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  <title>Save Money - Make Money - Invest It Better.</title>
  <link>http://OnIncome.net</link>
  <description>http://OnIncome.net provides personal finance advice. Receive real world money-saving tips (that involve little or no sacrifice). You'll also discover investing tips that enable you to do decently regardless of what the market does. Plus, get tips on how to find good jobs. You'll also get reviews of part time jobs (and links to hiring companies), as well.</description>
  <lastBuildDate>Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:22:07 GMT</lastBuildDate>
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   <title>Sunny California car rental</title>
   <link>http://OnIncome.net</link>
   <description>Sunny California car rental&lt;br> &lt;br>California has been able to generate quite a number of tourists year after year, with its sunny skies, favorable weather and nice beaches, a lot of people have really been flocking to this golden paradise to enjoy and live their life to the fullest. &lt;br> &lt;br>Unlike other states, like New York for example, wherein it’s pretty to get around Manhattan even without the aid of a car, California however, with its wide and long streets, actually requires you to rent a car for your own vacation pleasure, independence and best of all, convenience. Here are some quick tips and reminders when it comes to California car rental.&lt;br> &lt;br>For first time California tourists, its best if you have a friend or relative who can actually show you around the place but if not, a reputable California car rental service is what’ll help you make your vacation be an unforgettable one. Arm your self with the proper materials and information when it comes to choosing which California car rental that you wish to avail the services of. &lt;br> &lt;br>To help get your self started onwards your quest to finding the perfect California car rental agency that’ll best suit your needs, wants and most importantly, budget, it’s best to consult your travel agent on which California car rental agency that he/she would actually recommend to you. &lt;br> &lt;br>The number of available California car rental agencies may tend to overwhelm you at the start, making you unsure whether or not you’re getting the services of a reputable agency. Well do try to heed my advice and ask around, it really won’t hurt you if you do. Apart from knowing what California car rental agencies are actually out there, you even get broaden your knowledge about travel prerequisites such as this one.&lt;br> &lt;br>Try to map out the places, beaches, amusement parks or wherever it is that you want to go to, way before you actually embark on your trip. It really is much wiser if you plan things carefully and thoroughly way ahead of schedule because this way you get to free yourself from possible headaches and hassles that can be usually caused by not planning ahead. Try to see if the services of a California car rental is really what you need, if it’s actually a cheaper way for you to get around the city as compared to taking mass transport. Evidently, opting to take the California care rental will make your vacation a lot convenient, think about it thoroughly and assess what actually are your priorities when it comes to taking this trip. &lt;br> &lt;br>There is really a lot that you can do to make your vacations worthwhile and fun, just always remember to plan, plan, plan ahead. Weigh out all the options that you can find and try to be practical in picking out the best possible one. California car rental, to be honest isn’t really that bad, you’re bound to get a good deal somewhere, somehow. &lt;br> &lt;br>It’s just a matter of knowing where to look and having the patience to canvass and compare prices for California car rental services. In addition to asking your local travel agent on which California car rental agency that he/she would like to recommend, you can also try asking for you relatives’ and friends’ advice. Ask them if they’ve actually availed the services of a car rental agency, more so, a California car rental agency, ask them how it went and which particular California car rental service agency would they recommend to you. &lt;br> &lt;br>Lastly, go to your ever-reliable PC and look-up California car rental in the internet. You’re bound to get a long, long list of service companies who are more than willing to give you a good and fair deal.&lt;br> &lt;br>http://OnIncome.net&lt;br>&lt;br></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:22:05 GMT</pubDate>
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   <title>Rebates – Reward or Rip Off?</title>
   <link>http://OnIncome.net</link>
   <description>Rebates – Reward or Rip Off?&lt;br>&lt;br>&lt;br>Rebates have become increasingly popular in the last few years on a lot of items and certainly on electronic items and computers. Rebates of $20, $50 or $100 are not uncommon.&lt;br>&lt;br>I’ve even seen items advertised as “free after rebate”. Do these rebates come under the heading of “too good to be true”? Some of them do and there are “catches” to watch out for but if you are careful, rebates can help you get some really good deals. &lt;br>&lt;br>The way a rebate works is that you pay the listed price for an item then mail in a form and the bar code to the manufacturer and they send you a refund thus reducing the price of what you paid for the item except with a time delay of several weeks. &lt;br>&lt;br>&lt;br>Rule #1. Rebates from reputable companies are usually just fine.&lt;br>&lt;br>You can be pretty sure you will get the promised rebate from Best Buy, Amazon or Dell but you should probably not count on getting one from a company you’ve never heard of. If you really want the product and are OK with paying the price listed then buy it but don’t count on actually getting the refund. &lt;br>&lt;br>&lt;br>Rule #2. Check rebate expiration dates.&lt;br>&lt;br>Many times products will stay on the shelf of a retailer after the date for sending in the rebate offer has expired so check that date carefully.&lt;br>&lt;br>&lt;br>Rule #3. Be sure you have all the forms required to file for the rebate before you leave the store.&lt;br>&lt;br>Rebates will almost always require a form to be filled out, a receipt for the purchase and a bar code. &lt;br>&lt;br>Rule #4. Back up your rebate claim. &lt;br>&lt;br>Make copies of everything you send in to get your rebate including the bar code. Stuff gets lost in the mail all the time and if the rebate is for $50 it’s worth the trouble to back up your claim. &lt;br>&lt;br>&lt;br>http://OnIncome.net&lt;br>&lt;br></description>
   <pubDate>Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:59:42 GMT</pubDate>
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   <title>How to Best Achieve Debt Consolidation and Payment Reduction</title>
   <link>http://OnIncome.net</link>
   <description>How to Best Achieve Debt Consolidation and Payment Reduction&lt;br>&lt;br>Few online debt consolidation lenders will help debtors reduce their debts. Homeowners who are in over their heads in debt can use their homes as collateral to payoff their debts. The loans offered are given to the debtor to repay the debts; and then the debtor must payoff the loan in monthly installments. In other words, your bills are calculated and rolled into one monthly installment. If you have credit cards, then the interest rates will roll into the monthly installment, as well if you have personal or home loans or other types of loans, then the interest rates are rolled in to one balance per month. &lt;br>&lt;br>Some debt consolidations make it easy and offer short applications, which will link you to an expert who will search for a solution to reduce your debts by assessing your information. Money Management International (MMI) is one of the many online &quot;Consumer Credit Counseling Services&quot; (CCCS) that is a non-profit organization that offers support to debtors. The non-profit organizations are sometimes safer to use than the organized services. Since MMI is a member of the Better Business Bureau, I will refer to this debt consolidation reduction organization to help you get an idea of what is available to you. &lt;br>&lt;br>Once you sign up at an online debt consolidation reduction organization and are approved, then the professional financial guides will work with your creditors, asking for leniency. This means that the experts will work hard to get a reduction on your debts. For example, if you are paying $1000 per month in bills, some debt counselors will work to get your debts reduced to $500 give or take a couple hundred. This figure is half the amount you were paying in the first place. What a bargain!&lt;br>&lt;br>http://OnIncome.net&lt;br>&lt;br>&lt;br></description>
