Tens Ways in Which Forex Trading is Superior to Playing the Stock Market

English: A view from the Member's Gallery inside the NYSE (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

James Sheffley fancies himself a Jack-of-Some-Trades in the finance game. After graduating from the University of Chicago with a degree in economics, Sheffley began his incredibly lucrative career writing for e-econ blogs. As a sideline, he enjoys a marginally successful career as a stock and forex day (and night) trader. When not firmly ensconced behind his keyboard, Sheffley can be found following in the footsteps of his hero, Sudhir Venkatesh, tracking underground economies.

When the average self-respecting, cash-hustling, prospective Master of the Universe considers or mentions “playing the market”, chances are excellent that the market being referred to starts with an “s” and ends with a “tock”. And for laymen, “play”-able markets that aren’t the stock market are rarely, if ever, considered. That’s an unfortunate state of affairs, because the foreign currency exchange market (Forex) is in many ways superior to the stock market as an investment opportunity for average people. How so? Well, read on.

1. You Don’t Have to Worry About Middlemen

One of the primary benefits of forex trading is the trader’s ability to do so without a proxy. Traders, from hobbyist amateurs to seasoned pros can interact directly with the currency pairs being traded.

2. Saving Money on Every Trade

And what is perhaps the chief benefit of bypassing those middlemen (or middle-women)? Saving money. There are no commissions that need paying, no exchange, governmental fees and generally not even a cut from your pocket to a retail trader if you use one. Those guys are generally paid via the bid/ask spread.

3. Forex Offers Greater Liquidity than the Stock Market

The stock market is big- about $22 billion is traded on the NYSE a day. That’s not chump change. The currency market, however, is roughly 2500 times bigger than that. That’s $5 trillion a day. That’s “trillion” with a “tr”. With that much money being traded, you’re pretty much guaranteed to have someone on the other end of your currency trade willing to buy what you’re selling or vice versa. That’s definitely not the case with the stock market. 

4. The Market that Never Sleeps

When the closing bell rings in New York, the stock market slows down significantly. Not entirely of course, but significantly. However, the currency market is pretty much a non-stop party. There are certainly times when that party is particularly jumpin’- when the Forex markets in New York and London overlap, or those in London or Tokyo, you get some hotspots. However, even in the middle of the night for you, that guy on the other end of your currency exchange in Kyoto, Japan or Sydney, Australia might have just had his first cup of coffee.

5. There Are No Fixed Lot Size

The non-Forex market which perhaps most closely resembles Forex in the way it operates is the futures market. (I have a lot to say about Forex vs. futures). Those futures are purchased in lots, like 100 ounces of gold for instance, and there are futures contracts that determine the size of those lots. Not the case with Forex. You can trade with $25 or $25,000,000.

6. No Cornering the Market

Another benefit of the currency market’s incredible size is that no one (or more) facet of that market can be “cornered” by a very wealthy person, collective, corporation or even giant bank. Cornering a currency market would pretty much be the literal equivalent of buying a country.

7. Begin Trading with Less Money

Just like that more monetarily liberal lot-allotment can facilitate trading with less capital at your disposal, it also allows an entry into the market for less wealthy people. Currency trading, more so than stocks, can be accomplished without risking large sums of money. That means a lower “barrier to entry”.

8. Great Leverage

You may be asking, “Great, so somebody can open a forex trading a count with as little as $25. Why would anyone want to trade with $25?” Well, the answer is a two-parter. Part one: leverage. Forex brokers can, to a large degree, determine their own leverage ratios- like 50-1 for instance. So while $50 could net you $1250 in trading funds, kicking in $1000 or $5000 starts adding up to real money.

9. Real Time Preparation and Free Stuff

Another excellent bonus of the whole Forex-trading sphere are the free preparatory tools, demos and perks offered by the forex brokerage services. Demo accounts, forex tracking in real-time, forex news and more, all of which can be had for free. And not only is it convenient to take advantage of those tools, anyone planning on forex trading should get themselves a demo account and be consistently making (virtual) money before they start playing with real dough.

10. All of This Makes Forex Trading More Democratic

Demo accounts, a lower necessity-threshold for middlemen; a reduced or nonexistent threat of getting entirely rolled in some market-cornering coup; lower barriers to entry; the lack of fees, commissions, government taxes, etc.; far greater liquidity and the other benefits to forex trading both mentioned and missed here, all contribute to foreign currency market’s greater availability to the average consumer than the stock market.

Good luck and good trading.

Holiday Charitable Giving: Tips to Help You Do It Merry and Right

Beyond the obvious tax benefits and general warm feelings that end-of-the-year charitable giving brings to those who participate in it, donating money or goods to organizations whose mission is to serve those who are in need does a necessary good in the broader society. However, not all giving is as straightforward as it may seem, and if it isn’t done well, it can bring out the Scrooge in even the most giving of hearts.

