Smart Investments

If you have a good sized lump sum of money to invest you can have some wonderful conversations with dozens of specialists and each one of them will tell you what they think is the best option.  Lump sum investment is something that many people spend hours day dreaming about, especially those who are employed in the financial sector.  It is like a continuously changing puzzle and when it is someone else’s money at stake it is very easy to have all the answers.   When it is your money, however, it all becomes a little more relevant and getting it wrong can be a disaster.

It would be wonderful to possess foresight as well as a lump sum of money.  That would make you truly infallible.  Unfortunately this is something that nobody can guarantee.  The best plan for reliable lump sum investment is probably to invest in more than one scheme.  There are a great many ways in which you can invest, including property, stocks and shares, gold, bonds… the list is endless.

Some people like to invest in gold.  This can often be a good investment depending on the financial climate at the time of purchase.  If you purchase when the economy is running well then you could easily be realising a high return if the country goes into recession.  Again, though, it is not advisable to use this for your entire lump sum investment.  Ten percent of your investment put into gold could work very well for you without it being risky.  Cash investments can always work well and money invested into an ISA is a safe bet.  You would probably not be able to invest all into one, however.

In general it is best to seek advice from a specialist.  Once again, you are likely to hear differing advice but you will have to commit yourself to the plan which makes you feel the most confident.  The majority of investment specialists would advise spreading your lump sum investment over cash/bonds, stocks and shares, commodities and property with probably the majority going into stocks.  A real estate investment trust may be a sound idea for property.  If you have a large lump sum you may consider putting a small percentage of it into high risk funds.  These are always an interesting investment and can be great to keep an eye on and also, if you are lucky, tremendously profitable.  Good advice is obviously necessary here as you will need some knowledge of emerging markets, hedge funds etc.  These are not areas into which you should become involved personally if you have little or no knowledge.  You would also be foolhardy to invest all your lump sum in such ventures.

Lump sum investment is a tricky business and you will need to weigh up the pros and cons of each option.  It is never good business practice to put all your eggs in one basket when it comes to investment.  The only advice that I can give is to do your homework before committing yourself, trust your own judgement when it comes to whom to listen to and, do not take your lump sum down to the race track!

Shhh..after reading this article, you must promise to never breath a word about this lucrative investment secret. I urge you to take it now and prosper from my own experience. If for any reason you can’t keep quiet about it, at least make sure to understand what you are about to discover so you can competently describe it.

$400 can turn into $1 million dollars very quickly. I am sure you are familiar with compounding and understand how interest upon interest pays off. The lucrative secret you are about to learn has to do with SOR or “speed of returns” This amazing little twist makes compounding of amazing proportions possible.

With most investors happy with a poultry 30% percent per year, you can be excused for thinking what you are about to learn is not credible. However, the fact is, 1000% yearly returns are actually just the bottom of the barrel.

When you consciously seek out and find short cycle investments, being careful to assure the risk is not excessive, you can make incredible returns in your investment business. There are two reasons why.

Firstly, short cycle investments compound capital faster. If you focus your efforts specifically on finding fast turn around investments then you can quickly make huge returns on a yearly basis. Speed of return is often more important than the size of the return.

Secondly, becoming your own investor source, in other words, the capital you invest whether it be $400 dollars or $400,000 dollars, is invested by you and not just handed over to some fund manager who couldn’t care less what your return is either way. What happens is, the money being in your own hands, you not only reduce a significant overlay of risk that is present when losing control of your capital, but you also increase compounding by becoming more skilled as an investor.

Imagine doubling your money every week with no or little risk! To discover a verified list of Million Dollar Corporations offering you their products at 75% commission to you. Click the link below to learn HOW you will begin compounding your capital towards your first Million Dollars at the easy corporate money program. http://www.easycorporatemoney.com

…or read another article

Investing $20 Dollars - Can You Double It In A Week?

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SHOULD YOU INVEST FOR YOUR FUTURE?

I would say Yes.

Hence, investing has become increasingly important over the years, as the future of social security benefits becomes unknown.

In these hard times, people want to insure their futures, and they know that if they are depending on Social Security Benefit, and in most cases retirement plans, they know that they may be in for a rude awakening, when they no longer have the ability to earn a steady income. Investing is the best answer to the unknowns of the future.

