Finance Blog

Managing your funds becomes increasingly vital as you become older. You want to make sure that your retirement savings last and that you have enough money to meet any unforeseen bills that may emerge. There are, however, certain common money mistakes that seniors frequently make that can greatly influence their financial well-being.

In this article, we’ll discuss four common money mistakes seniors should avoid to help them live comfortably and worry-free in their golden years.

1. Not Having a Budget

One of the most common financial mistakes that seniors make is failing to create a budget. Tracking your spending and managing your money properly without a budget is difficult.

A budget assists you in prioritizing your costs and ensuring that you have enough money to meet your basic necessities, such as housing, food, and healthcare. It can also assist you in identifying areas where you could be overspending and making changes to your spending habits.

To create a budget:

1. Begin by making a list of all of your monthly expenses, including fixed costs such as rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, and insurance premiums.
2. Next, keep track of your non-essential spending, such as dining out, entertainment, and shopping.
3. Finally, make sure you’re living within your means by comparing your overall spending to your monthly income.

2. Not Planning for Long-Term Care

Unfortunately, many retirees don’t budget adequately for the high cost of long-term care. About 70% of seniors will require long-term care in their lifetime, as reported by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Long-term care expenses can range greatly based on factors, including the type of care required and the individual’s location. In extreme situations, the annual expense of a patient’s long-term care can exceed $100,000.

Long-term care planning is essential, especially if you intend to reside in a senior living community. These communities can give vital support and care but can also be costly. It is critical to investigate and plan for the expenditures of various senior living options. Consider getting long-term care insurance, which can assist in covering future care costs.

3. Failing To Maximize Retirement Savings

Neglecting to make the most of retirement savings is another common financial blunder made by the elderly. It’s possible that many retirees haven’t saved enough money for retirement, or that they haven’t explored all of their retirement savings choices. Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and employer-sponsored retirement plans (such as 401(k)s and 403(b)s) are two options for retirees.

The first step in ensuring you have enough money in retirement is to put away as much as you can into retirement accounts. Extra money can be put into retirement accounts, called “catch-up contributions,” if you’re beyond the age of 50. To create a retirement savings plan tailored to your circumstances, you may want to see a financial counselor.

4. Falling for Scams and Fraudulent Schemes

Scammers and fraudulent schemes frequently target seniors, resulting in huge financial losses. These scams can take numerous forms, including phishing, investing, and identity theft. Seniors should be extra wary of unsolicited phone calls, emails, or messages from unknown individuals or businesses.

To avoid falling for scams and fraudulent schemes:

• Never give personal or financial information to someone you don’t know over the phone or online.
• Be wary of investment options that promise large returns or demand you to spend money upfront.
• Before investing, always conduct research on the company or individual selling the investment and obtain counsel from a qualified financial advisor.

Final Thoughts

Maintaining your funds can be difficult, especially as you become older. Avoiding these frequent money mistakes, on the other hand, will help ensure that you have enough money to live comfortably in your golden years.

 

Exante is a broker that has been operating in the financial markets for over a decade. Founded in 2011, the company has grown to offer its services in over 20 locations, providing access to over 600,000 instruments in more than 50 global markets. In this Exante review, we will take a closer look at the broker, its services, and the overall user experience.

Exante’s instruments on offer

To begin with, of the standout features of Exante is its extensive selection of financial instruments. The broker provides access to a wide range of assets, including stocks, bonds, currencies, commodities, and derivatives such as options and futures. This wide range of financial instruments means that clients have plenty of options to diversify their portfolios.

Trading platforms available

In terms of trading platforms, Exante offers both a web-based platform and a downloadable desktop application. The web platform is user-friendly and easy to navigate, with real-time market data, customizable charts, and a variety of trading tools. The desktop application, on the other hand, offers more advanced features such as algorithmic trading, advanced charting, and the ability to create custom indicators. Both platforms are available in multiple languages.

Exante also has a dedicated app that users can access on mobile devices so they can trade while on the go. The mobile platform includes all the necessary information a trader will need when managing their portfolio. These include the account balance, trade activity, real-time market data, position overview, current orders and historic order overview, a bond screener tool to identify the best investment opportunities in bond markets, a transaction history overview, click-trade functions, and seamless transfers between accounts.

Licensing and regulation

Exante is licensed and regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), which is a reputable financial regulatory authority in the European Union. The broker is also a member of the Investor Compensation Scheme, which provides protection for clients. This level of regulation and protection should provide clients with peace of mind when trading with Exante.

As Exante has several locations around the world, rest assured they are licensed there too. For example, it has offices and offers its services in London and Hong Kong, two major financial hubs in the West and the East. In London, it is compliant with and licensed by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority, while in Hong Kong, it is compliant with and licensed by the city’s Securities and Futures Commission, which oversees financial operations locally.

As an EU-based broker, Exante is compliant with MiFID II, which stands for Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II. It is a regulatory framework for financial markets in the European Union. It came into effect on January 3, 2018, and it is aimed at providing greater transparency and investor protection.

