8:57 PM
Choosing The Best And Right Mortgage Broker

Choosing The Best And Right Mortgage Broker

As independent contractors, mortgage brokers match up borrowers with mortgage lenders by analyzing the loans that are currently available to find one that is well-suited to their particular situation. To accomplish this, the one you choose will meet with you to discuss the financial details, your lifestyle and your attitude toward assuming risk. Then they will use their knowledge of the housing market, along with today's dedicated software, to find a home loan that is right for you.

What you should know

A reliable broker will be capable of providing you with relevant options regarding the various loans available at that time and comparing them for you as well. This is essential, because you will need to become familiar with the fees, repayment schedules, interest rates and features of a wide range of loan products simultaneously.

Having your loan approved involves mastering a vast array of information, along with advanced technical skills, to coordinate title searches, appraisals, loan programs and insurance data. Note also that there are many professionals to deal with on every level. Because of this, having your loan approved may actually be based on the contacts your mortgage broker has established over time. With a few years' experience, this professional can take the right steps to expedite your loan request and cut through the proverbial red tape.

What you can do

Note that reputable professionals in the industry belong to organizations such as the National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB) and the local Chamber of Commerce, and this is something you can easily check.. You can also go online to verify their license status in your state and visit some consumer comment websites to determine how well they handle complaints, which are inevitable in the best of circumstances.

At the same time, make a special effort to obtain referrals from people whose opinion you respect, including a real estate agent or tax adviser with a reputation to uphold who conducts a significant amount of business in the area that interests you. When a recommendation is forthcoming, be sure to have the person providing it explain exactly why they feel the way they do. Under pressure, they may decide that they need to pick a name at random rather than ignore your request, and nothing good can come from that.

You can also visit the NAMB's website, where you can search for local members who have complied with the organization's strict code of ethics. Look for a professional who displays the Lending Integrity Seal of Approval, which is a special designation that is not granted to everyone in this group of 8,000 members.

In addition, while you are in the process of obtaining your loan, be sure to keep a written record of all names, times, dates and offers related to it. Place all of this information in a single folder to be used if a dispute arises and your need some kind of proof to support your claim. That should settle the issue in your favor.

12:16 AM
How a Bad Credit Loan Can Help Rebuild Your Finances

How a Bad Credit Loan Can Help Rebuild Your Finances

People can get themselves into bad credit situations through many different events. Some individuals overspend on credit cards while they are in college and find themselves in more debt than what they can pay off in a timely manner. This can easily lead to poor credit scores that make it difficult to get approved for a loan. Other people have lost jobs or have high medical bills or student loans that lead to low credit ratings. No matter what the cause is for a person's low credit score, it is possible to turn the tables and begin building a solid financial future by repairing personal credit ratings.

Bad Credit Loans Provide a Way to a Brighter Financial Future

Taking out a bad credit loan and ordering a prepaid credit card are two options people have to begin repairing their credit rating. If you have found yourself in a desperate financial situation where your credit rating is low and you are unable to get approved for a traditional loan through a bank, a poor credit loan is an option to consider.

While interest rates are sometimes higher on bad credit loans, they can lower over time as you make timely payments. Additionally, when you begin making timely payments, several months in a row, this will show up on your credit report. Making consistent payments on time to a loan company will show other lenders that you have improved your financial responsibility.

A bad credit loan is also an ideal way to get access to instant cash when it is needed. People who have less than perfect credit scores may find they are unable to get approved for a small loan through a traditional lending facility. When a person is in the process of repairing his credit rating, it is sometimes necessary to take out a loan when emergencies arise. Emergencies may include immediate medical expenses, household repair costs, or auto repairs. Being able to get access to a bad credit loan is a good way to get cash instantly for people who do not meet financial criteria through traditional lenders.

Understanding Bad Credit Loans

It is easy to apply for a poor credit loan by filling out an online application. Once the application is submitted, a person then submits required documentation. In most cases, the required documentation typically consists of photo identification, social security number, income statements, and proof of address. Personal and work references are required by some bad credit companies as well.

Once the paperwork has been submitted, you can expect to hear back with an approval response within a few days or less. Many companies respond with an approval within 24 hours of the application submission. It is important to review the loan contract thoroughly before signing it. This will make sure that you fully understand all clauses, potential penalties and applicable interest rates. Making payments on time can help to quickly re-establish your credit rating and put you back on track to a solid financial future.

7:58 PM
Inclusion of Banking Technology for Smart and Guided Growth

Inclusion of Banking Technology for Smart and Guided Growth

Banks, its approaches and its technologies are successfully reaching customers, offering them superior and flexible financing and banking services at the most affordable cost. In fact, banks and financial institutions are evolving with industrial transformation. Today's, new technology has strengthened their plans and enabled them to offer creative solutions and products like loan products, loan products, account packages and much more. Through integrated and collaborated tech-innovation, banks are growing their reach and widening their pragmatic approaches for common people. They are not only benefitting common people, but also the competitive corporate houses in many senses.

From providing different types of account opening services to industrial loans, banks are continuously offering lucrative opportunities to business class. This helps nations to build fiscal muscles and emerge as economic superpowers. This broadly categorized empowerment will also bring collective change in mindsets of societies and convert challenges into lucrative opportunities for businesses. Altogether, all such changes are bringing more discretionary powers to people as well as business sectors. Banks are also playing active role in evolving financial systems, insurance as well as investment products.

One of the most innovative and single-minded developments is branch-less banking. It is a technology excellence that is spreading from urban to rural areas. It is bringing banking facilities to the doorsteps of people and they can access them flexibly and in a secure way. This smart technique is evolving communities, industrial sectors and their way of working.