Over the years you may have been saving money in a low interest savings account. Now, you want to see that money grow at a much faster pace. Perhaps you’ve inherited money from a relative or you realized some other type of windfall, and you need a way to make that money grow. So, investing is the answer.

Investing is also a way of getting the things that you want, such as a new home, a college education for your children, or expensive ‘toys.’ Of course, your financial goals will determine what type of investing you do.

If need to make a lot of money fast, you would be more interested in higher risk investing, which will give you a larger return in a shorter amount of time. If you are saving for the far off future, such as retirement, you would want to make safer investments that grow over a longer period of time.

To create wealth and security are the overall purpose of investing, over a period of time. It is also important to remember that you will not always be able to earn an income … you will eventually want to retire.

You also cannot depend on the Social Security system to do what you expect it to do. As we have seen with Enron, you also cannot necessarily depend on your company’s retirement plan either. So, again, investing is the key to insuring your own financial future, but you must make smart investments!

INVESTMENT STRATEGY

In most cases, investing is not a sure thing — it is more or less like a game - you will never know the outcome of the game until it has been played and a winner has been declared. When you play almost any type of game, you should have a strategy. Investing isn’t any different - you need an investment strategy.

The strategy in investment is basically a plan for investing your money in various types of investments that will help you meet your financial goals in a certain amount of time. Each type of investment contains individual investments that you must choose from. A clothing store sells clothes - but those clothes consist of skirts, dresses, shirts, pants, undergarments, etc. The stock market is a type of investment, but it contains different types of stocks, which all contain different companies that you may invest in.

You must first research and research some more, otherwise, it can quickly become very confusing - as there are so many different types of investments; there are each individual investments to choose from. This is where your strategy, also combined with your risk of tolerance and investment style will all come into play.

If you are a beginner and just starting in investing, you should have a financial adviser, who will advise you before making any investments. Your financial adviser will help you develop an investment strategy that will not only fall within the bounds of your risk tolerance and your investment budget, but will also help you achieve your financial goals.

You should invest money with money that you don’t use and never invest money without having a goal and a strategy for reaching that goal! This is absolutely essential. Nobody should ever hand their money over to anyone without knowing what that money is being used for, and when they will get it back! If you don’t have a goal, a plan, or a strategy, that is essentially what you are doing! Always start with a goal and a strategy for reaching that goal!

Your Present Situation Should Be Stabilized Before You Think Of Investing

Before you even think of investing in any type of market, you should really take a long hard look at your current financial situation. Investing in the future is a good thing, but clearing up bad - or potentially bad - financial situations in the present is extremely more important.

Check your credit report. You should do this once each year. It is important to have a clear report, and to clear up any debt as soon as possible. If you have set aside $25,000 to invest, but you have $25,000 worth of bad credit, you are better off cleaning up the credit first!

Firstly, look at what you are paying out each month, and you should get rid of expenses that are not necessary. For example, high interest credit cards are not necessary. Pay them off and get rid of them. If you have high interest outstanding loans, you should pay them off as well.

If nothing else, exchange the high interest credit card for one with lower interest and refinance high interest loans with loans that are lower interest. You may have to use some of your investment funds to take care of these matters, but in the long run, you will see that this is the wisest course of action.

Get yourself into good financial position - and then enhance your financial situation with sound investments.

It does not make sense to start investing funds if your bank balance is always running low or if you are struggling to pay your monthly bills. Your investment money will be better spent to rectify adverse financial issues that affect you each day.

While you are in the process of a clear-up in your present financial situation, make it a point to educate yourself about the various types of investments.

This way, when you are in a financially sound situation, you will be armed with the knowledge that you need to make equally sound investments in your future.

INVESTING FOR YOUR RETIREMENT

Retirement it might be right around the corner OR it may be a long way off for you - No matter how near or far it is, you have absolutely got to start saving for it now. However, in these days, saving for retirement isn’t what it cut out to be with the increase in cost of living and the instability of social security. You have to invest for your retirement, as opposed to saving for it!

Let’s us take a look at the retirement plan which is offered by your company. At one time, these plans were quite sound. However, after the Enron upset and all that followed, you are not secured in the company retirement plans anymore. If you choose not to invest in your company’s retirement plan, you do have other options.

