For a long time, forex trading had been the right of a lucky few. Biggies in the financial market were the only ones to play with foreign currencies and multiply earnings. But now, things have changed with the changing currency exchange rates. Technological advances have taken individual investors miles ahead. The trend of trading in foreign currencies has revived due to growing public interest in it. For the money minded, it is a brilliant way to earn money. However, all is not golden with such trading. Like many other business options, this is a high gain, high risk game.

While you make yourself a party in the game of forex trading, keep in mind that it won’t be a winning story always. Since the financial market is illusive there are sure to be unexpected up and definite downfalls. You need to be receptive about both. However, it is in your hand to prepare yourself for the tough times. Keep yourself ready to face the volatile market when an interest rate announcement is made by Fed. Or, purchase only that much which your account’s risk profile permits. Don’t go overboard and risk a large share of your invested capital to yield unrecoverable losses.

Having said that, you can’t just fold your arms and stop forex trading. This will just keep you away from a promising business opportunity. Remember not trading is no solution. You need to trade but with caution. It is extremely important to manage your funds properly and take few calculated risks. This will allow you to steer clear of the thorns and get the roses out of the forex garden. Now, if all these sounds like a plan, then why wait? Get your fund manager to do some basic calculations for you and take the forex wand in your hand for some magic.

If your student is college bound this coming fall, then now is the time to become acquainted with the financial aid application process. The most important form is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, otherwise known as the “FAFSA.

Here are some tips to prevent any problems and make sure your application is considered:

Tip #1: Read the form

Many questions on the FAFSA are straightforward, like your Social Security Number or your date of birth. But others require you to read the instructions to make sure you answer the question correctly. Certain terms like “household” have special definitions purposes of student financial aid. So be sure to read the instructions.

Tip #2: Apply early

Deadlines for aid from your state, from your school, and from private sources tend to be much earlier than deadlines for federal aid. To make sure that any financial aid package your school offers you will contain aid from as many sources as possible, apply as soon as you can after January 1, 2005.

Tip #3: Do your 2004 taxes first

Filling out your tax return first will make completing the FAFSA easier. You are not required to file your tax return with the IRS before you submit your FAFSA. But, if you file the FAFSA first, and your income or tax information changes once you complete your tax return, you are required to go back and correct any inaccurate information on your aid application. If you do not make these updates, you may not receive as much aid as you qualify for, or you may be required to return federal aid you improperly receive based upon incorrect information.

Tip #4: File Electronically

You can fill out and submit a FAFSA over the Internet. This is the fastest way to apply for financial aid. Also, by filing online, your application can be scanned for errors before being submitted, reducing the risk of your application being rejected.

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It’s funny the false sense of security that green money holds. It’s not resistant to water, fire, or wind. It rips easily and is easy to lose in a crowd. If you don’t keep both eyes on it, it will disappear. If you stack it up very far it will tip over and land in a messy pile at your feet. It smells funny.

Yet those with lots of it feel they hold the magic wand.

If I sauntered up to you and said, “I’d like to give you this crispy new $50 dollar bill for the sweater you’re wearing,” you’d look at me funny. You’d definitely think about it, because you know you just bought it last week for $35 and can go right back to that same store tomorrow and get another one if you sold me yours.

But, if my brother walked up next to me and said, “I’d like to give you $50 right now, and then $1 per day for the next 7 days,” you’d look at him, you’d look at me….and you’d hand him your sweater.

The same holds true with people who think that paying cash for a car will get them a better price from the auto dealership.

You walk in with $10,000 cash and make an offer to hand over your sack of money for that car over there, which lists for $13,595. Sounds like a good deal to you. The dealership gets paid their full amount right now, today, and that’s that.

Meanwhile, another person walks in with an offer to pay the exact same amount for the exact same car. And they sell him the car, not you. How the heck did that happen?

Let’s compare the two of you. That guy had perfect credit. So do you. That guy had a $10,000 offer, so did you. That guy needed financing. You didn’t. Does that really matter? You bet your daisies it does.

Here’s how:

That guy wanted to pay $10,000 for the car. That is the price they listed on the contract. His credit qualified him for the best interest rate available. For example purposes, let’s say 6.5%. But, this guy didn’t know what rates he qualified for, so he agreed to pay 8.9%. He also didn’t know the exact math on what his payments would work out to be, but he had budgeted about $250 for his car payment. They shook hands at $246.

