Charting Patterns that Show You the Money!

The Time is Right: With the Fed lowering interest rates and setting a good tone to the markets along with earnings season coming up next month, there has never been a better time to learn to read price charts to pinpoint the best entries and exits for your trades.

When you know how to correctly read price and candle patterns you can identify the beginning of the next big wave and the most profitable entry for your trades. The price graph will also give you clues about when that wave is slowing down so you have time to tighten your stops and maximize your returns.

The markets today are providing us with great trading opportunities. The positive reaction to the interest rate news sent stocks skyrocketing, which made for some wonderful trades if you positioned in early. Many of those stocks, however, are due for a pullback. And what a perfect time to be trading because once you learn to identify the typical pullback, or retracement patterns, you can use those to enter trades before the next big run into earnings.

Here's An Example:

A pattern that we usually see before a stock makes a run into earnings is a rectangle. A rectangle pattern is created when a stock moves up and down in a small range for a short period of time. This type of consolidation is more of a sideways move, during which time the stock doesn't loose much of its value, but the options do become cheaper as the volatility decreases. An example of a recent rectangle is a trade we did in the two day Technically Speaking Workshop during which we bought calls on Freeport (FCX). This trade was done because the stock had just broken out of a rectangle pattern and, as you will learn in the Technically Speaking Workshop, we teach entering trades on the first or the second day of the move.

This trade was based on a contingency order at $92.50 on the Breakout Entry #1 seen below. This teaching method allows you the flexibility to trade as an end-of-day trader so you don't have to be tied to your computer. The first entry was one that was triggered while unable to watch the markets. On the second day, there was an additional entry above $93 as the stock opened up outside of the rectangle. That is Breakout Entry #2, and is the pattern used to enter the trade in the Technically Speaking Workshop. As you can see below, FCX has rallied to a closing high of $108.67 - almost a fifteen dollar rally since entering the trade!

Another Example:

Another pattern that you might see as stocks pull back from the recent rally is a Flag pattern. This is similar to rectangle but one that is tipped on its side. With this type of pattern the stock pulls back in price and gives a better entry price into the trade. DryShips, Inc. (DRYS) formed just such a pattern this month as it retraced about ten dollars before heading to a new high. Below, you see the Flag pattern outlined in blue with the Breakout Entry #1 around $71. The second day provided another opportunity to enter the trade at around $75 before the stock rallied to a new all time high of $81.65 (at the time of this report). Depending on what day you would have entered the trade, this has been anywhere from a six to ten dollar upward move in the stock.

When you can properly identify pattern such as these and more you will have the skills needed to correctly read a price chart to determine when the retracement has ended and when you should enter a trade. That is how you enter trades near the beginning of the next big move.

Charting Your Way to Profits Online Classes.

Learn more about how to read price and candlestick patterns to enter the right trades at the right time and earn maximum profits.

Cash for Structured Settlements

If you have 10000 dollars in hand now, you could invest it in different ways. If you are a small businessperson, you could use it to improve your publicity efforts and expand your production capacity. These might result in the 10000 dollars doubling in a year's time.

Or, if you are a stock investor, you could trade in stocks and probably make the 10000 dollars grow into at least 12000 dollars by the end of the year.

More modestly, you could invest in an interest-paying security and earn a 5% interest paid every quarter. That could make the 10000 dollars into 10510 by end of the year.

Another possibility is to invest the money in a training program that provides you with a vocational skill in high demand. You could thus enhance your earning potential and thus earn a return on that investment.

What all the above examples indicate is that money in hand now could earn returns and accumulate into a larger sum by a future date. This is called time value of money.

Future Payments Are Discounted

Considering the time value of money, sums received on future dates are discounted to compute their "present value", i.e., value now. This is typically done using prevailing interest rate in the market. For example, we found that 10000 dollars invested at 5% interest, paid quarterly, become 10510 dollars at the end of one year.

Hence, the present value of 10510 dollars received one year from now is only 10000 dollars. Present value is always based on a rate of interest, and the "interest compounding" method used. Interest compounding means the frequency with which interest is computed and added to the principal. In our example above, the compounding was done every quarter. Next quarter's interest would be computed on this interest-added principal amount.

Use the Cash Well

It is possible that you are cashing out your structured settlement to meet unavoidable necessities, like paying off a debt or meeting medical expenses. In such a case, you have no option but to use the cash to meet these.

However, if the cash out is for other purposes, try to invest it in a way that earns you a good return. For example, you could invest it in a home, in a suburb where property prices are going up. Or take up a vocational course that would enhance your employability.

If you already have a decent income from other sources, you might even consider taking a vacation to recharge yourself.

Try to earn a return that would be higher than the interest you paid for cashing out. (The discounting of structured payments to present value is actually a kind of interest payment.)

Select A Buyer Carefully

The buyer of your structured payments should have certain qualifications.

Firstly, the person (or firm) must be experienced in the field. Cashing out structured settlements involves several legal formalities. Unless the buyer is experienced enough to handle all the formalities correctly, you might find yourself in trouble. If a legally binding assignment is not created, the original payer might refuse to pay your buyer.

Secondly, select a buyer who deals up front with you, explaining what to expect. Otherwise, you might come to have undue expectations and get into unnecessary conflict with the buyer.

Finally, select a firm that believes in ethical practices. Unethical firms might tell you one thing and do something else. They might also not give you a fair deal.

Can You Protect Your Portfolio from the Sales Teams?

When you make an investment – from a simple bank certificate of deposit to a large shopping mall – you are going to be buying from someone whose greatest skill is employing sales closing techniques. Their skill in closing a sale will not include safeguarding your money or earning you any profit. And their number one priority is to make their sales quota to keep their job. It is only your personal education, experience and due diligence that can protect your money from the numerous people on the other side of the table.

It is a dilemma that in order to invest, you’ll be face to face with professionals who do not have your financial interest at stake – but they will all appear to be. Sales people will appear to be on your side right up until the moment you write a check or sign a commitment. Then any problems are yours alone, their verbal promises go up in smoke, they stop returning your phone calls and the fine print suddenly negates the possibility of getting a single dime back from your investment. In my experience, a salesperson’s top priority is never your best financial interest, and you need to realize this no matter how friendly they are or how polished their sales pitch appears. As you walk into a bank or brokerage office, or call a broker, you need to keep in mind that their personal goal is not in alignment with yours. To see past their sales routine, you need specific education, experience with the industry, and, hopefully, a knowledgeable mentor.

