Money and Family Dynamics

Money is an incredibly sensitive topic in any family and attributes to one of the main reasons why couples divorce or separate. If you have been watching the TV show "Succession", you will know exactly what I am referring to.

For most people, their "success" or "failure" in life is gauged by how much money they make. Now many people, myself included, feel that there's more to success than just money, however, we can't escape the fact that many others don't feel the same.

Money, in a family dynamic, can cause more strife than any other single topic. Money does not cause family dysfunction, it merely amplifies any underlying dysfunction that was always lurking beneath the surface. We're currently and continue to experience the largest transfer of wealth ever and the implications are huge.

The easiest way to avoid future conflicts over money is to do careful planning before it ever becomes an issue. When starting the estate planning process, it's important that all interested parties be aware of what's going on so that there are no nasty surprises when the transfer of assets actually happens. By undertaking due diligence ahead of time, any issues can be addressed and hopefully, minimised with much less pain. I can't tell you the number of times I've heard potential heirs complain that their parent/grandparents are frittering away "their inheritance." 

If you are a business owner with family members involved, if you've accumulated enough wealth to have a family charitable foundation or trust, or if you simply want to give it all away when you die, it's critically important that you let your heirs know what you intend to do with your estate upon your passing. There's nothing worse than having a child that thinks they're going to inherit a fortune, only to find out that you intend to give it all away to your favorite charities. Many baby boomers are counting on their inheritance to finance their own retirement so imagine their surprise and anger when they find out their own retirement plans have been derailed. At a minimum, not involving your heirs in this discussion could lead to incredible animosity, years of therapy and, most likely, legal wrangling in an attempt to undo your wishes. That's why, long before it becomes an issue, you need to ask yourself the following questions: 

While I'm alive and in my twilight years, who's responsibility is it to take care of me when I can no longer take care of myself? 

When I do die, what do I want done with my estate? 

Are my children capable of carrying on the visions and goals of my business? 

Will my heirs use the money in our charitable foundation the way I intended, or will they change its mission to something completely different? 

If you plan to give it to your children or grandchildren, and they inherit a large sum of money, will they be able to handle it responsibly or will they "blow all of it"?

One of the trends we're seeing is inheritance based on reaching certain personal milestones. For example, instead of giving your beneficiary a lump sum inheritance when they turn 21, the trust will dictate that a certain amount will be distributed upon reaching certain milestones i.e. graduation from college, marriage, starting a new business, etc. 

The wealth transfer process, by its nature involves many parties including family, charities, attorneys, accountants, wealth managers and a host of others. By having open, honest discussions with your family and advisors regarding the transfer of your own wealth, you can have your estate go where you want it and in the amounts you want and, hopefully, all those involved will be on board so that the process is as painless as possible.

Romance and Our Finances

For perhaps as long as love has been a part of human society, currency or trade have also played their parts; the two often cross paths, for better or worse and make for an interesting look at two of the most highly sought after fundamentals of our world. 

Buying love with money: Phrasing the idea in such blunt terms is often a little off putting for many individuals who believe that love isn't for sale. A gift given from person to another is not always the result of great expense, or in some cases any monetary expense at all, however in a world where the phrase time is money exists how can one eliminate the idea that a certain amount of affection or approval has just been, for all intents and purposes, purchased? It can be difficult to determine a person's feelings for another where money is involved. Most people would agree that gifts are a healthy expression of individuals' feelings, but would at the same time be offended by the idea that love can be purchased for the right price. If we look back not too many years ago, at a world where women in particular, though not exclusively, found that without the aid of a husband or relative they were nearly unable to support themselves it is easy to understand how such feelings could indeed be purchased. 

Considering the level of poverty so many people shared, the idea that a person could break free from such living conditions through the generosity (or sometimes just lust,) of another person would have extreme and lasting emotional consequences. In many cases, a prosperous marriage meant not only that a woman would never go hungry again, but that her family would also be provided for. While in some of these examples real love may have originated without the involvement of wealth; many of them were simply a trade, beautiful daughter or son, in exchange for financial security. In some cases this would be referred to as lust not love, but for many people the overwhelming sense of desire can easily be perceived as just such an emotion. Where some of these relationships may have begun with a pretty face or attractive body, the desire to take care of and provide for an individual suggests feelings that run a little deeper than pure desire. Though the idea may not be particularly appealing to many, it does beg the question: can love be bought? 

Lust for sale? Amoral to some and illegal in many places the concept of buying a little physical action from a person for a set price is one of the oldest topics of debate throughout the world. Whether you believe it wrong or right, or simply don't think about it, purchasing desire has been widely available in every country throughout the world as far back as any records can show. While lust does not share many of the same feelings with love it has certain powerful qualities that have driven many men and women to reach deep into their pocket books. In this case the person making the purchase is unlikely to invoke feelings of love from the person they are paying, but is it possible that some emotional attachment, some facsimile of love will come with it? Though it might be in many ways false love, the illusion can be extremely convincing. This is example of just how convincing can be seen in the well known gold digger, though perhaps not a very flattering term to use the concept is quite accurate: a person who marries are aligns themselves with another person who has the means to care for them, in many cases more than care for, providing substantial wealth. 

Though some might say there is a difference between a prostitute and a person who marries for money, it can be difficult to know where the line is drawn. On the other hand, a person who is attracted to another, at least in part, because that person could provide a comfortable, even lavish lifestyle, can hardly be blamed for finding the prospect appealing. Is it wrong to be attracted to a person for their money? Is it wrong to use your wealth in an attempt to attract others? These questions are ages old and yet still without definite answers from almost every society. Putting legalities aside, for most reasonable people it presents quite problem: is it fair to judge others for how they wish to live their lives? Most would say no. On the other hand the idea of selling sex for money has for many years been associated with other illegal and sometimes dangerous activities that tend take place in the same locations. Amoral or not, it is a true reflection of our growth as a society that these desires often outweigh logic; whether for or against, the emotional response is usually one sided and without thought to the oppositions' feelings or opinions. 