ATMs are also the result of advancement and growth-centric mindsets. This has truly transformed banks and the concept of contemporary banking. Today, irrespective of the income group, people can access services in a safe way. It is also a cost-effective alternative to going banks. In fact, Kiosks are also the best means of educating people and providing latest developmental information to people. These kiosks are useful in disseminating information about, banking technology, insurance technology, banking technology conferences and agendas.

In essence, banking and finance institutions are driving towards promising and persistent community growth. They are offering unlimited facilities from money-saving, fixed deposits, mutual funds, SMS banking to industrial loans, micro finance and much more. They are channeling their services for public sectors and private sectors in an effective way so that more and more number of people can access them. Through such initiatives they are aiming to ease living standards of people and help nations marching towards financial stability. All these symbolic initiatives will bring sustainable changes in economic infrastructure, corporate governance as well as inculcate more strength into the system.

9:37 PM
Cyprus Financial Crisis - The Conspiracy Theory

Cyprus Financial Crisis - The Conspiracy Theory

Most commentators agree that the Greek Republic of Cyrus has been unfairly treated by the troika of the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary fund. The requirement for a national government to impose a levy on deposits was a surprising and deeply disturbing innovation. The pain for the government of the Greek Republic of Cyprus was lessened by their decision to penalise deposits in excess of 100,000 euros. This meant that most small depositors, that is, the majority of the electorate, would not suffer losses. Those depositors with funds in excess of 100,000 face a most uncertain future. Their accounts are frozen and they are likely to incur losses of up to 50%. Many of these depositors are Russians and they have made a major contribution to the economy of South Cyprus in recent years.

The conspiracy theory runs as follows -

1 The EU has been frustrated and angry with the Greek Republic of Cyprus since 1974. The EU was led to believe that both North and South Cyprus would agree to the terms of the Annan Plan and that the island would be re-united. Referenda took place in both parts of Cyprus. Voters in North Cyprus were in favour of reunification by a large majority, but voters in the South rejected the Annan plan. In the South, the government, church and most of the media publicly criticised the Annan plan and promoted its rejection. This was badly received in Brussels.

2 The ongoing and persistent hostility of the Greek Republic of Cyprus towards Turkey's application to join the EU has been a severe strain on relations between the EU and Turkey. The increasing importance of Turkey as an economic power in the Middle East and its crucial role in a resolution of the conflict in Syria have led the US to broker better relations between Turkey and Israel. The US has been quietly working behind the scenes to smooth the path for Turkey's accession to the EU. While the Obama administration can claim some success in the recent thawing of relations between Turkey and Israel, the predictable intransigence of the Greek Republic of Cyprus has been a source of ongoing irritation in both Washington and Brussels. The fact that President Christofias was a communist and publicly admired Fidel Castro brought him to the attention of the CIA. Both Presidents Bush and Obama refused to sanction CIA 'dirty tricks' aimed at discrediting President Christofias.

3 The response of the Greek Republic of Cyprus to mounting financial pressures was to seek and secure a 2.5bn euro loan from Russia in 2011. This was an attempt by the government to circumvent the Troika and its financial disciplines.

4 Based on the above factors, a decision was made to punish and humiliate Greek Cyprus. The proposal that all bank accounts should be levied emanated from the EU, who were well aware that the implementation of such a proposal would be political suicide for any government.

5 The EU expected the Greek Cypriot government to run to Moscow in order to secure further loans. The Greek Cypriots had several proposals for the Russians. They suggested that Russian investors buy out the Laiki or Cyprus Popular Bank and they were prepared to offer the security of the large and untapped natural gas fields surrounding Cyprus as long term collateral.

6 The natural gas resources of Cyprus are a contested resource by the Greek Republic of Cyprus and Turkey, who argues that both North and South Cyprus should share the benefits of the resource. Turkey was briefed by the EU on the impending financial crisis in South Cyprus and made several announcements concerning the natural gas fields and the likely routing of pipelines to Turkey. It was also made clear to Russia that any exploitation of the resource by Gazprom, the Russian energy giant, would require the active cooperation of Turkey.

7 Turkey has already demonstrated the seriousness of the Cyprus gas issue by suspending its deals with the Italian firm ENI. The Italian firm was working on the Samsun-Ceyhan pipeline that will deliver Russian and Kazakhstan oil to the coast of Turkey. The contract was summarily suspended in mid March 2013 due to ENI's license agreement with the Greek Republic of Cyprus

8 The mission to Moscow for more loans was doomed to failure before the Greek Cypriots landed in Moscow, and this left them at the mercy of the EU.

9 The requirement for 5.8bn euros to be confiscated from Cypriot bank accounts in order to release a bailout of 10bn has devastated the banking and financial sector of the Greek Republic of Cyprus. The property sector, fuelled by demand from Russians, will shortly be in free fall.

10 Greek Cypriots have compared the financial disaster to the invasion of 1974 by Turkey. They are correct. The implications of the crisis will profoundly cripple South Cyprus for at least 5 years.

11 Turkey has now positioned itself as a saviour for the island of Cyprus. The Turks have made proposals for the exploitation of the natural gas resources - Firstly, the island becomes a united state of Cyprus and there is joint exploration of the resource. Secondly, Greek and Turkish Cypriots form a joint committee to exploit and market the resource, or thirdly, there becomes a permanent two state solution for the Cyprus problem.

12 The Greek Republic of Cyprus will have very few options left, other than that of becoming more accommodating towards Turkey and North Cyprus.

11:57 PM
Do You Need To Hire A CPA Or An Accountant?

Do You Need To Hire A CPA Or An Accountant?

Are you confused about the differences between a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and an accountant? They appear to have the same qualifications and experience, but there are certain differences you'll want to know about before you decide which one to hire.

What's The Difference?

