern, and allows a return of thought and focus to what?s important.

Try it, and if you find yourself suddenly wondering what the MACD shows, and it?s not part of your plan, discard that thought ? it?s irrelevant to this trade. If you find yourself suddenly thinking that you need to win this next trade to get back to breakeven, discard that thought ? it?s irrelevant to this trade. If you find yourself wondering where you should go next holidays, discard the thought. Once again, it?s irrelevant. Interrupt any unwanted thoughts, and think something else that will help you trade your plan in a consistent manner.

Oh, and so that you don?t burn out through having an alarm go off every minute for an eight hour trading session, let?s add a step 3:

3.???If you are trading a very short timeframe, program breaks into your session, to get away from the markets. Relax, recharge and refresh yourself, so that you can keep up this pace.

For longer term traders, let?s say someone trading off daily charts, the problems are the same. In your case, you have a process that needs to be followed to come up with your decisions to enter a trade, exit a trade, or modify target or stop levels.

In this case, you still need to implement step one, documented actionable steps that allow for consistent application of your plan. Consider something like a checklist, or flowchart.

You can probably dispense with the alarms, as you only need to complete the process once. However for longer term traders, I?d recommend including statements within your documented process to remind you to check your thoughts, and return them to the process of trading.

Perhaps prefix every step with a documented reminder such as, ?I am a professional trader, and a professional trader trades their plan in a consistent manner?. Then, the act of commencing each step of your nightly analysis, will serve as a regular interrupt to unwanted thoughts, and a return of your focus to the job at hand.

This way, there?s no need to be going and checking other indicators for further confirmation, when it?s not part of your plan. There?s no need to be checking other news sources for further justification of your decisions, when it?s not part of your plan. There?s no need to be emailing or phoning your friends to seek their thoughts on a particular stock or chart, when it?s not part of your documented process. These are actions of people who have lost focus, and whose trading destiny is being led by their fear and greed.

As a professional trader, you simply follow your steps. And use your alarms, or documented checklist steps, to interrupt any unwanted thoughts, and return your focus to the business of trading.

So, if you don?t already have a checklist or flowchart set up for all actions that must be carried out during your analysis, then create one. And place in it reminders to monitor your thoughts, and reject anything that is unrelated to the current task at hand.

And if you day trade, set up an alarm, either price based if you simply wait for price to hit certain levels before making trading decisions, or a countdown timer if your decisions are time-based. Then reject any thoughts that are unrelated to the process of trading. And follow your plan with consistency.

Wishing you happy, and focused, trading,

Lance Beggs.
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All Rights Reserved. www.yourtradingcoach.com. Lance Beggs. Copyright 2008.

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Wednesday, September 24, 2008

How To Get Low Rates On Automobile Insurance In Iowa

Did you know that if you have sufficient financial resources to pay for medical expenses and property damage in the event of an accident that you do not have to purchase car insurance in Iowa?

That 's why the majority of Iowans elect to purchase car insurance. But before you start driving in Iowa sans car insurance you need to keep in mind that having the financial resources to pay for an accident out of your own pocket may not be possible for most people.

Also, if your car is being financed then your lender will require that you purchase car insurance.

So ??? regardless of the fact that Iowa technically does not require most of its drivers to carry car insurance, the fact of the matter is that the vast majority of drivers are still trying to get the best rates on car insurance in Iowa.

Luckily there are several options available to Iowa drivers that can help to keep the cost of their car insurance low.

One of the biggest determining factors for how much you'll pay for car insurance is your own driving record. If you want to have and to keep the lowest car insurance rates possible then you must keep a clean driving record. No speeding or other moving violations. And definitely no convictions for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI).

A DUI or DWI on your record will cause a serious jump in the cost of your car insurance, and a second conviction for either offense will send you scrambling for high-risk car insurance (if you can even get it) at a cost that will knock your socks off.

Drivers under 25 years of age are considered bad risks and their insurance is considerably more than what a good driver over 25 will pay. If possible younger drivers should stay in school and maintain at least a "B" grade point average. Doing so will earn them a 5% Good Student Discount on their car insurance premium every month.

Older drivers can apply to take a driver 's refresher course. Not every insurance company offers such a course, but if your company does, and you pass the course, you can save approximately 10% per month on your car insurance premium.

If you seldom drive your car you may qualify for a hefty Low-Mileage Discount on your monthly bill.

Do you drive an older model vehicle or a vehicle that has almost no value? Be aware that even if you are paying for collision and comprehensive coverage every month, if you are involved in an accident your insurance company won't pay you any more than the Kelly Blue Book value of your car. Check with your agent to see if it is worth it to you to continue paying for comprehensive and collision insurance.