Money and relationships: It has been recorded numerous times that one of the most common reasons for couples splitting up is finance. Some attempt to avoid this issue by keeping separate bank accounts and treating the relationship, in terms of money, more like a roommate situation than a romantic one. In other situations one person entirely supports another financially while the other remains at home, perhaps attending school, pursing a creative profession or even more commonly to raise a family. However you and your partner have decided to address your financial decisions during stressful moments problems can be difficult to avoid. A few tips to keep in mind when dealing with this issue:

• Financial difficulty cannot always be attributed to one or both people; in certain situations it can be extremely difficult to deal with poverty or limited funds, remember not to place blame simply because the situation is frustrating. 
• If trying to cut back on overspending, remember to cut on equal sides; it can be a stressful endeavor to eliminate certain excess from your life, remember that your partner feels the same way about their own. 
• However terrible the situation, try to find things to laugh about with each other, it won't be easy but it can help to create a feeling of unity. 
• If one person is supporting another and this situation met with approval on both sides, don't throw blame out simply because financial problems have occurred by reminding a person that they are not bringing an income into the relationship, especially for those that accomplish a great deal at home, though it might not be paid work, it can be extremely hurtful and will not be forgotten even if the situation improves. 
• Do not try to hide financial problems from your significant other; often these issues are much better to face as a solid unit and a great deal of stress can be eliminated by sharing the burden.
• Forcing your partner to bear the positive attitude so that you can continue to panic or sulk is also unhelpful; regardless of your usual dynamic, try to be strong for your partner in these unhappy times. 
• When possible, if nothing can be done at the time to correct the situation, seek distraction with your partner, putting distance, at least temporarily between your relationship and finances. 

Will the ties between money and love ever come to an end? Most likely not, as long as our society continues to include both aspects in it. To keep one from injuring the other requires patience, understanding and at times, accepting what you don't understand. The long history for both weaves an intricate web of human development that is still just as alluring and confusing today as it was thousands of years ago.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Alison_Sardelli/203131

5 Ways to Reduce your Spending & Create Immediate Money to Start Investing

Most of us are well aware that in order to improve our finances and to become wealthy, we need to follow a process that takes us from being in debt to having financial assets that provide us with an income. 

If so many people are aware of this, why do so few ever acquire investments? 

There are two reasons: firstly, many of us are already living on more than our income each month, and so finding money to invest often seems unlikely. 

Secondly, there is a common misunderstanding that investing is complicated. 

Femvestorsglobal are here to tell you that it is not.

By following these five steps, you can easily save a regular amount of money sufficient to act as your investment money: 

1. Reduce your entertainment spending 

Chances are, you don't know exactly how much you spend on entertainment each month, and the total is probably higher than you would guess. Common entertainment splurges are alcoholic drinks, cigarettes, nights out drinking, trips to the cinema, Netflix, weekends away, holidays and family activities like bowling and swimming. All of these quickly add up, especially if you are paying for two (you and your spouse) or four (you, spouse and two children) people each time. Rather than seeing entertainment spending as a necessity, you must be realistic about the amount you can afford to spend on these things each month. What can you sacrifice to help your investment budget? 

2. Take control of our duplications

The things we buy time and time again, despite having similar things already. The obvious is 10 pairs of black shoes. How many black handbags, pairs of blue jeans, summer jackets or winter coats, luxurious bubble baths and shower gels, lipsticks, red nail varnish or excessive bedding for our home do we really need?  Identify what your duplications are and assess whether you need all of the items you have already. Sell any you don't use or pay attention to, and commit to not buying any of these items for a 6 -12 month period. Be aware that when you are around these items, you will feel a temptation to buy. Either avoid the malls and avoid scrolling on the internet online. 

Don't give in- Your future self will thankyou

3. Watch your food spending 

Meals to celebrate a birthday, the weekly grocery shop, the chocolates to cheer us up, the lunch bought each day at work, the ice cream while walking the dog, the Starbucks on the way to the office, extra treats for the kids, the takeaways when you're just too tired to cook... food spending takes up a huge chunk of our income each month. Unless your end goal is to be obese and unhealthy, this is a habit well worth overcoming right away. 

A shocking amount of food bought ends up being thrown away and wasted. You are literally throwing away a portion of your income each month by buying food that will not be used. To get your food spending under control, make sure you plan your meals in advance each week and buy accordingly, never go food shopping while hungry or without a list, and don't make the mistake of aimlessly wandering up and down every single aisle in the supermarket. 

Calculate how much your shopping will total and take that amount in cash - do not have a debit or credit card with you. If your shopping exceeds the amount of cash you have, replace some less essential items. Buy cheaper brands of cleaning products, toilet rolls and alcohol. Arrange alternative celebrations- don't treat food as a reward or comforter.

 4. Buy less 'treats' and stop impulse buys 

Do you have a gym membership? When was the last time you used it? The majority of people who have a gym membership will actually pay less over the course of a year if they cancel the membership and pay for each gym session as they attend. Cancel your membership now - unless you really go several times every single week. Consider your magazine and newspaper subscriptions. How many of these can you access free online? How many do you not even get around to reading properly? With the amount of free information available online, there is rarely a need to pay for any magazines or newspapers. 

If you're wondering how you will manage without these 'treats', consider if you are trying to hide from some real pain (a deep rooted issue) that can be better managed. 

5. Avoid ATMs

Give yourself a weekly budget and withdraw this amount at the beginning of the week. Then hide your credit and debit cards (or give them to a friend who will not give them back to you until the next week or put them in the freezer like I did and delete all payment apps on your mobile) and force yourself to spend just that amount. 

This will force you to closely examine your spending and will change the way you think about money and spending. 

By following these five steps, you will have an extra amount of free cash each month that can be invested however you choose. 

If you are new to investing, discuss your options with Femvestorsglobal. 

In no time at all, you will have an investment plan prepared and will be on the road to controlling your own finances. 

Our team are here to support you every step of the way. We offer a variety of programs at difference price points and timeframes so support you with your investing journey.

How Do I Get Into Commercial Real Estate Investing?

First of all, commercial investing is not as hard as people think. There seems to be a stigma surrounding commercial investing. People think it's the big glass 100 million dollar buildings downtown. Sure, it is, but it's not always that. There are many different kinds of commercial investing that you can get into. You can start small and work your way up. It's not as hard as people think. It's not as hard to get funded, to find deals, and sometimes not as much work, once you have the deals. 

