While it is virtually impossible for one to be 100% fool-proof in predicting a good or bad investment, it is possible to narrow down the playing field by following several basic principles of wise investing. This basic overview will help ensure beginning or advanced investors a margin of error when investing their funds for a good return earning.

Taking One’s Time

Whenever one has made the decision to invest a certain amount of money, the first thing that needs to be established is that it will take time to devise the following principles and a subsequent financial strategy. Investing for one’s future is definitely not something to just plunge into without careful thought and consideration.

The lightening-fast nature of the Internet is conducive and geared towards convincing surfers to make quick, impetuous decisions. Consequently, this fact needs to be on one’s mind continuously before making any investment decisions.

Know How Much Risk One Is Willing To Tolerate

Knowing the difference between an average savings/money market account and investment vehicles which form part of a portfolio is vitally important when making successful investment decisions.

Typically, knowing that most investments such as: insurance, bonds, shares, commodities and U.S. Treasuries are not insured by any means is crucially important. These are not Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), backed as are savings accounts. The very best one can hope to invest in are low-risk entities such as U.S. Treasuries.

Do Not Succumb To Pressure

Generally, families, friends and the shoe-shine boy on the corner will all offer financial advice. Most of it will not be qualified, expert advice. Most of them will know of a cheap insurance policy, promising stock or a well-performing company that has good future potential.

Whatever they may advise or try to push, in order to avoid bad investments, it is crucial for a person to not succumb to outside pressure.

Research Well Before Investing

In today’s highly volatile, economic environment, it is primordial to carefully research a particular financial vehicle which carries out one’s financial goals the most. Carefully checking out the specific investment offered, competitive offers from other sources and how well the investment is performing is a crucial prerequisite.

Equally important is carefully researching the reputation, integrity, and historical track record of the financial institution offering the investment. This is just as important as the investment itself.

Basic Tips:

* Take time to implement a savings and/or an investment plan with a diversified portfolio.
* Determine how much risk one is willing to assume: research which investments are insured, non-secured and/or low-risk.
* Never bow down to friendly advice if it does not adhere to one’s short, medium or long-range goals.

Whether it is cheap insurance, good insurance or just plain U.S. Savings Bonds, in today’s unstable economy one cannot ever be 100% certain in investing. However, choosing wisely will definitely be an asset in achieving success or avoiding financial disaster and cutting the risks.

Nina Bernice is the author of this post and she manages the site CheapInsurance123.

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If you talk to successful stock traders, you’ll that most of them have one thing in common. Many of them have good, workable trading plans. When you’re planning to go into the stock market, you could do worse by emulating these success stories and formulating a plan. Let’s be clear though, a trading plan provides more than just rules for trading and when to buy and sell stock. A good plan outlines strategies and goals, while providing a blueprint for success.

Every trading plan starts with a goal. Some trading plans have nebulous goals such as, “I want to be rich before retirement,” but you quickly find out that plans with such ambiguous goals usually fail. Realistic, measurable goals are what you find in good plans. What do I mean by realistic and measurable? First, the goal must be reachable and provide a definite gauge for a person’s level of success. Experienced traders usually define these goals by setting a profit/loss margin for a particular span of time. You’ll know if you have met your goals if you have a definite profit target at the end of the week. Even if you don’t reach it, you can measure how successful you are and make adjustments as needed.

Another part of a trading plan is having a definite market or field to target. A good trader chooses a field that they’re interested in or are informed about. The stock market is a fluid thing and the only way to make sure you don’t get any nasty surprises is to always have the latest information available. Information is money in the field of stock trading.

Finally, entry and exit strategies are formulated to reflect a trader’s personality. A daring trader can wish to make his margins higher, while a more conservative trader would lower his negative sell price a bit higher in order to avoid a larger loss. Going against personal instinct is a hard thing, that’s why traders tailor-make their strategies to match their temperament. In a highly volatile market, gut instinct and a solid trading plan may be the difference between huge profits or disappointing losses.

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by James Scott

Do you have stock but don’t want to sell it? Do you need cash now and want to use your stock as collateral for a loan, but you don’t want to lose your investment? Do you have bad credit but need cash now? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it sounds like you’re a good candidate for a non-recourse stock loan.

Many companies claim to offer loans against stock collateral but very few companies are able to back up their claims with cold hard cash. Most stock loans have the same basic requirements: the symbol must trade at least 50,000 shares per day (this qualification is very easy for most public companies), must be a major platform like OTCBB, NASDAQ, London Exchange etc. (basically anything but Pink Sheets, but then again, who in their right mind would invest in pink sheets?), and the company needs to have some solid trading history. That’s it!

