Author: Guest Blogger

Planning now to retire early

Sure you want to retire.  In fact, you would like to retire early.  Who wouldn’t want to have time to enjoy all those things in life you never had time to enjoy when working.  But the reality is that many people are not adequately preparing for a comfortable retirement, much less an early one.

Reaching an early retirement successfully can be done but it takes planning and working.  You need to first come up with a viable plan and then second, use discipline to work that plan, every day, until you reach your retirement.

According to a retirement survey published by the EBRI (the Employee Benefit Research Institute™) in 2007, only 43% of the people surveyed have ever tried to work out how much money they would need to retire.  Why such a small percentage?  How can anybody guarantee success if he or she isn’t even working off a game plan?  Planning is confusing when you don’t know what to do and scary because you’re not sure you’ll like the results.

But here’s the cold fact: You definitely won’t be able to retire like you want to if you don’t do something about it now.  An early retirement will definitely not happen on its own.  Follow these steps to figure out how much you need to start saving now in order to retire when you want.

  • First, determine how much money you need a year to retire.  To figure this out, you can use a percentage of your current income.
    • How much is your annual income now?
    • Take your annual income and multiply it by 70%.  Retirement planning experts recommend using 70% of current income.  They reason your mortgage should be paid off and you won’t be worried about paying tuition in your retirement.
    • While using your annual income to determine your retirement needs, check that you are not currently building up debt.  That would suggest that you are not living within your current income.
  • Multiply your annual retirement income requirements by how long you plan to be retired. You can determine this by deciding how soon you want to retire and statistics on average life expectancies.
    • Write down how old you will be when you plan to retire.
    • Research life expectancies for where you live.
    • Subtract how old you will be when you retire from how long on average you can hope to live to.  The US Social Security Administration reported that for people reaching 65 in 1990, they could expect to live 15.3 (men) and 19.6 (women) years longer.
    • Multiply the number of years you will be in retirement by what your annual spending requirements will be in your retirement.
  • We’re almost done.  You’ve got a good idea of how much you would need to save in order to retire but that number is in today’s money.  We need to take inflation into effect.
    • Pick an inflation rate you are comfortable with.  You could use the current inflation rate or take an average over a period of years.  If you are pessimistic or wish to be more conservative with your planning, use a higher rate.
    • We’ll need to work in the impact that inflation will have each year that you will be retired.  Use a hand or online calculator to make calculating the accrual of inflation over your retirement period.
  • Now you have a number to work with.  Working backwards, figure out how much you need to save each year.
    • How far away is early retirement for you?  This will tell you how many years do you have to save.
    • Determine how much money you can make each year with your savings by investing it.
    • Remember to offset the amount you make in interest by the amount you will lose through inflation.  You could go with 5% for example (8% interest in savings minus 3% inflation).  Use a calculator to make calculating the accrual easier.
    • Now you know how much you need to set aside each month in order to retire like you want to, when you want to.
  • Is this number seems impossible, consider if any of the following initiatives could help:
    • Reduce your annual cash requirements for when you retire by working out a careful budget.
    • Investigate a better return on your savings.
    • Cut your current spending so you can save more.
    • Earn more now.
    • Determine if you are taking advantage of company matching for retirement plans.

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Analyzing GameStop, A Leading Video Game Retailer

The Digerati Life is a site that covers financial topics, from investing, budgeting to debt management. Check the site for online stock trading promotions, including this OptionsHouse promotion code page for cheap brokerage commission rates.

With all the snow this winter, we can be sure of one thing – people who live where it is cold will be getting cabin fever. Traditionally, people go outside to go sledding or participate in various snow sports. More so these days, the video game industry is taking hold of our idle hours and keeping us indoors while still providing for our need to let our hair down and relax –- thus there is no need to go outside and be cold. Video games have come a long way since their humble beginnings to the point of virtual reality in our family living rooms.

An industry leader in video game retailing is called GameStop. This Texas based company went through several transformations from its beginnings in the 1980’s. Today, the company is a $4 billion dollar company with 6,400 stores. That is pretty impressive for a specialty retailer. Sure it has some hefty competition… well known retailers with big names, none of which specialize in video games, but happen to sell games as a smaller part of their overall business. Which begs the question of any investor: which type of company would you rather add to your online stock brokerage account — a large sprawling retailer which sells many things including video games, or a focused video game retailer with small stores full of all types of video games? Interesting question, right?

