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A Beginner’s Guide to Stock Trading

By Thomas on March 19, 2021

If you are a novice who is interested in learning about stock trading, there are many educational platforms that can help you get started. Before you dabble in doing stock transactions, start off with choosing a brokerage account. Many brokerage platforms help you in the process of starting to trade, though there are certain aspects that you should know first.

Different Ways to Invest in Stocks

There are several approaches that you can take towards investing in the stock market. You can choose the kind of funds that you wish to put your money in. You might decide, for example, to opt for a robo advisory service. That is often the best choice for beginners. Such expert-guided investment comes at a low cost and can also provide choices with minimum risk. The other option is to invest in the retirement benefits or schemes that your employer provides. To learn and get started, the use of stock market trading apps is also a good idea.

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Guide to stock trading

Source: stocktradingschool.com

Steps to Get Started

Basic steps involve picking the right brokerage to trade through, placing trades and understanding how it impacts your budget and taxes.

  • Choose an Online Brokerage

Find a reputed and reliable stock brokerage online, preferably one that has educational demo modes to offer. Hence, you can see demos of how trade actions are executed on such a platform. You also need to compare trading commissions charged by the different sites. Once you feel confident, you can sign up for a membership account. Many offer a seamless trading experience, through desktop as well as through mobile apps.

  • Research Stocks

Once you have signed up on an online brokerage, you can choose the kind of stocks you wish to trade. For those who are new to this, it is safer to start with exchange-traded funds or ETFs. These are stock bundles that investors buy. It helps those who are not confident enough to choose a single company. It also helps give your portfolio a larger exposure. Traders can also diversify holdings with different kinds of assets such as bonds. That way, you can hedge against risks, especially when stock markets have a downturn. You also need to check financial analysis ratios which compare the performance of a company against that of competitors.

  • Know the Costs

Success in stock trading comes from optimal spending. First, you need to know the cost of owning or trading in securities. There are also commission fees involved. Once you have an estimate of such expenses, compare the same against the average returns that your choice of funds potentially provides. Also, plan your budget so you spend only what you can afford to lose.

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Stock trading comes from optimal spending

Source: nbcnews.com

  • Effects on Taxes

Know that profits you make will attract capital gains taxes. If you hold stocks for less than a single year, you pay more in terms of such taxes. Hence, such taxes are designed to encourage long term investments.

Conclusion

There is much to know and learn about stock trading. However, the expert brokerages make it easy and can assist beginners through the entire process. It is important, though, to be mindful of the expenses and taxes applicable.

 

Level Up Your Real Estate Investing Portfolio In 2021 With Hard Money Bankers

By Thomas on March 15, 2021

A person writing on a piece of paper

Description automatically generated with low confidence

Real estate investment is one of the best investment portfolios anyone can have in today’s world. The potentials are just interesting and worth going all in for. But then, what stops most people from committing enough investment into real estate is the lack of funds.

Usually, this problem is solved by borrowing from traditional lenders. But, recently, the experience of many have shown that the process is always onerous and not yielding the desired result.

This is why a better alternative should be sought and used to level up your real estate investment portfolio. One of the best alternatives you can have in 2021 is Hard Money Bankers.

Hard Money Bankers is known for offering short-term financing solutions for real estate investors who are finding it difficult to source funding for their real estate investing projects through traditional lenders. They provide financing from single residential investment properties through large commercial projects and burgeoning real estate portfolios.

This is why in this post; you will see how to level up your real estate investing portfolio with Hard Money Bankers.

Why Should You Use Hard Money Bankers to Level Up Your Real Estate Investing Portfolio?

There are many reasons to consider Hard Money Bankers in 2021. Some of those reasons are:

  • Hard Money Bankers Are Quick: What you often spend the whole time getting with your traditional lenders can be gotten in no time when you deal with us. With Hard money Bankers, you eradicate the problem of having to wait endlessly for your real estate investment loan.
  • Flexible Loan Review: Unlike the onerous process for loan review with traditional lenders, Hard Money Bankers offers you flexible process. The loan review is without any arduous criterion.
  • If you don’t qualify for conventional loan, you have a chance with Hard Money Bankers: Without a doubt, it is always difficult for new investors in real estate to get loan from traditional bank. This has always been a huge problem for new investors who desire to grow their real estate business.

