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    How useful are financial news

    All people worry about their future financial stability all over the world. But now, with the advent of the internet there are so many social networking sites that are used for the sharing of information by people worldwide. These sites are an excellent source for news and financial sites also help...

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  • What rules you need to follow for profitable futures trading

    What rules you need to follow for profitable futures trading

    A large number of investors who plan to trade the futures market still have many questions and confusion in the market for commodities called futures, the currency market, and the likes. Certainly, we have the chance to earn large sums of money when he or she participates in future trade online,...

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  • Be updated with last financial news if you want to invest successfully

    Be updated with last financial news if you want to invest successfully

    Your choice of the right way towards the money will depend on your knowledge and skills. When you invest in the stock market, your skills of investing are more important then amount of your money. Every investor can win and lose money in a few minutes. Your task is choosing a right strategy that...

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  • Online Futures Trading: how to begin and to win

    Online Futures Trading: how to begin and to win

    Interested in making money online? May be futures online is the best way to earn additional income if it is not a lucrative investment work. Online Futures Trading is a business where a lot of money are boarding and make profits. Is it suitable for you? Are you ready to have the real profit,...

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13.04
2011 Author:
David Powell Tags:
Credit Credit Repair No Comments »

Credit Repair Scams: Caution Ahead

If you have made some mistakes with credit and you find yourself with an unfortunate credit report or a low credit score, it IS possible to get back on track with some time and effort. ( for smart tips on boosting your own credit.)

But in some extreme situations, getting help from a qualified credit counseling agency is the way to go. In fact, I did just that when I was struggling to make loan payments after college. And it helped. If you do seek credit help, beware of bogus agencies. Here are some taglines, compliments of the Federal Trade Commission, to watch out for:

“Credit problems? No problem!”
“We can remove bankruptcies, judgments, liens, and bad loans from your credit file forever!”
“We can erase your bad credit — 100% guaranteed.”
“Create a new credit identity — legally.”

If an agency is touting a claim like these, its probably a scam. Other red flags: th

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12.04
2011 Author:
David Powell No Comments »

What Are Pre-Tax Dollars?

Financial advisors and other financial professionals throw around certain terms like everyone already knows what they mean. In some cases, they are right, and in other cases, most people only have a partial grasp on what exactly a certain financial term means. In many cases, knowing the full definition of a word or phrase makes all the difference.

What Does Pre-Tax Mean?

Pre-tax dollars is a phrase that is often used in conjunction with retirement planning and 401k contributions. In fact, one of the benefits of a 401k plan is that contributions are made with pre-tax dollars. But, what is the definition of pre-tax dollars, anyway?

When an employee gets paid, there are numerous deductions that get taken out of their paycheck. These payroll deductions range from income tax withholding to FICA taxes to voluntary contributions for things like health insurance or cafeteria plans (Section 125 plans).

Some of the deductions from your paycheck, like federal tax withholding, are computed based on how much you are paid.

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07.04
2011 Author:
David Powell Tags:
Rec Rec Letters No Comments »

Countdown to Graduation: Nabbing Rec Letters

I learned the importance of obtaining a good recommendation letter the hard way. After working for a professor for almost two years, I had helped him with academic research, class administration and lesson updates. When he was asked to teach executives in China, I got on the phone, helping him plan logistics and hotels (in Mandarin). Around graduation time, I felt confident that he would help me with references. Fast forward two years later when I ed his office to say hello: he started by calling me someone else’s name! On top of that, he had confused my background and interests with those of another student researcher.

So what  can you learn from my mistake? The best time to get a recommendation letter is now. You might say, “But Jean, I don’t even know what I need the recommendation letter for.” Yes, I completely agree. So, to solve that problem, here’s a gameplan:

  • Summarize yourself: Write down what you accomplished in the past and your desired jobs or fellowships in the future. Include an

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02.04
2011 Author:
David Powell Tags:
Employees Nonexempt Employees No Comments »

Exempt vs Nonexempt Employees

One topic that generates a lot of confusion in people’s personal finances is what is the difference between exempt and nonexempt employees?

There are actually a lot of nuances and pages of labor law that deal with the difference between nonexempt and exempt employees. However, the practical implications of what it means to be an exempt employee or non exempt employee are pretty straight forward.

Basically, it comes down to whether you have to be paid for overtime or whether you have to be paid the minimum wage.

What Is An Exempt Employee

The definition of exempt employee is one who is not subject to the minimum wage or overtime rules of the Fair Labor Standards Act, or FLSA.

An FLSA exempt employee must fall into one of several categories to qualify as exempt. What determines exempt employee by labor law standards is what role the employee has in their job. A

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02.04
2011 Author:
David Powell Tags:
2011 Financial Literacy Education Summit Financial Literacy Summit No Comments »

2011 Financial Literacy and Education Summit

Next week, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago will host the 2011 Financial Literacy & Education Summit. It will bring folks from government, journalism, education and the corporate world to think deeply about the government’s role in improving financial literacy. “Yawn, that’s something only a nerd like you, Jean, would care about,” you probably say. And you’re probably right. So, for my fellow personal finance nerds, sign up for the free webcast of the Summit.

For the rest of you, allow me to share my wishlist for the future of personal finance. The first two are definitely possible in the next 5–10 years, especially if we as consumers pay (money) for the simplicity, convenience and transparency that leads to better decisions. Without further delay, pretend that each item below starts with a “wouldn’t it be great if…?”

  • You could push a button to automatically save money for retirement: If saving for retirement were as simple as pushing a button, our 401(k) and IRA accounts would skyrocket. I wish for simpler

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01.04
2011 Author:
Mary Ross Tags:
Mortgage Loans Payment No Comments »

Comparing Mortgage Loans? Look at More than Just Your Monthly Payment

Mortgage loan officers like to direct your attention to just one figure when you’re considering mortgage loans: your monthly payment.

This is why one of the first questions that a loan officer will ask you is a simple one: “How much can you afford to spend on a mortgage loan each month?” If you say $1,500, your mortgage loan officer will do everything that he can to find you a loan with a monthly payment that sits at $1,500 or less.

There’s a problem with this approach, though. It might not leave you with the best home loan for your financial circumstances.

Consider this scenario: Your lender might suggest an adjustable-rate mortgage for you, one that starts with extremely low interest rates. Thanks to these low rates, you’re able to move into a home for under $1,500 a month in mortgage payments. Adjustable-rate loans, though, are far from a sure thing. After a s

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