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Are you ready to jump into the world of investing? Are you already investing but looking to improve your knowledge on the subject and, in turn, improve the performance of your investment decisions? Look online for investing advice, and you will be hit with a mountain of tips and tricks. There are investing books, blogs, forums, and social media groups that all make various promises about investing. Of course, you only have limited time to spend on learning and research. If you tried to read every resource out there, then you would spend the rest of your life reading and no time actually investing. There’s also the question of which resources actually benefit the reader and which ones are get-rich-quick schemes wrapped up in a different package. Spending your time reading the wrong resources could have similar effects to not research at all. We want to help you wade through the glitzy promises, the stylish covers, and the marketing lingo to find the best investing books you can dive into now. The following list of top 10 best investing books will give you a great starting point no matter how experienced an investor you may be. 1. The Financial Diet: A Total Beginner's Guide to Getting Good with Money by Chelsea Fagan An Indie Personal Finance Bestseller, “The Financial Diet†is a great starting point for millennials who need a crash course on managing their finances. The Financial Diet gives you tools to make a budget, understand investments, and deal with your credit. It focuses on creating and adhering to a budget, tips for having those awkward money conversations with friends, and even what ingredients to keep stocked in your kitchen (since eating out is a major budget killer). It also hits on more advanced finance topics, like how to care for your house or get started with investing. Author Chelsea Fagan founded the popular website and YouTube channel, The Financial Diet. So The Financial Diet gives you the tools to negotiate a raise and the perfect cocktail recipe to celebrate your new salary.  2. The Essays of Warren Buffett Do you want to learn about investing? Why not learn from the best investor there is. Warren Buffett is such a figure in the investing community that his actions can change how the market behaves in the blink of an eye. The story of Warren Buffett and his massive conglomerate, Berkshire Hathaway, is nothing short of incredible. The company actually began as two companies, both cotton mills. In the 1960s, Warren Buffett took control of Berkshire Hathaway as it struggled to remain relevant. Since then, he has invested in businesses like Geico, Coca-Cola, and Apple. In the 1980s, investors could buy Berkshire Hathaway shares for $275. Today, a single Class A Berkshire Hathaway share trades for over $300,000. There is, quite simply, no comparison to the great mind of Warren Buffett. Getting a glimpse into the investing style of Warren Buffett is a great place for any investor to begin their education journey. See what Buffett looks for when seeking to invest in a company and the thought process that goes into all of his investment decisions. 3. The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham The Intelligent Investor is recommended by people like Warren Buffett and Joel Greenblatt, who, as you have noticed, are also featured on this list. That kind of praise alone makes this one of the best investing books you can read. When reading The Intelligent Investor, you may notice a lack of excitement building inside you about investing. This is somewhat by design. Benjamin Graham did not write this book to convince people they could make millions in the stock market. Rather, he educates readers on how to research companies and invest for the long term. Over the years, The Intelligent Investor has been revised several times. Warren Buffett says that chapters 8 and chapter 20 are the basis of his investing philosophy. Many other top investors continue to recommend this book today, which is a testament to the quality advice that Benjamin Graham originally published in the 1940s.  4. A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton Malkiel This is another great book for beginners ready to dip their feet into investing but may be turned off by the phrases and concepts that seem almost foreign. A Random Walk Down Wall Street puts investing concepts in relatable terms. The chances are that you are simply looking for a way to build for your future through investing. With a million copies sold, Burton G. Malkiel’s “A Random Walk Down Wall Street†continues to be at the top of reading lists for investors—and with good reason. This book educates readers about how to avoid the schemes and ridiculous sales pitches with basic investing literacy. After reading A Random Walk Down Wall Street, you should understand investing concepts more clearly and better grasp your own investing goals. Most importantly, you will understand the path that takes you from your first investment to a successful retirement. 5. The Little Book of Value Investing by Christopher H. Browne There are many ways to make money in today’s market, but the one strategy that has truly proven itself over the years is value investing. Now, with The Little Book of Value Investing, Christopher Browne shows you how to use this wealth-building strategy to buy bargain stocks around the world successfully. Value investing is the practice of purchasing stocks that are undervalued and holding them for longer periods of time, ideally earning returns when those stocks rebound. Though not a new concept, it’s an undervalued one for many investors (pun intended). Christopher Browne’s “The Little Book of Value Investing†shows readers how to put this strategy into action to purchase bargain stocks and grow your portfolio. This title has earned glowing reviews from The Independent, Financial Times (U.K.), Bloomberg, and The Wall Street Journal.  6. The Little Book of Common Sense Investing: The Only Way to Guarantee Your Fair Share of Stock Market Returns by John C. Bogle Too many people think that they can outsmart the market or other investors. They make risky investments, lose money, and are turned off the idea of investing forever. In this book, John Bogle covers common sense investment strategies to help people build wealth in the stock market. None of the tactics outlined in this book are sexy. Nothing will make you 1000% profit year over year. Instead, reading The Little Book of Common Sense Investing will keep you grounded and focused on realistic investment goals. Building wealth through investing can be done, but it takes time and good decision-making skills. If you fear investing because you could lose your savings, then this book should appeal to you. After reading John Bogle’s book, you should feel confident that smart investing is the best way to build wealth for yourself and your family. 7. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki The first book on our list isn’t just about investing and, yet, it may be one of the best investing books you can read. Beginners should take a special interest in Rich Dad Poor Dad. Robert Kiyosaki outlines the importance of financial literacy, saving, and investing. He emphasizes throughout the book the concept of paying yourself first. Essentially, he believes that people should always dedicate money to saving or investing, even if the amount seems small and insignificant. In the book, Robert Kiyosaki gives a unique, personal look at many investing concepts widely regarded as smart investing strategies. For example, “pay yourself first†is basically another way of explaining dollar-cost averaging. By reading this book, you will learn more about investing concepts, personal finance topics, and how someone could build a successful life for their family by using these simple, easy-to-digest ideas. 8. The Little Book That Beats the Market by Joel Greenblatt At the beginning of this article, we promised no glitzy sales pitches with ridiculous promises. So a book with this title would seem out of place on our sensible list, wouldn’t it? While the title may seem flashy like a bag of magic beans, Joel Greenblatt provides a straightforward formula for identifying companies that have outperformed the market for years. Not only can investors learn how to identify the companies that will earn them sizeable returns, but the formula for building their portfolio is clearly laid out. To put things simply, Joel Greenblatt advocates buying strong companies with good performance at an affordable price. That seems like a no-brainer, right? The art is in identifying these companies and the strategy as a whole. The title of this book may seem like the contents within are too good to be true. As they say, never judge a book by its cover. 9. The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley When you think of wealth accumulation, you likely think of incredibly wealthy people flying on private jets and vacationing on their luxury yachts. The truth is that middle-class families are the best at accumulating wealth, according to this book. Like Rich Dad Poor Dad, The Millionaire Next Door covers a lot of topics beyond just investing. Personal finance is a major focus of the book, along with investing and strategies that help people accumulate wealth faster than their peers who may live in similar situations, work similar jobs, and have similar backgrounds. Much of the book discusses how small decisions can have major impacts down the road. For example, the author discusses the opportunity cost of smoking a pack of cigarettes per day instead of investing that money. There are some legitimate criticisms of the book. The author assumes that people would invest wisely instead of spending money on habits like smoking or drinking. In addition, many believe that the author conveniently ignores those in the middle class who have attempted to accumulate wealth and failed. Even with those criticisms in mind, the concepts put forth in The Millionaire Next Door make it one of the best investing books you can read. 10. Market Wizards by Jack Schwager As you may have gathered, investing is not an exact science. There is no simple formula that all investors follow to build their wealth. In Market Wizards, Jack Schwager interviews many top traders to get their opinions and insights regarding investing. This is an important book to read for new investors because it sheds light on the wide range of strategies that investors can employ to reach various goals. Are you investing for rapid growth? Are you investing for a long-term goal like retirement? Most importantly, Market Wizards allows readers to tap into many great minds at once rather than just one. Through compelling interviews, Jack Schwager brings complex investing topics to the masses, which is why his book makes our list of the best investing books. 11. The Only Investment Guide You’ll Ever Need by Andrew Tobias (Bonus) The title of this book is bold, considering the incredible investing books we have listed already. However, there are so many tips packed into this book by Andrew Tobias that you will certainly be able to gain a solid understanding of investing by reading it cover to cover. Even if you only have a small amount of money to invest, this guide can help you make the most of your investment to build a strong financial future. Best of all, Andrew Tobias takes complex investing topics and explains them with humor in a way that even the most beginner investors can understand. Perhaps the most important aspect of this book is how the concept of personal finance and saving is tied into investing. The author clearly explains how the two ideas tie together. Without savings, you cannot invest, and this book should help you better grasp both. How to Choose Which Books to Read Because there are so many books for new investors, it can be hard to settle on one to start. Fortunately, you can consider a few factors to help your decision. Then, you can avoid pushing off your investing plans. Instead, you can get started with strategies to help meet your goals. Your background First, you need to consider your current or past financial situation. If you grew up in a wealthy family, you might have more investing experience than someone from a working-class family. You should also consider your current status. Whether you’re in school, working full-time, or own a business, that can affect how you may want to invest. If you don’t have much money to invest, you may want to start with dividends. Or you may decide you need to learn about other financial topics along with investing. However, if you have a lot of money, you may decide to invest in real estate. Then, you can turn the investment into profit. Your interests You also have to consider what interests you about investing. In some cases, you may know of the perfect index fund or property for your next investment. However, you may need to compare a few investment options. That way, you can figure out which is the most interesting or applicable to you. If you don’t know what type of investing you want to do, you can read a couple of books. Choose books from different areas of investing so that you can get a better idea of each. Your priorities Along with your interests, consider your financial goals and priorities. If you want to quit your job and rely on passive income, it can take time to achieve that. However, if your goal is to save for your regular retirement, you can start saving more easily. It will still take years to reach your goal, but you may not need to save or invest as much. You also should consider how much time you have to dedicate to your investments. If you don’t want to maintain a house, real estate investing probably isn’t the best option. Diversify After you read a couple of books for new investors, keep reading more. Find books on different investing topics so that you can diversify your knowledge and then your portfolio. Once you start making money from dividends, you may decide to put some of it into a rental property. Or maybe you decide to invest in different mutual funds. If you want to rely on your investments for financial freedom, you need to diversify. While some strategies can offer better returns than average, you never know when one option will fail. Conclusion This list of the best investing books is a great place for any investor to create their own personal reading list. Some books dive deep into specific investment topics while others loop in personal finance subjects as well. Find some of the books on this list that grab your attention and begin soaking in the wealth of knowledge these books contain. If nothing else, you will come out a more confident investor. Of course, you never want to stop learning. These books are just a starting point. As you dive deeper into investing, you will discover new books that capture your attention. Always strive to learn more about investing while remembering the basics of successful investors. With all of that knowledge working for you, investing will seem much less daunting and, perhaps, even downright exciting.
