Sunday 30 March 2014

How To A Fortune On The Stock Market

stock marketWe have all seen the Wolf of Wall Street and we all now believe the world to be simple, become a trader and make a rapid fortune. Well for some people it really does work like that but in reality it doesn’t and you have got to be willing to adapt and research in order to make your fortune on the stock market.
There are so many things you need to take into consideration as a stock market investor and three of them are listed below, projections, strong instinct and a hunger to make more. The latter quality is something that applies the most, being a successful trader is about being ruthless and at the end of the day if it is your job to sell, sell is what you must do.
There are also the investors, the people who are placing their trust in the traders, they are the risk takers and they are the ones who will reap the major rewards.
This article will provide information about three simple but effective ways to make a fortune on the stock market.

Projections

You have got to do your research, do you think investment bosses such as Brett Lankester got to the top of their game through guesswork? Things don’t work like that anymore and that is in my opinion because of the internet. There is just so much information and software available nowadays, it is almost impossible for anyone to go into something without “Googling” it.
The new internet culture of this planet has meant the trading industry has also changed culturally. Traders and investors have to be much more aware of what is going on, there is much less freedom for the trader because the investors know what they are talking about much more than in the past.
In years gone by the investor would have given almost free reign to the trader and with that control over his or her money. It doesn’t work like that as much nowadays, the investor provides guidance and the trader executes the deal.

Instinct

To be a good investor you have got to have an extremely strong instinct. You will get nowhere as an investor or a trader without having a lightening instinct. When a deal comes up you have got to be willing to seal it without a second thought and you have also got to be willing to cement yourself as confident seller.
There is nothing worse than a trader or investor with loyalty, it is essential that you know when to sell, there is no room for sentimentality on the stock market.

Hunger for More

You must always want more, you must crave profit and with that attitude success will come. You must apply strong research, instinct and trust in order to be successful on the markets but you really can make a lot of money.
Spend time researching, I can’t explain the importance of preparation, you must know exactly where a company came from and where it is heading.
Featured images:
Danny Farrell has been writing for some years now about the economy. He graduated from a top London university and then immediately pursued his writing career.

Friday 21 March 2014

Should Criminal Cases Be Televised?



There is no doubt that the Oscar Pistorius court case is momentous news at the moment. In the era of 24 hour rolling news channels, it is not a surprise to see an event like this jumped on by so many within the media. However, there has been a surprise with the way that Sky Sports News has gotten involved with the coverage of the event. Clearly the court case is involving a high profile sportsman and the channel is likely splitting footage with Sky News, making it simple for Sky to fill time on two channels, but even with this in mind, it has been quite a shock to see the way that the footage has been used do widely.

Of course, a large part of the reason for this is the fact that allowing TV cameras into a court is so far removed from the current state of affairs in the United Kingdom. While many countries around the world have embraced technology to allow the public to see notable cases to unfold, Britain and its highly regarded justice system have remained apart from these issues. For some people, this has been a hugely positive thing to do, preventing complicated cases and high profile events from being turned into a side show or even a clown court. However, there is a growing number of people, including some MPs who are questioning whether allowing TV cameras into courts would be such a dreadful thing. It is not as though this change is going to occur any time soon, but it may be that there is room to debate whether there would be a benefit from introducing this style of set-up for some British court cases.

David Lammy is the Labour MP for Tottenham, and he has recently shared his thoughts on the benefits that could come from allowing TV cameras into courts for high profile cases in the United Kingdom.

Lammy focused his thoughts, not on the Oscar Pistorious case but on the phone hacking cases that has been taking place at the Old Bailey. This case is likely to have a massive impact on people all across the country, and you could argue that it will even impact on the democracy in the United Kingdom. In this regard, is it right that the discussion and debate is allowed to be brought to the public through the media. After all, it is elements of the media that is on trial here and yet people are only gaining access to the debate and discussion second hand. While the media would still be required to broadcast the footage that is presented to people if they were showing live footage, people would be able to make up their own mind on what is being discussed without media spin being placed on it. At the moment, the topics being debated in the trial can be spun by parties who have a reason to spin the content in their favour or against a particular rival. This can make it difficult for people to learn the truth about what is going on in the trial. This is where the introduction of TV cameras into trials could help to provide people with a clearer understanding of what is going and without any corporation twisting words and findings to their benefit.

