Finance Wanted.

By Paul Rogers

Though bonds are one of the more common investment tools that are traded on the securities market today, there are many people who aren't sure exactly how it is that bonds work. If you've found yourself wondering exactly how bonds are created, how you can buy them or make money with them, and whether investing in bonds is right for you and your financial needs, then this article is for you. The information presented below will give you a better insight into what bonds are and how you can work with them, so that you can decide whether or not they are the right investment for you.

The Creation of Bonds

Unlike stocks, which are portions of company ownership that is sold on the securities market, bonds are created by companies and branches of government. Ownership of bonds is very much like owning a certificate of deposit, which makes sense because bonds operate in a very similar manner. When bonds are created and released for sale to the public, a date of maturity is established, the bond will continue to collect interest until that date of maturity, at which point the full value of the bond will be payable to the bond owners.

Buying Bonds

Bonds can be purchased in much the same manner that shares of stock or other securities are. Operating through an investment broker or online brokerage company, an individual can purchase individual shares of a specific bond at any point before that bond's maturity. Ideally, you want to purchase shares of a bond early in the bond's lifespan, in other words, you want to buy it soon after its creation so that you won't have to pay as much for it and the final value of it will result in higher profits for you.

Interest Rates

The rates that specific bonds pay can vary depending upon the term of the bond, the company or government office that created the bond, and the prevailing interest rates at the time that the bond was created. Though many people look for bonds with high rates, it can also be profitable to purchase a bond with a lower rate that has a longer term than some of the high-rate ones.

Maturity

When bonds are created, the date that they reach maturity is set. Often, this will be between six and twelve months, though the actual time that it takes the bond to reach maturity depends upon the creator of the bond. Before investing in bonds, it's important that you take the time to research the bonds that you're considering so that you can find the ones that have the longest amount of time remaining until their maturity so that you can make the largest profit that you can from your investment.

Keeping Bonds in Your Portfolio

Since bonds increase in value as time goes by, the longer you own shares in a specific bond then the more profit you're likely to gain from it. You should keep in mind, though, that the older a bond gets the closer it's getting to its maturity, so it's important to keep an eye out for new bonds to invest in so that your investment portfolio is constantly growing. Though it may seem like a lot of investments to keep track of at first, you need to remember that as the bonds reach maturity they will be paid out to you and will no longer be making a profit.

Paul Rogers writes general finance and loan articles for the Loans UK Online website at http://www.loansukonline.co.uk

By Paul Rogers

There are a number of reasons why you might be looking for a new bank. Perhaps you are moving to a new area and need to establish yourself at a bank in that location, or maybe your current banks simply isn't providing you with the service and options that you desire.

Regardless of the reason that you seek to find a new bank for your financial needs, you should make sure that you put some work into your search so as to locate the best bank for you. Take the time to explore all of your options, and you'll be able to determine which bank will be the best one for you to use.

Locate Potential Banks

The first thing that you should do when trying to find a new bank is to locate the various banks in the area that you're going to be searching. Utilize a telephone directory, listing from a local chamber of commerce, or other financial listing and see exactly what banks are available for you to choose from.

Take the time to compile a list of your own of the banks that you might like to visit and evaluate, making note of their location and other contact information. You might also wish to consult a local map if you're new to the area, so that you can find out exactly where all of the banks in question are and work out the best route to visit them without having to make a number of trips back and forth across town.

Discover Options

As you visit the various banking locations on your search, start gathering information about the accounts and services that each offers. Find out what the current interest rates are on savings accounts, any features that are included with chequeing accounts, and whether or not there are additional features or services offered by the bank in question. Try and find out as much information as possible about each of the banks, since you'll be able to use this information later to compare the different banks to each other and determine once and for all which one would serve you best.

Evaluate Offerings

Once you've collected information from all of the banks on your list, it's time to compare them and choose the one that's best for you. Look at interest rates, account features, and any other services or features that you might be interested in. See whether certain banks are more likely to charge excessive fees for overdraft or account maintenance. By weighing your options and comparing the different banks to each other, you should be able to quickly and easily determine which of the banks in question will best serve you and your specific banking needs.

Paul Rogers writes general finance and loan articles for the Loans UK Online website at http://www.loansukonline.co.uk

By Paul Rogers

With the number of banks that operate either nationally or internationally, there are practically a limitless number of options available to individuals looking to open new bank accounts. Chain banks may offer a larger brand recognition, but in many cases this recognition comes at the expense of the service and features that smaller banks can offer. Below you'll find some of the advantages that smaller local banks offer, to help you when you encounter the decision of whether to open an account with a larger chain bank or to choose a local bank instead.

Customer support

Local banks are generally more likely to have better support for the customers in their area, in no small part because of the fact that everyone involved in the customer support process are local to the area and in many cases have lived there for years. Quite often even the management and board of directors of the bank are largely local, and are much more likely and willing to adapt their business strategies to the wants and needs of the local community than larger chain banks would be.

Banking services

Though local banks aren't backed by national or international banking chains, they generally offer competitive services that meet or surpass those that are offered by large corporate banks. In addition, those who create services and set policies for local banks are much more likely to be directly involved with the customer support process and as such are more likely to attempt to meet the expectations and desires of their customers so that customers can receive the services that they're looking for.

Interest rates

Though interest rates are usually set at the national level and then adapted to the needs of the bank, independent local banks are generally more likely to offer lower rates than some of their corporate competitors because they are able to more readily adjust to the income levels and financial capabilities of the local community. As a related note, interest rates and loan terms can have a little more flexibility than they might in larger banks since everyone involved in the loan approval and management portions of bank operation are available locally; this means that getting loan modifications or specialized terms approved don't have to go through several different locations simply to get approved.

Local service

As mentioned above, having management and ownership of the bank occurring locally means that common customers have much more direct access to those in charge of the bank than those who are customers at national or international corporate banks. An added benefit of this is that the bank is usually more directly involved with the community that supports it, and is able to help keep money earned in the local area in that area. Local banks often sponsor a variety of different activities in the area, and may be involved in a variety of community service projects that other banks can't get the approval to participate in.

Investment

An important feature of local banks is the fact that individuals can often invest directly in the bank. Often local banks give shareholders advance notice and first options when they issue new shares of stock, and are likely to show a good return on any investments made. Should the bank begin to falter later on, there is also a much larger chance that a corporate bank will purchase it instead of letting it fail; this means that the previous shareholder will either have their shares purchased outright or (as is more likely) will be offered an equal value of stock in the major bank corporation that is buying the bank.

Paul Rogers writes general finance and loan articles for the Loans UK Online website at http://www.loansukonline.co.uk

By Bruce A. Hoover

We all use finance when we require additional money to fund a project for example. The term can also refer to another branch of the subject dealing with its management. It can be also defined as the management of funds and capital required by a business and private activities. When these funds are administered by a representative of a company, this specialized area is called finance management.

This type of management uses funds either from internal resources or external and allocates them to areas to maximize profit. The term optimization is used to explain the procedure whereby finance is maximized by reducing costs and increasing the return. Poor finance management is caused when managers neglect the rules and a deterioration occurs affecting markets around the world. This is why people who act as finance managers only have this type of work for a relatively short period because the potential risk to companies is high and so are the stress levels as a consequence.

It is not uncommon to hear finance managers referred to as bean counters as they are looking at immediate returns and initial costs against the potential at a later stage. Unlike the sales managers who would like to invest in the future by product development, finance managers are rather skeptical of financing a project whose benefits lie in the future; even though their management governs future outcomes too. Unfortunately when you are running a small business, the boundary lines between a personal loan and a business loan can be a little blurred and often the planned arrangement is not used as was not used for its original purpose. Managers are rarely impressed with this situation as they believe they have aright to know what their money is being used for.

Businesses are gradually getting the message that they must behave more responsibly if they are to stand a chance of expanding in years to come. However, small businesses can finance their needs from other sources like friends or from banks and private lenders. Finance managers can help improve their company's profits by using external sources which also lessens the risk on them at the same time. A famous quote about banks goes something like; banks are only interested and willing to lend money to those individuals that least need or want it.

Bruce Hoover owns a Stock Investor website. If you liked the financial info given here then Goto Stock Investment website.

By Paul Rogers

Starting a new business can be difficult. In addition to creating a business plan that will outline what your business intent is and finding the contacts and locations that you'll need, finding the money that is needed to get a business off of the ground can sometimes seem impossible. If you're not exactly sure how to get the money that you need, you'll find several suggestions below. From information about traditional bank loans to finding investors, you're sure to find something that helps you to get on the right track toward the money that you need.