   <pubDate>Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:36:26 GMT</pubDate>
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   <title>Common 401(k) Mistakes</title>
   <link>http://OnIncome.net</link>
   <description>Common 401(k) Mistakes&lt;br>&lt;br>Believe it or not there are many mistakes that can be made along the way when it comes to financial retirement savings and investing. Unfortunately a good many of these mistakes center around the 401(k), which can be a tremendous boost to your retirement plans when used properly in order to build your portfolio. The problem is that the mistakes are often the only things we hear when it comes to retirement plans and investing. I suggest begin with the mistakes so that we can move along to better information and advice in the near future.&lt;br>&lt;br>The first and perhaps largest mistakes that people make when it comes to 401 (k) plans is not signing up. Yes you heard that right. What people do not understand is that this is something your employer offers so that you can have some security for your future. It is a manner of saving money for your future that shouldn't be overlooked or taken for granted. Even a bad 401 (k) plan is better than no 401 (k) and with strict regulations those are few and far between. More importantly, if your company offers to match the funds in your 401 (k) plan not taking them up on that offer is literally tossing money in the garbage can. &lt;br>&lt;br>The next big mistake when it comes to your 401 (k) is risking too little. Rewards come with risk. If you aren't taking any risks with your investment then you are by and large throwing money down the drain. In addition to that, it is nearly impossible to meet your retirement goals without taking some risks, and some hits along the way. This doesn't mean you should be reckless but along the way you are going to need to take some calculated risks in order to receive the bigger payouts that most of us hope for when investing in their retirement funds.&lt;br>&lt;br>Risking too much. There are many risks involved when investing in the stock market. There are a few that deserve a little more mention than others. First of all, stocks present a fairly large risk, particularly to the uninitiated. While it is true that great rewards are most often the product of great risks you do not want to risk the bulk of your retirement by investing it all in stocks. Another thing you want to avoid doing if at all possible is investing in your company stock. We've seen too many lives destroyed when companies go under taking the financial stability of their employees along with them. Many companies offer incentives to employees for investing in their stock, which may be tempting but I recommend investing as little as possible in your company stock whenever possible as this could lead to problems down the road. &lt;br>&lt;br>Finally, the worst thing you can do for the health of your 401 (k) is borrow against it. There are so many ways in which this could go wrong and the penalties for this are more than a little prohibitive. They are designed to be that way so that you will use the funds for their intended purpose. If you absolutely have no other option is the only way I would recommend borrowing against your 401 (k) and I would seriously consider selling a kidney before doing that.&lt;br>&lt;br>When it comes to your financial retirement, 401 (k) mistakes can be far more costly than you may realize. Work to avoid these common mistakes and you should be well on your way to a successful retirement.&lt;br>&lt;br>http://OnIncome.net&lt;br></description>
   <pubDate>Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:32:25 GMT</pubDate>
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   <title>A Financial Planner may be your Best Gift to Yourself</title>
   <link>http://OnIncome.net</link>
   <description>A Financial Planner may be your Best Gift to Yourself&lt;br>&lt;br>There are many ways in which you can plan for your financial retirement. The first step in making the right moves is always the step that involves actually creating a plan of action that you can follow as a family. Many people focus too much on the now or too much on the later and have a great deal of difficulty when it comes to creating a happy medium for savings and investing.&lt;br>&lt;br>Throughout our lives we will have both long and short-term goals that need to be assessed, addressed, and often revisited. Whether you need to find a way to pay for your children to attend college, home improvement projects, or a method for saving for your retirement you can find information and assistance for all these things and so much more if you seek the services of a qualified financial advisor.&lt;br>&lt;br>A good financial advisor will help you find that balance that so many people and families lack. He or she will also help you assess your means in comparison with your long and short-term needs in order to see where your funds would experience the greatest return in order to suit your specific needs with minimal risk. It is important to remember that going with a financial planner or advisor does not eliminate the risks that are an integral part of investing but it does help you learn to better calculate those risks.&lt;br>&lt;br>Investing is a risky business. Learning how to weigh the odds and go for the prize is the best way to earn the biggest possible return on your investment no matter how modest your investment may be. We are all starting from different means, isn't it amazing to know that we could all end up with very similar abilities when all is said and done and we are living out our 'golden years'? &lt;br>&lt;br>Good financial planning is the key to success when it concerns your financial retirement. With so few people around the world adequately prepared to retire it is great to know that there are options and assistance that is available to help you get started on your retirement no matter how late in the game it is. Even better is the knowledge that limits are lifted a little once you reach the age of 50 and retirement is much more eminent. This allows those who got a late start on their retirement planning or who have hit a speed bump or two along the way the opportunity to 'catch up' on their investing and work up to the place they need to be in order to establish a more comfortable retirement for themselves and those they love.&lt;br>&lt;br>401 (k) plans offer some of the best retirement benefits your money can buy at the moment. They certainly allow you to make the maximum possible investment for your money. If you aren't taking your company up on their offer to match your investment in a 401(k) then you should seriously rethink that thought. Seriously, you're throwing away free money. &lt;br>&lt;br>When it comes to the murky water of retirement investing it helps to have a guide to get you through. Utilizing the services of a financial planner may be the best move you've ever made in your life when it comes to the financial health of your family and your retirement.&lt;br>&lt;br>http://OnIncome.net&lt;br>&lt;br></description>
   <pubDate>Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:03:14 GMT</pubDate>