Charitable giving—like most things—contains a sweet spot. For some givers, it’s a concern over tax breaks; for others, it’s a desire to make sure they stretch their dollar as far as it can go so the greatest good is accomplished. Whatever your preoccupation, these tips will help ensure your donations this holiday season are merry, bright, maximized and completely deductible. 

The IRS

Most people know the majority of charities in the United States are nonprofits with a 501(c)(3) designation, which is the designation that means your donations to them are tax deductible. Beyond that, the details get murky for most people. Here are few other tips to keep you safe from Uncle Sam when you play Saint Nick this season:

• Donations are deductible during the calendar year they are made in, which means the day you drop the check in the mail or charge a gift to your credit card.
• Limits on how much you can claim and still receive a tax break only come into play when you reach above 20 percent of your income—but you can still give away as much as you want.
• If you volunteer, you can’t deduct the hours you work, but you can claim any expenses that you paid to do the volunteering, like gas mileage.
• The IRS also has a list of recommendations on getting tax breaks from charitable giving, which is great, because they’re the experts.
• Keep Records

While all charitable organizations should send you receipts for any giving you do, it’s always still a good idea to keep your own records. After all, nobody’s perfect, right? So, if you’re giving money via a text message, you’ll need to keep a copy of the phone bill the gift was allocated to. If you write a check, write “Donation” in the memo line, andfor all your giving, keep a record of the following:

• The name of the organization
• The date of the gift
• The means of giving (i.e. check, credit card, donated goods, etc.)
• The amount of the gift

Get Your Employer to Match Your Donation

Even if you don’t work for a large company or corporation—but especially if you do—check with your boss or manager to see about a matching grant. Businesses are interested in tax breaks and in assisting their communities. If you can guide them to a charity that does both, you just made your donation—and your employer’s reputation—that much better.
Do a Background Check

Nobody wants to doubt a charity’s intentions, but it can still be a good idea to check with a site like Charity Navigator to make sure the organization you’re giving your money to is not just legitimate, but that it also handles its affairs well. An independent charity evaluator, Charity Navigator (and other sites like it) works to give donors information about almost 7,000 charities, and they gather information specifically related to a charity’s financial health and its accountability and transparency practices. You can find out how much of the money you give will go to the needs the charity is addressing, as well as how much of your gift will go to administrative work and salaries. Site that evaluate nonprofits take a lot of the unknowns and guesswork out of the giving equation, which puts donors at ease. It also helps good charities reap the rewards of being good stewards, while training a watchful eye in the direction of groups that aren’t as efficient or transparent as they could be—which provides good incentive for those groups to try harder.

Because a hefty portion of most charities’ annual operating budget comes in just as the ball drops on Times Square, year-end giving is their lifeblood. Whether you’re an unrepentant do-gooder or a secret softie who wants a tax break, follow these tips and you’ll ensure your gifts go as far as they can—for the organizations and your tax bill.

Image by imagerymajestic from FreeDigitalPhotos.net

About the Author:Arnold Cooper is a blogger who previously worked as an accountant. He suggests considering charities such as Boat Angel for your holiday giving this season.

Car Title Loans: Fast Cash When You are on a Fixed Income

Whether retirement is just around the corner or already here, you might be thinking about the financial responsibilities that lie ahead when you begin getting a fixed monthly income. While you’ve saved what you could throughout the years and did everything possible to prepare for this time in your life, the reality of the economy these days makes it less likely that you will see all of that in the years to come.

While you will surely get enough each month to cover your basic expenses and bills, what are you to do if faced with an unforeseen emergency, or if you want to take a spontaneous trip to see family or friends? Luckily there are solutions for finding cash. Title loans are an easy way to get money quickly, and are helpful when needed unexpectedly. Most lenders, such as TitleMax and others, make the whole thing easy and simple so that you are not drug through a muddy process that is burdensome and tiring. 

An Easy Approval Process

The approval process for title loans is relatively quick. Since there is no credit check for a title loan, you can be approved in less than an hour in most cases. Once you are approved, an appraiser will come out to assess the value of your car to determine the amount of the loan that will be approved. From there, you simply have to work out the repayment terms with the lender and the money is yours. More often than not, you will see the money in your hand the very same day that you applied for the loan. How could you possibly go wrong with that?

Benefits of a Title Loan

There are many advantages of title loans over traditional loans. For one, you get money fast. In an emergency or unforeseen event, it is handy to have extra cash to ensure that nothing goes awry. Additionally, a title loan is used against the value of your car that you already own. While repaying the loan, you can still use the car. And once it is paid off in full (on time), you get your title back. This allows you to get money for other uses, while still retaining possession of your car. Finally, title loans are short term loans, so you only have to worry about making payments for a short while.