GameStop, ticker symbol GME, is nearly the only company of its kind and scale which sells video games exclusively. I was in one of these stores over the holidays and I have to say, it was packed to the gills. The service was a bit slow, but that may be due to their policy of keeping the actual game discs behind the counter. Sounds like a recipe for not much shoplifting if you ask me — all the better to send the profits back to investors instead of thieves. This is a bricks and mortar retailer which also has a phenomenal website store.

GameStop is the only player in an industry which is in its relative infancy because video games only came on the market about a quarter of a century ago. Here the potential for growth lies in ever expanding technology, not in taking market share away from its competitors. Although with so many stores, and a strong grip on the video game market, GameStop has the potential for a near monopoly. In 2005, the company merged with a competitor –- EB Games. Two additional smaller competitors are Game Crazy and Play and Trade, a franchised store network. What makes video games a growth industry is the unrealized future potential of video games development. Plus virtual reality has applications outside of video gaming, creating other possibilities for technologies developed in the first industry to cross over into other industries.

As someone who comes from a family of video gamers, I’m intrigued by GameStop and will be keeping an eye on it. It may very well become part of my stock portfolio one day, after I assess its potential even further.

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Retirement Withdrawal Management

Retirement finance has an accumulation stage and a decumulation stage. Accumulation gestates, hatches, and cooks your retirement nest egg; decumulation allows you to eat it. Accumulation commands the lion’s share of attention in popular finance, but decumulation, or distribution, is equally important. Understanding how to disburse wealth is just as important as understanding how to build it.

The Basic Problem

On retirement day, you possess a store of wealth built up throughout your working life. Stretched out before you is the rest of your life, of uncertain duration. You want to withdraw a sufficient quantity of wealth to finance a comfortable lifestyle, but not so much that you run out of money before you run out of life.

In order to make your problem manageable, you will probably choose to withdraw and consume a specified fraction of your wealth. If your chosen fraction doesn’t work well – either because you don’t have enough money to live on or because you are using up your wealth too rapidly – you may either choose a bigger fraction or a smaller one. You won’t, or shouldn’t, simply withdraw a random amount whenever the spirit moves you. That would leave you with almost no control over how fast your money is used up.

Your basic problem is choosing that fractional withdrawal, which is called the withdrawal rate and is expressed as a percentage. The optimal rate depends on subjective factors – your tastes and preferences, your need for security, and your tolerance for risk – as well as objective ones. Copious research has been devoted to identifying it. The most widely-cited studies focus on the question of how much can be safely withdrawn, and over what time period, without depleting the principal.

The Right Withdrawal Rate

Financial advisors can and should tailor their estimation of the right withdrawal rate to the particular circumstances, needs, and proclivities of each client. When asked to suggest a “rate of thumb,” however, they usually fall back on a conservative standard – a rate that will not deplete principal over a long retirement – or an even-more-conservative standard – a rate that will keep principal from declining.

The most widely-cited studies of this issue were conducted around the turn of the twenty-first century. They suggested that a withdrawal rate of 4-6% would probably not deplete principal, although the risk of doing so seemed to rise steeply once the rate reached 5%. (Another factor affecting the withdrawal rate is the rate of return earned in retirement, which depends on the allocation of retirement assets. The larger the equity allocation, the higher is the permissible withdrawal rate.) Today, 10 years later, financial advisors have lowered their sights markedly, picking 3-3.5% as the rate of thumb. What accounts for this change?

Over that 10-year interval, stocks have turned in their worst performance ever, with a negative rate of return. That has reduced the historical rate of return to equity, which in turn has driven down the highest permissible rates. The recent financial crisis has almost certainly exerted a downward psychological pull, leading planners to pull in their horns in case the recession stretches out over the next decade.

Other Important Parameters

Other parameters also affect the right withdrawal rate. Life expectancy at age 65 has increased dramatically over the last half of the twentieth century. All other things equal, a longer withdrawal period lowers the withdrawal rate consistent with non-depletion of principal.

Interest rates are a key determinant of the right withdrawal rate. Higher interest rates produce lower bond prices, reducing the value of a bond portfolio. This is a difficult parameter to gauge, however, since the higher rate will also increase the interest yield on both fixed-income and liquid assets.

Expenses in retirement can vary widely for different households. In particular, debt can eat up income otherwise available for consumption. The more debt (or other expenses), the lower is the permissible withdrawal rate.

How Do Annuities Fit Into This Picture?

