Nov
19

Investing: 401(k) Tips for the Holidays Season

Posted by admin on November 19, 2008 under Uncategorized

Most recent annual survey from the Profit Sharing 401k Council of America (PSCA) reflects growing participation in automated 401k deferrals. It shows that last year along six million participants were added in around 51 profit sharing plan. Also, the average deferrals were 5.4% for average compensated participants. Companies were averaging 4.7% matching in contributions.

According to other sources people invest in 401k as much as they could. It leaves question can you really affect you investment. The answer yes, and here is what should be done. So many things affect average family, gifts, clothes, appliances and food.

And here are Thanksgiving and Christmas traditionally high consumer spending holidays. The average income family would try to balance current season gift spending and the next year balance. It is important to remember to follow your 401k or your stock investment. Also, look trough quarterly statements and to make adjustments.

Majority of 401k investors think that there is nothing they can do to improve their fund performance, it is not true. Here are some tips for coming season:

1. Review your employer matching policies, you could ask at HR department where you work what is maximum your employer is matching on 401k. Any decisions should be made upon your budget. If you increase your portion would it hurt you on your income side? Usually, increase from 5% to 7% matching does not make difference in your contribution.

2. Review risk of your 401k. Read your statement and it should indicate risk of your investment. The risk factor should be adjusted according to your age. Younger investors could keep higher risks, and older investors should stay away from risk. The reason is that portion of you investment could fade away quickly with negative development on the market. Younger folks have time to recover market downs.

3. Look trough your portfolio, witch sectors you are investing. Follow major market news to see how certain industries are doing. All the major financial news agencies present sufficient data on market performing, inside trading, comparison to industries and future trends.

4. Make changes only if you see long term benefits. Sometimes, quick market speculation at the end of quarter drive price up, but it is only for the short time. Analyze your investment based on 2-5 years performance.

5. Try to set the goal for your 401k performance for the next year. Compare with other funds using online tools. Ultimately you are planning for your retirement and earnings from 401k should be enough to make your retirement pleasant.

Finally, it is your own interest how much you will earn investing into 401k. Your close attention will be paid off, plus it will give you security for your retirement

Vladimir Dubchak
Author and publisher
Finance and Investment Analyst
efamilyfinance.com efamilyfinance.com
Where family smiles!

Nov
19

Wealth - Elvis Sang About the Ghetto But You Don’t Have to Live in One

Posted by admin on November 19, 2008 under Uncategorized

I am constantly reminded of the reasons why so many people have such difficulty creating wealth. While I was sitting down to write this article one of my favorite Elvis Presley songs came onto the radio - “In the Ghetto.” So, I paused to listen to the words. Pretty much the song, beautifully written by Mac Davis, foretells of the generational hopelessness of a certain type of people.

In many respects this song is in accord with what I was thinking about and writing at the time - a state of mind reflected in a way of life. So, I have included a few references to it here, including the title.

What they say and do is just a manifestation of what is going on in their minds.

I hear things like:

“I’m gonna shop till I drop” and
“I need retail therapy”

How can anybody get wealthy thinking and saying thoughts like these?

I also regularly hear young people brag about how drunk they need to get to “have a good time.” Really? What part about paying a fortune for alcohol that destroys your liver, turns you into a boof-head and gives you a massive headache the next day constitutes having a “good time?” I don’t get it.

And then there are those very misguided people who feel the need to sniff, snort, swallow and inject all sorts of toxic chemicals. That is such destructive behavior. How can anybody get wealthy doing that? Well, correction, the drug dealer gets wealthy. But why don’t they themselves take their own cocktails of poison?

People ingesting and injecting themselves with stupid drugs and copious amounts of alcohol are setting themselves up for a life of poverty, terrible health and misery. Unfortunately, they just don’t see it - until it is too late. Then they are so hopelessly addicted that they cannot change.

On another level, so many people spend every cent they get and more on useless consumer rubbish that does nothing but plunge them deeper and deeper into massive debt.

If you drive through some of the poorest socio-economic neighborhoods in any affluent western city invariably you will find, parked in the driveways, some of the most expensive sports cars and high performance vehicles in that city. What does that tend to indicate to you? It tells me that the people who live in these locations have got their priorities all wrong.

Paying off an expensive motor vehicle that depreciates in value like a lead weight from the moment that a person takes possession of it until the time that it is eventually sold or repossessed is a sure-fire way to climb aboard the express debt train to poverty.

Needless consumer goods, booze, drugs, excessive cell phone use and flash motor vehicles will drain your ability to create wealth faster than anything else. People who get sucked into these fallacies are actually playing the flip side to some smart operator’s wealth creation process.

So, if you don’t want to live in debt and poverty for the rest of your life then you need to start learning about the rules of wealth.

As Elvis sang…

“…people don’t you understand,

the child needs a helping hand…”

We all need a helping hand at some stage in our lives. The smart ones realize this quickly and look for help before it is too late. Then they take action so they won’t have to live in a ghetto or associate with the losers in life. Get your financial education and you will be able to live wherever you want.

Gary Simpson has written nine books on various subjects including “How to Save $1000’s and Increase Your Net Wealth.” If you are looking for a better financial future then go to

Nov
18

Forex Software - Choosing the Best

Posted by admin on November 18, 2008 under Uncategorized

When it comes to forex trading the forex software you choose is essential. There are so many forex trading companies all competing for your business that choosing the right forex software can be quite a difficult task. Most of the forex software products available offers live online forex trading platforms but what other components are vital when it comes to your forex software.

Key Elements For Your Forex Software

Before purchasing any forex software there are a few essential items that should be included. The most important is security and your online forex trading software should include a 128 bit SSL encryption which will prevent hackers from accessing any of your personal details and information such as your account balance, transaction history, etc.

Providing the best security for your forex trading will include a company that provides 24 hour technical server support for your forex software, 24 hour maintenance should anything go wrong, daily backups of all information, and a security system that has been designed to prevent any unauthorized access. Along with these security protocols there are also some forex trading companies that use smart cards and fingerprint scanners to ensure that only their employees can have access to their servers.

Another important factor when it comes to choosing your forex software is to check what the company’s downtime is like. When it comes to trading forex and particularly your online forex trading you need to ensure that the forex software you choose is reliable and available 24 hours a day. The forex software you choose for your forex trading should also have technical support available at all times should your session be cut short.

Ensuring that all the above features are listed in the forex software you choose will help to ensure your forex trading success.

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