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   <title>FOREX (Foreign Exchange Market)</title>
   <link>http://OnIncome.net</link>
   <description>FOREX (Foreign Exchange Market)&lt;br>&lt;br>The foreign exchange market is also known as FX or it is also found to be referred to as the FOREX. All three of these have the same meaning, which is the trade of trading between different companies, banks, businesses, and governments that are located in different countries. The financial market is one that is always changing leaving transactions required to be completed through brokers, and banks. Many scams have been emerging in the FOREX business, as foreign companies and people are setting up online to take advantage of people who don't realize that foreign trade must take place through a broker or a company with direct participation involved in foreign exchanges. &lt;br>&lt;br>Cash, stocks, and currency is traded through the foreign exchange markets. The FOREX market will be present and exist when one currency is traded for another. Think about a trip you may take to a foreign country. Where are you going to be able to 'trade your money' for the value of the money that is in that other country? This is FOREX trading basis, and it is not available in all banks, and it is not available in all financial centers. FOREX is a specialized trading circumstance. &lt;br>&lt;br>Small business and individuals often times looking to make big money, are the victims of scams when it comes to learning about FOREX and the foreign trade markets. As FOREX is seen as how to make a quick buck or two, people don't question their participation in such an event, but if you are not investing money through a broker in the FOREX market, you could easily end up losing everything that you have invested in the transaction. &lt;br>&lt;br>Scams to be wary of &lt;br>A FOREX scam is one that involves trading but will turn out to be a fraud; you have no chance of getting your money back once you have invested it. If you were to invest money with a company stating they are involved in FOREX trading you want read closely to learn if they are permitted to do business in your country. Many companies are not permitted in the FOREX market, as they have defrauded investors before. &lt;br>&lt;br>In the last five years, with the help of the Internet, FOREX trading and the awareness of FOREX trading has become all the rage. Banks are the number one source for FOREX trading to take place, where a trained and licensed broker is going to complete transactions and requirements you set forth. Commissions are paid on the transaction and this is the usual. &lt;br>&lt;br>Another type of scam that is prevalent in the FOREX markets is software that will aid you in making trades, in learning about the foreign markets and in practicing so you can prepare yourself for following and making trades. You want to be able to rely on a program or software that is really going to make a difference. Consult with your financial broker or your bank to learn more about FOREX trading, the FX markets and how you can avoid being the victim while investing in these markets.&lt;br>&lt;br>http://OnIncome.net</description>
   <pubDate>Sat, 09 Aug 2008 08:27:14 GMT</pubDate>
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   <title>Advance Cash - Quick Easy and Costly</title>
   <link>http://OnIncome.net</link>
   <description>Advance Cash - Quick Easy and Costly&lt;br>&lt;br>Have you ever been in the type of financial situation where you would do anything for some extra cash but you still managed to get by anyway?  Remember how you just got by because that could be a lifesaver to hang on to. &lt;br>&lt;br>Cash advances are not things that should be taken lightly where you think &quot;oh an easy way to get some more money, let’s do it.&quot;  They are not things that you will use and be happy about unless you can make the repayments that are laid out for you in the contract that you sign when you apply and receive the money.&lt;br>	&lt;br>Advance cash is quick and easy to get no matter what your financial situation is, but the main thing to remember is that most people who get these cash advances can make the monthly repayments and they don’t get into any trouble for not making the repayments.  This is where many people will fail and get into trouble; not making the monthly repayments can prove to be costly to you and your family.  You do not want to put your family under any unnecessary pressure or any strain because it is not their problem -- you are the one making the monthly repayments so you have to make sure that you can make the repayments before even thinking about applying for a cash advance.  Otherwise it will be more costly than you think and the surprise you receive will not be the cash in your account it will be the repo man coming to your door asking for your belongings.  Do you really want that hassle if you can’t make the repayments? Obviously you will need a huge cash advance before that happens.&lt;br>&lt;br>Think before you make a decision; these decisions can be life altering and there is no going back once that contract is signed.  Check the small print and remember the most important little pieces of information that they want to hide are in that small print, so read carefully.&lt;br>&lt;br>http://OnIncome.net</description>
   <pubDate>Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:51:02 GMT</pubDate>
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   <title>Profiting in the Info Product Business</title>
   <link>http://OnIncome.net</link>
   <description>Profiting in the Info Product Business&lt;br>&lt;br>One of the fastest and easiest ways to make a living online is to go into the info &lt;br>products business.  Do NOT listen to those gurus who say time and time again &lt;br>that the market is saturated.  And, that the internet just can't handle another info &lt;br>product entrepreneur (info preneuer).  Guess what?  They're wrong!  &lt;br>&lt;br>Why would I say this?  &lt;br>&lt;br>The reason that people are on the internet in the first place is because they are &lt;br>hungry for information. Everyone wants information!  Do you remember that &lt;br>movie a few years back about a robot?  I think it was &quot;Batteries Not Included&quot;.  &lt;br>The little robot got his battery working again and all of a sudden started running &lt;br>around some big city saying &quot;Input, Input&quot;.  Well, picture the surfers on the &lt;br>internet as that little robot.  They're all running around from site to site saying &lt;br>&quot;Info, Info!&quot;  &lt;br>&lt;br>These same people are more than willing to pay money for the information.  After &lt;br>all, they routinely purchase magazines, newspapers, and print books, right?  On &lt;br>the internet, they're even more willing to part with a few dollars if it will save them &lt;br>time or solve a problem for them.  The secret is to make sure that the &lt;br>information that you provide either saves them time or benefits them &lt;br>in some other, emotional way.  &lt;br>&lt;br>On the internet, there is a lot of money that can be made by selling information to &lt;br>people.  The way to do this is through ebooks.  An ebook is nothing more than a &lt;br>book in a digital format.  Sure, it can have pictures - but so can a real book.  &lt;br>&lt;br>The important part of having an ebook as opposed to a hard copy book is that the &lt;br>ebook can save the reader even more time than the hard book.  This is because &lt;br>the ebook can incorporate audio, video, and hyperlinks to additional, pertinent &lt;br>information.&lt;br>&lt;br>Most of the internet &quot;gurus&quot; have made their money by selling information online, &lt;br>in one format or another.  Now it's your turn to take a share of the internet profit &lt;br>pie.  You can do this by creating your own information product (ebook).&lt;br>&lt;br>&amp;lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;http://onincome.net/free-to-join.html&quot; title=&quot;You can use this with Google Adsense.&quot;&gt;Better Than Pay Per Click - Get Paid On 100% Of The Traffic To Your Website Or Blog.&amp;lt;/a&gt;&lt;br>http://onincome.net/free-to-join.html&lt;br>&lt;br></description>