After reading the foregoing, how much would you pay to simply forget about all potential complications and settle for a guaranteed income for life? That is the concept underlying most annuities. Its attractions obviously depend on the size of the guaranteed payment, as well as the solidity of its guarantee. Since the rate of return on an annuity varies directly with the length of the annuitant’s life, the trend toward increased life expectancy certainly favors the annuity.

Perhaps the biggest plus for annuities – especially equity indexed annuities – is the elimination of the need to guess about future stock prices, interest rates, and longevity. The world’s greatest experts cannot forecast these parameters with much precision. It is very likely that, in hindsight, there will be a particular allocation of stocks, bonds, and real assets that will outperform the annuity. The problem is that we cannot know this allocation in advance, so we cannot guarantee that it will find its way into our portfolio.

If we compare the annuity payout with an optimal withdrawal rate and asset allocation chosen after the fact, the annuity will likely come out second best. That is hardly a decisive argument against annuities, however, since there is no particular reason to believe that the choices we actually make will be the optimal ones. Annuities give us a reasonable outcome, guaranteed, compared to the prospect, but not the promise, of a better outcome if we make the right choices.

Annuities: The Dark Horse Choice

It is ironic that, given all the lip service paid to the concept of security, the only asset able to provide lifetime security of income is not even-better understood and utilized. The reasons for the dark-horse status of annuities are many and complex, but the fact remains that a life annuity is probably the best, most secure way to provide guaranteed income for life. The quickest way to realize this is to sit down and try to compute the right withdrawal rate on your retirement savings. Afterward, check out the best deal on a life annuity. Ask yourself if the incremental gain in income is worth sacrificing the security of the life annuity.

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Best Buy Gift Card Review

While it is always a great feeling to get just the right gift for a close friend, a loved one or a family member, there is a lot of stress that accompanies trying to find that perfect gift, also.  After all, knowing exactly what people are hoping for is easier said than done, especially if you have not been able to keep up on the changing interests of those you buy gifts for!  Even if you do, there is still the danger of buying something that they already have, or worse yet, buying a gift that someone else is also getting them!

That’s one of the reasons, gift cards gained currency, and why we are reviewing the Best Buy gift card here.

Best Buy is now possibly the most well-known electronics retailer you could find, with a reputation for having both a huge selection and prices that are hard to beat.  With locations all over the United States, as well as in Mexico and Puerto Rico, there is almost always a store near you.  If not, Best Buy’s website offers an even bigger selection of items than the physical storefronts can offer, and ships quickly and conveniently to the United States, Guam and the Virgin Islands alike. Therefore, no matter what your gift recipient is into, they will be sure to find something great to buy with a Best Buy gift card.

Not only can gift cards from Best Buy be purchased both at physical Best Buy stores or the store’s website, — you can also use Best Buy gift cards at both the website and store locations.  Furthermore, you can select a wide range of denominations, from $5 to $500, and there are 16 denominations in all (8 of which are $50 and under).  Therefore, you can always spend just the right amount to get an appropriate gift and stay under your gift buying budget when you buy a Best Buy gift card.  Also, when you buy gift cards online, the shipping is free, which is always a great value.

Best Buy gift cards come with a multitude of designs and styles, so that they will be perfect for any occasion, including weddings, graduations, holidays, birthdays, or even just because you are thinking of someone special.  They even have gift cards in Spanish, if you prefer.  Also, the gift card that you buy someone does not have to be tossed aside after its value is depleted- you can reload money onto the card at any Best Buy store in the United States.

Unlike some types of store gift cards, Best Buy’s gift cards have no expiration dates or maintenance fees, so it won’t “cost” anyone money to take their time using their gift card to buy something that they really want.  If the card holder decides that he or she wants to know the exact amount left on the card at any time, they can also do that quite easily.  You can use the Best Buy website to find out in seconds, or ask any cashier at a Best Buy store, who can tell you the balance left on the card just as quickly.

There are some other great aspects of Best Buy gift cards to explore, too.  For instance, recycled gift cards are available from Best Buy for those that are environmentally conscious, and again, you can reload money onto gift cards at any time to get even more use out of them.  Best Buy gift cards are also great for companies and schools to reward employees, students or customers, and their compact size make them perfect stocking stuffers, of course.

When it comes down to it, you always want to get a gift that the recipient will enjoy.  With Best Buy gift cards, you can do just that, as a gift card there can be used for anything from the hottest video games and music CDs to the newest movies, electronics or appliances.  When you get a Best Buy gift card for someone, you are allowing them to take the time to really think of themselves for once- all while ensuring that they will get the perfect gift for any occasion…the one that they really wanted.