Consider increasing your deductible. This is not something you should do without giving it some serious thought since you will be forced to come up with the cash to pay for your deductible in the event of a claim before your insurance company will pay anything toward the repair or replacement of your vehicle. But the higher your deductible, the lower your monthly car insurance payment.

So now that you have a good idea of the steps you can take to lower your car insurance premiums it 's time to get online and find at least 3 different websites that allow you to compare the prices you'll pay for car insurance from a variety of different companies.

This way you can be certain that you are comparing prices from the largest number of insurance companies possible, and you can feel confident that you have found the best deal possible at the best price available. If you're truly serious about saving the most money possible and you really want to get the best rates on car insurance in Iowa, then you'll need to take the extra time to make comparisons on at least 3 different websites.


BetterTrades Timing Importance

It amazes me the thought process a lot of students go through when it comes to trading. It amazes me the thought process a lot of students go through when it comes to trading in the stock market. It amazes me the thought process a lot of students go through when it comes to trading in the stock market. It amazes me the thought process a lot of students go through when it comes to trading in the stock market.

It amazes me the thought process a lot of students go through when it comes to trading in the stock market. It amazes me the thought process a lot of students go through when it comes to trading in the stock market. Especially when it comes to trading in the stock market. Timing is everything!


First, you do NOT have to have all your money in the market at all times to make a fortune trading.

Second, you should not have all your trading funds in the market at all times ever!

Third, wait for a stock to come to you. What I mean is for it to be done falling to play the upside, or done going up to play the downside " but don???t enter in the middle of nowhere on a trade.

I like to use about half of my funds to trade and have the other half available for some fantastic, unexpected buying opportunities that might come around once in awhile or to double up on a trade that has not exactly worked out as fast as I had planned.

What I am about to discuss I have slightly touched on somewhat in a recent newsletter, but since timing is so critical, and I still see seasoned traders after years of trading still not getting this" I feel the need to stress it in more detail.

When I wrote my 40 CENTS DVD series, it was in a hopes of helping students see the power of waiting for stocks to reach the perfect point to play them. Where is that perfect point? It is really not that hard to find. I like to look at support and resistance using candlesticks. To me I want to get in at the very beginning of a run to the upside or a fall to the downside.


UPSIDE:

I will wait for the stock to stop falling. I look for a market close doji or open candlestick at support as a sign it may have stopped falling. However, it is critical to confirm it with a continuation pattern the next trading day. The next day if the stock continues up I enter the trade intra-day for the upside. If it is moving up and down and I am not quite sure, then I use the high of yesterday to give me an entry point. If it breaks that high, I can enter. However, if it is not going up DO NOT ENTER" but I see so many students enter here anyway and I just want to scream WHY DID YOU DO THAT!

DOWNSIDE:

I wait for a sign that the stock has stopped rising, a market close doji or closed candlestick at resistance as my sign it may have stopped going up. Remember I still need to confirm it the next day. The next day if the stock continues to fall, I can enter the trade intra-day to play the downside. If it is moving up and down and I am not sure, then I use the low of yesterday to give me a confirmed entry point. If it breaks that low, I can enter. It is really easy to set an alert to my cell phone to let me know it hit that point, instead of watching the stock all day to see if I can enter the trade. However, if it is not going down DO NOT ENTER" just use common sense before entering a trade and profits can be yours!

OTHER CONCERNS:

Of course you want to look at other trading indicators to confirm direction" and there are a lot you could pick from. My rule of thumb is to just pick 5 you love and that???s ENOUGH! Here are some of my favorites:

1. Support and Resistance
2. Using candlesticks with number 1
3. Volume
4. Exponential Moving averages 4 & 8
5. Bollinger Bands

Then always consider market conditions. If the market is too high and the signs say it has to fall (sentiment indicators) then look for stocks that follow that market at resistance to play the downside. Don???t try to play stocks to the upside with this scenario" again just use common sense and go with the FLOW of the market.

Remember some stocks do not follow the market. This means if the market is going down they go up, they do the opposite of the market. In this case you should already be able to see that is happening so you would do the opposite of the market for the trend on these stocks. An example is OIL; if the market is running up OIL is usually running down in price, etc"

Some stocks have compelling reasons to run up even against market conditions, such as a stock running into an earnings report or a stock split, but the market is due to fall. In this case set your bail alerts daily and if it turns over get out of the up trade fast. However, you can play these against the market falling or about to fall if you are good at exiting fast if the trade goes against you. If you tend to stay in the trade too long don???t play trades against market direction even if the stock has a compelling reason to do the opposite. Wait until you are more seasoned and understand that pulling the plug when a trade goes wrong is critical, not to mention it can be very profitable when you exit and switch hats to play the other direction.


