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Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are a great way to build an effective retirement portfolio through your Roth IRA or IRA contributions due to their low expense ratios. ETFs offer investors exposure to a diverse set of assets. They are currently one of the fastest growing investment products in the world due to the low expense ratio and their high diversification. ETFs can be traded through virtually every big-name brokerage available. Brokerages oftentimes will partner with ETF providers to offer free-commission on ETF trading, which helps you save even more money on expenses!

ETFs are effectively mutual funds, but trade like any other stocks. When you purchase a single ETF share, you gain access to an entire index such as the S&P 500 or the Dow 30. Or, investors can purchase market segments (e.g., financial, industrial or healthcare sectors) within a given country. Thus, making them a highly efficient investment tool. The substantial growth in the ETF market has led to a number of new, distinct ETF products such as the MSCI All Country World Minimum Volatility Index or the Dow Jones EPAC Select Dividend Index. The Dow Jones EPAC Select Dividend Index provides great dividend growth income and that can be reinvested or used as cash flow for other investment products.

Here are main benefits in investing in ETFs:

1. Flexibility: With a number of distinct indexes and options, individuals with retirement accounts can trade commission-free AND can obtain exposure to countries all over the world. If you choose, investors are able to gain exposure to the entire world if you sure please. In addition, ETFs offer the flexibility to be traded as a stock for a market price.

2. Cost Efficiency: ETFs based on indexes are in one transaction that trade all components of the underlying index. Investors are usually not charged any entry or exit fees and management fees are substantially lower than mutual funds. For example, ETFs expense ratio are usually around 0.1 – 0.8% whereas mutual funds are about 1.40%

3. Transparency: ETFs are transparent due to the fact that they list on regulated markets and track transparent indices. The ETFs are traded through the day and there are highly competitive bid/ask prices provided by market makers ensuring ample liquidity.

ETFs are really a simple form of mutual funds and can be used in a variety of ways. If you start investing early in a set of 3-4 mutual funds that offer differentiating diversification, you will be in a great position for retirement. Investors should set aside a predetermined amount of capital each month to purchase ETFs. Given their low expense ratios and flexibility, investors can sleep well at night knowing that their money is being put to good use and is generating income while they are enjoying life.

ETFs are not a guaranteed investment. Be patient with the market and continue to purchase additional ETF shares regardless. The old saying is: “I would prefer my time in the market rather than timing the market.”

Millionaire Mob is a former investment banker that hopes to offer fair value on Wall Street while traveling the world. I enjoy helping others in achieving financial freedom whether that is through dividend growth investing, passive income techniques or travel rewards strategies.

Cloud Computing: Revolutionizing Construction Techniques

Cloud computing is truly a game-changer; just consider these five revolutionary cloud computing applications. It’s possible to cut tens of thousands from traditional operations by reducing time necessary in regard to bureaucratic management, and costs associated with information technology.

On a job-site, the right cloud solutions can get everybody “on the same page” more quickly, provide for remote monitoring, clock-in/clock-out procedures, and information provision. Managers of a given site can more cohesively lead their workers, and those funding a given project can watch its progress in real time.

Beyond convenience and complication reduction in operations, many financing construction projects are becoming increasingly interested in problem prevention. There are many situations where a tiny change like a halt in building could have stopped a much bigger, costly problem from happening.

With the cloud, such close monitoring is more realistically feasible than it’s likely ever been. When you add to that positive political trends in reference to the construction market, such innovation presents itself as a nearly essential component of modern building endeavors.

Today, there is hope on the horizon—there is light at the end of the tunnel! Brexit last year heralded in global change, and was swiftly followed by a political administrative change in the United States that is, and provided nothing politically untoward happens, will continue to be, very good for construction.

Additional Cost-Saving Solutions

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With a sleeper truck you can cut down transit times when shipping specific materials, which in turn cuts down operational costs. Cloud computing solutions can help you identify areas of operations where a tweak here or there could substantively reduce costs.