Anyone that has stock can easily use this security as collateral for a very reasonable loan that can extend up to 10 years and sometimes even longer. If you own stock, you should never feel hard up for cash. You can use your stock to collateralize a loan with an LTV of 60% to 80% depending on the stock.

Use your stock as collateral for a business loan, pay off your credit cards, or take a much-needed vacation. If you are a principle in a public company and your business needs fast cash, you can use some of your company stock for cash for corporate expansion, equipment or executive bonuses.

Advantages of a stock loan program are: Non-recourse, Credit check, and financials not required, rates are based on the 90-day LIBOR, it provides cash for qualified emerging markets, and start-ups and loan payments are interest only!

Learn how to go public with Reverse Merger Free Video. Call Princeton Corporate Solutions at 267-233-0183. Expand Your Company Into China and learn how We Can Make Global Growth Happen For Your Company!

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by Larry Wood

Going back to the basics is the trend these days.  Many people are now aware of the many problems faced by the world, which includes pollution, depletion of natural resources, increasing population, and many others.  With so many problems to deal with, people don’t know where to start.  You don’t have to be a hero to help save the world and address its many problems.  Why not contribute in your own little way by using solar power and wind power?

Sunlight and air can be converted into energy though solar and wind power.  A solar power system collects sunlight which can directly heat homes or it can convert the heat into usable electricity and store them in batteries. Wind energy can also create usable electricity or the mechanical energy can also be used directly.

There are advantages of using solar and wind power.  After the initial expenses for the installation of the systems, you can enjoy free energy for many years.  Most of the power systems last for approximately twenty years and requires little maintenance.  As long as the systems are cleaned once in a while, it will surely work efficiently.  Solar and wind power are both pollution free and do not emit greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.  Solar panels and wind turbines require little maintenance.  Some people are concerned about wasting land to install wind turbines but you can still use the land for planting crops and for grazing animals.

According to researchers, the efficiency of these systems relies on the environmental elements.  Germany and Japan are leading the way to the improvement of solar energy despite the fact that these countries get very little sunshine in a year.  On the other hand, wind turbines are too noisy and unsightly. Turbine blades create noise pollution and the huge structure can ruin any landscape.

To produce significant energy, you will need a lot of solar panels or reflectors and turbines.  Size is a vital consideration for producing the needed energy.  Have you ever been into remote areas?  You can use solar power and wind power to generate the needed electricity.  During daytime, you can depend on solar power to provide your electric needs and at night, you can use the wind turbines.

Solar power systems and wind turbines are not very difficult to install.  In fact, there are now DIY kits that can be readily purchased locally and in online stores.  You will just follow the guided instructions and get the necessary materials.  The systems can be installed over the weekend.

For those who live in the city, you can take advantage of the tax incentives, financial options, rebates, loans, and grants offered by the government.  That way, you can have the system installed at a very affordable cost.  In the case of wind turbines, you will need a lot of space.  There are now turbines that produce less or no noise at all which are excellent for homes with close neighbors.

The decision to use solar power or wind power is a matter of personal choice that is usually affected by certain factors like money (investment), space, and energy requirements.

Just imagine making a one-time investment and after that you can already enjoy unlimited and free supply of electricity.

Regular inspection can ensure that the systems are working efficiently.

Lastly, you need to check out the Energy Saving methods that can save the Earth and help me save money on my bills too.  I didn’t know that I can make my own solar panel that only costs me less than one thousand dollar.

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There is a new online stock trading newsletter that provides readers with a wealth of valuable information. With this information, users will be in a much better position to become successful investing in a resurgent stock market.

This newsletter tells you what stocks to buy, how to initiate the trade, when to enter the trade, and when to exit the trade. The writers and researchers of the newsletter undertake all of the painstaking research so that you can reap immediate rewards from your investment.
Right now, this online stock trading newsletter is available for a fifteen-day free trial. Navigating the stock market can be a difficult enterprise. It is important to have an invaluable resource that removes the guesswork from stock trading.

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The 2010 Homebuyer Tax Credit has been invaluable in helping first time homeowners purchase an affordable home. First time buyers can receive an $8,000 tax credit. Homeowners who have lived in their current home for five out of the last eight years can receive a $6500 tax credit. In addition, the income limit for singles is $125,000 and $225,000 for married couples. Unfortunately, the tax credit will no longer be available after April 30, 2010.