I wish you huge success trading. Sometimes the simplest things are the most important. Buy low " sell high! I hope to see you soon in a live class. Below is the schedule for my upcoming classes.

Happy Trading,

Darlene with BetterTrades


How To Get A Personal Loan For A Business Start Up

A personal loan can be rather easily obtained and you can get them in large or small sizes. Another way to get the financing you need, though, would be to get a personal loan. Finding financing, however, especially for a new business, can be difficult because lenders have seen many businesses come and go, and may be more than a little reluctant.

A personal loan can be rather easily obtained and you can get started. Another way to get the financing you need, though, would be to get a personal loan. When you have that great idea for a new business, can be difficult because lenders have seen many businesses come and go, and may be more than a little reluctant.


Lenders, however, may want to see a track record of repayment, and you may need to start with a smaller loan from them and work your way up to a larger loan. Of course, they will not lend this much to just anyone, but if you have a good credit rating and a regular strong income, then you could get a lot of money for your business startup. Personal loans can be obtained for a value of more than $200,000.

These loans come in both secured and unsecured loans. Secured loans means you need to put a house or a car onto the loan as security. For a new business, though, you may want to think this through very carefully because, if you cannot pay the lender - you may lose the house, too. A secured loan will give you better options and terms than an unsecured loan.

Unsecured personal loans do not require that you place anything as collateral for it. Because the lender is at a greater risk, though, you need to be aware that they charge more. That means you will pay a higher interest rate, get a smaller amount, and have less time to pay it back.

Personal loans are based on your credit report. This means it could really help you if you get a copy of your credit report before applying for a personal loan and verify that there are not any mistakes in reporting on it. Mistakes are common, and it can effect the terms of your loan - especially if there are some negative things involved.

If you want something quick, though, a personal loan without any security will be the fastest way to go. Other ways include special business start up loans, which will require a thorough business plan and a lot of financial details. Be careful.

One of these could be a home equity loan that will give you the lowest interest rate, but again, your home is tied up into the transaction. If you want something quick, though, a personal loan is one way that you could get money for your new business startup there are also other ways available that you may want to look into. Other ways include special business start up loans, which will require a thorough business plan and a lot of financial details. Be careful. One of these could be a home equity loan that will give you the lowest interest rate, but again, your home is tied up into the transaction.

Although a personal loan is one way that you could get money for your new business startup there are also other ways available that you may want to look into.


You will want to consider the overall costs, too, in the event you get any other kind of loan. Take the time to compare things like interest rates, length of time that you have to repay the loan, and how much money you can get. By using the Internet, you can easily get several online quotes for your personal loan in a very short time.

Getting any loan means that you should shop around first, and then sign after you are sure it is a good deal.



Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Credit Repair And The American Dream

What Are Your Dreams?

Credit repair expert Jim Kemish explains how to make your dream of home ownership come true. It?s part of the American Dream. Everyone wants to own a home. The quality of your credit will determine the affordability of your monthly mortgage payment.

A Great Investment

Home ownership has always been considered an integral part of the American Dream. Over the last fifty years those that were able to realize this dream have experienced a great financial benefit. Home ownership, in fact, has contributed more to the wealth of the individual than any other investment. But there is another side to home ownership; it is also the most significant financial obligation that most people will ever undertake. If managed properly home ownership can be a source of great pleasure. If mismanaged, the results can be devastating.

Better Rate More Choice

I have helped people repair and restore their credit reports since 1989. The most common concern amongst our customers has always been the impact that their credit report will have on the mortgage application process. The relationship between your credit and your mortgage is simple; the better your credit, the lower your interest rate and the more choice you will have among mortgage programs.

The Potential of Credit Repair

If you have had credit issues in the past it is essential to your financial life that you have a very clear understanding of how credit repair can help get you back on solid financial ground again. To understand the potential of credit repair there is a myth that needs to be dispelled. This myth is that you are the only one who can repair your own credit. This is a line that was originally promulgated by the credit bureaus and is now parroted by others.

Can You Do it Yourself?

The motivation of the credit bureaus to sell the do-it-yourself campaign was obvious to those of us in the credit repair business. The credit bureaus are well aware of the fact that the vast majority of individuals that undertake the effort to repair their own credit do not have the time or tenacity to understand the system. And without a proper understanding most people will quit out of frustration, or give up believing that they have done everything that can be done. Either way, the credit bureaus will save time and money.

