Piggy Banks, Coffee Cans, Stocks and Bonds

Investments can take two basic forms. First, an investment can be the purchase of goods, supplies, tools, or equipment to use in the production of increasing profits. For example, a businessperson who produces shoes may purchase a machine that automatically stitches leather in the hopes that the time saved will allow for the production of more shoes and increased sales.

The second basic form an investment can take is what most of us think of when we say we are investing our money. That is, we use the money we have for the specific purpose of making more money from it.

There are several different ways of investing money in the hopes of gaining a profit. Stocks and bonds, exchanging currencies in the Forex market, annuities, certificates of deposit, mutual funds, buying real estate to sell at a profit later (Flip That House!), IRA’s, even simple savings accounts, are all methods of investing. Even loaning your brother-in-law a few bucks (at a reasonable interest rate) to start a business is an investment.

Generally speaking, the riskier the venture is, the more opportunity there is to make a higher profit; the less risky, the lower the proceeds. The FDIC guarantees savings accounts and therefore, putting your money in a savings account with the idea that you will get a fantastic return on your money is not very realistic.

A savings account has little to no risk whatsoever; therefore, the return on investment is weak. Of course, it’s always a good idea to have liquid assets, and a savings account is one way to do so. Most middle-class Americans should have enough in their regular savings account to tide them over in the event of an emergency or job loss.

• *Quiz: Does putting your money in a coffee can and burying it in the backyard qualify as an investment? (see answer at end of article)

Purchasing stock in a company makes you part owner of that company. The two ways to make money from owning stock are to secure dividends and/or sell the stock for a higher price than what you paid for it. Sounds simple, right? Well, the basic concept is quite simple; it’s the day-to-day reality of the stock market that makes this type of investment a bit more complicated. There is no guarantee whatsoever that the stock you choose will make a profit. In fact, you can easily lose your entire investment. The potential for a tremendous profit exists, however, if the stock (company) hits the big time.

• **Quiz: Which is riskier? Loaning money to your brother-in-law or buying stocks by closing your eyes and pointing? (see answer at end of article)

When you are deciding how to invest your money, the two major considerations are how
much of a return on your investment you want to see and how much risk you are
comfortable with. Once those two questions are answered, it is time for you to seek out
an investment professional and start making yourself some money.

• No, sorry Jed Clampett. The coffee can qualifies as hiding or saving, but not investing.

• ** It depends on your sister’s taste in men.

Retirement Savings - Tips To Get To Your Pot of Gold

At the start, safety features were not needed in car design. Neither was it needed in a 401(k) account, but that is no longer true.

Here are some suggestions and things to watch out for:

1. Save automatically

Twenty five percent of eligible workers do not or decline to sign up for a 401(k) plan. Workers who do not sign up are risking their future. Plus, approximately $30 billion are left out in the form of company contributions.

If only a few rank-and-file workers participate, the higher-paid workers contributions are limited as stated in the IRS rules. An increasing number of companies have made 401(k) enrollment automatic. Employees can still choose to opt out.

Twenty five percent of large companies have employees automatically enrolled in the 401(k). Although, this would mean that many of the new employees are in a very conservative investment that may not be enough to beat inflation.

If you’re one of those higher-paid employees, you may want to move your money into a stock fund to take advantage of long term growth. You may also want too boost your contributions each year until you max out.

2. Simplify your investment

During the late 90s when the stock market was rising, providing workers with more investment choices was the rage. A few companies introduced new options and some offered ‘brokerage windows’ letting employees invest their 401(k) savings in an array of funds and stocks.

True-blue investors loved the choices and unfortunately drove up costs with the increased amount of trading. Majority of the workers didn’t make any choice at all.

If you don’t want to mess up your 401(k), simply tell your company to add a life-cycle or a target-maturity fund. You can also invest your savings in a balanced-fund option. A 60% stock to 40% fixed-income ratio is still a good choice.

3. Seek a low-cost alternative

Anomalies on mutual funds and awareness of high, hidden fees are making a few employers explore other forms of savings beside mutual funds. A commingled fund is an option that is available wherein the service provider combines small employer contributions to reduce costs.