While many courts have an open section where the public can gain entry if there is an element of interest in the case, these spaces are usually filled by journalists or people with a strong vested interest. Activists and journalist will often have the time to attend these sessions over an elongated period.

There is certainly an argument that transparency is crucial, and it may be that transparency will slowly catch up with the courts. It managed to catch up with the House of Commons, and there is a slow, yet steady, move to more information being made available to the general public. With Freedom of Information providing a greater distribution of facts and knowledge, there is less to be said for keeping people in the dark over significant events.

There are still strong reasons why TV cameras are kept from the court room, but in certain cases, there are fewer reasons to oppose their appearance. Who knows, perhaps the UK will head in the same direction that many other countries around the world have moved?

Andrew Reilly is a freelance writer with a focus on news stories and personal injury and law articles. He has been writing professional for 8 years but has been writing for as long as he can care to remember.When Andrew isn't sat behind a laptop or researching a story, he will be found watching a gig or a game of football.

Wednesday 19 March 2014

What Do The Finance Industry & Politics Have In Common?

Politics
If you went out onto the street and asked 500 people what they were interested in, it is a safe bet that politics and the finance industry would be right at the bottom of the list.  At the same time, we have to recognize that politics and finance are two of the most important things in the world. Whether we like it or not, they influence how we live our day to day lives and between them pretty much shape the world we live in.

The fact that these two areas of our lives sit together is no coincidence. Here are some of the things they have in common.

Lack of Interest, Knowledge, Understanding

There is no question that the lack of interest in the industry drives the other two things, but at the same time it is difficult to build interest in something if you have no knowledge of it. It’s probably better to put these three problems into one vicious circle.
It is worrying that people don’t care about things that can have such a profound impact on their lives, but at the same time we can’t expect people to care too much if they don’t understand what that impact is.
While the general public as a whole definitely needs to do a better job of engaging with both industries, there is some accountability on politicians and prominent finance professionals to do something to make people more interested.

Bad Reputations

Wise individuals know that you should never tar everyone with the same brush, but parts of the global population love doing few things more than they love this. This is why politicians and the finance industry are generally so widely despised. All politicians are corrupt, and everyone working in the finance industry had a part to play in the global financial crisis.
They are two examples of opinions that are widely held, and perhaps more worryingly, rarely challenged at certain levels.
The fact is that some politicians do a good job and aren't corrupt – some have been convicted of various types of fraud, so no argument there – and not every financial professional or company is motivated by greed. Banks, private equity groups, and even wealth managers like ACPI have all suffered to varying degrees owing to the misconceptions many people hold.

Significant News Coverage

While the media can be blamed for a lot and they seem to get their priorities grossly misplaced sometimes, in fairness they do give proportionate coverage to the finance industry and politics the vast majority of the time.
All this serves to do is make the situation with individuals worse, however, as they are being given all the news and information they need to they can start to care and be informed about these areas, but still just skip past the pages.

They Matter

Ask people disinterested in politics and finance and they’ll tell you they don’t matter. Like it or not, they do, and even if all you do to understand a little better is follow a politician or finance professional on social media, it is at least a step in the right direction.
Featured images:
Jack Major is a student currently torn between which career path to choose. He is interested in politics but does not wish to become a career politician, so is likely to pursue a legal or financial career first before moving into politics at a later age.