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Brokers are usually individuals who deal with customers’ orders to buy and sell securities. Trading brokers are intermediaries operating between the securities that trade on the market and the investors that buy them. Investors must find the best trading brokers to handle their transactions. This article will review the firms that have recruited these talented people and how they can help you with trading securities. We will also detail each firm’s commission costs per trade, minimum balance requirements, and what type of investors they fit best. The Best Trading Brokers You Needed to Know in 2020 Before one becomes a certified stockbroker in the United States, one has to pass two licensing examinations issued by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD). The examinations are Series 7 and Series 63. The purpose of these tests is to ascertain that a broker is well aware of what they are selling and that they are knowledgeable of the rules and regulations that govern the securities domain. The following trading brokers have proven to be the best by bringing their customers’ investments to fruition. 10. Motif Investing  Motif Investing is a brokerage firm best suited for advanced traders, stock traders, and traders who plan to invest in motifs (30-stock or ETF baskets). The firm offers its investors flat-rate commissions of $4.95 for stocks and ETFs. Moreover, it has an account minimum requirement of $0 for trading accounts and a $1,000 minimum for their Motif Impact accounts. 9. Interactive Brokers This is yet another great brokerage firm that guarantees investors meager commission costs. The firm is ideal because of its high-quality trading platform and international trading capabilities. However, it demands a high minimum investment and charges an inactivity fee. As such, it may not be suitable for infrequent investors and beginners. Interactive Brokers charge a commission with fixed-rate and volume-tiered pricing starting at $1, has an account minimum of $10,000, and its promotion has special terms for customers aged 25 and below. 8. Ally Invest Many stockbrokers require no minimum investment to open an IRA. However, the price charged to open a regular brokerage account is usually higher. Ally Invest, however, cuts trading costs to $3.95 for the investors that place 30 or more trades for each quarter and those that carry a balance of $100,000. The broker demands a commission of $4.95, has no account minimum requirement, and discounts are available depending on trade volumes. They suit active, options, and forex traders best. 7. Robinhood Robinhood used to shine thanks to its easy-to-use mobile app and $0 trades. However, today, all of the largest online brokers offer free stock and ETF trades. As a result, it is much more difficult for Robinhood to outduel the competition. Like many other $0 discount brokers, Robinhood charges no commission for trading stocks, ETFs, options, or cryptocurrency. Robinhood offers stocks (including fractional shares), ETFs, options, and cryptocurrency trading. Most online brokerages, with the exception being TradeStation, also do not offer cryptocurrency trading. However, mutual funds and bonds are not supported, nor is futures trading. 6. Trade Station TradeStation supports casual traders through its web-based platform and active traders through its award-winning desktop platform, all with $0 stock and ETF trades. On Trade Station, you can trade Stocks, ETFs, Futures, Options, Futures Options, Crypto, IPOs, and Mutual Funds. TradeStation 10 is a desktop-based, downloadable trading platform for online trading that is robust and full of trading tools. In our testing, TradeStation 10 is rivaled only by TD Ameritrade's platform. From monitoring multiple watch lists and setting price alerts to analyzing stock charts and placing trades, TradeStation Mobile provides a fantastic all-around experience for traders. 5. Merrill Edge Merrill Edge is a full-service broker that offers equities and options trade. The firm’s accounts are linkable to any Bank of America account. It also offers up to 100 free trades per month via the Preferred Rewards Program. Merrill Edge has competitive pricing and efficient customer service. Moreover, its clients have access to investment advice from over 2,000 Bank of America locations. The firm takes a commission of $6.95 per trade with no additional charges for stocks less than $1 per share. Its account minimum requirement is $0, and it has a promotion of $100 to $600 cash bonus depending on the account size. It is best suited for Bank of America customers, penny stock traders, high-balance customers, commission-free trading, and investors who value customer service. 4. ETRADE ETRADE is among the best trading brokers operating via an online platform. Customers prefer this firm for its full-court-press advertising and marketing practices. Furthermore, this broker offers a user-friendly website and a high-quality mobile experience. It also offers its clientele thorough research that guarantees customer satisfaction. In addition to the research material, ETRADE’s trading platforms are designed to enable easy navigation. The firm demands a commission of $6.95 with volume discounts available. It also has a $500 account minimum requirement and a promotion that offers 60 days of commission-free trades with deposits exceeding $10000. Usually, ETRADE is best suited for retirement planning assistance, research and data, commission-free exchange-traded funds, frequent traders, and beginner investors. 3. Charles Schwab This broker offers high-quality customer service, a large selection of commission-free exchange-traded funds, and competitive trading platforms. In addition, the firm offers no-transaction-fee mutual funds. The firm is committed to offering its clients more value and better experiences through constant improvement. It has two trading platforms and a low minimum investment requirement. The features make it suitable for both active and new traders. It also has a trade commission of $4.95, a $1000 account minimum requirement, and a $100 promotion referral award for first-time customers. Charles Schwab is best suited for advanced traders, beginner investors, value no-minimum index funds, and investors seeking commission-free ETFs. 2. Fidelity Fidelity boasts of numerous services that include securities executions and clearance, discount brokerage services, annuities, and wealth management services, among others. Research is usually key for stock trading, and Fidelity is well equipped to provide its investors with the tools to conduct extensive stock analysis research. The firm charges a trade commission of $4.95, which is quite inviting. Fidelity also demands an account minimum of $2,500 and a promotion of $300 that is commission-free and trades with a qualifying deposit. It provides its services to businesses, individual investors, financial advisors, and institutions. Fidelity stands out among other brokers because it has a lineup of research from more than 20 providers. It also invests in fixed income markets and public equity globally. 1. TD Ameritrade If you want to buy and sell stocks or maybe trade options, TD Ameritrade is one of the best trading brokers available. The firm has excellent customer support, advanced trading platforms, and no trade minimum. Moreover, TD conducts extensive market researches whose findings are free for its customers. Some of its most impressive features include a $0 minimum balance requirement, a commission of $6.95 per trade, and its promotion range from $100 to $600 in cash bonus, depending on the account size. In addition to the appealing bonuses, TD has numerous subsidiaries. It also offers trade and investing services to over 7 million funded accounts that sum up to more than $750 billion in assets. TD has over 5700 independent registered investment advisors (RIAs). The firm is best suited for advanced traders, beginner investors, and investors who want portfolio-building advice. Conclusion Choosing the best trading brokers entails several things. An investor must choose the best trading broker if he/she wants to succeed as a trader. The best trading brokers provide low-cost stock trading, offer reliable trading tools, and have easy-to-use platforms. The cost associated with a broker should be quite low. The broker should also have reliable analytic tools to aid with forecasting and risk assessment. It is also essential that you assess the educational resources that a stockbroker offers before settling for one.