This program has been instrumental in helping two million people receive the tax credit in 2009. It has been expanded in order to combat the housing crisis that has gripped the nation for the last few years. This tax credit can provide an enormous benefit to individuals who are looking to purchase their first home, but leery of the housing market. The original tax credit went into effect in 2009 and proved to be an extremely popular and helpful program. Although many people believe that the Obama administration will extend the tax credit, as of now, people not under contract by the end of the month will not be eligible. So, act now!

Purchasing your first home or deciding it move into a new home can be an important decision. The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has benefited millions of Americans. It is crucial that you act soon in order to benefit from a useful program that will provide much needed assistance in obtaining a home. An $8,000 tax credit can go a long way toward making that unaffordable dream home affordable.

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by James Scott

For real estate investors, there are two things that are always in short supply regardless of the ups and downs in the economy: capital and quality inventory.  Most investors that I have worked with not only need capital but they also need strategies to go after capital that is not issued based solely on a credit score.  Even if a real estate investor has good credit, they still have the obstacle of too many inquires and too many open loans on their credit report.  Funding sources are spooked by these distractions and turn the applicant down even though all of their loans are current and they have a solid FICO.

If the above describes you or if you have limited or poor credit and you are a serious real estate investor, here is how to get all the capital that you will ever need.  First, put a solid strategy together.  Start with your company infrastructure.  Organize your company with a CEO, CFO, Board of Directors etc.  After you’ve done this, set up your inter-industry strategic alliances, which should be composed of other investors, bird dogs, electricians, roofers, general contractors etc.  You want each of these alliances to have a purpose.  They should be a portal for industry niche knowledge, consultation, and referral hubs.  Let each of your alliances know exactly what type of investments you’re looking for.  As they are sending you referrals, reciprocate by issuing them work in their specialty.

Next, you want to have a solid business plan written for your company (don’t write this yourself, have a professional do it for you) that spells out the intricacies of your company, your alliances, your accomplishments and goals.  Paint a picture of success and strength.

Next, you need a mechanism for accepting investment capital so you’ll need a Private Placement Memorandum.  This document package gives a technical breakdown of your investment opportunity and spells out the risks and advantages in detail to keep you from getting sued by investors down the
road.  This memorandum takes advantage of SEC Regulation D Rule Exemptions 504, 505 or 506.  A PPM is the minimum requirement dictated by the SEC for accepting capital from accredited and non accredited investment sources.  Real investors will demand a PPM anyway, so it’s good to have it
done beforehand.

Now that your company is properly structured, you have a solid board of directors and alliances, your business plan is well written and to the point, and you have a solid outlet for accepting capital from investors, you are now ready for capital.  Your best bet is to go back to the company who wrote your business plan and private placement memorandum and use their ‘investor finder’ service.  Legitimate
corporate consultants who write technical documents will also stand behind their work by assisting their clients in finding investors.  One solid strategy for getting access to capital quickly and easily is to have your Investor Finder go through their database and email individual and institutional funding sources.

When you are contacted by these investment sources, give them the option to invest in your company using the PPM (which will give you a fund in which you will be able to rehab real estate, buy at auctions etc).  You will also want to give them the option of investing in a ‘per deal’ scenario.  In addition, allow them the option to also (or only) invest in particular transactions with you so when you get a deal.  With a solid investor finder service, you’ll eventually have 100+ solid investors to go to for quick capital on
particular transactions that go above what your PPM fund can handle.

There you have it, a strategy that works 100% of the time for real estate investors globally.  Your best bet is to make sure that you do this properly by hiring a consultant that can set up this process for you.  Cheers to your success!

Need Real Estate Partners and Funding?  Need A Corporate Consultant?  Call Princeton Corporate Solutions at 267-233 0183

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by James Scott

Regulation D, Under Sections 4(2) and 3(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, was adopted by the SEC in order to coordinate the various limited offering exemptions and to streamline the existing requirements applicable to private offers and sales of securities.  The Regulation establishes three exemptions from registration in Rules 504, 505, and 506.

Rule 504, which provides an exemption for non-reporting companies unless they are “blank check” issuers or certain “shells”, stipulates that: The sale of up to $1,000,000 of securities in a 12-month period is permitted provided that there is no general solicitation, the securities sold are restricted securities and cannot be resold except pursuant to a registration statement or exemption, and a notice must be filed with the SEC within 15 days after the first sale.  Rule 504 does not provide an exemption under any state laws.  In certain limited circumstances where an offering is conducted under state accredited investor exemptions, securities offered under Rule 504 may be freely transferrable.  Unlike Rules 505 and 506, Rule 504 does not mandate that specified disclosure be provided to purchasers.  Nonetheless, the business person should take care that sufficient information is provided to meet the full disclosure obligations which exist under the antifraud provisions of the securities laws.