Tuesday 18 March 2014

Most Common Pool Accidents & NBSP



There is almost nothing better then a beautiful day by the pool. Something about the sun and water together just makes for a good time. Whether you have kids, pets, or live alone, owning a pool is a big responsibility. Aside from having to maintain the pool by keeping it clean with chlorine, chemicals, and debris you also need to make sure that you and everyone else is safe in and around the pool. You may not realize it but pool related accidents make up a large number of accidental deaths in the world today. It is very important that you and your loved ones understand how to be safe and prevent any accidents from happening now and in the future. In this article I am going to be going over a few of the most common pool accidents, so that you can insure that none of these things ever happen to you.


Drowning


Drowning is the most serious and common pool related accident. Whether it is from someone slipping or in the pool that doesn’t know how to swim, or a young child unattended that scampers off and falls in the pool, drowning is a serious problem today. It is actually the number one accidental death cause for children ages 1-4 years old. Another scary statistic is that each day in the United States alone 9 people drown on average. It is important to never leave kids unattended in a pool or bathtub. Even walking away for a few minutes could be tragic. Before you or your kids swim make sure they have the proper flotation devices so that drowning is not even an option for them.


Slipping


Pool areas can be dangerous due to the amount of people getting in and out soaking wet. Not only is there water in the pool, but there is water all around the pool as well which can be hazardous to others around. There have been thousands of cases in which a public establishment is sued because there pool deck was not safe. It may not have been slip resistant material or the pool deck area may not drain properly which can create mini puddles of water around it. It is also important to remember to never run and mess around the outside of the pool. If your running and you slip and hit your head on something you may be looking a trip to the hospital or even worse. If you do ever happen to slip and get hurt in a public area then you may want to contact a lawyer if you feel as if the area was not safe.


Diving


Diving, while fun can be very dangerous. First of all, if you have an above ground pool, you should not be diving at all as none of them are considered deep enough to dive into. A staggering 57 percent of diving accidents happen in water that is 4 feet deep or less. You should not be diving into any pool that is not at least 8 feet deep, and even then diving into a pool can still be dangerous if you are not practicing the proper techniques. I suggest sticking to the regular old relax and float around the pool instead of taking the risk of diving and injuring your neck or worse.

When it comes down to it the pool can be a great time for you and the family to enjoy on a nice sunny day. Just remember that pool safety is very important and shouldn't be taken lightly. Your pool area should be fenced at all times to make sure no kids or animals can access the pool while you are not around. If you make sure you and your kids are safe at all times and always have an eye on the pool when anyone is in it then you should have no problem avoiding any pool related injuries.
Featured images:
Colin Quinn is a creative writer and internet marketing consultant for Heil-Law.com in Orlando, Florida. Colin is active in his community and volunteers regularly.

Friday 14 March 2014

Could Changes To Housebuilding Standards Lead To A Reduction In Home Emergency Cover Claims?

Changes to housebuilding standards could see Brits experiencing fewer electrical emergencies, plumbing breakdowns and drainage problems.

On March 13th, Stephen Williams, Communities Minister, outlined plans to make it simpler and more affordable for housebuilders to develop homes that are of a high standard. Existing regulations and standards mean that homebuilders have to deal with duplicating or contradictory requirements, with different standards varying across different regions. Mr Williams described this system as “complicated and confusing”.

As a result, he said the government intends to amend the whole system so that all housebuilding requirements are in one place, enabling developers and councils to collaborate more effectively when producing sustainable, secure and quality homes.

Home emergency cover – security

One of the amendments planned is the creation of a new household security standard. This will be based on current industry best practice, although the application of this standard is unknown. It will be focused on cost-effectiveness and may be applied nationally, although it may instead be concentrated on those areas with the highest security requirements.

Electrical appliance breakdowns, boiler breakdowns and home emergency cover
Local authorities can currently set up targets for renewable energy production and energy efficiency. The government states that these local targets have frequently been overtaken by national standards, with a zero-carbon home standard set to be enacted in 2016. Therefore, all energy efficiency standards will be imposed through national housebuilding regulations.