Back in the finance office, they were able to give him an extended warranty, GAP and Life & Disability Insurances which only raised his payments $3. He left, ecstatic with his new car warranty and with payments of $249 a month.

So, why did this guy get the car for $10,000 and you didn’t? Let’s do the math:

Financing $10,000 at 6.5% for 60 months is a payment of $195.66.
Financing $10,000 at 8.9% for 60 months is a payment of $207.10, a difference of $11.44 per month.

Over the 60 month contract, that is $686.40 that goes right into the dealership’s pocket.

But he didn’t have payments of $207.10, he left happily at $249. Well, that extra $41.90 times 60 months equates to $2514 in products and profit that the finance manager was able to sell him when he signed his paperwork. That is why he was able to get so many “extras” for such a little change in payment.

Let’s just say, for math purposes, that the products that the F&I guy sold him had a hard cost of $1500. That left $1014 in profit, PLUS the $686.40 of profit from the extra interest rate they charged him. On a $10,000 car, on financing ALONE, the dealership made $1700 profit. And we didn’t even go into how much they owned that car for to begin with.

So, the next time you think that paying cash speaks louder than payments, think again. The dealership is watching out for their bottom line, and they know all the tricks to getting the most out of every customer. There’s no magic wand that can protect you from that, no matter how hard you wave it in front of them. Without knowledge and a little due diligence, you can assure yourself the same destiny as that fragile pile of green paper lying there in front of you.

Visit http://www.insidethelionsden.com to find out the top three tips from Amy that you have to know before buying a car.

We all need a little advise every once in a while. Sometimes I find that I need someone to bounce ideas off of. When it comes to money, many of us are looking for confirmation that we are on the right track.

Others of us can’t even get in the general area of the track!

Whether you are financially wise or a little uneducated, a financial planner can be a great advantage. Why do people turn to financial planners? They may simply need advice for a specific situation, or even continuous advice over a long period of time. Others have no interest in learning the ins and outs of investing, how to select individual stocks or how to choose insurance policies. Others have very little time to spend taking care of their finances. Anyone having constant trouble meeting financial goals should consider seeking a financial planner.

The financial planner will help you assess where you are and how to get where you want to go. He or she will see where you are on the map and tell you which turns to take to get to the treasure.

Good planners look at the big picture. They don’t just look at right now and what is spent each day, but they take into account investing, taxes, insurance issues and general money management.

The key is to find a qualified financial planner that you can look up to. You want someone who is excited about their work. They have a true passion to help you.

You can find planners in many places, from brokerage firms to your local bank. Many will help you, but will charge a fee. Make sure that you know what the fee will be in advance of your first session.

Take the time and interview several different planners. Look that they are certified and have a good education backing their advice. One of the best places to find advisors is in your friends and co-workers.

Your first interview with the planner should be free. Take a list of questions you may have. You should be comfortable, listened-to and smarter when you leave. You need to make sure that the advisor’s philosphy matches your family’s style.

Don’t forget to ask how the planner charges. You should be comfortable with the method used. It is recommended that you don’t choose someone who could push you to a certain stock just to get a commission. You should try to look for a fee-only advisor, if possible.

Make sure that you do a thorough check before you give any personal information. Ask to see the planner’s state and federal licenses. If they are a stockbroker, they should be able to show you a Form ADV and CRD records.

The fees charged will vary. Most planners charge a median fee of $100 per hour. Some charge $700 for a complete financial plan, or $300 for a retirement plan. Again, be sure to discuss charging before disclosing any information. You want to be sure that you can completely trust someone before handing over your financial details.

Martin Lukac(http://www.MartinLukac.com), represents http://www.RateEmpire.com and http://www.1AmericanFinancial.com, a finance web-company specializing in real estate/mortgage market. We specialize in daily updates, rate predictions, mortgage rates and more. Find low home loan mortgage interest rates from hundreds of mortgage companies!

With the rising price of gas, skyrocketing health care costs,
etc… Americans are feeling the economic crunch. Lets put some
money back in your pocket right now and lets take a bite out of
auto theft.

The best part is

(1) You don’t have to switch insurance carriers.

(2) Local auto dealers charge $299-$499 for this same service
(real price should be $25-$30)- What a ripoff! (Note dealers
also charge $200-$1000 for replacement headlights when you can
buy headlight cleaner and restorer for under $20).