Everyone that owns commercial properties are not like Donald Trump. They don't all have their own TV shows, aren't in the news, aren't in the casinos, own sports teams, and don't have the perfect woman on their arm. It's just real people that own most of the commercial properties out there. People like you and me. It's the guy next store. The guy that owns a few Dunkin Donuts stores. There are all types of commercial properties. 

Let's talk about the basics. First off, what is commercial investing? When it houses a business, it's a commercial investment. Business parks, where it's one level, and there are many different buildings, those are commercial rented condos or business offices. It consists of office buildings in office parks. There are also industrial parks which look like office parks, but they are mostly blue collar businesses like manufacturers, warehouses, and storage places. This also includes strip malls where there are Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, UPS stores, etc. It's one building, one-story tall that's broken off into many different stores. Then we have our indoor malls where there are hundreds of stores inside, which include an anchor store, which is the main store, like a Decathlon or Target to get your attention. There are also office condos which house doctors, offices too. Also, we have warehouses, and even apartment houses. These are considered recession-proof properties. Assisted living facilities are commercial properties as well. Let's not forget about land. People are buying land and putting a cell tower or antennae on the land and making money. 

When you are out driving around, please pay attention to what you are seeing. Start noticing these commercial properties. Start thinking about commercial investing! Commercial investing adds a zero. You can do one deal a year in commercial investing and become a multi-millionaire. Some people have done one deal and it has changed their life, enabling them to retire. Don't let it intimidate you. It just has one more zero on the end! 

One of the things about commercial investing is that once you own the property, it's easier to maintain it because most of the time, you will let the pros handle it. You will have a management team to handle the payments, as well as attorneys and accountants handling the day to day work. There will be less day to day work once you own that commercial property, versus a residential property. Let's face it. If you own one piece of property with tenants in there, you know how much work that is. If you have a few properties, it's even more work dealing with tenants not paying, collections, disappearing tenants, and cleaning it out and finding new tenants. It's a lot of work! Virtually, you can pretty much have the pros do it for you. You can hire a management team, attorney, and accountant. Properties generally throw off enough monthly cash flow so that you can have it all taken care of for you. 

Anything you do with residential properties, you can do with commercial properties! You can buy and hold a house and rent it out, as well as a commercial property. You can wholesale it, get a contract on it, find someone to pay more, flip it, and step out of the deal. You never owned it. You get your finders' fee or spread, but instead of making $3,000 or $8,000, you can start making $50,000 to $200,000 just by flipping commercial deals. Just add another zero or two! Don't let it intimidate you! 

You can also lease commercial properties with the option to buy and make the big bucks! 

All of the same techniques you can use with houses, you can use with commercial properties. Note that one of the main differences is how you get the value. You can have two apartment buildings across the street from each other or in the same complex, and both apartment buildings can be identical. But, if one is 30% occupied and one is 70% occupied, and the first one is worth $700,000 and the next one worth 3 or 4 million, the only difference is how much it's occupied. How do you make big money fast in commercial investing? You find the one that is 30% occupied, find 5 or 6 tenants and bring it up to 70% occupied, and then you sell, get out of it, and make the spread. You can double or quadruple the cost or equity of commercial property by controlling it, filling it, and then getting out of it. It's a beautiful thing! 

Don't let commercial investing intimidate you. Add a couple of zero's to the profit! Consider opening your mind about commercial investing. Start thinking big! 

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Nick_Cifonie/237825

Strategies For Investing In Physical Gold

Buying physical gold has become a popular investment amongst investors these days. People who want to see their investment secure elect to invest in physical gold rather than Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). The reason for wanting to acquire this precious metal is that it is easy to locate and easy to buy. 

Gold can be bought in the form of coins, ingots and bullion, and it comes in different shapes. In the current economic climate, it is an alternative investment class to stock market investing. 

The price of gold has risen steadily since the Second World War and has continued to grow. When it has fallen, it has only dipped a little bit, and most gold investors get their money back. Or if they want they hold onto their purchase and save it for when the price goes back up again. 

Three facts about buying physical gold 

Firstly, Let us take gold jewellery; there are remarkably few people who don't own a gold item.  If physical gold is dressed up in some delicate jewellery is worn by some important personality, the price will increase extensively. If you want to sell your gold jewellery, you would get a return when the markets are thriving. Every woman always has several items of gold jewellery that they have bought over the years. Jewellery can go out of date, and any gold that you may have can be sold as scrap for a price. 

Secondly, a more secure form of investing in gold is the ultimate gold bar. It is true; you cannot find it easily in some places. However, in many countries, you can order online and have it sent through via the postal service. You need to ensure you buy from trusted sources to ensure authenticity. The biggest gain in owning a gold bar is that it's price will undoubtedly increase according to shifts in the economy. This is also influenced by the rise and demise of gold mines around the globe. 

Thirdly, gold bullion is clearly a safe investment because it props up some of the other investments in the conventional markets. All governments always have some money tied up in gold, as a hedge against any financial mishaps. It will require extensive research to find and buy it but it is possible. However, compared to gold bars, you will have the assurance that it contains one hundred percent pure gold. The bullion is not adulterated by being fused with other metals such as copper. Gold bullion usually has the governmental stamp to convince you of it's purity. Therefore, if you are rethinking your strategy on investment, then gold may be an investment class you wish to consider.  It will help offset any shortcomings if the market crashes again. If you are a small investor, then buying a few gold bars every so often will not be difficult to keep either. You could put them somewhere safe in your home, and not forget where you put them. 

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Taneem_Sira_Sarwar/1495041

How Any Woman Can Become Rich

Did you know that there is no shortage of money? The problem is that you may not believe that you are worthy of having a lot of money. Anything you believe you can have, you will receive it. If someone is going to get rich, then why not YOU?

Many women are on the list of the rich and famous today. There is no secret on how to get money. You either inherit money or acquire it through some type of business (unfortunately, a lottery win is extremely unlikely). People's reasons for acquiring a lot of money are different from others. Some will apply money to their daily needs and wants to live a better life. Others may save their fortune and leave it to their children. Some use money to devote to a charitable cause to make the world a better place to live. 

If you want to create wealth, you must do something different. First, pay off all those credit cards and get out of debt. Second, you should make saving and investing your money a high priority in your life. To keep most of your money, you must make wise investments. You may start this process by seeking the advice from financial experts. 