Bank Loans

The first stop for many potential business owners is their local bank. Many banks offer loans for startup businesses, though the process for applying for a business loan from a bank tends to be a bit more in-depth... after all, they want to make sure that your business plan is solid and that they'll get their money back whether your business succeeds or not. In most cases, it is easier for a person to get a personal loan with the intention of using the money to cover startup expenses than it is to get a business loan for a venture that isn't guaranteed to succeed.

Loans from Alternative Lenders

Alternative lenders such as finance companies and online lenders can provide money for new businesses at competitive interest rates to banks, but also tend to have some of the same apprehensions about lending money to an untested venture as many banks do. Once again, personal loans are often better than business loans, though there are some lenders that may specialize in providing startup capital for businesses. Taking the time to investigate all of your options is the best way to determine which type of loan you should apply for.

Business Organizations

There are a variety of business and small business organizations that exist for the sole purpose of helping individuals get the money that they need to start a new business. Often these groups won't lend the money that is needed directly (though some do), but instead will act as somewhat of a cosigner in guaranteeing the loan to the bank or other lender that issues it. With the support of one of these organizations, lenders are often much more likely to grant a business loan... even if the business goes under, they are guaranteed that they will be repaid.

Government Grants

In some cases, government grants are also available to help you get your business off of the ground. These grants usually require that you meet certain criteria and fill out applications, but should you qualify for the grant assistance you'll receive the money that you need for your business without having to pay it back. Needless to say, not everyone who applies for a grant will receive one, but if you can find one for which you qualify it's certainly not going to hurt you to try.

Investors

One other alternative method of getting the money that you need to start a business is to find investors to contribute to the startup funds. In return for their investment, investors are usually either granted a limited partnership in the business, or are simply considered to be shareholders and as such are granted a portion of the profits from the business, depending upon how many shares they own. You should carefully work out how you plan on dividing profits and protecting the rights of investors before approaching potential investors, however... if you don't, some investors may abuse the rights granted to them and try to control how you do business.

Paul Rogers writes general finance and loan articles for the Loans UK Online website at http://www.loansukonline.co.uk

By Paul Rogers

Savings accounts are an important part of banking... most people have at least one, and they are a recommended first step in working on a retirement plan or savings and investment strategy.

There are many people who aren't even sure how their savings account really works, they simply deposit money into the account and interest is paid monthly.

While this is essentially true, there are several factors that can influence the amount of interest that an individual pays... and the difference in accounts from one bank to another can sometimes be quite large.

Below you'll find some basic information about different features of savings accounts, as well as how to find the best deals in savings that you can get.

Purpose

Obviously, the main purpose of a savings account is to put money aside for later, all the while drawing interest on your deposit. Different accounts may have different features, however, and can be used in different ways depending upon those features.

Some savings accounts are used as security for certain credit and debit cards, and others are used as a buffer to prevent overdrawn cheques. It is important to inquire about the various types of savings accounts available at your bank so that you can find the account that best suits your needs.

Interest

Interest on a savings account is the additional amount that is paid to your account based upon the balance that you keep. The interest rate is paid as a percentage of the total balance, and is based upon rates that are set nationally. The rate that is paid may differ from one bank to another, especially depending upon the local economy and the policies of the bank in question.

Withdrawals

One of the features that are common to most savings accounts is that the number of withdrawals allowed each month is quite limited. In most locales banks only allow you to make 3 to 6 withdrawals within a month's time before small fines are added onto the transaction fee.

In many cases, these fines are mandated by federal law in an effort to prevent abuse of the higher interest offered by savings accounts and to encourage bank patrons to carry a balance in their savings until later in life.

These fines are often quite low, however, so should you need to make one more withdrawal in a month's time you won't severely reduce your balance from the fines.

Account Features

As mentioned above, there are a variety of uses for savings accounts... because of this, different accounts have different features that can be used to make some of the uses easier. They may have a minimum deposit for opening the account, for instance, or the account could be linked to a chequeing account. Make sure you know the features of the savings account that you're considering before making your final decision.

Finding the Best Deal

In order to find the best deal on a savings account, it's important to shop around and find the bank that has the best offer on interest rates and features.

Request interest rate quotes and information about the different types of accounts that are offered at several banks in your area... by comparing these quotes and the information on the available accounts, you can make a decision on which savings account would offer you the best return on your money.

Paul Rogers writes general finance and loan articles for the Loans UK Online website at http://www.loansukonline.co.uk

By Paul Parker

As a parent, you usually want your children to have the best that life has to offer. Unfortunately, you know that it can be quite difficult to get the money that you need sometimes as an adult... and you wish that there was some way that you could spare your children these same problems.

Luckily, there may actually be a way that you can help your children to prepare for the future today; by encouraging them to start saving money while they're young, you can set up habits that will follow them into adulthood and possibly even help them to build up a nest egg to help them along their way.

Children and Money

Children like money... after all, it's used to buy the things that they enjoy and it's so hard for them to get. Even small amounts of money seem huge to a small child. That said, children tend to like instant gratification of their wants and desires, so whatever toy or piece of candy that they might want is very likely to be purchased should they be able to afford it. The key to helping your children to save money is to get them to realize that better things can come along if they save the money that they have for a later day.

Rewards and Encouragement

The easiest way to get your children used to the idea of saving money is to offer up a rewards system when they manage to save some of their allowance or other money. Perhaps you'd offer to give them a little bit of extra money after they save up a certain amount, or tell them that you'll pay a portion of the cost for something that they want if they can save up the rest of the amount. You should also periodically ask them how much they have saved up, offering them encouragements for a job well done when they start to build a little bit of savings.

Don't Send Mixed Signals

However you choose to encourage your children to save money, it's important that you stay consistent with what you tell them. Don't tell them that they're saving their money so that they can get the more expensive things that they want later only to punish them when they spend it on something that they've been saving for. Make sure that they understand that it's their money and that they can do whatever they like with it, but if they continue to save it then they're more likely to be able to reap the rewards of it at a later time.

Savings Accounts

After your children have gotten the hang of saving money, you might want to get them a savings account. Make sure that they go with you so that they can be a part of the process... after all, it's their first bank account. It can help a child to feel confident about savings knowing that they're doing a "grown up" thing like opening a bank account. You should also take them with you whenever a deposit is going to be made, so that they can personally give the teller the money and continue the "grown up" feel of banking.

Though it may just be them thinking that they're more mature than they are, the positive feelings associated with depositing the money will likely carry over to later life and help to reinforce the habit of saving money long after they've gone out into the world as an adult.

Paul Parker writes finance and loan articles for the Secured Loans UK Online website at http://www.securedloansukonline.co.uk

By Paul Rogers

It can seem difficult at times to put aside money for later, especially if you find yourself trying to make ends meet on a limited budget. Luckily, there are ways to fit savings into your budget, no matter how tight your budget might seem to be.

If you're looking for a way to build up a bit of a nest egg but don't think that you can afford it, read on... you'll find some tips for saving money and putting it aside that will most likely help you to build up your savings over time and might help you to save a little bit of money in the process.

Savings built into the budget

One of the easiest ways to work savings into your budget is to actually write a bit of savings into your budget. This might not seem practical, especially if you're not doing much more than getting by before you add it to your budget, but in many cases you'll find that adding at least a few dollars for savings onto your monthly budget doesn't make as much of a difference as you might think.

Of course, if you find that you can't afford to add even a small amount of savings to your budget, don't make things more difficult for you and your household.

A penny saved is a penny earned

Another great way to build savings over time is to have a jar, bank, or even a water cooler bottle to put your spare change into. Leave it alone until your bank or container is full, and then take it out to be placed into your savings account.

It might take a while for you to fill it, but once you do you might find that you've built up a lot more money in change than you would have thought.

Finding the best deals on everything

When trying to save money, it can be really helpful to find great deals on the things that you buy in your day-to-day life. One of the best ways to do this is to peruse coupons in local newspapers and tabloids, and shop around for your purchases to compare prices and find the best deal on whatever it is that you need.

While it may seem tedious at first, you'll start to notice the savings from comparison shopping and coupon clipping soon enough. This additional money can then be invested into your savings for later use.

Savings from chequeing

Another way to save money is to build up a buffer of sorts in your chequeing account. When you record each purchase in your chequebook, round up the total to the next whole dollar or pound.

This will leave extra change in your account which will build with each purchase... once per month, you should compare your statement to your chequebook balance, and balance the books by transferring the difference to your savings.

Getting the most out of your savings

Of course, in order to get the most out of your money it's important to get a savings account that has the highest interest rate that you can find.