   <pubDate>Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:13:35 GMT</pubDate>
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   <title>Should You Buy Into Today's Stock Market Rally?</title>
   <link>http://OnIncome.net</link>
   <description>Should You Chase Today's Stock Market Rally?&lt;br>&lt;br>I never like to chase up days. Yes, obviously some do continue. But, how much more vs. my alternative? Will I sell at the top? Do I really make anything for the trouble? Or, is it only when I hit 80, if I do, that I reap any reward?&lt;br>&lt;br>I figure I can just buy down streaks of 3+ days.&lt;br>&lt;br>But, I might consider waiting for a down streak to end in an up day. Just not TOO up! In those cases I would venture no higher than a balanced or income fund. This is my hedge.&lt;br>&lt;br>Really, there's no evidence that up days lead to subsequent up days. It is NOT due to it being up the prior day but because coincidence.&lt;br>&lt;br>We randomly expect there will be up days that follow up days.&lt;br>&lt;br>I have heard that 2 of 3 days are up. But, I believe I heard from the man who runs the &quot;Stock Traders Almanac&quot; that since 1950, I think up days were about 50% of the time. Near a coin flip.&lt;br>&lt;br>Of course, there are many factors involved. &lt;br>&lt;br>We are in the &quot;off season&quot; as far as stocks go. Generally, it's better to wait till October or November to buy. Of course, this is NOT true every year. But, I don't expect to be right 100% of the time.&lt;br>&lt;br>I hedge the possibility of May - September being okay by going with lower risk funds, if I wish to buy any equity. I don't buy market risk or higher during this season, other than for a short term trade.&lt;br>&lt;br>If I buy during May-September, I generally prefer to short term trade and/or stick with lower than market risk funds. &lt;br>&lt;br>Obviously, if there the backdrop is positive, overall, I get more aggressive. The key is the percentage of the most reliable metrics that are flashing buy and the potential and risk.&lt;br>&lt;br>As the market is almost a year off its top and down around 20%, I am CONSIDER buying in the offseason, at least for the short term.&lt;br>&lt;br>http://OnIncome.net </description>
   <pubDate>Tue, 05 Aug 2008 18:18:07 GMT</pubDate>
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   <title>Can You Get Rich With Stocks?</title>
   <link>http://OnIncome.net</link>
   <description>Can Stocks Make Your Rich?&lt;br>&lt;br>According to the Federal Reserve's Survey Of Consumer Finances, only 8% of the nation's richest (top 10%) got rich via stocks! Yikes! They must have had a big amount of money to invest, to begin with. They obviously had a high paying job, business, or inheritance (About 25% of the rich got some or all of their riches from inheritance).&lt;br>&lt;br>Check out the &quot;Millionaire Next Door&quot;. The author interviewed 1,000 millionaires. They did NOT get rich from stocks.&lt;br>&lt;br>A few years ago I noted that just one person on the Forbes 400 got rich due to stocks, Warren Buffet. YET, he got rich by WORKING ON WALL STREET, running a business that provided a service. In addition, he used to take over and run the companies, which helped boost his stock returns.&lt;br>&lt;br>Anecdotally, I know of not a single person who owes his riches to stocks. I do, however, know a few who got decimated in the stock market. Most that have dabbled in stocks have generated lackluster returns. Every single rich person I know of made their money from a high paying job or business. One or two got rich after years of average salary and saving every nickel. Trouble is, it took a long time and they really never had enough time to enjoy it. And, because it took so long, they were blaise about it. &lt;br>Gradually achieving something makes the day of capture a ho hum day.&lt;br>&lt;br>Perhaps the best way to ascertain if stocks will make you rich is to do the math. I mean we can't come out and say stocks won't make you rich because everyone has a different bet amount. And, some will get lucky. Assume a 9.5% median return. The median return since 1900 was 9.7%, the last time I checked. However, that is an INDEX, not an index fund. We need to deduct at least .2% in cost.&lt;br>&lt;br>Given YOUR dollar bet, how long would it take for you to get rich on 9.5%?&lt;br>&lt;br>But, wait!&lt;br>&lt;br>Median is a good tool in general statistics. However, it is not nearly as reliable in the stock market.&lt;br>&lt;br>And, median just tells us that 50% of the returns were higher than 9.5% and 50% were lower. So flip a coin, you have 50% shot of less than 9.5% returns. 9.5% is pretty mediocre - we are just programmed to believe it's good by people who 9.5% is probably good. I say MAKE UP YOUR OWN MIND about what constitutes a good return from high risk.&lt;br>&lt;br>Now, the probable best case long term (20 years or longer) return is around 12%. Yes, we've had one or 2 periods a bit higher than that, but they owe it to a fluke period (a once a century period).&lt;br>&lt;br>To properly estimate return I recommend looking at median CAPITAL GAIN (price appreciation) returns and then tacking on today's dividend (currently about 2%).There's no reason to expect capital gain returns will be higher because the dividend is lower. In fact, a low divided might lead to lower capital gains. However, for the sake of argument, we'll just assume it has no impact. There's no reason we would expect a higher capital gain rate of return. So we need to be careful with assuming historic total returns will prevail.&lt;br>&lt;br>Besides...&lt;br>&lt;br>You need to figure out the NET RETURN. Gross returns do not pay the GROCeries.&lt;br>&lt;br>Deduct taxes (federal, state, and local). That's about 30% in total (Federal capital gain and dividend/capital gain distribution taxes run about 20% and state and local taxes average about 10%).&lt;br>&lt;br>Then deduct projected inflation of about 3% (the average since 1926, however it has been about 4% since 1960).&lt;br>&lt;br>Then deduct costs. That means ALL costs related to investing.&lt;br>&lt;br>Yikes! It aint pretty.&lt;br>&lt;br>But, wait, they are showing us a survivor to represent stocks... and a cherry picked survivor, at that. Who knows in advance what they will be using to represent stocks in 2020, 2030, etc. Who knew in 1926. They were recommending something else then (i.e. whatever was up the most in the cycle, especially if it skewed up the long term return). Just like in 1950, 1965, 1982, etc. etc. Who knew what to buy and hold? What were they recommending then? How did it pan out? We are no better at predicting the future today. Besides, any acquired knowledge cancels out as our competition has the same info. They want you to believe that we &quot;now know&quot;. We have the &quot;final truth&quot;. They always say that and then change their minds, way down.&lt;br>&lt;br>They have never been able to predict the market or what portfolio to hold, so why should we trust them now?&lt;br>&lt;br>Keep in mind. In 1999, 85% of the mutual funds lagged the S&amp;amp;P 500. That says that 85%, at least, have no clue what is the best portfolio to buy and hold. And, keep in mind, that says that most who bought/held lagged the market. But, they compare only the TOP representative of buy/hold vs. average timers. Of course, the rest can't predict either, they are beneficiaires of the law of numbers. Or, they are skilled but not psychic.&lt;br>&lt;br>They are NOT showing you an average portfolio that existed at the start point. What if you had equally weighted everything in existence at that point? Or, gone with any other diversification strategy?