For example, I once received a solicitation from a loan broker who wanted to get me into a triple-net lease commercial building with a million-dollar loan. After a few questions it was clear that he was acquainted with lending, but not very experienced. But continued questioning revealed that his knowledge of commercial real estate would barely fill a thimble. And he was the principal agent trying to slam me into a million-dollar loan so he could collect a commission check and move on to the next deal. Although he sounded quite confident on the phone, his responses destroyed my trust in his ability to maneuver through the numerous issues and problems in my best interest. By studying an industry and talking to experienced players, you’ll be better able to ask questions with impact. And in this case, it was the difference between me keeping my money or locking myself into a contract guaranteed to be a huge financial disaster.

To inoculate yourself against sales pitches, you need to do a lot of comparison shopping or at least become a semi-professional in the industry you want to invest in. Develop a healthy amount of suspicion and skepticism of any sales claim, and hire experienced professionals to assist you on your side of the table. These would be attorneys, accountants, financial and operational experts that are being paid directly from you to assess every aspect of a complex transaction. He or she will support you in areas that you may be weak, and ask all of the confrontational questions that need to be addressed before you sign anything.

Due diligence acts as a barrier between your money and all the people that want some of it. I personally want Fort Knox around my money, so I make the effort to educate myself as to what is going on in the areas that I want to invest in. I take some facts that are offered to me and verify them independently, and then I get more facts and continue the process until I feel comfortable enough with the people I am dealing with. If I depend upon the sales people to perform due diligence for me, it is no better than throwing money into the wind and hoping for the best.

Can You Invest With Just $100?

Many private investors do not have a large amount of capital at their disposal to invest in stocks. Some take the route of Penny Stocks to generate high returns but some people find these too risky. Indeed, Penny Stocks ARE risky – if you do not know how to carry out research.

There are many other ways to invest. I’m going to tell you about one investment opportunity that gives high returns with little research. Anyone can do it. I am talking about Offshore Investments, also known as High Yield Investment Programs (HYIP).

Firstly, there are two types of High Yield Investment Programs. These are “Autosurfs” and Private HYIPs. Both are accessible to the general public and give high returns – usually with a minimum deposit as low as $5. The returns that I’m talking about are in the region of 30% every month, for no work at all. The only difference is the risk factors involved.

An Autosurf is a program that pays you for surfing the internet. The return you will receive depends on the amount you invest. Generally, Autosurfs are regarded as a higher risk than HYIPs. This is because Autosurfs, generally, do not have a viable means of alternative income.

Private HYIPs are a far safer option for small investors. Not many people know about them and they tend to last longer than Autosurfs. Many of them have exceeded 3 years, thereby giving you more than 10 times your intial investment. Their income usually comes from using investor’s cash to trade stock markets.

Finding private HYIPs is not as hard as it used to be. A simple search will reveal some good investments. Reading people’s comments and opinions on them will help you form your own opinion and tell you if you should invest or not. Choose wisely.

For small investors, private HYIPs are like a dream come true. We can now create passive income with as little as $100.

Can You Get Rich Investing? Yes, But Think Differently!

Remember back in the 1990s when a lot of people either retired early or became wealthy? It was relatively simple. With stock prices going up, up, up, I knew a lot of people who simply invested part of their paychecks. They ended up with several hundred thousand dollars in profits from their constantly rising stocks.

I knew others who had already amassed several hundred thousand by the time the stock boom came along. They were millionaires by the time the 1990s ended.

Ah yes, those were the days. Today most people will tell you it's a lot harder. Stocks don't seem to do much any more. You have to invest in risky emerging countries to see much return. And that chance can evaporate overnight taking your money with it.

When the stock market won't bring you any return, most people turn to real estate. But housing prices have peaked in most cities, meaning you can't just buy a house and sit on it for several years to earn a fat nest egg.

So does that mean we have to give up on ever getting ahead and just learn to be satisfied living the "average" life our jobs can provide?

Not necessarily. These days you have to think differently to get ahead. For example, you've noticed how manufacturing and jobs are heading out of North America to foreign countries. That's bad news for many workers, but it's GREAT news for some segments of the Foreign Exchange Market.

You see, when we buy products from China, or Japan ships products to England, all kinds of currency has to change hands and be converted. There is BIG money in that process.

FOREX, the foreign exchange market, handles 2 TRILLION in transactions EVERY DAY. That's far more money than what Wall Street handles. Just about anybody can jump in and pull out quite a profit for themselves by participating in the FOREX process.

Does all this sound a bit new to you? Most North Americans have heard very little about FOREX. They've got BILLIONS of dollars sitting in savings accounts and low yield investments that could make them a LOT more money in the Foreign Exchange Industry.

If you're thinking helping all those millions get their money transferred to FOREX is a HUGE opportunity ripe for the picking, you're RIGHT!

I hope my article has opened your eyes to some of the terrific opportunities that are being created now. Rather than looking back to the good old days of the booming American stock market and waiting for those times to return, refocus your attention on what is really happening right now. Your fortune lies in seeing more clearly the awesome opportunities at hand.

Buying land for sale is a worthy investment

The richest men in the world including Donald Trump and Howard Hughes have made billions investing in land for sale. Actually most investors have made fortune in land for sale. So if this idea has never crossed your mind then it is time to get a closer look at land for sale as an investment because it can produce great returns at very low risk.

Most investors have bought land for sale in the UK and this business has been a very profitable one making triple digit returns just in a few years. Many companies specialized in land have made it possible for foreign and UK investors to buy land for sale in UK with just $10,000.

If you are interested in investing by buying land for sale in the UK here are some hints of how you should get started.

UK land is a better investment than other (like properties, equities and derivatives) because the risk one takes is smaller in this case. Business with land for sale in the UK is and will be a good investment in the near future. Prices grow more and more everyday because UK is one of the most populated countries in Europe. The growth in population increases the pressure on house demand, so the investment business with land for sale in the UK can only profit from this aspect. The last few years, the land for sale in UK, near the city areas, has given investors a good opportunity to gain a lot in a short time.