There are always places where you can conserve assets and optimize your business. Always. Sometimes optimization involves acquisition of newer software solutions, sometimes it means liquidation of antiquated tech. What’s sure regardless of purchase or sale is that there’s something you can do.

Look at your regular contracted jobs at the present time. What kind of jobs characterize the majority of operations? What are common problems which occur when you’re pursuing these jobs, and how can you prepare for those problems in advance? Conservation of time is the next best thing to the conservation of money.

Time And Money

When technology solutions can save you time with minimal invasive bureaucratic rearranging, that’s a cost-effective optimization. Additionally, it can be that which provides you increased competitiveness against other construction groups who have yet to incorporate this technological upgrade.

Look at cost-savings in terms of time. How much is one hour of production worth to your company? $1,000? $10,000? $100,000? If you can save just ten hours a month through more smooth operations via technology, at these numbers you’re cutting expenses by a minimum of $120,000 a year. If you’re saving ten hours at $100k a month, you’re saving $1.2 million annually.

Little costs add up. You can be “nickel-and-dimed” to bankruptcy, if you’re not careful of this trend. At the same time, you can use such techniques to increase profit gradually over time. Attention to detail is key.

So sit down and consider the costs of operation right now, identify where you can upgrade things, and take steps to facilitate those upgrades. Little changes can produce big savings, so be diligent to conserve all that is available to you.

The listing of a private company on the stock exchange is known as Initial Public Offering (IPO). It is at this point that investors are invited to bid for buying the shares of the company that was held privately thus far. Based on the past performance of the company, the offer price range is determined and once all bids are received, generally shares are allocated on a pro-rata basis.

The crazy chase to invest in IPO

IPO investments attract a lot of investors as it has the potential to give very high returns. It is believed that the investment made at the time of IPO give high returns at the time of listing. However, as with other types of equities, there is a high risk involved when you invest in an IPO.

The funds raised through an IPO are used for several purposes by the company. These include clearing off debts, expanding and improving their operations, or using it to meetworking capital needs.

Before you choose to invest in IPOs, you must remember that all IPOs are not open to general public. The underwriters choose the category of people for which the IPO is opened.

If you opt to invest in IPOs, you must be aware of the risks associated with these financial products. Here are four things you should keep in mind while investing in an IPO.

1. All offerings are not suitable for all kinds of investors. Consider your financial situation and goals before making a decision.

2. Read the draft red herring prospectus. This will help you understand how the funds will be utilized. The prospectus also provides information about the objectives and fundamentals of the company and its future growth prospects.

3. You must rely on facts and not fall prey to marketing strategies used by agencies to entice investors.

4. Analyze the promoters and their backgrounds. IPOs that have reputed institutions and government backing are safer.

Investing in an IPO must be a well-thought decision. It is important to ensure the risk level suits your personal financial situation and appetite. With IPO investments, you may make money or lose your capital; therefore, be cautious before you apply for one.

Investing in IPO through mutual funds

As mentioned before, if an IPO has institutional or government investments, the risks are significantly reduced. Until recently, mutual funds did not invest in IPOs because of the high risks. However, that is no longer the case. Mutual funds have recently begun investing in quality IPOs issued by small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Here are three benefits of investing in IPOs through mutual funds.

1. Investing in mutual funds online for retail investors is easily available and provides greater flexibility. You are able to gain exposure to the stock market at an affordable entry price.

2. The schemes are managed by experienced professionals who analyze and study the IPOs and the overall market. This reduces your risks because the fund managers and their research teams do the homework for you. Moreover, you are able to diversify your portfolio further reducing your risks.

3. IPO allotment often happens on a pro-rata basis. Therefore, you may be allotted less than the applied number of shares. However, institutions have a preferential allotment, which is beneficial.

While it is hard to imagine, a crime that we see committed over and over, are crimes against elderly people by way of fraud and other forms of exploitation. Not only is this illegal, but it is also immoral and it is hard to imagine something like this happening to someone we know and love. At Freedom Debt Relief, we want to help caregivers and loved ones to avoid the older people in their lives from becoming victims of elder exploitation.