The problem with commingled funds is that it isn’t publicly traded and investors usually have less information about how the money is invested. When your plan is offering mutual fund alternatives, make sure to compare costing for long and short term plans

Ways to Save Money That Really Work

In these hard times, money is hard to come by so you should know how to save it until things get better. Since it is a balancing act that is somewhat challenging, here are a few ways that can teach you how to save money.

If you don’t want to lose your home like a lot of Americans have over the past year, you have to kill your debt first. You do that by calculating how much money you spend in a month and then see where the budgets can be made so there is money you can use to pay off those debts.

So you know you are reaching your goals, keep a record of all your expenses. To avoid confusion, write down each expense in a specific category like cable Bills, car insurance, car payments, entertainment, food, gas, phone Bill and rent. Keep it with you at all times and then balance it with every receipt.

But what if cutting down certain expenses is not enough to make you debt free? When this happens, you have to make bigger sacrifices like moving to a less expensive home, cancelling your land line or cable, not going out for some time and eating at home more often.

For those who are renting, try to invite someone to share the place with you so that you can share the rent.

Having a credit card or more than one is the reason why a lot of people are in trouble. This is because they only pay the minimum so whatever is left becomes higher because of interest. If you have a credit card, stop using it.

Right now, pay everything with cash that you have on hand. You can even do what some people practice at home and that is to bundle a certain amount and put a label on it or place this in a jar. That way, they know where to get it and be aware of how much is left since this should last for about a month.

There are even some who put a label on their wallets reminding themselves to save by writing on some tape that they have no money.

Saving money shouldn’t only mean cutting expenses. It also means earning a little more with what is available and you can do that by opening an interest-bearing savings account. This is different from the regular savings account and the best part is that the interest rates are much higher. Your other options are CDs or money-market accounts for longer savings goals.

The keys to saving money are discipline and self-control especially when the country is in a recession. If you have a job, good for you but think about the millions of Americans who don’t and have to live on unemployment checks until they are able to get a another job.

So set a goal and then stick to it. The objective here is to survive this crisis so you can keep a roof over your head and food on the table. If you need help, get a financial expert to help you plan how to budget things because it is their job to help you find answers when you are running out of options. You just have to do your share to make it happen since you know a few ways to save money.

Save Money Without Feeling Poor

Yes. You are feeling the economic crunch.

Times are hard and you are finding it hard to even make both ends meet with the rising costs of basic necessities and the fact that maybe you or a family member has lost one one or all of the jobs they have. This is the common scenario that people, not only in the US, is feeling. They may not have lost their jobs but they have certainly found it hard to earn extra.

Can you blame them then if they look for ways to cut costs and save money?

Although it looks like a pretty daunting task, it’s not impossible to do and once you get the hang of it and establish a routine, it’s not really so hard. In fact, as you become used to cutting down costs, you’ll even ask yourself why you just did it this year. Thank God for the recession right? I guess, if there is anything good that the recession has taught people all over the world is that no country is impervious and that you can save without really allowing yourself to be poor.

Here are some of the ways that you can save money without really making yourself feel or look poor.

1. Cut down on the luxuries
This does not mean that you will not treat yourself every now and then and just live in poverty. This can be depressing and at this point you need something to at least brighten up your month. This just means that you need to cut back on the frequency that you indulge in luxuries. For instance, if you are used to going outside to eat every weekend, cut that down into just twice a month. Restaurant food can be pretty expensive and besides they are not at all healthy anyway. Other things to give up on are movies and recreational trips. You can still go on trips but make sure that they will not involve a lot of fees.

2. Keep it simple
If you do not have the money to go out, you can still do so provided that you keep it simple. Go back to nature and have a family picnic in the park or maybe walk along the beachside. You can pack a lunch that you have cooked yourself at home. You don’t have to spend a lot of money just to be able to enjoy the weekend with the family. You just need the imagination.

3. Recycle
Instead always buying things that you think you need, why not use your imagination and creativity by recycling things. Use them for other than their uses. For instance, if you need a message board where you will be posting the chores, why not use that old chalkboard instead of buying a new bulletin board. It may not be much but if you do it for other things that you want to buy, you have not only saved a lot of money, you would have also cleared that garage full of junk.