When you use money to fulfill your purpose by starting a business to help others fulfill theirs, then you are doing good. When you are doing good with money, you can expect to draw more money to you. Once you start drawing money to you, then the sky is the limit. This means that you can get lots of money or as much as you want or need to fulfill your purpose. It is like standing under a water fall, "If you stand under a water fall, you are bound to get wet." The same is true with money, if you follow the principles of making and investing money, over a period of time, you are bound to get rich.

To the new and experienced entrepreneurs, getting help with your small business is very crucial to your success. Getting the right help will cause you to avoid costly mistakes, and it can also help you to save a lot of time, money and energy. You will need to get the right help to form the legal structure of the business, financial, management, procurement/certification, marketing, pricing products, preparing a business plan, and more. 

There are many successful business coaches and mentors that you can learn from, you just need to be clear on the areas you require support with. Look for recommendations within your local communities, FB groups, online sites such as Upwork and network with those around you. 

Always remember when you are starting out- to focus on the areas you are good at, get support in the areas you are not so great. You do not need to hire full time employees, look at pay on demand type services for booking keeping, accountancy, virtual assistants etc. I would also suggest you look for collaborations with others where you can exchange services which is a won-win for many people.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Dr._Mary_E._Waters/99920

Why Should I Invest in the Stock Market? The Truth Revealed!

Why do people invest in stocks? For some, it's like gambling. They high associated to the adrenaline that comes as a result of throwing hundreds or thousands of dollars into high-risk, high-reward endeavors. Of course, many individuals are highly calculated and look at investing in the stock market as a way to fund their future, perhaps in an extremely comfortable fashion. Of course, this is actually very possible to do, but not without the proper psychology, mechanics, and discipline in place. 

So why should we invest in the stock market? 

No matter how you look at it, your stock picks will be a gamble. It is possible for an undisciplined individual to bankrupt themselves very quickly. With that being said, there are several advantages of stock trading and investing that far outweigh the risks involved. 

Firstly, with a long-term focus, there is seldom a regulated market that doesn't rebound. This means that with a bit of due diligence, you can continually invest in an index fund whether the market is weak or strong, and chances are good that you'll come out on top eventually. 

Imaging this scenario. You invest in the stock market in a fairly low risk way, meaning you pick an  index fund (you can even invest in the NASDAQ itself) and invest $300 per month into your fund. What happens when the market goes up? Your stocks are worth more! But what happens when the market goes down? While the pessimist may panic, the wise man or woman will simply view this as an opportunity to purchase even MORE shares for that same 300 bucks! 

Then, when the market goes back up, you've got LOADS of shares enjoying this increase in value. Does this make sense? I know it's pretty basic stuff, but the basics are where a LOT of people unfortunately make their mistakes. 

Another reason I invest in the stock market, and why I firmly believe you should, too, is that you can get out of a bad decision in a heartbeat. Just sell your shares. Done. Do you think you have that kind of freedom to just walk away in the real estate business? Not a chance!

 The point is - and hear me loud and clear, I LOVE real estate - the stock market is a far more streamlined investment. For all intents and purposes, it's digital vs. physical. Both are valid in terms of return on investment, but only the stock market allows you to be incredibly efficient with your investment maneuvers. 

Consider starting small, if you're a beginning investor. And above all else, educate yourself. Read books, attend courses, join and converse with Femvestorsglobal... it's YOUR capital, so you'd better know your stuff! Do NOT blindly trust the "experts," as they're just people... and they can be just as wrong as anybody else!

Remember, education is everything!

Ladies- What are your Investment Goals?

One of the most important aspects of investing your money is your investment goals.

The first question you ask when looking to invest your money, whether in a new pair of shoes or an investment type, is what outcome you want from your investment. Just as the shoes can provide either heels for a cocktail party or comfortable work shoes, the investment can provide income (such as dividends, rental income and/or profits), an increase in value (which can include property price increases), emergency funds, or a combination of these. 

The main investment objectives are: 

• Capital Preservation-being there when you want it 

• Capital Appreciation-increasing in value 

• Income-paying out money during ownership 

Today we'll look at combining objectives. We all want the best of everything, so naturally we ask why we can't get more than one of these major objectives from an investment. As a general rule, if you are focusing on one objective, then you will sacrifice a little of the return toward that objective when you throw in a second objective. 

This is much like the search for the perfect little black dress that we want to serve two purposes; we want to be able to wear to it work but we also want to wear it to cocktail parties. If it is too formal, then we won't be able to dress it down, but if it is too causal, then we won't be able to dress it up, however, some dresses will meet both objectives. If we focus on one objective more than the other, we sacrifice the goal of it providing the perfect outfit for each type of occasion. The good news is that like the little black dress, there are definitely investments that both increase in value, and provide income at the same time, particularly when an investor considers the overall price trend of an investment class before buying and selling it. 

Some types of investments that are known to pay out decent income are high yield bonds, real estate, commodities. These investments normally pay out the highest income during riskier times, because they have to make higher payouts to attract investors for higher risks. 

This also typically coincides with the low end of the price range for that particular type of investment. When an investor buys such an asset at the low end of the price range, she will receive capital appreciation once the investment increases in value back to more normal valuations. In the meantime, she will receive the income from that investment, so it is meeting two objectives. 

Once again, investment objectives are like most other things in our lives; we begin our search with the outcome we want. 

Begin with first knowing the main thing that you want from an investment; for it to be there when you want it, grow in value or pay out income. 

Understanding and considering your investment goals is one of the first steps toward successful investing that everyone must take. 

Investing For Beginners

Why does investing seem so complicated? 

The number of ways you can invest is mind boggling. The worst part is that investment world uses a different terminology. If you are new to investing it won't be long before you encounter words like "moving averages, average weighted price, open interest, futures and option, book closure" etc. Let me stop before I put you to sleep. All you really want to do is to put your money in something where it will be safe and grow. Is that too much to ask for? 

Why are there so many different investing alternatives? 

Are they really different! If you have ever been to a grocery store you will see bottles of different cleaning products, most of which will be labeled "new!" "Improved!" or even better "New and Improved!" But no matter what they call it, when its all said and done these bottles are filled with nothing more than SOAP, same as they have always been. 