One way to explain the difference between these two professionals is that all CPAs are accountants but not all accountants are CPAs. Confused? It is confusing to differentiate between these two professionals. In short, a CPA is finance professional who has passed a state licensing exam. An accountant has not passed this exam and is not licensed by the state.

They both perform finance and tax-related work and they both adhere to the rules and regulations set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) such as the Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP). Both sets of professionals likely have college degrees, and although the degrees may not be in Finance or Accounting, they probably are.

The term "accountant" is more of a general term used to refer to a person who performs finance work, following those FASB rules and regulations, whereas CPA can only be used by someone who has passed the state licensing exam.

What Makes A CPA So Special?

The key reason why these professionals are so highly valued has to do with the state licensing exam. Licensing requires the completion of a several days long examination covering many different areas of taxes and finance. To maintain the license, the professional must remain up-to-date on tax laws and meet continuing education requirements every year. Bookkeepers and other financial professionals do not have to do this.

When Should You Hire One?

There are several instances in which a CPA may be a better choice than an accountant. Three specific areas are:

Taxes. In most cases, they will be more familiar with tax law than other finance professionals. They are also recognized by the IRS as certified preparers. This is important because certified preparers have a greater ability to represent clients to the IRS, if the need arises.

Financial Analysis. Routine financial work such as inputting records and preparing reports can be performed by anyone who is capable of it, but a licensed expert is needed to perform a thorough analysis of the financial situation. They can also offer advice on tax and financial issues that others cannot.

Audits. One of the biggest benefits is their ability to represent you to the IRS. If you are going to hire someone to do your taxes, it pays to make sure they can represent you if you are audited.

Working Together

It's entirely possible to have both professionals working side by side and it may even be in your best interest to have this arrangement. Unlicensed professionals can handle the routine tasks while the CPA handles the tax work and financial analysis. CPAs can be outside consultants who are brought in only for specific needs, projects or times of the business cycle, saving businesses from having to hire an internal pro.

The question of which professional to hire depends on what work you need performed. If it is tax or audit related or financial analyses, then a CPA is worth the extra cost. If it is routine tasks, reporting and day-to-day financial management, an accountant can fit the bill.

8:40 PM
Credit Card Fraud: How To Prevent It To Avoid Paying Chargebacks

Credit Card Fraud: How To Prevent It To Avoid Paying Chargebacks

It's now not just common but accepted practice for businesses to accept credit and debit cards from their customers. To not do so would severely hinder the ability for a business to grow. However, because of this their are still risks in accepting credit and debit cards but with the right precautions merchants can minimize or even eliminate these risks.

Credit card fraud is a huge problem seen by merchants everywhere. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, credit card fraud accounts for 40% of all financial fraud and up to $5.5 billion worldwide. In addition, 46% of merchants in an online survey stated that fraud is becoming much harder to detect. Typically it takes about 45 days to detect fraud but by that time the damage is already done to a merchant.

Many customers exhibit certain behavioral traits if they are about to commit credit card fraud and can be easily identified. Some of them are:

  • Purchasing several types of the same merchandise especially if it expensive
  • Buying a large quantity of products like clothes without regard for size, color, or price
  • Making a purchase only to come back later and make additional purchases
  • Attempts to distract or rush you during purchase in an effort to throw you off which is typically seen when individuals work in groups
  • Making a purchase at the beginning of the day when the store is opening or at the end of the day when the store is closing

It's not just good to identify the behaviors listed above but better to adopt some practices to minimize and prevent credit card fraud. Some of them are:

  • Do not accept an expired credit card
  • Turn away a card that looks to have been altered in anyway
  • If the card is not have the customer sign and compare it to the signature of their ID
  • Make sure the account number on the terminal matches what is on the card
  • If you receive a message on your terminal that states "call center" then immediately do so and follow their instructions
  • If you have deep suspicions about the card then call the authorization center and ask for a Code 10 authorization which is a universal code notifying the center their may be an issue

Even though accepting cards as a form of payment is a good idea to drive revenue for your business, their are still some inherent risks involved by doing so. However, with the right precautions you can limit the chances of your business becoming a victim to fraud and being forced to pay a chargeback.

12:06 AM
Financial Planners Can Be Very Helpful

Financial Planners Can Be Very Helpful

If you want some advice on how to budget carefully and invest wisely, you should get in touch with one of the financial planners at your bank. You don't even have to have thousands of dollars in your account in order to secure a meeting with one of these professionals. All you have to do is request an appointment and let them know what kind of questions you have.

You might be wondering if your reason for wanting to speak with one of your bank's financial planners is a legitimate one. You certainly want to be taken seriously at such an appointment. The fact is, any question you have is a probably a legitimate one. Perhaps you are wondering what to do with some stocks you inherited. Maybe you just want someone to explain the difference between a 401K and a Roth IRA. There are no silly questions when it comes to learning about how to save money for the future. The biggest mistake a person could possibly make is to not take an interest in these matters. That is a surefire way to miss out on the chance to make sound investment decisions for the future.

Most financial planners will tell you that they actually encourage professionals in the middle-income brackets to seek out their services. Armed with the right knowledge and sound planning advice, these are the people that have the best chance of succeeding in the world of investment banking. Even if they just put a small amount towards some low-risk investment, they can pay fewer taxes and bring a bit more income in every month. This may be exactly what a person needs to do in order to start that retirement fund.

All in all, it can't hurt to ask for a financial planner's opinion. You don't necessarily have to take this person's advice or even follow it to the letter. After it is all said and done, you might just choose to cut frivolous spending or add a bit more to that savings account every month. In any event, you will come out of the whole experience being a little more conscious of how you spend your money. This self-awareness is a step in the right direction all by itself.

Now, you actually know what you can get out of an appointment at a financial planner's office. With all of this in mind, why not see what one of these informative people has to say about the current state of your accounts? What you learn might motivate you to leave your debit card at home the next time you head out the door.

