Franchise Opportunity Sellers Beware; franchise buyers lie on forms? (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

It seems completely absurd that franchise buyers lie about their financial position, available cash and abilities in order to buy a franchise. After spending 8 years setting up franchises around the nation and fielding inquiries I am appalled at the lack of integrity of the average business buyer. If you wonder why franchisors make franchise buyers fill out forms and ask lots of questions it is because 75% or more of every franchise inquiry to a franchise company is misrepresentative of their reality. A franchise opportunity seller should beware of franchise buyers lying on forms.

Super Rules, OK? (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Do you rule your superannuation or does it rule you?

It's easy to fall for some myths about your super unless you do some clear thinking about who is in charge. Virtually all Australian employees now have a superannuation account, many have several, even more than they know about. We all hope to use this money to fund our retirement, but unless you look after your super then you are in danger of losing some of your money along the way.

Asset Allocation: Critical to Your Investment Success (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Asset allocation is a critical component of investing success. Both research and academic studies show asset allocation to be single most significant factor in determining your financial goals. Allocation influences both the total long-term return and risk of your investment portfolio. Other factors such as security selection and market timing account for a very small percentage of your investment returns. Unfortunately, the most important decision to achieving financial success is also the least understood.

Investigate Before You Invest (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

"Through wisdom is a house built. And by understanding it is established. And by knowledge shall every room be filled with precious and pleasant riches!" --Bible

Annuity Owner Mistakes (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Okay, so I can tell you I have sat in front of countless numbers of people who have made mistakes when purchasing and owning annuities. And I have visited people who wish they never got involved in an annuity. And I have seen people who say that their annuity is their worst nightmare...So what is it that makes the annuity such a bad thing for some people and such a great vehicle for others??? Well I am about to tell you...and it all goes back to the annuity owners biggest MISTAKE. Yes, not mistakes but mistake.

Why Do You Want to Become a Online Trader? (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Motivational guru Tony Robbins teaches that the reason for doing something rates much higher than the methods you use to get the job done. In order to make your goal REAL, you need to attach severe, horrifying, intense and profound fear to failure.

Is Your Mutual Fund the Right One for You? (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Mutual Funds are considered to be one of the best investments one can get hands on. They're very flexible and cost-effective. An excellent investment for people with restricted knowledge, time or, money.

Sell Discipline for Investors: Importance and Execution (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Investors usually don't have an aversion to buying an asset. The real gut wrenching decision is when - and if - to sell. What most don't realize (or don't want to realize) is the overwhelming importance of the sell decision. Let's explore the reasons why and the techniques that can calm a seller's nerves.

Buy: Hold: Sell: Jump (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

I'm sitting here at my computer desk with a cup of coffee at my elbow. The coffee rest in a mug, the mug garnished with the words Buy, Hold, Sell, Jump, vertically along its sides. Emblazoned across the top of the cup are the words, Wall Street, which encircles the upper portions of the mug. The handle of the mug is quite ornate, rounded at the bottom, with a cradle in the handle's top. In the cradle is a die, with a small metal pin through the die, which enables my thumb too spin the die. Instead of numbers, as in a pair of dice, the die's choices are Yes, No, and ? And, lo and behold, an article is born.

Easily Finding A Good Stock (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

There is a tremendous amount of software,complicated high priced newsletters, radio andTV stock pickers and Internet web sites thatwill help you find a stock that is going to makeyou rich.

Understanding The Real Rate of Return! (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

There is one indicator more than any other which determines the health of an economy and it is the Real Rate of Return.Furthermore this is the simplest of all indicators to understand because it determines the safety of assets. Next time you hear the TALKING HEADS discussing the nuances of the markets, filter what they say through your own understanding of the Real Rate of Return.

Investing & Online Stock & Share Trading- The Stock & Share Markets are Booming But Be Warned (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

I had the pleasure of being invited on a friend's yacht to sail in a race on Sydney Harbour yesterday. On board, as one of our motley crew, I met a top ranking corporate executive from one of Australia's largest banks, who we'll call 'Phil' here for the purpose of this article. After the race ended and after being told of my trading experience, he told me he has a large stock portfolio, many of which are speculative resources stocks. He said that he's excited by all the money he's making and wondering how long this has been going on?

Is Offshore Banking for You? (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

You've probably heard about people who keep their money offshore. Most likely you assume they're all wealthy businessmen; millionaires, who have so much money they somehow 'qualify' to move it out of the country, right? Wrong! Offshore banking can be a benefit for anybody regardless of income.

Guru Focused: Robert Olstein's Short Sells (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

While it is rather rare that value gurus sell stocks short, Robert Olstein has been selling short in his Financial Alert Fund. The accountant-turned fund manager spots values by looking behind the numbers. In the second quarter of 2004, Robert Olstein sold short American Italian Pasta Co. (PLB) at $31. After about 6 months he covered at $20, easily made more than $1 million for his fund. Currently he is shorting two stocks: Computer Sciences Corp (CSC) and Fleetwood Enterprises Inc (FLE), although things do not always go that smoothly.

Retirement or Financial Freedom? (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

In the past most people never retired. They died. The average life expectancy was much less than it is these days, and there were no financial planners around to help people save up enough to quit work. As recently as the 1960's, if you did manage to save up enough money to retire, you'd be lucky to live another 5 or 6 years before you kicked the bucket. This made financial planning for retirement a little easier because you really only needed enough income for a few years.

Investing Offshore for Retirement (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

As an expatriate you are in a privileged savings and investing position. Make the most of the options available to you while you can, consider investing offshore for your retirement.

Makin The Sauce (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Let's face it, you're on a roll. After getting down to your attorney's office to sign the new Living Trust and then diligently tracking down your assets to fund the trust, you should be congratulated. You're one of the responsible ones - 70% of the people who die each year in the United States haven't even bothered to get a will. Frankly, you're an inspiration to us all. But to seal the nomination for the financial Oscars, a little work on your investments could go a long way.

Beginning Investor - Investment Terms (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Over the course of the past two months, readers have brought to my attention that there is a steep learning curve for investment terminology. That's why the focus of this month's Beginning Investor column will be investment terminology. The world of finance can be complex. This article doesn't intend to provide an all-encompassing set of definitions, but rather, as a general guide to help you understand the most frequentlyused financial terms. There's no way we could cover everything - and I'm sure that we wont - but this should clarify some things for those new to investing. This month, we'll be looking at stock-related words in particular.

How to Invest Your Money (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Think carefully on how to invest your money because if you make wrong decisions it could cost you dearly. There are many ways in which to invest your money and as such seeking the advice of a professional would be a very wise move. The information below will help give you a better understanding of some key elements of managing money:

Property Investment Just Got Exciting (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

There is an area in Brazil that has lower crime & lower property prices than where your are probably sitting right now!