Get Started With Smart Investing

Investing at its most basic level is very simple. The idea is to make money work for the investor, rather than the investor working for the money. This may sound like a simple concept, but it is an important one because of the limitations that everyone faces. Without investing, most people can only earn money by working. If they want more money, they have to work more hours or find a higher-paying job. At some point, they are going to hit a wall, and their income will level off simply because they cannot work 24 hours a day. That is where investing comes in.Investing allows an individual to continue earning money 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. It does not matter whether they are working at their day job, mowing their lawn or simply doing nothing. In other words, investing maximizes an individual’s earning potential.Common misconceptions about investing
There are many misconceptions about investing, and unfortunately, they often discourage people from investing their money. Instead, they simply place it in a savings account and earn a pitiful return or worse yet; they stick their savings under a mattress. One common misconception is that investing is gambling. Nothing could be farther from the truth, but many people see it this way because some investors “gamble” by investing their money recklessly without doing proper due diligence. A true investor always performs a thorough analysis and only risks their capital when there is a reasonable expectation of earning a profit.Reasons to invest
There are many different reasons to invest, but they all boil down to one thing: making more money. This is not about greed; at least, it is not for most people. Investing is becoming a necessity because without a healthy investment portfolio, many individuals will not be able to maintain their current lifestyle once they retire. Why? Because the days of working the same job for 30 years and retiring on a fat pension are coming to an end, and the burden of planning for retirement is shifting away from the state and onto the individual. This is happening because governments around the world are tightening their belts, leaving the future of many pension programs up in the air. This makes the outlook grim for those who do not prepare. Investing allows individuals to take control of their own future and ensure financial stability in their retirement years.When investing
Good investing starts with skepticism and common sense. Get-rich-quick schemes are not real investing but gambling. The buyer beware principle applies the same way to investing as it does when making other purchases. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Leave the risky ventures to those who have the money to lose. Smaller investors should stick with established and reputable investments.Some good diversified investments
Apart from avoiding dangerous investments, prudent investing centers on diversity. There are several good ways to do this:Mutual funds are perhaps the best-known investment vehicle. Basically, they work by pooling money from different investors under active management. Those in charge of the fund will then invest it in whatever types of investments the fund is set up for. This can range from the very high to low risk. They are popular in part because the ease in which investments can be made once an account is open and the thought of having one’s money under constant management.Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are somewhat like a mutual fund in that they are a pool of money from different investors. However, they have some important differences. While mutual funds are under constant management and will try to beat the market, ETFs are designed simply to follow a market or index (through a basket of investments that will generally track it very closely). This could be anything from the S&P 500 to commodity markets. The main advantage of ETFs is that they require little active management and thus have lower fees than mutual funds. In addition, they can be bought and sold easily just like a stock, and give the investor greater control over when capital gains taxes taken. The drawback is that investor cannot hope to do better than the markets, although they will not do worse than them either.Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are for those who would like to be invested in property but not all the responsibilities that come with managing it. These funds also pool money but in this case invest it in property. While it is generally commercial property, there are REITs for all kinds of property. By law, they must pay out most of their gains annually.All of these instruments offer small investors great ways to diversify. However, they still need to be chosen very carefully since some are much better than others. In addition, follow the principle of not putting all one’s eggs in one basket. For example, if investing in mutual funds, choose funds that include different investment categories such a large and small capital stocks.Over time, prudence and patience with investments can turn them into a steady income that will give one a more secure future. For most people, this is the best way to really increase their net worth for those who have the patience.