Under MiFID II, brokers are required to meet certain obligations, such as providing clients with detailed information on the costs and charges associated with their services, ensuring best execution for clients, and maintaining robust systems and controls to prevent market abuse. MiFID II also introduces new requirements for reporting and record-keeping, such as the mandatory reporting of transactions to a centralised trade repository.

Customer support

As a global professional trading firm that is created for cosmopolitan professionals with busy schedules, Exante prides itself on its multi-language customer care that is available 24/7. If you are someone who needs lots of support, this would be perfect for you. On the Exante website, they guarantee that they respond to customer queries in under three minutes, with their support team on the clock on the phone, over email, and using the chat box function.

Currently, the languages supported by Exante’s team are English, German, Portuguese, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Chinese, and French. This list is not exhaustive. If you are a first-time trader who is looking to inquire more into Exante’s services before committing, you can also request to set up a call with Exnte by leaving them a request. If you are an existing client, you can gain demo access and receive dedicated and personalised support based on your individual risk assessment and investment needs.

Final words

The consensus regarding Exante on the Internet is that it is a reliable broker that can serve the professional trader very well. Aside from its reliability and flexibility, Exante offer multiple perks for traders who want to take their trading skills to the next level. This includes offering help with implementing and integrating APIs and providing secure connections with data centres around the world to ensure traders receive direct market access and fast execution.

Of course, it is essential to remember that all forms of trading carry risk, and that traders, no matter how skilled, should make sure they understand the risks involved in every trade they make. If in doubt, they should contact a wealth manager to make sure their financial interests are being protected.

 

 

 

 

If you have a lot of debt looming over you, you might feel like it will be almost impossible for you to get out from underneath it. And while it will likely take some time for you to pay off a big chunk of debt, there are some strategies that you can employ to help you do this faster and easier.

To help you see how this can be done, here are three tips to help you get out of debt faster.

Don’t Add Any New Debt

Debt and credit can be a hard thing to get a handle on. Once you get used to spending money on things, regardless of whether you have the money to actually pay for those things or not, it can be hard to quit this habit. But in order to get a handle on your debt and stop hearing from debt relief providers, the first thing you have to do is keep yourself from getting even further in debt.

To do this, you’ll want to keep your credit cards away from you so that you can’t use them anymore. If you need to, cut them up so that you really can’t use them. Additionally, remove your credit cards from any saved files on websites where you spend money. If you have something on autopay using your credit card, remove this card and replace it with a debit card. By taking these steps, you’ll keep yourself from adding any new debt to your existing debt.

Try Some Negotiations

Now that you’re not adding any new debt to what you already owe, it’s time to figure out exactly what you owe and how much you need to be paying one each debt every month.

As you start getting these figures together, you should consider contacting every entity that you owe money to and see if you can negotiate. In some instances, you may be able to negotiate your balance down to a lower amount, especially if you’re willing to pay off everything in one lump sum. Another option that you may be able to take advantage of is getting a lower interest rate on your existing debt. So if you have had a good payment history, this could be something to try for.

Commit To The Debt Snowball

One finance term that many people are familiar with is the debt snowball. When you use this method to get out of debt, you commit to paying off your smallest amount of debt first. Then, when that’s all paid off, you take the amount that you were paying toward that debt and reallocate it to pay off your next smallest debt amount. You continue adding these amounts to each debt until all of your debt is gone. This can help you get and keep a lot of momentum toward paying off your debts.

If you’re wanting to get out of debt as fast as you can, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you in doing this.

 

As many as three out of four Americans say that they’re in debt beyond their comfort level. Unfortunately, debt is more than just a pesky pile of bills. It can hold you back from achieving your goals and affect your overall quality of life. After all, with debt looming over your head how can you expect to go on more vacations with your family or enjoy your retirement?

The great news is that although it may seem like debt is a never-ending nightmare that you’ll never get out of, the truth is that there are ways to get out of debt and there are ways to do it fast. It all comes down to self-control and discipline. If you’re ready to start tackling your debt, then take a look at some of the best ways to dive in and become financially free.

Pay As Much as You Can

As much as you might think that paying the minimum due every month is doing you a favor since it puts more money in your pocket, the truth is that you’re only giving yourself further and further into debt. Make a point to pay as much as you can, and start with your small debts first.

By paying your smallest debts off first, you’ll motivate yourself to continue paying each one off.

Get Rid of Unnecessary Expenses

Even though you may think that you don’t have enough to pay in more than the minimum due, the truth is that many of us are simply not willing to make the sacrifices it takes to do so. Do you really need that extra subscription to an extra streaming channel? What about that gym membership that you never use?

Do you think you could eat at home a few more days a week rather than buy a sandwich at the cafe next door to your work? You might be surprised to find that each small step that you take can make a big difference in how fast you pay off your debt.