Rule 505 was adopted by the SEC to provide small businesses more flexibility in raising capital than under Rule 504 – but without the uncertainty of determining the quality of the purchasers that generally is involved in using Rule 506.  Rule 505 provides issuers a limited offering exemption for sales of securities totaling up to $5 million in any 12-month period.

Rule 505 contains certain restrictions regarding “accredited investors” and non-accredited persons.  The-term “accredited investor” includes:

Banks, insurance companies, registered investment companies, business development companies, or small business investment companies; Certain employee benefit plans for which investment decisions are made by a bank, insurance company, or registered investment adviser; Any employee benefit plan
(Within the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act) with total assets in excess of $5 million; Charitable organizations, corporations or partnerships with assets in excess of $5 million; Directors, executive officers, and general partners of the issuer; Any entity in which all the equity owners are accredited investors; Natural persons with a net worth of at least $1 million; Any natural person with an income in excess of $200,000 in each of the two most recent years or joint income with a spouse in excess of $300,000 for those years and a reasonable expectation of the same income level in the current year; and Trusts with assets of at least $5 million, not formed to acquire the securities offered, and whose purchases are directed by a sophisticated person.

If the issuer sells any securities to non-accredited investors, it must furnish to all investors the same type of information as required by Regulation A.  It must also furnish audited financial statements.

If an issuer other than a limited partnership cannot obtain audited financial statements without unreasonable effort or expense, only the issuer’s balance sheet (to be dated within 120 days of the start of the offering) must be audited.

Limited partnerships unable to obtain required financial statements without unreasonable effort or expense may furnish financial statements prepared on the basis of federal income tax requirements and examined and reported on by an independent public or certified accountant in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards; and The issuer must also be available to answer questions by
prospective purchasers about the issuer or the offering.

Further restrictions under Rule 505 include:
The total offering price of each issue of securities may not exceed $5 million. The offering may not be made by means of general solicitation or general advertising.  The issuer may sell the securities to an unlimited number of “accredited investors” and to 35 non-accredited persons.  There are no requirements of “sophistication” or “wealth” for persons to whom the securities are sold.  A company must take any necessary steps to ensure that the purchasers are acquiring securities for investment only, not for resale.  The securities are thus “restricted” and investors must be informed that they may not be able to sell except pursuant to a registration statement or exemption from registration.  The issuer is not required to file any offering materials with the Commission.  Fifteen days after the first sale in the offering, the issuer must file a notice of sales on Form D.  The notice also contains an undertaking under this Rule for the issuer to furnish the Commission, upon its staff’s request, any information given to non-accredited purchasers in connection with the offering.  Rule 505 does not provide an exemption from state securities laws.

SEC Rule 506 offers and sales of securities by an issuer that satisfy the conditions stated below are deemed transactions not involving any public offering within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.  For an offering to be considered exempt from the registration requirements, Rule 506 stipulates: There is no ceiling on the amount of money that may be raised.  No general solicitation or general advertising is permitted.  The issuer may sell its securities to an unlimited number of accredited
investors and 35 non-accredited purchasers.  Unlike Rule 505, all non-accredited purchasers (either alone or with a purchaser representative) must be sophisticated – that is, have sufficient knowledge and experience in financial and business matters to render them capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment.  The term “accredited investor” is defined under Rule 505.

If the issuer sells any securities to non-accredited investors, it must furnish to all investors the same type of information as required by Regulation A.  It must also furnish the same financial information as would be required by registration on Form S-1.

If the issuer cannot obtain audited financial statements without unreasonable effort or expense, then financial statements may be provided in accordance with the special treatment described under Rule 505.

The securities sold are “restricted” under the same stipulations in Rule 505.

A company is required to file a notice of the offering on Form D at SEC headquarters within 15 days after the first sale in the offering.  All states except New York provide an exemption from state securities laws for offerings under Rule 506 but the company must file a copy of the Form D and pay a filing fee in each state.  New York has a distinctive law, which makes a Rule 506 offering within that state impractical.

Accredited Investor Exemption

The Small Business Investment Incentive Act of 1980 created a new statutory exemption from registration under the Securities Act for transactions involving offers and sales of securities by any issuer solely to one or more “accredited investors.”

Under Section 4(6):

The total offering price of each issue of securities under the exemption may not exceed the limit on small offerings set by Section 3(b) the Securities Act, which currently is $5 million per issue.  The offering may not be made by means of any form of advertising or public solicitation.