&lt;br>&lt;br>Beware of chasing the conventional wisdom of the moment &quot;properly diversified&quot; portfolio. They don't like to tell us how they arrived at their &quot;magic&quot; portfolio, but it always seems to be mega-overweight whatever is up the most of late. Yet, what is the track record of so doing? Funny. They bag on people for chasing tech in early 2000 yet here they are recommending you chase! This tells me that they were among those recommending tech in early 2000. Chasers don't change. &lt;br>&lt;br>Past performance is no guarantee and that applies to the &quot;properly diversified&quot; portfolio they now showcase as &quot;the best long term&quot;. Long term returns vary. Eventually this &quot;long term winner&quot; will become - at least temporarily - a mediocre long term performer. And, what do we do with those? We avoid them. So many will end up selling low when the long term for it is now mediocre and then chase the moment's best long term. &lt;br>&lt;br>Today's favored long term &quot;best&quot; portfolio will likely go on to mediocre or less returns (due to supply and demand, exploitation, etc.).&lt;br>&lt;br>And, before we fall for the published stock market return, remember: Most people lag the market return. Look at the percentage of mutual funds that lag the market. Look at timers. Look at hedge funds. Look at the return of the average investor. Look at the &quot;capture rate&quot; of the average investor in high risk funds. &lt;br>&lt;br>So, take a percent or two out of the published long term return.&lt;br>&lt;br>But, wait, then you need to compare the NET median return, NOT to a hole in the ground, but a OPTIMAL half risk approach.&lt;br>&lt;br>Wall Street obviously prefers we think stocks are the holy path to riches. Just like the real estate sales person says real estate is the way to go. And, the commodity sales person pushes commodities. And, the Karate instructor says his style is best. And, the media uses product class marketing to make us think news chasing is wise. &lt;br>&lt;br>Go with the facts, instead.&lt;br>&lt;br>Besides, stocks basically only can make one rich due to compounding over time, a WHOLE LOT OF TIME. That is, unless they have a huge bet to begin with.&lt;br>&lt;br>By the way, think of the subsequent amounts you accumulate via compounding as your bet/risk. Don't just consider contributions as risk! Gains are yours. You end up upping your bet as you age. Even if it's no more percentage of our net worth. But, what if we repeatedly take profits to avoid upping the percentage? The return from compounding would then be less than they suggest. &lt;br>&lt;br>It gets ever harder to keep reinvesting all your profits as you have ever more dollars on the line, especially since you are aging. Those dollars are ever harder to recoup. The dollars are ever more significant. There's ever more purchasing power. You get ever closer to an amount where you can scale down the risk and cruise into &quot;just enough&quot; riches. The regret gets bigger if you don't sell in time. &lt;br>&lt;br>Why be greedy? Excess doesn't make one happy, well off enough does.&lt;br>&lt;br>I only take risk for near term reward. I want to have plenty of time to enjoy the reward.&lt;br>&lt;br>I do not like TENTATIVE rewards. If I win, I want to have it booked, for good (or at least the bulk of it). Or, I only want to suffer minimial pullbacks. When I earn salary, I don't want to have the boss coming to me and requesting the salary back - I EARNED that reward. I put forth time and energy - which I can not get back.&lt;br>&lt;br>Just as with salary, I earned my return. I put in the time. I put in the effort. But, unlike with salary, I took high risk for that reward.&lt;br>&lt;br>I question whether you are rich if it takes so long to acquire it. When you have so little time to enjoy it. When you need excess money, the least. When you are at an age where all you need is &quot;just enough to barely survive&quot;. &lt;br>&lt;br>Let's face it. Medical costs are the big issue. But, contrary to Wall Street hype, not everyone is going to be in bad health and have high medical costs.&lt;br>&lt;br>I prefer to put my time into exercising, eating right, sleeping, rather than studying Wall Street opinons and noise. This way my medical costs will likley be nill. And, I will generate better returns, to boot! &lt;br>&lt;br>Notice the rich. Every last one of them strived to get rich as fast as possible. Some may say &quot;He was patient waiting for the business to make a profit. He was willing to wait years.&quot; Oh, sure, because he was drawing salary in the mean time, and getting rich.&lt;br>&lt;br>We are bsed that attempting to get rich as fast as possible means buying into scams. In fact, there are plenty of sound methods that get one richer, faster. Getting a high paying job, cutting costs, using risk management, running a business, marrying rich, etc. None of these are scam ideas.&lt;br>&lt;br>The cliche, &quot;It takes money to make money&quot; is so true on Wall Street. Of course, they mean it takes A LOT of money to make Big Money, money few have to bet. I guess they didn't want to come outright and say, &quot;It takes BIG money to get rich&quot; and scare away so many customers. </description>
   <pubDate>Sun, 03 Aug 2008 11:57:56 GMT</pubDate>
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   <title>Personal Finance</title>
   <link>http://OnIncome.net</link>
   <description>I have a new service I'm offering at Web of Opportunity. I am now offering &quot;Online Business Coaching&quot;! That's right. You can now have me as your coach. &lt;br>It's not limited to any one area... I don't obviously know everything... I can't do everything... But I know a lot about Online Marketing &amp;amp; Business in general. I know a lot about Opportunity... &lt;br>It is for those who just need some direction. For those who just need someone to bounce ideas off of. I spent 3 hours on the phone the other day talking to another internet marketer about... You guessed it! Internet marketing! Actually we mostly talked about Google Adwords. But we got on several different topics. Website design. Search Engine Optimization... We talked about our experiences and people we had in common. &lt;br>It is a great feeling to hear someone's voice from the online world. It makes things more real... All of us communicate via typing these words on this screen. Not everyone is great at it. But we all must get by with it... BUT, if you get an opportunity to talk to someone doing what you are doing online, you can learn a lot. &lt;br>Speech is different. It's faster and you can often express your ideas better. And you can get a better feel for who a person is... &lt;br>Coaching doesn't have to cost much. If it's something simple you need, it can be very cheap. But there is no limit... You could hire me for a whole year to do one specific task for you... something you don't have time for or aren't good at. &lt;br>That's why I offer a Free Consultation. Everyone's situation is different. I'll ask enough questions to get us to a place where we understand each other AND I can understand what you need and how I can help you. &lt;br>Then we create a plan to reach your goals. &lt;br>So check it out. If you need work in a certain area, take a look at this Unique opportunity. It's not like reading an eBook or eCourse. You can ask questions specific to your problem and get quicker results. You can have someone like myself do some hands on work for you... Whatever you need! &lt;br>Oh, I almost forgot... I do include 10 bonus eBooks with the Coaching... AND... &lt;br>Anyone that has taken advantage of Coaching will get a free copy of my new eBooks coming out in a few months!! You can't beat that. There will be a lot of great information for you packed in those eBooks... &lt;br></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:01:26 GMT</pubDate>
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   <title>Chasing Performance</title>
   <link>http://OnIncome.net</link>
   <description>* Chasing. 