If you want to know the secrets of capital growth through land for sale investments then you should keep on reading. The most important thing to keep in mind is the location. If you are looking to purchase a land for sale then you should buy one that will get a planning permission in the future. When you invest in a land for sale, your capital is guaranteed as soon as you obtain permission in building houses. The trick is that even if it sounds easy there is no guarantee that you will obtain the planning permission.

So there are some downsides but they are limited. There is no certainty that investing in land for sale in UK or any other country will make your capital grow. Land’s value may not increase as much as you expect, but statistics show that land prices do grow so the risk is limited. On the other hand, land companies give investors the opportunity to turn their purchased land into money by giving them “buy back options”. This means that they can liquidate and bank their money quickly. So, the risks are reduced even more and it is very likely for the investor to gain profit.

This method -- of buying land for sale in order to gain profit (called land banking)-- is the easiest one because all one has to remember is to buy land for sale in the best location, obtain the planning permission and the investment is guaranteed.
In conclusion, investing in land for sale in UK or in other countries is a perfect example of how investors can triple their capital in a short amount of time, with low downside risks.

Buying Investment Property With No Credit Check

Low down payments, no credit check and guaranteed approval. This is the convenience for many investment property buyers who choose to shop online. With the internet being responsible for dramatically changing the way people do business, it is also responsible for revolutionizing the way people shop for investment property.

A conventional loan for investment property would entail an application, credit review and complete disclosure of the applicants financial situation. However, an increasing number of real estate developers, owners and brokers are offering investment property with the convenience of owner financing. A low down payment, which is followed by regular monthly payments, may result in a prime piece of investment property. Most commonly used for purchases of land, owner financing is extremely popular for investors, first-time home builders with no credit or even individuals who have past credit problems and would not otherwise qualify for a conventional loan.

With very low down payments, which are often lower than $1,000.00, many investment property sellers provide competitive interest rates and low monthly payments with absolutely no qualifying, credit check or income verification. As long as consumers continue to make their minimum required monthly payment, they will be approved.

No matter when, where or how investment property is purchased, the buyer must perform due diligence prior to signing on the dotted line. The buyer will want to make sure that he/she will receive a warranty deed on any investment property, which means it will be free and clear of any liens, and that the current owner has the full right to sell the property. In addition, it may be a good idea for the potential buyer to contact the local tax office and inquire about the most recent assessment of the investment property. This will give the buyer a good idea as to whether or not he/she is getting a bargain. If the investment property is located in another state, the buyer should request photos and even consider hiring a video professional to make a recording of the immediate area and the land for visual purposes.

When agreeing to purchase investment property with owner financing, a signed contract is a must. This is simply a contract that is drawn and signed by both parties, which will indicate the down payment required, full purchase price, monthly payments, number of payments required until payoff, a listing of pre-payment penalties (if applicable), the location of the investment property and the size and details of the same.

A valid investment property contract will confirm that the seller agrees to finance the property at a certain amount of interest and will sell the described property after a predetermined number of payments. In return, the buyer agrees to pay a certain amount each month on a specified day each month. The contract should outline the exact location, street address, size of the lot and parcel number. In addition, it must include terms regarding late or missed payments, late fees and cancellation options (if any). The contract must be signed and dated by both parties in order for it to be valid.

Building Financial Security Steps 4 to 6.

4. Learn to Set Goals

Most self made, successful business people and investors have achieved their success by planning to do so.

They have set goals for themselves and achieved them. They invest time in reading and learning about wealth creation and are happy to learn from other people’s mistakes and experiences, as well as their own. They set goals, and realise that they will be far better able to achieve them if they familiarise themselves with the ways in which other people acted and the things that others have done to succeed. Wealthy people create wealth by carefully utilising the income that they have available to them to their best advantage. They know that working harder and longer hours is not the way to achieve financial freedom, instead they have to utilise what they have, and make it grow.

Having a goal enables you to focus your energies on devising ways to achieve it.  When someone makes a decision and begins focusing on achieving a specific goal (and even better in a specific period of time), the powerful subconscious mind goes to work and begins playing with ideas and developing strategies of various ways to bring about the successful completion of the goal.

When you set yourself a goal both your conscious and subconscious start working on it and begin to develop an action plan. You will begin asking yourself questions about what needs to be done to enable you to reach your goal. Many find themselves coming up with amazing ideas and solutions to problems or obstacles that have been in the way of achieving their goal. The subconscious is an extremely powerful tool. The more often you remind yourself of your goal, the more your mind will work on ways for you to achieve it. Some people find answers come to them when they are asleep and dreaming.

 Have you ever noticed that there is no correlation between being wealthy and having a high IQ or a university degree? If there were, every doctor and university graduate would be wealthy, and as statistics show, most of them end up in the same situation as 95% of the population.

Setting Goals helps you to focus your energy on developing workable strategies. Setting long term goals helps you look at the big picture. Once you can see the big picture, you can develop small sub goals. Sub goals are small simple goals that can be followed one step at a time. When you progressively achieve your sub goals, you will get closer and closer to your major goals. Goals are simply plans to succeed. It is said that if you “Fail to plan, then you plan to fail”. Goals help you keep motivated. Progressively achieving your goals can lead to a wonderful feeling of fulfilment.

5. Learn how to Budget.

Budgeting does not have to be tedious. All you need to do is to work out:
What your incomings are. What your regular outgoings are and then make sure that all of your other expenditure is less than the amount remaining. This will allow you to start saving and investing. Budgeting puts you in control of your finances.

6. Learn about investing – in particular about property investing.

Learn to research the property market, so that you will be able to purchase properties that will not only give a good rental yield, but they will also return the best capital growth possible. Read investment books. Read auto-biographies of successful people. Speak to people who have succeeded in doing what it is that you want to do. The more you learn, the easier it will be to recognise a good investment.

Find out about Negative, Neutral and Positive gearing – and why gearing is an invaluable tool, which will enable you to build up a wealth base in accelerated time, compared to if you only invested your own hard earned dollars.

Once you have educated yourself and understand why investing in property is such a powerful tool, you will be able to embark on the road to financial security.

In Australia, and many other countries less than 5% of the population reach retirement able to support themselves, without government or family assistance. If you want to be one of them, then now is the best time to start striving toward financial security.

Building Financial Security Steps 1 to 3.