Shop around and compare rates offered by different banks so that you can find the best account for you, with the highest interest rate that's available.

This will help you to build your savings, too... though it may be just a few cents per month for a while, over time your interest will add up as well.

Paul Rogers writes general finance and loan articles for the Loans UK Online website at http://www.loansukonline.co.uk

By Paul Rogers

Savings accounts are one of the most common types of bank accounts available today. In addition to chequeing accounts, they make up a very significant portion of any bank's business. With that amount of competition, different banks may offer different account features in an attempt to lure in the business of people who are looking to open new accounts. If you've been thinking about opening a new savings account but aren't really sure what sort of features you want or need for the account, then this guide may help you to make your decision.

Below you'll find information on some of the more basic and features of savings accounts so that you'll know what you should be looking for at the core of your savings experience.

Savings and Interest

Obviously, one of the most important features of a savings account is that the account bears interest. At the end of each month, you'll notice a listing for the interest that has been paid on your account statement... this means that you've received that amount in addition to the previous balance of your account, based upon the interest rate that is in effect for your account. The higher your interest rate, the more you're paid each month.

Detailed Statements

As mentioned above, the amount that you're paid in interest is shown on your account statements. In addition, your statements should show all deposits and withdrawals that have occurred since your last statement, the total amount that is in your account, and any fees, fines, or other costs that occurred within the last statement cycle. Any special features of your account should also be listed on your statement.

Account Transfers

Most savings accounts have the capability to perform account transfers, meaning that you can have money in your account sent to another account that either you or someone else owns and the savings account can receive transfers in this same manner. This is especially useful if you have several different accounts and are wanting to use a portion of your savings to help pay for something that is being processed through another account.

Links to Chequeing

An increasingly common feature of savings accounts is the ability to link them to your chequeing account to help prevent overdrafts. If you link your accounts and you later write a cheque that there isn't sufficient funds in your chequeing account to cover, the additional amount is taken out of your savings account and the cheque is still honored instead of being returned to the person whom the cheque was written to. In most cases an overdraft fee or other fine still applies, but it is limited to a one-time only fee and no merchant fees have to be paid.

Online Account Access

A very useful account feature that is offered by many banks is online account access. This enables you to use the internet to access your account information over a secure connection. By using online account access, you can usually check balances, transfer funds from one account to another, see if transactions have processed, and perform many other tasks that you would normally have to visit a bank branch in person to do.

This enables you to free up your time for other activities, since you don't have to visit the bank during normal business hours and can instead perform most banking actions from the comfort of your own home. In many cases, you can even receive electronic bank statements instead of paper ones with online account access. Online features tend to vary from bank to bank, however.

Paul Rogers writes general finance and loan articles for the Loans UK Online website at http://www.loansukonline.co.uk

By Jerry Warner

With the advent of peer-to-peer lending websites such as Prosper.com, it may seem as though a new era in online lending is beginning. As with any loan, however, it's important that you take the time to look into the advantages and disadvantages of this type of loan so as to make sure that you know exactly where your money is coming from and what will be expected of you when it comes time to pay it back. Even though the loan doesn't come from a bank of major lender, a peer-to-peer loan is still a debt and the repayment of such a loan should be considered a serious matter.

Is it right for you?

Before you start looking at whether peer-to-peer lending is right for you, you should first make sure that you understand how this type of lending service works. After creating an account with the lending site, you can either make a listing for a loan that you need or you can search the listings and find loans that you are willing to contribute to.

Loan requesters list the amount that they want to borrow, the interest rates that they're willing to pay, what the loan will be used for, and a little bit about themselves in order to show why they need the money. Loan contributors don't have to supply the full amount of the loan, just the portion that they're willing to pay. Multiple contributors can pay into a single loan, and once the requested amount has been reached then the borrower will have the full loan deposited into their checking or savings account.

Advantages

One of the main advantages of peer-to-peer lending is the fact that it doesn't require a bank or other major lending institution to be involved. The money that you borrow is supplied by private individuals just like yourself, who fund part or all of your loan and who receive interest from your loan payments. Of course, you don't have to have direct contact with any of the individuals who contribute to your loan... the peer-to-peer lending service acts as a proxy, with the site handling all loan payments with direct deposits and withdrawals. This is how multiple lenders can be used to fill your loan needs, with the payments that are automatically withdrawn from your bank account being divided up among them each month.

It's even possible to make money through a peer-to-peer lending service, provided that you have the money to invest into it. You'll be making interest on any money that you lend, minus any service fees that are taken out by the service itself. Unfortunately, unless you have a decent amount that you're able to invest into funding loans the amount that you make likely won't be significant.

Disadvantages

This type of lending isn't without its disadvantages, however. Since the money that you borrow isn't supplied by a bank or other federally-insured lender, in the rare event that there was some problem then you may not be able to recover your losses. Additionally, if you aren't able to get enough people willing to invest in your loan then you might not be able to receive the entire amount that you need.

Because of the different advantages and disadvantages, peer-to-peer lending isn't right for everyone. Some people may have good experiences with this sort of loan, especially if they are only wanting to borrow a small amount or haven't been able to get a loan elsewhere. Those individuals who have better credit or who have equity that they can use to secure a loan would likely be better served with a more traditional loan, however.

Jerry Warner writes general finance and loan articles for the Bad Credit Loans Online website at http://www.badcreditloansonline.co.uk

By Jerry Warner

Interest rates are an important part of any loan or credit line. The interest rate that you have on your loan, credit card, or other credit line can seriously affect the total amount that you pay toward repayment; after all, that's how lenders make their money.

All interest rates are not the same, however... some rates will fluctuate over time as local and national interest rates change, whereas others are set at a certain level and remain at that level until the loan or credit line is repaid in full. Below you'll find information on the latter type, which are known as fixed interest rates.

Defining Fixed Interest Rates

A fixed interest rate is one that remains at a specific rate regardless of the increases and decreases of interest rates locally and nationally. This means that if an interest rate is fixed at 10%, it will remain at 10% until the loan or credit line has been paid off whether other rates increase to 20% or drop down to 5%. These rates are sometimes offered for an introductory period to add security to a new loan or credit card, after which the interest rate reverts to a variable rate meaning that it fluctuates with the increases and decreases of other rates.

Advantages

Obviously, the main advantage of a fixed interest rate is that you can guarantee your interest rate against future increases. This is especially useful in situations where you find a particularly good interest rate and manage to lock it in as a fixed rate. No matter what increases come while you're making your payments, you still maintain your good interest rate.

Another advantage of a fixed interest rate is the fact that fixed rates that are used in a promotional manner (as in the case of introductory rates and the like) are usually significantly lower than other rates that are available. Even though introductory fixed rates expire after a time (usually 6 months or 1 year), you still save money on your payments during this time and can take advantage of this to try to get ahead on your payments so that you have fewer payments to make at a higher rate.

Disadvantages

Of course, fixed interest rates aren't without their disadvantages. The major disadvantage of fixed rates is the fact that when interest rates drop below the rate that you are paying, you still have to pay the higher rate. This can be particularly troublesome in the case of mortgages or automotive financing, since interest rates can drop and remain low for relatively long periods of time... meaning that you're having to pay the higher rate until the variable rates rise again.

Another disadvantage is that when promotional rates end there is usually a much higher variable rate that has to be paid, resulting in a sudden increase in your monthly payment that you might not be expecting... after all, you've been paying the lower rate for a while, and you might have gotten used to the payments.

Where To Find Them?

Fixed interest rates can appear in a variety of places, ranging from automotive financing and mortgage loans to debt consolidation and homeowner loans. They are often used as an introductory rate for automotive financing and credit cards, though some mortgage lenders use them in a promotional manner as well.

The availability of fixed interest rates depends upon the individual lender, so be sure to look into whether they are offered or not before expecting to receive one.

Jerry Warner writes general finance and loan articles for the Bad Credit Loans Online website at http://www.badcreditloansonline.co.uk

By Jerry Warner

Taking a vacation can be an important part of your yearly routine... after all, it's been shown in medical studies that individuals who go on vacation at least once per year not only tend to live happier lives but also may have longer lives as well.

Unfortunately, vacations aren't free; it can sometimes be all that a person can do to scrape together the money to go on their vacation and the person generally comes back to face their various financial problems without the money that they need to repay them. With a little bit of effort throughout the year, however, it is entirely possible to build up a vacation fund without breaking the bank. Below you'll find some suggestions about how you can save up the extra money that you need while keeping the rest of your finances in check.