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Many of us have seen a company declare bankruptcy. With the financial crisis of 2008, many companies went into the chaos of the market crash. However, many bounced back from their initial distress and went on to become profitable investments again. This is why investing in distressed companies is a popular idea. If you can find the right company to put money into, you can reap a great reward for your time and risk once the company rebounds. Why Invest in COVID19 Distressed Companies? Investing in distressed companies is different than investing in penny stocks. The difference between investing in distressed companies and investing in other low-cost stocks is a matter of return. Penny stocks are stocks that are traded under the dollar mark. For the most part, they’re a gamble. Some people are capable of making good money on that market. However, it’s not as easy as it looks, and your small losses can add up to big ones if you’re not careful. Distressed investments are usually easy to spot. They’re companies that have reached higher performance benchmarks, like the S&P 500, and have now fallen to a meager price. This can be due to several different reasons but usually has something to do with financial distress, such as illiquidity. Most distressed companies will have a credit rating of CCC or lower. While distressed investments usually appear to be in dire straits, the situation is sometimes not as bad as it appears, which opens the door for investors. What Distressed Companies to Invest In Picking which distressed companies to invest your money with isn’t always easy. Part of the risk of investing in distressed companies is that there is always a chance that the firm will go bankrupt, which will render the stock worthless. Investing in distressed companies will be speculative by nature, and there is a certain amount of risk that it is hard to eliminate. What you’re really looking for when you look for distressed companies is ones that you feel aren’t in as bad of a situation as the market believes they are. This is your opportunity for profit. If you find a company that’s simply having a bad couple of months, either from financial overextension or leadership errors, it’s worth investing since the risk of failure is fairly low when the stock prices are so far down. You must choose companies that still have some level of consumer and creditor confidence, though. There’s nothing worse than buying the stock and then the loans being called the next day. Remember, once the company declares bankruptcy, your stock investment becomes worthless. How Much Are COVID19 Distressed Companies Worth? Determining how much your distressed company is worth is a large part of deciding whether or not to invest. Investing in distressed companies should have a higher return than a normal investment. This is because the amount of risk involved in the company is much larger than a normal investment. One good guideline is that the expected rate of return should exceed the return on a treasury bond by 1,000 basis points, or 10%. You can determine the value of a distressed company, thereby the stock's expected value, by examining the past values of the stock before the company fell into distress. Once you see what the previously accepted value of the stock used to be, you can decide for yourself if you believe there will be enough return in the future to compensate you for your risks adequately. How to Invest in COVID19 Distressed Companies Investing in distressed companies is as simple as purchasing the stock on the open market and holding it until one of two things happens. If the stock prices begin to rise, you should hold for as long as possible before selling for the best possible return. If the company declares bankruptcy, you should study what happened to push it over the edge and keep that information in mind the next time you buy a distressed company’s securities. One such example of this strategy working successfully is Ford Motors in 2008. In late 2008 their stock was down to $1.01, and they lost 12.7 billion dollars that year. However, Ford made the kind of comeback that most people in the market couldn’t imagine. They’re currently trading at $12.01 today. An investor who bought one hundred shares of Ford Motors at $1.01 nine years ago and sold it today at $12.01 would stand to make $1,100 in return on a 101 dollar investment. This is a return on investment of 10.89, which is astronomical considering most ROIs are considered good at 5. An investor who bought Ford in 2008 would have ten times the money they did in 2008. Even more impressive is that their overall risk at $101 was minimal and is a loss they could easily afford. How much money you can afford to lose is important to keep in mind when you’re buying distressed securities. It’s also important to keep in mind that change might not happen overnight. It took Ford’s stock almost three years to rebound from their distress in 2006 – 2008. Are Distressed Companies a Good Investment? Here are the pros and cons of distressed security investing. Pros You can make a lot of money. The return on distressed investments should exceed an average ROI of 5. The risks are fairly small since the original stock price is so low Since the original price is so low, distressed investing is an excellent way to grow your portfolio. Cons Distressed investing can be a bit of a long game. Companies take time to rebound from deep financial dives. Your money could be tied up for some time. These investments are inherently speculative. There’s a chance that the company can declare bankruptcy, rendering your investment worthless. Having an investment that grows is great. However, you have to make sure to sell it at a high, which can be hard to anticipate. Conclusion Investing in distressed companies is one of the few ways left in the American Stock Market to exploit a knowledge gap and earn a profit. Because of the low risk when you purchase the stocks and the potential for earning a huge return, distressed investing is a popular strategy for hedge funds and other investors. You can make it work for you, too, though not quite on that scale. It is important to remember that this type of investing can be speculative. The timing of selling the asset once it’s gained value again is important. Once you have your investment picked out, remember that it can be a bit of a long game before the value increases again. Therefore, you’ll have to pay good attention to the markets to know when to sell. Â
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The idea of investing is exciting to most people. We want to dig in, get our feet wet, and start making some money. But, unfortunately, new investors I talk to are often making a huge mistake when they start.  Instead of having a healthy nest egg stashed away for a rainy day, new investors often take whatever excess cash they have and immediately place it all in whatever investment they wish to make. This sometimes has no ill effect. Investor continues to invest their excess cash in the stock market, and life is amazing. The profits are rolling in, and their net worth continues to rise. However, people will run across some expense that wasn’t planned for in most cases. And because they have invested most of the excess capital they have in the stock market, they are stuck with only a couple of options, neither of which are optimal. They can borrow the money, whether it be via a line of credit or credit card, to pay the expense, or they can pull it out of their investments. Why saving before investing is absolutely crucial If an investor chooses to go the route of taking out debt to pay off the expense, as much as they think they are getting ahead with their investments, they are actually falling behind. If you have to pay for that blown radiator repair with a credit card, you’re more than likely paying 19.99% to hold that balance. Considering the average return of the stock market is 7%, you’re actually losing money holding that balance on your credit card. Maybe not on your whole portfolio, but on the amount of the expense you are. Now, not all loans are at that extreme of an interest rate, and if you’ve got a line of credit with an excellent interest rate, it actually may not be a bad idea to invest the money rather than pay off debt. You see this a lot with things like mortgages, depending on interest rates. The other option you have is to pull money out of your investments to pay the bill. To understand why this is a bad idea, you have to know a little bit about how the stock market works. Many investors run into a lot of trouble thinking they are investing for the long term by holding an investment for a year or two. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. The stock market is absolutely unpredictable over this time frame. However, the stock market has been statistically proven to provide excellent returns over long periods of time. It’s hard to give an exact length, but I would say at the absolute minimum 5 years. When you are forced to sell assets in your investment portfolio, you haven’t held for long to pay off debt, and you are exposing yourself to more volatility than you should. This may not always be a detriment, as you may sell when the market is at an unnatural high. But it can also work the other way, and you will be forced to sell when your stocks are trading at a low position. So now that I know that I should have some money put away, what is the magic number? I get asked this a ton too, and the answer is that there isn’t a number. The amount you should have set aside for an emergency fund depends on a multitude of things. I suggest spending half an hour or so and totaling all your monthly expenses, plus anything that you believe may happen in the future. These can include: Your mortgage Your utility bills Your groceries Vehicle repairs (may vary based on the age of the vehicle) The debt you currently have and the minimum payments on them The key here is to dig really deep. Leave no stone unturned and figure out exactly what it costs you to live comfortably today. After you’ve figured all that out and maybe added a little extra just for comfort, you need to factor in your employment. Way back when I was building my emergency fund, I asked myself the following questions about my job: What are the chances I lose this job? Am I in an industry that is known to have wild swings of employment due to economic conditions? If I were to get hurt, what does my employer or benefits package cover? If I were to lose my job, how long can I reasonably expect to wait until I get another one? All of these questions have a huge impact on figuring out exactly how much you need to save. For me, I worked in the oil and gas construction industry. Job security is extremely volatile, and the highs are very high, but the lows are cripplingly low. So I knew that if I lost my job in an economic downturn, it could take months to get a new one. For that reason, I decided I would try and save up at least three months' worth of expenses before placing money into my brokerage account. I figured with the money received with unemployment insurance, that emergency fund would last me a minimum of 5 months. What about investment opportunities that pass me by? This is a widespread concern with new investors. They are often overwhelmed by FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and want to jump in right away. To that, I simply say don’t worry about it. You may be kicking yourself waiting a year to build your emergency fund because you missed investing in a stock that has doubled its value in that same year. But there will be other opportunities. Many others, in fact. Keep in mind that I am not advocating refraining from investing absolutely anything while saving up for a rainy day. In fact, while I was saving up my emergency fund, I was still contributing to my RRSPS (401k for you folks down in the United States) simply because it was extremely beneficial for me to do so. This is because, at the time, my employer matched a certain portion of my contributions. You can roll the dice if you want to As humans, we have a natural tendency to lean towards the shortest route possible for the highest reward. However, saving nothing and investing immediately does have its benefits. If you don’t run into any hardship in terms of employment or other financial burdens, you’ve got that extra time of capital appreciation in the stock market that those saving up for a rainy day would never have. But, it is a risk, and risks sometimes translate into negative consequences. The choice is up to you, and regardless of the route you choose, the fact that you are thinking about investing your money is awesome. I hope this piece gave you an idea of how much you need to save before investing your money, and I wish you all the best of luck in the future!