First let’s see, you can invest in stocks, mutual funds, certificates of deposit, bonds, and money market accounts. You do not have to state to anybody that the returns on these investments are to be used for retirement. Just simply allow your money to grow overtime, and when certain investments reach their maturity, reinvest them and continue to let your money grow.

You can also open an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). IRA’s are quite popular because the money is not taxed until you withdraw the funds. You may also be able to deduct your IRA contributions from the taxes that you owe. An IRA can be opened at most banks. A ROTH IRA is a newer type of retirement account. With a Roth, you pay taxes on the money that you are investing in your account, but when you cash out, no federal taxes are owed. Roth IRA’s can also be opened at a financial institution.

Now here is another popular type, of retirement account is the 401(k). 401(k’s) are typically offered through employers, but you may be able to open a 401(k) on your own. You should speak with a financial adviser or accountant to help you with this. The Keogh plan is another type of IRA that is suitable for self employed people. Self-employed small business owners may also be interested in Simplified Employee Pension Plans (SEP). This is another type of Keogh plan that people typically find easier to administer than a regular Keogh plan.

Whichever retirement investment you choose, just make sure you choose one! Again, do not depend on social security, company retirement plans, or even an inheritance that may or may not come through! Take care of your financial future by investing in it today.

I hope this helps you in your future financial plans.

I love helping people who need advice on Home Environment which include help with advice and tips for families with debt and personal problems in sickness, weight loss, back pain, tips on how to save money at home and away from home, internet products. After all love is about giving. By the way if you are interested in weight loss I have tried and succeeded in losing 25 pounds. Let me know!

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When investors think of the person and success they would most like to emulate, Warren Buffet’s name is top on the list. He is seen an extremely successful and moral investor that has made his money through dedication and diligence.

Buffet’s entire life is a testimonial to the American dream and what can be achieved through smart investing. Warren Buffett holds position two, as the second most affluent man in the United States. He is unique to that list because he has made the majority of his wealth investing in other companies.

Warren Buffett presently presides as the CEO of his investment company, Berkshire Hathaway. He acquired this company in the late 1960s, nurturing and molding it into the highest priced and most fruitful listing on the New York Stock exchange.

Warren offers an unusual duality for a business man. He is often described (even by himself) as an introvert with simple tastes and a disheveled appearance. Pair this shy, “grandpa-like” exterior with a commanding aptitude for power investing and judiciously seeking out corporate talent and management - the combination is unstoppable.

Warren Buffett’s methodology and life philosophy is diligently studied, he is worshipped, respected, and recognized as the world’s most successful investor of the 20th century. Conservative in business and appearance he is a liberal at heart, which contrasts him sharply with his peers. He has set the standard for and broken the stereotype that a successful business man cannot flourish financially and maintain a solid set of ethical ideals.

Warren Buffett is a “reluctant” philanthropist. Giving away money is just like loosing money, and Buffett does not like either. It was, his wife and later his traveling companion, Susan, that inspired, and encouraged Warren to give money to number of local charities. These nonprofit organization were located in regions suffering from poverty, that she found herself dedicated too.

Even though he believed that these organizations would misuse the funds and his money would be wasted, he donated freely. He supported his wife’s ideals and became an active participant in her causes which centered around abortion, birth control, and homeless youths. Together, the pair created a foundation called Glide.

This organization was a joint venture used to direct monetary contributions to those particular causes. In 2000 it was rumored that Buffett, upon his passing, intended to make the Buffett Foundation his sole beneficiary. Warren Buffet love baseball and can often be overheard and quoted using baseball metaphors in his lectures, books, and interviews.

This love of baseball prompted his over 1 million dollar contribution to Omaha’s Minor League Baseball Commission to ensure baseball stays in Nebraska. Warren also aided Grinnell College in acquiring a radio station that was public, for 13 million dollars. Grinnell, two years later, sold the station for 35 million dollar profit.

Buffet was temporarily apprehensive over the sale, but the returned revenue spoke for itself. He has also indulged his liberal side by investing in a libertarian magazine start-up in Washington DC, which eventually failed.