5:33 PM
Christian Money Matters - Managing and Making Money From Home

Christian Money Matters - Managing and Making Money From Home

Managing Money, and Making Money From Home

I am starting a new Sunday School class session this quarter taught by Aaron Cruse and Chris Von Cannon about managing money. Therefore, I am going to writing several articles related to what I learn concerning money matters. These articles will not only be about managing money, but also legitimate ways to make money from home that I have either researched and found to work, or things that I am actively doing to earn money from home, or I have done in the past and had success with.

There are no two ways about it, in today's economy a person, especially a Christian, need to think outside of the box now, in order to make ends meet. I have been in the home-based business arena for over three decades and have no "J.O.B." outside of working for myself. Some of the insights I can share that are not scams, but honest legitimate work-from-home ways to earn extra money. They actually work, and you actually make money.

Providing For One's Family Is Not a Laughing Matter

I have been laughed at many times in my life for some of the things I've done to earn money, but when it comes to providing for my family, I have never really seen it as a laughing matter. Sometimes just an extra little bit of cash per week could represent a tuition bill for your child to have a godly, private education at a good Christian school or academy, while to others it can simply mean eating, and having your utilities not being disconnected.

I'll highlight in different articles in the future, which are real life things that I have either done, or am doing to earn money from home. I enjoy not having a job, and to be honest, I really have a tough time working for others, because of all the "politics" that are involved with corporate America; perhaps I'll go into that a little more in another article. Suffice it to say, I am "mentally unemployable," however.

The Fiscal and Economical Difference Between Making It or Filing Bankruptcy

I understand as a Christian that filing bankruptcy is not the thing to do. This section of this article is not meant to discuss that point. As I have listened to different financial speakers and business leaders speak on the topic of making money, or what happens to married couples when it comes to money, and there's been one thing that has stuck with me for years. In fact you could have pushed me over with a feather when I originally heard it, because it really was a mind-blowing statistic that I had trouble believing. However, I later verified it as fact.

It was several years ago now that I heard this story; in fact, it was the very first year in history that bankruptcies being filed went over one million in the United States. What a shame! When you read a little further you'll understand why that number is such an astonishing shame.

The speaker was telling us (the audience) that it was the first time in our nation's history that bankruptcies were going to be over one million, in one year's time (amazing I thought) but what he said next blew my mind! He said that half of them, which is 500,000... FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND... bankruptcies could have been completely avoided with an additional $250... TWO HUNDRED FIFTY... dollars in monthly income!! That was a shocking revelation that has stuck with me to this day.

Creative Ways To Earn Money, When You Think Outside The Box

I know when people see a section with a title like the one above they start RUNNING the other way. However, I'm not talking about weird or stupid things to earn money. I'm referring to things that are everyday, normal things for a person to do who has a creative imagination and a little gumption.

Here's a perfect example... I was visiting my brother and sister-in-law in Ohio for Christmas in 2012. While we were there we got a beautiful blanket of 3-5 inches of snow. It really was quite a sight to a resident of North Carolina for the last 12 years. Well, it's sorta funny really... one of my nephews is quite entrepreneurial, while the other is not. So the entrepreneurial one said to his mom, "Mom, is it okay if I go and see if I can shovel some driveways, and earn some extra money for myself?" Pleased to see her son being such a go-getter,, she said, "Sure, just bundle up and stay warm." So out he goes, cell phone in pocket, and shovel in tow. The next thing I know, he's thrilled, and can hardly speak into the phone, as he has secured his first snow shoveling job within mere minutes. As the day finished, my nephew had earned $54 in total just having a creative imagination and a go-getter spirit.

Get a "Real Job!"

I remember about 20 years ago or so now, I used to sell flowers on the street corners of Northwest Indiana. I used to hear this just about every day; "Get a real job!" When I started I must admit, I was a bit out of my element because I was always taught the "traditional thinking," get a good education, and get a good job. It still resounds through the homes and school hallways of America today. I find it interesting, however, that my friend who I learned the scrap metal business from worked stocking shelves at WalMart on third shift, he had two degrees, and one was a Masters! I do not tell anyone who thinks highly of education anything negative. I wish I had more book knowledge myself now that I'm 48. However, for those who are more entrepreneurial in nature, I fan those flames and try to help them think more creatively.

There will be other articles about managing money, and making money; however, all the articles will be from a truthful, Christian standpoint, furthermore, things that I have either done, or checked thoroughly, or helped others to successfully. I look forward to your comments.

12:58 AM
Eighty Percent of Small Businesses in Australia Experience Cash Flow
Problems

Eighty Percent of Small Businesses in Australia Experience Cash Flow Problems

Eighty per cent of small businesses in Australia had trouble with their cash flow last year, a report in Australian Banking and Finance said, adding that the next 12 months will allow these small businesses to see how difficult it is to find cash flow sources.

The same report quoted the new bi-annual business sentiment survey by Bibby Financial Services, which stated that 81 per cent of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) had these problems last year. Of this, 47 per cent believe their situation with regard to their cash flow even worsened this year.

According to another report in News.com.au, it is being delayed because small and medium banks are not receiving payment invoices from their customers on time. On the other hand, 42 per cent of SMEs have to wait for a longer time this year than 12 months ago to get paid.

The survey showed that 34 per cent of the 200 respondents have outstanding invoices that are overdue for many months. Some 25 per cent of the businesses settled for installments after customers negotiated with them while 21 per cent decided to pay their bills faster since suppliers have stricter trade terms.

Cash Flow Remains to be the Problem

Mark Cleaver, Bibby Financial Services managing director in ANZ, noted that problems in cash flow remain to be the biggest boon to the expansion of small and medium enterprises in Australia. In fact, 74 per cent of SMEs is believed to use their personal finances in the coming months because they need to address their cash flow issues.