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Your 20s are a time of big changes in people’s lives. Starting a job, starting a family, sometimes buying your first house. This might be the decade with the most changes you will ever encounter! But beware of the multiple traps caused by an increased cash flow from a new job. Of course, some caveats and some good lessons can and should be learned before turning 30. Here’s a list of 9 money lessons I learned in my 20s (sometimes the hard way) and which are based on my personal experience, which I hope some other people will learn too while there’s still a lot of time to catch up on your mistakes. #1. Pay yourself first The financial equation which we are taught from our childhood is spent less than what you earn. While this is true, people often miss the point and pay all their bills and recurring expenses, and then whatever is left goes for savings. However, (in my mind) this is not a proper way to handle personal finance. It’s much better to pay yourself first before paying your bills and other expenses. As soon as your paycheck hits your bank account, it should be automated to investments and savings accounts (or paying off debts). Automating this process in the first place has a huge advantage: you won’t be tempted to spend it because you will not even know it was here in the first place! #2. Take advantage of the ultimate 20% return. Get rid of that balance (if you do have one) on your credit card. Always pay off your credit card in full! If you’re onto investing long-term, you’ll be glad to get a 7% return, while with a cash savings account, it depends, but usually, you’ll get a rate from 0.5% to a meager 2.5% return (at best). But paying off your balance in full each month is a guaranteed 18-22% return. Do not fall into the trap, and do not overuse credit cards like crazy! That’s your best return ever. Just remember that there are good and bad debts, but credit card debt definitely falls into the bad one. #3. Side hustles can make a (huge) difference. Thinking of starting a side hustle? Or maybe you’ve already started? Great because this is key nowadays. In fact, it seems like everyone wants to start (or has already started) a side hustle! I’ve managed to supplement my full-time salary by working overtime and picking up some odd jobs. Whether it be renting one extra room on Airbnb or working just a few extra hours per week has provided me with thousands of dollars per year to spend on travel and entertainment — totally guilt-free. There are so many ways that you could earn money online (or offline). Just find something you love or that pays well (or both would be even better!). Personally, the ultimate side hustle would be to start a blog, which allowed me to combine earning extra cash and doing something that I love — talking about personal finance. #4. Negotiating (almost) always pays off. If there’s one simple and easy thing I learned in my twenties, it’s that almost anything is negotiable in life. This might be the fact on electronics, phone or internet, but there are so many things which can also be negotiated such as cars, rent and even furniture. So pick up the phone or try to talk to the seller and ask for a better price; you have nothing to lose! Also, remember to take advantage of free cashback portals, like Ebates (and get $10 when  Swagbucks, when shopping online. Negotiating is also crucial when it comes to negotiating salaries. Just remember that getting your best shot is easier when you have a competing offer in hand to get the best value. #5. Save for retirement early on. You’re never too late to the game when it comes to saving for your retirement. I started quite late saving for retirement as I graduated quite late (I was 25) and started working full-time a few weeks later. I chose to pay back my student loans early on, which meant that I nearly didn’t start saving for retirement until I was 29. I used the excuse that I wasn’t making enough money. However, looking back, I should definitely have done both to take advantage of compound interest! With so many Robo-Advisor out there (if you have not already, check out Wealthsimple, which is now available in the UK, as well as Canada and the US), it’s even easier than it was before to start saving early on, even without knowing a lot about investing. Just remember that you NEED to get started, as your future self will be much more grateful if you started early on (remember that compound interest is your ultimate friend)! #6. Keep on learning You can’t, and you won’t know everything there is to know about a specific topic at any single moment in your life. That’s simply impossible because it’s a dynamic and perpetual process! As a matter of fact, your education is far from over after you leave a classroom for the last time. As outlined in my Goals For 2021, I’ve personally chosen to read more this year, especially about personal finance. I’ve just finished I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi, and I must say that it’s definitely eye-opening. Finding the time to learn new things that will help you in your career and personal life was something that I definitely wish to start earlier. Maybe you particularly enjoy a technical skill, or maybe you’re more on the artistic side. Who knows, maybe one day this specific skill will allow you to turn your side hustle into a full one! #7. Always plan for the worst. Aka, meet your best friend, the emergency fund! While it’s hard to imagine needing emergency funds when you’re young and just starting, you never know what the future can bring. Whether it is for an unexpected medical bill not covered by your insurance plan or in case, your car suddenly breaks down. So how do people plan on paying such bills without going into debt or starting to dip into their retirement funds if they’ve not started their emergency fund in the first place? Building an emergency fund takes time and discipline, and some sacrifices, but it can (and should) be done. First, try to start contributing to an emergency fund that you keep in highly liquid funds for when the unexpected happens. I’ve chosen to stick mine in a High-Interest Savings Account with Tangerine. Their high-interest savings and no-fee chequing accounts have been an integral part of helping me build long-term wealth. If you don’t have an account with Tangerine, you can set one up using my Orange Key (48902575S1) and receive a $50 bonus. Free money is always better! #8. Budgeting is useful Some people start organizing their finances but often give up on it because they are having trouble sticking to their initial budget. If that sounds familiar, you should definitely use a budgeting app. This can help you organize your finances easily and can also help you automate them. This is the most effective way to make sure you’re not spending more than you’re earning. You have to find a proper way to manage your own budget and not specifically do like others, as everyone manages their personal finance differently! I personally use Mint to track my expenses. There’s also an awesome tool (Personal Capital) that many of my friends and readers love using if you want to see all your investments and retirement accounts in one secure and convenient place. Still, it’s only available in the US (at the moment!). #9. Set yourself some financial goals Goals-based investing is something that kind of rules my life now (I mean the goals part, not specifically the goals-based investing!). As a famous quote says, “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you’re heading. “ Basically, what this means is that it’s a good idea to plan where you’d like to be in the future and make sure that’s the path you’re on. Simple goals like “I want to save for the next holidays†or more detailed ones like “I’d like to save some money for an upcoming house down payment†all begin with awareness and taking the first small steps. Just start with a few goals, as you can always change them later! If you live in Canada, feel free to try Mylo, it’s the perfect way to automate and achieve these small first steps at the same time. Final thoughts So this was my own list of lessons I learned during my 20s, which I hope others will learn before their 30s. Learning is key to continual growth, and while making mistakes happen, avoiding making the same mistakes twice is something you should understand early on! Ultimately, you are still young, and you have plenty of time to make mistakes and recover. But you’ll be far better off in life if you get off to a good start now. Your 20s are such an exciting time, all about career opportunities, building relationships, and embracing financial responsibilities. The sooner you master all those things, the closer you are to reaching financial independence. What about you? Do you have some money lessons you’ve learned the hard way? Or are there some you find really important? Let me know in the comments!
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The world is moving towards a new global economic crisis, amplified by the abolition or withdrawal of major actors from the free trade agreements that led to growth and efficiency, but also the prospect of the American-Chinese commercial war, postponed in the last moment of the signs of the collapse of the New York Stock Exchange by President Donald Trump. The economic crisis caused by wrong policies and the hand of man The pessimists have made a reputation from all the annual global economic crises, or at least regionals. If it is not a problem if they come and behind the predictions, a serious theory meets the domain's requirements, a Nobel prize can also come. The case of Robert Shiller predicted the 2008 crisis, which is famous through the estrogenic announcements of numerous crises and after that moment. Crises that never happened before. On the other hand, the cruel reality translates into clear figures and data that can no longer be challenged. The reduction of economic growth and the breaking of economies occur and are announced daily on various meridians. But the last quarter has brought the most powerful signs of entry into the global economic crisis, mainly targeting the most important economies, which are not feeling very well either. Moreover, global organizations, the IMF in particular, had to keep reviewing overall economic growth, reaching 3.2% for 2019 and 3.5% for the next year. This is about the smallest global growth since the global economic crisis of 2008. When over the natural course of economies comes from step-by-step developments, predictable, direct human action – sanctions, leaving trade agreements, Brexit – then entering the recession are more likely clearing formulas. They're getting tougher. All the more so in the case of the US-China commercial war, between the two largest economies of the world, with the introduction of a 10% tax on 1 September for products worth 300 billion dollars by the US, and in December a new tax on new product categories, on account of the significant continuation of the rebalancing of the Sino-American trade balance. The recession of 5 major global economies Cutting-edge data sends alarming messages. It is not just a repeated decline in global economic prospects and forecasts, but even concrete data, dry, that give a harsh verdict and show that at least 5 of the first global economies are in the lip of the recession. And we're not talking here about the US and China. In the SECOND quarter, Germany's economy, the Fourth of the world, contracted. Germany is a massive exporter in China and the US. The two countries enter the commercial war, mainly aimed at manufacturing areas, which advertise fewer products required from Germany. Also, in the IT area, digitization, new technologies, Germany is under pressure from the US and the debates on Huawei, technology, and partner that could be missing from the 5G market. Moreover, the unreported EU trade war with the American Giants does not help. There is no competitive force producer in the continent that can compete with the American and Chinese giants. The German automobile industry is in trouble. Also, the Brexit prospect, which buries London, fundamentally affects, in perspective, Germany, and the EU entirely, by losing the second economy in the European conclave. Incidentally, Britain is already in recession in the 2nd quarter, for the first time since 2012, and the chance of a miraculous return over the summer, to avoid the formal recession, is meager. Moreover, an unagreed Brexit will blow up the British economy and stronger. Italy encounters the new government crisis, determined by Salvini's bind, with a debt that is difficult to compensate, and especially with the famous zero growth, with the prospect of entry at any time in a formal recession, if creative accounts and fireworks still compensate the informal one. China is at the lowest historical growth, while the prospects of the trade war with the US do not look good. Threats with the sale of American Treasury bills and the game with currency to compensate for American supra-taxes only announce a spiral of Constraints and collapse for the two conflicting actors, the US and China, and all global players. 800 to puncture the fall of Dow Jones, an infallible indicator until today announcing the global crisis. And the stock markets around the world have also reacted to the unpredictability and especially to the American-Chinese trade war and the prospects of Beijing's manipulation of the Renminbi Chinese currency. And on a financial level, the measures announce the crisis. Concerned investors see themselves in the advertise softening Bank of America, which announces a global recession in the next 12 months with an overwhelming degree of probability, from the relevant customers' questionnaires. Mexico and Brazil are also on the list of poor industrial production and services, combined with rising unemployment. In the coming weeks, the data will formally confirm the recession in the two Latin American states. The US Federal Reserve cut interest rates on loans for the first time 11 years after the derivatives crisis. At the same time, the European Central Bank announced the resumption of economic stimulus funding in September. China is under pressure to cut interest rates for the first time in four years. And central banks in India and Thailand, to quote only the economies of the world's top 20 countries, are drastically cutting interest rates in a bid to inject credit, money, and activity - a stimulus to the economy. Across the line, the data looks increasingly discouraging for the world economy. Here are three major reasons for entering a global crisis: The trade war between Beijing and Washington, which affects investor and market confidence. A continuation of the trade war, not a worsening of it, leads to the loss of half a percentage of growth in 2020, globally, the IMF argues. The ability of banks and global finance to recover the situation Then there's a big concern about the inability of central banks to intervene effectively and on time to adjust markets and panic, hence investors' negative reaction. Thirdly, the services sector, which has raised the global economy so far, could follow the manufacturing production curve on a sharp downward curve, hence the current world economy's worsening situation. These are the last moments to predict the entry into the global economic crisis by business economists, who are listened to in such predictions. After September, it will already be too late. Not because the crisis would no longer have happened, but because the whole world will already know the recession. And the mechanisms of economic recovery are still under debate. They are confined to austerity policies - challenged by populists, integrated global markets - challenged by anti-globalists, integration, and wider spaces of free trade, actions, and policies challenged by nationalist-sovereignists mosaic majorities and chronic instability in countries where majorities that can still exclude populists from the government.