Before you chase, look at the past performance. What good did it do to extrapolate prior run ups?

Especially after similar duration moves and similar magnitude (where returns were quite above long term returns)?

Then ask: Do I REALLY want to get those drops? Sure, late during we all think that. But, reality is a different thing, altogether.

&lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;http://onincome.net&quot; title=&quot;Save Money&quot;&gt;Saving money&lt;/a&gt;
http://OnIncome.net (the resource for personal finance advice)
</description>
   <pubDate>Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:39:21 GMT</pubDate>
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   <title>Freelancing Tips</title>
   <link>http://OnIncome.net</link>
   <description>Before you can make money with freelancing, you must first understand what it means to be a freelancer. A freelancer is a person who works independently by contracting his/her services. If you choose freelancing as a career, you will be negotiating the before you can make money with freelancing, you must first understand what it means to be a freelancer. A freelancer is a person who works independently by contracting his/her services. If you choose freelancing as a career, you will be negotiating the terms and conditions, including terms of payment with the client, and ensuring that work is completed well within the turnaround time, to the client’s satisfaction.&lt;br>&lt;br>A freelancer will need to keep abreast of the latest developments to be able to compete in the highly competitive freelance market. This requires long hours of reading and researching, understanding the needs of the market. You need to maintain constant contact with the trends in the market and needs of the clients and see where your services can be used.&lt;br>&lt;br>Because of the highly competitive nature of the freelance market, assessing your skills and marketing your work effectively forms the basis of a long-lasting freelance career. You can offer your services in areas that you are passionate about, that you have enough knowledge of, and where you are sure you can do a great job. There are various fields to choose from, like web designing, writing, accounting, proof reading, medical transcription, programming, graphic designing, photographer, translator, illustrator and thousands of others. Decide on your niche in which you are competent to offer your services.&lt;br>&lt;br>The next step is to get your resume or profile ready. A resume should be exceptionally well written, be able to sell your strengths to your potential clients. Do not make it complicated, keep it simple, using short easy to read paragraphs, clearly outlining your qualifications or any experience you may have. The resume should be a reflection of your personality and at the same time professional.&lt;br>&lt;br>Remember, once you are out there, you only have a short time to make an impact on your potential client. This can make the difference between getting hired or losing out on a project. There are several freelance job boards and you need to find the right one. It is worth investing your time in the beginning to see what the different boards out there are and see what suits your needs. If you were a freelance writer, you definitely would not want to waste your time on a site for designers. Another very important thing to take into consideration is to see who your competitors are. If there are people that are offering prices that you cannot beat and you feel the prices are not worth your effort, then do not waste your time sticking on there.&lt;br>&lt;br>Once you have decided on the board, enter the details of your already prepared resume or profile. Although, this is time consuming, entering this in each and every board you choose is needed. This is an essential tool to get you going and that’s the first thing clients see before going further.&lt;br>&lt;br>Getting freelance jobs when you are just starting off takes time and you should have the patience to keep marketing yourself until you land yourself that first job. One of the most common mistakes people make is to bring their prices down when they do not land themselves a job. Remember never ever sell yourself short. Bid a fair price, that is not too high or too low, making sure it is worth your time. The people looking for freelancers need you. Never show desperation because that will have an impact on your future bids.&lt;br>&lt;br>Freelance jobs can provide a steady income and satisfaction of being your own boss. Just be smart and market yourself the right way, with clear communication. Nothing will stop you from having a glorious growing online freelance business.&lt;br>&lt;br>Provided by http://OnIncome.net (the place to go for personal finance advice)</description>
   <pubDate>Sat, 05 Jul 2008 06:14:24 GMT</pubDate>
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   <title>Credit Score: Getting Your Bad Credit Rating Repaired</title>
   <link>http://OnIncome.net</link>
   <description>Credit Score: Getting Your Bad Credit Rating Repaired