Plumbing and drainage cover

Rainwater harvesting requirements will be removed from areas that do not experience water shortages. Furthermore, there may also be two-tier water efficiency standards, with households in areas more susceptible to droughts seeing more stringent water efficiency standards than those in wetter locations.

Other amendments to housebuilding standards

The government also intends to remove or cut back several other standards, some of which seem somewhat archaic at present. For instance, there is currently a requirement for new-build homes to contain more than one landline, but this is to be scrapped.

Could changes lead to increase in home emergency cover claims?

While Mr Williams argued that the new housebuilding standards will make the UK’s residences safer and more secure, it could be argued that the standards will become less stringent, which could lead to a rise in home emergency claims.
For example, builders must currently have their work checked by an assessor from the Code for Sustainable Homes, the local planning authority, the Homes and Communities Agency, a building control group, and a range of independent assessors. The government may be right in its suggestion that this is too much assessment, but it cannot be denied that such intensive assessments must minimise the likelihood of health and safety problems or home emergencies.

The amendments follow a consultation into the issue, which saw most respondents agreeing with the implementation of national building regulation standards.




Whatever amendments are made to building regulations, 247 Home Rescue will be here to provide the boiler cover, appliance cover and home emergency cover membership schemes people need to enjoy real peace of mind. Check us out on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn!

Thursday 13 March 2014

Personal Finance For You 20-somethings

Being the typical broke college student is an invaluable experience. It is something you should look back on with the fondest memories and a smile. Why, you might ask? In terms of personal finance, college was about living on what you had and making what you had work. Most of us couldn’t afford a new car while in college let alone a weekend trip home. We ate meagerly and jumped at the chance for anything that was given out for free. Why is this important to a personal finance article? Because you can use that mindset to help you blaze your own trail when you secure that job and enter the workforce.

Almost, but not quite

You’re out of college. There is no reason you need to continue eating Top Ramen and putting hot sauce on everything because you don’t have anything to season with. After all, the reason we go to college is partially so we don’t have to eat sandwiches every meal for the rest of our lives. The solution? Don’t. Once you land that first job, go on and start living more like you’d like. Buy the spices you need for cooking, look into purchasing a higher quality vehicle, and start thinking about a vacation in 12 months. Just remember to do so within your means.

Don’t go overboard with your spending. Try to keep the college mindset of being frugal and not spending on excess extras. Hash out a budget and figure out where your money goes each month. Then, find out the minimum amount you can spend on each of these things. Do your best to live below your means leaving you extra money to put towards your student loans or into your savings.

Emergency Funding

What if you’re dicing up some tomatoes and you drop your freshly sharpened knife and it so happens to jab right into your foot? Well let’s hope that doesn’t happen but I’m not talking about that kind of emergency. An emergency fund is an amount of money readily available (meaning you should designate it to a savings account) in the event you lose your job. This fund should cover 3-6 months of your current necessary expenses.

Pay off Credit Cards

Now is when those late night food runs and extra cases of beer won’t seem so worth it. It’s easy to make instinctive purchases when you don’t have to actually pay for it yet. That’s one of the tough mental obstacles to overcome when purchasing on credit, because when you do actually pay off that card it’s tough to see your money go towards something you already used or experienced. But paying off outstanding credit card debt is a must. Because if you don’t, that amount owed will continue to grow thanks to accruing interest. And if you thought paying off credit cards was no fun, paying off the interest owed on that card is even less than that.

It’s a big deal to land your first job. You should be proud of yourself for achieving this. You’re starting to blaze your own trail. Part of this is additional responsibility is being financially independent. Remember to live below your means and you’ll be smooth sailing as a financially independent young careerist!

Gale Newell is a finance specialist who shares her knowledge with the public.