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The Forex trading or online international exchange market can be clarified as a place usually where foreign coins are exchanged. For forex, trading currencies are an important or essential factor. Currencies also play a crucial or important role around the world as these legal tenders need to be exchanged for the purpose of conducting or carrying foreign commerce and business. The market of exchanging foreign exchange has emerged as a worldwide peddle since years where a significant portion of folks is engaged in exchanging foreign currencies. Dealing with forex platform is no longer considered solely as a banking and financial institution activity; rather it is now available to all those who may have accessibility to the Internet and computer. Conducting commerce with the forex or international exchange market from the comfort of your own home has nowadays surfaced as a compelling, potent as well as a dynamic way to make money. In case you are a fresher in the domain, you could be asking, or you might be tensed how will you offer with the market? Right now there is nothing to worry about you can just relax and comfort yourself because to deal with your situation or on your part you can easily hire the services of an online forex commerce broker. Who else is an online forex trading broker? When it comes to defining a trading broker, the profession can be interpreted as being an intermediary or person who buys and sells a particular asset or assets on the basis of percentage on your behalf. The professionals are also called a retail forex agent or currency trading broker. Forex trading brokers can even be companies or company that bestow currency merchandising with access to the business platform and allows them to acquire as well as sell foreign currency. Why should you opt to have an online forex trading agent? You might say that you can train yourself and gain information about online forex business platform. It is quite true that you can do so, but there is a number of ways or avenues that can provide you with reasons to opt for an online forex trading merchandising broker. 1. While dealing with currency trading, you will need to conform with and submit you are financial as well as personal data. Plus to save your personal data, you need to integrate safety measures that you might not be well aware of, and in this case, an online forex broker can definitely help you. 2. Selecting the right platform of business is very much essential. A forex business platform needs to have important features that can make your trading uncomplicated. An internet trading broker of repute can help you in this case. Generally, a broker offers demo balances to provide you with a glance of the trading platforms like this of Meta Trader, mobile trading, interpersonal trading, and so forth. 3. One of the most crucial aspect that an online broker will help you is to consider or choose business or educational tools. On-line forex brokers provide you with a number of tools like an online seminar, videos, online course modules, webinars and more.
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With regards to forex currency trading robots, you may expect them to use at any hour with no human being involvement. These superior systems offer so benefits that these times it is rather uncommon to encounter a trader that will not hire a certain kind of automated tool to be able to enhance his income. In this specific article, we can look at some features of using forex robots. Machine-driven trading systems are highly suitable for your comfort. They run all the time and you will need not to increase concerns regarding disparities with time zones. Furthermore, humans can get worn out, but bots cannot. An automatic robot will keep tabs on the marketplace consistently for your sake, enabling spare time to execute whatever you desire. Forex currency trading robots do not get influenced by feelings. A computer software never activities apprehension, enticement or thoughtlessness as shown by way of a human trader. Many investors have incurred large sums of losses because of their unnecessary greediness or indecisiveness. These systems enjoy a significant advantage upon this front given that they don't get troubled by thoughts. Expert Advisor’s Importance The robotic bots, also called Expert Advisors, are incredibly precise. They employ complicated numerical algorithms to look at the marketplace and distinguish profitable investments. Several advisors may have added up to 97 percent rate of success, which is beyond the reach of humans. They enable you to carry out forex trading from any area of the world. One better thing about these programmed devices is they can implement deals at higher speeds in comparison to what folks are prepared with. An investor might neglect to spot the ideal potential for earning a substantial revenue since he was very slow-moving to react. On the other hand, computer software is not damaged by this shortcoming as it could carry out deals super-fast. It could be back analyzed comprehensively to be able to make sure it is founded on a moneymaking system. Forex trading automatic robot get rid of the necessity for a middleman. You are designed for the marketplace straightaway through a web-based digital exchange approach. They protect you from paying significant commissions. Numerous individuals indulge brokerages and pay lots of money on brokerage charges. By using an efficient forex program, you will keep all the wages together with you and make repayment for the bet/ask to disperse only. Furthermore, you can experience another spectacular advantage. Nearly all programs enable you to to use multiple cases of the software together over a solitary account. This way, you can operate several money pairs at exactly the same time. You can even prefer to use several instances of simply a single currency couple. This attribute by itself can take your earnings for an extreme level. With plenty of advantages, it is no real surprise that forex merchants are being substituted by automatic systems. These programs will be the most excellent methods to heighten success and lower risk without exerting any extra effort.
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In a time of difficulty, loss or pain, having a clear perspective is almost impossible for any individual. Losing your loved ones has never been easy. But when you die, your loved ones are left to settle your financial affairs. We all know handling finances is a difficult task. If the main individual of the family who has been taking care of the finances always suddenly passes away, handling finances can become impossible. To make it easier for your family to handle finances after you, here is what you can do. We have tried to include some actionable advice regarding writing a Will, advance directives, power of attorney and living trusts. Creating a File Labelled “My Plan†Store copies of your estate planning documents in a file labelled “My Plan†and put them in your locker. This file should include a copy of your Will End-of-life instructions (such as advance directives and a medical power of attorney) Living trusts Your organ donation list Guardianship decisions Real estate records Financial Records for assets and debts The file should also contain a copy of your official executor signed by you while you are still alive. Later, the copies of this file can be distributed among your heirs, family members, friends and trust. Do not forget to mention your digital estate such as your online accounts and downloaded destinations. Also mention the way you want it all to be handled in your absence. Name Your Executor(s) People usually name a single executor or multiple executors in their Will. An executor is the individual who is in charge of your estate after you die. They are usually responsible for settling your financial affairs, getting your debts and taxes paid and distributing assets. Also, if necessary they have to deal with probate (which is a legal process of authenticating a Will). Couples usually appoint their better half as their executors in the Will. If you are single, then choose someone you trust when writing a Will. An executor can be anyone - your children, a relative or a close friend. On the other hand, having a secondary executor mentioned in the Will means you’re covering all bases. The secondary executor comes will be called upon should your primary executor die or refuse to execute the responsibilities bestowed upon them. Additionally, you are also supposed to inform your family and loved ones about who the primary and secondary executors are. Hence, they would know whom to contact regarding your estate distribution in your absence. If you have any special instructions or wishes to be executed after you die, it is best to inform your executor well in advance. This helps your executor to prepare for any potential risks that may arise and thus can minimise its effects. Add your executor as a co-signer on your financial accounts Having your executor as a co-signer on your financial accounts will make it easier for them to access the money you have in your bank to pay for your funeral and other expenses. The other expenses may include airfare of your loved ones who cannot afford it otherwise or shipping your beloved pet to a distant relative. On the other hand, having a co-signer on your accounts also means that the money will be made available during any probate and is easily made accessible to your heirs. If you do not feel comfortable having a co-signer or rather having your executor to be your co-signer, you can simply give them access to £10,000. This amount of money can be used for your funeral and contracting for home repairs to prepare your house for sale. Rent a safe deposit box In some unfortunate events where your house burns down, it destroys all the records of the estate planning that you have stored. Hence, it is advisable to keep copies of your plan and end-of-life care documents in a bank vault. However, make sure that you have listed your primary and secondary executor as your co-signer for the safe deposit box. Having them as a co-signer gives them a direct access to it and do not forget to give them the keys to the box. Decide an organ donation People usually sign themselves to become an organ donor. So, if you want to become an organ donor, you need to inform your executors, family and close friends. Additionally, you even have to state it in writing and sign the document and preserve it, along with your other important documents. If you want to be buried, buy a grave site If you want to be buried after your death, you can buy your grave site. All you have to do is to mention it in writing and provide the location of the site to your executor, family and friends. Consider Legacy gifts People usually leave some amount of their estate for charitable trusts. However, you can either leave that amount of money for one or more organisations as a gift. Just remember, whatever you decide you give, mention it clearly in your Will. Update your estate plan regularly Not everyone makes a Will or an estate plan early in life. If you are among the few to draft their Will early in life, then you may need to update it. Certain situations in life change over time, if you are married you can get a divorced or you may marry again. For this purpose, keep it a habit to review your estate plan at least once a year. Also, keep the documents updated, including investment and bank statements. This will help you make sure there is no confusion regarding your assets and wishes. We understand that your death can be difficult for your family to overcome. But to make it easier for them, there are few things that you can do while you are still alive. Remember that the key is to make life easy for your family and friends in your absence.