    But this doesn’t have to be the issue anymore. With HMB, you can qualify for loan and level up your real estate investment portfolio.

    You can contact them on their website at to see if you qualify for a hard money loan.

What Do Hard Money Bankers Look For?

When you approach HMB for loans to level up your real estate investment, some things are considered.

Often, HMB needs to evaluate you as a borrower. Just like your traditional bank would do, we need to know your capability.

In this light, whether or not you have a good deal would be considered. Also, your property would be considered and your capability of doing the deal. This is why you should build trust with us just the same way you would with your traditional borrower.

Important Reminder

In all, as you decide to approach any Hard Money lenders, ensure you vet the one you are dealing with. This is to avoid falling victim to some unscrupulous agents in the industry.

One of the best ways to know genuine Hard Money Lenders is to check them up at your local Real Estate Investor’s Association.

Read Next:
Hard Money Bankers Shares: How Real Estate Investors Have Adapted During Unprecedented Times?
6 Trends That Will Shape The Financial Services Industry In 2021

 

Term Insurance Guide for Young Professionals

By Thomas on February 25, 2021

Do you want to invest a part of your salary in financial instruments? However, before that, have you considered investing in term insurance plans? If no, then you should seriously give it a thought.

A term insurance plan lays the foundation of any successful investment portfolio. Many young professionals refrain from investing in life insurance, as they have little or no responsibility on their shoulders. If you are one of them, then you are making a big mistake. There are numerous advantages of investing in term plans from an early phase of life. These include:

  • Straightforward insurance policy

Term plans are easy-to-understand. They are a simple type of life insurance plan, as they purely provide life protection for a specific duration at an affordable premium. As there is no investment component involved in a term plan, it becomes easier for you to understand its terms and conditions. A term insurance plan secures your family’s financial future against the uncertainties of life. In the case of an untoward incident during the policy tenure, the insurer is liable to pay the death benefit (sum assured) to your family members. Here, there are no maturity benefits unless you have purchased term insurance with a return of premium (TROP). Another plus point of a term plan is that one can buy it at the young age of 18, and the maximum age limit is 65.

  • Economical premium

A term plan comes at a pocket-friendly cost. When compared to any other type of insurance policy, the term insurance premium is the lowest. Besides this, when you invest in a term plan at a younger age, you get it at a nominal rate viz-a-viz an older policyholder. It is because during this phase of life you are healthy, and the risk of mortality is significantly low. Also, there is a lower probability of having life-threatening diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, the term plan’s premium remains the same throughout the period of the policy. So, if you start at an early age, you can save a large sum on the premium in the long run.

  • Tax exemptions

The term insurance tax benefit is another reason why you should invest in it. Here, you can get a deduction of up to INR 1.5 lakh per annum for the premium you pay towards your term plan under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961. So, you must invest in a policy when you are young to avail of this term insurance tax benefit for a longer duration. Moreover, the sum assured that your family members receive in case of an unfortunate event is tax-free as per Section 10(10D) of the Act.

  • Availability of riders

Term plans offer various riders like critical illness cover, accidental death benefit, income rider, the waiver of premium, and permanent disability, among others to widen the scope of your coverage. Though you have to pay supplementary charges for these riders, they are worth every penny. Therefore, it becomes crucial to opt for riders that can meet your needs.

Today, it is quite convenient to buy a term plan. You can purchase it online from the comfort of your home. By opting for this mode, you end up paying a much cheaper premium compared to buying a policy through an agent. This is because the insurer eliminates the agent’s commission and passes on this benefit to you in the form of a discounted premium. If you are looking for an ideal term plan, you can take the assistance of an online term insurance calculator. It enables you to compare the premiums of various plans based on the factors like your age, tenure, and the sum assured.

Now that you have understood the importance of having a term plan, invest in it without any further delay. By making this decision, you will ensure that your family has a large sum assured when you are not there to take care of them.