Yearly savings

One of the easiest ways to save money for a vacation is to do it a little at a time over the course of a year. Find a large container and designate it as the "change" jar, filling it with loose pocket change and the occasional loose bill at the end of every day. Though it may seem like a small amount, after the end of a year you'll find that you've managed to set aside a pretty significant amount of money. Depending upon how much change you have, you might even have to empty the jar once or twice before the year is up!

Make it a family affair

To help make saving for a vacation more enjoyable, get the entire family in on it and make it somewhat of a game. Set up a small savings account to be used for vacation money, and make a note each time a family member sets aside some money to go into the vacation fund. At the end of the year, you might have whoever had put in the most money have a larger say in where you're going for the vacation or perhaps they'll have more spending money allocated to them on a shopping trip.

It's important to make it fun for any children who might be wanting to participate, and make sure that they have a little bit of extra change or other money to put in from time to time so as to give them an above-average chance of winning the grand prize.

Borrowing for a vacation

Though many people might think it to be an unnecessary expense, taking out a loan to pay for vacation expenses is actually a common occurrence. The loan is often a smaller amount and should only be used to subsidize the money that you've saved in other ventures. Taking out a loan can mean the difference between an okay vacation and one that's truly great, so as long as you can afford to repay the loan later you should at least consider looking for a good loan rate.

Reducing vacation expenses

You might also want to consider ways to make your vacation a bit more friendly on your wallet. Plan visits to certain attractions outside of the peak season, or go on theme vacations that involve a lot of sightseeing or camping in order to have a good time without spending a lot of money. Take the time to plan out your vacation in advance, estimating your expenses and cutting unnecessary expenses where possible. Remember that it's a vacation, however, and don't sacrifice a good time for the sake of saving just a little bit of money.

Jerry Warner writes general finance and loan articles for the Bad Credit Loans Online website at http://www.badcreditloansonline.co.uk

By Paul Rogers

Building up a nest egg for your retirement can be a rather important factor in choosing your investments and long-term financial plans... after all, you definitely want to be able to enjoy your retirement years without having to worry about where money is going to come from.

With a variety of retirement plan options available from most employers and private investment firms, it can sometimes be difficult to decide which plan you want... and which one you can afford.

By taking the time to carefully consider your finances and doing a little bit of research, however, it can actually be a much easier process than you might think.

Deciding How Much You Can Afford

Of course, one of the biggest considerations in regards to a retirement plan is whether or not you'll be able to afford it. While it would be nice to be able to invest a large amount into your future, most people have bills and other expenses that keep their finances on a pretty tight leash. Be sure to take into account how much money will be left over after you've deducted the amount for your plan and see if it's enough to pay all of your bills and expenses with enough left over to cover incidentals.

You should base any retirement plan on the percentage of your income you have left over after everything has been paid, so as to make sure that you don't short yourself on some of your more important expenses by picking a high-end retirement plan.

Planning Around Retirement Planning

Being sensible with your retirement plan doesn't mean that you have to settle for the lowest-value plan available. Just as you should take your other expenses into account when determining how much you can afford to put into a retirement plan, you can also factor your retirement plan into some of your other expenses.

You may choose to alter some of your other expenses or downgrade some non-essential services in exchange for a better retirement plan... after all, you can always change things back later if you get more money or if you simply don't like the way that things are working out.

Investigating Retirement Options

Obviously, there are other retirement options than simply the plans that are offered through your employer. Take the time to research other plans that are offered by independent companies or investment firms and see if they might be a better choice for you than a company-sponsored plan.

You might also find that a third-party plan is easier for you to fit into your finances, since you usually can determine how much and when you put into it.

Retirement Planning through Investment

You may decide that you don't want to get a retirement plan at all, but that doesn't mean that you can't set up a nest egg to cash in later. Either by use of long-term deposits such as certificates of deposit or by investing in long-term stocks, you can put in money now for what is hopefully a much larger yield down the road.

Just take care when choosing stocks or bonds, and do your research on long-term deposits to make sure that you get the best interest rate that you can... this way, you'll have enough to fall back on when you reach retirement age without having to invest in a retirement plan while you're working.

Paul Rogers writes general finance and loan articles for the Loans UK Online website at http://www.loansukonline.co.uk

By Bill Stone

Every country that has a banking and finance system needs some sort of entity to regulate it... after all, simply allowing banks and financial companies to run independently without any sort of system of checks and balances would almost certainly lead to corruption and disaster. In the UK , the regulatory entity of the financial system is the Financial Services Authority, or the FSA, and is operated independently of the government in an effort to offer a non-governmental control of the financial industry.

History of the FSA

The Financial Services Authority came into being as a result of the Financial Services and Markets Act of 2000. The first step in the creation of this act was the merger of banking supervision and investment services regulation into an organization known as the Securities and Investment Board, or SIB, in 1997. In October of 1997, the SIB formally changed its name to the Financial Services Authority, and the responsibility for banking supervision was transferred to the FSA from the Bank of England a year later. In May of 2000, the FSA took over the role of the UK listings authority from the London Stock Exchange.

When the Financial Services and Markets Act went into effect in 2001, several other financial services were merged into the FSA and additional responsibilities were granted to the organization (such as the ability to take action to prevent market abuse.) In 2004, the FSA was granted the abilities of mortgage regulation following a decision by the Treasury, and in January of 2005 the FSA took over regulation of the general insurance business to implement the Insurance Mediation Directive.

What the FSA Does

In short, the Financial Services Authority is in charge of monitoring and regulating all of the financial transactions and stock market exchanges within the UK . They also maintain websites that detail how individuals and businesses within the UK can improve their financial capability, as well as upholding the rules of trade in regards to finances and securities when dealing with other countries or political unions. The FSA is also in charge of monitoring securities exchanges within the UK , and taking steps to actively avoid market fraud and illegal trade.

How the FSA Operates

The Financial Services Authority is an open company, limited by guarantee and financed by the financial services industry itself. The FSA is run by the FSA Board, which consists of a Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, three Managing Directors, and ten Non-Executive Directors, one of whom serves as the Deputy Chairman who is the lead non-executive member. Overall policy is decided upon and set by the Board as a whole, though day-to-day operations and staff management is performed by the CEO.

FSA Board Accountability

The FSA Board is appointed by the Treasury, and though it is not a government agency in and of itself it is accountable for its actions to the government and must report to the Ministers of the Treasury. Because of this, great care is taken in the choosing of new Board members should one retire of leave the Board.

Due to the nature of the FSA and the influence that it has upon the economy of the UK, the Board is also accountable to Parliament through its dealings with the Treasury, and any indiscretions on the part of Board members will be dealt with accordingly either by the rest of the Board, the Ministry of the Treasury, or Parliament itself.

Bill Stone writes for Direct Online Loans who help homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.

By Paul Parker

If you've ever found yourself trying desperately to manage your own finances, you'll likely admit that it's not as easy as it might first sound. Often, the best course of action when it comes to taking care of your own personal finances or those of your business is to hire an accountant to crunch the numbers and do much of the finance work for you.

Of course, you may be wanting to hire an accountant but simply aren't sure where you should begin looking, or don't know how to find a good accountant. If this is the case, then the information below should help you along the way to finding the accountant you need either for your own personal finances or for those of your business.

Where to Look

The first step to finding an accountant is to know where to look for one. Most public and business accountants will be listed in local telephone directories, and will likely also have their services listed online. You might also be able to find an accountant in your area by requesting information from a local chamber of commerce or similar organization, taking the time to search the financial pages of local newspapers or tabloids for advertisements that local accountants might place, or finding and contacting a business review board in your area and requesting information that they might have on local accountants.

What You Should Look for

Of course, not all accountants are created equal. You want to find the best person to handle your finances that you can, so it's important to take a little bit of extra time and find the accountant that will serve you the best. Ask for recommendations, and take a few moments to check them. Request to see the credentials of the accountant that you're considering, and find out how long they've been in business. You should also check to see exactly what services they offer... if nothing else, you may be able to get a discount on additional services such as tax preparation or business earnings reporting.

Make sure that the accountant that you hire is someone that you feel that you can put your trust in, and take the time to keep searching until you find the accountant that will serve you and your financial interests best.

Personal Finances vs. Business Finances

A brief note should be made noting that your search for an accountant may be slightly different depending upon whether the reason that you're looking for an accountant is because of your personal finances or for the financial needs of your business. The duties of a personal accountant will generally be less than those of one that is hired for business reasons, and you should make sure that a business accountant is familiar with the tax laws that will affect your business as well as the unique financial needs of businesses in your area.