Aside from using their own finances, the Australian Banking and Finance reported that SMEs can also increase their overdraft or delay their payment to their suppliers. It also said that SMEs need to submit a forecast for the coming fiscal year.

The same survey noted that 71 per cent of SMEs have business finance while 33 per cent are secured to real estate.

Of the number of SMEs that are currently having cash flow problems, 65 per cent would probably take a business loan from non-bank lender, the report in News.com.au emphasized. This figure consists of the 7 per cent that are already indebted to non-bank lenders. These banks are most likely to use these lenders because of trust and cost.

The survey was conducted from July 15 to July 23 on businesses with 5 to 19 employees.

8:04 PM
Economic Collapse

Economic Collapse

It is likely the crisis that is most feared. An entire monetary crash seems progressively more inevitable with every passing week. This is not without good reason. In our fractional reserve banking system, hyperinflation is assured.

Before showing how hyperinflation transpires in a fractional reserve system, let's take a moment to have a look at what exactly hyperinflation is. There exists a generally held misunderstanding that hyperinflation is the increase of price for services or products as a result of sudden economic expansion. This is actually, very misguided. Hyperinflation, is in fact the DEvaluation of cash as a result of a governing body producing massive sums of currency, because of a deteriorating economic climate. The more currency is created, the less value it holds. Brisk increase in prices is, in a word, one effect of hyperinflation.

For an extreme example of this, look at hyperinflation in Germany in 1923.

As you are able to see with this example, out of control hyperinflation was a contributing factor for one of the most appalling conflicts in our past. That was from hyperinflation in just one nation. In our modern economic system, hyperinflation is certainly an eventuality for several countries. From the pitiful state of the U.S. financial system, to the failed Euro, to the instability and poverty throughout Asia, politicians around the globe are becoming desperate. It is reckless to think none of the governing bodies could respond by creating mass quantities of valueless currency so that they can spare themselves. At least, temporarily. Which will lead to a problem very similar to the situation we observed in Germany in 1923.

Now, how come is hyperinflation unavoidable? To have an understanding of that, we will have to discuss the banking system. Often known as the 'Central Banking System' or the 'Fractional Reserve Banking System'. This method is not entirely a result of the banks. The truth is, the federal government and the reserve are as much, if not more in control than the banking companies.

Just to be very clear, the reserve is NOT an element of the elected government. They really are an organization which was created in 1913 and controlled by the Goldman Sachs, Rothschilds, Rockefellers, JP Morgan, Warburgs, Lazard Freres, Schoellkopf, Lehman Brothers and Kuhn-Loeb, each with ties to Zionists like the Carnegie, the British Royal Family, JP Morgan, Bush, Clinton, and Rumsfeld. This is really a corporation that is mind-blowingly big.

So, basically, each and every dollar the federal government has, is endebted to the federal reserve. With compounding interest. This loan is ongoing and literally, eternal. Contemplate it like so, let's assume the federal government has just converted to a completely new currency and no cash has been created with this currency yet. The federal government establishes they will need a billion units of currency. So they would go to the fed and request a billion dollars. The federal reserve LENDS the gov't a billion dollars, with compounding interest. For the sake of simplicity, let us assume that with interest the gov't is required to repay 1.1 billion. Except, just 1 billion dollars of currency actually is in existence. So, they must go back to the federal reserve and get a loan for more funds to pay the loan. But the funds they borrowed to repay the loan, also has interest applied to it. Therefore they need to borrow progressively more over again. And so on and so on.

This ensures it is not possible for the government to repay their debts and has to always borrow increasingly more funds. Here's the alarming part. This method is not actually hypothetical. This is exactly what's been occurring worldwide for 100 years. The compound interest on all this currency has actually been going on for so long that nowadays, under 1% of the funds that the gov't borrows actually moves into circulation. Nearly all of it goes right back to the fed as payment on the earlier loans.

In a manner of speaking, every last dollar that exists happens to be a debt receipt to the federal reserve. Then take into account that in contrast to our less complicated explanation, in reality that interest is also compounding. Compounding interest, in addition to a relentless routine of brand new loans, means exponential increase to the loan payments that the federal reserve demands in return. This can only work for as long as the economy is able to keep up. If ever the economic conditions remain in full blown depression, the governing body only truly has a couple of possible choices. First, drop the reserve and launch a completely new form of money. Not especially likely because of the range of political figures which are personally invested in the federal reserve. Or second, begin manufacturing even larger quantities of cash, lowering the value of the money and thus setting-off hyperinflation.

It's pretty clear that the government officials will put their own individual self-interests first. By which I mean, that the first choice won't really be taken into consideration. With the shape of the economy today, that has us balancing on the edge of hyperinflation. If that is allowed to happen, there can be a whole realm of realistic outcomes, not one of which are desirable and many are quite disturbing. Famine, poverty and homelessness are nearly assured. And additionally, there is the potential for governing bodies collapsing, chaos, possibly even World War III. It is important to point out, that as of 2011 a lot of military strategists think that the planet is now in more threat of thermo-nuclear warfare than it previously was through the course of the Cold War. This has absolutely nothing to do with Al Qaeda or U.S. based crusades into the middle east. The possibility exists as a result of the pure misery and despair that numerous world powers are battling with. If the general public is ravenous, and your atomic bombs are doing nothing but taking up space, eliminating all of your neighbours and snatching their resources, seems to be a tolerable idea.

These are the reasons a lot of people feel that a complete monetary collapse is pre-determined, and also why so many individuals are preparing for the worst. A monetary failure is not simply a situation of folks being too poor to acquire a new car or truck, or go on a holiday. It can quickly cost millions of lives, and alter our entire way of life for everyone who survives.