Investments are no different. At first glance it may appear that all these mutual funds, Exchange Traded Funds, Index Funds, unit trust, REIT's, options, futures are unique and require encyclopedic knowledge to understand the technicalities. But more often than not what you are looking at is nothing more than just an old way of investing in a new bottle. 

Understanding investing in simple terms: 

In a family tree you will have a male and a female at top of the list from where all the other branches came out. Similarly in investments at the top you have stock and bond. All other forms of investments are some form or other of these two. And their differences can be spotted just as easily as you can distinguish a man from a woman. 

What are stocks and bonds and what is the difference between the two? 

I will compare stocks to a flashy car; all powerful snazzy, attractive, dangerous, accident prone and bonds to the family car; nothing much to look at, slow, always takes you where you are going, always there for you. 

Some basic traits of the two: 

• People investing in stocks want to see a return on their money, bond holders want to make sure the return of their money. 
• Stocks are about taking risk and bonds are about avoiding risk. 
• Stocks offer unlimited upside potential, bonds offer limited downside potential. 
• Stocks mean ownership and bonds denote loaning. So we can say one is an ownership investment and the other is a loan investment. 
• The difference between an ownership investment and a loan investment is not too hard to understand. The differences are obvious once you know what to look for. 
• An ownership investment does not have an ending date. (When you buy a stock it never becomes due, you have to sell it to get cash) 
• Loan investments almost always have a due date (e.g. your fixed deposits with the bank). An Ownership investments rarely promise a specific return. A stock price can go up 10 times or remain static for years. 
• Loan investments nearly always promise a fixed return. A 12 month deposit certificate promises 2% return. 

Third major distinction is whether you will get your money back. 

In ownership investment there might be no such guarantee.

 A stock's price can go to zero. 

The loan investments are usually backed by the guarantee of the bank, corporation or the government. 

With the above distinctions in your mind try to figure out what you are invested in. 

Few examples are: 

• your bank account or Government bonds 
• loan investment stock or mutual fund
• ownership investment 

What should I invest in? 

Having too much investment in one type can be bad for the investor. Loan investments are unable to keep pace with inflation, you might have your money safe but the purchasing power goes down. Too much risk avoidance will result in less return. 

Similarly Ownership investments can leave you without a penny in your pocket. The Idea is to keep a balance between the two. 

Neither is in a category of good or bad or one better than the other investment rather they serve different needs.

 Needs which can vary from one person to the other depending on ones investment time horizon and risk appetite. 

Stocks and bonds complement each other. 

In case you are new to investing first check your risk appetite, needs and time horizon of investments to decide where you should put your money.

9 Diverse Types of Investment That Will Ensure Your Financial Future

I know almost all of the people in this world are concerned about their financial future. I don't know anyone who isn't. And if you're already a married man or woman, you will surely think of your kids who are going to college in the next few years. Some are also tired already of working. That's why most retire in an early age. I reckon they're just exhausted of their usual job. Who doesn't want to have an assurance that you will have a progressive financial life? No one, right? And I also know that you want to retire without brooding about your financial situation. 

Most people are like that. Unfortunately, there are also a lot of people who do not even know what to do with their hard-earned money. They do not know how to invest. They aren't aware that there are diverse types of investment. If all you know about saving your money is putting it in a piggy bank, hiding it somewhere in your cabinet, then you should really learn about the types of investment. There is actually 9 of it. The stocks, bonds, real estate, foreign currency, mutual funds/ETF's (Exchange Traded Funds), certificates of deposit, insurance and savings account are the types of investment that you could use. 

-Stocks are buying a portion of a company or corporation. You'll become a stockholder of that company. Thus, you have your own rights there. You can gain profit with this type of investment by receiving stock dividends from that corporation. Another way of gaining profit in this is to buy low-amount stocks and then sell it in a higher price. Stocks are also considered as Medium-risk investment. 

-On the other hand, investing in bonds is like loaning your money to the Government. Because of that, the risk in this type of investment is a lower risk investment. 

-Real estate investing is buying a property and then selling it in a higher price soon. Some real estate investors do not sell their property. They just use it for rental. That's why the flow of money to them is continuous but not that massive money like reselling it. In a buyer's market, it's better if you buy properties today and then re-sell it when the time changes into a seller's market. You can also buy REITS (Real Estate Investment Trusts) which is like buying property on the stock market as opposed to buying physical property.

 -Foreign currency or one of the types of investment in foreign exchange (FOREX) deals with currency trading market. It is always open and can be accessed through the use of internet. With this type of investment, you'll need to trade currency pairs for other currency pairs in the hope that you will trade for currency that has more value. 

-Regarding the mutual or Exchange Traded funds, when you invest in this, you include a variety of different investments, such as high-risk, long-term, short-term, stocks, Index funds, bonds, and the like. 

-Crypto currency is a high risk strategy. Bitcoin is the most known and a promising commodity. The upside is unknown and it is very speculative. Unless you are a high risk investor, ignore this type of asset class as the price is known to drop -80% in a short time and you need to be able to control your emotions, otherwise you will lose a lot of money.

-Certificates of Deposit, or CDs, are alike to savings accounts, except they pay better interest. The reason for the higher interest rate is simple: when you open a CD at your local financial institution, you agree to leave the money there for a set amount of time; generally, the shortest amount of time is six months, but you may agree to a term of one year, two years, or even five years. The longer you agree to keep the CD, the higher the interest rate. 

-Some people choose to use life insurance as an investment. Many policies have investment properties, and an insurance agent or financial advisor can help you choose which the right one is. 

-Savings accounts offer very little return. In fact, despite they are technically a form of investment, they barely qualify anymore. They are certainly a very good way to teach your kids the process of saving though. 

Those are just some of the diverse types of investment. 

You may also want to invest in a business. You can either invest in a company that's just starting up, an existing business that is for sale or creating your own business. 

Women Can Love Investing

Women can learn to love investing. Investing is a huge passion of mine. I find it empowering, freeing, and confidence building! You can learn to have your money work for you and make you money, so you're not dependent on working the rest of your life. It's awesome to see money being made with your computer and not from your work efforts! Once you learn to invest, it's like having your own golden goose. The golden goose provides more money for you over the years and works hard, so you don't have to.