 

Four Golden Steps for Becoming a Day Trader

By Thomas on February 22, 2021

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The person who can spend more time in the trading field chooses day trading. Here, people get the chance to make more money, but this is also risky. Investors should learn to control their emotions as they are required to make a quick decision. In the trading field, if you are unable to understand the situation, it is not possible to make a quick decision. There are four steps for becoming a day trader which are being discussed here.

Prepare Yourself

Every trader should invest time in preparing themselves. When the person will be able to improve the necessary abilities, it will be possible to become successful. Investors should try to focus on developing the necessary traits to gain the rewards, Most of the time, the investors cannot be able to recognize the trends because of the lack of knowledge. The person should know about the technical analysis to operate the trading activity properly. If you cannot be able to allocate the time properly for the activities, it is not possible to take good preparation. When the person is prepared enough, he will not face any problems to a swift decision.

The self-learning process will help to improve trading performance. To do this, people should focus on developing a good routine which will help to maintain regularity. People can gain knowledge from books and some online resources. But, it is necessary to check the authenticity of the information.

Implement the Strategy Properly

Investors should learn to implement the strategy. When the person will be able to stick to the plan, it will be easy to carry out the trading process properly. The plan will help to determine the appropriate entry and exit points. People should open and close the position at the correct time to make money. If you do not be able to maintain the discipline, there are no benefits of making a fruitful plan. Always try to learn from the experienced traders at Saxo Bank group. It will definitely help you to formulate your trading strategy.

People should give proper concentration on developing a better plan and increase the discipline level. Investors should trail the plan in the virtual field if they want to sure about this. Without ensuring affordability, it will be the wrong decision to apply the plan in the real market. If the strategy provides a better result in the market, it will be applicable in the real field. This will also help to build the confidence level and do a better performance.

Control Emotions

Without controlling the emotions, it is not possible to make a better decision. People should take some necessary steps for controlling emotions. When the person will be able to deal with the negative sentimental issues, it will be easy to control the situation. In day trading, people try to do overtrading. So, when the person will fall into the trap of overtrading, it is not possible to secure the money. That’s why the investors should determine how many trades they will do every day and they should not cross the limit. Because of excessive greed, people make mistakes in day trading. Investors should remove this from the mind.

Start Small

If you try to make a large profit instantly, you will face failure. People should focus on making small profits in the initial stage. When they will be experienced, they should try to expand their portfolio. People should aware of co-related assets. Without gaining proper experience, it is not possible to handle a critical situation. If the person is unable to secure the account balance, he will fail to go in the long run. In day trading, the cost is high. So, people should contemplate this fact before opening a new position.

Day traders should not ignore fundamental analysis as it is necessary to up to date with the market. The person is also required to choose the right broker for doing the transaction process smoothly which will help to become successful.

 

February Financial To-Do List

By Thomas on February 17, 2021

February is the depth of winter for most people. So if you’re spending the cold month inside, staving off boredom, why not get your financial affairs in order. Below are a few tips to help you get through the harsh weather and figure out your finances.

Get An Early Jump On Your Taxes

Most tax experts suggest filing early. One of the main benefits to that is if you’re owed a refund, you’ll receive it earlier. Of course the other benefit is also a bit of a drawback; if you owe the IRS money and you file your taxes early, you still have to pay the IRS. However, you will have the maximum amount of time to figure out how to pay them. Because there have been many tax law changes in the recent past and because this past year in particular will be tricky to navigate, it’s recommended to use a professional. If you don’t have an accountant, check in with your financial planner Orlando for some high quality recommendations.

Pay Down Holiday Debt

Interest rates are on the rise again so it’s becoming more expensive to carry credit card debt. If you haven’t paid off your holiday gifts yet, you should do so quickly. If you struggle with debt like this in general, try to make multiple monthly payments on your cards. Many people don’t realize that credit card companies will accept more than just one payment a month. Secondly, look for a lower interest rate. Most companies offer a 0% transfer rate which means it won’t cost anything to move your debt to a new card with a lower interest rate. A strategic move like that could wind up saving you a bundle.