In most cases it is perfectly acceptable to hire a single accountant to take care of both your personal assets and your business finances, though there are some cases where it is more feasible to hire a separate individual for each purpose. Regardless of which you choose to do, make sure that you've taken the time to investigate your options and that you are confident that you've found the right person for the job.

Paul Parker writes finance and loan articles for the Secured Loans UK Online website at http://www.securedloansukonline.co.uk

By Paul Parker

Many people are unsure about doing business online, due to the various news reports that they have seen about hackers and identity theft. In most cases, however, there is nothing to fear from buying and selling products online because of the cutting-edge security features that most online retailers and auction websites employ to keep your financial information safe and secure.

Should you still find yourself a bit hesitant to use the internet for your shopping needs, this article is designed to let you know about some of the features of e-commerce and how it can help you in your daily life.

Online Security

Given that the news media tends to focus only on the negative stories that it receives, it may seem like the internet is an insecure venue for purchases and payments. The truth, however, is that millions of transactions occur over the internet every day and that most instances of the theft of either identity or financial information happen offline or because of e-mail scams. Financial and personal information that is transmitted to an online store is encrypted using advanced security programming, only being decoded by the same program once it reaches the retailer that it was sent to. It would be practically impossible for any information that is sent via an encrypted communication to be either intercepted or decoded by any third party.

Improved Selection

Online stores aren't limited to the shelf space available or the number of products that they can keep in stock in the back room. Many online retailers will have several different warehouses in various locations, each stocked with a much larger inventory than would be possible to keep on stock in a standard retail store. This means that you'll be able to find items online that you would have to search hard to find in a physical store... and there would be no guarantee that it would be in stock if you did find a store that carried it. With online retailers, should a particular item be out of stock then there's a good chance that they'll be able to restock it within a few days and then ship it on its way to you.

Ease of Ordering

One advantage of using the internet to shop is that the ordering process is greatly improved over any catalogue system. Instead of having to fill out order forms and attach a separate payment, most online retailers allow you to simply click on the items that you wish to purchase and then process your payment online via a secure shopping cart. This can not only speed up your ability to order the things that you want, but the retailer receives your order faster and is able to process it faster as well. In many cases, a shipping manifest is created for the retailer to improve the packaging and shipping process so that they can get the items that you've ordered on their way to you that much faster.

Online Payments

Online payments can greatly speed up the process of getting your order from the seller to you. E-cheques process your cheque payment electronically (in much the same manner that modern cheque-reading equipment does), and credit card processing can authorize your purchase in a matter of moments. Additionally, online payment companies such as PayPal and Amazon.com Payments allow you to use them as an intermediary for the sending and receiving of payments should you not wish to transfer the funds directly from your accounts.

Paul Parker writes finance and loan articles for the Secured Loans UK Online website at http://www.securedloansukonline.co.uk

By Bill Stone

Finding the money that you need to take care of unexpected situations can be difficult; many people are unprepared for the unexpected, and sudden changes in their lives can create debts that they can't easily recover from. In order to be prepared for unexpected situations that may arise, financial experts recommend that individuals create an emergency fund that contains at least the amount that the individual requires to get by for a period of two months. Of course, most people have difficulty maintaining that much of a build up... if they attain it at all.

There are a variety of methods that can be used to help you build an emergency fund, however; several of the most common are listed below so as to help you in creating your own fund to better prepare you for the unexpected.

Certificates of Deposit

A common way to try to build up an emergency fund is the use of shorter-term certificates of deposit. Individuals can put the amount that they have built up through other means into six month or one year certificates, using the penalties for early withdrawal as an incentive to not cash them out until after their maturity.

Once the certificate has matured and the interest has been collected, the individual can then either transfer the amount into a savings account or they can put it back into another shorter-term certificate. As time goes by, the additional interest will help to build up the emergency fund aided by any additional deposits that the individual makes into the fund.

Rounding Up Cheques

Another method of building up an emergency fund involves rounding up written cheques to the next highest whole amount, thus leaving a small amount in your cheque account that isn't accounted for in the cheque ledger. Though each cheque written will only yield a small amount of "hidden" funds, as more cheques are written that amount will continue to grow.

At the end of each month, you should inquire as to the actual balance of your cheque account and transfer the difference between your actual balance and the balance listed in your ledger into your savings account. This method can help to build funds especially well if it is combined with other methods as well.

Building a Buffer with Pay Raises

When you receive a pay raise, it can be a great opportunity to begin putting aside savings in order to build an emergency fund. Instead of using all of your payroll cheque, calculate the amount of it that is from the pay raise and deposit that amount into your savings for your emergency fund. Since this is an additional amount to what you were used to previously, it shouldn't be as difficult to set it aside instead of using it directly.

Once you've built up the balance in your savings account, you can later begin putting your raise amount into your cheque account or dividing it between cheque and savings accounts.

Putting Pocket Change to Work

One method of building an emergency savings that is often overlooked is the pocket change that you have left over at the end of the day. By designating a container for collecting your change and spare small bills, you can slowly build up a significant amount in much the same manner that you would if you were rounding up cheques that you write.

You can deposit the contents of your change container either once per month or whenever the container gets full. Like all of the methods above, this can work best when combined with other methods.

Bill Stone writes for Direct Online Loans who help homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.

By Paul Parker

When taking out a loan, finding the lender that offers the best interest rates is a very important step. Depending upon the loan that you're applying for, however, you might find that you have to make certain decisions before you can determine which loan offer really has the best rate. One of these important decisions that you might have to make is whether or not you want to have your interest at a fixed rate or at a variable rate.

Fixed and variable rates are most common when dealing with mortgage loans, though there are other types of loans that offer both types of interest as well. If you're not sure which type of interest would be best for you, or what the main differences are between the two types, then the information presented below might help you to make an important decision concerning your next loan.

Fixed

Fixed interest rates are rates which will not fluctuate as time goes by, regardless of how much national interest rates may rise or fall. They are often used as part of a promotion, with low introductory fixed rates being replaced by either variable rates or a higher fixed rate after six months or more have passed. Generally, the only way to change a fixed interest rate is to refinance the loan and get either a lower fixed rate or a variable rate on the new loan agreement.

Variable

Unlike fixed rates, variable rates fluctuate in response to changes in national rates. When national rates increase, a variable rate loan will also increase... but when national rates decrease, the variable rate will do the same. Variable rates are the most common type of interest rate, and are generally used for small loans, credit cards, and many other types of debts. It can be difficult to predict exactly how much you will pay in total with variable rates, but if national interest rates stay low then you may end up paying much less than originally estimated.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Fixed Rates

Fixed rates have several advantages and disadvantages, and may or may not be right for you and your loan needs. They provide security against increases in national rates, meaning that you might end up paying a much lower rate if you've locked in a lower fixed rate than the current national rate. If national rates fall, however, you may end up paying more than you would with a variable rate. Promotional fixed rates are generally set low, but as they only last for a limited amount of time you might end up paying a much higher rate once they expire. Fixed rates can make budgeting easier, however, due to the fact that all payments should be for the exact same amount.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Variable Rates

Like fixed rates, variable rates have their own advantages and disadvantages. While they can occasionally lead to lower interest rates than their fixed counterparts, the fluctuations of national rates will generally bring them up again before you've finished repaying the loan. Variable rates can sometimes grow to several times the rate you were originally paying in a matter of months, though there is always the possibility of having just as sharp of a drop as well. With variable rates most loans will have the same monthly payments, though the number of payments may be extended or the final payment may be a different amount due to the fluctuating interest that has been accrued over the loan term.

Paul Parker writes finance and loan articles for the Secured Loans UK Online website at http://www.securedloansukonline.co.uk

By Bill Stone

Having a bank that meets all of your financial needs is an asset that many people don't appreciate. If you have a bank that doesn't meet all of your needs, however, it's pretty easy to tell. In order to get the most out of your bank, you may need to investigate the services that your current bank offers, or you might have to find a new bank entirely that offers the services that you need.

Here are a few tips to help you to find out which financial services your bank offers, to help you find a new bank if your current bank simply doesn't offer the services to meet your needs, and to help you take advantage of special offers and account features so as to get the most out of your banking experience.

Explore the Options Your Bank Offers

The first thing that you should do in order to make sure that you're getting the most out of your bank is to explore the features that your bank offers in order to make sure that they meet your needs. Request information from your local branch office on all of the account options and features that the bank currently offers, taking them home to read over them at your leisure and determine whether or not you're missing out on certain advanced account features.