Visit the Global Investment Institute and signup for our free Investing For Beginners E-Course at http://www.Global-Investment-Institute.com

Investment webmasters or publishers, please feel free to use this article provided this reference is included and all links remain active.

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Maverick Investors specialise in seeking out non-standard, little-known investment routes. They don’t believe that investment is necessarily ‘difficult’, or that it should be left entirely in the hands of ‘experts’. Experts have their place, of course, but the investment industry wants you to believe that they are vital, and your only route to smart investment strategies.

That simply isn’t true.

Let’s take a look at a couple of examples of what a Maverick Investor might be doing, even as you read this article.

Example 1 - Covered Call Options. It would take too long to explain this in depth, but it’s a bit like renting out the stock you own for a monthly income. Is it safe? Well, it’s allowed within your 401k, so the US government certainly think it is! Does it require huge expertise? No! You need to know how to do it, of course, but you can learn that in a day. From then on, it’ll take you two or three hours a month to implement. Is it worth it? Well, that depends on your criteria. However, you can safely expect to make a return of between 3% and 6% a month if done correctly - and that’s way more than any bank or brokerage house will offer you!

Example 2 - Online Businesses. If you’ve ever tried (or are trying right now) to find a way to make money online, you’ll probably know it to be a frustrating, time-consuming, and ultimately fruitless task. And yet, and yet….there are some people out there who are making consistent fortunes on the Internet, day in, day out, without working that hard for it. In fact, I know a guy who is consistently making $100,000 a month in what he would class as a largely passive income, i.e. he does very little, if anything, to ‘earn’ it. So, what’s the difference between him and you (apart from that income figure!)? The difference is, he has a largely automated system, and a way of thinking strategically, that puts him streets ahead. That’s the bad news. The good news is, he’ll teach you all he knows, and he won’t charge you a fortune for it!

Example 3 - Volatility Trading. The biggest stock market myth is the idea that some people can consistently predict the direction of a given market or stock with a high degree of accuracy over an extended period of time - years, say. It’s not true. Nobody has that ability. However, what if you had a technique where you could a) predict which stocks are due for a large move, b) predict, with some accuracy (a matter of days), when this large move is likely to take place and c) position yourself in the market so you would make money on that move regardless of which direction the move took. Wouldn’t that transform your investment performance in the stock market? Well, there is such a technique, and it’s there for the taking.

Example 4 - Below Market Value Real Estate. In the realm of real estate investing, what sort of a difference would it make if you could consistently buy property without using any of your own money, and instantly turn those properties into money-generating cash cows? How many would you need in order to give up your job and be a full-time Maverick Investor? Not many, let me tell you! And yet there are no real estate brokers out there who will show you how to buy houses and apartments 10%, 20%, 30% and more below their retail value. I wonder why?

Now, there’s way too much hype around on the Internet for me to want to add to it in any way at all. So let’s just back off a little way and put some of the above examples together in a very conservative ‘what if’ scenario.

What if you already have a $50,000 stock portfolio - by implementing a covered call strategy, you could be making 3% a month on that, giving you an income of $1,500 a month for a couple of hours work, and leave your portfolio largely untouched. And what if you were able to plug into an online business system that is generating one man $100,000 a month, and what if it ‘only’ made you 1% of that - that’s still another $1,000 a month in largely passive income.

Using just two of the four examples above, and taking super-conservative estimates, you’re already up to $2,500 a month for very little extra effort.

This is the power of the Maverick Investor! Find out more about these and other Maverick Investor strategies at http://www.maverick-investor.com

Rob Best is a writer, researcher and Maverick Investor who is one of the people behind…

http://www.maverick-investor.com - Helping You to Choose Financial FREEDOM!

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Any investor in bonds needs to do extensive homework. You need to scrutinise the projected earnings, or examine any debts or irregularities, or any possible legal entanglements, as each of these factors considerably affect you. In the end, you are merely a bank, and you are giving a loan to a party and you need to know that you’d be paid back.

Now, there is not a central exchange for the trading of bonds if you’re not at the stock market. Yet, the procedure is almost as simple as trading stock. You need a brokerage account from a qualified full-service broker or an on-line trading account. It would be necessary to call in or place an order on the Internet. Yet that’s the easy part, it gets slightly more complicated after that.