Check Your Credit Report

Now, nationwide credit reporting companies are required by law to provide you with a free copy of your credit score, upon request, once a year. It is often suggested to order a credit report from a different major credit bureau once a quarter. This will allow you to monitor your credit multiple times per year, for free. Your credit card affects your interest rates on your largest purchases, so it’s very important you track your score and know where you stand.

Spend Some Money

Spend some money–some being the operative word though. We are always so focused on saving money, but spending money wisely is almost just as good. According to Consumer Report experts, February is the month that tends to have the lowest prices on thousands of items. If you’re able to shop in “off-seasons” like February, you will find you’ll have everything you need and you will have saved money acquiring those goods, as well.

Strengthen your financial habits in february, and create a good healthy financial start to your year.

 

Term Insurance vs. Traditional Life Insurance Policies

By Thomas on January 22, 2021

Investing in a life insurance policy is the most common way to provide financial security to your family in your absence. Life insurance pays the policy benefits to your nominees if an unfortunate event occurs during its duration.

Traditional life insurance policies offer maturity or survival benefits. However, the premium for such policies is high and expensive for most people. Insurers also offer term plans, which are pure life covers available at an economical premium.

What is a term insurance plan?

It is a straightforward life plan that pays the benefits to your nominees if something untoward happens to you during the policy duration. Most term plans do not pay any survival or maturity benefits. So, the premium is lower compared to traditional life insurance policies.

Some term insurance policies offer a return of premium option. When you buy term insurance with return of premium, the insurer pays the entire amount paid at the end of the policy duration. However, the premium for these plans is higher than the amount paid for a regular term policy.

Differences between term insurance and traditional life insurance policies

Although both term and regular life insurance policies ensure financial security for your family in your absence, there are certain distinguishing factors between these two options. Here are three such points of comparison:

  • Policy benefits

Your nominees get the term insurance benefits only in your absence during the policy duration. If you survive the policy period, most term plans do not pay any maturity or survival benefits.

On the other hand, regular life insurance policies pay the sum assured (SA) to your nominees if an untoward incident occurs during its duration. If you survive the policy period, you will receive the maturity benefits as per the terms and conditions of the plan.

  • Premium cost

There are no term insurance benefits on maturity. As these plans are pure life covers, the premium is more affordable. This allows you to avail of a higher coverage at a lower premium, ensuring that your family is financially secured in your absence. You can easily opt for a higher SA based on their requirements and future financial goals, ensuring they do not face any liquidity constraints when you are not there to look after them.

In comparison, traditional life policies are costlier, and you may be unable to afford a higher SA. This may limit the benefits your family will receive if a tragic event occurs during the policy tenure.

An important consideration is that the premium of a term plan increases if you opt for a longer duration and age. However, the amount remains constant during the entire duration irrespective of the age and tenure when you buy a traditional life insurance policy.

  • Policy duration

You can choose the term policy period based on your age and current and future monetary objectives. On the other hand, most traditional life policies have a minimum duration of five years and provide coverage for a longer period.

Things to consider while choosing the right life insurance policy

When you consider buying a life insurance policy, you must not simply think of it as an investment avenue or as a means to achieve your financial objectives or to save tax. You need to keep several other factors in mind. These include:

  • Premium
  • Maximum coverage
  • Current liabilities
  • Present financial situation
  • Future financial objectives

There are several plus points of buying an online term plan, which includes lower premium, convenience, and quick process. Additionally, you can procure comprehensive coverage through riders, such as waiver of premium, permanent disability, critical illness, and accidental death benefits at a nominal cost.

Both term plans and traditional life insurance policies offer flexibility to pay the premium. You have the facility to pay it either monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually according to your financial condition.

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I’m Thomas Stevens, a financial advisor who has a love for SEO. Anything numbers related excited me, so I started blogging about finances and budgeting. I also help others blog about finance – it’s always good to have a niche! Read More…

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I’m Thomas Stevens, a financial advisor who has a love for SEO.

Anything numbers related excited me, so I started blogging about finances and budgeting. I also help others blog about finance – it’s always good to have a niche!

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