When reading the information, be sure to look out for any common features that you've heard advertised to see if your bank currently offers them... you should also be on the lookout for any features that are offered free of charge that you currently do not use, or any that are offered free elsewhere that your bank currently charges for.

Shop Around to Find the Right Bank

Should the services that your bank offers not meet your expectations or needs, you might want to consider shopping around at other banks in the area in order to find a bank that does offer the features that you want. This doesn't mean that you should close your current accounts right away, or at all... many individuals will keep accounts at several different banks so as to keep their money separated for different purposes.

Request the account features that different banks offer, comparing them to each other and to your current bank, so as to find the local bank that best meets your current needs.

Take Advantage of Special Offers

Many banks will have special promotional offers for new customers, or have special deals that they offer current customers in appreciation of their continued business. In both cases the offer is usually a temporary one, as is the case with most promotional interest rates or special account features. However, even a temporary interest rate or promotional account feature can save you some money for the term of the promotion, so it's well worth the time to investigate the offer further to see if it's worth it.

You should be aware of services that are free during the promotional period and that are charged for later... if it's not a useful feature, you need to make sure that you cancel it before you begin to get charged for it.

Online Account Management

One useful tool that many people don't take full advantage of is online account access and account management. The online tools may allow you to check balances, transfer funds from one account to another, or even pay bills directly from your account... it largely depends upon your bank and the specific features that they offer.

Bill Stone writes for Direct Online Loans who help homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.

By Paul Parker

If you've ever wondered exactly how it is that modern banking originated, you're not alone. Though many of the practices of modern banking have come about only within the past one hundred years (or less), some of the early basis for modern banking can be traced back to the Middle Ages and before.

Below you'll find some basic information on some of the origins of banking, from the early days of the barter system and the banks of the old empires to the moneylenders of the Middle Ages, as well as some of the more recent developments that have evolved into the modern banking system that we know and use today.

In the Beginning

As some form of banking has existed for most of written history, there isn't very much information available about what life was like before banking of any form existed.

Most likely there was a barter system of some sort in place, where individuals traded goods and services for other goods and services without an official currency or exchange rate set. Variations of the barter system continue to exist today, though it is nowhere near as widely used as it was as little as 50 years ago.

Early Origins

As early as the days of ancient Greece and Rome there was evidence of at least a rudimentary banking system in place. Coins were minted bearing the likenesses of emperors and other rulers, and goods and services were paid for using these coins in addition to standard barter.

Tribute was also paid to rulers in coins as well as goods and services, and these transactions were recorded by financial officers within the palace or government. Unfortunately, the value of currency and the currency that could be used often varied from ruler to ruler and emperor to emperor... especially in cases where one ruler was overthrown by another and the previous ruler's coins were rendered useless.

Middle Ages

By the time the Middle Ages came around, banking had evolved into a more stable form in the guise of moneylenders. These individuals would set up a table or bench in marketplaces, offering loans with interest much like modern banks. Unlike modern banks, however, many of the moneylenders were corrupt and sought only to make as much profit as possible from those who needed their services.

Competition between moneylenders could be fierce, as well... after all, there was only so much of a market for their services to go around. Moneylenders who failed in their business efforts often broke apart their bench (known as a "banca"), and it is from them that we get both the word "bank" (from the benches they did business on) and "bankrupt from the breaking apart of their benches.

Modern Methods

Obviously, banking has come quite a way from the corrupt moneylenders of the Middle Ages. Banks are now regulated by the government on a national level and are watched by a variety of groups to ensure that their practices are just. There are also a variety of account types and banking services that have evolved from the original loans offered by moneylenders... savings, cheques, and even money market and investment accounts. The advent of the internet has added even more banking services, and account access to a level that has never been seen before.

Paul Parker writes finance and loan articles for the Secured Loans UK Online website at http://www.securedloansukonline.co.uk

By Michael Ullman

Police auctions and sheriffs sales are one of those things many people have heard of, but few are familiar with. You might have heard one of your friends or family members mention police auctions in passing, or read something about them in the local paper, but haven't given them much thought. What are police auctions, and how do they work? Where are they held and how can you attend one? Police auctions are held periodically, so it's not like you can just go to the local department and demand to see what's for auction.

To find out when a particular police auction is being held in your area, just visit your local police department's website and search for auctions or surplus auctions. Every state and local government website should have their auction times and locations listed somewhere on the site. It just takes a little bit of searching to find it. When you do, the website should have a way to contact whoever's in charge of the auction. If the website doesn't list the time or location, contact them and see when and where it is.

The types of goods you'll find at local police auctions are automobiles, jewelry, collectibles, furniture; almost anything you can think of that someone would own. Think of a police auction or sheriffs sale as a real life eBay auction, except cheaper. Since the property was seized, the government hasn't spent any money purchasing those items and can thus sell them for anything they can get. Like government auctions in general, they're truly a great way to find outstanding bargains.

However, you need to be prepared for other people wanting the items you want too. Since the property is so cheap, you can expect many other people will be lining up to get their grubby little hands on it. If you're not willing to spend the money necessary to bid competitively obtaining these items, then don't go to a police auction. It's that simple.

Police auctions can be wonderful resources if you want high-valued items for very cheap prices. If you think you could benefit from attending a police auction, find some local listings in the newspaper, or go through one of the government auction membership sites (you can find these sites by doing a Google search, or through one of the review sites like Government Auction Site Reviews at http://www.governmentauctionsitereviews.com). Like all things though, you need to research and be prepared for what you might experience there.

Mr. Ullman blogs about Government Auctions, Police Auctions, and Sheriffs Sales, and Reviews Government Auction Membership Sites at: Government Auction Site Reviews

By Jitesh Arora

Traditionally, life insurance contracts have been associated with the high class elite segment of society sign it as a guaranteed insurance of their business and estate security. Overtime, this hitherto so-called "no go" area is becoming attractive to members of the middle and lower class bracket sections of our society. It has thus become imperative to restructure the conventional insurance scheme in order for it to work for everybody irrespective of income status. This ushered in the new brainstorming that was engendered in the insurance industry; eventually bringing unto the market various insurance scheme options now on offer for the choice of their clients.

Many people are caught up in a confusing crossroad when it comes to the choice of the right life insurance policy program. Most often than not, these misgivings are founded on legitimate fears. In any case making a good insurance decision is as easy as making a bad one. In addition, the hurdle of making premium and periodic payments does not fall within the comfort zone of some segments of our societies.

To address this anomaly, a new policy on premium financing is currently in place, to ensure both functional vibrancy and efficient service delivery. The main feature of the policy is that senior fellows can receive life insurance coverage without recourse to the payment of monthly premiums. The policy will particularly favor patrons with above average net-worth in tangible asset ownership.

How does the system operate? The premium financing company carries out the mandate of funding the insurance package of their clients. The simple mathematics here is that, the beneficiary of the life insurance package does not necessarily have to sell off assets in order to make up for the premium requirements.

Granted you entertain the feeling that the cost of your current insurance scheme does not commensurate your expectations, then you are welcome to consider switching to premium financing life insurance policy. You stand to gain unlimited access to long term support, you also can maintain your physical assets without necessarily having to dispose them off in order to be insured.

If you want to know more about Premium Financing then feel free to visit Life Settlements.

By Priya Sinha

For some the word "derivative" is synonymous with everything that is wrong with capital markets, trading for trading sake, rampant profiteering, nothing to do with the financial needs of real people. These are a few of the charges ranged against the financial derivative but is that a fair reflection or is there a softer side to this apparently irredeemable beast.

The origins of derivative contracts do indeed begin with meeting the needs of ordinary folks. Farmers in the Mid-west in the mid 1800's were faced with financial ruin due to severe fluctuations in the price of corn. By the time they had paid for seed corn plus the expense of growing it and harvesting it they faced the probability of having to sell it for a loss. The simple idea of agreeing a fixed price in the future that locked in a guaranteed profit for the farmer was in fact the birth of modern financial markets with the first corn contracts being offered on the Chicago Board of Trade on March 13, 1851. Of course in order to allow the farmers to hedge the price of corn there needed to be someone willing to offer a fixed price in the future - enter the speculator. A simple and obvious fact over-looked by those who wish to denounce market forces is that there can be no hedgers without speculators.

Remarkably, however, more than one hundred years would pass before the concept of a forward hedge would translate from farming needs and commodities trading into the financial markets proper. The International Monetary Market (IMM) offered the world's first foreign exchange futures contract on 31st December 1974. Once again the emergence of these early derivative contracts arising from a need to stabilize foreign exchange fluctuations as the post world war II international monetary agreement known as Bretton Woods broke down.