Your credit score will mean everything in today's society. It is something that creditors and banks will base on whether you are worthy to get approved for the loan you are applying for and it is also something that will determine your credibility to certain employers and also to landlords.

With a good credit rating, you will be able to apply for loans and credit cards easily. It will mean that you will have more chance in getting that loan you need. It will also mean that you will have more chance in getting that certain job you have been applying for and it will also mean that you can pay your bills on time with the landlords when you are applying for an apartment.

Having a bad credit reduces all these opportunities. You may get approved for a credit card or a loan, but it will usually have higher interest rates. This is because creditors aren’t sure that you can pay your bills on time. It is also riskier for creditors to approve you for the loan if you have a bad credit. When it comes to applying for an apartment complex, landlords take a look at your credit score to determine if you can pay your rent bills and utility bills.

These are some of the reasons why having a good credit score is very important in today's society. However, what if you have a bad credit score? If you have a bad credit score, it is very important to repair it as soon as possible. There are several ways that you can repair your credit score.

The first step in repairing your credit score is by stopping it before it gets any more worse than it is already. To do this, you should pay your previous overdue debts right away in order to cut off bad credit reports from creditors. Although this will not improve your credit score, it is the very first step you should take when you want to repair your credit score.

So, this will take you to the next step. The next step is by raising your credit score by opening a new savings or checking account. You should also apply for a secured credit card. A secured credit card will mean higher interest rate, but it is also a good way to control your credit card spending and also a good way to raise or repair your credit score. By paying your monthly credit bills on time, you will be able to raise your credit score significantly.

If you continue to do these things, you will eventually get a good credit rating. However, your past credit history that contains a bad credit score and bad credit history will not expire until it reaches 5 to 7 years. You have to remember that it will take some time and patience in order to raise your credit rating.

This is why it is very important to make positive reports for your creditors to make to credit reporting agencies. So, remember to pay your loans and credit card bills on time in order to get a good credit rating. By doing this, you will eventually end up with a good credit score and history and never miss out on future financial opportunities that may cross your path.

&lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;http://onincome.net&quot; title=&quot;Save Money&quot;&gt;Saving money&lt;/a&gt;
http://OnIncome.net
</description>
   <pubDate>Sat, 28 Jun 2008 18:02:30 GMT</pubDate>
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   <title>Who is participating in forex market trades? </title>
   <link>http://OnIncome.net</link>
   <description>Who is participating in forex market trades? &lt;br>&lt;br>The forex market is all about trading between countries, the currencies of those countries and the timing of investing in certain currencies. The FX market is trading between counties, usually completed with a broker or a financial company. Many people are involved in forex trading, which is similar to stock market trading, but FX trading is completed on a much larger overall scale. Much of the trading does take place between banks, governments, brokers and a small amount of trades will take place in retail settings where the average person involved in trading is known as a spectator. Financial market and financial conditions are making the forex market trading go up and down daily. Millions are traded on a daily basis between many of the largest countries and this is going to include some amount of trading in smaller countries as well. &lt;br>&lt;br>From the studies over the years, most trades in the forex market are done between banks and this is called interbank. Banks make up about 50 percent of the trading in the forex market. So, if banks are widely using this method to make money for stockholders and for their own bettering of business, you know the money must be there for the smaller investor, the fund mangers to use to increase the amount of interest paid to accounts. Banks trade money daily to increase the amount of money they hold. Overnight a bank will invest millions in forex markets, and then the next day make that money available to the public in their savings, checking accounts and etc. &lt;br>&lt;br>Commercial companies are also trading more often in the forex markets. The commercial companies such as Deutsche bank, UBS, Citigroup, and others such as HSBC, Braclays, Merrill Lynch, JP Morgan Chase, and still others such as Goldman Sachs, ABN Amro, Morgan Stanley, and so on are actively trading in the forex markets to increase wealth of stock holders. Many smaller companies may not be involved in the forex markets as extensively as some large companies are but the options are stil there. &lt;br>&lt;br>Central banks are the banks that hold international roles in the foreign markets. The supply of money, the availability of money, and the interest rates are controlled by central banks. Central banks play a large role in the forex trading, and are located in Tokyo, New York and in London. These are not the only central locations for forex trading but these are among the very largest involved in this market strategy. Sometimes banks, commercial investors and the central banks will have large losses, and this in turn is passed on to investors. Other times, the investors and banks will have huge gains.&lt;br>&lt;br>&lt;br>http://OnIncome.net is your place for investing tips.</description>
   <pubDate>Mon, 26 May 2008 16:44:42 GMT</pubDate>
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   <title>Wells Fargo Home Equity Lines Of Credit </title>
   <link>http://OnIncome.net</link>
   <description>Wells Fargo Home Equity Lines Of Credit &lt;br>&lt;br>Wells Fargo offers a revolving credit line for homeowners called Home Equity Lines of Credit, or HELOCs. This line of credit is an open-ended, revolving loan that allows future advances up to the approved credit limit. You can use the money for home improvements, debt consolidation, medical expenses, investment opportunities, starting a business, education, a new car or boat, or any other major expense. Since Wells Fargo's Home Equity Lines of Credit are revolving loans, you can use only the money you need when you need it, much like credit cards. &lt;br>&lt;br>This credit is available at any time during your draw period with convenient access through your Wells Fargo credit card, checking account, ATM, online banking, or local bank. The draw period of a Home Equity Line of Credit is the amount of time the line of credit is open, usually ten years, after which the line of credit is closed and repayment starts. Advances taken out during this draw period may have small monthly payments in which only minimal amounts are paid toward the principle with the rest of the payment going to accrued interest, or interest only payments may be made. Wells Fargo offers plans that allow repayment of the Home Equity Line of Credit loan over a fixed period of time after the draw period has ended. Some of these plans allow up to thirty years repayment time. &lt;br>&lt;br>Interest of Wells Fargo Home Equity Lines of Credit is variable and tied to the Prime Lending Rate, the rate in which most major banks charge their largest and most credit worthy customers. This variable rate usually has a cap to limit how high of an interest rate can be charged and some have limits as to how low the interest rate can get. Variable rates are subject to quarterly adjustment though some plans offer a fixed interest rate. The interest paid on Wells Fargo Home Equity Lines of Credit is only paid on the funds that are used and is usually tax deductible. &lt;br>&lt;br>Like Home Equity Loans, Home Equity Lines of Credit have fees that may be charged for taking out the loan. Some plans call for one-time; up front fees while others have annual fees. Plans that offer low monthly payments during the draw period may require a balloon payment at the end of the loan period requiring the entire remaining balance to be paid. Other fees can also apply such as appraisal fee, credit check fee, and closing costs. The Federal Truth in Lending Act protects the borrower by requiring the lender to inform the borrower of all costs and terms when the application is given. &lt;br>&lt;br>For money saving advice visit http://OnIncome.net today.</description>
   <pubDate>Thu, 22 May 2008 06:35:23 GMT</pubDate>
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   <title>Are You Considering Re-Financing?</title>
   <link>http://OnIncome.net</link>
   <description>Are You Considering Re-Financing?
&lt;p&gt;