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Several business owners take debts for buying assets or expanding their business operations. However, when the debts go out of hand problems, and tensions arise. The question of closure of business operations and bankruptcy might also arise. Therefore, it is critical for you to ensure that you get the best guidance for business debt settlement with the aid of a company that evaluates your business debts and creates a strategy for repayment. Experienced professionals to help you out Most businesses especially small to medium scale business houses do not have qualified financial managers to assist you with financial and debt management. The result is that these companies are not able to manage the revenue and the cash flow of the organization properly. The result is debts. If you carefully examine the market today in the USA, you will almost find 49 percent of small business owners facing hardships with their debts. These companies do not know how to manage their debts effectively. Only small businesses that are in the financial niche have the experience and the professionals to manage their accounts. If you take a look at general businesses, you will find that most of the business owners do not have the financial expertise, but they end up making major financial choices. These options might be good or bad. If it is the latter, the company pays the price for the decision made. Many business owners believe that the hardest part of a business is to get started, but those that have debts to clear are of the same opinion that getting rid of business debts is the most challenging part of the company. Do not be afraid of business debts- solutions are at hand Again, most business owners and people associated debts with failure and they do not wish to bring up the topic at all. Some business owners while dealing with daily operations of their business take the extra step and completely ignore the fact that they have debts. It is not a healthy sign for the company at all. It is here that business owners have to step up and actively manage their debts. If your business falls on tough times, the only resort you have is bankruptcy. Here, you cannot pay the debts, and you have no other choice but to shut down your business and file a bankruptcy case in a competent court of law. Business debt settlement- the ultimate solution to all your woes Business debt settlement is the final solution for all your woes when it comes to the elimination of debt. These companies have experienced and qualified professionals that will step in to help you and strategize a plan to clear off all the debts with your creditors. It means you no longer have to worry about winding up your business at all. These business debt settlement companies have experts that are aware of debt management. They will evaluate the debt situation in your business and create a repayment plan. They will negotiate on your behalf with your creditors, and these company debt help specialists will help you and your business get back on your feet. The good news is that when you are facing debt issues, you just need to contact them for an affordable debt relief solution that will help you terminate debts in an organized and legal way. Do not consider bankruptcy as the last option Bankruptcy should never be considered an option when you have business debt settlement specialists by your side. To avail their expert services, you do not have to be a huge business. You may be a small business owner, but these experts will step in to help and guide you when it comes to the eradication of debts. You do not have to wind up your business and call it quits! Now, if the thought of bankruptcy has crossed your mind, it is imperative for you to explore all the available options that you have when you take steps to address the matter. Business debt settlement along with corporate debt restructuring are practical solutions to the whole issue that you can consider. It is obvious that you are not aware of the procedures and the ways via which you can start. However, business debt settlement agencies and experts will explain to you the whole process so that you understand it before incorporating it. With the aid of these two business debt settlement solutions, you can reduce the amount that is due to your creditors. You can reorganize business and debt by giving your business a second chance to recover and bounce back on its feet. Your assets as a business owner are protected as the firm can manage its own debt woes. Your creditors engage in discussion with the target of debt reduction. It helps you maintain a positive and healthy long-term working relationship with your creditors. Get the best solution for your business The experts here state that when it comes to the eradication of debts, closure of your firm on the basis of bankruptcy is the last option that you need to consider. There is help on hand and all you need to do is ask for it. The experts will analyze the scenario and provide you the solution you seek. If you wish to reduce debts, improve cash flow, and improve revenue, these experts are there for you. When you rely on them, you should be honest and transparent with your communication so that they can understand the business scenario of your organization better and give you debt relief solutions with a long-term positive effect! Therefore, if you have pending business debts that you cannot manage anymore, it is important for you to consult experienced and credible business debt settlement companies to help you out. In this way, you will be able to find a viable solution for your debt situation and aid your business bounce back to business again!
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Smart investors do not put all their eggs into one basket. They spread their equity around a few smart investment opportunities where they can exponentially grow. Experienced investors suggest all future prospects to diversify their investment portfolio, so they can maximize their chances of creating a profit. The main objective of investing is to buy what’s hot, outsmart the stock market and beat other investors. However, investments can be risky because there is an equal chance of success and failure. Which is why it is important to remain objective and up to date with current market trends. If you start investing, you will need to know what kinds of opportunities can provide you the highest return value. If you are interested investing in 2018, here is where you should start: Stocks Leading companies like Apple, Yahoo, Nike and among many others offer investors a share of their company. Simply, the stock market offers stocks or individual shares of a company. The more time a money is invested, the more time the money has to grow. Which is why many people turn to stocks to gain some additional revenue. Investors buy stocks they believe will increase in value. The more shares you own, the larger the portion of profits you will receive. Over time, stocks have continuously returned the most for potential growth. This reasoning is why people are so interested investing in stocks. Before you enter the market, research and compare companies on their current rate, volume, and overall stock history. Real Estate Investing in real estate is another effective way of creating wealth and building equity. It is a unique way to diversify your investment portfolio outside the traditional stocks and bonds. Real estate investments have the opportunity to appreciate in value with inflation. In other words, investors can receive a greater amount than started as the property matures. Many people who are interested investing in real estate will purchase rental properties at the value price. These buildings are typically missing specific features or could use moderate improvements. Smart investors would research and calculate estimated costs of repair. If the value exceeds the cost of the repair, the amount of equity in the property will increase. Therefore, the return of their investment (ROI) will be high. Bonds Bonds are a considered a low-risk investment because the money invested will be safely returned, and then some.Investors have the opportunity to invest in bonds, which allows a company or government to borrow your money to finance projects or refinance debt. Investors can assume their money will be returned because bonds follow a fixed-income installation, which also issues a specific interest rate. Investors can expect the total balance or principal to be repaid in full by a set maturity date. CD Ladders This investment strategy allows investors to divide a specific amount of money to be invested in equal amounts to certificates of deposit (CDs) with different maturity dates. Investors use CD laddering to decrease both interest and reinvestment risks. A traditional CD ladder divides your investment evenly over the course of five CDs, with one maturing CD each year. CD laddering also provides investors several benefits, for example: Accessibility – Your money will be more available at frequent intervals Flexibility – You can decide how you want to split up your investments Higher interest rates – You can choose longer CD terms with higher interest rates and still have certificates regularly maturing Dividing your investment into separate certificates can significantly help your money grow. Traditional IRA Saving up for retirement as early as possible will benefit you in the long run. Like mentioned before, the longer money is invested, the more time money has to grow. When you are nearing the retirement age, you will already have adequate funds to fall back on, stress-free. Retirement accounts, like a traditional IRA, can make you eligible for tax deductions, depending on your yearly contributions. In addition, your earnings can grow tax-deferred until you need to withdrawal for the next chapter of your life, retirement. This is considered a long-term investment and is proven to effectively benefit investors who are thinking about their future. If your appetite for risk is higher you should take a look at binary options brokers like IQ Option
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Hello @gacha . Welcome to InvestOpen.com Thank you for visiting and registering up.
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Hello @forexpic . Nice to have you on board. Welcome and enjoy your stay.
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Hello @CarlosR . Welcome to InvestOpen.com Nice to have you here.
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✅ My name is Alexio, Greetings from a new member ✅
MrAdmin replied to HostProton's topic in Introduce Yourself
Hello Alexio. Welcome to InvestOpen.com -
There are plenty of things you can invest in: Cryptocurrencies, Stocks, mutual funds etc. It depends on your tolerance for risk and the desired profit you want to make.