The term “accredited investor” is defined to include the same individuals and entities as included for purposes of Rules 505 and 506.  The issuer is required to file a notice of sales on Form D with the Commission 15 days after the initial sale is made in reliance on the exemption.

Want To Go Public With Your Company, visit Princeton Corporate Solutions.

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by Larry Eddison

Don’t let your house fall into disrepair.  It is not cheap to maintain a house but the loss in capital value can be huge if you let it become run down.  A deteriorating house affects the value and salability as well.  Hundreds spent today become thousands of dollars of increased capital value tomorrow if you take care of your home.  Some things need to be considered before you begin renovating so that the money you spend ends up being a rewarding investment.

What needs to be fixed and repaired is the first thing that you must consider.  For example, if the available space is no longer adequate for your growing family you may want to make extensions to the house.  Alternatively, you may want to utilize a portion of your vacant space in order to build a car garage.  If your kitchen seems old or congested, you may desire to build new cabinets or chimneys to alleviate clutter and create better ventilation.

Along with the refurbishing of the house, you can also undertake repair and replacement of some old, outdated electrical items, such as kitchenware to give your house a fresh look. Perhaps give your dilapidated dishwasher some love by purchasing brand new dishwasher parts to ensure its life for years to come. Moreover, you could just replace all of your existing appliances, replacing them with matching, stainless ones. An intelligently planned renovation will make your home a delightful place to live in.

One of the main reasons people want to renovate their home is to attract potential buyers.  But, you should be careful that the expenses made on renovation do not exceed the likely increase in market value.

Hence, any decision regarding expenditure design should come before any renovation activity, as you would want to make sure that you are distributing your funds proportionately to different aspects of the house.  In most cases, cost escalation is inevitable; hence, it is prudent to add some extra amount in addition to the contractor’s cost calculation and then stick to the budget.

You can also choose to avail yourself of home renovation loans that come to the aid of people who might be incapable of meeting the entire cost out of pocket.  There are many renovation loan plans with convenient repayment options available that you can use to refurbish your house.

Renovation and interior design can radically transform your living space, while also raising its worth on the market.  Thus, you should always consider this alternative if your home is more than 7-8 years old.

Find out more about Interior Design and discover how property renovation adds value to your property overnight.

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by Paul Easton

When it comes to investments, there are few that are always as reliable and easy to finance as real estate. Commercial and rental properties allow the investor to actually make money on the deal even while it is being financed. Certainly the real estate market has its up and downs, but the investment will always appreciate, unlike shares in the stock market.

Getting Started
The first place to start is by finding a property. The key to making a profit is to find a high-value property that is offered at a discounted price, and one that is already rented or has good potential to be fully leased – creating a positive cash flow situation.
The next consideration is financing. The home owner who has equity in their house can take out a line of credit against the value of the property. This line of credit, or second mortgage, is used to fund the deposit on the new real estate purchase. With an 80% loan, this gives the investor an idea of the price range they should be searching in.

Example Investment
Here is an example of property deal that would make a good investment.  The property is valued at $375,000 and purchased for $300,000. It brings in rental income of $475 weekly.
To purchase this property, you would need to have $60,000 as the deposit with the remaining 80%, or $240,000, financed by the bank. Using your line of credit as the deposit, this means the property is 100% financed by two different loans with no cash outlay.

After six months of ownership, it is possible to refinance.  The property is still valued at $375,000 and with the 80% financing rule of thumb, this means a new loan can be written for $300,000 and the $60,000 initial deposit returned to pay the line of credit loan.

This example illustrates the importance of finding real estate that can be purchased for 20% below value.

Consider, also, that you are receiving rental income the entire time. With a rent amount of $475 weekly, this translates to $24,700 per year, giving the investor an 8.23% return. When the loan is financed at a less than 8% interest rate, this results in a positive cash flow. Purchasing the property through an LAQC allows the investor to take a deprecation allowance on taxes and receive a refund.

All in all, this is a win-win situation. There is no cash outlay, rent pays for the expense of the loan and associated maintenance costs and fees, and ownership allows for a refund check.  The longer you hold on to the property, the more likely it is to rise in value, providing an even larger return on investment over time. Obviously property investment is quite worthwhile.

Paul Easton works in marketing for Mathew Gilligan – an accountant and partner at Gilligan Rowe & Associates Ltd (GRA). GRA is a chartered accountant firm specializing in property in New Zealand.  (http://www.DigitalAWOL.com/) Search Engine Optimization by Digitalawol.com

Find great deals on real estate in the Columbia and Lexington areas:

Lexington SC Homes

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