Get a Side Hustle

A side hustle is a great way to make additional income and dedicate it entirely to paying off your debts. There are many different kinds of side hustles to consider. Whether it’s babysitting or being an independent rideshare driver, there are all sorts of ways that people can make additional income. The question is, are you willing to put in a few extra hours to pay off your debt as quickly as possible. The harder you’re willing to work, the faster your debt will be paid off. It’s really that simple.

Create a Budget

A budget is a great way to take total control of your finances. By allocating exactly how much money you can spend the money on what, you’ll be much more likely to reach your financial goals faster.

Nowadays, budgeting is made easy thanks to apps that do the work for you. It’s as simple as entering each transaction that you make, and the app will determine how close you are to staying within your spending limits. By following these tips and staying motivated, you’ll be debt free in no time!

 

Becoming a first-time homeowner is very exciting, but with this triumph can come its fair share of challenges. A house is likely one of the most expensive things you will ever purchase, and most people won’t be able to pay for the entire thing out of pocket so they have to take out loans. Taking out loans is a financial burden that can be stressful for many people, but there are ways to help ease that stress. Here are 3 finance tips for first-time homeowners.

Don’t Go Over Budget

When you first begin looking for a home to buy, you will have to set a budget for yourself. For example, after doing the math you may decide that you will be able to comfortably pay the mortgage payments on a $600,000 home for X amount of years. When looking at homes with a real estate agent, it’s extremely important that you do not even view homes above this price so as not to consider them.

With something so costly, it can be easy to go over budget because in the large scheme of things it doesn’t seem like that much. But you also need to remember to leave room in your budget for any home renovations that you decide to make. Be stern with your realtor, lender, and sellers so that everyone is aware of the strict budget that you will be sticking to.

Hire People You Trust

Unfortunately, there are many real estate agents and lenders out there who take advantage of people, especially first-time buyers. Because of this, it is of utmost importance that you take your time when hiring people and make sure that you really trust them before involving them in the process of buying your first home.

Some people may just tell you what you want to hear, and it’s common to get caught up in the fantasy of it all without keeping both feet on the ground.

Hiring an agent and going through a lender who is realistic is a great first step to making the process successful and stress-free. Ask around to see if anyone you know has recently used someone they really liked. Word of mouth is how most agents find new clients because it can be difficult to find a good and trustworthy one.

Pay For An Inspection

Paying for your own inspection may seem like an unnecessary cost when buying your first home, but it is actually a really good idea that will likely end up saving you money in the future on things such as renovations and repairs. Let your agent know this is something you want done and they will make sure to help you set it up.

Purchasing your first home can be a little stressful, especially when it comes to all of the financial stuff involved. Hopefully, these tips can help ease some of that for you!

 

Money is everywhere. Imagine if you could take all the paper currency in the world and put it in one place! Then there’s all the gold bullion, which would surely fill the major sports arenas, not to mention precious stones, of which there are tons! It is estimated there is more than $300 trillion spread around the world. Below are some of the locations where a lot of the world’s wealth is located.

London

 

The capital city of the UK, here you will find (if you are lucky) huge vaults full of gold, silver and platinum. All the trading venues have gold reserves in specially built vaults; this is necessary to cover the huge trades that are made. London is also home to some of the top jewellery collections, with the Crown Jewels being a good example. JP Morgan keeps 155 million ounces of silver to facilitate trading on metals futures, which is more than little! Diamonds are a girl’s best friend and De Beers have 40% of the world’s diamonds under lock and key somewhere in the bowels of the City of London.

Federal Reserve Bank, New York

There are said to be at least 550,000 bars of gold bullion deep inside their Manhattan vaults, which is an astounding collection of wealth. That is more than $200 billion in value; the mind boggles with what you could do with that! Some say the Fed Res have no gold, but we’ll never really know! If you are looking to acquire gold, you can also go to the Brisbane gold dealers at City Gold Bullion, for example. They are always ready to trade at spot prices. You can find dealers in your location through a quick online search.

Precious Stones

Of course, there are many tons of precious stones that have yet to be discovered; Myanmar is the capital for rubies, while Columbia has the majority of the world’s emeralds and South Africa has the most unmined diamonds. Sapphires are found in Madagascar, while the Argyle Mine in Australia is the location of the best pink diamonds.

Department Of Energy, Arlington, Texas

This is where the world’s plutonium is stored; worth an amazing $10,000 an ounce, this facility hosts 6,000 plutonium pits and the value is astronomical.

South Africa

This country tops the bill for both diamonds and platinum, essential in the manufacture of flat screen TVs and there is said to be a huge store of this precious metal. It is impossible to estimate how much platinum is still in the ground, while diamonds are also abundant.

Middle East

The various royal families on the continent obviously have vaults where they store their gold and while we’re on the subject of wealth, think of all the oil yet to be found in this region of the world. Many of the best jewellery collections are housed in Saudi Arabia and UAE, these items have been handed down through the generations, while some were stolen and others auctioned off in Paris, London or New York.

If you are looking to add to your investment portfolio, search online for a leading gold bullion dealer and take advantage of rising prices.