Did you know women are better investors than men? There have been studies of men's and women's investment clubs and women consistently made more money with their investing. The reasoning is that women think through their investment decisions longer before selecting them and hold their investments longer.

Another reason women make good investors is because investing is like shopping. We're used to comparing prices, knowing brands, and watching for sales! Investing is the same way. You figure out what you want and you wait for a good price to buy it. You do that every week!

90% of women will have to manage their own money at some point in their lives (the average age of widowhood is 59). Do you want to learn about money when you're grieving and least able to deal with it or when you choose to?

Making money is simply a function of 3 things:

• the money you have to start with
• the time you have to compound 
• the rate you earn

The more of any of those 3 things you have, the easier it is. If you don't have a lot of money to start with, but you have a lot of years before you need the money, or you can compound (earn) a high rate, you can build wealth. 

If you want to learn how to swim, you can't cling to the side of the pool. Eventually you have to let go and try to swim. When you get good at swimming, you can eventually go into the deep end. You don't try that on the first day! It's the same thing with investing. If you want to build wealth, you can't keep your money in a savings account. You must give yourself time to learn to invest and let your money create a golden goose for you! 

The reason it's important to take some measured risk with your money, is because it allows you to get a higher return. For example, a savings account is paying 1% interest. At 1%, it will take 72 years to double your money. Not a great way to accumulate money to retire! But the stock market has returned 10% on average over the long-term, which will double your money in a little over 7 years! That will build wealth - the savings account won't - and you will be able to have a comfortable retirement. That's why you need to invest in stocks! 

I often hear women say they don't feel "worthy" of having a lot of money. I think this stems from the fact that women don't know their worth. Studies have shown that men know what they are worth in their job and women don't. Women are taught to be of service, to put our needs behind others, to be polite, to defer to others. If we translate that behavior to money, it means we won't feel worthy. We give the power away. We will have fears around it and "trust" others to handle it for us. We don't need to do that. Not anymore. 

I'm here to say women, you can do it! You can overcome your fear of loss or overwhelm. Investments don't require much time to manage once you've got the hang of it. I spend less than an hour a week handling my long term investments. More of my time is spent reading about investments and looking for new opportunities than tweaking the investments. 

I started in my late twenties with $0 (after paying off all my debts)and read lots of books about millionaires and investing. I taught myself how to invest in stocks and became a millionaire at age 38. The next year, I made $1 million in one year! I teach clients exactly the steps I took. It begins with having a wealthy mindset and ends with creating your legacy. Only one step involves investing! Did you know that you don't even have to have a lot of money to start investing? You can open an investment account online with only $500. There's no excuse not to learn! 

If you have a mentor, it can help take the fear of overwhelm away. A mentor can show you how to navigate easily, just like a tour guide can in a foreign country. Over time, you will gain confidence and realize it's not as difficult as you first thought. Like anything with practice, it gets easier - and the rewards are much better! You can learn to build serious wealth which will make your life a lot easier, less stressful, and give you a better marriage and family life. 

What is a stock? A "stock" is simply a share of ownership in a company (think of companies like your favorite brands in handbags, shoes, food, etc.). Companies sell shares of stock in their company when they want to raise money. Suppose up-and coming designer Tory Burch wanted to open boutiques around the world? She could sell shares in her company and raise the money to do that. The "stock market" is simply where lots of companies are selling shares. Initially they sell shares from their company to raise the money and from there investors buy and sell them to and from each other. It's kind of like eBay, except you're buying and selling shares of companies! 

But isn't it risky? Isn't it like gambling? There is risk, but you can mitigate risk several ways - buy spreading it out among multiple companies you own, by buying companies that have a low fluctuation of price, by not owning just stocks and adding in other types of investments. Some people speculate, but most people are not trying to "get rich quick", they are investing for the long-term, which is the safest way to invest. The longer you stay invested, the more likely it is you will make money with your investments. If you stayed invested during the crash of 2008, the stock market is up 80% from the low point. 

The Dalai Lama has said, "The Western woman will save the world." I believe that's true. Women are cooperative, intuitive, and we like to share with others. I see a lot of women giving to the less fortunate, like helping women start businesses with "micro" loans. The average loan someone in a foreign country needs to start a life-changing business to feed their family is only $27! The women in villages teach others in the village how to run a business, so the effects are far reaching and magnified. My mission is to change the statistics for women, where 1 in 5 of us are retiring with Zero dollars. 

Isn't it time you empowered yourself to learn about money and investing? Isn't it time you felt your own worth and independence? Learning to create wealth yourself will do that for you and investing is a way you can build a lot of wealth. You just have to decide to do it and find a mentor such as Femvestorsglobal to reduce the learning time and improve your success rate. 

Soon you will have your own golden goose and love investing too! 

Women and Money - Another Complicated Relationship

Yet another relationship we complicate with our emotions. 

According to statistics: 

• We women earn 20% less than our male counterparts 
• We earn 80 cents on the dollar compared with men
• We have less women sitting in corner offices
• We are not getting our fair share of the world's wealth

It is abundantly clear after research that many of the characteristics and behaviors of women that make us unique also contribute to our lack of financial independence. 

Our greatest gifts we offer to society actually become our greatest weaknesses when our own best interest come in to play. Just like with anything a belief system is a standard that sets the stage for our behaviors. 

How we earn money and manage it is no different. We are taught differently with societal messages that imply our well-being is contingent upon acting polite and other stereo-typical ways when we are young girls. 

Being relationship oriented and soft-spoken are just a couple of behaviors that we are taught and then struggle with when we later apply them to the management of income earned or inherited wealth.

 The expectations of: 

• being a mum 
• wife 
• caretaker of elderly parents 
• AND independent 

are a juggling act that conflicts with the logic of the risk-reward mentality that it often takes to manage money successfully. 

As Independent Ambitious Career Woman meets head on with Nurturing Caretaker Mother and Wife we truly are BLESSED with the impossible sounding feat, if we take on the right attitude and use it to our advantage. 

We are asked to sharpen our skills in so many areas that we cannot help but succeed if we learn how to apply all of these acquired skills in the area of money-management and income negotiation in the workplace. 

There appears to be a paradigm shift that needs to take place in many of our female minds. That shift may require taking on a new mantra that empowers you to realise you have been given a job that seems daunting but in actuality have been given the opportunity to have it all. 

