Choosing the Best Mutual Funds - Diversifying
Why are pelicans always short of cash? - Because they have big bills.
Where do birds invest? - The stork market.
Diversification - Choosing the right mutual fund
Diversification includes investment across geographic regions, industries eg. communication and entertainment, or sectors of the economy. For example, you may have heard the term small cap funds. Small cap companies are companies with capitalization of under $1 billion.
What are some possible future economic trends? Here are two worth watching
Reducing Taxable Income and Debt Help Management Tips
Reducing Taxable Income and Debt Management
Be sure to read all the past articles for even more debt management tips. This article feature a debt management is the theme, let's use a real-life example. Take you or your family's gross, (yes I know you think it's gross,) before tax income. Annual salaries under $35,000 will be taxed at 26% (figures for Canada). If you earn between $35,000-$70,000 tax owing will be 32%. Salaries above $70,000 but below $113,804 will be taxed at 36%, above $113,804 will be taxed at 39%. This includes provincial (state) tax.
Step 1 - Subtract tax owing from your monthly salary.
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Questions on How to Set your Own Financial Goals
Twenty Questions
This article will cover several popular questions first time investors post. To start, here is question number 1:
How much money is enough to retire/invest? Good question, have ever consider this while thinking how you will reach your financial goals.
- If only i could get a raise, or a better paying position, I could invest.
- If only my spouse could get work.
- If only my spouse could get a better paying job or a raise.
- Maybe I should get a second job.
- Life would be so much easier if I had a bit more money.
Holding Off From Selling Off After Sub Prime Scares
This is the story of Ernest and Serenity J. Ernest is a project manager at Dubblebubble Space Corporation. His wife is a teacher. They have 2 children, Cordelia 14 and Brent 11. Since the family came back from vacation in Halifax, Ernest has been working a few late nights and weekends as his company is expanding their information systems. As a result he and his wife have had to postpone their usual Saturday night dinner date. However, this gave Mrs. J and the children the opportunity to go to West Edmonton Mall for some back to school shopping. She is planning to surprise Mr. J with a 60 inch plasma TV for his upcoming birthday.
With her babysitting money Cordelia buys the latest trends from TuTutemon. Brent has already put in a request for a Playstation 3 for Christmas. He is too young to work but makes a few dollars from walking the neighbor’s dog when they are away.
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Boomers Not Happy With Cost of Aging Parents
I always find it funny, somewhat comical, when banks state the brutally obvious. The latest, according to a survey of 2,195 Canadians between the ages of 45 and 60 conducted for BMO Financial Group by Ipsos Reid, of the one-third (34 per cent) of boomers who currently assist aging relatives:
- 66 per cent say it has had some negative impact on their lives
- 31 per cent say they have less time for themselves
- 20 per cent have had to take time off work
- 19 per cent say that they have been impacted financially.
The individualist North American society that treats their dogs better than the homeless and their aging parents worse than their boats are complaining that they can't and shouldn't take care of their aging parents.
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How to Read the Consumer Economy - Factors to Watch For
Dear DiscussEconomics,
Here I am on the freeway again, the highway that cuts through our city. You say I shouldn't complain because in the east gas went from $1.03 to $1.34 in a matter of hours. But I can still see the dollar bills flying out the tailpipe. Now that wouldn't be so bad if they actually fell on to ground where some needy person could pick them up. But the money is evaporating into thin air or should I say ending straight up in the oil companies' coffers....
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Investment Advice - Making Intelligent Investment Decisions
[Full Credit of Sherman's Lagoon, Jim Toomey 2002]
Welcome to DiscussEconomics blog for another investment advice resource designed to help your make intelligent investment decisions. This issue is about investments and their risks. There has been alot of discussion lately about investing and its risks (stemming from the sub-prime scare). Negative returns and unfavorable market conditions have caused many people to conclude that investing is unsafe and unprofitable. Saving, with its guaranteed return is thought to be more sensible.
The examination of the word risk is a good beginning for this article. Risk is the chance of being harmed or being exposed to danger. In its strictest meaning it is incorrect to say investing is risky.
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Explaining Dollar Cost Averaging
In Whose Pocket is my Lost Money? Market Value in Investments
Have you ever asked this question regarding your mutual fund investments? The market value of your investment is below the price you had initially paid. You want to know where the difference between the purchase price and market value was. "In whose pocket was his lost money," you proclaim. This is an excellent way to open the discussion on the importance of the share price and market value of an investment.
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Canadian Dollars hit Par with USD
First time in 30 Years
Importers are thrilled, exporters are finding new ways to adjust. Tourists are reaping the benefits, domestic consumers still can't catch a break. The new economy is hot, perhaps to hot in Canada, as for the first time since the 70's the CDN dollar has hit par with the USD. In fact, considering the cash back rate one would actually LOSE money cashing in American dollars. Here are some articles collected from around the finance world on the day of the historic event. Post your thoughts below about how this change has affected your life and business.
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Tackling Credit Card Debt One Step at a Time
Credit has become so much a part of our lives that we don't even give it a second thought
In the 1850s Isaac Singer wanted to increase sales of his sewing machines. Very few people could afford to buy them outright. His plan allowed buyers to put $5 down and $5 monthly. Today peoples' credit histories are a critical reflection of their ability to be trusted.Granting credit has grown into an extremely competitive multibillion dollar industry. The target? Our wallets, usually starting with our young people! Get them and dupe them early they say....