As comprehension of this state of affairs propagates, gold, silver, and other precious metals investments, seem to be more favored than they ever were in the past.

Quite a few people acquiring gold and silver as of late are not the sort of men and women you might imagine, like the stock brokers or wall street types. Recently, gold and silver is now being chosen by the blue collar folks. They have been growing disillusioned of central banks because of their ongoing control of the worth of money, and the prime interest rate. Increasingly, the public is feeling they have been enslaved by inflation and interest rates. Attempting pay their monthly bills and keep a roof over their heads, has grown more and more difficult.

In the present banking system, lots of people think these kinds of issues will undoubtedly continue to keep get worse. Any sort of progress is going to be trivial or short-lived. There is absolutely no belief in typical investment options such as cash deposits, term deposits, or stocks, as all of these options could very well become utterly useless instantaneously. Even the idea of trying to hide cash under the bed mattress isn't safe. The value of cash money itself keeps dropping. Lately, a lot of people wonder about whether it will hold any kind of value whatsoever in a few months time.

Though it is scary, there are certainly actions you can take to shelter yourself from the difficult days in front of us. Currency is paper, it has in it no greater significance then the value the government grants it. Don't depend upon money or credit cards to aid you in the event that things take a dive. To thrive throughout economic collapse, you really need products and or resources of real value. Resources, food, and gold will consistently offer trade relevance, in spite of the value of the currencies.

Of these products and resources, food supplies require very careful safe-keeping to avoid rot. Gasoline, lumber, as well as other industrial resources call for a great deal of storage space, and often are unhealthy or unsafe. That leaves the precious metals. These metals are harmless, may be stored virtually anyplace, and small amounts are very valuable.

Out of the precious metals, the most sought-after is gold. Gold has been treasured by most people going back millennia. It lasted through time, and demonstrated that it will continually hold its significance, even outlasting the rise and fall of civilizations. Gold offers a major advantage over various other metals for the reason that it doesn't tarnish, degrade or rust through the years. For these reasons, people from all different backgrounds are in a gold investing frenzy.

These folks do not have an interest in gold IRA accounts or other precious metal futures markets that are out there. They like to invest in gold. Proper, material gold. Gold bars, ounce gold coins, or any other physical, easily valued gold. This offers people the peace of mind that if the current system collapses, they are able to go forward, and will have something of high value to trade for merchandise. These days, a lot of people are even turning their 4O1k, and other investments, to gold.

For individuals who are worried about the governments' manipulation of all the things that relate to currency, a single ounce gold coin can mean protection, stability, staying alive and financial freedom. The attractiveness of investing in some gold, is the fact that whether or not the economy does get better and strengthen, that gold is still a great asset that will provide a comfy retirement.

All things considered, it is the nearest thing to a assured investment choice, that any one can wish for.

11:53 PM
The Costs of Implementing Dodd-Frank Rules

The Costs of Implementing Dodd-Frank Rules

The financial crash of 2008 brought many legislative changes designed to prevent its reoccurrance. Collectively known as the Dodd-Frank Law, foremost among them was the Volcker Rule that redefined which financial institution could register itself as a bank and therefore take deposits, and who could not thereby remaining a brokerage. This decision is a huge one as it changes what is required of these institutions in their transactional accounting in the future. It literally changes how they do business, what investments they can offer, how much money they must hold in reserve to remain solvent, and which financials they must disclose when asked. This literally creates a whole new department for many of them, and that is a major new cost of doing business.

But that was just the start of the changes. Dodd-Frank compliance required all financial institutions had to change how they recorded and stored each transaction they performed each day. The purpose behind Dodd-Frank compliance was to require those institutions ensure they had a system in place that enabled them to produce records up to 5 years old immediately if Congress requested that. Naturally, for many businesses still using antiquated financial management systems, implementation of these new rules was going to generate unexpected expenses. The only question was how large those debits would be, and whether those added costs would damage their business model?

There were also additional rules governing which financial advisors to a company must register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). According to the new rules, that depends on the financial status of each advisor. The list of rules making that determination is a long one that is complicated. Again, implementation will likely mean the accounting departments will need to vet each new advisor far more diligently to ensure the company remains in compliance with the new law. More costs to the corporate bottom line.

Of course, none of this touches the credit default swaps and derivatives that created the downfall in the first place. Their main selling point to clients was that no one could figure them out. That cannot remain the case with the new Dodd-Frank law. All the obfuscation has to be removed so that all the transactions are clear and straightforward. That, in itself, will create massive cost for these large corporations as the lawyers and accountants will be working overtime to figure them out.

In the end, the varied but necessary legislative changes that comprise the new Dodd-Frank financial recovery act, will make the cost of doing business far higher for most of the large corporations on Wall Street. It was designed to make investing more transparent to main street America. We will have to wait and see if that happens.

8:48 PM
How Credit Monitoring Mitigates the Risk of Fraud Online!

How Credit Monitoring Mitigates the Risk of Fraud Online!

Online fraud is dangerous and can leave you with little but heartache and debt to show for it. In an ideal world, everyone would be able to keep their information safe and protect themselves from this type of fraud, but that is not the case for many people. Knowing how to protect yourself is only one route to protecting your information. Learning what to watch out for with online dealings is another important step. Credit monitoring is also one of the most comprehensive ways to guard your personal information, so read on to find out the benefits of a credit report check when it comes to decreasing the risk of fraud.

Understanding Online Fraud

Online fraud can come from various directions. You may experience unsolicited emails, promises of no-risk returns on investments, an invitation to enter a contest, and credit card offers that may be fraudulent. As a way to understand the risk of these scams, you need to think about the type of information the thieves could be trying to gather. Most require your name, address, and birthdate. This can be enough for technologically savvy identity thieves to steal some or all of your identity, and if you are one of the many individuals who uses their birthday as part of their passwords to any of their accounts, these accounts could also be compromised. Some of these methods of online fraud can also gather more in-depth information -- from your banking information to your social security number -- so beware of what information you are potentially giving away.