Besides an interest rate, bonds have a purchase price and sale price. Buying one entitles the bondholder to the payment of principal at maturity - the time when the principal amount must be paid in full, along with twice-annual interest payments.

Risk

As an investment, there is no doubt that bonds too entail risk. Yet bondholders have precedence over shareholders who are the owners of company stock. In case of bankruptcy, if there’s no money to pay, the position in line is unimportant. Yet there is a relatively low risk, as they do repay bondholders the principal.

And while this low risk tends to associate itself with low return, there are several long-standing, esteemed bond rating agencies. The most renowned are Standard and Poor (S&P) and Moody. Both companies rate bonds in accordance with highly analytical formulas and publish their findings.

Price Variations and Interest Rates

Like stocks, bond prices are varied. The opening prices along with the interest rates are set at the same time they are issued. And seconds later, or a few days later, they might just be worth a lot more that the initial price or a lot less than the initial price. The interest rates at the general market prices are a major factors affecting these irregularities. If the interest rate on real estate loans or large corporate bank loans plunge after the bond gets issued, then the price of the bond will usually tend to rise.

So if you buy a 5-year bond for $1,000 which pays 7%, and 6 months later the interest rate falls to 6%, you would now hold a bond which pays more interest than in any other competing investment. You can command a higher price when you do choose to sell. Trading bonds ‘over 100′ is trading at premium, and trading bonds ‘under 100′ is trading at a discount. This terminology refers to value that is 100% under or over the initial price. As an example, a bond sold at a face value of $1,000 that is selling currently for $1,100 is said to be trading at a premium. Actually the irregularities of interest rates are a complex matter based over a large number of market factors.

Milos Pesic is a professional Financial Planner and Debt Management consultant who runs a highly popular and comprehensive Bond Investing web site. For more articles and resources on savings bonds, premium bonds, bonds buying, bonds investing and much more visit his site at:

=>http://bonds.need-to-know.net/

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“Dig your well before you’re thirsty” is the title of a wonderful book by Harvey Mackay.
It is smart advice for investing your money, “Save your money before you need it”, or growing your business, “Market today for tomorrow”.

When times are tough some businesses stop marketing. They reason, ‘No one is buying so why should I advertise?’ The other time some businesses stop marketing is when they are selling like crazy. Again they figure - ‘I can’t handle any more business right now so why promote?’

Two key points here. Advertising is only one narrow form of marketing. Marketing is about sending messages. You send messages in a plethora of avenues; advertising, customer service, by association, quality, public relations, sponsorship, awards, etc… And the second point; marketing is a long-term investment.

Selling is immediate. When times are slow you need to crank-up the selling efforts. How do you escape from a sales crisis? Improve selling skills, search out new markets, offer more value and most importantly be systematic. When there is a fire, put out the fire.

That’s sales.

Preventing the fires of tomorrow is marketing. That is why marketing is so difficult to justify or measure. The good marketing you do today will pay off in a few weeks, months or even years. Is it worth it? Only if you want to be in business in a few years.

Invest wisely in your marketing. Many of the principles of investing money apply to marketing. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Your message must reach your prospect along several avenues. That conveys more credibility. For example; you might advertise in a magazine, sponsor a community event, send out news releases and offer extras on your website. Your investment portfolio should be diversified, so should your marketing. Warren Buffet’s long-term strategy to ‘make smart investments and hold’ can apply to your marketing. Make a long term marketing commitment to yourself. Stick to it. Be consistent and persistent. That is smart investing and smart marketing.

Consider the different forms of currency in your business. Cash is the most obvious. A signed order is another. Receivables are currency - you can even use them for collateral - or sell them. But some forms of currency look better than others. If cash is best then you might be tempted never to give credit to customers. But you might lose sales because of that. So you may decide to give credit to approved customers - knowing that you can likely convert the receivable to cash. Even signed orders are currency - you can factor them to obtain financing.

Marketing is another form of currency in your business. Good marketing creates customer awareness, goodwill, education, credibility, even desire. All of that can be converted into signed orders, receivables and hence cash.