As each new layer of abstraction built upon previous layers the world of derivatives trading grew to encompass more and more aspects of the financial markets. For example, futures on interest rates were added to the already existing currency futures and futures on gold with the establishment of futures on U.S. Treasury bills in January 1976.

In the last 30 years the trend has continued with ever increasing complexity. Options on Futures by the early 1980's, followed by over-the-counter swaps and options in the mid 1980's and continuing with credit derivatives in the 1990's and insurance derivatives in the early 2000's.

What began as a simple means of hedging the price of corn has become a global market that trades trillions of dollars per day. The interactions and correlations between markets that were once considered separate are today closely connected,with price shocks rippling from one market to another. The development of computer systems has been the single most important "enzyme" without which it would simply not have been possible for markets to grow.

Ironically, it is now the inability of computer systems for risk management to keep pace with the markets that is holding back further development. The IT systems landscape within most investment banks is now highly complex with many different systems interacting in ways that are difficult for a human being to understand. Armies of software specialists and consultants maintain fragile systems; "if it ain't broke don't fix it" being the mantra of many. But a nest of vipers lies hidden, a tangled web of fragmented and fragile interconnections that means trading firms are vulnerable to substantial losses due to potential system failures. Operational risk within IT systems has the potential to bring about collapse of the entire firm. The time has come for many banks to face up to this problem and tackle it at the grass roots level. Instead of adding more and more patches onto existing systems, radical investment is needed to clean up and bring a structured, well architected systems landscape into being.

cKlear is an IT products and services company specializing in trading and risk management software systems and services.

By Mark Charnet

Hello Neighbors. This title quote comes from none other than General George S. Patton who was known for his quotes and determination to win at all costs. "If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking", is another General Patton saying.

Let me quote a few more: "Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity." "You're never beaten until you admit it." "Always do everything you ask of those you command." "People who are not themselves are nobody." "Prepare for the unknown by studying how others in the past have coped with the unforeseeable and the unpredictable." "If a man has done his best, what else is there?" "You need to overcome the tug of people against you as you reach for high goals." "I don't measure a man's success by how high he climbs, but how high he bounces when he hits bottom." "A good plan violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan executed next week." And one of my favorites: "Take calculated risks. That is quite different from being rash. My personal belief is that if you have a 50% chance, take it!"

Can we apply these General George S. Patton philosophies to the battle fields of Retirement and Estate Planning? I would vote an enthusiastic YES! Whether a person is 19 or 92, or somewhere in between, the Patton approach applied to portfolio management may be an interesting discipline. It refers to past performance of others as an indicator of behavior in similar experiences. This might mean to study the historical decisions of Warren Buffet, the world's wealthiest investment advisor, to see how he acted and reacted during specific market cycles and environments and emulate his moves yourself.

If everyone is thinking alike and selling-off positions, perhaps it's more follow the leader instead of blazing a new trail or perhaps buying some of the positions they are selling. If I make a bad business or financial decision, I'm not beaten, just advancing in the wrong direction, which, can easily be corrected. General Patton says, "if you have a 50% chance take it," to me this means; be an investor in the stock market not a saver, as the historical long-term performance of the stock market out-performed other asset classes better than 50% of the time! Give your money to the portfolio managers NOW to manage and give them ample time to get the job done without canceling or swapping funds chasing the highest past performance figures. This statement coincides with General Patton's sayings of, "A good plan violently executed.... and "Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way."

We can create a metaphor between global stock markets and the battlefield of Patton's era, especially during these turbulent economic times. Strategy is involved, risk of loss of supplies, equipment and loss of life. If it were possible, it would be fascinating to see Patton's portfolio, first, to see what percentage was in stocks and second, which stocks they were. Did he command his portfolio the way he commanded his troops. Did he follow the philosophies he espoused above? Wouldn't it be interesting to see what performance his philosophies, when applied to the stock selection process, generated in total return?

In crafting your battle plan for your portfolio, be sure to have a front line of offense (disposable and discretionary dollars). Calculate acceptable losses. Have multiple plans of attack (value stocks, growth stocks, large cap, mid cap and small cap stocks, domestic and foreign issues too) and a plan for retreat in case the battle goes against you (the ability to move into safer alternatives, perhaps bonds and fixed principal investments). Have reinforcements ready to spring into action when the market is down (ready cash for buying opportunities) and your Medics and MASH units nearby to take on casualties (long-term-care, life liability and health insurance). Finally, have a nuclear deterrent to intimidate the opposition (a quality variable annuity with a living benefit rider that provides principal protection and lifetime income even when the markets are falling ).

Yes, investing in stocks today can very easily be compared to a battle. Even more interesting is some of the nations Patton and his fellow Generals were fighting now represent fabulous growth stock opportunities for investors such as Russia, Japan and Germany. I wonder what he would say about that?

Interested in comparing portfolio battle plans? Just give me a call for a no obligation appointment and bring in your plan and I'll show you mine - The Trinity Method of Investingฉ; no enlistment necessary - call today!

Mark Charnet is President and Founder of American Prosperity Group. APG is the Premier Retirement and Estate Planning Franchise in the United States. Mr. Charnet has over a quarter of a century of experience in the Retirement and Estate Planning fields. Mark encourages your inquiries and can be reached at: 973-831-4424 or via email, markcharnet@1APG.com Interested in a career in retirement and estate planning? Check out this website: http://www.APGFranchise.com

fGuarantee is based on the claims paying ability of the insurance company. A variable annuity is a long-term investment vehicle designed specifically for retirement. While they are subject to market risk and fluctuation in account value, they may also offer several optional protection features not found in other investment vehicles. Securities and Advisory Services offered through BCG Securities, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC and a Registered Investment Advisor. APG & BCG are separate and unrelated companies. ฉ APG April, 2008

By Bill Stone

If you've ever invested in the stock market or held certain other types of investments, you might already be familiar with the concept of dividends. Even those people who have made investments that paid dividends may still be a little confused as to exactly what they are, however... after all, just because a person has received a dividend payment doesn't mean that they fully appreciate where the payment is coming from and what its purpose is.

If you have ever found yourself wondering exactly what dividends are and why they're issued, then the information below might just be what you've been looking for.

What Are They?

Dividends are payments made by companies to their stockholders in order to share a portion of the profits from a particular quarter or year. The amount that any particular stockholder receives is dependent upon how many shares of stock they own and how much the total amount being divided up among the stockholders amounts to. This means that after a particularly profitable quarter a company might set aside a lump sum to be divided up amongst all of their stockholders, though each individual share might be worth only a very small amount potentially fractions of a cent, depending upon the total number of shares issued and the total amount being divided. Individuals who own large amounts of stock receive much more from the dividends than those who own only a little, but the total per-share amount is usually the same.

When Are They Paid?

How often dividends are paid can vary from one company to the next, but in general they are paid whenever the company reports a profit. Since most companies are required to report their profits or losses quarterly, this means that most of them have the potential to pay dividends up to four times each year. Some companies pay dividends more often than this, however, and others may pay only once per year. The more time there is between dividend payments can indicate financial and profit problems within a company, but if the company simply chooses to pay all of their dividends at once it may also lead to higher per-share payments on those dividends.

Why Are They Paid?

Dividends are paid by companies as a method of sharing their profitable times with the stockholders that have faith in the company, as well as a way of luring other investors into purchasing stock in the company that is paying the dividends. The more a particular company pays in dividend payments, the more likely it is to sell additional common stock... after all, if the company is well-known for high dividend payments then more people will want to get in on the action. This can actually lead to increases in stock price and additional profit for the company which can result in even more dividend payments.

Getting the Most Benefit

In order to get the most out of the dividends that you receive on your investments, it is generally recommended that you reinvest the dividends into the companies that pay them. While this may seem as though you're simply giving them their money back, you're receiving additional shares of the company's stock in exchange for the dividend. This will increase future dividend payments (since they're based upon how much stock that you own), and can set you up to make a lot more money than the actual dividend payment was for since increases in stock prices will affect the newly-purchased stock as well.

Bill Stone writes for Direct Online Loans who help homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.

By Walter Wriston

Everyone from Main Street to Wall Street watches the inflation numbers. If the numbers are going up, we assume the Federal Reserve will take action. With so much riding on the veracity of the numbers, it was vital that a full review of their accuracy be instituted.

Accordingly, a Congressional Advisory Commission on the consumer price index (CPI), chaired by Michael Boskin, was formed. After study, the commission reported that the CPI overstated the change in the cost of living by about 1.1 percentage points per year. This number seems small, but compounded over time, the effects are enormous. For example, instead of falling 13 percent, real hourly wages actually rose by 13 percent from 1973 to 1995.