Take Feng Shui With You When Traveling

Are you planning a trip to a hotel or resort in the near future? Are you hoping for a positive energy change of pace that is filled with rest, relaxation and enjoyable recreation. Or is part of you dreading sleeping in an unfamiliar room in a strange city and a strange bed?There are a few simple Feng Shui principles you can apply to your travel plans so you can enjoy all of their amenities while being surrounded with your comfort zone energy from home.Feng Shui Your Home First to Insure a Great TripA successful, enjoyable and relaxing trip begins at home. Make sure your travel plans allow for enough time to prepare your house for your return home. When you leave your home filled with clutter and chaos, it is an invitation for chaos and unclear thinking energy to travel with you causing difficulties with room reservations, travel connections and a myriad of minor nuisances.Take care in advance to prepare your house at time of departure for a welcome return to all things comfortable, safe and secure. Give away or throw away all perishable foods and empty all trash containers so no negative energy, unwanted smells and germs circulate throughout your house while away. And, stock your pantry with frequently used non-perishables which provide the energy of abundance and prosperity at home and while traveling. This step will also make your return much easier to deal with as you can prepare a quick meal without the added hassle of going to the grocery store after a long tiring day of travel.Make sure all beds are made and bedrooms are uncluttered to provide you calm stress-free sanctuary energy while traveling. The clutter free bedroom will also be a welcome place to rest your weary head upon your return.To insure cooperative helpful hotel staff energy while away, energize the northwest helpful people area of your living room or family room with something silver. It can be a picture of supportive friends and family in a silver frame, a silver trophy or a round silver plate which will focus energy on making your trip go smoothly providing you with all the help you need or ask for along the way.Preparing your home is a critical key in using positive energy to create calm stress free travel. Because you are so intimately connected with your home, the energy you leave behind will travel with you to your hotel or whatever your final destination. Be sure your home’s energy is organized, calming and rejuvenating.Feng Shui Tips for a Better TripEveryone wants to leave behind the stress and pressures of daily living. It is a welcomed change. The relaxation and rest of even a short stay at a resort helps the tired physical body and the mental fatigue recharge and re-energize. To help you create a calm refreshing sanctuary away from home try some of the following Feng Shui tips.o When checking into your room, make sure it is not near noisy stairwells, elevators and services areas or above the lounge where late night partying takes place. The energy in your space needs to be quiet and restful for maximum enjoyment.o Pack a mini Feng Shui energy bag with a few personal items from home such as a picture of your family and your pet, a spray bottle of rose water, some relaxing CDs and player or MP3 downloads, a night light plus a flashlight.o The flashlight will provide safety energy in case of a loss of power.o Spraying the rose water around your room and on the linens will remove any stagnant energy, unwanted energy from previous guests and unpleasant lingering odors.o Place the night light in the bathroom as a safety measure so you can easily see where you are going in the middle of the night yet not disturb others.o Play relaxing spa-like music or music for resting or meditating to provide you complete downtime energy.o Re-arrange the chairs and tables in your room to either provide you a beautiful view or a comfortable seating arrangement that allows for the maximum flow of energy throughout your room.o Set aside time for inspiration and meditate, write in your creative journal or read a book.o If the television in your room is in a cabinet, close the doors at bedtime to insure maximum rest. If the television is not in a cabinet, toss a scarf or towel over it at night to prevent its negative energy from disturbing your sleep.o Since optimum rest is one of the objectives of your travel plans, cover the alarm clock and telephone at bedtime to allow your mind to totally relax instead of thinking about what is left undone at home or work.o If your stay is for more than one night buy a bouquet of fresh flowers to bring good health and nurturing energy into your room.o The ultimate relaxation tool is to burn a lightly fragrance lavender candle in a safe container. It will set the mood for ultimate peace and quiet.o If traveling by car, remember that your car is an extension of your home and becomes your living room for the duration of the trip. Prepare for a relaxed safe trip by un-cluttering it first and then stock it with appropriate food and beverages plus sanitary, safety and medical supplies for the length of your drive. Follow the same procedure for the return home.Traveling doesn’t need to be stressful so you return more tired than before you left. If you take precautions you will insure not only a safe but an enjoyable and relaxing trip plus a joy filled return to your home.Your home away from home in a hotel or resort must provide you the same positive energy benefits of your home in addition to all of the added rest and relaxation energy needed to regenerate and rejuvenate you. By leaving your home filled with peaceful calm energy and cupboards filled with abundance, all of that wonderful energy will travel with you. By applying some of these Feng Shui energizing tips you will return home refreshed and renewed.© Pat Heydlauff, all rights reserved 2009

6 Qualities/ Details To Consider About A Property!

If, you are a qualified, committed, potential home buyer, be careful to, pay close attention, to many details, but, be certain to fully consider, and examine, the property, characteristics, etc, as well as the house, before committing to purchase, what, to most, is their single – biggest, financial asset! There are many characteristics to consider, but, this article will briefly, consider, six of the key ones. After, over 15 years, as a Real Estate Licensed Salesperson, in the State of New York, I have discovered, few buyers, are, as prepared, as they should be, and it would be wise, for them, to pay, far – more attention, to many aspects, related to the property, the house, is situated – on! With, that in mind, this article will attempt to, briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, these six, and why they are essential, important considerations.

1. Size of property: Are you seeking a specific – sized, property? In general, larger properties, require more maintenance, and expense, to up – keep! How would you like to balance, your needs, wants, reality, costs, expenses, privacy, and other considerations, and, is, the specific size of this particular property, up – to, your preferences, etc?

2. Tree – filled, versus open: How much of your lot, is usable, and, how much is not? Different areas, have, specific regulations, regarding, protecting trees (as opposed to knocking them, down. How would this impact, your desired enjoyment, of the land?

3. Terrain: Is it, a hilly, flat, or something, in – between? How this terrain, affects usage, and possibilities, should be considered, from the onset! Does the pitch, of the land, keep water, from flowing, away, or towards, the house? Obviously, expansion – related issues, etc, are simpler, and less – costly, when property, is more – flat!

4. Distance from neighbors: Some prioritize personal privacy, and, thus, should seen properties, which are a significant difference, from their neighbors, while others, care, far – less, about this! Is there significant distance, to ensure privacy, or, some sort of barrier (such as bushes, etc)?

5. Frontage/ side – yard/ back: In many communities, frontage, is a major factor/ consideration, in terms of real estate taxes! What balance do you seek, between, frontage, front – yard, set – back, from the street, usable side – yard, and back (behind the house? Since, we are all different, with differing tastes, needs, and requirements, make certain, the property layout, fits your needs, and personality, etc!

6. Grounds condition: Evaluate the condition of the grounds of the property! How much will it cost you, to bring – it, to where, you desire? Will landscaping renovations, be urgently needed, and costly, or, basic? What is the overall condition, and what might require immediate attention?

Before buying a house, pay attention to the overall property, and, whether, it fits your needs, requirements, specifications, and will bring you pleasure! The better prepared a buyer is, the more he will enjoy his new home!