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Established in 2016, Circle Markets provides foreign exchange traders with a high-quality trading environment. With Circle Markets you can trade in any one of 144 different currency pairs, in 7 different commodity markets, in one of 10 leading world stock market indices and cryptocurrencies. We provide user-friendly account management tools that make it easy for you as a professional trader, account manager or investor to manage your accounts. Circle Markets provides access to the MetaTrader 4 trading platform. This platform contains a number of technical analysis tools; allows you to carry out trading from your smartphone, tablet or personal computer; gives you access to the latest financial news and market analysis, and allows you to connect to the interbank market. https://circlemarkets.com/
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StarFX vision is to become the absolute best and fairest global brokerage in the industry. We want to provide the absolute best service, including as much accurate and reliable information as you can handle, with the most cutting-edge technology and the most competitive advantages. StartFx website and trading platform are operated by LLC L.A. INVEST, a company incorporated in Georgia, registration no. 430034811, having its registration office and principal place of business address at Georgia, Tbilisi, Sandro Euli №3 (the “Company“), licensed by the National Bank of Georgia (“NBG“) to provide the financial services contemplated in these terms and conditions. https://startfx.com/
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When so much work is dedicated to operating a small business, it can be easy to overlook certain essential elements. Too often small business owners forget to necessitate the importance of separating business and personal expenses. Opening a business account is crucial for any new endeavor. It’s a critical step in legitimizing your business idea into a real business. It also makes it easier to manage budgets and expenses. Not to mention tracking business cash flow and capital. A business bank account is also recommended for tax purposes, building business credit, debt liability, and to designate business write-offs. With so many options for your business needs, opening up the right business bank account for your needs can be a daunting task. To understand where to start, here are five important tips to get your business ready for its new business bank account. 1. Determine what business bank account you need It’s important to first setup your business administration by creating your business name and legal structure as well as company files, before shopping for the right bank account. The way you structure your business will have implications on tax payments, potential liability, and future funding. Once your business has been formally registered with the appropriate local and federal agencies, you’re afforded the ability to open up a business bank account. Your business structure will determine the right business bank account. With several to choose from, such as a business checking account, business savings account, and business certificates of deposit (CDs). It’s advisable to first open a business checking bank account before segueing into a savings account. The transition to a savings account reinforces the focus of saving once the business is cash-flow positive. Certificates of Deposit is a long-term savings account that reduces liquidity, something most small businesses require in the early offset, making this a limited first bank account option. 2.Be aware of fees The depository institution you choose will dictate certain factors such as number of available locations, online and mobile experiences, customer experience, bookkeeping integration, and overall costs and fees. Be mindful of fees once your business has decided on the right type of bank account it requires. Most banks will be structured similarly with the exception of their overall costs and fees. There are banks that provide free business checking bank accounts while other will charge. Generally, banks with required fees provide more services than those without. Besides, certain banks will waive their fees if specific criteria are met. These can include maintaining a minimum balance, spend, and bill payments. Bank account fees are assessed according to the structure of the bank account. The typical bank account costs to look out for, particularly with checking and savings accounts are, monthly service and balance transfer fees, cash deposit fees, wire transfer fees, and minimum balance fees. Typically, CDs come with early withdrawal and broker commission fees. 3. Find the right bank to build your credit Once you’ve prepared your documentation and are ready to open your business bank account, be mindful of the opportunity to request a corporate credit card. A corporate credit card provides your business the platform necessary to build a credit record. It’s important to find the right bank account that will provide your business with a secured credit card. Not every depository institution provides a secured card, so it’s important to compile this research while you shop different financial institutions. A secured card is ideal for business owners with little to poor credit history. Secured cards operate similarly to personal debit cards in that they are backed by funds available in your account. This card can be used to for small business expenses. Just remember to pay it back in full monthly so your business can build credit. 4. Understand the support your business needs The relationship your business has with a financial institution is vital to the future success of your business. Therefore, it is crucial to think about the support and aid your business requires as it grows and changes. Different institutions will provide various support systems. Some banks have specialists that will cater to managing and growing your business. Others will provide advisors in fund growth and business expansions. Some can assist with tax and payroll issues. Accessibility is also essential to note. Does your business require a lot of online banking and does your bank provide the necessary technological structures to manage your business finances on-the-go? Are you able to make deposits through your mobile device or automate your accounts online? It's important that the bank you choose has the platforms necessary to support different business needs. 5. Get your paperwork ready Your business name and structure will format the paperwork to necessitate opening an account. Different institutions will have different requirements, so it’s vital all your paperwork is in order. Often, when opening a business account, banks require a business license with both the business and owner’s name. They will also require your business name filing document. Check with your local and federal agencies for other necessary documentation. Most request your business registration forms as well as valid forms of ID. Exact documentation differs according to your business structure. Additional documentation will be required for a Limited Liability Company (LLC) that may not be necessary for a sole proprietorship business. You must ensure all additional corporate documents are on hand with your business license when submitting your paperwork. No business should function without a business bank account. Finding the right bank is a crucial step in your new endeavor. But as business structures vary, so do bank accounts. It’s important to note which banks work best with your corporate structure and business needs. But just the same, your choice of financial institution is not permanent. If your business requirements are not being met, you are unhappy with their services or have simply outgrown your selected bank, you can choose to change it up.
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There are many ways to start building a portfolio of valuable investments, but not everything is right for everyone. How a person wants to invest their money, how much they have, and what kind of rate of return they desire all matter. Additionally, it is important for people who want to invest to focus on where their money is and how quickly they might need that money in an emergency. If they need quick access to their investment dollars, some strategies may not be right for them. Many people focus on real estate and forex investing, but which one is right for you? Could both work? Here are pros and cons to consider before making an investment in either one. What Does Forex Have To Offer? Forex involves the purchasing of foreign currency, in much the same way a person would purchase stocks. Then the buyer waits for the value to rise, and resells the currency. They make money on the difference between what they paid and what they sold it for. This can allow people to make a lot very quickly, and to buy and sell rapidly if they need the cash – but only if the value of a currency rises fast from what they paid when they purchased it. The benefits of forex include: Not needing a lot of money up front to get started. Having a high level of liquidity for any money invested. A lot of conveniences, since forex can be done from any place with an internet connection. But even though forex trading might sound like an easy way to make money, there are challenges that also have to be considered. Investors who overlook these risks can end up losing the money they invest quickly. Are There Cautions With Forex Investing? The risk of loss is the biggest caution when it comes to forex investing. Like stocks, this type of investment is not guaranteed in any way. There are also other risks, like: Purchasers can lose some or even all of their investment. There can be fraudulent transactions in this market. If the broker someone is using goes bankrupt it could mean they have no way to collect any money they would have otherwise made, and they may not even be able to get their initial investment back. What is The Value of Real Estate Investment? When most people talk about real estate investments, they're almost always referring to long-term investments rather than the flipping practices that have been popularized by television. Investing in real estate has generally been seen as safe because properties are more static than stocks, forex, and other types of investments. Additionally, real property can be insured so there is a lower chance that there will be a loss if something goes wrong. Still, buying at the top end of the market has its risks, and people who buy real estate are not guaranteed a good income or a good investment. Some of the perks of buying real estate as an investment include: • A lasting value based on a tangible asset. • Flexibility to do different things with the asset (buy, rent, etc.). • Some control over the value, through repairs, improvements, and changes. Is Property a Safe Investing Strategy? While buying property can be a relatively safe investment strategy for most people, there are still concerns to be aware of. One of the main worries for real estate investors is liquidity. Properties are not able to be turned back into cash quickly if money is needed, and not having a liquid asset can make it difficult for people who are trying to invest if their money is tight. Other issues can occur, too, such as: Keeping properties attractive. Trends can change relatively quickly, and design plays a part in determining value and how sellable a property is. The ongoing costs of maintenance and repairs. Insurance and other requirements that new investors may not be aware of. Tenant risks for investors who purchase properties to rent them out. So which should an investor get involved in when it comes to forex and real estate? There is no right or wrong answer to the issue, because both are sound strategies. It will generally come down to what the investor is specifically looking for, in order to get a strategy that meets their needs.
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In a few years’ time, traditional investments will still be around but judge by the market trends as they stand today, alternative investments will be on the rise, and for a good reason. But what exactly are alternative investments, and which ones promise the highest return with minimal risk of loss? By definition, alternative investments are financial ventures which don’t involve bonds, stocks, and cash, and as such allow investors to diversify their portfolios and achieve high yields. Still, newbies to the alternative investment game should watch their step as these ventures can be extremely volatile, illiquid, and they also entail long lock-up periods, which is why they can end in massive losses rather than fast and easy profits. If you’re still eager to expand your portfolio with the help of alternative investments but aren’t sure which of these ventures promise a high and safe return, here are four of the most common non-mainstream financial ventures you can try for peak yield and minimal loss risk in tow. 1. Fine art If you don’t mind waiting to cash in on your alternative investment, fine art is probably the best option. Investments in rare artwork will add value and variety to your portfolio and at the same time allow you to avoid excessive market fluctuations and loss risks. As a rule, oscillations in the fine art market are significantly lower compared to stocks and bonds, which makes this type of alternative venture perfect for young and up-and-coming investors. If you want to get high yield fast, though, you should look into other alternative investment options: artwork prices change at a relatively slow rate, which means you might have to put the sale off a little if you’re looking to get the biggest return for your buck.   2. Real estate Real estate investments are another area which holds huge profit potential, and the appeal of this type of alternative financial ventures has been on a steady rise among investors worldwide for a few years now. High yield and market stability make real estate trading one of the safest alternative investments you can add to your portfolio whether you’re a seasoned investor or a greenhorn in the game. Even if you’re not an experienced realtor, you can still earn a decent profit through fix-and-flips or resale of residential or commercial property in hot locations. Still, be sure to think through the investment and pick your estates carefully: real estate investments can bring in millions, but not every plot of land is truly worth its weight in cash in the long run. 3. Precious metals Even though money has been the customary payment instrument for a couple of centuries now, gold, silver, and precious stones still have an irresistible appeal for investors. One of the popular alternative investments that promise high yield and low volatility, gold can add credibility and diversity to your investment portfolio, but it shouldn’t account for 3% of your ventures because it doesn’t promise fast profits. In addition to that, silver and gold are a synonym for luxury and status in the finance world, which is another reason to buy precious metals and list the venture in your portfolio even if you’re not looking to use the alternative investment to raise wealth by buckets over night.   4. Hedge funds The most encompassing type of alternative investments, hedge funds represent money pooled together by multiple investors which can then be invested in other non-traditional commodities or assets. Unfortunately, hedge funds often entail low liquidity and high minimum investments, which makes them a better tool for seasoned investors looking to add interest to their portfolio. On top of that, investors with hedge funds in their portfolio also need to pick the right strategies to ensure peak return, or else their cash might easily be flushed down the drain. The list of most common hedge fund deployment strategies you can look into includes distressed assets, equity long-short, arbitrage, and macro-trends. 5. Start-ups and private companies Since technology is developing quickly it is always a good idea to invest in companies specializing in those fields. So, as an investor, you cannot make a mistake if you directly invest in a private company or a start-up. What is more, investing seed capital in such companies is often called angel investing. There is always a high return strategy and a high risk for investors, but not all start-ups end up failing. Also, besides the new and growing companies, you can turn to more mature ones, since they always seek investment capital during their life cycle. 6. Fund of funds Such investments include investing in large vehicles. However, those are not just any large vehicles, but the ones that form funds to invest in some other alternative. As an investor, you can often acquire more gain diversification if you invest in several asset classes, strategies, or managers. 7. Private equity Today, private companies are outnumbering the public ones, and that is why many of them will seek for investors. These types of firms usually raise their funds and take investments from both institutional and non-institutional investors. Further, those funds are used to place investments in promising companies and the capital is thus returned to the investor upon exiting event. This term, private equity, is broad and it includes private companies that can include start-ups, financing through phases of a growth of a company, venture capital and so on. 8. Private placement debt This is also one big market in the space of alternative investments. It is similar to equity, but there are no private placement bonds issued or traded in public. Also, they do not have to be rated by an agency for credit rating. For example, mezzanine debt and promissory notes are often used to fund private companies, but the investors are given steady cash flow. If you’re looking to boost investment portfolio diversity and ensure high and safe yield, you can invest in fine art, real estate, or precious metals, or you can pool your cash with other investors into a hedge fund and hire an expert to keep an eye out on your interest. Each of the alternative investment types listed above has its advantages and downsides, and not each and every one of them will fit your bill in the long run. Nevertheless, if you think through the venture before you make it, the high return will certainly find its way into your piggy bank within a few years’ time.