As you near retirement, there are bigger fish to fry than money and social security. If you plan it out right, you can enjoy your time and have the money to do so without worry. Title loans are an easy option if you need something quickly. They are helpful loans, so long as you make timely payments and do not fail to pay back the loan in the allotted time. Plan ahead and make sure this is the right choice for you. There is some risk involved, like any loan, but once it is paid in full, you can go back to living as peacefully as you were before.

Image source: nbc29.com

Australia, The New Frontier for Mature Business People

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For many retirees with investment funds and mature business people who want to start a fresh venture, Australia holds all the promise of a new frontier. The country welcomes foreign investors and commerce, but there are strict policies regulating money and businesses coming into Australia. The steps for investors and entrepreneurs are similar.

Planning for investors is crucial. They should research the market including threats and future opportunities in the area of their intended outlays. To get a physical presence in the country for assessment purposes, investors should obtain a business and innovation visa in one of two areas. The “Investor Stream” is for people who want to invest at least 1.5 million AUD (approximately $134 million) in an Australian territory or state and who intend to maintain business activity there. The other investment visa avenue is the “Significant Investor Stream” which targets people who are investing at least 5 million AUD in a complying business and who intend to maintain business activity in the country.

Some investments may require submitting a proposal to the government. Depending upon the kind of investment and the monetary value, the proposal may have to be reviewed and approved by the Australian Foreign Investment Board. In addition, investors must understand the current Australian regulatory environment and abide by it. Professional investment corporations who keep abreast of the changing economic climate can offer assistance.

Those wanting to start a business in Australia need to plan as well. First, entrepreneurs should get an accurate picture of their finances, strengths and weaknesses. This includes assets such as available personnel as well as money. There should be a well-defined and realistic business strategy which takes into account several things. A business plan should be in effect, including anticipated startup time and the market potential. In other words, people who want to start a business in Australia need to evaluate personal resources and the financial atmosphere surrounding the industry they are targeting, just as they would in beginning a venture in their own country.

What may be different for foreign business people is the system of regulations and requirements required by the Australian government. Businesses may be registered as foreign companies or as subsidiaries of existing businesses. Business people may buy franchises or even purchase companies already in existence. An understanding of the registrations and their applicable requisites is vital not only to set up the enterprise, but even to get into the country as a business person. Many of these things can be found online, but there are also professional corporations that can be a help in interpreting them.

Just as investors, those desiring to start businesses in Australia must obtain a business and innovation visa. The first step is expressing an interest in bringing the industry to Australia. This can be accomplished online through the portal “SkillSelect” on the Australian Government website. The business person must be nominated by two state or territory government officials. Then, the business person must be invited by the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection to apply for the visa. Once procured, the Business Innovation and Investment Provisional Visa, which usually lasts six months, allows people with business skills to

• Establish a new business or develop an existing business
• Travel in and out of Australia for the life of the visa
• Bring family into the country
• Seek permanent residency.

The provisional visa can also lead to a permanent visa being issued.

Foreign businesses in Australia are covered by The Australian Fair Trade Law. This comprehensive standard includes unfair market practices, industry codes of practice, industry safety and consumer issues such as labeling. It applies to virtually every corporation or sole proprietor in the country. Penalties for violating the law can reach $1 million. There are other standards as well. Those wanting to begin an enterprise in Australia should be aware of the statutes and their obligations under them.

Australia is an inviting and beautiful “new frontier” with a vital and energetic business environment. Still, business standards and requisites vary by country so wise investors and entrepreneurs should do their research carefully.

5 Ways to Make Your Office Functional and Stylish

Let's face it, a workplace or home office can be rather dull and boring at times. In addition, how the office space is organized can cause more headaches than efficient actions. That is why it is important for a worker to establish ways that can make their workplace or home office functional and stylish. This will help increase efficiency and can help stimulate the worker's mind during their work day. Here are 5 ways to make a workplace or home office functional and stylish.

1. Layout and Space

One of the most important dimensions to any workspace is maximizing and using the layout and space of a work area. All of these factors will depend on the particular workspace, but if a worker has walls, a high ceiling, and different paths to enter the work area, these factors should be taken advantage of. Use walls to have hangers or cabinets and take advantage of high ceilings and walls by putting in bookcases. Always clear the paths that enter the work space so the worker and other workers can walk by the work area without hindrance. For example, do not have file cabinets, scanners, fax machines, or computer parts in the way of someone's walking path. Committing to using the work layout and space to one's advantage can neatly organize the office.