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Target Gift Card Review

Target gift cards are a popular choice for people looking for gift cards because Target stores have it all, including everything from men’s clothing, women’s clothing and kids apparel to toys, electronics, and even groceries at many locations.

Target is truly a one stop shopping center, where you can find a new outfit, pick up a bestselling book (and the movie adaptation on DVD!), and get some milk for home all in one trip.  Furthermore, Target’s prices on great brands makes their stores very popular among shoppers of all ages and types.  Target’s website provides a huge selection as well, with all of the convenience of online shopping.  So, as you can tell, a Target gift card will really enable the recipient to pick out anything that suits them.

How to buy a Target Gift Card?

You can buy Target gift cards either at the stores that are located just about everywhere imaginable, or from Target.com, if you prefer the convenience of online shopping.  Furthermore, gift cards are redeemable at any Target store or the Target website, too, which is very helpful for those who sometimes like to shop online, but also like to look at items up close and in person.

Target Gift Card Denomination

There are a wide variety of denominations you can buy the gift cards in, from $10 all the way up to $1,000 in set amounts that are available at Target.  Meanwhile, if you go to a Target store to buy a gift card, you can select your own denomination between $5 and $2,000, assuring that you spend just the amount that you wanted to.

You may have heard of some drawbacks of many gift cards, which can expire over time, or have fees if you hold onto them too long.  However, Target’s gift cards never expire and have no fees whatsoever, so you won’t have to worry about such factors at all.

You can also reload money onto a Target gift card at any Target store, so that you can keep your gift card and continue using it as long as you want!  And you will probably want to, as there are an innumerable amount of designs for all occasions available, including birthdays, holidays, weddings, graduations and even just to say “thank you”!

Shipping Charges

Shipping on gift cards bought online is very affordable, at just $1.95.  If you prefer, though, you can send an “e-Gift Card”, which will arrive in the recipients e-mail promptly and allow them to spend the amount gifted at Target.com quickly and easily, without having to print anything out or wait to receive a physical card!  These versions of Target gift cards are available in fully personalized denominations from $5 to $5,000.  If you prefer a physical card, it is easy to include some personalized sentiments to that special person, as you can quickly include a short note to the gift recipient that will be included with the card in the mail.

Of course, even though it is called a “gift card”, Target’s cards are perfect for many uses.  The features and versatility of Target gift cards make them great not just for gifts, but also for prizes, rewards and incentives for companies, schools, clubs, church groups and more.

When you just aren’t sure what to get someone, you definitely do not want to end up getting the wrong gift.  Instead, a Target gift card really gives someone the chance to take some time to go on a little shopping spree whenever the feeling strikes them.  With the ability to personalize the cards with extra notes or by picking from a large variety of designs, you can find the perfect Target gift card for any occasion, and it is guaranteed that the gift recipient will find something they will love.

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Differences in Credit Card Practices in the US and International Markets

Hi, this is Mr Credit Card from www.askmrcreditcard.com. Today, I am going to write about credit card industry practices in different countries and how credit card companies respond to the different international environment. If you are looking to apply for credit card, please check out the section where I recommend the best credit cards.

Firstly, I would like to wish everyone a very Happy Holidays. While I write about credit cards on my blog, the focus is primarily based on US. But I also realize that not everybody is from the US and that different countries have different regulations and industry practices. In this post, I would like to explain how the credit system works in the US and how it differs from other countries. I will also look at how different credit card companies market differently in different countries.

US Credit Card Industry – In the US, an individual’s credit score is extremely important. When one is looking to apply for credit, credit card issuers look at one’s credit score to determine if they will grant that individual credit or not. But for individuals in the US, developing a credit history is a chicken and an egg story. You need a history to apply for credit, and yet financial institutions look at one’s credit history!

Folks in the US have a couple of ways to get around this. Firstly, those who are in college can apply for a student credit card. That is the only time when you have no credit history and get a credit card with no annual fee! Next year, after the CARD Act, students need to get a co-signer or give proof of income.

You do not exactly have to get a credit card to build a credit history. If you have no credit history and take a mortgage, the mortgage banker will request your W2 income statement and probably a list of your liquid assets. You can still get credit, but probably at a slightly higher rate than if you had an excellent credit score.

An individual’s credit history is also important if one wants to get a business credit card. Without a good credit history, you simply cannot get one for your business!

The main flaw in the US credit scoring system is that they do not consider income or your assets as a factor. Hence, even if you have no job, you can technically still get a credit card!