Monday 10 March 2014

Cool Ways To Spend Your Money


We live in a pretty cool world and with that has come an increase in the number of cool ways to spend money. There are absolutely no rules or limits anymore and it is important for anyone with enough money to spend to take advantage of this fact. The rise of the internet in recent years has led to a sharp increase in consumer spending and that is because things are so cheap online, people can get a lot of things for their money and then it gets delivered to their door the next day.Spending Money
The business world is completely changing and spending money has become a part of daily life for so many.
The key difference is the internet, there is no disputing the fact that it has totally altered how we all approach our day to day lives and with that the number of ways to spend money has increased dramatically, for the better if you ask me.
This article will explain three ways to spend your money in a cool manner.

Cars

This is perhaps the simplest way to spend your money but it certainly is one of the most enjoyable and effective. If you can drive then you have the option of opening yourself up to some of the world’s most fancy cars and you can drive around some of the world’s most exotic locations. It is important to obviously stay within your budget but essentially, buying a car with your money can be a short term enjoyment fix and a long term investment.

Monday 3 March 2014

6 Things You Need To Know About Car Rental Agreements

When you rent a car, you must sign a car rental agreement before you are allowed to leave the premises with the vehicle. You should know that you are signing a legal contact between you and the rental car company. To make sure you understand the rental car agreement, there are a few tips you should know.

Tip 1: Know Your Drivers

As the renter of the vehicle and the person who signs the contract, you are considered the driver of the rental vehicle. The contract will expressly state that you are the only driver. If you need to have someone else drive the vehicle, you will need to follow the rules set forth in the agreement. The agreement may state that other drivers have to sign the contract. Never allow other people to drive the vehicle if their names do not appear on the agreement, or you will be held responsible for any damages.

Tip 2: Inspect the Vehicle

Before you can leave the parking lot with the car, a rental car company employee with walk around the vehicle to inspect it for damages such as scratches, dents, dings, or missing paint. This information will be noted in the agreement, and the car will be checked again when you return it. Always inspect the vehicle on your own and make sure you agree with the notes the employee makes about the condition of the vehicle because you will be charged for any scratches or dents that were not noted in the original agreement when you return the car.

Tip 3: Check the Gas Gauge

The rental car employee will also make a note of how much gas is in the fuel tank and make note of it on the agreement. Always verify this information because your agreement states that you must return the car with the same amount of gas it had when you took it off of the lot. You will be charged if you don't return the vehicle with the same amount of gas.

Tip 4: Check the Mileage

The rental car employee will also check the mileage on the vehicle and make a note of it in the agreement. Some agreements will limit the number of miles you can drive per day, which means you will be charged if you go over a certain number of miles. To avoid the charge, verify the mileage is noted correctly on your agreement.

Tip 5: Verify the Numbers

There are two important numbers on your rental car agreement. Look to make sure the rental contract number is correct in case you are in an accident and need to contact the rental car company regarding the contract or vehicle. Then, verify that the vehicle number on the contract corresponds to the vehicle you actually rented. This number is also helpful if you have to contact the company during the rental period of the vehicle.

Tip 6: Know Your Return Information

A final important piece of the rental agreement is the section about the return of the vehicle. This section tells you the time and date when the vehicle is expected to be returned. Return the vehicle on time and to the specified location to avoid a late fee.

A rental car agreement gives you the legal right to be in possession of the vehicle. Be sure you keep the agreement on you or in the car at all times in case you are stopped by a police officer or you are in an accident. You will have to show proof that you are legally able to be driving the vehicle.
Danny Ong is a contributor for Singapore's leading car rental company, www.expresscar.com.sg.

If You Have Amica Car Insurance, Consider Stepping Up To Platinum Coverage

Amica is the nation’s oldest mutual insurer of cars, having been originally established in 1907. Today, it ranks as the 23rd largest car insurance company in the country with just under $1 billion in direct premium written each year, though it truly performs above this rating when it comes to customer satisfaction and respect in the industry. You will find Amica at or near the top of every objective survey about car insurance companies in the country as it routinely outranks companies many times its size for value, claims processing and overall customer satisfaction.