(3) You can easily purchase it direct from the manufacturer
below cost right through the internet!

Police departments, insurance companies, AAA Auto Club, Motor
Week, Speedvision TV, and leading consumer groups and
publications all recommend window etching as a strong theft
deterrent and a great investment.

The top 10 most stolen autos:

1. Toyota Camry 2. Honda Accord 3. Oldsmobile Cutlass 4. Honda
Civic 5. Jeep Cherokee 6. Chevrolet trucks 7. Toyota Corolla 8.
Chevrolet Caprice 9. Ford Taurus 10. Ford trucks

Did you know that every 19 minutes a car is stolen in this
country! Vehicles equipped with a visible theft deterrent system
are 4 times less likely to be stolen. Auto etching uses a strong
caustic to etch vin #’s and other registered numbers into your
car windows (glass is the third most valuable item after plastic
headlights and air bags that professional thieves look for -
these items are then resold on Ebay and elsewhere by these
thieves for quick cash). 95% of thefts are by professional car
thieves.

Chemical auto etching is a safe process. No damage is done to
the vehicle and it can be professionally done. It is very
affordable as its actual costis 70 - 85% less than auto dealer’s
charge and has many benefits:

1) It has been proven to enhances vehicle value at resale. 2)
INSURANCE DISCOUNTS OF UP TO 35% OR MORE!* 3) No mechanical
parts to break down or need repair. 4) SAVE MONEY AND HAVE PEACE
OF MIND! - 9 out of 10 auto thefts are by professionals who will
not take a car with traceable numbers.

One of the most cost effective security steps is having a
security number etched on each window. Start saving big on your
insurance today! Auto etch, like headlight cleaner and restorer,
is a bonafide product backed and used by the police in every
state. It is guaranteed to save you far more than it costs, has
numerous benefits, And you can undercut the dealer and buy it
without paying their ridiculous prices ($200-$600+)! For more
information on Auto etch and/or similar products like headlight
restoration kits contact the author below or look up auto etch
on the internet. * Insurance discounts can vary by state and by
carrier.

The laws regarding bankruptcy have changed recently, but there
are still options available to you if your debt has grown out of
control and you have found yourself unable to repay them.
Bankruptcy laws give debtors a way to divide their assets among
creditors and completely eliminate some debts after the assets
have been distributed.

Due to the recent changes, you may have to undergo credit
counseling prior to filing bankruptcy, but as a debtor you are
entitled to file bankruptcy as a way to reorganize or eliminate
your debts.

People wanting to completely eliminate all outstanding debts
generally use Chapter 7 bankruptcies. Business can also file
Chapter 7 if they plan to liquidate all assets and close
permanently. Under a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, an individual may
keep certain property such as a home, automobile, tools of
trade, and various other properties.

Some property however, may be lost during the bankruptcy
proceedings. A trustee will control the debtor’s assets during
the bankruptcy process and those assets will be divided among
creditors as the trustee sees fit. Upon discharge of the
bankruptcy, the control of any remaining property is returned to
the debtor and all outstanding debts that have not been
reaffirmed will be gone.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is for those who wish to pay all their
outstanding debts but have found themselves unable to do so.
Chapter 13 allows individuals to reorganize debts and structure
payments differently so that the debtor can afford to make
payments over time.

In the case of a business wanting to reorganize, Chapter 11
bankruptcy is the appropriate choice. Filing bankruptcy is a way
out of debt for many people and businesses. Consult with a
professional to make sure that bankruptcy would be the best
choice for you before you make any final decisions.

The scale of identity theft has been recently analyzed in a
federal report and the general results were worrying. The report
states that lately, one out of four American homes is targeted
by identity theft. One answer to this problem is the new June
2005 FACTA Law (Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act) which
brings new regulations concerning identity theft.

The problems caused by identity theft cost taxpayers billions
of dollars each year. There are many ways in which identity
theft strikes: a person having personal information on someone
else can easily open fraudulent bank accounts, charge credit
cards, rent buy or sell items with a different name and so on.
Victims of identity theft often have a very late response and
they realize that they have been robbed or cheated out of their
money only weeks, months or even years later. The number one
cause for identity theft are all the documents that contain such
sensitive personal information and get thrown in the garbage,
instead of being properly disposed of by using a paper shredder.