Problems Online Fraud Can Cause

Online fraud poses many different risks to consumers. On the mild side of things, it can cause mistrust in all businesses because of the few that are reaching out with the attempt to scam people, or it can cause people to get annoying phone calls from potential scammers at all hours of the day or night. On the extreme side, online fraud can lead to identity theft or charges of illegal activities caused by scammers who stole the victim's information. It can take weeks, months, or years to recover from these types of fraud, and in some extreme circumstances, a full recovery may even be impossible. Avoiding becoming a victim in the first place is the easiest way to avoid this fate, but that is not always realistic with the underhanded schemes that are becoming more prevalent each year.

Reducing the Risk of Online Fraud

One of the most important ways to be protected from online fraud is to be proactive. Pay attention to the information you are giving out, deal only with people and companies you trust, whenever possible or do thorough research on a company that is requesting personal information before giving them anything that can identify you, and monitor your credit report. For those of you asking "why should I check my credit report?" the answer is simple. The more you check your credit report, the more likely you are to notice inconsistencies or fraudulent information. If you do not have the extra time in your day to monitor your credit report consistently, then paying for credit monitoring services is the most sensible option. This way there are always eyes on your credit report looking for anything out of the ordinary when you can't do it yourself.

The benefits of credit monitoring can go far beyond viewing your credit history, and they can also extend into ways of keeping you safer from risks associated with online fraud. You can see whenever information is accessed in your credit report with credit monitoring, and you can ensure the lines of credit you have tied to your name are truly yours and not someone simply pretending to be you. Make sure you keep your information protected and avoid as many risky situations as possible when having to give out personal details. Also, always try and do as much research as you can on companies you are unfamiliar with before giving them any identifying material as a way to avoid online fraud.

7:38 PM
Crack Spread: Crude Oil, Heating Oil, Gasoline

Crack Spread: Crude Oil, Heating Oil, Gasoline

Another popular intercommodity spread is the crack spread. This spread shows the interrelationship between heating oil, gasoline, and crude oil. In identical fashion to the soybean crush spread, oil refiners attempt to hedge their risk from crude oil prices and its refined products. The most popular ratio is the 3:2:1 ratio: three crude oil futures contracts to two unleaded gasoline futures contracts to one heating oil futures contract.

The oil is bought in the front month and its by-products are sold in the following month or vice versa. In 1994 the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) made the crack spread convenient for all traders by considering this spread as one purchase, similar to the CBOT option. With oil shortages being predicted for decades to come this is a simple and inexpensive way for speculators to trade oil futures with a margin value that doesn't exceed $10,000.

Gold-Silver Ratio Spread

Finally, there is the gold-silver ratio spread. This spread has long been used to determine how expensive or inexpensive gold is at any given time. The theory follows that if it takes more ounces of silver to purchase gold than it did previously, then gold is considered expensive. If it takes less silver to purchase gold, again regardless of the price, then gold is inexpensive. By playing around with this relationship, a trader can buy or sell gold and silver in the hope that they can profit from sudden increases or drops in value of both these precious metals.

Silver bugs believe that the prices of silver and gold should naturally revert to their historic interrelated monetary ratio of 16:1. As the prices wrestle for position there is a belief either that now is a good time to short gold and buy silver or that silver can increase in value to bring the ratio back in alignment. Whatever the case there is a constant hope that the prices will revert back to the mean to recreate this historic relationship. With this hope in place, whenever gold is stronger than silver there is a short gold, buy silver bias.

Whether you believe in trading the gold/silver ratio spread or not, others do. As a result, it is important to understand the psychology of those around you so you can better recognize opportunities in the precious metal sector for yourself.
Primary Drawbacks

Spread trading can be tricky. While you are given cheaper margins because the trades, on the surface, appear lower risk, don't let down your guard. These trades are meant to be treated with the same respect as any naked position out there. Using options as a stop loss or putting stops in place to protect yourself is required. There are no shortcuts when using spread trading.

10:16 PM
The Changing Measurements of Wealth

The Changing Measurements of Wealth

What is wealth?

In 1988, when we were first contemplating leaving the traditional working world and replace it with a life of travel, wealth was described only in terms of having money and possessions. Our decision to create a lifestyle of our choice was met with controversy. Some friends and family disapproved, while others became angry or confused. In general there was fear, doubt and dire warnings of our social and financial collapse. That's because our decision challenged everyone we knew.

In 1991, at the age of 38, we made the leap to our National Geographic lifestyle despite our peers' advice. A decade later - after the Dotcom bubble burst and real estate values began to collapse - wealth became connected to having more control over our daily schedule. In these days, the buzz was all about "quality time" with those we loved or time to travel, to pursue a hobby or personal path of one's choice.

Frugal was "the new black" and in vogue.

Freedom

Life is not a One-Size-Fits-All. You are the only one who knows what's important to you, what you value and what sort of life you dream to live. You are also the only one who can give that away or trade your dreams in because you are afraid or have lost belief in the possibility to make them happen.

For us, adopting this vagabond lifestyle has always been about Freedom; the freedom to choose where we lived and how long to stay; the freedom to sample different cultures for longer than a two week vacation. We were free to volunteer our time - and it became a priority because we were financially independent and didn't have to concern ourselves with the basic needs of living. We discovered that amazing opportunities - in every category of interest - presented themselves to us, and we took advantage of them.

This was the pot of gold we were seeking; Continental travel, global friendships, learning languages, living among the indigenous, enjoying traditional cuisines of the world and living history first-hand.