One reason Amica outranks many competitors for value and customer satisfaction is its commitment to find new ways to service its customers. As a mutual insurer, it doesn’t have “shareholders” in the traditional sense of the word. Customers are shareholders at Amica, giving the company a slightly different focus than many other insurers. One of the more popular innovations Amica has developed for car insurance customers is its premium service package known as the Platinum Choice Plan. If you are currently an Amica customer (or if you’ve been looking at them as an alternative to a current insurer) it could benefit you to take some time to consider stepping up to a Platinum package.

Platinum Choice basics


When you start building your car insurance coverage plan with Amica, the Platinum Choice option is something you can select that overlays your traditional coverage options (liability, collision, uninsured/underinsured motorist, etc.) With it you get access to some fairly impressive products and services that will compliment whatever you put in place for car insurance protection, including:
Amica’s good driving rewards – a program where you car earn what Amica refers to as Advantage Points, which can be redeemed to lower or eliminate your costs if you are in an accident. These points can be used to:
  • Waive an auto accident surcharge
  • Pay down or eliminate your deductibles on options like collision or comprehensive coverage
Amica will grant you these Advantage Points as a reward for:
  • Staying with Amica as an auto insurance customer
  • Adding other Amica policies
  • Renewing existing Amica policies
  • Completing a year of good driving (with no at-fault accidents or major or points-totaling infractions)
  • Referring other drivers to Amica (you earn points if drivers you refer become Amica customers)
Your Advantage Points never expire while you have an Amica policy. You can use your points however and whenever you choose.

Identity fraud monitoring – an innovative feature, Amica's identity fraud monitoring service will keep tabs on your credit files and personal information at all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and Trans Union) on a 24/7 basis. You will be alerted within 24 hours if unusual activity is detected. You will be given toll-free access for you and your family to an Identity Theft 911 experienced fraud specialist. If a problem occurs, you will receive expert assistance with all documentation and phone calls needed to resolve your case.

Full glass coverage – an option that can save you a bundle down the road, Amica’s full glass coverage will provide you with new windshields or door windows at no cost to you (no deductibles will be applied.) Whether the glass has a small chip or is completely shattered, Amica will pay to repair or replace it and it applies to any damage, big or small. Your choice of repair facilities under this program is not limited in any way. If you need help finding a repair facility, Amica's glass partnership program offers high-quality repair and replacement services from our member shops, including a lifetime guarantee on defective parts and workmanship for replacements as long as you own the vehicle.

Prestige rental coverage – don’t be stranded without a car when yours needs to be repaired as a result of a cover able accident. With this coverage, you have no daily limit on your rental charge. Amica gives you up to $5,000 per accident toward the rental of a comparable car. It ensures you can drive a car with the performance and luxury similar to your own. Coverage applies when your vehicle is in a covered loss, whether your car is involved in a hit and run, in a total loss, is stolen or in any other covered accident, your $5,000 limit applies and continues until your vehicle is repaired or you are able to purchase a replacement.


Flexibility with these options


While you can add each of these elements, separately, to your Amica car insurance plan, you will get a better deal if you take on the entire Platinum package. Depending on the state where you live and the plan you have in place, you can add Amica’s Platinum Choice for no additional premium (and might even find yourself eligible for a premium discounts as you bundle these options.)
Not all of the elements of the Platinum plan are available in all states and not all of the range of discounts with Platinum are equally available in all states, so be sure to consult your Amica representative to see what’s available where you live and drive.

Personal injury solicitors burnley offers £1500 cash advance on personal injury solicitors, accident at work compensation, road traffic accident claims, for more details please visit 

(Note: this article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be read as a solicitation or a promotion. The author has no affiliation with Amica or any other car insurance provider.)



  •  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: Image courtesy of Amica Mutual

    • Jeffrey Davidson is a writer and consultant with more than 25 years of experience working with insurance companies across many lines. He currently writes about car insurance for Reply!. You can find his article on other options for saving on car insurance.