Posts Tagged“finance”

What Does the Dollar Surge Mean for the UK Economy?

Despite recording its worst January in three decades this year, down 2.7% against a basket of other major currencies including the pound, the U.S. dollar had been on a bull run since Donald Trump’s shock presidential election victory in November. One British pound currently buys around $1.25, down from $1.35 immediately prior to the Brexit vote. Experts such Mark Astley, CEO of currency management specialists Millennium Global, expects GBP to drop to as low as $1.2 by some point over the course of 2017. With most analysts expecting the USD to resume its surge over the course of 2017, what…

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The Pros and Cons of Credit Card Debt Consolidation

Are you trying to determine if credit card debt consolidation is the best choice for your personal situation? As with anything in this life, there are upsides and downsides to consolidating your credit card debt. To help you determine if this is the best choice, we’re going to share the pros and cons of consolidating credit card debt. So take a look and see if this is the best course of action to meet your specific needs. Credit Card Debt Consolidation Pros Eliminate Multiple Monthly Credit Card Payments and Roll Them into One Unfortunately, some people are just so disorganized…

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Free Online Budgeting Courses that will Improve Your Finances

Creating a budget plan is the first step to successfully getting out of debt and planning a strong financial future. However, making an effective budget and sticking to it isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Here are seven free online budgeting courses that can start you down the right path. Budgeting 101 (Credit.org) Created by the nonprofit financial literacy organization Credit.org, Budgeting 101 is a free online budgeting class that you can take at your leisure. First, you’ll take a pre-quiz that measures your current knowledge level about budgeting, then you’ll take interactive classes on tracking spending, calculating income,…

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Is Your Business Leaving You in the Red?

When was the last time you had a really good feeling about how your small business was doing? In the event it has been a period of time now since things have truly gone well, have you been looking at possible solutions? When the term solutions comes up, this means those that are for the long run, not just temporarily patch things up. For many small business owners, that feeling of gloom and doom can set in sooner rather than later, leaving them wondering if even getting into business in the first place was smart. Before you end up in…

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How Good Credit Will Save You Money on Your Home

Credit is a mysterious topic for many Americans. For some, it’s a nebulous and judgmental record, keeping track of all the times we mess up for no apparent reason. But there are perfectly good reasons why credit records exist. And, believe it or not, your credit history can actually do you a lot of favors. If you don’t know a lot about credit, you might not immediately see the relationship between your credit score and your first house. But the two are intimately related. If you have a bad credit score, it will cause you to pay a lot more…

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Tips for Constructing a Truly Diversified Portfolio

When people hear the term diversification, their thinking can still tend to be a bit narrow. They might believe having a diversified portfolio is as simple as investing in a few different sectors and hoping for the best, but in reality, that’s not the optimal way to get the diversification you need to make money on your investments and also protect yourself against downside risks. The following are some key tips to ensure that you build a portfolio that really is diversified. Find the Right Trading Tools First and foremost, when you’re focusing on diversification, you’ll need the right trading…

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What To Know About Private Equity in 2017

The winds of private equity can shift quickly, as can just about everything in business, and it’s an important area to keep your eye on. Many investors and private equity experts were trying to predict how 2017 would shape up at the end of 2016, on the tail end of the election of Donald Trump. During 2016 there were some declines in dealmaking activity, which most people chalk up to the uncertainty that comes with a presidential election year, particularly one that’s as unusual in many ways as 2016 was. With that being said, 2017 is now in full swing…

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Are You Financially Prepared for a New Vehicle?

If the time has come for you to pick up a new car or truck, are you ready for all that comes with such a purchase? Whether this is your first-ever new vehicle purchase or this is old hat for you, buying a new car or truck does involve some sound decision making. With that in mind, making sure you have a plan in place certainly does not hurt. Start Thinking About What Your Best Buy Will Be For starters, don’t buy a car or truck that you truly can’t afford. As nice as it may be to be driving…

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Complete a CFA Program and Stay Ahead of the Crowd

Business professionals often debate whether it is a better decision to pursue the CFA designation on its own or earn an MBA degree with a concentration in finance. While certain observers predict that the Chartered Financial Analyst designation will outstrip a graduate business degree, others have pointed out that there may not be a “one or the other” debate in the future. Instead, the best programs in Canada are introducing a “CFA track” to their curriculum by including course material that prepares students for the rigorous CFA testing process. The Chartered Financial Analyst examination has three tiers, and charter holders…

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Choosing a Financial Planner That is Right for You

As you get older, your finances usually become more complicated. You have retirement accounts to manage, you may have accumulated significant savings that you’d like to start investing, or perhaps you have already started dabbling in the stock market but want some professional advice. A professional financial planner can do all of these things for you. The key is to find one that you trust and that understands your financial goals. Here are a few tips on choosing the right financial planner for your situation. Consider Your Financial Goals Why do you want to hire a financial planner? Do you…

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