With about one-third of federal budget overlays indexed to the cost of living, as are income-tax brackets, the distortion between the numbers reported and the real world is huge.

Many analysts also look at a nation's savings rate to predict how its economy will unfold. For Example, a low savings rate may foretell a scarcity of capital that could cramp the growth of the economy, whereas a larger rate portends ample money capital for expansion.

Many commentators have deplored the fact that Americans don't save enough money and that our savings rate is said to be low compared with that of other nations. And although the official numbers seem to confirm this story, it is the way these numbers are put together that assures this result.

Press reports on these numbers often run in juxtaposition to stories reporting that the inflow of money to mutual funds has just hit an all-time high, that the purchase of new homes (many people's principal asset) continues apace, that IRAs and 401Ks are bulging with cash, and that many corporate pension funds are overfunded. All of these events, plus the purchase of consumer durables, represent savings by Americans and constitute a direct disconnect from the official savings number that is derived by computing savings as the proportion of disposable income individuals set aside.

Measurement in the private sector is hardly any better. The industrial age that spawned our accounting rules had hard assets-things that you can touch and count, such as buildings, factories, and inventory. In the new economy, intellectual capital is far more important that money capital, but so far it goes mostly uncounted in the balance sheets of our corporations because it is largely ignored by the writers of accounting standards. Examples abound, but to cite just one, the value of patents is nowhere to be seen on our corporate balance sheets. This is not a trivial number.

The American accounting profession has now produced 5,000 pages of accounting rules, but Robert Elliott, a partner of KPMG, pointed out, "At best, today's financial statements are an obsolete product. Relatively unchanged over the last 100 years, financial statements were designed to describe industrial-era assets: inventory, machinery, buildings, and land. Post-industrial enterprises run on intangible assets, capacity for innovation, and human resources... Yet non of these appear on the balance sheet."

Today there is a debate among the various accounting authorities of the world about how to handle "goodwill." One school of thought holds that it should be written off against the earnings, which is another way of saying intellectual capital or the worth of a brand name like Citibank or Coca-Cola has no value. On the other side of the debate is the marketplace, and the verdict of the market is loud and clear. Microsoft, for example, which has trivial fixed assets, has a cap exceeding that of the three big automobile companies put together. This being slow, it becomes increasingly hard to argue that intellectual capital has no value.

The old guard will say that this view is just a way of measuring hot air and not real assets, even though many of the so-called real assets are rusted hulks in the scrap heaps of history while the films based on intellectual capital, such as AOL, are propelling companies into the new economy.

As bad data produces bad results, both the public and the private sectors are in need of new metrics for a new economy. So far, there has been little progress in this direction, as there is a huge vested interest in the familiar and the known. But reality is beginning to sink in, and there are scattered efforts to come to grips with the need for new metrics.

There is no doubt that an essential factor in the Industrial Revolution was the use of accounting to permit the management of huge corporations, but the old rules measure yesterday and usually only a point in time.

Today, investors and credit grantors want, need and can get an almost constant stream of useful information. Audited financial statements have their place in the stream of data, but the current accounting rules now prevent a company from publishing a cash-flow-per-share number, data that many managers believe is vital in running a business. As Elliot observes, "Financial statements are assembly-line Model T's when it is needed are instruments designed to client-specific management criteria and performance indicators, such as measures of customer satisfaction, product and process quality, innovation, new technology skills, and global business know-how."

The pace of change is so swift that no bureaucracy, public or private, can keep up. Only now are efforts in both public and private sectors beginning to attack the problem of metrics to measure the economy.

Walter B. Wriston was a banker and former chairman of Citicorp. An expert on commercial banking, Mr. Wriston wrote and spoke widely on topics relating to finance, banking, technology, and international business. He was a Director of ICOS Corporation, Cygnus, Inc. and Vion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. He was Chairman of President Reagan's Economic Policy Advisory Board, a member and former Chairman of The Business Council, and a former co-Chairman and Policy committee member of the Business Roundtable. He was a Trustee of the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, a Life Governor of New York Presbyterian Hospital and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

For more about the foundation for this article, visit: http://www.walterwriston.com

By Bill Stone

The time may come when you find your finances are getting beyond your control... maybe your bills are piling up, or perhaps you just find that you aren't sure which financial decisions to make. In either case, you might find some benefit from visiting a financial consultant and getting them to assist you in taking control of your financial life once again. While a financial consultant won't be able to take care of all of your financial problems or advise you on all matters, those that they can offer assistance or advice for are well worth it.

If you think that you might consider utilizing a financial consultant, then the information provided below should shed a little more light on this profession and help you to decide whether this is what you need.

Advice

As the title implies, a financial consultant is an individual who offers you advice on a variety of financial matters. This can mean that they assist you with budgeting your money more successfully so that you have more available for what you need, or they might offer suggestions as to wise investments and retirement plans. In general a financial consultant can assist you with several different aspects of finance, and are a good source of information and advice when you seem indecisive about financial issues. Some financial consultants may also offer accounting or brokerage services, depending upon where they are located and if they are appropriately licensed to do so.

Do You Need One?

In order to determine whether or not you need a financial consultant, you should look at the current state of your finances and see how well you are handling them. Do you find yourself constantly worrying about making the right financial decisions? Have you been putting off making certain investments because you're not entirely sure if it's the right one for you? Are you worried that you're going to make critical errors when dealing with some of your financial matters? If these questions sound remotely like you, then you might want to consider looking into local financial consulting services. Should you later find that a financial consultant is not for you, you can always stop utilizing their services.

Finding One Locally

In order to find local financial consultants, you should use your telephone directory or your preferred internet search engine and see what options are available in your area in regards to financial consulting firms. It's generally best to hire a financial consultant who lives and works in the same area that you do because they are much more likely to be familiar with the local community and economy than one who does business with you from a distance or online. Just because a financial consultant is in your area doesn't mean that they are the right one for your needs, however... just like with all things relating to finance you should shop around and make sure that you're getting the most for your money and the best financial advice that you can.

Choosing the Right One

Don't be afraid to ask for references or credentials from a prospective financial consultant... they should be glad to give you the information that you want. Compare the experience and references that you receive from several different consultants, and once you decide upon a particular one begin with a trial of their services. If they work well for you, then you can continue working with them; if they aren't right for you and your needs, then you might want to find someone else.

Bill Stone writes for Direct Online Loans who help homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.

By George Mclovin

Many have heard of an FHA home loan but they don't know what it is and how it could help them. If you are interested in buying a home or even in refinancing a home you may want to learn more about this type of loan as it could benefit you. This type of home loan has been around for a long time and has helped many people buy and refinance a home relatively easily.

The FHA Home Loan Explained

An FHA home loan is a loan that is issued by federally qualified lenders but what sets this loan apart from others is that it is a federal assistance mortgage loan. These loans are only offered in the United States and they are a great option for those that do not have the credit or the income to support the typical down payment that is associated with traditional loan programs.

Many people assume that when they get one of these loans that FHA is lending them the money, but this is not the case. When you have one of these loans FHA simply insures that the total mortgage will be paid to the lender if the buyer defaults on the loan. What this means is that a lender can lend money for the purchase or refinance of a home to those with less than perfect credit or those that cannot afford a traditional down payment without worrying that they will lose money if the buyer defaults. If the buyer defaults, the lender will recoup the losses from FHA.

FHA is an acronym for the Federal Housing Administration and the program was started during the Great Depression in the 1930s due to the fact that foreclosure rates were rising and lenders wanted some insurance that they would not lose out if a buyer could not pay on their home. Through this program many people were able to save their homes then, buy homes then, and the trend has continued over time with American's being able to buy homes that they would not have been able to buy otherwise.

There are a lot of benefits of using an FHA loan instead of a traditional loan. Millions of Americans have been able to take advantage of this type of loan program in the past and they are once again becoming very popular as many people looking for homes do not have a substantial down payment and lenders are looking for security due to a fluctuating economy.

While this type of loan is not right for everyone, a great portion of the population will find that there are some very appealing aspects to this type of loan. Before you assume that this is or is not the right type of loan for you, you should do some research and see if your needs, your credit history, and your goals could be met or helped along by this type of loan program. If you aren't sure, you can talk with your mortgage lender to see if you qualify for this type of loan or to see if it would be in your best interest to apply.

To get more information about a FHA home loan and it's differences compared to other loans visit our site at: http://www.refinance.com/