Homeowners who are considering re-financing their home may have a wealth of options available to them. However, these same homeowners may find themselves feeling overwhelmed by this wealth of options. This process doesn’t have to be so difficult though. Homeowners can greatly assist themselves in the process by taking a few simple steps. First the homeowner should determine his refinancing goals. Next the homeowner should consult with a re-financing expert and finally the homeowner should be aware that re-financing is not always the best solution. 
&lt;p&gt;
Determine Your Goals for Re-Financing
&lt;p&gt;
The first step in any re-financing process should be for the homeowner to determine his goals and why he is considering re-financing. There are many different answers to this question and none of the answers are necessarily right or wrong. The most important thing is that the homeowner is making a decision which helps him achieve his financial goals. While there are no right or wrong answer to why re-financing should be considered there are, however, certain reasons for re-financing which are very common. These reasons include:
&lt;p&gt;
* Reducing monthly mortgage payments
* Consolidating existing debts
* Reducing the amount of interest paid over the course of the loan
* Repaying the loan quicker
* Gaining equity quicker
&lt;p&gt;
Although the reasons listed above are not the only reason homeowners might consider re-financing, they are some of the most popular reasons. They are included in this article for the purpose of getting the reader thinking. The reader may find their mortgage re-financing strategy fits into one of the above goals or they may have a completely different reason for wanting to re-finance. The reason for wanting to re-finance is not as important as determining this reason. This is because a homeowner, or even a financial advisor, will have a difficult time determining the best re-financing option for a homeowner if he does not know the goals of the homeowner. 
&lt;p&gt;
Consult with a Re-Financing Expert
&lt;p&gt;
Once a homeowner has figured out why they want to re-finance, the homeowner should consider meeting with a re-financing expert to determine the best refinancing strategy. This will likely be a strategy which is financially sound but is also still geared to meeting the needs of the homeowner. 
&lt;p&gt;
Homeowners who feel as though they are particularly well versed in the subject of re-financing might consider skipping the option of consulting with a re-financing expert. However, this is not recommended because even the most educated homeowner may not be aware of the newest re-financing options being offered by lenders. 
&lt;p&gt;
While not understanding all the options may not seem like a big deal, it can have a significant impact. Homeowners may not even be aware of mistakes they are making but they may here of friends who re-financed under similar conditions and receive more favorable terms. Hearing these scenarios can be quite disheartening for some homeowners especially if they could have saved considerably more while re-financing. 
&lt;p&gt;
Consider Not Re-Financing as a Viable Option
&lt;p&gt;
Homeowners who are considering re-financing may realize the importance of evaluating a number of different re-financing options to determine which option is best but these same homeowners may not realize they should also carefully consider not re-financing as an option. This is often referred to as the “do nothing” option because it refers to the conditions which will exist if the homeowner does not make a change in their mortgage situation. 
&lt;p&gt;
For each re-financing option considered, the homeowner should determine the estimated monthly payment, amount of interest paid during the course of the loan, year in which the loan will be fully repaid and the amount of time the homeowner will have to remain in the home to recoup closing costs associated with re-financing. Homeowners should also determine these values for the current mortgage. This can be very helpful for comparison purposes. 
&lt;p&gt;
Homeowners can compare these results and often the best option is quite clear from these numeric calculations. However, if the analysis does not yield a clear cut answer, the homeowner may have to evaluate secondary characteristics to make the best possible decision. 
&lt;p&gt;

http://OnIncome.net provides personal finance tips. See how to save money and live better in all aspects of life.</description>
   <pubDate>Sat, 26 Apr 2008 19:26:16 GMT</pubDate>
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   <title>Personal Finance Without The Aggravation</title>
   <link>http://onincome.net</link>
   <description>Get real world personal finance tips at http://onincome.net today. No boring theory. What really works in finance.</description>
   <pubDate>Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:49:56 GMT</pubDate>
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   <title>Personal Finance Resource - Money Saving and Money Making Tips.</title>
   <link>http://OnIncome.net</link>
   <description>&lt;a href=&quot;http://OnIncome.net&quot;&gt;Money Saving and Money Making Tips&lt;/a&gt; provides personal finance advice. Receive money-saving tips (that involve little or no sacrifice). You'll also discover investing tips that enable you to do decently regardless of what the market does. Plus, get tips on how to find good jobs. Plus, you'll also get reviews of part time jobs (and links to hiring companies).</description>
   <pubDate>Sun, 26 Aug 2007 09:28:08 GMT</pubDate>
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