We would all like to think of ourselves enjoying the good things in life, not having to stress about finances, and not having to be concerned about growing old, poor.

But if we are currently living from pay cheque to pay cheque, never seeming to get ahead or having any savings, how do we change things? Where do we start in our quest for financial security?

The best thing we can do, is sit down, take a deep breath and contemplate the differences between the haves and the have nots, the achievers and the laymen. What is it that the successful and wealthy do, that is different to us? What are the principles that they utilise to create wealth?

Once we find out the principles that others who have created financial security have used, it seems that then the only step left would be for us to try and duplicate the process.

Following is a list of some of the wealth building principles that I have discovered in my study of and conversations with successful people.

These concepts have been utilised extensively by those who have already created enormous wealth.

1. Use the power of Compounding Interest/Growth.

 John D. Rockerfeller once described compounding interest as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”.

Compounding is also referred to as Rate & Time because the longer the time, and the higher the growth rate, the greater the effects of compounding become.

Compounding works by letting any interest earned get added to the initial investment, and then the next lot of interest is calculated on the sum of the two, and so on. Interest is earned on interest. This gives the effect of exponentially increasing the value of an investment.

One of easiest ways to calculate how compounding interest works with different rates of return is to become familiar with the Rule of  72. This rule states that “The number of years that it will take for your money to double is 72 divided by the interest (growth) rate”.
Therefore if you have $1,000.00 invested at 10% interest, then the number of years that it will take for your money to double to $2000.00 is 7.2.
72  divided  by  10  =  7.2

2. Use the tried and true method of investing in residential real estate.

Statistics show that over 98% of the world’s millionaires have made their money through property.

It should really not come as a surprise, because everyone needs a place to live, and generally at least one third of the population are renting. Property is a necessity, so it can never go out of fashion.

As the population increases, so does the need for housing. The laws of supply and demand therefore will ensure that prices keep rising.

Banks consider property to be one of the most secure investments and because of this they will loan you a high percentage of the value. This leads to the next principle.


3. Using Other Peoples Money or Gearing is a tool used extensively by the wealthy.

Why is using Other People’s Money so important? The reason is that it is possible to use “leverage”, also known as “gearing” to obtain a greater result, than you could have obtained using only your own contributions. The word leverage comes from “lever”. As you know a small amount of force applied on one end of a lever, can produce force far greater than what was initially exerted.  A lever has the effect of multiplying the power exerted.

In the case of investing, it is referred to as leveraging when you use just a small portion of your own money, say 10% deposit on a $300,000.00 house, and borrow (leverage) the rest, in this case 90%. The capital growth that you benefit from is then calculated on the full $300,000.00, not just the $30,000.00 that you personally contributed, having the effect of multiplying your capital gain.

Gearing allows you to purchase a far more expensive property than you could if you were using only your own money. Controlling assets of a higher value means that compounding growth has more to work on, and therefore your net worth will increase much quicker. Gearing allows you to build an investment portfolio more quickly than would otherwise be possible.

Bigger Fund Managers Are Not Necessarily Better

When it comes to selecting top-performing investment funds and unit trusts the bigger brand is not necessarily better. Choosing the wrong fund by investing with big brand fund managers could cost investors dearly.

Many investors are deluded into thinking that buying from a big brand fund manager will in some way protect them against selecting a poorly performing fund. The big brand managers offer many great funds, but they're also marketing plenty of duds. Just because one fund is a top performer, doesn't mean it applies across that fund manager's range. Investors need to look beyond the brand and more closely at the underlying fund.

Over recent years, the UK market has seen a rise in popularity for boutique investment houses, and, given their track record of consistent positive performance, it's hardly surprising. There are many ways to classify a boutique, but generally speaking, boutique fund managers are independently-owned or employee-owned, and relatively small in size. They often invest in specialist areas of expertise, rather than attempt to be all things to all men and run funds across each and every sector.

Recently, boutiques have even been stepping on large firms' toes when it comes to servicing retail clients. Last year boutiques outshone their larger counterparts in the UK, taking the top four places in the ‘best overall fund manager rankings'. Big brands such as UBS and Standard Life slipped down the rankings, while boutiques Rathbone, Neptune, Dalton and Artemis took the top spots.

The last quarter of 2006 was hair-raising for investors, as millions were wiped off share prices and markets. However, the boutique fund management houses continued to outperform their larger rivals.

The disappointing reality for most private investors is that neither they, nor in some cases their financial advisers, would have heard of some of these relatively unknown smaller investment houses, and are therefore missing out on great investment opportunities.

The same caution applied to big brands should also be applied to big names - or the so called ‘star fund managers'. Is it wise to stake your money on the reputation of an individual big-name fund manager when there's no guarantee they will stick around?

Research shows that just 15% of managers have run the same fund for over six years, 43% for four to six years, and 39% for two to four years. Similarly, 80% of fund managers at the top 50 UK fund providers have left their funds in the last three years. Around 60% of managers move because of offers from competitors.

Commodity Futures Trading – Why It's Not For Average Investors

If you don't mind losing $5,000 in 10 minutes, you may enjoy trading commodity futures contracts. There's an old saying among commodity traders: "It's easy to make a small fortune in commodities. Just start with a large fortune!" This is not a business for people who are emotionally attached to their money, yet thousands of average "investors" get lured into the commodity markets year after year. Why? Because of the possibility of making high percentage gains using the built-in leverage that is available to commodity futures traders.

The commodity markets include wheat, corn, soybeans, pork-bellies, gold, silver, heating oil, lumber, and numerous other common trade items. The huge companies that operate in these markets use commodity "futures" contracts to lock in their selling prices for the product in advance of delivery. This practice is called "hedging." On the other side of that transaction is the trader, who speculates on whether the priced of the commodity will go up or down before the contract is due for delivery. Because futures contracts may be purchased using leverage, these financial instruments lend themselves to speculation.

For example, control of a corn contract worth $5,000 may only requrie $500 of actual cash, or 10% of the face value of the contract. If the corn goes up in value, and the contract becomes worth, say, $5,500, the speculator has made $500 on his or her original $500, for a 100% return. Compare this with the regular stock market, which limits leverage to 50%, so that $5,000 worth of stock requires a minimum of $2,500 of capital. If the stock goes up to $5,500 in value, the $500 gain is against $2,500 invested, for a return of "only" 20%. The 100% return sure looks a lot better, right?