All forms of currency are convertible. But the conversion rate is not 1 to 1 nor is it totally predictable. Some receivables become bad debt. Some signed orders get cancelled. Some marketing efforts just spin off into the universe like a lost asteroid. For that reason do not expect that every dollar spent on marketing pays off the same. For example if you do a mass mailing some of those envelopes go undelivered, some never get opened, a few get read - and even fewer acted upon. But you need to mail to the whole list to reach the ones that read it.

You might believe that cash is a better currency than marketing. Marketing can be better than cash because a creative marketing campaign can pay back many times over. If you realize that when you market you are creating currency - you can view your marketing in a more productive light. The more creative you are in your marketing - the greater leverage you get.

Marketing like currency is synergistic. When you have money the banks will loan you more - but when you have none and want some, what do they say? ‘You got none so we can’t give you any.’

Marketing works the same way. When you generate lots of exposure - you get more. When you are hot everyone wants you. When you are cold - you get the freezer. Keep sending your marketing messages regularly. Some businesses get busy with business and forget to market. And then the feast runs out and they start marketing again.

Because marketing is currency there are times when instead of cash you might accept payment in marketing currency. This might be a straight barter deal. I give you $1,000 of my product for $1,000 of your product. This is one way to get ‘free’ advertising. Trade your product for ad space or media time. This only works if the media company needs your product and don’t have budget, (cash), to buy.

My financial planner gave me some good advice when I left the corporate world to start my business. I showed him the corporate package I received and asked how I should invest this money - stocks, funds, or pay down my mortgage? He asked a few questions about my business. He then advised me to invest my money in the business because that is where I would obtain the best return over the next few years - then gradually as business growth levels or slows to invest in other long-term investments. It was smart advice because growing my business was another form of investment. I continue to make both short term and long investments in my business. You might examine your business in the same light.

©George Torok is co-author of the national bestseller, “Secrets of Power Marketing”, the first guide to personal marketing for the non-marketer. He delivers training programs and inspirational speeches to corporations and associations. To arrange for your speech or training program call 905-335-1997. To receive your free copy of the special guide, “50 Power Marketing® Ideas” and subscribe to monthly marketing tips visit http://www.PowerMarketing.ca

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Miami Beach is one of the premier places of condo building. All throughout the area, condominiums have risen, making it the site of choice for people wanting the urban lifestyle. But buying a condo doesn’t only mean cash out for you; in fact, you can also gain money from it.

Real Estate Investments

Investing on real estate can be very lucrative. It may seem risky, but it is actually safe since you are legally protected by law. It has been proven through history that wealth comes from real estate and some of the hottest pieces of property now are the high-end condos in Miami Beach.

Pre-Construction Investment

An enhanced way of investing is by entering the market in its pre-construction phase. Nowadays, this is said to be the most profitable real estate technique. Experts say that there is a high probability of making a profit of 10%-50% of your initial investment.

How It Works

Pre-construction investment basically means that you buy a property after it is developed and planned, but not after it is built. Developers usually sell the pre-constructed property for 5-20% below their appraised price when the property is done.

Depending on the negotiations, you can give a down payment for the said price, or you can pay for it in full. Either way, the property is already yours, and all you have to do is to wait for it to be completed. When construction begins, after you make a deposit, there are fixed periods when you would have to pay the developer what is left of your balance, in installments.

These kinds of discounts are given by developers to ensure adequate and steady funding of the project as it is constructed. The earlier you buy a property, the bigger the discount they can give you. Sometimes, there are additional benefits given, like voided tax charges for a year and unit upgrades.

Show Me The Money

Your profit, however, would come when the property is finished. After some time, or about two to three years of construction, the market value of the property will already have appreciated. This is when you get to see how much your investment has grown.

When the construction is complete, you can either stay and own the property,or you can sell it. Of course, since the property’s value has increased, you can then sell it for a higher price, compared to how much you bought it for.

High-End Miami Beach Condos

You can use the technique of pre-construction investment when acquiring high-end condos in Miami Beach. There are many developers that offer this kind of system in Miami. Although high-end condos would also mean bigger capital for you, take note that the profit is just as big; thereby making your investment definitely worth it.

Pre-construction investment is best for high-end condo units, since these are very much in demand and easy to sell. This is true, especially if your unit is in Miami Beach, where people flock and compete to acquire the best property deals.

http://regatta2.com - Miami Condo