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1. Debt Relief Debt relief is when your creditors totally or partially waive off the debt. It also stops or slows down the growth of debts that you owe to individuals or corporations. This is the case if a person has no equity in assets and cannot pay the debts at all because of the low income. Debt relief has its own benefits and disadvantages. Let's start with the disadvantages. The debt relief program is mostly designed for the loans and bills that are unsecured. The bills that are included are student loans, medical, credit cards and of course dental bills. Debt relief program will also be applied if the value of your house is exceeded by the value of your mortgage owed. You can't just sign up for debt relief program, you have to qualify to avail it. It is important that you prove that your income is very low that you can't even afford to pay the minimum payments. Also, your debt amount should be more than a certain amount that is fixed. If your debt is less than that then you may not be able to qualify. The benefits include a better living for the people under debts. The payments that were supposed to spend on debt payments are now being spent on necessities like health, education etc. This is especially beneficial for the indebted countries. 2. Leave credit card at home Going out without a credit card feels as repulsive as going out without your telephone. Imagine a scenario in which I get kidnapped. Whatever reason you concocted, discover a counterattack and leave the credit cards at home, it’s better to avoid keeping it with you. You should only use your credit cards for special payments, for example, shopping for food, oil changes, expense installments, charge installments, and so forth. It's simpler to monitor what you're paying and the amount of a spending you have on your credit cards. 3. Credit card limits Credit card organizations adore expanding your credit limits. They make you have an inclination that you've earned this stipend of invisible cash. As a general rule, they're making it simpler to trap you into spending progressively and in this way spending more on loan costs and late charges. Give yourself a practical credit card restrain. Consider what your most costly installment is, basic need or car installments, and twofold that. Or, on the other hand, make a financial plan for the considerable number of things you need to utilize your credit card for and make that your credit restraint. 4. Don’t save card details online Make sure you don't have your credit card information saved on online websites especially your App Store. Once you've pressed a button by mistake, the purchase has been made and cannot be returned. Also, if the information is not saved, whenever you think of purchasing, you'll have to add the details so, it will make you think twice before actually ordering it. This way you will not be overspending and you will get a chance to think more rationally. 5. Consequences of overspending It's always better to keep in mind about the consequences that you'll face with the result of overspending or spending irrationally. It is best for you to keep in mind that what are you going to face, for instance, the high rate of interest. Too many due payments, debts etc. There will come a time when you won't have enough money to pay them all. So, you'll have to cut back the expenses and look for ways to get debt agreement. If you think about all this, I'm sure you'll think twice before spending irrationally. Credit cards are beneficial if you're good at managing it and make regular payments but it will become a burden if you don't take care of it. 6. One credit card only It's always best to keep one credit card. The more credits cards you'll have the more you'll use it and in result the more liability you'll be in. This will also cause stress as you'll have more bills to worry about. If you have one credit card it will be easier for you to handle it. In case you finish the limit of one card you won't be having another one to use hence, your credits will be controlled. 7. Freeze credit card Another option is to simply freeze your card. Actually, freeze it! Whenever you need it just defrost it but obviously, it will take time, by the time it is maybe you’ve changed your mind, you no longer want to buy whatever you wanted. It gives you time to think before spending. 8. Debt help Debt consolidation is a good way to get freedom from your debts this is also known as ‘debt help’ by consolidating your debt the different interest rates eliminates and becomes only one. You can do it by combining all your debts and taking out a loan to pay all of them once and for all. You’ll only be paying the interest rate for the loan you’ve taken to repay. 9. Debt solution Debt solution’ can be referred as a settlement or agreement like debt agreement. A debt agreement is when you and your creditor decides on an agreement to make monthly payments in accordance with your ability to pay and income. 10. Don’t buy things on contract It's better to buy things like a mobile phone or gym membership when you have more than enough money. If you’re unable to pay your monthly payments, you’ll be charged with interests which will ruin your credit history. Summary Life-Saving Hacks for Financial Freedom are very important. You need to keep them in your mind all the time to keep yourself safe from all the troubles the 10 hacks to save from financial issues are; debt relief, debt solution, debt help, freeze your credit card, leave credit card at home, don’t exceed credit card limit, keep only one credit card, keep in mind the consequences of overspending and don’t save card details online. If you follow these you’ll stay safe from any financial problems.
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New Zealand is such a spectacular country that, no matter where your business is located, you’re guaranteed a picturesque or exciting neighborhood. While it’s easy to find an address that looks great from the outside, it’s trickier to get the rest right. There are all kinds of things to think about, from transports links to internet speeds, cost, lease duration, and more. Therefore, when considering office space for rent, it’s a good idea to have a checklist of priorities. The better you know the needs of your business, the easier it will be to secure them. There is, of course, the traditional long-term lease on offer, but it isn’t the only option. There are virtual, serviced, and coworking offices in all the major cities in New Zealand. This guide to selecting a suitable office space will give you some tips on where to start. Be Location Specific Location prejudice is a more powerful force than you might realize and not just for your customers. Investors tend to limit their interest to the busiest urban neighborhoods because this is where most of the money gets made. It provides a rich variety of profitable ideas. So, if you want to get noticed and build up a strong presence where it counts, consider moving to a city like Auckland or Wellington. The retail and financial districts are full of amazing office spaces. They boast superb transport links, easy access to local talent, and iconic addresses. Find a Perfect Fit As already mentioned, a traditional three or five-year lease isn’t the only option. Flexible workspaces are becoming increasingly popular with entrepreneurs in New Zealand, as they offer custom packages. With a virtual office, you don’t even need to make physical visits. It’s a great model for home-based businesses, as the resources are available in a virtual form. Members ‘check in’ to a centralized facility and monitor phone messages, mail, and other responsibilities from any location. In other words, it’s a good idea to consider all the options. Check the Price Tag Obviously, the cost is a major consideration at all stages of the search for an office. It’s an important factor because you’ve got to think about more than the present. Often, businesses are tripped up by a lack of foresight. They forget that market conditions change fast. The best rental arrangements are those that are inherently negotiable. For instance, serviced vendors offer opened ended contracts. Tenants can stay for as long as they like, but they’re not penalized for terminating an agreement early, particularly if they need to downgrade. Make the Team Comfortable If you’ve got employees to lead, they should be a big influence on your choice. The level of accessibility and ease of use will have a direct impact on their performance. Little things like proximity to train stops, number of parking spots, and local amenities all make a difference.  If you’re a young company, with a small team (1-10 people, perhaps), you could try coworking. It provides a flexible balance between full time remote (offsite) work and structured, office routines. Instead of renting privately, you become a member of a shared workspace. Why Starting Out Doesn’t Have to Mean a Tough Start It’s certainly true that money reigns supreme in the world of business. The more you have, the easier it is to get started and build up a buzz around your brand. However, don’t mistake cash for success, because plenty of wealthy entrepreneurs crash and burn. The real secret to making it is knowing how to spend your money. You’ve got to maximise value by getting as much out of a rental as possible. This is something flexible options like virtual and serviced offices are great for, as they pack a lot of perks into very affordable rates. Â