You can easily see why investors in search of quick gains are hypnotized by the lure of big profits using maximum leverage in commodity futures trading. The real problem, however, is that the leverage works in BOTH DIRECTIONS. You can lose your entire investment in a matter of minutes due to the wild price gyrations that sometimes occur in these volatile markets. Let's say the $5,000 contract drops to $4,000 in value instead of increasing. You've not only lost the original $500 you put into the contract, but an additional $500. You can go broke quickly this way.

So why do people play this game? Average investors do not wake up in the morning and say to themselves, "Right, I think I'll start trading commodities." What happens is, they receive a sales pitch from a commodity trading "guru" claiming to have a "system" for generating sure-fire profits in these wild markets. These "systems" range in price from $25 all the way up to $5,000 or more, and are sold based on the promise of "huge profits" from a small starting investment.

Newsletter writers or commodity gurus regularly pitch the myth about turning $5,000 into a million bucks in less than a year. The typical commodity system pitch comes in a long sales letter or booklet that describes a method for winning on "9 out of 10" trades or similar inflated claims.

Of course, if it was possible to correctly trade 90% of the time, a person could easily amass millions of dollars in a very short period of time. So why are these guys so eager for you to spend $195 on their super-duper trading course? Because they probably aren't making any real money with their own trading program! There's much safer money to be made selling others on the idea of getting into commodity futures trading.

There is no sure-fire way to consistently make money in these markets, simply because the underlying commodity prices can swing wildly back and forth depending on a complex set of variables, many of which are totally unpredictable. That's why the only people consistently making money in the commodity markets are the brokers, who collect a commission for executing the trade regardless of whether it wins or loses.

There are also a handful of successful professional traders who make a living in these markets. But the vast majority of people who dabble in commodity futures lose money. Unfortunately, with the lure of huge returns and easy money, a fresh crop of innocent traders enters the market each year, only to be quickly fleeced out of their money.

Don't be one of them! Leave commodity futures trading to the professionals and stick with the more boring forms of investment, such as mutual fund investing or stocks and bonds.

An Overview Of Forex Investing Strategies

FOREX trading refers to an international, 24/7, over the counter, exchange market where currencies of different nations are bought and sold. Trading is always done in pairs assuming the price of currency bought to go up and that sold to fall down. It is the largest liquid financial market making it impossible for any single investor to influence the prices of currencies.

There are two kinds of FOREX investing strategies:

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
FUNDAMENTAL ANALYSIS

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS:

Technical analysis is mostly undertaken by small and medium size investors.
A technical analysis considers factors that are actually affecting the market rather than factors that can affect it. Thus the price quoted reflects all the factors that have influenced it. Only market generated facts and figures are taken into account and factors like fear, hope, expectations or other changes are not considered. Thus the analysis is generally based on these suppositions:

• Price reflects all actual market movements. That means price includes everything known to the market like supply and demand of foreign exchange, political factors, trade agreements etc. It is not concerned with what resulted in change rather deals with actual changes. It works on the assumption that price can take only one of the three directions:

 Upward
 downward
 sideward

• It rest on those market patterns that have been identified as significant. That means those factors which are repetitive in nature or will produce desired results.

• History always repeats itself as human psychology changes very slowly with time. That is market movements are predictable.

VARIOUS TECHNICAL INDICATORS ARE:

1. RELATIVE STRENGTH INDEX:

It takes into account the ratio of upward and downward movements in index and expresses it in the range of zero to hundred.

2.CHARTS:

Charts include various hills, slopes, curves that develop on a chart over a time and reflect some major and minor changes in pattern. Some of the chart formations include:

• TRIANGLE
• RECTANGLE
• HEAD AND SHOULDERS
• DOUBLE TOP AND BOTTOM
• SAUCERS
• V

3.GAPS:

A gap represents area on a bar chart where no trading took place.

• UPGAP: it is formed when the lowest price on a particular day is more than the highest price of previous day.

• DOWNGAP: it is formed when highest price of a certain day is less than the lowest price on previous day.

NUMBERS:

Various number theories are used in technical analysis like:

• Fibonacci theory
• GANN

STOCHASTIC OSCILLATOR:

This indicates the overbought or/and undersold condition. It uses a scale of zero to hundred percent.

FUNDAMENTAL ANALYSIS:

It is the one where current economic, political, financial situation of the country of currency is studied. A country’s economical and political condition depends upon many factors like the interest rate, unemployment level, exports and imports, per capita income, percentage of population living above and below the poverty line, inflation, trade relations with other countries, tax policies etc.

A fundamental analyst studies and evaluates all these factors before coming to any decision. Thus it helps in long tem decision making and making profits in short term by extra ordinary developments.

Some of the indicators that help in fundamental analysis include:

1. GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT:

It reflects total market value of all the goods and services produced in a country during a given year.

2. RETAIL SALES:

This reflects total receipts by all the retail stores in a country.

3. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX:

It reflects change in prices of consumer goods.

4. BUSINESS CYCLE:

It reflects various phases through which a business passes. These phases include:

• EXPANSION
• PEAK
• RECESSION
• DEPRESSION

5. MONETRY POLICY:

It controls the supply of money in an economy.

Trading successfully needs knowledge, time and understanding of a market. You cannot earn continuously in a Forex market due to its volatile nature. Thus as a trader you should try to consider both technical and fundamental strategies of forex trading and make decision based on market expectations and trends. Try trading with money that you can afford to loose without any regrets. Trade with logic and if you are not sure quit and take rest for some time.

A Quick Guide To Understanding Your Individual Retirement Account

It's never too early to begin preparing for your retirement and one of the best ways to prepare is to set up an Individual Retirement Account (often referred to as an IRA).

The purpose of an IRA is to serve as a personal tax-qualified retirement savings plan. Anyone who works, whether as an employee or self-employed, can set aside a set amount in an IRA, with the earnings on these investments tax-deferred until the date of distribution. In addition, certain individuals are permitted to deduct all or part of their contributions to the IRA. Plus, as of 1998, certain individuals can also set up Roth IRAs, to which contributions are not deductible, but from which withdrawals at retirement won't be taxed.