4. Rework
If you cannot use something for another thing, why not transformed it into something that you can actually use. This is actually applicable to clothes and accessories but with imagination, you can even do it with other things in the house. Who knows, it may not even be just one of the ways to save money, you can even turn it into a business that will earn you more.

5. Live

It’s OK to treat yourself once in a while!. Don’t try to save every single dime. You don’t have to file EVERY DOLLAR bill permanently.

Its ALL about the balance between living and preparing for the future.

Money-Saving Tips For Married Couples

Most newly-married couples are having a hard time adjusting to a different way of life, especially when it comes to financial matters. As separate individuals, your spending habits will differ. This is why you both need to make certain adjustments to combine the household budget.

Here are some ways on how you and your partner can make the ‘financial aspect’ of your marriage harmonious and organized:

1. Understand the way that you both look at money.

If you and your spouse have different beliefs when it comes to money matters, sit down and discuss it. The key here is to be able to compromise. For some people, money is a security measure that needs to be saved. Other people spend it luxuriously and look at spending money as a means to reward themselves for their work. Still, other people are very thrifty that they hardly ever spend a cent of what they have earned.

Understand that the way that you both treat and spend money stems from how you were brought up by your parents. Think of everything that you need to discuss when it comes to your household budget. If possible, set rules on how you will spend your combined income on utility bills, food, mortgage, car maintenance, etc.

2. Set future financial goals.

If you are newly weds and you are planning to have a baby soon, consider this when organizing your finances. If you are a couple nearing the age of retirement, you can make plans on where you will spend your leisure years. Setting long-term and short-term goals will help you finalize your financial plans.

3. Share your money-saving skills with your partner.

If you have different family backgrounds, then you would have something to contribute towards organizing your joints assets. Make each other aware of your personal finances then think of ways on how you can further boost your money-handling tactics.

By following these tips, you will surely have your finances organized to lead a more comfortable lifestyle.

Your Financial Journey to Successful Retirement

The rules of retirement have changed forever! Whether you like it or not, you can no longer depend on a pension from your employer or expect that social security will be there when you need it most. Once in retirement, the biggest risk is running out of money and there are many obstacles along the way ranging from inflation to longer lifespan. For some, retirement is in the distant future and is lodged deep in the back of your mind as you make room for more pressing day to day issues. For others retirement might be right around the corner and has claimed such a large share of your thoughts that it’s difficult to focus on anything else. No matter what your retirement time horizon is you absolutely must develop a retirement strategy and start saving for it now. Successful retirement planning will require hard work, sacrifice, and dedication.

Let’s face it, most of us will not be getting a cushy pension and social security may be there to cover some minor expenses but will not provide you with the financial security that you and your family deserve. So what can you do to be prepared for that big day? Let’s review the various retirement vehicles available to you.

One such option is an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Traditional IRA’s are a great choice because your contributions are pre-tax dollars that grow tax free until you withdraw the funds in retirement. Imagine the amazing result of compound interest growing tax free! This is such a great deal that the Government puts restrictions on who can contribute. Generally high earners are limited or restricted from contributing. Most folks expect that their income will decrease when they retire so in that case all those pre-tax contributions you made during your earning years will be taxed at the lower tax bracket when withdrawn in retirement. An IRA can be opened at most banks and brokerage firms.

Another great retirement savings vehicle is known as a ROTH IRA. With a Roth, you pay taxes on the contributions, but upon retirement when any withdrawals are tax free. This is an awesome option for anyone who expects his or her tax bracket to be higher in retirement then it is right now. Higher taxes in retirement may not necessarily be due to higher retirement income, they can also result due to changes in the political landscape and laws governing taxation. The scenario of higher taxes in your future is very possible so the Roth IRA is the best vehicle to mitigate that risk. A ROTH IRA can also be opened at most banks and brokerage firms.

One of the most popular and powerful type of retirement accounts is the 401k. The 401k is a lot like an IRA with the major difference being that 401k’s are most commonly offered directly through your employer. What’s so great about the 401k you ask? I have two words, employer matching. Once you are eligible for a 401k plan at work, most employers will match as much as fifty to one hundred percent of your contribution usually up to six percent of your pay. Let’s look at a simple example. You contribute six percent to your 401k and your employer matches your contribution with another six percent. That is 100% instant return on your money and a total contribution of 12% of your pre-tax pay. Since your contributions are pre-tax and are deducted straight from your paycheck you won’t even miss the money. If you are eligible for a 401k plan at work and have not yet signed up, what are you waiting for?! GO sign up now.