Sadly, a recent study Freedom Debt Relief reviewed shows that almost $3 billion is fraudulently exploited out of seniors each year. That is each and every year. This is a huge loss of money for people who generally live on a fixed income and this reduced income can spell disaster for the person’s ability to meet their daily needs. While it would be nice to think that this is rare, the numbers just don’t bear that out.

As Freedom Debt Relief found out, 1 out of every 5 people over the age of 65 has or will suffer from some form of elder fraud. This is a huge number and it means that, chances are, you or an older person you love could also be a victim of these predatory processes. What follows are just a few tips and hints on how to manage your own, or help the older person in your life manage their finances in a way that reduces the likelihood of becoming a victim.

Cognitive Decline and Finances

One thing that Freedom Debt Relief found is that those who are of advanced age (80+), as well as those who are suffering from some form of cognitive decline are far more likely to be victims of fraud than those who do not. If you start to notice that your memory isn’t what it once was, or if you are a caregiver who notices this about a loved one, you might want to turn over control of the finances to someone who can manage it. This will reduce the likelihood that your finances or your loved one’s finances are compromised as a result of someone taking advantage of their decline.

Avoid Scams

While Freedom Debt Relief knows that we want to be able to trust in the kindness of others, the sad fact of the matter is that there are people out there that are looking to scam people. You need to be wary of anyone who is selling something that seems to good to be true or that comes along, promising that, for a fee, they will be able to solve all your problems. Older people are far more likely to be targets and victims of such scams as they tend to not be as technically savvy and are more likely to trust other people.

Freedom Debt Relief notes that being open with your finances with someone you trust as you get older is just a smart way to help avoid becoming a victim to fraud. Being willing to turn over your finances to someone you trust if you start to notice some memory slips could ultimately save you your entire savings. Be skeptical and wary of anyone who is trying to sell you something that seems way too good to be true or anyone who thinks they can solve your problems (for a fee, of course) and make your world as good as new. Maintain a high degree of skepticism and enlist the help of someone you trust when making big decisions.

It is the duty of every citizen to pay taxes to the government so as to aid with national and regional developmental objectives. It’s a crime not to pay your taxes and you could face a jail term if you knowingly or unknowingly fail to make your tax payments. If you own property, whether residential or commercial, you have to make regular payments to your local and federal government in the form of property taxes. The amount you pay as property tax depends on the size and value of your property with those with large property investments paying more taxes for their property. However, the tax man may make errors when determining the value of your home and you could end up paying more than you should in taxes. If you feel that you are paying more taxes than is necessary, there are a few things that you can do to solve the situation and here are some of them.

1. Visit your local tax office.

The first step in rectifying your tax situation is to visit your local tax office. Once at the tax office, inquire to find out the valuation of your property as per their recent analysis. If you have issues with their valuation, inquire to find out what one needs to do to file an appeal. If there are fees to be paid and forms to be filled, let them tell you how much you should pay and the where you can find the tax appeal forms. It is important to do everything according to the law as deviations reduce your chances of getting your tax appeal approved.

2. Get independent appraisal.

You should hire an independent appraiser to determine the value of your home for your tax appeal. Your property may have depreciated in value from the last time the taxman assessed it and an independent appraisal will help you determine by how much. Such professionals are not free and you will have to pay for their services. The upside is that you will be able to determine the true value of your home for your tax appeal.

3. Limit outdoor construction.

Outdoor structures increase the value of a home and as a result, you will have to pay more taxes for your property. Such structures include garages, carports and outdoor shades. If you want to lower your taxes, you should, therefore, strive to limit the outdoor structures in your home or at least wait until after the next property assessment by the taxman.

4. Check with your neighbors.

If the homes in your neighborhood are the same, then you and your neighbors should be paying similar taxes for your property. You should, therefore, check with your neighbors to find out how much taxes they are paying for their homes. If you find any disparities, raise that issue with your local tax agency.

Conclusion.

Paying taxes is very important but if you find yourself experiencing difficulties in paying them and your other bills, you should consider filing for Bankruptcy in Toronto.