It doesn't take much to set up an IRA. The trustee (or custodian) can be a bank, mutual fund, brokerage house or other financial institution. You cannot be your own trustee. An IRA can be established and a contribution made after year-end, no later than the due date for filing the income tax return for that year, not including extensions. This generally means that you have until April 15th of the following year to make the contribution and deduct it on your tax return.

The most you can contribute to an IRA in any single year (as of 2006) is the smaller of $4,000 or an amount equal to the compensation includible in income for the year. Those 50 years old and above will also be allowed to make additional $1,000 catch-up contributions to an IRA each year to help them save more for retirement.

The same limit applies even if you have more than one IRA, or more than one type of IRA. When both you and your spouse have compensation, you can each contribute the maximum, which means $8,000 total ($10,000 if you are both 50 or over). In 2008, IRA contribution limits will be raised to $5,000, while the catch up contribution for those 50 years old and above will remain at $1,000.

You do not have to contribute the full amount allowed every year. You may skip a year or even several years. You may resume making contributions in any subsequent year, but you cannot add additional funds to make up for those years when no contribution was made.

Contributions must be from compensation. This can be from wages, salaries, commissions and other sources of earned income. Contributions do not include such things as deferred compensations, retirement payments, or portfolio income from interest or dividends.

You can contribute more than the allowable amount, however, a 6 percent excise tax penalty will be assessed.

No contributions may be made to an inherited IRA, in a form other than cash, or during or after the year in which the individual reaches age 70.5.

You must begin taking distributions from an IRA no later than April 1st of the year following the year in which you reach age 70.5, or the year in which you retire, whichever is later.

This is a quick and general overview of IRAs. The rules are slightly different for Roth IRAs, which have their own contribution and distribution limitations. Before setting up an IRA, take the time to talk to your banker, accountant, or financial advisor to make sure you have a firm grasp on your options and set up the IRA which best serves your personal needs.

A Great new Investment Product Your Sanity!

Investing is a great way to make money. It’s nice to invest in something and see it grow and prosper until it’s worth much more than when you first bought it. That’s a basic principle of investing. But it doesn’t just apply to the stock market. It applies to your life and your sanity, too!

When you look at your whole life’s enjoyment, a UK personal loan may be one choice you want to make to increase that enjoyment. And since many people are choosing to make a UK personal loan part of their financial portfolio, you might want to make one part of yours as well.

You can get a UK personal loan from many lending institutions that are eager to do business with you. Because they want to do business with you, they offer a variety of competitive interest rates and a huge range of available loan amounts for whatever your need. And, because they want to do business with you, they’re also able to offer a variety of repayment plans suitable to your situation. Often, the only determining factor of how much you can get is simply what your current job is and what future prospects you have. And there are many available online at the click of a link!

It doesn’t matter what kind of credit history you have or what kind of financial situation you’re in. There is probably a loan option available to suit your needs. However, you should be aware that the better your financial situation and credit rating, as well as any assets you have to help you get a secured loan, could point you toward a better interest rate than other types of loans.

Be that as it may, having a loan can really turn your life around. Whether you are getting a loan to consolidate your bills or leverage your investments or simply to help you enjoy life a little more than you would other wise, a UK personal loan may be the right choice for you!

Be sure to shop around, since some companies may be able to get you a better rate than others. And, once you’ve found a loan company who wants to provide you with a loan, it doesn’t hurt to go back to ones who gave you a higher rate before and let them know. They may just come back to you with another offer! Now that’s wise leveraging!

So make an investment in your life with a UK personal loan. You’ll be glad you did!

A Few Tips For Day Trading the Stock Market

Day trading the stock market involves the rapid buying and selling of stocks on a day-to-day basis.  This technique is used to secure quick profits from the constant changes in stock values, minute to minute, second to second.  It is rare that a day trader will remain in a trade over the course of a night into the next day.  These trades are entered and exited in a matter of minutes. 

The main question that most people ask when it comes to <a href="http://www.rockwelltrading.com/daytradingcoach/01_dtc_landing_page.html"><b>day trading</b></a> is simple: ‘is it necessary to sit at a computer watching the markets ALL day long in order to be a successful day trader?’

The answer is no.  It’s not necessary to sit at a computer all day long.  There are a number of factors to consider, but generally the rule of day trading is to trade when everyone else is trading.  In other words, trade in the morning.

As with all financial investments, day trading is risky – in fact, it’s one of the riskiest forms of trading out there.  The stock prices rise or fall according to the behaviour of the market, which is entirely unpredictable.  Day traders buy and sell shares rapidly in the hopes of gaining profits within the minutes and seconds they own those particular stocks.  Simple to do in theory, harder to do in practice.

If you are constrained by a small amount of capital, you may not be able to buy large amounts of a stock, but buying only a small amount can add to the risk of a loss.  And, obviously, it is impossible to predict with certainty which stocks will result in profits and which in losses.  Even the best of traders must learn to accept both outcomes. 

It’s also important to know that in day trading, it is the number of shares rather than the value of shares that should be the focus.  If you day trade, you WILL face losses, but even for the more expensive stocks, the loss should be marginal, because prices do not usually fluctuate to an extreme degree over the course of just one day.

The day trading industry deals in a large variety of stocks and shares.  Here are just a few:

Growth-Buying Shares – shares made from profit, which continue to grow in value.  Eventually, these shares will begin to decline in price, and an experienced trader can usually predict the future of this type of share.

Small Caps – shares of companies which are on the rise and show no signs of stopping.  Although these shares are generally cheap, they are a very risky investment for day traders.  You’d be safer to go with large caps and/or mid-caps, which are much more secure and stable thanks to a premium.

Unloved Stocks – company stock that has not performed well in the past.  Traders buy these shares in the hopes of generating profits if and when the stock rises in value.  As with small caps, unloved stocks can be a risky choice for day traders.

These examples are NOT your only options when it comes to day trading stocks.  The best way to determine which type of stock is right for you is to invest some time for careful research, a knowledge of market patterns, a solid strategy, and a disciplined trading plan.

A Cooling Real Estate Market and Investing in Pre-foreclosures

With the housing market cooling and demand for mortgage loans shrinking, banks and other lenders are turning to nontraditional and sometimes riskier mortgages to bring in additional business and make up their dropped off business.