Europe – In the UK, they have a similar model in that there are credit bureaus that record individuals’ credit score (like Experian!). However, in the rest of Europe, credit cards are not as popular and credit bureaus are almost non-existent (check out this post about the French system).

Asia – I’ve been to a few Asian countries and have many friends there. Almost all said that concept of a credit bureau was unheard of! Banks have their own criteria on giving their customers credit. Income is almost always an important factor. Very often, proof of income is very important.

Global Credit Card Issuers

Citi and Amex have their bread and butter cards everywhere – In the US, Citibank, Bank of America, Chase, American Express and Capital One are the main credit card issuers. In the international markets, only Citicards and Amex are really present overseas. For example, I did some research and found that Citi and American Express are present in more countries than any of the other US based issuers. For example, I checked out Citibank India, Citibank Singapore and Citibank Australia. What I found was quite interesting. Essentially, Citi exported a lot of cards that were designed here to other countries, perhaps modifying them with a slight twist. For example, their generic Citi MasterCard is issued all over the world.

American Express too has presence in more countries than other credit card issuers. If you check most of Amex International website, you will find that they issue their standard Green, Gold and Platinum charge cards every where in the world. What differs though is that the Membership Rewards program varies from country to country. For example, a Platinum Card in the US has got very different benefits than from one say in Japan. I still find that the Membership Rewards for US cardholders still have the best benefits.

Partnering with local companies for affinity cards – Another strategy that issuers like Citi and Amex have used is to partner with local companies (especially airlines) and issue local airline credit cards. For example, in Singapore, American Express has the Kris Flyer Credit Card. In Australia, Citi has the Emirates Citi Platinum Card. In India, Citibank partnered with Jet Airways (not JetBlue) and issue the Jet Airways Citi Platinum Card.

Balance Transfer Offers do not exist everywhere – In the US, balance transfer offers are abound everywhere. But this is not the case elsewhere. For example, when I checked Citibank India, I could not find a single balance transfer offer on their site. Guess, not too many Indians have debt to their eyeballs like many of us here in the US. In Australia, many issuers offer balance transfer deals, but they do not offer 0% APR rate. Instead, the rate tends to be about 4% (from my observation).

Terms and Conditions are not listed in every country – If you look at Citibank India’s site, nowhere are a standard terms and conditions page to be found. Here is the US, you get a standard terms and conditions page. But on Citi India’s site, all I could find was the annual fee, nowhere could I find the the APR. On Citibank’s Australia’s site, they did list the APR but is was the monthly APR. On the Citi’s Singapore website, the APR was not listed on the site but it said it will be listed on your statements!

Annual Fees are more common everywhere else – One observation that I have is that in the US, no annual fee credit cards are more the norm. In most other international countries, annual fees are more common.

Ending notes – This is just a very brief look at credit card practices in the US and in the international markets. What I have found is that different countries have different rules and credit card issuers adjust their strategies accordingly. I think the US market is still the most competitive and that folks here still can get the best rewards and deals. Fees and rates seem to be on average lower as well. There are more deals to entice new consumers and these just seem to be lacking in international markets.

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How Easy Money and Tax Policies on Debt Are Ruining the US?

Mr Credit Card from www.askmrcreditcard.com is writing a guest post today for us. Today, he is going to write about how easy credit is destroying America. Mr Credit reviews lots of credit cards and there are lots of credit card offers on his site. If you are in the market for a credit card, he has also compiled a list of the best credit card offers and deals.

The after effects of the 2008 financial crisis that originated from the sub prime crisis still lingers on for many folks in the US. Lots of finger pointing and lots of blame to pass around. But at the root of the crisis, one variable stands out – and that is the amount of debt and leverage in our economy. This applies to both the federal government and individuals. At the root of the problem is easy monetary policy and our tax policies towards debt and I’ll go on to explain other factors that made us such a debt dependent country.

Policies that reward debt

In the US, taxation policies are geared towards taking on debt, taxing equity and not taxing consumption. If we think about things logically, one should not be taxing capital but instead be taxing consumption. But here is the US, it is really lopsided. Capital is taxed. So if you have a capital tax gain, you pay a capital gain tax. If you receive dividends, you pay a tax! The interest that you make on your bank’s savings account is taxed! If you own a “C Corporation”, you are taxed twice! First at a corporate level, and then at an individual level! Talk about work incentives!