The ability to give life and nurture it can be applied to making money and growing it. So, being a Sep-mother with an independent minded attitude I have had to change my mantra to fit my vision of a successful retirement. 

I believe that how you think determines how you act. Our actions stem from our belief system. Our belief systems were most likely formed at a very young age. We have to understand that we can change our belief systems by attaining correct knowledge and watching our actions. 

Some of the actions we can take as women are: 

1. Keep track of how you are using and losing your money

2. Create a spending plan

3. Always put minimum of 10% away in an investment or savings...

4. Consider learn from other women. Check out Femvestorsglobal.com. 

5. Take advantage of compounding interest rate calculator! Check out http://www.investor.gov

6. There are so many ways to start learning and never an easier time to acquire knowledge. What better way to use Google! 

The Secret To Fabulous Finances

 Are you sick of living your life on credit? Would you like to have a lump sum of money you can fall back on if unforeseen circumstances strike? How about the ability to generate passive income so that you can choose how you live your life, where and with whom you spend the most precious commodity - time? 

There are only two excuses or reasons why people fail to take action on their dreams so they can live their ideal life. Not enough time or not enough money. These two key areas in our lives limit us and our potential, instilling fear that if we were to take a risk chances are we would fail. The focus generally goes to the negative and undesirable outcome which is what become reality. I would like to give you the tools and strategies to get your finances back on track and design a life that is heading towards you having your perfect ideal average day. 

The perfect ideal average day is one that is just that - average! You are not on holidays or doing things that are unusual. It is simply how you would spend your time if you had the choice to do whatever you like. You may decide to start your days late, read, socialise or go shopping. Whichever way you see it is perfect for you. 

Did you know that more than 25% of people have only 1 month of savings for emergencies in developed countries such as Australia and America? 64% also live pay check to pay check which is a statistic that continues to grow over the years.

Family budgets; I get asked 'What for?' It is staggering to know that people don't have a concept of what is going in, coming out and whether they can afford the lifestyle they are living. This is very scary and unfortunate especially when these individuals start having children and the cost of living jumps up to a new level with often less income and higher expenditure. 

I would like to share with you some of the secrets to improve your finances and start generating wealth that will see you live out your life in luxury rather than in lack. One other famous statistic to become familiar with is: By the time people reach retirement age:

•  1-2% are wealthy 
• circa 78% are on welfare and/or heavily supported by family members 
• 20% are dead 

Which statistic would you like to belong to when you retire? 

Our education around finances starts very early in life. Think about who you had as a role model around you growing up. Were they good with money or just made ends meet at the end of each pay cycle? Our beliefs about how we manage money and more importantly how we make it are set well before we turn 10 years of age.

It is very important to know what you believe about money and finances comes from and if necessary to start creating new beliefs that will serve you going forward. 

I would like to illustrate how beliefs around money are created by sharing my story in this particular area. I grew up in UK and money was never spoken about in our house. I never learned anything about money as it was never discussed in my environment- whether at home, school or with friends. I grew up believing that whatever I earnt I could spend, saving was foreign to me. Everything I earnt in my teens would be predominantly spent on Consumerism.

In my late teens and 20's, I fell in love with credit cards. As fast as I could earn I could spend. I believed that credit cards were the banks money and not mine until I received the bill. I made poor decisions and got into a lot of debt, this built up over several years. I finally threw myself into my career to pay of all my debts. Saving and investing did not occur until my mid-late 20's.

My mindset has now grown to a level that I continue to invest in my education to learn new tools and strategies that get me ahead in my finances. This is why I teach women so they can learn from my mistakes. 80% proceeds of my business goes to those without a voice.

3 Top Secrets Wealthy Women Use to Overcome Barriers to Creating Financial Freedom

When women reach a certain age, they begin to ask the important questions: "What will my retirement look like? Will I be able to maintain a specific lifestyle? How will money affect my sense of security?" Women typically are so immersed in the present day-to-day activities that they are too exhausted to think beyond that. No, not all women, but a good amount to make a difference. 

What are the 3 big 'No-No's' that women find themselves doing that not only create barriers to financial success but actually prevent it from happening all together? 

1. Not planning early enough. How many times have you said, 'I'll start that tomorrow" but tomorrow never came? 

Financial Quick-Start: Map out your plan when you have your first experience with money. It's not too late, and it's never too early. Babysitting money, birthday money - it doesn't matter - map out your plan on how you will relate, save, spend and value the money that comes in and out of your life. Mothers, teach your daughters to become familiar and comfortable with money at an early age. The important piece is to start - your plan may change or grow, but it should be a plan that grows with you. 

Put money and credit in your own name. Money and credit in your name is a sure way to boost your sense of security. Don't be hesitant to do this. Be proud and excited about the greatness of establishing your own accounts and credit ratings. Start small with bank accounts and credit, then expand into investments. 

Putting money in your own name and knowing it is yours creates a feeling of security and independence. These two feelings build the foundation critical to living a financially independent life. 

2. Closing the door to knowledge. Women don't speak up or ask questions when the financial planner comes around (if they have one). They fear looking uneducated or embarrassed about not knowing much about money. Or there's an attitude of "it'll take care of itself."  

Financial Quick-Start: Read. Learn. Observe. Listen. Hire a financial planner. Get in the game. Expose yourself to several opinions on financial matters. Pretend you know what you are doing and the more you do it, the more you will learn. There is no shame in grabbing the money-lion by the tail and taking charge. 

Learn what will make you money AND know what wastes your money. Read, read, and read again. There are great books out there for you to learn about money decisions, investing, income streams, and financial planning. Set a priority to grow your money enough to allow you to meet with a professional planner, accountant or someone you feel safe in asking questions and learning where to start. 

The main purpose of knowing everything about your money is for you to make informed and responsible money decisions that will help your financial future instead of hurting it. 

3. The "I-couldn't-handle-money-if-I-tried" thinking. This is thinking that will land you in the poor house. Actually, this is a defence mechanism designed to shield you from knowing the truth. The truth may be good, bad or ugly, but it's still the truth. And sometimes knowing the truth around your money can be scary. 