FACTA law and paper shredders

The fines imposed by the FACTA law for businesses that do not
dispose of document containing personal employee information
properly are high. The best way of avoiding both the FACTA fines
and any risks of allowing employee information to fall in the
wrong hands is to purchase a paper shredder. While the cots of a
shredder and it’s presence in the office might seem like an
extra burden, the paper shredder is, in fact, your best bet
against identity theft and other forms of fraud. Small office
shredders are great for small offices with only a few employees,
while larger corporations can purchase a cross cut paper
shredder that can process thousands of documents each day.

Why do I need a shredder?

There are many reasons for purchasing a paper shredder (find out
more here: www.paper-shredder-expert.com ) and the need for such
an office device increased since the FACTA Law “Fair and
Accurate Credit Transactions Act” was passed in 2005. Many
offices consider such a purchase but are worried about the room
the paper shredder will occupy. There is good news for them -
small office paper shredders - they take very little room and
offer more than enough shredding capacity for a small 3-5 person
office. Another issue some company managers come across is
related to paper shredder costs. However, the device requires
almost no cash to maintenance and run and the fact of knowing
that your disposed documents cannot be pieced together is worth
every cost.

Please visit our website for detailed identity theft and paper
shredder information: HREF="http://www.paper-shredder-expert.com " rel="nofollow"> Paper Shredder
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More resources from this author are available below:

* HREF="http://www.paper-shredder-expert.com/Paper-shredder-types.h
tm" rel="nofollow"> Paper Shredder Models * HREF="http://www.paper-shredder-expert.com/Cross-cut-paper-shredd
ers.htm" rel="nofollow"> Cross-cut paper shredders

We have become a society of service and convenience. And we’re paying the price with money out of our pocketbooks.

How many times have you bought a coffee at the convenience store? How many packages of pre-cut frozen potatoes do you buy in a month? Do you buy the pre-cut and shrink wrapped fruit and vegetables in the produce department? Or how about individually packaged chicken breasts portions that cost almost twice as much (per pound) as a package of chicken breasts. Have you ever bought a pre-mixed item, such as anti-freeze coolant, so you don’t have to waste the time mixing it yourself? Have you ever calculated how much “convenience” items cost you?

Consider for example one of those frozen food entrées (TV diners) in your freezer. They usually costs $3-4 each, and take 3-4 minutes to cook in the microwave. Now, instead, you cooked a full meal (for approximately $10 and 30 minutes of your time) with enough extra to freeze four entrée-sized portions and took the same three minutes to microwave it each time you were microwaving the “convenience” food. The difference would be about 15 minutes saved (5 meals x 3 minutes to microwave versus 30 minutes to cook a full meal) at a cost of $5 more (5 meals x $3 each versus $10). This equals a time-value rate of $20 per hour (60 minutes divided by 15 minutes saved equals 4 multiplied by $5 equals $20.

Unless you were actually bringing home $20 income in the time saved by eating a frozen entrée, you are throwing away $5 (actual cost difference) and a time-value of $20. That is, say you’re take-home pay is approximately $10 per hour. Every week you buy $60 worth of time saving products that save you only an hour of time. You would have to work 6 hours to just save one hour. We rarely stop and calculate how much time we are actually saving, and what the actual costs are to our savings and budgeting plans.

It doesn’t make economical sense. If you are living paycheck to paycheck, trying to get out of debt, and trying to save your way to success, you need to consider every possibility on how to save money. Stop buying the “convenience” mops with those throw-away strips and buy an old-fashioned mop. Stop spending more money to buy the microwave popcorn so you can sit in front of the television for another 3 or 4 minutes. Buy a bag of popcorn kernels at a savings of 3 or 4 times the cost of the microwave popcorn. Unless you are working multiple jobs earning a take-home pay worth more than the time-value costs of the “convenience” products you buy, you are wasting money.

Become a John Frugal. Start thinking how you can use your time more wisely, and be savvier with your money and spending habits. Start saving more and spending less. Start saving more time and money!

Justin P. Ertelt is the author of Saving Your Way to Success, and owner of http://www.savingyourwaytosuccess.com, helping others acheive financial success. Justin can be reached at justin@savingyourwaytosuccess.com. To learn more visit http://www.savingyourwaytosuccess.com