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. Both of these plans have similar features as the IRA with additional benefits geared toward self employed individuals.

In each retirement vehicle, you have the option of investing in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, certificates of deposit, or money market accounts. These are the basic options available in most plans. But which plan is right for you? The answer depends on your personal situation and may consist of any one or a combination of several retirement savings and investment accounts. Whichever retirement investment you choose, just make sure you choose one! Please, do not depend on social security, company retirement plans, or even an inheritance that may or may not come through! If your situation is complicated you may need to speak with a financial planner or accountant to help you with these decisions. Secure your financial future by investing in it today.

Essential Tools for Your Retirement Toolbox

There are certain fact of life that are out of your control such as unexpected emergencies or changes in the political climate that will affect your retirement savings plans and strategies. It is difficult to plan for those unknowns; nevertheless you must make the best possible plan based on what you know. One of the biggest certainties in life is that one day you will retire. Retirement is an event that everyone dreams about but is too overwhelmed to plan for and avoiding the issue will not make it any easier. That’s why you need to be familiar with various financial tools available to you so that you may build the retirement savings plan to match the scope of your dreams and aspirations. Your investments do not need to be risky; you can easily invest your money in ways that are very safe, which will show a reasonable return over a long period of time. The investments that you ultimately choose will depend on your tolerance for risk and time horizon.

First consider the basic retirement savings tools, the Money Market and Certificates of Deposit (CDs). These are the safest retirement tools around and can be found at your local bank. Usually money markets and CDs are FDIC insured. The benefit of such instruments it that they can pretty much guarantee a return of your principal. I know what you are thinking; a retirement tool with a guarantee to never lose money? Sounds amazing, sign me up! Not so fast, although your deposits are guaranteed, the interest rates are pretty low. The biggest concern when using these tools is loss of value due to inflation. Since retirement is a long term goal and those who are already in retirement can expect to live twenty to thirty years, you need to make sure that the tools you choose are strong enough to beat inflation.

A bond is a financial tool you can use and have a better chance at beating inflation. There are various types of bonds that you can purchase. Bonds are similar to Certificates of Deposit. Instead of being issued by banks, however, there are many issuers of bonds. The safest bonds are issued by the Government and gradually increase in risk followed by Municipalities, and Corporations. The type of bonds that you decide to buy will determine the interest rate (yield) and term that is offered. Government and Municipal bonds have some tax advantages and are considered safer because they can always increase taxes to raise the cash they need to pay back their debts. Corporate bonds tend to pay higher rates to compensate for the higher level of risk. Each bond has a rating that can help you choose the right amount of risk and reward.

Stocks are another great tool for long term investments. Although stocks are considered the riskiest asset class, they have the best potential to beat inflation and help you achieve your retirement savings goals. Shares of stocks are essentially pieces of equity in the company you are investing in. Equity equals ownership like the equity in your house. Buying stock essentially makes you a fractional owner of the company you invested in. When the company does well financially, the value of your stock rises. However, if a company is doing poorly, your stock value drops. Even though there is a greater amount of risk, you can still purchase stock in sound companies and diversify in many different companies, industries, and regions domestically and internationally. By diversifying your stock holdings, you are lowering your risk.

Mutual funds can be as safe or risky as the investments they hold within. A mutual is like a basket with either a specific investments like stocks or bonds or it can be a mix of cash, stocks, and bonds all in one. A mutual fund is a way for a group of investors put their money together to buy stocks, bonds, or other investments. A fund manager typically decides how the money will be invested. Mutual funds are great tools for retirement savings plans because they allow you to invest relatively small amounts of money and achieve the greatest level of diversification which is essential to managing risk.

These are the basic tools you can use to construct a retirement savings plan. It is critical to do your research and put together a plan before investing your money for long term. Start as early as possible, save as much as you can, and stick to your plan. When researching mutual funds to invest in choose a fund that is well established, has a proven track record, and low fees. If you aren’t quite ready to take the risks involved with mutual funds or stocks, at the very least invest in bonds that are guaranteed by the Government.

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