But the US taxation policy towards debt is totally reversed! You actually get tax deductions for interest payment on debt! On an individual level, your mortgage interest is tax deductible!

The result of these policies is an incentive to take on excessive debt. In the area of economic studies the Miller Modigliani theory states that there is an optimal cost of capital in a tax neutral world. A corporation having 100% equity in their capital structure can lower its cost of capital (up to a point) by taking on some debt. In the world of taxation where equity is taxed and debt interest is given deductions, it skews US corporations to have more debt than necessary.

Generous Tax Policies on Mortgage and Home

In the United States, policies are geared towards encouraging home ownership. Interest payments on mortgage interest is a tax deductible item. There is also no capital gains taxes on the first $500,000 for your primary residence. Most major developed nations have no such policies that reward home owners. Yet, they have similar home ownership as the United States.

Continue reading “How Easy Money and Tax Policies on Debt Are Ruining the US?”

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Follow the money: Washington to Wall Street

The following is a guest post by Taipan Publishing. It is written by Adam Lass, who is the Senior Editor of Wave Strengths Options Weekly. All views expressed are his own, and this is not a buy recommendation from One Mint.

This American company has gained 777% the old-fashioned way: selling junk in backroom deals.

As regular readers know, I am a Ford man.

Back when I was a kid, you had to make three really important choices. First, you had to pick a political party. Didn’t matter how well you knew the candidates – you picked a party and that’s what you were.

We are talking Democrat or Republican here. Libertarians weren’t much discussed, and backing the Socialists could get your parents blackballed at work. And if you wanted peace around the dinner table, you just went with the same side your folks did.

Second, you had to choose “your” baseball, basketball and football teams. We didn’t have rotisserie leagues back then, so there was no “à la carte.” You picked your guys, and you defended their every move in the schoolyard and on the stoop – with fists if need be.

Prudent Choices

Continue reading “Follow the money: Washington to Wall Street”

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5 Things to Remember Before Purchasing Your First Investment Property

This is a guest post by Rose Jensen

Stock and equity investments can be unstable, leading to many sleepless nights glued to the ever-changing market figures. On the other hand, property investments have a long history of stability, and may be the best choice for first time investors to make. If you’re thinking about investing in property, be sure that you are prepared for the work that will be needed to ensure that the investment is a successful one.

  1. Know that it will be a long term investment: A “short term” investment for property is generally five to seven years, so do not go into property investment thinking that you will sell it in the next year. To get the most out of the selling cost, you will have to wait, so decide if you have the patience to devote about five years to your property investment. Buying and selling rates also go through regular fluctuations, with prices peaking and then dipping about every seven years. Plan your purchase and selling accordingly.
  2. Get a financial advisor: To make sure that you can afford to spend the money for the investment, get some help from the experts. Consult financial advisors to talk you through what your investment will require in terms of time, renovations, and money. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you do not fully understand because you should never make a haphazard investment.
  3. Only invest your capital: Never invest money that you cannot afford to lose. While you will not necessarily lose tons of money if you make a smart investment, it is always better to keep your hands off the money you need today and only invest the “extra” capital you earn. After all, that is what capital is for – growing your future wealth. Do not touch your living money to purchase any kind of investment, no matter how much you think you can make from it.
  4. Craft a plan of action: Decide what kind of property you want to invest in, how much you will pay for it, how much you will spend on it, and when, if ever, you plan to sell it. Because real estate is so localized with prices often dependent on location, look around and do your research as you plan your next moves. Think about the type of tenants you want to attract and plan accordingly.
  5. Choose your property wisely: As mentioned above, price depends largely on location. While some properties will have amazing prices, they may not be promising investments due to the local economy or location. Plan to invest in properties that are part of a diverse economy to avoid industry-specific busts, and also look for places that are established and thriving rather than a relatively new place. There is usually a decade-long settling period for new suburbs, so do not count on the suburb’s initial characteristics and tenants to necessarily be the final result.

This post was contributed by Rose Jensen, who writes about the online degree program. She welcomes your feedback at Rose.Jensen28@ yahoo.com

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Simple Tips to Drive Away Your Financial Blues

This  is a guest post by Financial Information Blogger

Recession! Recession! Recession! No other word has impacted us more in the present times than this, and why not?

You know as well as I do that we need food to fill our stomachs, and that comes with a price.

You might be apprehensive about keeping your kitchen fire alive during this financially lean period. Don’t worry; I’m here to give you some simple tips that are really working for me.

Continue reading “Simple Tips to Drive Away Your Financial Blues”

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