The Role of the Credit Repair Professional

All professions provide the benefit of a mastery of their own field. Although it is certainly true that you could repair your own credit, it is equally true that you could make your own clothes or repair your own car. The economy thrives on the diversity of expertise that is offered in the marketplace. Those that do not have the time or energy to do the extensive research needed to do a job properly can hire someone else to do the work for them. A credit repair professional offers the benefit of his experience in dealing with the three credit bureaus, creditors, and collection agencies. He should also have an in depth understanding of everything that can have an impact on your credit score.

Improving Your Credit Scores

Would you like to purchase a home or refinance to a lower interest rate? The mortgage that you are able to obtain will be entirely dependant on the content of your credit report. As a credit repair professional I speak to people daily who have been told that they either cannot qualify for a mortgage due to their credit, or only qualify for a very expensive sub-prime mortgage. In our examination of their credit reports we often discover that there are a significant number of errors that are depressing their credit scores dramatically.

Putting Your Credit to Work for You

Much of the misreported information that appears on credit reports goes unrecognized. Items such as duplicate accounts, understated high credit limits, and misstated account opening dates are often ignored because they are not derogatory per se. These items along with the obvious erroneous derogatory information can all be cleaned up. And the results can make the difference between an affordable mortgage and a stressful monthly payment.

Choose Carefully

And, in making the decision you should remember the potential impact that your credit works just as hard for you. If you do not feel up to the task you should hire someone to get the job done for you. If you have the time and inclination to learn credit repair yourself you should make the effort. The American Dream is achievable and it depends on your credit.

All Rights Reserved. All Content. Kemish. 2007 James W.

Copyright ?



Credit Card Customer Service Roundup

Equally as important as a low APR or advanced security features is the credit card company is right for you, it???s important to consider everything the credit card company is right for you, it???s important to consider everything the credit card company is right for you, it???s important to consider everything the credit card company is right for you, it???s important to consider everything the credit card company???s customer service. When determining which credit card company is right for you, it???s important to consider everything the credit card company has to offer.

Because most consumers overlook customer service until it???s too late, we made calls to the top five credit card companies (American Express, Bank of America, Chase, Citibank, and Discover), then ranked them on how well they met the following customer service benchmarks:

Helpful Web sites. First we visited their sites to see how user-friendly they were, and whether toll-free phone numbers were easy to find.

Knowledge of agents. We asked three advanced credit card questions (security features, 0% APR availability, and debt consolidation features), then rated their responses.

Helpfulness of agents. Finally, we assessed our general sense of treatment as valued customers, which went into an overall rating of each company???s customer service.

American Express

TIME TO 800 NUMBER: Less than two minutes.

HELPFULNESS OF AGENTS: When we got through, we talked to a helpful and professional representative. Even their automated voice system woman who greets you when you first pick up is very concise and polite, as far as robot ladies go.

KNOWLEDGE OF AGENTS: The customer service representative spoke confidently about their 0% APR cards for select customers, as well as low APR cards and offers. The only question the agent was not able to answer was about credit card debt consolidation features. However, Amex did provide direct and concise information for all other questions we asked.

OVERALL IMPRESSION: The service rep was clear and not pushy (albeit mechanical), and let us know that someone is available to help further at their toll-free number, 24/7.

Bank of America

TIME TO 800 NUMBER: Less than two minutes.

HELPFULNESS OF AGENTS: We called the main number and went through ten button-presses before being connected to a live human (though admittedly some of those keypresses were out of confusion). Some of the steps were obsolete and frustrating -- for example, selecting to respond by voice or by hitting a key. On one occasion, a poorly-timed sneeze caused us to have to go back in the menu. When finally connected to a ???Bank On Call Specialist,??? it was clear that, though thorough, the gentleman on the other end was in as little mood to be friendly as we were by this point.

KNOWLEDGE OF AGENTS: When asking about the basic security features the card offered, the rep responded by mentioning the ???Safe-card??? feature that generates random numbers each time the card is used, instead of a traceable account number that ???could potentially be stolen.??? We playfully replied, ???That???s got to be a good feature if you???re up to no good.??? He did not find this funny. Even after saying ???That was a joke,??? the Bank On Call Specialist didn???t even give up a pity-snicker.

OVERALL IMPRESSION: Operating out of Los Angeles, the Bank of America 800-number is not 24/7 like some of the others, but does operate late and on weekends. (Please note, however, that this information was given by the service rep in person; meanwhile, the Bank of America Web site proudly boasts 24/7 customer service representatives on call. We didn???t bother calling back 23 times to figure out which it really is.)

Citibank

TIME TO 800 NUMBER: Less than a minute; quick and easy.