Financial Quick-Start: Grow your confidence. To grow money, you have to feel good about it. And to do that, you must get in touch with your money. When control goes up, worry goes down. When worry goes down, security goes up and so does confidence. This means balancing your finances on a regular basis, knowing your rental or mortgage agreement at all times, opening and paying all bills on time, and reading your quarterly retirement planning reports. 

You should expect more than the crumbs falling off the table. But, gosh, you say, I have too many bills. Well, make a budget (aka spending plan) and stick to it. Sacrifice whatever is expendable (eating out, movie tickets, that cool smelling bottle of perfume) so you can get yourself into a power position with your money. 

Decide what you can pay yourself each month then do it - no matter what! Start with 10% after taxes but no less than 5%. Before you know it, the dollars you are paying to yourself will start to add up! 

The main purpose of paying yourself first is so you learn that you are more important and deserving than anything you could buy.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Karen_Keller,_Ph.D/581146

Are You Afraid To Invest In Yourself?

I am sure that you have heard this phrase: "Your business can only grow to the extent that you grow." If you are playing small, hiding out, procrastinating, doing it all yourself, undercharging, under-earning or over-delivering, then you are getting in your own way. Without a doubt, each of these actions or habits will stall your business growth, repel ideal clients and sabotage your success.

As an Angel Investor, I have worked with many business owners for years, and the number one mistake I see such entrepreneurs make these days is failing to invest in themselves at a high level. This failure keeps them-and their businesses-stuck, for the quickest way I know to help alleviate self-sabotaging behaviors and quickly get back on track is by investing in and working with a mentor. We can help you identify the behaviors that are holding you back and show you how to move forward. We can work with you to create a customised plan that is appropriate for you and your business. 

Here are 3 advantages to investing in yourself at a high level: 

1. You will Make a Higher Commitment to Yourself: When you pay, you pay attention and therefore if you invest in a high-level mentor, you'll be more committed to doing what is required. Because you're paying for their services, you'll be more likely to follow through with their recommendations. 

2. Your Energy Is More Focused: Because you're spending time (and money) to work on your business strategies with someone else, you'll become much more focused on achieving your desired results. You'll allocate time, clear out your diary, making sure to listen to, and follow, your mentor's expert guidance. This often results in attracting more ideal clients who are extremely committed and invested in their business success. 

3. You'll Be More Decisive: Since you'll be motivated to get a solid return on your investment, you'll finally get out of analysis paralysis and take action. 

A quick exercise: Keeping in mind your end goals of making more money and attracting your ideal clients into your business, take out a note pad and pen and list all of the areas in your business where you are not taking action AND/OR the areas in which you are just confused about what the next steps should be. Once you've completed this list, circle the top 3 things that need to be done to build your business now.

Business Start Up Ideas For Women

Why Are Women Starting Businesses who are fabulous fifties and above? 

A lot of older workers are finding the job market very difficult these days. Instead of staying out of work or accepting lower pay, many are deciding that they may as well start their own business. Women over 50, in particular, are particularly attracted to the idea of being their own boss. 

• These women say they want more flexibility, and having a business allows them to set their own schedule
• The women want more control over their financial lives
• The have an idea/vision, and being self employed gives them more job satisfaction

Let me mention that being self employed is not for everybody. Even though you may have more control over your work hours, you will still have to have determination and discipline to actually make your business prosper. Depending on whether you have an Entrepreneurial spirit or otherwise, certain individuals are much better off working for somebody else. 

I will say that you do not have to start out with rocket scientist skills or a lot of money to invest. In addition, you can start many businesses part time while you still attend to other duties or a "day job". 

What Type Of Business Should Women Start? 

The type of business you will start depends upon a few things. Your energy level, the way you like to work, and your own skills and interests are very important considerations. I tried to filter down these business ideas to things that would not require a lot of capital investment to start, and that could be started on a part time basis. 

Self-service laundry or Vending Machine Business

Most of the experienced owners say that purchasing a good, established route is the simplest way to get started. You will have to do your due diligence to make sure the route is really productive. But this relieves you of the chore of having to find locations to install equipment.

You will have to be responsible for collecting money, keeping the machines stocked, and making sure the machines are in good repair. You either have to do these things yourself, or you have to hire somebody to perform some of the functions. 

This is a good solution for people who like to be active, and who do not want to get stuck in an office all of the time. You will probably need to start out by doing a lot of the actual work yourself. However, if you expand your business, you may hire employees to do some of the work for you. 

Boutique Bakeries are in! 

Small, boutique bakeries, like cupcake or artisan bakeries, are very popular today. If you love to bake, this can be a good way to turn your specialty into a business. 

Depending on where you live, you may require a commercial kitchen. However, you may solve this problem by leasing space from a church or other organisation that does not use their own kitchen during certain hours. 

You can concentrate on perfecting your treats, marketing, and expanding your business. If your business grows, you may consider getting your own commercial kitchen space later. 

Book Keeping/Payroll/Accounting Services

Businesses need to keep track of their finances in good times and bad. You can find a lot of online classes, or you can draw upon your past experiences. This is one business you can perform out of your own home, or in client offices. 

Antique or thrift shop owner

If you’re crafty or artistic there’s a good chance you’ve considered how you could turn that skill into some extra cash, or maybe even a whole business.

Online shops like Etsy allow you to easily turn your crafting hobby into a stream of extra income.

Online e-commerce platforms are created specifically for helping you list your business and products online. Some of the most popular ones include Shopify and Squarespace. If you’re looking for something more simple you could also try selling on Facebook using Facebook’s business pages as your online shop.

What to consider before starting your own business

Even if you feel like you’re ready to start your own business, there are many factors to consider when choosing the type of small business you want to start. You might not be sure where to start, so here are some of the top considerations you should make before deciding on a business.

Will this be your main source of income, or in addition to the income you already make?

What will the business startup costs be? How much do you have to invest in the business as of now, will you need further financing and if so, where will it come from?

How much time do you want to spend on your business? This relates to the first one, is this your main job or a side gig?

Do you want to use skills you already have and monetise them? Or do you want to learn new skills entirely for this new business?

Are You Ready To Be Self Employed? 

Spend some time researching different business ideas. Try to find ideas that will not require a huge initial investment or a very long work week. As your business grows, you may decide to expand. People who start with a small and manageable business idea tend to do well.