2. Lighting

Lighting is essential in any office, but the workplace or home office might not have the most effective lighting sources. Try buying desk lamps, floor lamps, or table lamps that can help brighten up the workspace. This will allow the worker to read text easier and the bright light can help energize the worker, improving their cognitive skills. It is also important to have natural lighting in the office, since this can help to improve health and the mood in the office.

3. Use Stylish Office Materials

Sometimes the typical desk and office products can be somewhat dull to the eye of a worker. Luckily, many office supply companies use unique materials to produce the usual office supplies and furniture everyone needs. One great example of this is acrylic plastic. This plastic is not only used to make office supply products like rulers or signs, but it can also be used to make chairs and desks. Acrylic has the appearance of glass, but is lighter and more malleable. This is just one alternative substance a worker can use for their office that will be different than the typical metal desk and office supplies.

4. Ergonomic Choices

Many people are unable to work properly because the office chairs they use do not help their back or posture. This can seriously affect cognitive capabilities and physically harm the worker from day-after-day of bad seat use. Ergonomic chairs help workers use a chair that can help their posture and back, relieving any dull pain that could arise from sitting in the chair all day. This could increase a worker's cognitive capabilities and help the worker work more efficiently.

5. Personal Items Throughout

One way to make the workplace or home office feel comfortable is to adorn the office with personal items. These items may include pictures on the desk, frames on the wall, hand-crafted items, like a hand-made basket, placed across the office, or achievement items, like certifications, diplomas, or pictures from big events in one's life in the office. This can help the office feel more like home and influence the worker to dedicate their time more effectively toward their work while they are in the office.

Work offices do not have to be dull or boring. Whether at work or at a home office, it is important to personalize the office while purchasing appropriate and dazzling products that can increase the worker's efficiency and cognitive health.

Stay Hearty in 2014: 8 Health Tips for Over 50's

They say that 50 is the new 40 which means there is no reason why you can’t look and feel great as you get older.

There are some common myths that aging means declining health and memory loss. Well the truth of the matter is that yes, there are more illnesses that are common as we age however, it doesn’t necessarily mean we’re on our last legs.

What’s more, brain training and learning new things can help to keep the mind sharp and believe it or not, you can teach an old dog new tricks.

So boost your confidence and stay healthy in 2014 with these top tips:

1. Drink plenty of fluids

Older people are more prone to dehydration so even if you don’t feel thirsty, make sure you are getting enough water. 

2. Load up on fibre

Your digestive system slows as you age, so increase the amount of fibre-rich foods you consume including vegetables, fruit and wholegrain. 

3. Start exercising slowly

It’s important that you exercise to stay healthy, even if you have an ongoing injury or disability. The key is to start slowly; just a few minutes every day is great and in time you can increase the duration. Walking is a brilliant starting point but make sure you check with your doctor first before starting any exercise program.

Why not join a local fitness group like water aerobics or Zumba? It can be a lot of fun and you can make new friends. 

4. Get rid of those bad sleeping habits

The main cause of low-quality sleep in older adults is in fact bad sleeping habits. Artificial lights at night-time can destroy your body’s natural production of the hormone that makes you sleepy. Boost your melatonin levels by turning off the TV and laptop/tablet at least one hour before bed, and use low-wattage bulbs. 

5. Watch your calories

On average, a woman who is not physically active needs about 1,600 calories and likewise, a man needs about 2,000 calories. If however you do have an active lifestyle, females need between 2,000-2,200 calories per day and males need about 2,400-2,800 calories. 

6. Still struggling to sleep?

Develop a bedtime routine to help you unwind be it a bath or listening to classical music. Make sure the room is dark and quiet and if need be, use an eye mask to block out any natural light from outside. If all else fails, simply go to bed earlier!

7. Keep your mind sharp

You need to keep your brain stimulated to prevent cognitive decline. Why not play a board game, a jigsaw, or a puzzle game on your iPad or smartphone. Crosswords in the newspaper are great at challenging the mind- try to do something new every day, even if it is getting out of bed the other side or driving to the local supermarket a different route.

Alternatively, there are various workshops across the UK that offer classes in computer technology or cookery. Keep challenging yourself to learn whether it a new language or simply volunteering at the local food bank. 

8. Cut back on salt and decrease iron intake

The likelihood of high blood pressure increases as we age so decrease your consumption of salt to 1500mg or less sodium per day. Elsewhere, after menopause the need for iron decreases to 8mg per day and too much iron can be dangerous.

So how many of these tips do you do already? The main thing is that you look after yourself properly and by doing so; you will be able to live life to the full.



This article was provided by Cheselden Continuing Healthcare UK, the leading experts in all you need to know about care home fees and nursing homes.