Many lenders have turned to mortgage products designed to lower monthly loan payments and to help borrowers qualify more readily for larger loan amounts, while others require little in the way of documentation during the approval process. These loans do make it easier for some people to get mortgages, but they also can raise the possibility that some borrowers may end up in foreclosure. For the real estate investor or home buyer these market conditions represent a window of opportunity

As housing monetary value appreciation rates slow, more mortgages going into default. Foreclosure notices has edged up in recent months, providing yet Another sign of a cool down in the real estate market across the U.S. For example in San Diego County, CA. Banks and other lenders sent 1,266 letters of default to borrowers in the third quarter, a notice that gives homeowners 90 days to become current on payments before moving towards a foreclosure auction.

At the height of the real estate boom, the double-digit rises in home equity meant customers could pull out monies from the increased home equity to bask a life style that they could really not afford. Flush with the ability to tap into home equity loans, homeowners have pulled out cash to purchase new cars, furniture, vacations and other luxuries. Another boost to their life styles was rendered when homeowners refinanced using adjustable-rate mortgage loans that cut their monthly payments.

But now the conditions are changing, in many areas of the country real estate price levels are flattening out and even not rising in some real estate markets. With little or no increase in home equity, or even vanishing equity, homeowners could find themselves in a tight spot.

Additional forces are also having an impact on the housing market: New federal laws regarding credit card payments have passed to an increase in the minimum payment mandatory on credit card debt. For many people that payment will now be twice what it has been in the past. And, as energy prices and health care costs continue to march upwards to new all-time highs. Growing numbers of people are in financial situations where moines spent are exceeding monies earned.

For the first-time real estate investor or seasoned veteran, the current market conditions are a window of opportunity for those shopping to buy real estate property just before foreclosure. A growing number of homeowners have withdrawen all their equity (sometimes as much as 110% of their home's value.) and now house values have turned down and they are upside down -where they owe more than they can sell the house for. Trapped in a situation where they can't pay their debts and they can't find a buyer for their home, real estate investors who understand the default process can offer a solution that offers the homeowner in default a way to escape from their mortgage payments and for the investor a way to secure a property in the process.

Seeking the Right Advisor to Achieve TIC Investment Objectives

A long-established section in the federal tax code, section 1031, allows real estate investors to sell property that has been held for investment purposes and defer capital gains and depreciation recapture taxes if they acquire "like-kind" exchange property of equal or greater value and reinvest all of their equity.  Since the mid-1990s, many investors have experienced the benefit of reinvesting their equity into investment property interests structured as Tenancy-in-Common (TIC). TIC owners hold an undivided fractional ownership interest in investment property evidenced by a deed of trust.

TIC, also known as Co-ownership of Real Estate (CORE), enables an investor to participate in the ownership of institutional-grade, professionally managed investment properties.  The investor's equity can be diversified amongst several different properties, geographic markets and real estate companies, potentially increasing both the value and safety of the real estate investment. TIC/CORE investments are designed to offer preservation of capital, predictable cash flow and long-term appreciation in institutional-quality investment property assets that benefit from greater economies of scale.

With its features and benefits, TIC/CORE is an increasingly popular 1031 exchange option for many real estate investors.  However, 1031 exchanges and TIC/CORE transactions are very complicated, with both tax and legal issues topping the list of potential pitfalls.  It is therefore essential that investors be knowledgeable about what to look for in a quality advisor.  Financial advisors are required by securities law to be properly licensed in order to consult clients regarding TIC/CORE transactions and other investment interests in real estate. Financial advisors should hold both Series 7 and Series 63 securities licenses to qualify them as knowledgeable, well-rounded consultants in the investment process.  It is essential that they have experience in the commercial real estate business, in addition to an understanding of personal investment objectives and client suitability issues. 

But perhaps the most important component to look for in a TIC financial advisor is their intimate, trusted and deeply rooted relationships with key real estate companies.  This attribute is critical to their ability to provide the best opportunities for their clients.  There are almost 80 real estate companies across the United

States that are either already involved or considering involvement in the TIC/CORE industry as a real estate provider.  As with any industry, these 80 companies represent varying degrees of acumen, experience and quality.  To achieve the greatest potential for a client, a financial advisor should have consistent access to the top ten percent of these companies in order to provide their client access to the best properties available.  Obviously, a new financial advisor with little or no experience or industry knowledge may not have access to the top real estate providers, as these providers prefer to work with experienced consultants that specialize in this unique segment of the market.

Investors should also be aware of how their financial advisor stacks up, looking for a history of successfully completed transactions.  A long and proven track record indicates that a financial advisor is an experienced professional.  An investor wants such an advisor in their corner asking all the right questions, making appropriate and suitable recommendations, understanding the nuances of successfully completing TIC/CORE transactions and providing answers to any and all tax and legal questions.

When considering a 1031 exchange or TIC/CORE investment, investors should ask the following specific questions of the financial advisor:

* What percentage of your business is 1031 exchange and/or TIC/CORE related?
* How many investors have you consulted that invested in TIC/CORE structured properties this year?  How many last year?
* How long have 1031 exchanges and TIC/CORE been a focus of your investment recommendations?
* Do you have the appropriate licenses to complete this transaction (Series 7, Series 63 securities licenses)?
* With which real estate providers do you work most closely?

As customer demand continues to drive this segment of the real estate market, the emphasis on quality - quality consulting, quality property, and quality transactions - will be increasingly important.  Part of the qualitative process is ensuring that financial advisors representing a client make appropriate recommendations for that client based on the client's best interest and not based on any "bias."  A final issue that needs to be addressed is that it is not unusual for "referral" compensation to be paid between referring parties. This practice is illegal and a complete breach of ethics,.  Therefore, if any form of compensation changes hands - disclosed or undisclosed - between financial advisors and Qualified Intermediaries, real estate companies or other unlicensed individuals derived from an exchange transaction, a felony may have occurred. 

In short, investors should take the time to identify a reputable advisor who not only can provide acceptable answers to the above questions, but who will also have the relationships necessary to guide their clients into the appropriate investment.  It is important to remember, firms or individuals involved in recommending, offering or selling 1031 TIC/CORE investments must be licensed with a broker-dealer, the SEC, the NASD and the state securities regulators in every state in which the firm or individual operates and in which the client resides. Any "unlicensed" firm or individual involved in recommending, offering or selling these investments is in direct violation of federal and state securities laws.

