By Linda N
acif Finding balance in our lives is the new Holy Grail. As the Holy Grail symbolized the attainment of happiness, so does this balance we now search for. If only we weren't so busy with deadlines and projects, we would be able spend more time with our loved ones; if only we didn't have to work overtime, we would have the energy to exercise and lose weight; if only we didn't have three mortgages, we could find peace and get a good night's sleep. If only...if only...we could find the illusive balance.
acif Finding balance in our lives is the new Holy Grail. As the Holy Grail symbolized the attainment of happiness, so does this balance we now search for. If only we weren't so busy with deadlines and projects, we would be able spend more time with our loved ones; if only we didn't have to work overtime, we would have the energy to exercise and lose weight; if only we didn't have three mortgages, we could find peace and get a good night's sleep. If only...if only...we could find the illusive balance. By Kyle Hagen The typical investment column seems geared towards people who are already experienced investors. But what about those of us who don't know the first thing about the LIBOR, periodicity, or cash flow statements? Financial literacy is hardly universal, and if there's any truth to various news reports, millions of Americans don't know diddly about saving for the future.
Career Overview: Financial Advisor and Finance Analyst
By Akbar Ali A career in finance is always a good bet, despite the ups and down of the market, because no matter what happens, money needs to be managed and the people who have it need to be guided in a large number of ways. Two financial careers whose futures look especially bright are financial planning and finance analyzing.
The Pros and Cons of Offshore Banking
By Akbar Ali Though the term ''offshore banking'' is commonly associated with money laundering, tax evasion, and organized crime, it is a perfectly legal banking alternative
which comes with both pros and cons. Put simply, offshore banking is the system by which a depositor utilizes a bank in a location outside the account holder's country of residence. The main draw for depositors is that offshore banks are typically located in areas designated as ''tax havens'' where taxes are levied at very low rates. In some instances, the tax rates at offshore banks are nonexistent.
which comes with both pros and cons. Put simply, offshore banking is the system by which a depositor utilizes a bank in a location outside the account holder's country of residence. The main draw for depositors is that offshore banks are typically located in areas designated as ''tax havens'' where taxes are levied at very low rates. In some instances, the tax rates at offshore banks are nonexistent.By Douglas Charney, Senior Vice President — Investments, Wachovia Securities If you're in a higher tax bracket and are looking for a way to help diversify your portfolio and potentially save money in the process, municipal bonds may be worth some consideration. Municipal bonds (or ''munis,'' for short) are IOUs issued by cities, counties, or state governments in order to raise money for community projects such as highways, new schools, sewer systems, and hospitals, to name a few. There's nothing new about munis. They've been around since the country's founding, helping local governments raise money for various initiatives.
Confusion in a Cooling Market
By Bob Schultz, MIRM, CSP, New Home Specialist Inc. A cooling housing market is no longer a threat lingering somewhere in the future. It is here. Even national builders are starting to see the effects.
Ailing Mortgage Lender Needs Triage, Says PR Expert
By Alan Caruba October 3, 2007 - Speaking with NPR's ''Marketplace'' today, public relations counselor Alan Caruba said that reports of a major PR campaign ''will not solve the real problems of Countrywide Financial Corporation.''
Moves to Make Before Year's End
By Peter Eickelberg For many people, the end of the year represents a hectic time, so probably the last thing you want to do is add to an already full plate. But building the following financial moves into your fourth-quarter routine can really pay off over the long run and give you greater peace of mind for the coming years.
Do Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Make Sense for Your Portfolio
By Douglas Charney By now you should have heard the word ''REIT'' in the investment world, but you may be wondering what one is and how it works. First, realize that REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) are not new. They’ve been around for more than 45 years. However, it has only been since the 1990s that REITs have gained popularity.