Money matters

To build a life of your own choosing, it does take some sort of financial cushion to make it happen. But one does not need to be "massively wealthy" to create a fulfilling lifestyle that is out-of-the-box of traditional description.

We are a perfect example of this as we would not be considered wealthy by means of financial measure. Case in point, we have chosen not to own a car and we don't have a brick-and-mortar home with the accompanying pressure of mortgages and a home's need for repair and maintenance. However we do consider ourselves rich because we live a life most only dream of. We have global experiences, decades of colorful memories, a developed sense of self-reliance and a belief in our future. This is priceless.

The basics

Do you know how much you spend every month to maintain your current lifestyle? Are you carrying debt on your credit cards, for school loans, or cars? Have you ever tracked your spending to find out how much you pay out per year for housing, transportation, food/dining and entertainment? Do you know what you spend on a per day basis?

Knowing how much and where your money goes today, gives you the information you need to make necessary changes. These lifestyle decisions will help you to accumulate the finances to allow your dreams to blossom.

What's next?

Save as much as you can and invest it wisely.

The only way your dreams can come true is to develop self-responsibility for the financial decisions you make. No matter what is happening in the world around you, or where you find yourself financially today, commit yourself to self-determination and move in the direction you want to go. Cut your losses short, learn from your mistakes and move forward.

If you think all of this is too far out of your personal reach, we say this: Never underestimate the power of passion and persistence. These qualities are the "great equalizer."

Passion for your dream and your persistence in making it happen will do more for you in the long run than a big paycheck or a lucky break.

The future is YOURS to be had, and no one can take it away from you unless you allow it. Hard work, human decency and a little ingenuity can take you anywhere. This is a fundamental view for those who achieve success.

Follow YOUR Dreams.

12:44 AM
How Cutting Down Spending Prolongs a Crisis

How Cutting Down Spending Prolongs a Crisis

Whenever times get tough and the financial stability of a state is threatened, people tend to panic. And panic leads to a complete block in the long run, because of the mentality that ensues due to the panic.

By panicking people cut down hard on their spending. And that happens not only to households, but also to companies and firms alike. The similarity probably derives from the fact that people run all of them, so a collective hysteria is a good bet. Anyway, only a few of the players on the market realize that cutting down on spending is perhaps one of the worst methods to fight an economical crisis.

In the global economy that currently blesses us all, trades and the continuous circulation of money is what keeps the world go round. That is why dropping a pin in India will reverberate the next day in USA and vice versa. Cause and effect have a much wider area of coverage now then it did fifty years ago. Outsourcing, transplanting and import/export is the new market bible out there. Also that is the reason why a US-generated crisis rocked the entire world. So it may seem a bit easier to understand why in a money-powered environment stopping the money from going in is not such a good idea. States work on one reason alone: the flow of cash. It comes in, it goes out, the entire flux has the purpose of keeping things going.

When taxpayers panic they tend to limit their spending to the bare necessities. In which case a lot of companies that provide services or good that are outside the safe area will most likely go bankrupt. That means an increase of the unemployment rate plus a decrease of income tax to the state. Meaning the state gets less money and has to pay more to the unemployed. Not the idea of a good deal. Consequentially, investors tend to decline to participate in a crippled economy. They know the buyer is reluctant to pop out the money, so he refrains from making an entrance on a hostile market. That means less job opportunities and less income tax.

Last but not least, in an effort to get more cash while spending less, even local companies outsource their production. Meaning they make their product elsewhere, in a country where they pay a lot less to the employees, in order to be able to sell the product cheaper and at the same time make more money. But outsourcing means another loss to the job department, because former employees will remain jobless in favor of the new 'exotic' ones.

So cutting down on spending is not a good idea. The more you sit on your cash doing nothing with it the less value it will have. And that proportion grows by day. Because that's what money does. By itself, it has no power; it's just a bunch of papers with some personality printed on them. Pump it in a system and suddenly the wheels start turning. By making money swim around you guarantee a clean exit out of whatever crisis may come.

6:07 PM
Know About Merchant Banking

Know About Merchant Banking

Businesses can't grow without the required capital. But getting access to capital can be a very real pain. It is to fulfill this need of gaining enough capital, that merchant banks were first established. Though they were primary only formed to help out merchants, it is no longer so. Throughout centuries, the services of merchant banks have grown to include a great many industries. The core of the banking though remains the same - they help with businesses with their banking needs. But now they have also included consultancy services. Businesses that feel the need to have advice on marketing, finance, management and legal matters could easily approach merchant banks for assistance. These banks have advisors that now help business with a variety of problems that any business would at one time or another face. They provide their guidance for a set fee.

Their guidance includes a variety of things. When a business is just starting up, they help to seed it with enough capital for it to be sustainable. When the business is about to expand, the bank ensures they raise enough capital for the expansion to be a successful venture. If the business needs to be modernized, they offer suggestions on how and in which manner it can be done, and the financial repercussions that would follow it. If a business needs to be restructured, the banks provide sound advice. When a long-held business has grown sick, they step in to revive it to profit by way of long-term loans. In an overall manner, the banks can also help businesses to buy and sell stock in the stock market. Usually the bank determines the stocks to be released and the time at which they're to be released. Regardless of which problem businesses have, it had enough experience to guide them. Most of the time though, they tend to pick out larger businesses. But they also help out businesses that are only just starting out.

At times, due to their range of services, these services are also called wholesale banks. Generally, most merchant banks have an area of speciality, things like underwriting and international finance. You'll find that such banks also have both retail and merchant divisions, in an effort to branch out. Retail banking, being so dissimilar to merchant banking, is usually held as a separate division though. Merchant banks are usually the premise of businesses and large corporates, what with their area of expertise being business and financial management.

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