Co-ownership is the fastest growing option for 1031 exchange investors seeking suitable replacement property.  Properly structured and presented, such investments can also generate new listing opportunities for real estate agents while satisfying both the IRS "like-kind" investment property requirements and the SEC and NASD securities regulations.  The advantages of co-ownership of institutional-grade real estate are clear and compelling.  When exploring co-ownership, smart investors need to seek out industry experts to guide them through the replacement property process.  It is indeed the wise investor who is aware of his or her long-term goals that seeks experienced guidance to chart their course, thereby turning TIC/CORE investment opportunities into realities.

(c) 2005, 1031 Exchange Options.  Reprint rights granted so long as the article and by-line are reprinted intact and all links made live.  This article is neither an offer to sell nor an offer to buy real estate or securities. There are material risks associated with the ownership of real estate. You must be an accredited investor.

7 Common Mistakes of Estate Planning

Even though planning your estate isn’t an enjoyable job it’s necessary so that you can efficiently and successfully transfer all of your assets to those you leave behind.  With a bit of careful planning, your heirs can avoid having to pay estate taxes and federal taxes on your assets.  As well, a well planned estate avoids confusion for your loved ones.

Still, with all the advantages of estate planning, many people make a great many mistakes in the process.  The most common mistake when it comes to estate planning is not getting around to doing it at all.  Make sure that you take the time to plan at least the financial portion of your estate so that you leave your loved ones behind with some amount of security. The following seven mistakes often put families into great difficulty after a loved one’s passing.

1. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that estate planning is just for the rich.  This is completely false as planning your estate is essential for anyone who has any amount of assets to leave behind.  Many people don’t realize that their estate is as large as it really is, especially when they fail to take into account the assets from their home. 

2. Remember to update your will and to review it at least once every two years.  Factors that can change information about your beneficiaries include deaths, divorce, birth, and adoption.  As your family structure changes so does the change in your assets and who you want to leave them to.

3. Don’t assume that taxes paid on your assets are set in stone.  Talk to your financial planner about ways that your beneficiaries can avoid paying taxes on your assets.  There are several strategies for tax planning so that you can minimize taxes or avoid them altogether. 

4. All of your financial papers should be in order so that it’s easy for someone to find them.  Make sure that one of your loved ones has information on where to find the papers necessary for planning after your death.

5. Don’t leave everything to your partner.  When you leave all of your assets to your spouse you are in reality sacrificing their portion of the benefit.  You’ll get an estate tax credit but will forfeit part of this if your spouse is your only beneficiary.

6. Ensure that your children are well planned for.  Many people take a lot of time deciding what to do with their assets and forget that they need to appoint guardianship for their children.  There are many details to take into consideration when it comes to guardianship.

7. If you don’t have a financial advisor, get one. Financial Planners and Advisors are trained intimately in these matters and can provide asset protection well above whatever fees they may charge. If you need help selecting the right financial advisor, get the Financial Advisor Report.

The above mistakes are common when people are planning their estate.  Take the time to plan for your death even though you think that you have years before it becomes an issue.  The key to successful estate planning is being prepared.

Angel Investors Bring Big Ideas to Reality

If you're an emerging company with the next great product, sometimes you need an angel on your side.

A study by the University of New Hampshire's Center for Venture Research showed that "angel investors" - high-net-worth individuals willing to invest in entrepreneurial companies at an early stage - shelled out more than $18 billion into early-stage companies last year alone, compared to $304 million by venture capitalists.

Finding an angel investor, however, is not an easy task. Safer Smokes Inc. is one company that understands the challenge of attracting the right investors.

This development-stage company is tapping the smoking cessation market with a unique tobacco-free, nicotine-free smoke called Bravo, which has the appearance of a traditional cigarette and burns like tobacco, but is actually made from lettuce fibers.

"Bravo lets you smoke your way out of the tobacco habit gradually," said Puzant C. Torigian, chief executive officer of Safer Smokes.

For companies like Safer Smokes, it may be too soon to approach large venture capital firms, yet time to move beyond networking with family and friends. Angel investors to the rescue.

"The challenge for raising capital in today's market is in harnessing the courage and vision of the angel to see through to the real investment opportunity," said Torigian.

So how do companies like Safer Smokes attract their angel?

* Have a clear-cut target market for your product or service. For example, Safer Smokes is targeting the smoking cessation market, which has sales approaching $10 billion per year, up from $6 billion just three years ago.

Most angel investors prefer companies that are likely to show positive cash flow within their first 18 months, so having these kinds of statistics about your market can be an incentive.

* Match the business plan objectives to the angel's risk tolerance. Investors want to know the product or service will be unique and well-cultivated. Safer Smokes has a patented solution that company officials say will "affect the landscape of the health care industry."

3 Reasons To Invest In Dubai Investment Property

Dubai one of the states in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) seeks today to move away from its traditional oil dependence to a more balanced one based on tourism and services. As a result, its economy has grown with more and more tourism resorts coming up to meet this aim. This article will list three reasons why you should invest in the Dubai today.

Firstly, Dubai as mentioned earlier is becoming a services hub and in particular a financial services hub, there is going to be an increase in the number of foreign professionals who are flocking there to work and with a high pay and tax free status over there, the average rental yields of properties there is above the average. Currently the single room studio apartments are doing the best in terms of rental since the expatriates that work in Dubai tend to be single individuals so this would be a great real estate investment tip to note if you intend to invest in Dubai.

Secondly, the cost of Dubai property relative to international standards is still very low and as a result the chance of a large capital appreciation increase is very high. Coupled with the bullish take on rentals as mentioned above, the prices of your real estate investment in Dubai will be set to soar in the next few months.

The reasoning cited by some real estate professionals is that when US and UK sourced money starts flowing into such properties, the value of the real estate will reach international standards and you would make a handsome profit from the capital appreciation.

Thirdly, there is currently a Disneyland attraction being built there and this would result in an increase in tourist visitors to Dubai. If your property is located near Disneyland, there is a chance that you will be able to rent out your property to people going there on holiday. As for problems with rental collections, most real estate companies double up as property mangers and developers so they will be able to handle most of the payment collections on your behalf.

In conclusion, Dubai represents one of the emerging markets where your investment dollar may make a lot more. Spending some time considering whether you want to investment in Dubai property may be worthwhile when considering the potential benefits involved.