HELPFULNESS OF AGENTS: With but one button-press after calling, you are speaking to a live operator. We spoke to a good-humored gentleman who, though having to transfer us to the ???application department??? to answer general questions, laughed genuinely at the response ???Okay, super-duper??? when he asked us to briefly hold. (Customer service reps who don???t hate their jobs always reflect well on the company.) He transferred me to a female agent who was equally well-tempered, and the whole ordeal was genuine and friendly.

KNOWLEDGE OF AGENTS: They promptly filled me in on topics like rewards card bonuses and low APR credit cards. Citibank seems to handle issues like stolen credit cards with sensitivity and care, and they assured me that ???Identity Theft Specialists??? handle any potential issues one-on-one.

OVERALL IMPRESSION: Citibank agents seem particularly user-friendly in times of crises. Also, Citibank???s customer service hotline is available 24 hours.

Chase

TIME TO 800 NUMBER: Less than two minutes; one click from homepage. A little overwhelming were the various numbers to call based on topic, but the list was explained and labeled.

HELPFULNESS OF AGENTS: After a few selection menus and a reasonable amount of holding time, we got through to a professional (if somewhat dry) customer service representative. Also, right on the Web site was the information that cardholders can receive 24 hour automated services by phone, or live representatives from 7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. daily.

KNOWLEDGE OF AGENTS: The agent answered questions about 0% APR and low APR cards generically, promising only that ???select customers??? are eligible.

OVERALL IMPRESSION: We left feeling that Chase dictates who is deemed ???eligible??? for certain offers the way the cool kids at high school decide who sits together at lunch. (Just a feeling.) The exchange is professional and void of hullabaloo, if not otherwise robotic and monotone.

Discover

TIME TO 800 NUMBER: It took but a moment to locate the phone number (listed in the style of Chase???s Web site, only minus the visual chaos).

HELPFULNESS OF AGENTS: Once calling this 24/7 live-operator (and automatic-optional) service number, it was only seconds before being connected. The customer service representative was the sweetest and not-in-a-fake-way of all the credit card companies we tested.

KNOWLEDGE OF AGENTS: The agent answered all questions with specifics, and plenty of pertinent information (security issues, costs, eligibility for special offers, etc.). Additionally, many of the offers seemed to far surpass the competition: for example, 0% fraud liability on the spot, and more-than-fair graces towards simple customer errors or lapses.

OVERALL IMPRESSION: Both for the information and the manner in which it was delivered, the taste left in our mouth was all sweet and no-parts bitter.

Summary

We ranked the top five credit card companies on customer service (American Express, Bank of America, Chase, Citibank, and Discover), and here are our final results.

#5: Bank of America. Though offering the standard services, and having a widespread name and corporate recognition, the actual customer service perhaps suffers at the hand of being such a titanic operation. It???s difficult to find information on the Web site (at least, information that agrees with their live operators), and the personal care touch is gone. Perhaps Bank of America outsourced their customer service operation. Outsourced it to Mars.

#4: Chase. Although adequate, Chase has every one of those small-annoyance features that are frustrating to customers: limited information about APR and the like until agreeing to apply; hold time with crummy music; a slightly confusing Web site; dull and/or mechanical service representative interaction; and limited hours of live person availability. are all attributes that prevent Chase from boasting wonderful customer services. Not really a pain-in-the-neck customer service system, Chase is just average. Not bad bad, but not great.

#3: American Express. American Express does the job. No bells and whistles, but a well-rounded customer service department, with enough features to leave us generally satisfied. The rep made a card recommendation for me after only a few questions, and after further talking it turned out to be a good analysis. American Express???s customer service skills are much like the aesthetics of the card itself: not the most brilliant gold color, but definitely still gold.

#2: Citibank. Great customer service. It???s nice to report that there was almost a tie for first place rather than a tie for last place, and in this case Citibank should be proud of that close call. Nice clear Web site directory, one-touch access to a live person, and interactions with human beings who made it clear they didn???t hate working for Citibank at all. Agents told us about great featured bonuses for customers, but not in a way that made us feel pressured. Wonderful customer service upkeep, Citibank!

Talking to a credit card company???s customer service line rarely leaves you feeling so warm and fuzzy. Be it hospitality or above-and-beyond professionalism, the general response we had after interacting with Discover is that we want to move to where Discover is headquartered, then raise our families and send our kids to school there. Aside from offering the easiest, most practical perks (regular 5% cash back on purchases made at restaurants, gas stations, etc., as well as comprehensive security and credit rating services), the interactions with the Discover folks make you feel valued and respected. Who knew it really pays to Discover????

#1: Discover.


Good luck finding those 800-numbers, though! The best way to find out is to call yourself. We hope our credit card customer service roundup is helpful, but as always your mileage may vary.


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